BBX Bonus Content
Burning for Christmas
I wanted her with everything I had, but we couldn’t cross that line yet. I’d never forgive myself for taking us there before we were truly ready. Once we had sex, our friendship would never be able to come back from that. We needed to be sure we wanted to go there first because Brielle wouldn’t be a casual lay. If my heart had anything to say about it, she was the top contender for my forever.
- Keith
Bonus Content
Come back in time with me as we see how Keith and Brielle met! This scene is inspired by something that happened to me when I was in a bar in my early twenties. My rescuer’s name was Jared and we stayed friends after that.
Enjoy!
Brielle
I swirled the ice in my rum and coke while huddled in a corner of the crowded bar.
“See, aren’t you glad we came out?” Stacy shouted as she swayed to the loud music.
I faked a smile as I sipped on my drink. I hadn’t wanted to go out that night. My last final of my junior year had been that afternoon and, frankly, I’d been exhausted. When I’d headed back to my apartment, all I’d wanted to do was collapse on my bed, but my roommate had other plans.
“One more year of hell and we are free.” Stacy slammed her glass into mine, spilling some of her pink concoction over the rim and onto her dress. “Oh, shit. Be back in a sec.”
I watched as she weaved her way through the crowd toward the bathroom. Typically, I would’ve gone with her, but hiding out in the corner seemed like a better idea than trying to fight my way through all of the inebriated students. Why I’d let her convince me into going out—and to that notorious college bar—was beyond me. Closing my eyes for a sec, I imagined being back in my bedroom, clutching a cup of tea, and watching some mindless chick flick.
The sickeningly sweet smell of Red Bull pulled me out of my daydream and my eyes snapped open. A fairly tall guy with close cut blonde hair and squinty eyes was standing entirely too close to me. As he swayed, he took a sip of what I could only assume was a Red Bull and Vodka based on the stench. It was only eleven, which was entirely too early for someone to be that inebriated.
“Hello.” His smile creeped me out. It was like he was trying to be all suave, but he gravely missed the mark. Paired with those overserved eyes, I’d say he looked like a drunk mugshot waiting to happen.
Ignoring him, I took a step closer to the wall in order to get him out of my bubble.
He missed the hint and came closer, backing me into the corner.
Clearly, I hadn’t thought that through.
“I’ve been watching you,” he slurred. Hands down the creepiest pick up line I’d ever been tossed.
“You need to back up, buddy. I’m not interested,” I said in an attempt to dismiss him.
He stepped closer, pinning me against the wall with no escape but through him. “You’re beautiful. I’m going to kiss you now.” He leaned toward me.
My heart thumped. Was this jerk for real?
Just as I was about to knee the guy in the nuts, someone pushed between us and put his arm around my shoulder.
“There you are, baby. I’ve been looking for you.”
Before I could process it, this new guy was dragging me away and toward an open area near the bar. He let go of me and said, “Looked like you needed some help. Hope that was cool.” He was incredibly handsome. Tall, light-brown hair, magnificent copper eyes and he had a smile that nearly made my panties melt right off.
I nodded. “Yes, very much so. Thanks.”
“Sure thing. You seemed really uncomfortable, so I couldn’t help myself.”
He looked like prince charming and
he was a knight in shining armor. I swooned. “You’re very observant.”
He shrugged. “I’m Keith, by the way,” he shouted over the cacophony of bar sounds and offered me his hand.
I shook it. “Brielle.”
“Elle?” he asked.
“Bri-elle,” I emphasized.
“Brielle. Sorry.” He pointed to his ear. “It’s insanely loud in here.”
I grinned. “No kidding.”
“You here with anyone?”
Was he going to ask me out? Please, oh please, oh please.
I shook my head. “No, I’m not.” Then, I remembered Stacy. “I mean, yes, my roommate is here somewhere, but I’m not with-with
anyone.” Knowing her, on her way back from the bathroom she’d probably found a guy to flirt with for free drinks.
He let out a small laugh. “Good. It’s not safe for pretty girls to be alone in bars.”
I smiled at his compliment, then put my straw between my lips as I took a sip of my drink.
Keith asked, “What brings you out here tonight?”
“I just finished up my junior year at Cornell.”
“Nice. What’s your major?”
“Communications and broadcast journalism.”
He brought his beer bottle up toward his mouth. “Ah, so you want to be a reporter?” The bottle touched his lips and he gulped some down.
