Holly Kisses

Jordan Kane
I think I’m going to love my new neighborhood. If I could just find out who’s leaving the little welcome presents on my front lawn, life would be good.

Holly Jacobs
Please God let the ground open up and swallow me, now! I can’t believe Milo has been leaving my unmentionables on the front lawn of the new hottie across the street, as a welcome present. The darn cat isn’t getting anymore treats, ever! Why can’t I wake up from this nightmare?

This hot attorney and his gorgeous neighbor heat up the Christmas season in their small neighborhood with the help of a mischievous cat.

“I’m so happy to be home. The conference was a waste of time,” I lament as I drop my suitcase on the floor and look around for my furry baby. I find the little traitor sitting in Aunt Mabel’s lap, ignoring me. Milo will punish me for several days because I left him for my weekend trip. “Was my little sweetheart a good boy?” I ask, then watch as my aunt flips her long gray hair over her shoulder. For a sixty-five-year-old woman, Aunt Mabel is in wonderful shape. She owns the most popular yoga studio in town. Well, really, it’s the only yoga studio in our small town, but if there was competition, it would still be the most popular.
“Of course, but never mind that. You want to talk about a nightmare. You have a nightmare happening right across the street.” When Aunt Mabel places Milo on the floor, the cat’s glare promises retribution, but I ignore him and concentrate on my aunt. She walks over to point out the front picture window, “You have a new neighbor. Saturday morning, moving vans came, and people were in and out all weekend long. And oh my God, it’s a drug dealer that moved in across the street.”
I roll my eyes and drop down onto the sofa. “Aunt Mabel, what makes you think my new neighbor’s a drug dealer?” Since my aunt is known for her crazy theories, along with her yoga classes, I’m sure this explanation will be a doozy.
“He’s got to be all of eighteen. How else would he be able to afford that house? I’m telling you, a drug dealer moved in across the street. One fine, young, hot as hell drug dealer, but still a criminal.” As she looks up toward the ceiling and shakes her head then looks sadly out the window, I barely contain my laughter. I’m sure there’s another explanation, but everyone in town knows that arguing with Aunt Mabel is pointless.
“I’ll talk to Linda and Gary with the neighborhood association and find out all about my neighbor. Don’t you worry.” I try to assure Aunt Mabel.
After I convince her it’s safe to leave me here with a drug dealer living across the street, she leaves and I attempt to find my angry cat. The little monster has gone into hiding to punish me. While he’s off sulking, I decide to get my things ready for the week ahead. When I walk by the window, I notice a new expensive car in front of my neighbor’s house, and for a second, I wonder about Aunt Mabel’s theory.
* * *
Even though I’m running late the next morning, I search everywhere but can’t find the little terror anywhere. Milo avoided me all night, so I place a can of tuna in his food dish as a peace offering before leaving. Hopefully, he’ll forgive me sometime soon.
As I open my front door to leave, my jaw drops open and I blink several times. My first thought is, Holy Cow. Is that my new neighbor? Things are definitely looking up in my neighborhood. The average age just went down by several years. Aunt Mabel was right. He is hot. Red freaking hot. But several years older than eighteen. I’d say he’s got to be in his mid-twenties, at least. Still young to own a home in this neighborhood unless he has very rich parents or a very good job. The suit he’s wearing probably cost more than my first car did, and it molds to every gorgeous inch of his body perfectly. When he reaches down to pick up an object from his lawn, the material stretches across his perfect ass and I check to make sure I’m not actually drooling. Staring at him short-circuits my brain. As he straightens and notices me gawking, an arrogant smirk flits across his face, then he waves, causing me to blush from head to toe from embarrassment. Before I can make a bigger fool of myself, I turn and dash to my car. As I’m driving away, I watch in the rearview mirror as the hottie walks toward his car.