Her Christmas Hookup

HOLLY

All I want for Christmas blasts from the speakers as I leave the room of my Christmas works party. I quickly grabbed my wine glass and headed out into the lobby, where the nearby bar was.

A couple walked past me, hand in hand. I watched the woman lean her head on the man’s arm as he pressed his lips to her head. Their evident love makes me feel worse.

I love Christmas for its magic, but being single for the last few years hasn’t been easy. It’s not like I wanted to be single. I haven’t met the right one or anyone who makes me feel those butterfly feelings in the pit of my stomach.

I may want all that to happen, but I only seem to attract the guys who want to hook up with me, which is fine if you are into that sort of thing. What woman can survive without sex from a guy for a while? I couldn’t and have had a few good hook-ups now and then.

My last one was at my best friend’s Halloween party a month ago. I slipped into his bathroom and fucked a guy who wore a damn scream mask—how ironic. I didn’t know who he was. The mask and costume concealed his face and body. All I know is he had an enormous cock, and I loved what he did to me. He murmured to me about meeting him outside, which I was all for and even tried, but I got too wasted to even move from my friend’s couch, where I passed out. I never saw the man again, since my friend put me in his space room. I never bothered asking my friend who he was since he would have had a hard time recalling himself since at least a few people were there wearing the same mask.

Since that encounter, I decided not to do hookups for a while. As much as the man who I had sex with was hot, well, I assumed he was. You never know who the person you are hooking up is like. They could be a stalker or even a weirdo.

Since that night, I have used my old trusty toy—Clive. Yes, I named my vibrator Clive. I needed a name to moan while using it, so Clive came to me when I was drunk one night, and it stuck.

But after this morning, I may have to change my identity.

This morning was a reminder of what my life is truly lacking. My neighbor, Mrs. Harris, came out of her flat and asked me how Clive was doing and when she would meet him. I have never been so freaking embarrassed in my life. I made some excuses and left.

How the hell do you react to that? Well, for me, there were a few things. First, I didn’t realize I moaned that loud for her even to hear me moan his name last night. Second, I am never again drinking two bottles of white wine on my own while horny, and third, I don’t have the heart to tell her he’s not real.

Being out tonight with my work colleagues couldn’t have come at a better time, and I was happy to stay at the hotel. I don’t think I could face Mrs. Harris again; I have to make sure there are no more encounters and place a permanent reminder to look through the peephole before I leave.

Shaking my thoughts away, I headed toward the bar, where I thought I could get a better drink. There were loads based around this hotel, but the one I went to was now closed. I looked around until I spotted another party was taking place. Ignoring anyone around, I walked into it and asked for a bottle of wine when a bartender approached me. I removed my bag from my shoulder and took out my money.

The bartender smiled and handed me the bottle while I gave the money to him. He took the top off it and smiled. “Enjoying yourself, sweetheart,” he shouted.

I said nothing but smiled. I grabbed the bottle and stumbled back into the hallway, looking for a place to drink my sorrows.

“Fuck,” I murmured, walking further into the hotel lobby and spotted a couch in the corner. Perfect.

Perfect place to hide my sorry ass and drink this bottle all by myself. I hated feeling sorry for myself at this time of year and had no reason to be like this. I had the most fantastic job, the perfect family and friends. I should be happy, but I knew something or someone was missing.

Pouring some wine into the glass I brought, I took a swig of my wine and sighed as my phone rang. I placed the wine beside me and rummaged through my bag to find my phone. Pulling out my phone, I looked at the screen and groaned at the name—mum.

Nope, not tonight. I wasn’t going to answer her. I left the phone on voicemail and waited for a message notifying me that I had one. Mum knew I was going to my work Christmas party, but she has been hellbent on me returning home to see everyone. I haven’t been back home in two years.

There hasn’t been a reason for not returning; I have only been busy with work. But there is one factor that has been causing me not to go: my mum has been on about setting me up with someone. She wants to set me up, which is a fat no from me. My mum’s taste in men differs entirely from mine. I don’t care if the man is a policeman and has four cats or if he is her best friend’s nephew. I don’t want to go near any of them. I love her to the moon and back, but she needs to leave me alone.

A ping comes up on my phone, and there is a message from her, which reads.

Hey sweetie, please let me know if you can come to the Christmas Eve party and if you are bringing anyone. Sharon is getting her nephew to meet you. He is a nice guy, and you should speak to him. He is perfect for you.

