Locked In (Well Hung Holidays Book 2)

By Faye Byrd

Xander and Ivy go their separate ways at New Year’s to pick up the pieces from the past and begin their relationship from a fresh place.

A surprise Valentine’s visit from Xander is the perfect present after six long weeks apart.

But neither could anticipate that only three weeks later, the world as we know it would come to a complete standstill—and Ivy is near the epicenter.

On March 6, 2020, U-Dub announces the move to online schooling for the rest of winter quarter, freeing Ivy up to spend her time locked in with her new beau.

Will the tight quarters show she’s just another notch?

Or will it prove how perfect they really are?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Faye Byrd
• Release date: Oct 22, 2020
• ISBN: 9781005242527

Faye Byrd

Faye Byrd lives in a small town with her husband of twenty-five years and her pit bull. Aside from writing, her other time is mostly spent with her only grandbaby, spoiling him rotten then sending him back to his mama. Though her debut novel is set in the Wild West, she has many more worlds left to share with her readers. The common thread through all her writing is love.

Book preview

Locked In

A well Hung Novella – Two

Faye Byrd

Edited by Christine V.

Cover images from Deposit Photos

@unkreatives & @kwest

Design Help from Jada D’Lee Designs

Copyright 2020 © Faye Byrd

All rights reserved. No part of this publication can be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without permission in writing from the author.

All trademark references mentioned in this book, including movies, movie characters or television shows, are the property of the respective copyright holders and trademark owners. No copyright infringement is intended.

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales or persons is entirely coincidental.

Contents

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

CHAPTER NINETEEN

CHAPTER TWENTY

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

EPILOGUE

CHAPTER ONE

Friday—February 14, 2020

Are you getting settled in?

Yep. I flop back on my freshly made bed, sighing happily. Any time I get to FaceTime Xander is great, but today is infinitely better because Annabelle and I have finally finished moving into our swanky new apartment thanks to his help. I only have a couple boxes left to unpack.

He grins, one side of his lip lifting higher than the other. I’m glad you’re finally away from that jerk.

I roll my eyes, annoyed at the reminder of Evan and his stupid antics. When I returned to Seattle, it was to find Annabelle directing her boyfriend, Rocco, as he hauled my belongings into her small, one-bedroom apartment. It had been tossed into the hallway by an angry Evan and his hussy, Rebecca, after they got drunk the night before, on New Year’s Eve.

Me too. I smile. And I appreciate your help, though I’m not sure two master suites were necessary.

Oh, yeah they were. He waggles his brows. I need Annabelle as far away from us as possible when I do finally get to visit.

When do you think that’ll be? I ask, my hopes getting the best of me. We haven’t physically been near each other since New Year’s Day at the airport. I put on a playful pout. I may be a little sour that you couldn’t make it today.

Believe me. I feel the same. He takes a deep breath, sighing heavily. I promised my dad I was serious when I came back here, so I can’t go skipping out when he needs me most. He smirks. Apparently, Valentine’s is a big day for weddings at the vineyard.

Who knew? I roll my eyes, giggling. But seriously, how are you handling the change from naked man to suit and tie man?

He chuckles, and it’s a rough, sexy sound that makes me ache. "I much prefer suit and tie man, but what about you, Ivy? His voice drops to a low, sinful growl. Which man do you prefer?"

A moan slips out before I can stop it. This is getting dangerous, I say, fisting my hand to keep it from traveling south. Especially if I’m not seeing you today. It’s pure torture.

For you and me both. He pulls the phone away, and I can’t tell quite what he’s doing, but his fingers are working away. He brings it back up as there’s a knock on my bedroom door. You should probably check that.

My brows furrow. What did you do?

Go see. He shrugs, looking like a sheepish little boy. I get up from the bed and bring the phone with me. When I open the door, there’s no one on the other side. Look down.

My confused gaze trails from the phone to my feet where a small velvet box sits on the floor. A little gasp escapes as I snap my eyes back to him. A present?

Pick it up and go back in your room.

I do as I’m told, wondering what in the world this small, square box contains. I sit on the edge of the bed, hesitant for some odd reason. My stomach is doing a weird dance and my mind is running through scenarios a mile a minute.

Go ahead, he breathes, licking his lips. Open it.

My hand shakes as I lift the lid, and both relief and elation sweep through me in overwhelming waves. A large square diamond pendant hangs on a delicate gold chain. I’d almost bet it’s the necklace that goes with my bracelet. If not, it’s as close of a match as he could find.

I’ll be back in touch at eight pm sharp. I’m brought from my musings by his rough voice. Be wearing nothing but that necklace.

I gasp, but before I can respond, the screen goes dark.

Who am I kidding?

My only response would