by Tamie Dearen
“So you’re thinking about moving to the city? I’d love that, Scotty.” She caught Aunt Lauren’s twinkling eye and bit back a grin. What a devious genius.
They ate. They danced. They laughed. They toasted. Bird seed flew as they rushed to the waiting limousine. And he carried her across the threshold at the romantic bed and breakfast in the quaint Victorian house.
She found herself in the bathroom staring at the lacy little nightgown she’d chosen for her wedding night while her heart pounded no-way… no way in her ears. She sank to the cold tile floor, wishing she wasn’t so inexperienced. How long she sat there, she didn’t know, but after a time, she heard a tentative knocking on the door.
“Elyssa? Are you okay?”
With her tongue sticking to the roof of her dry mouth, she could only manage a garbled reply.
“Elyssa? I’m coming in.”
The door opened a crack, and Jaxon’s head appeared. His eyes fell on the white lace nightie knotted in her hands. In an instant he was beside her on the floor, pulling her into his warm embrace as the offending nightgown slipped from her fingers. He spoke in a soothing voice between peppered kisses on her cheek.
“You know I love you, right?”
She managed a nod.
“And you love me?”
She gave a more vigorous nod, murmuring “umm-hmm” into his chest. Somehow, in Jaxon’s arms, her fears seemed to fade into the background.
“So you’re just scared about tonight?”
She worked up enough moisture to swallow, lifting her eyes to his. “Yes. Well… I was. But I feel a little better now.”
“Let me tell you something.” He wore a grave expression. “I don’t expect we’ll be very good at sex at the beginning.”
“You don’t?”
“No.” His lips twitched until they broadened into a lopsided grin. “But I’m willing to practice until we get great at it.”
She buried her head against his chest and heard it rumble as he laughed.
Jaxon lifted her chin until she was looking into his intense sapphire eyes, and she could see the force of his emotion. He lowered his face, bringing their lips together in the most tender of kisses.
“Even if we lived forever, I wouldn’t have enough time to show you how much I love you.”
Elyssa’s heart melted, and she felt deliciously warm and secure in Jaxon’s arms. He loves me. I love him. That’s all that matters.
“I feel the same way.” She lifted her lips to his, a familiar tingle spreading out from her spine.
“Then we’d better get started.” His mouth trailed down her neck. “Are you ready, Elyssa Rose McCall? Are you ready to love each other forever?”
“I am.”
And they did.
From the Author
Hope you had a lot of fun.
Thanks so much. You’re almost done.
One more thing before you’re through,
Won’t you leave a short review?
Inside Story
Here’s a little secret, just for my readers. Part 35: Follow Your Dreams is based on a true story about me and my husband-to-be-at-the-time, Bruce. We were in college and had been dating for about a year. Here’s what really happened…
I dreamed Bruce was taking a different girl to church… Brenda B—kle . Of course, when I woke up, I thought the dream had really happened. I was so angry, I decided I wasn’t even going to church. My roommates were all furious with him, as well. Then he called my phone from downstairs in the dorm.
“Why are you here?” I asked.
“I’m here to take you to church,” he answered.
“What about Brenda B—kle? I thought you were taking her to church,” I said in my most sardonic and angry voice.
“I’m not taking Brenda to church. But even if I were, why couldn’t you go with me?”
“That’s what I want to know!” I said.
(Yes, I dreamed it. But it seemed so real, and it made me so livid. I still get mad when I think about it. And thirty years later, he still loves to tell the story.)
Read on to see an excerpt from Noelle’s Golden Christmas, a fun inspirational romance.
Noelle’s Golden Christmas
(Excerpt)
Noelle grabbed the chart for her last patient, a cute six-year-old boy who’d proudly showed her a wiggly tooth on his last visit. Studying the notes as she stepped into the hallway, her shoulder collided with someone, knocking her off balance. A hand grasped her arm in a steadying hold.
“Oh, I’m sorry!” she exclaimed. “I wasn’t watching where I was going.” Startled, Noelle looked up to find a muscular chest, stretching the confines of a cornflower-blue shirt. Nancy’s new patient. Her eyes drifted upward, revealing a pair of broad shoulders. He must be six feet two inches tall… maybe even more.
“No problem, ma’am. I never mind being run over by a beautiful woman.” His deep voice boomed with a definite Texas accent, the resonance sending a warm tingle down her spine.
Taking a step backward and craning her neck, she locked gazes with the most incredible crystal blue eyes she’d ever seen. All coherent thought left her mind as she stared into their depths.
His brows drew downward, while those mesmerizing eyes filled with concern. “Are you okay?”
“I’m… uh…” A hot flush crept up from Noelle’s neck, spreading all the way to her hairline, as blood pounded in her ears. Blinking to break eye contact, she studied his face. His jaw was broad and strong, covered with the short stubble of beard that screamed masculine. His face was perfect, marred only by a tiny white line, a small scar, across his left cheekbone. The words ruggedly handsome came to mind. “I’m fine.” Her voice came out as a squeak.
“Are you Dr. Madison?” As he asked the question, his mouth curved upward, a deep dimple appearing at each corner. His lips parted in a smile to reveal perfectly-aligned teeth.
White teeth. Looks like he bleaches. Healthy gingiva. I bet he’s a daily flosser. Why didn’t I trade with Nancy? “No, I’m a… I’m a…”
“This is another of our hygienists, Noelle Holiday,” Nancy interrupted, sporting a smug smile.
