Free Spicy with a Side of Cranberry Sauce by Rachell Nichole

She closed the door quickly behind her and leaned against it. Seeing her standing there in his room heated his blood, making him glad for the protection of the blankets. And for the fact that she was clear across the room—well out of arm’s reach.
    “I just wanted to make sure things weren’t going to be too fucked-up between us this morning in front of our parents.”
    He cringed. Hearing her call his mom and her dad “our parents” freaked him the hell out.
    “No…we’re fine.” He hoped. “No awkwardness from my end. We probably shouldn’t have done that, but we did. Can’t change it now.”
    She nodded. “That’s good. Because my dad really wants this to work out with your mom, and I would feel terrible if I’d screwed it all up last night.”
    The memory of her in his arms flashed through his mind, making his body tense. She’d screwed something, all right.
    “Okay. Well, I’ll just see you downstairs.” She turned and left without another word, and he sat in stunned silence on his bed. What had her father said about not running away from things? Clearly there was a side to his daughter that James didn’t know so well.
    Mason got up and grabbed his stuff to go shower. If they were going to act like nothing happened, he needed to get his head on straight and stop thinking of Amy naked. He shivered at the remembered feel of her wrapped around his body.
    Yes, she’d definitely seduced him. And he’d welcomed it. Now he’d be close to her for the next few days and unable to touch her. He’d already told her what they’d done was a mistake. Maybe if he could convince himself of that, it would help him keep his hands to himself.
    As the steam from the shower swirled around him, Mason dried and dressed. He didn’t bother to shave, leaving the smattering of light auburn hair grazing his cheeks and neck. Amy hadn’t seemed to mind the rough stubble last night. She must be an expert with makeup, because he was sure his stubble had left a little bit of red skin behind after he’d kissed and nuzzled her. He looked at himself in the mirror. Dark circles marred the bottoms of his eye sockets, and his eyes were bloodshot. God, had he gotten even an hour of sleep? He’d performed in the office under such conditions before, and he would use all his determination to make it through the day without anyone being the wiser.
    Amy had looked delectable this morning. Apparently middle-of-the-night sex agreed with her. Had she gone right to sleep after their little encounter in the kitchen? Her cream-colored skin had practically glowed against the midnight blue of a sleeveless shirt. And he looked like the grim reaper. He shook his head and towel-dried his hair. It was time for him to get downstairs and play nice.
    He tossed his stuff in his room and headed down the infamous stairs. Feeling the heat of a blush creep up his face, he ducked his head as he entered the kitchen. Amy had their lists in her hand and was listening intently to his mom. James stood close by and waited for his marching orders. The turkey was already in the sink, and everyone stopped what they were doing to turn and look at him. The glow of early-morning sun peeked through the windows above the sink and the glass of the back door.
    “Happy Thanksgiving!” His voice was loud in the kitchen, only competing with the rush of the water from the sink as it cascaded over the skin of the turkey.
    His mother gave him an odd look, but Amy and James smiled. He needed to tone it down just a bit, or Mom would know something was up. He spread his arms wide.
    “Washed and ready. Where do you want me?” he asked his mom.
    She pointed to Amy. “Ask the lovely Miss Easton. She seems to know exactly what she’s doing, so I’ve put her in charge.”
    His mouth dropped open. He wasn’t sure he could close it again. Mom was giving over control of the kitchen? At Amy’s raised eyebrows and forced smile, he closed the gaping hole in his face.
    “Okay, what