by Mari Carr
“Addie is one in a million. You’re gonna love her, Ginny,” Porter said.
He scanned the dance floor again, but Adele was nowhere to be seen. Then he glanced around the room, surprised when he found Macie standing alone near the front entrance. The way she was hovering there without talking to anyone sent up a red flag.
“What’s Macie doing?” Porter asked, pointing her out to Coop, who frowned when he spotted his wife.
“I have no idea.” Coop rose, clearly intent on going over to her, but he stopped short when Betsi sauntered up to their table.
“Hey, Porter. Think I can convince you to take a spin on the dance floor with me tonight?”
Porter sighed. Betsi Brooks had been flirting with him for years even though he’d made it perfectly clear he wasn’t interested. Unfortunately, Adele hadn’t lied about the woman’s mean girl inclinations because, since discovering he and Adele were dating, she’d upped her game, seeking him out way more than usual, determined to cause a rift between him and his girl.
“Saving all my dances for Addie,” he said, not bothering to play nice. He was getting tired of this woman’s games.
Betsi grinned, completely unfazed by the rejection. “Oh. I figured since she just left with Keith, you’d be looking for a new partner.”
Adele had done what?
Suddenly, Porter understood why Macie was hovering by the door. He quickly excused himself to his cousin and Coop.
“Macie,” Porter said when he reached her. “What’s going on? Where’s Addie?”
Macie pointed over her shoulder with her thumb. “She’s outside. Keith asked to talk to her in private.”
“Why?”
Macie shrugged. “That’s what I’m trying to figure out. But they walked too far away so I couldn’t hear a word they’re saying. Then somebody yelled at me to shut the door, so now I’m trying to read lips.”
Macie was tenacious when she wanted to know something.
“How’s that going for you?”
She grimaced. “Shitty. I figure they won’t be out there long because she doesn’t have her coat and it’s fucking freezing.”
Porter peered through the door’s window and spotted Adele and Keith.
“You going to go out there?” Macie asked, clearly expecting him to start a fight. And damn if he wasn’t tempted to.
But something held him back. He recalled Adele’s jealousy of Betsi and the way she’d stormed over to stake her claim. Porter hadn’t minded that a bit, but then, like a jackass, he’d spanked her and told her he wanted her trust.
Trust was a two-way street, so if he went out there right now, wouldn’t he be showing her he didn’t trust her?
Problem was that wasn’t what had him itching to go out and stake his own claim. He did trust Adele. It was Keith he was having the issue with. Because he didn’t trust that guy as far as he could throw him. It was obvious the man still had a thing for Adele. Not that Porter could blame him.
“Does Adele still have feelings for Keith?” Porter forced himself to ask.
Macie glanced over her shoulder, through the window. “No. I don’t think she does. She was pretty upset for a few months after he moved to St. Louis. And the two of them sort of relapsed last Christmas, kissing under the mistletoe. But she turned a corner in the spring, and since then…I really think she’s been moving on.”
She turned a corner in spring. Porter smiled to himself. He’d turned that same corner at the same time.
“Who is the woman at the table?” Macie asked.
“My cousin Virginia.”
“Ah, I thought she looked familiar. She hasn’t been in Maris in years, has she?”
Porter shook her head. “Got married and moved to Australia, if you can believe it.” He felt a slight niggling that had him concerned. “Did Adele see me with her?”
Macie gave him a crooked grin. “Yep.”
He sighed. “Is she ever going to trust me around other women?”
Macie laughed. “Yep. She already does.”
“Wait, what? She didn’t get jealous when she saw me with Virginia?”
“Nope. Said something to the effect that she was yours. Sounded like she believed it too.”
Adele had been trying to get his Grinch heart to grow three sizes, and damn if it didn’t just happen. She trusted him, believed him when he said she was the only one for him. Christmas had come early this year because he’d just gotten the greatest gift he ever could have asked for.
“So, I’ll ask again. You going out there?” Macie repeated.
“No. I trust her too.”
Macie grinned. “You love her, don’t you?”
He nodded. “Yeah. I do. More than I can say. But I haven’t told her yet, so do you mind keeping that to yourself for now?”
“Never give a Sparks a scoop like that and then tell them to keep it a secret.”
He narrowed his eyes.
Macie pretended to lock her lips with an invisible key. “I won’t say a word.” Macie gave him a hug, then rubbed her pregnant belly. “You’re gonna make a great uncle.”
Porter chuckled. “Coop’s been a bad influence on you. Always putting the cart before the horse.”
“Deny all you want, but you and I both know…” Macie glanced over her shoulder, out the window, and gasped.
Her reaction drew Porter’s attention to the tableau outside. And he saw what Macie did.
Keith was down on one knee, offering a ring to Adele.
Porter growled. “Shit.”
So much for staying inside.
Adele gasped as she looked down at Keith’s outstretched hand, at the ring.
“Keith,” she whispered.
“I tried to get over you, Adele, but I couldn’t. This past year has sucked. Every bit of it. So I requested a transfer and it was approved. I’m moving back to Texas in January, working in the Houston office. I know that’s still a couple hours away from Maris, but that’s not that far. And while I know you’re not fond of big cities, I bet you’d get used to it. And you could come home as much as you wanted to.”