“Holiday? That’s not a very common name is it?” he asked Noelle, seemingly poised to ask another question, when Nancy tugged on his arm.
Noelle couldn’t have answered anyway, because she was too busy reveling in his scent. She sucked in a deep breath through her nose, closing her eyes in pleasure. The fresh clean smell was like the outdoors after a new snow, reminding her of fun times skiing with her sister. But there was something else… a hint of spicy-musky scent, so masculine she felt like growling, “He’s my man,” as in the popular television commercial.
Pulling him away, Nancy said, “Noelle could have cleaned your teeth today, but I’m afraid you drew the short straw and got me instead.”
Noelle fought the sudden desire to be Nancy’s hand so she could touch this man’s arm, even though it was covered with a long-sleeved shirt. Or even better, he could take his shirt off. Akk! What am I saying?
“Oh no, I bet you’re a great hygienist, Nancy.” Mr. So-Sizzling-Hot-Texas-Couldn’t-Hold-Him spoke in a conciliatory tone, obviously afraid he’d hurt Nancy’s feelings.
Wouldn’t you know he’d be considerate as well? Noelle backed up a step, her gaze dropping to study the rest of him. His broad shoulders tapered to narrow blue-jean-clad hips. As he turned to follow Nancy into the hygiene room, Noelle couldn’t help admiring his firm rear end. And his pants actually fit. I love that they aren’t hanging loose.
Nancy chatted as she led him away. “David, did you say you recently moved to Denver from Dallas?”
Noelle stood dumbfounded, watching until they disappeared into Nancy’s hygiene room. After a moment had passed, Nancy’s head reappeared, leaning out past the doorframe. Fanning her face in dramatic fashion, she silently mouthed, “I. Told. You. So!”
God certainly has a sense of humor. Noelle peeled her cottony tongue from the roof
of her mouth, straining to find enough saliva to swallow and soothe her tight throat.
“Wow!” A voice behind Noelle’s shoulder made her jump.
“Good grief, Shara! You scared me to death.” Flattening her hand on her chest in an attempt to calm her racing heart, Noelle glared at their receptionist. The ever-flirting bleached blonde, with perfectly applied makeup, stared shamelessly at the doorway where the handsome new patient had disappeared. How does Shara manage to look sexy—or should I say ‘sleazy’—wearing scrubs? Dr. Madison had scolded the girl multiple times about displaying her ample cleavage to the patients, but it hadn’t slowed her down a bit.
“Are you interested in him?” asked Shara, narrowing her eyes.
“Interested in who?” Noelle feigned innocence, but Shara looked toward the ceiling as if praying for patience in dealing with a child.
“Are you interested in that hunk-on-a-stick new patient from Texas? Or are you drooling because you had a stroke?”
“I’m not drooling,” Noelle protested. “And no, I’m not interested. He’s really not my type.” Flinching at her lie, Noelle said a quick prayer asking forgiveness. Surely God understands why I can’t be honest about a guy when I’m talking to Shara.
Shara lifted her chin, gazing down her nose at Noelle, no real feat considering she towered five inches over Noelle’s five feet four. As Shara’s glossy lips parted in a broad smile, she flung her shiny blond hair over her shoulder. “Yeah, he’s too tall for you, isn’t he? I’m glad you’re not planning to make a move on him, because I certainly am.”
Not that Shara would change her plans if Noelle had professed interest. Noelle knew all too well that Shara was simply sizing up her competition. I may as well give up now… there’s no way I can compete with her. What guy would choose me when he could have Miss Universe? While Shara’s gaze was still fixed on Nancy’s doorway, Noelle scowled at her flawless face. Wait… Is that a pimple? Does Shara actually have a blemish? Yes! Finally, she has a defect. Noelle danced an internal victory dance, until Shara turned back, and the blemish—simply a shadow—disappeared.
Drawing in a huge, disappointed breath, Noelle forced herself to recognize the futility in pursuing the tempting Texan. She reached a hand up, tentatively touching her own blond hair, mousy and limp compared to Shara’s. Maybe my sister has a good idea, giving me a makeover.
In a way Noelle was glad she was attracted to the guy, even though he was miles out of her league. It was the first time she’d felt drawn to any man since Carl had dumped her two years ago. Maybe this was God’s way of telling her it really was time to get back in the dating game.
With a satisfied smile, Noelle moved toward the waiting room to fetch her patient, quietly humming Strangers in the Night.
Continue reading Noelle’s Golden Christmas.
About the Author
Tamie Dearen lives in Texas with her very romantic husband of thirty-three years. She has two beautiful daughters, two amazing son-in-loves, and one awesome grandson. She plays piano, flute, harmonica, keyboards, and guitar and loves composing and art. And she hates housework. She has been a dentist in private practice for thirty years. Tamie stays busy playing keyboards on her church’s praise team and teaching graduate students each week. In her spare time, she writes books. Contact Tamie on her website (TamieDearen.com) for news of the latest releases and monthly prize drawings.
Books by Tamie Dearen
Sweet Romance
The Best Girls Series:
The Best is Yet to Come (Free Prequel)
Her Best Match
Best Dating Rules
Best Laid Plans
Best Foot Forward
Sweet Romance
A Rose in Bloom
Christian Romance
Noelle’s Golden Christmas
The Alora Series
YA/Fantasy
Alora: The Wander-Jewel
Alora: The Portal
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