Bunnies and Bowties (Holidate #9)

Chapter 1

EVERLEE – IT’S HARD FINDING GOOD HELP OR A CHARGED VIbrATOR

“Now slip your fingers into your glistening pussy. I want to watch you make yourself come,” the man’s deep voice commands through my headphones with a thick accent.

He could read the phone book with that voice and I’d come.

Pulling my vibrator out, I adjust the speed and slide it back in. “That’s right. Good girl.”

The words don’t hit the way they used to, but they still spark a flutter in my stomach followed by a little pang in my heart.

I hadn’t planned on coming home from work to masturbate in my living room, but sometimes you read a good book and the next thing you know you’re finger fucking yourself on the couch with one leg propped over the arm, hoping your little peeping tom neighbors in the apartment building beside you aren’t chomping down on a handful of freshly popped popcorn watching the show.

And then perhaps the other part of you is like fuck it, let them watch and you don’t know what turns you on more.

“Move faster,” the deep voice commands.

I pulse my bright pink and purple BOB in and out.

It’s the new one Lizzy bought me after… you know.

It’s not the biggest size cock on the market, but it does the job.

My other boyfriends are on life support, plugged in, and this one is the only one up to the challenge, although I don’t know how much life he has left in him.

But I only need him just… a little… bit… longer.

My stomach tightens as the wave ascends and my back arches.

And then…

Silence.

No. No, no, no, no, no. I pull BOB out and look at him, giving him a little shake. He buzzes again, filling me with hope, then stops. He’s on the fritz. The motherfucking fritz. “Come on, BOB. You’ve been so good to me all these months. The one I could always count on.”

Another quick buzz, then nothing.

“You're dead to me, BOB!” I yell out in frustration, tossing him to the ground. “I guess manual it is.”

The girl is moaning in my ear as she’s coming undone.

At least one of us can, girlfriend.

Not hesitating, I coat my fingers in my slickness and rub my swollen clit, eager to bring myself release.

KNOCK! KNOCK!

A desperate gasp escapes my lips, my body rigid, my eyes wide and unblinking, fixed on the door as the last vestiges of hope drain away. Maybe they’ll leave. After a few seconds, I move my fingers again.

KNOCK! KNOCK!

It’s a Thursday night at nine o’clock. Probably the wrong door.

KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!

“Open up this door, bitch! I know you're inside!”

Lizzy. Her timing couldn’t be worse.

Groaning out in frustration, I stand from the couch and slip my pajama pants back on.

KNO-

Opening the door mid-knock, I’m met by Lizzy’s wide-eyed surprise, her hand suspended in air. She’s wearing bunny ears on her head, with a light-brown trench coat draped over her shoulders, eyeing me up and down with a large box in her hands.

"Nope," I say bluntly, cutting off any further discussion. Whatever she’s cooking up won’t be good. And what’s worse is we both know I’ll end up saying yes.

She throws her head back in laughter and taps my shoulder like you would a toddler, not even pretending to listen to me. “You don’t even know why I’m here.” She pushes her way in and looks around before settling her eyes on me with a look of pity that is both supportive and deeply judgmental.

“You want me to go to Vixen’s holiday party.”

She puckers her lips as her gaze narrows. “Well, maybe you do know, then.” She drops the box on the floor, clasps her hands together and pleads, “But come on. Pretty, pretty please.”

“Lizzy. I can’t.” I turn my back on her theatrics and walk into the kitchen to grab a glass of water before she can start whatever speech she’s rehearsed.

She stomps after me and grabs my shoulder, turning me around. “You can. You’re just choosing not to. It’s been two months since you’ve gone out. You can’t hide away forever.”

“I’m not hid—”

The buzz of the vibrator reverberates against the floor, pulling our attention.

Well, shit.

She looks over and finds BOB lying by the couch. “I’m glad you're using the one I bought you.” She smirks with an I-told-you-so-look.

“Whatever.”

“Let’s go! This is an intervention. They probably don’t even remember you.”

“Lizzy!” I snap, fighting against the tight ache in my chest.

“You’re right. That was mean, and I’m sorry. They definitely remember you, because who wouldn’t? You’re a bad bitch who is gorgeous and stupid. I can’t believe you walked away from them!”

“Lizzy!” I snap again.

She holds her hands up. “I know, I know. I suck right now. I’m in unfamiliar territory. At least dickface was a douche, so it was easy. It made sense. But these guys…”

“You’re not helping your case.”

She puckers out her lower lip. “Ok. Look. For real. I’m worried about you. You need to get back out there. How do you plan on meeting someone if you never put yourself out there?”

“I don’t.”

She huffs.

“Vixen is having a bunnies and bowties party tonight. I’m going, and really want you to come with me, but I won’t force you.”

She drops to her knees, and for a minute, I think she’s about to beg. Instead, she opens the large box. “I got you an outfit in case you said yes. I thought we could be twinsies.”

My gaze shifts from the outfit to her, and just like that, I can feel my resolve melting like it never existed. I want to go. I want to see them, but I’m scared of what it would be like. Will they ignore me? Or talk to me and pretend like nothing happened?

Not a day has gone by since they came to my apartment that I haven’t thought about them, but my daydreams always end the same.

Walking up to my parent’s house with them behind me, introducing them as my boyfriends and then…

sadness, regret. My mom falling to her knees with her face cupped in her hands, while my dad demands us to leave—for me to leave.

Even though it always ends the same, I still play it through. One so I can try to change the outcome, but two so I can see the men again. My mind wanders, getting lost in their features and the way they look at me. I miss seeing them. It’s been long enough. Perhaps it won’t even be an issue.

Lizzy must sense me caving because she starts bouncing in place like she’s physically holding in a squeal. She holds up the white satin corset, bunny ears, and little cottontail.

“Fine,” I huff. Add another point in the column for Lizzy getting her way.

She stands up and wraps her arms around me. “Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you!”

“I don’t understand why you’re so excited.”

“No reason.”

“Lizzy,” I groan.

“What? Can’t a girl be excited about having her best friend in the world come to a nightclub with her?”

“Yes. But I don’t trust you.”

She bats her hand in the air. “Go get dressed, hooker!”

Grabbing the box, I walk into the bedroom and toss it onto my bed. There’s no reason to shut the door, because it wouldn’t stop her.

Pulling the corset from the box, I slip it on and look at myself in the mirror.

Tilting my head to the side, I make a face at myself, wondering what in the hell I’m doing.

I’ll give her credit. It’s a cute outfit and makes my boobs look huge.

After clipping the tail on, I move to my bathroom and run the curler through my hair, giving a few twists before touching up my make-up.

The finishing touch is the ears. Once I slide them into place, I rifle through my closet and find a pair of low heels.

“What’s taking so long?” Lizzy asks, popping her head in.

“Coming.”

“I hope you do.”

“Cute.”

“Too soon?”

I push past her, pointedly ignoring her question, and grab the drink she’s made for me off the kitchen counter.

“Cheers!” I say, holding up the glass to hers.

Lizzy smiles, clinking my glass. “To an unforgettable night.”

“Yay,” I say deadpan, tipping the drink back.

She sets her glass on the counter, then grabs mine, setting it down. “Let’s go. Our car is waiting downstairs.”

“Waiting?” I nearly choke. “Have they been waiting this entire time?”

Lizzy smiles.

“You should’ve told me.”

“It’s fine. I gave her a big tip to wait.”

“I hope she’s still there.”

“I’m sure she is.”

“Give me one sec.” I grab my vibrator off the floor and run into my room, plugging it in.

Gazing at my shelf of boyfriends, I bid them all good night and really hope I don’t regret going.