Keith was rambling. He had been ever since he’d pulled her out into this frigid freaking air. She’d tried several times to tell him about Porter, but every time she started to speak, he cut her off, telling her how much he’d missed her, how he still loved her.
“Please,” she implored. “Stand up, Keith. We need to talk. You can’t just—”
“My mom said things with Nick didn’t work out. Can’t you see why, Adele? It’s us. It’s always been us.”
She shook her head, hating how badly she was going to have to hurt him. It had been an entire year. How could his feelings still be this strong? And were they? Or was he just homesick? After all, he’d moved to a big city where he knew no one. Maybe he didn’t want her as much as he just didn’t want to be alone anymore.
“Stand up,” she repeated, her tone more forceful, less pleading. It captured his attention and he slowly stood.
Keith held the ring between them, but his expression was less hopeful, more suspicious. “Adele?”
She reached out and placed her hands on his, closing the lid on the ring box. “I can’t marry you.”
“Houston isn’t that far,” he started again, still convinced her refusal was based on her unwillingness to move away from Maris.
“That’s not why.”
He tilted his head. “You don’t love me anymore.”
She swallowed heavily. “There’s someone else.”
Keith frowned. “Nick? I thought—”
“No. Not Nick. Porter.”
“Cormack?” Keith asked aghast. “Jesus, Adele. How could you fall for a guy like that? He’ll never love you back, never marry you.”
“You’re wrong.”
Keith shook his head. “Please don’t throw away what we have. Not for something that will never happen. Porter only wants one thing from women, and once he gets it, he moves on.”
“You’re wrong,”
Adele said again, her temper piquing. “You don’t know a damn thing about Porter.”
“Fuck,” Keith muttered. “You’re seriously in love with the guy. Adele, how could you be so stupid?”
Porter hadn’t intended to interfere, hadn’t planned to do more than remain close when it became apparent Adele was refusing Keith’s proposal. While he didn’t think Keith would ever do anything to hurt her, he wasn’t willing to take a chance with his girl’s safety. Who knew how the man would react to her rejection?
But he’d be damned if he’d stand by and listen to him insult her.
“From where I’m standing, there’s only one stupid person out here and it’s you for insulting my girlfriend.”
Adele spun around, and that was when he realized he hadn’t needed to worry about her. Adele’s eyes were blazing with fury, and now Porter was sort of sorry he’d interrupted before she got to take Keith out herself.
“Darlin’, you got this?” he asked.
She nodded, then grinned when he gave her a wink, held out his hands in a proceed gesture, and took a step back.
Adele whirled on Keith. “I’m not stupid, Keith. In fact, for the first time in forever, I’m being smart. I’m in love with Porter and…”
She turned back around as if suddenly aware of what she’d just said.
“And?” Porter prompted. “Keep going.”
She didn’t bother to look back at Keith. “And he’s in love with me.”
Porter smiled. “That’s right. He is. And…”
“And while it’s a new relationship, I’m pretty sure…”
Porter held his breath as he waited, hoping and praying they were on the same page as far as their futures were concerned.
“I’m pretty sure he’s the one for me. Forever.”
Porter nodded. “You can be pretty sure. But just so you know…I’m damn sure. I’ve been waiting for a woman like you as long as you’ve been waiting for snow on Christmas.”
Adele laughed.
Keith cleared his throat. “I’m sorry for calling you stupid, Adele. I didn’t mean it.”
She turned to look at her ex. “I know. It’s okay.”
Keith looked at him. “She’s a hell of a woman. Be good to her.”
“Always,” Porter said.
Keith walked back into the community center and for the first time since he’d stepped outside, Porter felt the chill and noticed Adele was shivering. “Come here, darlin’.”
Adele stepped into his embrace, the two of them seeking as much heat from each other as they could.
They stood there for a moment, the silence only broken when Adele laughed softly.
“Something funny?”
“You’re right. Jealousy is a total turn-on.”
He narrowed his eyes. “I didn’t come out here because I was jealous.” The second he spoke the words, he recognized them for the lie they were.
“Seems to me maybe we need to find a way to make a couple of truths stick for you too.”
“Truths?”
“You can trust me. And I’m yours. Always.”
Porter cupped her face and kissed her softly, gently. “And how do you plan to make that stick?”
“Hmm,” she said, pretending to consider her options. “I suppose I could spank you.”
He growled and shook his head. “Come up with another way.”
“Well, I could always tie you to the bed and have my wicked way with you.”
“That has potential, but I have a better idea.”
“Oh yeah?” she asked.
“Marry me.”
Adele laughed, but Porter didn’t give way because he hadn’t meant his words as a joke. When she realized that, her laughter faded.
“Okay. I will.”
Porter wasn’t sure what he’d been expecting, but it sure as hell hadn’t been that. He’d thought he would have to spend the next few months wooing her, working overtime to convince her that she was the only woman for him and that this confirmed bachelor was ready to trade one-night stands for a gold wedding band and a couple of rug rats.
Now it was his turn to study her face, just in case she was joking.