I shuddered at the thought. I might skip going there and come up with something. I might spend it with Daryl, my best friend, and Kaleb, his partner, as I have done for the last two years.

Right on cue, a ping comes through: a message from my best friend, Daryl.

“Are you enjoying the Christmas party? I bet all the teachers are dancing around, giving each lap dances.”

A laugh slipped past my lips, and I quickly pressed the call button to call him.

Daryl answers after the second ring. “Holly, why are you ringing me back?” he asked. “I thought you would give someone a lap dance or talk about the kids like they do every year.”

I giggled as the wine slowly went to my head.

“No lap dances,” I said. “But Mr. Kimber has been on the shots and started talking about what fantasies he wants to do with his wife.”

Daryl chuckled. “Isn’t he sixty or something?” he asked, trying to control his laughter.

“Yeah. But it still didn’t stop him. They still have sex, but only on Sundays.”

Daryl laughed again.

“Something no one needs to hear,” he said after his laughing died. “Wasn’t his wife there with him? What did she have to say?”

“She got in on it,” I said, cringing slightly. “It seems when you give her red wine, she will spill the beans on him, not in a good way.”

Daryl chuckled.

“And what are you doing?” he asked. “I know you didn’t want to talk to me.”

I looked around the lobby, which had a few people walking around, mainly staff, who were going about their shift. There was hardly anyone from any parties out in the lobby.

Letting out a sigh, I grip the phone tighter. “I don’t know. I feel slightly off. Mum just messaged me about returning home for Christmas, but she has her best friend’s nephew waiting for me.”

I groan as I rub my hand over my face, and then I grab my wine and take a sip before I continue. “I know she means well, but I don’t need any help to get a man,” I said.

“Why does she want me to meet someone? I’m twenty-four with my whole life ahead of me.”

Daryl lets out a sigh. “Holly, she’s just trying to make sure you’re not alone. Kaleb and I will hook you up if you want. We know a—”

“Nope,” I said, cutting him off. “Mum has been going about it for the last few months since she got back in touch. I need no more help.”

Daryl sighs.

“I know, baby girl,” he said, sounding defeated. “After what Greg did to you, we all want what’s best for you.”

A shiver rippled through me at the mere mention of my ex, Greg. He was an ass and a fine one at that. He cheated on me with someone from his work. We were together for two years, which wasn’t the best relationship. I packed up my stuff and left that night without hesitation. I moved in with Daryl until I found my place. I haven’t seen or heard from Greg since.

“Holly,” Daryl called out, pulling me from my thoughts. “Don’t worry about your mum. You can stay with me and Kaleb. You are more than welcome to stay with us. We are having food on Wednesday. You should come. Kaleb’s brother and sister will be here too. A family get-together.”

“But I’m not fam—” I say, but Daryl cuts me off with a growl. “Don’t even think about finishing that sentence, baby girl. You are the only family I have, so say nothing about it. Come, it will be a blast. Bailey will be there.”

I felt warm inside, but it could be the wine I was drinking.

“I don’t know,” I muttered. “You better not set me up.”

Daryl chuckled again. “No, we wouldn’t. There is no matchmaking here, I promise. Now, get your skinny butt back to that party and have fun for the rest of the night. Knock your phone off, and you can deal with your mother when you come here tomorrow or Wednesday. I don’t mind setting her straight for you.”

I smiled.

“Sure. I’ll have some fun.”

We both said our goodbyes, and Daryl hung up the phone.

I sighed and took another sip of wine when someone cleared their throat. I looked up to see the gorgeous ocean-blue colored eyes staring back at me, and the man with them wore a huge grin, pulling the corners of his lips up tight. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to disturb you,” the man’s voice said, staring at me.

Damn, he was hot. My eyes traveled up and down his whole body. He was wearing a suit and was pulling it off as Chris Evans would on a red carpet-event. He pulled the look off beautifully and even looked like Chris Evans.

I clenched my thighs together as his voice came at me again. “I was wondering if I could join you,” he said, making me look at him. A smirk played on his lips, which made me soon realize he had caught me checking him out.

My cheeks flamed.

“Maybe help you finish that bottle you have.”

My mouth was dry, and there was no way I could speak.

This man affected me in the most humane possible. My damn lady parts were doing the talking as I cleared my throat, realizing that I had been staring at this handsome man again and had not said a word to him.

“Sure,” I rasped. “Take a seat.” Motioning to the seat next to me.

The man grinned and moved to the side, sitting beside me.

“Thanks,” he said, leaning back and stared at me.

“My name is Nick. What’s yours?”