Page 38 of Christmas in Coconut Creek

I stuck the toothbrush into my cheek and pulled the phone away from my head to check the time. “I don’t tell you how to live your life, Cindy,” I quipped, and then hung up the phone.

Despite the headache, the wine hangover was mild and when I looked at myself in the mirror I almost felt—pretty? There was a dewy glow to my freckled cheeks, and my eyes looked brighter and bluer than usual.

I touched two fingers to my bottom lip to explore the still tender, swollen skin there. Then, traced those same fingers down my jaw to my neck, to the hint of a blush pink love bite just beneath my ear.

Even in the hour I’d spent rehashing the night swim to Natalia my lower belly hadn’t swirled like it did staring at the evidence of what Frankie and I did in the reflection of the mirror. It brought everything whirring back like a tornado.

The peaks of my nipples pressed against my thin tank top, and I let my fingers drop to trace them. The stimulation was delightful but the memory of Frankie’s tongue against the hard buds was more than enough to stir the throb between my thighs to life. I wasn’t sure the aftershocks of my orgasm the night before had even entirely dissipated, or if I would just truly never forget the way Frankie had demanded me not to.

But God, if I didn’t want more.

My cellphone on the bathroom counter vibrated again and broke the trance I’d fallen into. I snatched it up with an annoyed grunt, assuming Cindy was having another meltdown, but the name on the screen gave me pause.

Ophelia:God damn, you know your way around a woman.

Frankie <3:I appreciate that Ophelia, you know my door is open anytime

I snorted at the exchange, trying and failing to tamper the fluttering feeling of wings in my stomach. He was witty, I’d give him that, and he’d earned his bragging rights fair and square. There was a growing ache already rearing inside me again at the promise of more.

Ophelia:Not sure I could fit through with your head already stuck in it

Frankie <3:Which head?

Ophelia:Point made

Frankie <3:How’s my O after her first O?

He was really never going to let me forget it. And something about Frankie calling mehishad me biting my lip and rereading the line of text several times.

Ophelia:Way to be humble about it

Frankie <3:I was shouting it so loud off our rooftop last night, Gino threatened to call the cops

Ophelia:The neighborhood is petitioning to have you and Mateo removed by New Year’s

Frankie <3:First the pineapple, now this. What are you doing to me, Trouble?

Ophelia:Don’t blame me, bingo club already had their eyes on you boys and your perfectly manicured lawn way before I showed up

Frankie <3:I told you, there’s nothing wrong with two men shacking up together and taking meticulous care of their personal belongings and outdoor landscaping

Ophelia:Are you trying to convince me or yourself?

Frankie <3:Do I need to convince you, Ophelia? I thought I was pretty convincing yesterday

Frankie <3:I could convince you again though, if you ask me real nicely with those bedroom eyes

Ophelia:I knew giving you my number was a bad idea

Frankie <3:I doubt any of your other conversations are as entertaining

I had a stupid smile plastered across my face as I walked back into the guest bedroom, pausing in the doorframe to lean against it and type out another message.

Ophelia:That’s where you’re wrong. I just got off the phone with my sub back in Colorado who was having a conniption over a rumor taking over the classroom that Santa isn’t real

Frankie <3:Fucking Cindy

I giggled out loud, staring down at my phone like a teenager with a crush. I dug my polish-chipped toes into the plush carpet and thought to suggest to Nat that we do a spa day at a place I saw online. The only obligations I let myself have when I planned the trip were rest, relaxation, and whatever local fare Natalia suggested was worth experiencing.

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