Rockin Her World: All For Her, #1

By Selena Illyria

An ex-football player and a celebrity chef will make her holiday nice and naughty…

Reggie Samson dreads going home for Christmas to face her mother's disapproval—and to admit she still hasn't found Mr. Right. But Reggie doesn't want any of her mother's preferred up-and-coming politicians or snobby bankers. She wants a man like her two best friends, celebrity chef Bax Sidney and ex-football player Cliff Copper. She's had a thing for the smoking-hot guys for years, but because they're already in a loving relationship with each other, Reggie has always remained in the friendzone. Until a case of the holiday blues brings everything to a rolling boil.

 

*This is a re-release. Nothing has changed from the oringinal.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Selena Illyria
• Release date: Jun 13, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223694687

Selena Illyria

Multi-Published Author, part vampire, part pixie, Selena Illyria was born with a need to write and enable. Her imagination takes her into the paranormal, sci-fi and fantasy genres and all sorts of mischief. When not writing she enjoys catching up on her TBR pile, watching some of her favorite programs and listening to her favorite music as well as teasing people with posts on decadent food and plot bunnies.

Book preview

Chapter One

Regina Reggie Samson’s heartbeat sped up as she looked up from the patient chart at her nurses’ station and glanced at the wall clock for the tenth time in thirty minutes. Almost time to go home. Fuck. She really wished she could make this ten hour shift go on forever, or at least until after New Years. Nothing in the world could make going to her mother’s house appealing. At least here her patients and co-workers respected her.

She stood and stretched, wincing a little at the stiffness in her back and her throbbing feet. She turned to one of the other nurses on duty. Hey, Rose, you sure you don’t need me for another shift? I can grab some coffee and be ready to go. Reggie pointedly ignored the angry throbbing in her feet and little toes.

Rose let out a long and loud guffaw. Oh, you’re funny. You want to be here for Christmas. So cute. No, honey, oh no. You’re going to take that vacation because you’ve earned it. All the mirth from her face died, and she fixed Reggie with a concerned stare. "You’ve been working so hard. You need a break or you’re going to break."

Reggie shrugged. We’ve all been putting in a lot of time lately.

And she didn’t want to return to an empty apartment and starting packing for her holiday spent in a nightmare with her mother and step-father.

Why did I agree to go to my mother and step-father’s house for Christmas?

Rose frowned at her. You were an asset during the flu and stomach bug outbreaks when so many people were calling in sick. Now it’s your turn for a break. So go. Now. Grab your coat and purse and get out of here. Rose nodded toward the exit. And if I catch you calling in or sneaking back here I will tell Jessie you need a month long vacation?

Reggie put up both hands. OK, OK. I hear you. Thanks. She gave her friend a small smile.

Reggie walked to the nurses’ lounge, pushed open the door, and huffed out a sigh. Nothing to do now but face the firing squad. Her phone vibrated in her pocket. She slipped it out of her pocket and checked it. Oh joy! Speak of the devil. Her mother’s picture and number glared up at her from the screen. With reluctance she answered the call. Hi, Mother. I’m just leaving work now.

Excellent. I have sent the car for you. It will take you by your apartment so you can grab your things and will drive you down here. Her mother didn't say hi or ask how she was, just right to ordering her around.

I can drive myself down there, Reggie insisted. Her stress level spiked, and her chest started to ache. Maybe she could go to Rose and complain of chest pains. Then maybe a doctor would keep her here under observation.

Nonsense. If you drove down here, you’d be late and my schedule would be ruined. No. Stuart will be driving you down here. And once here, you’ll help me prepare for the church’s Christmas Eve potluck dinner.

Reggie blinked. But Gertie—

Gertrude has enough to do between preparing the house, going over the menu, and all the cleaning duties she has to do. No, you will have to chip in, seeing as how you are single. If you had brought a date, perhaps things would be different.

Reggie gritted her teeth. I see.

Of course you do. I will see you in a few hours. Oh, make sure you shower before you leave. I don’t want you bringing that hospital smell into the house. We’ve gone to great trouble to make sure everything smells Christmasy. Her mother rang off.

Reggie slumped. Fuck this shit. Depression surged inside her like a tidal wave of dark, cold water. Then an idea struck, and her heart immediately lifted. She quickly dialed Cliff’s number. He was one of her two best friends. He was as big as a bear, used to play professional football before his injury, and had always been a rock in her life—a friend she could count on.

Cliff answered her call right away. His warm tone brightened her mood instantly. Hey, Reggie, I was just thinking about you. What’s going on, gorgeous?

I was just checking in, she lied. She could hear the tightness in her own voice, feel the way her throat had almost clamped shut with the power of her emotions.