I twirled a strand of my hair around my finger. “That’s the plan.”
“Cool. I’m not one for being on camera.”
“No?” That was a shame. He would look damn good on television.
He shrugged. “Just not my thing. I bet you’re good at it though.”
“Hopefully, one day.”
He leaned closer and I caught a whiff of his masculine, woodsy scent. “If you play your cards right, dreams come true.” He winked.
My cheeks warmed. “Are you still in school?”
“I graduate next week.”
“Congrats. Where from?”
“Columbia.” Good looking and
intelligent. The man was a unicorn.
“Wow. So what’s next for you?”
“I start at the fire academy this summer.”
I bit my lip. He couldn’t possibly get any sexier. “A fireman. That’s awesome.”
His smile lit up his face. “Yeah. It’s been my dream for as long as I can remember.”
“You must be so excited.”
“I am. It’s taken a lot to get here, but I can’t wait.” He took another swig of his beer.
I stared at his lips. “I’m sure you’ll make a great firefighter.”
“There you are.” A pretty blonde appeared and kissed him on the cheek. “Sorry I’m so late.”
“Hey, Chels.” Keith put an arm around her, then pointed his beer at me. “This is my new friend Brielle.”
She waved at me. “Hi, I’m Chelsea. Keith’s girlfriend.”
My heart sank and I shook my head a few times to cover my shock. “Oh, uh, hi. Nice to meet you.” I felt so stupid. Of course he had a girlfriend. A guy like that would never be single. Wishful thinking.
“So how do you two know each other?” she asked.
“Keith rescued me from a dickhead with zero comprehension of personal space and the word no.”
“Eww. Some guys totes suck.”
I snickered. “Yeah, they do.” Feeling awkward as Barbie and Ken’s third wheel, I said, “Well, I’ll let you two enjoy your evening. Nice meeting you. And thanks again, Keith.”
“No way,” he responded in a commanding tone. “You’re hanging with us. I’m not letting you off on your own to get into trouble again.”
“That’s very sweet of you, but I’ll be all right. Really. I don’t want to intrude.”
“It’s totes fine, girl.” Chelsea’s gaze dropped to my nearly empty glass. “Come on. I need a drink and you need a refill.”
I glanced around to find Stacy and spotted her at a table laughing with some guy, which meant I was on my own. I sucked in my cheeks.
“You sure you don’t mind?”
Keith grinned. “Not at all.”
The three of us made our way to the bar and found an empty space to saddle up to. Chelsea wedged herself between Keith and me.
“What are you having?” Keith asked.
“Rum and coke,” I shouted over Chelsea.
He got the bartender’s attention and ordered my drink, a beer for himself, and a white wine spritzer for Chelsea.
“Oh my gosh, babe, you would not believe what happened at the meeting tonight. Missy pitched a fit over the end of year bash because she wanted it to be a pajama party, but we all out voted her because it has to be a toga party, duh.” Chelsea turned to me. “Could you imagine a pajama party? Gross.”
Thankfully, the bartender had arrived with our drinks during her rant—which Keith insisted on paying for—and I took a long sip of mine to keep from laughing.
“Didn’t your sorority have a toga party last month?” Keith asked.
“No, babe. That was Greek Gods and Goddesses.” She looked at me and rolled her eyes as she giggled. “Boys.”
There was no hiding my laugh this time.
“Are you in a sorority, Bri?”
I wanted to say, hell no, but that would’ve been rude. “No, I’m not, Chels.” Apparently, we were on a nickname basis.
“That’s a shame. You’re totes pretty enough.”
“Thanks.” I think. I took another sip and my eyes met Keith’s over Chelsea’s head. He had an amused grin on his face.
“Eeee!” Chelsea squealed as a brunette approached, then she launched herself into the other girl’s arms. “Oh my gosh, you’re here.” She dragged the new arrival into our circle. “You know, Keith, and this is my new friend, Bri. I was just telling her that she should totes go Greek.”
With zero subtlety, the pretty brunette scanned over me with her eyes. “Totes. I’m Gia, Chelsea’s little.”
I cocked my head. “Little what?”
They both giggled. Chelsea replied, “My little sis, of course.”
I could’ve used more of an explanation, but I truthfully, didn’t care to learn more about sorority life.
