Get Your Holiday Romance Fix Here!

 

We have once again arrived at the Christmas season, that time of year when romance mingles with mistletoe. I’m not sure what it is about the holidays and romance, but every year, we’re overloaded with holiday-themed books and TV movies that appeal to the heart. Some are dramatic or sentimental, while some are more lighthearted.

 

I tend to take the latter approach, and want to highlight a two-part mini-series from my backlist, beginning with “Santa Slept Here.” If you can’t guess from the title, this falls into the category of romantic comedy.

“Scott Burke wasn’t looking forward to spending his first Christmas alone after his divorce. His family was scattered over different parts of the country, his friends had plans, and he didn’t really want to partake of the annual community Christmas dinner with strangers. Add to that a general malaise he was feeling about a career that was going nowhere and you had all of the elements for a miserable holiday. A chance meeting with a former classmate on Christmas Eve changes things, when Scott runs into Lisa Berger, stranded on her way home due to a car breakdown. Can the two high school friends rekindle a flame that died out years ago, or will they say Auld Lang Syne when the holiday is over?”

 

This is a fun little story about two people who were besties in high school, but with a twist. Scott had a crush on Lisa, the most popular girl in his class, but he could never work up the nerve to ask her for a date. Through a twist of fate and circumstance, they’re brought together fifteen years later and given another chance. I was drawn to the idea like I am with so many of my other stories. I thought “What if these two old friends just happened to run into each other on Christmas Eve and decided to throw caution to the wind?” Here’s a brief excerpt:

 

Scott surfed through the channels until he found a holiday music special. They watched it for a few minutes before Lisa spoke.

 

“Do you mind if I ask you something?”

 

“Shoot.”

 

She shifted to face him, then cradled her wine glass in her hands. “What you said before about not having the nerve to ask me out when we were in school. Were you really that shy or didn’t you find me attractive?”

 

Scott took a sip of wine while composing the proper response in his mind. If I say no, that wouldn’t be honest. On the other hand, if I tell her how hot I always thought she was, she may slap me. Here goes.

 

“Lisa, I always thought you were one of the prettiest girls in our class, and you don’t know how badly I wanted to be with you. I was just too shy to do anything about it.”

 

“Even though we were friends?”

 

“I was always afraid you’d turn me down.”

 

She gave a playful smile. “Hmm, that’s interesting. When you say you wanted to be with me, what does that mean?”

 

He looked into her eyes. “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”

 

“Uh-huh. Did you mean be with me as in ‘Let’s go to a movie’, or did you mean ‘I’d like to rip your clothes off and bang your brains out’?”

 

Scott placed his palm on her neck under her long mane of hair. “I always thought you were the hottest girl in school, and I would’ve banged your brains out if I hadn’t been such a nice guy.”

 

She nodded slowly. “Honesty. I like that. Would it surprise you if I said that I would’ve let you do it?”

 

His eyebrows arched and his pulse picked up a few beats. “You would?”

 

Lisa traced a light pattern along his thigh with her fingertip while giving him a smoldering look. “Yeah. I always thought you were cute and funny, and I didn’t think you were an awkward geek.”

 

I had fun with these characters, and knew they needed a follow-up to continue their journey. “Under a Christmas Moon” picks up the action a year later.

 

“Scott Burke and Lisa Berger were high school sweethearts once upon a time, but that was fifteen years ago. Sparks were rekindled one year ago, when Lisa found herself stranded in Scott’s hometown on Christmas Eve and they realized they never should have parted. Now they’re planning their first Christmas together as a couple, but a little thing called life keeps getting in the way. Both of their careers keep them busy, especially Lisa’s, and Scott begins to feel like the odd man out in the relationship. Can the two lovers keep the flames burning, or will they decide it isn’t worth the trouble?”

 

Lisa turned off one of the lamps then stood beside Scott with her arm around his waist. They looked at the Christmas tree.

 

“It looks so pretty, all lit up,” she said.

 

“Yeah, it does. I’m glad you like colored lights on a tree. I can’t stand the ones that are all white.”

 

“Me, either. A Christmas tree should be bright and colorful. It needs to scream festivity.”

 

“Does this one scream loud enough for you?”

 

Lisa examined the tree for a few moments. “It will after you move that Santa closer to the angel near the top.”

 

Scott groaned and rolled his eyes. “I give up.”

 

He took their wine glasses to the kitchen to refill them then returned to the living room. Lisa sat on the floor in front of the fireplace. The blue and yellow flames danced along the faux logs and gave off just enough heat to take away the chill. Scott gave Lisa her glass then sat next to her. He had loaded up the stereo with their favorite holiday CDs.

 

She sipped her wine. “Our first Christmas together.”

 

“Second,” Scott corrected. “You were here last year.”

 

“I meant our first official we’re-a-couple-now Christmas.”

 

He hugged her. “That’s a nice feeling. Any regrets about leaving Memphis and moving back here?”

 

“None. Now I’m closer to my family and I get to be with you.”

 

Scott sipped his wine. “No second thoughts about moving in with me instead of getting a place of your own?”

 

Lisa set their glasses on the hearth. She pulled Scott close then kissed him. “Not a one. When we reconnected last year and we both realized how much in love we were, it was a no-brainer.”

 

He reached up to brush a stray strand of hair from her face. “It was for me, too.”

 

Scott embraced Lisa and kissed her, slipping his tongue into her mouth and massaging her lips with his. Her scent kicked his libido into overdrive, and he ran his hands along her back.

 

She peered into his eyes. “Did you have fun today?”

 

“Yeah, I did. It was nice having you all to myself. Think we can do that more often?”

 

“Mm-hmm.” She traced her finger along his jaw. “Remember last year, when we finally made love for the first time?”

 

Arousal stirred at the memory. “Of course. You were incredibly hot that night.” He hesitated. “And you have been every time since.”

 

“Thank you for adding that last part.”

 

She kissed him again then peered into his eyes, giving a sultry look. “Race you to the bedroom,” she teased.

 

“What do I win if I get there first?”

 

“Anything you want to do with me.”

 

“If I lose?”

 

She flashed a playful smile. “The same thing.”

 

They went to the bedroom upstairs. Scott undressed in the faint light, then watched Lisa do a leisurely striptease. His gaze devoured her as she pulled her sweater over her head, followed by unhooking and shrugging off her black lace bra, giving her firm breasts their freedom. She unfastened her tight jeans, then wriggled them over her hips, turning away when she tossed them aside before seductively peeling her matching panties over her tight, round ass.

 

Damn, she knows just how to get to me.

 

These are light romantic comedies with cute endings, reminiscent of what you see on Lifetime or Ion this time of year. Be forewarned that there is some adult content. Happy Holidays, and happy reading!

Tim Smith is an award-winning, bestselling author of romantic mystery/thrillers and contemporary erotic romance. 

"Santa Slept Here" Amazon Kindle

"Under a Christmas Moon" on Kindle