Holiday Fling Read Online Free

his hands off on his jeans and held one out to Tarrah.
    She did the same, following his lead.
    “Nice to meet you, Tarrah,” he said.
    God, how awkward is this? “Nice to meet you, Chase.” For the second time today.
    They shook in a daze, staring at each other.
    “Great.” Samantha slapped her hands together. “I’m going to get Missy to clean this up.”
    As Samantha stepped off to find the Stewart’s housekeeper Chase and Tarrah’s hands still shook. After a few moments, they both awkwardly pulled their hands from each other. Chase stepped forward and opened his mouth to speak, but stopped—along with Tarrah’s heart—when Swanson rushed into the room.
    The well over six foot blond picked her up—by her ass—then set her down, nuzzling into her neck.
    Tarrah wanted to cry.
    She didn’t think it was possible for Chase’s eyes to widen any larger, but in that instant—they did. He now saw exactly who her ‘hook-up’ was, and by the look of his face, he wasn’t too happy about it.
    After Swanson was done groping her he turned, seeing Chase. “Hey, bro. You met my girl, Tarrah?” he asked, pulling her into him by her lower back.
    Bro. Of course. Brother. Oh God .
    Chase blinked a few times. “Yeah…bro. Your girl?” His brow arched.
    Swanson cocked his head from side to side. “Well, she’s not technically my girl, but we have an understanding. Don’t we, Tarrah?” He nuzzled his nose into her hair, grabbing her ass.
    Tarrah fought a whimper.
    Chase crossed his arms. “I can see that.”
    Tarrah wanted nothing more than to pull Swanson off her and explain herself to Chase, but really, what was there to explain? Chase already knew the truth. But she wanted to try anyway. She stepped forward to, but stopped as she watched Chase.
    “If you’d excuse me.” He forced a smile and stepped out of the room as Missy came in to clean up the Chex Mix.
    No time passed at all before Swanson was in her ear. “Hey, so I have our blankets and the space heater out in the shed. We just need to wait for the announcement of the fruitcake and we’re good to go.”
    She nodded, barely hearing his words.
    “Great.” He brushed his lips against her neck, grabbed her ass again, and then he was gone.

 
Chapter Nine
    Tarrah scoured the house, looking for Chase. She didn’t know what she was going to say, but she had to say something to him. She found him in the large kitchen with the grandmothers, a few of Georgia’s aunts, and the help.
    She took in a deep breath at the door and as soon as she stepped inside, Swanson’s arm came around her waist.
    “What are you doing, girl? We’re watching the game.” He dragged her away and as she left the room, she noticed Chase’s eyes on her.
    Swanson brought her into the great room where seventy-five percent of the Stewart clan sat around two sixty-inch television sets, watching Swanson and Georgia’s basketball games. They all wore either Swanson or Georgia’s jersey numbers, chanting like they hadn’t already seen their games. They were reruns for pity’s sake! She was astounded by how obsessed the whole clan was. Even Samantha had slipped a jersey on over her dress!
    Swanson quickly slid on his number ‘25’ and handed a matching one to Tarrah.
    “That’s okay, Swan. I’m probably not going to sit in here long. You know I always watch A Christmas Story in the other room.”
    He shrugged and dragged her to a chair with him. He sat down and forced her on his lap. No one ever mentioned Swanson and Tarrah’s “friendliness” during the holidays. That was just how b-ball crazy and distracted they were. Even Georgia never asked about the extent of Tarrah and Swanson’s relationship. Not that she would care, but she just never noticed.
    Tarrah was pretty much bouncing on Swanson’s lap in anticipation of a quick exit.
    “You sure are antsy, girl. What’s up?” Swanson asked, eyes never leaving the screen.
    “Um, Swan, I’m going to—”
    “BOOM