Gia grabbed Chelsea’s hand and said, “Come to the bathroom with me.”
“K. Come with us, Bri,” Chelsea smiled at me.
That was the last thing I wanted to do. “I’m good. You two go, I’ll keep Keith company.”
“Boo. But fine. See you in a bit.” Chelsea and Gia pushed through the crowd.
Keith slid over to me. “So, what do you think of Chelsea?”
Umm, what are you doing with her?
But I didn’t say that. I opted for something more…diplomatic. “She’s nice.” It wasn’t a lie. She was sweet, just a little too over-the-top for me.
He nodded. “She is.”
“How long have you two been together?”
“Three months.”
I nodded. The man deserved a metal. After three minutes with her I’d been ready to run.
“I could really use a woman’s opinion.” He twisted his bottle around on the bar top.
“On what?”
“Tell me what you really think of her.”
Normally, I’d figure out a way to avoid answering that kind of question with a virtual stranger, but Keith was easy to talk to and I could tell he genuinely wanted to know what I thought. So, I told him. “Like I said, she’s very sweet.”
“But?” He read my mind.
“But she’s a bit much.”
He laughed. “That’s a nice way to put it.”
“I realize I don’t know you, but she doesn’t exactly strike me as your type.”
An amused smile danced across his lips. “And what do you think my type is?”
I shrugged. “Someone not-so Sorority Sally.”
His head tilted back as he chuckled. “That’s one way to put it.”
“I mean, she’s beautiful and you two look great together, but I’d imagine you’d be better suited to someone a little more,” I pursed my lips as I tried to come up with the least offensive word, “intellectual.”
He tapped his fingers against his beer. “Normally, yes, you’re right, but none of those relationships have worked out, so I went a different direction. Chelsea’s a sweetheart, but sometimes I can feel my brain cells dying off when she’s talking.” He stared at me.
“That’s horrible of me, isn’t it?”
I shook my head. “Not at all.”
“It isn’t all of the time. She’s actually pretty smart when she wants to be. And we have fun together.”
I spun the straw in my drink. “Are you looking for me to tell you whether I think you should break up with her?”
He bit his lip. “Is that bad?”
I let out a small laugh. “Keith, only you can make that decision. Follow your heart.”
“Solid advice, Elle.”
No one had ever called me that, but I liked it coming from him. I grinned. “I have faith you’ll figure it out.”
He flashed me a swoon-worthy smile. “I’ve got a feeling we’re going to be good friends.”
I grinned. “Yeah. Me, too.”
Thank you for reading Burning for Christmas! Since you're here, I'm hoping that means you enjoyed it. A lot of location research went into writing this one. I lived in New York, so that's easy for me to write about, but I've only been to Washington D.C. twice (I only spent about two hours in Georgetown) and I've never been to Kentucky.
I'm a stickler for authenticity, so I spent hours and hours watching videos and reading articles about those destinations in general and also about those destinations at Christmas time. In a way, I was able to travel to these places and experience the Christmas magic without leaving my office, which was pretty cool especially during this time of this pandemic. Anyone else have the travel bug?
Now you can experience the places that Keith and Brielle went to in Burning for Christmas!
Georgetown - Washington D.C.
Downtown/GLOW/Waterfront in the snow
Frankfort, Kentucky
Buffalo Trace Distillery Lights + Christmas Downtown
New York City
Radio City Christmas Spectacular FULL SHOW
Times Square New Years Eve Ball Drop 2020
Times Square New Years Eve FULL EXPERIENCE
If you loved Keith & Brielle's story, please take a minute to write a review on Amazon and/or GoodReads. I rely on your reviews to help me continue to bring you stories that you'll love and other readers rely on them to discover new books, so your opinion truly makes a difference! Reviews increase the visibility of my books, which means the more I have, the less time I have to spend on marketing and the more time I have to write and bring you the next book!
What next?
If this was your introduction to my books, then you'll want to start with Burning for More, book 1 in my Burning for the Bravest Series.
The oldest Hogan brother, Kyle, is moody, over-protective & oblivious to his own sex appeal. That is, until he finally gets a chance with the one that got away.
If you've already read the published books in the series, pre-order Book 5, Burning for You, Kyle's story, which will be out on January 19, 2021!
The oldest Hogan brother, Kyle, is moody, over-protective & oblivious to his own sex appeal. That is, until he finally gets a chance with the one that got away.