Uh huh. You spoke with your mother, didn’t you?

Heat burned across her face and down her neck. I’m so sorry if I’m interrupting something…

No, I just got home from a little joy ride.

She chuckled. Cliff had always loved going fast. That Ferrari of yours is begging for a ticket. Especially since it’s red.

Hey, I am the safest driver on the planet. And they have to catch me first. He paused.

She waited for him to ask her. Just like he always did.

So tell me what’s wrong, Reggie, He asked in a gentle tone.

Reggie shuffled over to a table and sank down into a seat. Tears blurred her eyes. Yearning hit her in the pit of her stomach. I’m so tired, Cliff. I’ve been working myself ragged these last few weeks—

She stopped talking when two of her co-workers came into the room. They nodded to her, and she nodded back, waiting for them to leave before she continued. Sorry, Angie and Maria came in. Anyway, I’m just so tired and Mother has sent a car for me and I’m still not packed and I just… She sagged against the back of the chair. I don’t know what to do. I don’t want to go but at the same time I don’t want to miss out on seeing my siblings and nieces and nephews.

And you don’t want to have to deal with making polite small talk with Antonio, Cliff pointed out.

Yup. I really don’t want to be forced into interacting with my stepfather. I know it’s been years, but that’s how I feel. Some of her stress lifted, just being able to talk to one of her best friends always helped. Hey, where’s Bax? I don’t hear him.

Stop trying to change the subject. And Mr. Sexy Gourmet can’t join in on the phone conversation, he’s in the shower. He says my driving always makes him sweat—and not the good kind either.

And you’re not with him? she teased. It never failed to make her even happier knowing her two best friends in the whole world had found love with each other. Although sometimes she wished…

If I was in there we’d never get anything accomplished for the rest of the day. Not until we ran out of hot water anyway.

Yeah, you wouldn’t want me to come to your house and kick you both out of the shower just so Bax can film another cooking show, she teased, falling into their familiar banter.

He laughed. You’re welcome to come any time. Into the shower too, if you’re of a mind. He paused. All mirth left his voice. You don’t have to see your family if you don’t want to, Reggie. In fact, you could stay at our house, and just see them on your terms. No one’s forcing you to put yourself through hell for the holidays.

She sighed. Yeah. She fell silent as more of her co-workers came in.

Dally seemed surprised to see her. You’re still here! Reggie, don’t make me tell Rose, she threatened, with a glint in her eye. Or maybe we should get Dr. Singh in here to help escort you out of the building. He’s dressed as Santa for the kids’ ward this week. She let out a sigh. Gives a whole new meaning to sitting on the big man’s lap. She winked and waved her hands. Go! Git! Leave here before something happens!

Their friend Amber slapped her on the arm. Shut up or something definitely will happen! Escape now, Reg!

Reggie laughed. OK, OK. I’m going. She got up from her seat and headed for her locker, keeping her cell phone pressed against her ear. Cliff, I’m going to go to my mother’s. I may not want to, but I’ll go just so I can spend some time with my sisters and brother and my nieces and nephews. Look, I need to be a big girl about this. I can deal with my mother. I always do. Don’t talk me out of it. I love you. Send my love to Bax, OK?

She disconnected before Cliff really could talk her out of it. He had a way with words, and a levelheadedness she’d always admired.

She grabbed her stuff, locked her locker, and headed out of the hospital. Just as her mother had said, Stuart, the driver her mother used, stood next to a sleek, black sedan, dressed in a crisp suit and cap.

She paused, part of her thinking she still had time to run, escape the entire dreaded event. Instead she walked with her head high to the car, nodding to Stuart when she got close.

He held the door for her as she climbed inside. She flinched when he shut the door, thinking how it almost sounded like a cell door slamming…

His sports column forgotten, Cliff disconnected the phone.

We have to do something to help her, he thought.

His love for her grew. He couldn’t help but fall in love with her even more. Her loyalty to her friends and family was one of her best qualities. She deserved so much more than what she would face when she went back home. They needed to act fast.

Hey, Bax, get over here. We need to talk about Reggie, Cliff Copper called out to his lover and partner, Bax Sidney as worry fluttered in his stomach.

What’s up? Bax strode into the living room of their suite, rubbing a towel against his long, inky black hair. His bright green eyes flashed with concern.

Cliff glanced up from his phone.

Bax dropped the towel he’d used on his hair

Reviews for Rockin Her World

[RedHobo · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Good story. Liked that the characters were fleshed out. Cliff and Bax had enough characterization and distinct personnalities to actually stand out on their own. Reggie was an interesting character. Liked her. I liked that she stood her ground and didn't accept to be bullied. The banter was fun, the sex was hot. Enjoyable read.