“Addie,” he said. “Jesus, darlin’. Tell me you’re not kidding. Tell me you’re being serious. Because my heart can’t take it if you’re not sincere.”
“I’m being serious. I want to marry you. I know it’s ridiculously fast, but…I also know this is right.”
Porter kissed her again, but this time he couldn’t hold back the passion. He pressed her lips open, stroking her with his tongue, tasting the eggnog and sugar cookies they’d shared earlier.
The cold was forgotten as Porter wrapped his arms around her even tighter, the kiss lingering for several minutes.
When they finally broke apart, Adele gave him an adorable smile, even as a glimmer of mischief entered her eyes.
“I don’t mean to criticize your proposal, cowboy, but Keith got down on one knee. And he had a ring.”
Porter laughed loudly, ruffling her hair playfully as she tried to swat his hand away. “Would you settle for a magic tongue and an Energizer Bunny?”
Epilogue
Porter placed a soft kiss on the side of Adele’s head as she reclined in his arms. The two of them were sitting on the soft rug on his living room floor as he leaned back against the couch, watching the Christmas tree lights.
It was Christmas Eve. Adele had begun to move her things into his place the day after the holiday social, and this morning, they’d brought over the last of the boxes. There were very few people in town who hadn’t made some comment or another about them moving too fast. The only people who seemed to get it were Coop and Macie, who’d agreed there was no point succumbing to some unwritten social edict that insisted relationships needed to progress at a slower pace.
Coop had confided he would have moved Macie into the farmhouse the day after their first date if he’d thought she’d go for it. Macie said he should have asked.
The four of them had spent the evening together at the farmhouse, enjoying a lamb dinner and playing Rummikub and drinking eggnog. Then he and Adele had bundled up and walked back to his—their—cabin. They’d spent the last hour snuggled together just watching the lights.
“Penny for your thoughts,” he murmured.
She glanced at him over her shoulder. “Not really thinking about anything. It’s more like I’m just feeling.”
“Okay. Penny for your feelings.”
She giggled. “I’m happy. So incredibly happy.”
“Me too.” He placed a kiss on her cheek, pleased when Adele twisted in his lap so they could share a proper kiss. Porter gripped her thighs, spreading them so she was straddling his lap. The kiss grew hotter, more passionate.
“I’m going to take you right here, Addie. Unwrap you under the Christmas tree.”
She drew farther back to do a little unwrapping of her own, slipping free the buttons on his flannel shirt.
He tugged her soft sweater over her head, grinning when he spotted that same lacy red bra she’d worn the first night they’d slept together.
After that, their clothes came off quickly. Once they were naked, he pressed her to her back on the thick, soft rug, holding himself over her, his elbows resting next to her shoulders.
“I love you,” he whispered as he slowly pushed inside her.
Adele wrapped her legs around his waist, the two of them moving together. Every time they came together like this, Porter couldn’t help but think their bodies were made for each other.
She ran her fingers through his hair, her gaze locked with his.
She gave him a sweet smile that morphed into a groan when he found that spot deep inside her that never failed to push her to the next level.
“God,” she breathed. “So good.”
He started to thrust faster, his balls constricting when he felt her go over the edge. Her orgasm milked his own from him, and he cried out her name as he came.
Porte
r planned to ask Adele to go off the pill right after the New Year. At forty-two, he was anxious to start a family with her. Hell, he was anxious to do everything—the wedding, the honeymoon, the kids, the whole shebang, as she called it.
Porter pushed up, kneeling between her outstretched legs. Adele’s eyes were closed, her cheeks flushed, and he didn’t doubt she’d fall asleep here if he didn’t rouse her.
“Addie,” he said, loving the blissful look in her beautiful eyes as she looked at him.
“I guess we should move to the bedroom,” she said, slowly pushing herself up. “Santa won’t be able to hide the presents under the tree if we’re here.”
He chuckled, then pointed to the Elf on the Shelf, who’d moved from her bookshelf to his. “Might be a moot point. The elf saw what we just did.”
Adele winked at him. “Totally worth not getting any presents.”
She stood, reaching for the throw on the couch, wrapping it around her shoulders.
Porter made no move to rise. Instead, he reached under the tree, pulling out the small package he’d hidden underneath the tree skirt.
Adele gasped as she looked down at him, on one knee, holding up what was obviously a ring box.
“Porter,” she whispered.
“I was told my last proposal was lacking.”
Adele laughed, though her eyes glistened with happy tears.
“Addie. I didn’t realize it at the time, but it’s pretty obvious now that you stole my heart last spring. One dance and I was yours, hook, line, and sinker. And while it took me a few months to pull my head out of my ass and figure that out, once I did, I saw the future in a way I’d never dreamed possible. Saw a lifetime of love and happiness and laughter and you. Marry me, darlin’. Marry me and I promise I’ll be yours until the end of time.”
Adele nodded, taking the box from him. “Thought wrapping paper was a waste of time and money.”
He laughed. “You opened my eyes to Christmas as well as marriage.”
She quickly tore off the paper, dropping it to the floor, perfectly aware she was just proving his point. She flipped the lid on the ring box and a small cry escaped her lips.