Free Holiday Escort: A Christmas Novella by Shanora Williams Page A

standing from her stool, scraping her plate off and placing it in the sink, “I won’t tell a soul. But you sounded like you had a good time. That’s all that matters, right?” She walks towards the mouth of the kitchen, winking over her shoulder. “Keep it up, Pipey. Stay happy. I admire you for not always caving in to what our parents demand of us. Whether they want to admit it or not, I know Mom and Dad are actually really proud of you too.”
    Wow. Are they really?
    “That’s good to know.”
    I watch her walk away, listening to her footsteps travel down the hallway. After I finish my glass of wine, I place it in the sink, and then I turn and lean my back against it, smiling—not only because of what she’s just told me, but because I am damn proud of myself, too.
    Now I feel sort of idiotic for bringing Matthew with me. Maybe I didn’t need to hire a pretend boyfriend to please my parents. Maybe I just needed to stick with my dreams, my goals, and hope for the best.
    For their approval.
    For their appreciation.
    It was bound to come sooner or later, but with Matthew here, maybe I’ll hear those exact words coming out of their mouths before this Christmas weekend is officially over.
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    T he sun is bright when I wake up, the light seeping through my cracked eyelids.
    I groan, flipping onto my stomach and checking the alarm clock with one eye open. It’s nearing 7:30 AM.
    I look to my left, noticing Matthew isn’t in bed. My eyes travel over to where his suitcase is, a pair of clothes folded neatly on top of the chair.
    I should get up. Everyone will be in the kitchen within the next half-hour.
    Pushing out of bed with a heavy yawn, I tread toward the bathroom, pushing the door open.
    I gasp when I spot Matthew in front of the mirror, a towel wrapped around his waist, and those impeccable abs on display again.
    He’s just finished brushing his teeth, placing his toothbrush in the plastic bag. When he hears the door open he turns halfway, glancing over his shoulder.
    “Finally awake, sleepyhead?”
    I rub my eyes, shaking my head. “Yeah. I’m tired. Stayed up way late last night.”
    “Yeah, I woke up around 4:30. You weren’t in bed. Thought something was wrong until I saw you when I woke up again.”
    “I went to the kitchen for a glass of wine and caught Lena in there. We talked for a while.”
    “Really? What about?”
    “Just… life in general.” I grip the doorknob, focusing on my bare shoulder. “You wanna know what she said to me that actually surprised me?”
    “What’s that?”
    “She said she admired me for doing what I wanted with my life instead of what Mom and Dad wanted me to do.” I fold my arms, leaning against the wall as Matthew turns to face me. “She also said she loves her kids to death, loves her husband as well and wouldn’t trade them for the world, but if she could go back, she would. She wanted to major in interior design. Our parents said it was a dumb idea so she never went through with it.”
    “Wow.”
    “Also, I think she may have admitted that she and Bailey are their happy little ass-kissers.”
    I laugh as he does.
    When the merriment simmers, his eyes run over the length of me before pulling up and sighing. “How do you feel?”
    I look into his eyes, knowing exactly what his question is implying.
    “Exhausted,” I say, stepping forward and grabbing my toothbrush.
    I pick up the tube of toothpaste and add a dab, brushing my teeth quickly. All the while I can feel him watching me, glaring at me from behind.
    I shut off the water but before I can put my toothbrush away, Matthew is standing behind me, pressing against me.
    His groin pushes into my ass, and I look at him through the mirror.
    “What do you think you’re doing?” I ask, eyes narrowed.
    “Saying good morning the way a real boyfriend would.” He kisses the crook of my neck and I nearly melt inside. The heat travels down, building up in my most sacred area.
    I drop my toothbrush and turn