Holiday Heat

by Janelle Denison

  “Would you like some coffee or fruit?” he asked, motioning to the continental breakfast he’d had room service deliver for the two of them. If she stayed long enough to eat. Then there was the one present he still had left to give her, a Christmas gift he wanted her to take with her, no matter how this morning ended.

  “Maybe in a little bit,” she said, and slid onto his jean-clad lap, surprising him with the playful move, until she spoke her next words. “Thank you for the most unforgettable night of my life. Never would I have imagined that sex could be so incredible, and you more than fulfilled my Christmas wish.”

  So, she was still thinking in terms of sex and an affair. His hopes plummeted, but he managed, just barely, to keep calm instead of making demands. “It was my pleasure.” He reached for the gift on the table, wrapped in bright Christmas paper. “I have something I want to give to you, and I won’t take no for an answer.”

  “Another memento?” she murmured as she took the present from him and lightly touched the gold bow on top.

  “Yeah, something like that,” he replied gruffly.

  She shifted on his thighs as she ripped off the paper, and the lapels of her robe gaped open, offering him a view of the creamy slope of her breast. He hardened in a rush, aching to take that soft mound of flesh in his hand, his mouth…

  She opened the box, peeled back layers of tissue, and gasped when she revealed the beautiful prism she’d admired down in the boutique yesterday. “Oh, Matthew.” She pressed a hand to her heart, her eyes filling with moisture. “How did you know I secretly wanted this?”

  “Because I was watching you with that prism and how fascinated you were.” He went on to explain to her what he saw in that crystal, the different facets that reminded him so much of her, and each brilliant layer that represented such an intriguing part of who she was.

  “Thank you.” She stroked her fingers over the glossy surface before putting it back in its box and setting it back on the table. “I’ll treasure it always.”

  Still, he couldn’t read her tone, and all he could think was the worst… that he hadn’t been able to sway her last night to believe in him. Frustration welled inside of him, and unable to be passive about the situation any longer, he let his thoughts be known. “Dammit, Faith, I’m not letting you walk out of here today, leaving me behind and acting as though we never spent the night together. A night that was way more than sex.”

  She blinked at him, seemingly taken aback by his sudden outburst. “I could never do that—”

  “Forget falling in love, I’m in love with you,” he said, forging on determinedly and stating his case before she could stop him. “And I know you felt things last night, an intimate connection that superseded a mere affair. I know everything between us has happened quickly, and I know it scares you, but I’d never deliberately hurt you like that jerk you were dating did. I don’t care that you’re a school teacher and I’m a surgeon. Those differences don’t matter to me, and they won’t make a bit of difference to my family, either.” He knew he was rambling, but couldn’t help himself because he didn’t want to give her the opportunity to say no to him. “I swear we’ll take things slow and easy, one day at a time until you realize how serious I am, but in order to do that you have to give us a chance.”

  “I know,” she said softly, affectionately.

  His mouth opened, and then he snapped it shut again and frowned, certain he’d misheard her. “Excuse me?”

  She pressed her cool palms against his cheeks and in her eyes he saw enough emotion to make him believe in true love, soul mates, happily-ever-afters and them. “I wasn’t going to walk out of here today. Not without you by my side. I woke up this morning, and after everything that happened between us yesterday, everything we shared about our pasts and relationships, I knew that you’d be the one person I could trust with my heart.” A small, teasing smile tipped the corner of her mouth. “And I figured if there was going to be any gossip about the two of us at the hospital, it ought to be fact, not fiction.”

  He laughed, and reassured that this wonderful woman was his, he lifted her up so she was sitting on the table, then stood, pushing her knees apart and slowly sliding his hands beneath the hem of her robe and up her soft, smooth thighs. “It’s Christmas Eve, and I want you to spend tonight and tomorrow with me and my family.”

  “I’d love to,” she said happily, and sucked in a breath when his fingers encountered her soft, wet heat.

  He grinned rakishly as other more pressing matters made themselves known. “God, I’m suddenly ravenous.”

  “Me, too.” Knowing exactly what he was starving for, he watched as she untied the sash around her waist, and with a shrug of her shoulders the robe slip down her arms and off.

  Faith sat there, gloriously naked, trust and love shimmering in her eyes, along with a wealth of passion for him. Cupping the back of his head, she brought his mouth to her breast and murmured, “Breakfast is served.”

  About the Author

  Janelle Denison is a USA Today Bestselling author of over fifty contemporary romance novels. She is a two time recipient of the National Reader’s Choice Award, and has also been nominated for the prestigious RITA award. Janelle is a California native who now calls Oregon home. She resides in the Portland area with her husband and daughters, and can’t imagine a more beautiful place to live. When not writing, she can be found exploring the great Northwest, from the gorgeous beaches to the amazing waterfalls and lush mountains. To learn more about Janelle and her upcoming releases, you can visit her website at: www.janelledenison.com

  Other places to find Janelle on the internet:

  www.facebook.com/janelledenisonfanpage

  www.twitter.com/janelledenison

  www.plotmonkeys.com

  Other Books by Janelle Denison

  WILDE THING (Book 1)

  THE WILDE SIDE (Book 2)

  TOO WILDE TO TAME (Book 3)

  BORN TO BE WILDE (Book 4)

  WILDE FOR HIM (Book 5)

  MIDNIGHT ANGEL

  by

  Carly Phillips

  Original Copyright 2004 by Karen Drogin

  eBook Copyright © 2013 by Karen Drogin

  Cover Design by Julie Ortolon, copyright Julie Ortolon, 2011

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form by any means without the prior written consent of the Publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.

  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 or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  A NOTE FROM CARLY

  Dear Readers:

  Welcome to my “Love Unexpected” Series. For those of you who have read these books before, there is no change except for the covers. For those who are new to these books, I wrote Perfect Partners, The Right Choice, Solitary Man, and Midnight Angel early in my career. These books have been hard to find for almost a decade. Please note, no changes have been made in content from the time the books were written. As an author, I have grown and changed, but these stories hold a very special place in my heart. I’m thrilled to be able to share them with you now.

  All the best,

  Carly

  Sign up for Carly’s Newsletter:

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  New England Express

  Daily Dirt Column

  The pride of Acton, Massachusetts, returns! Welcome banners drape the streets of the small New England town when favorite son and Hollywood action hero comes home for Ch
ristmas. But are all residents really as thrilled as appearances imply?

  Stay tuned as events unfold.

  Chapter One

  Dylan North walked down the streets of Acton, savoring the familiar sights. Old man Roscoe still sat outside the diner, refusing to give up his spot on the bench for people who were waiting to be seated. In his hometown, the cars ran at a slow pace, the people even slower. As a kid, Dylan couldn’t wait to get the hell out and never look back. As an adult, he appreciated everything he’d once hated because this place possessed the peace and tranquility that were nowhere to be found in L.A.

  As he strode down the street, destination in mind, one more important thought struck him, cementing his reason for coming back now. Everywhere he went reminded him of Holly Evans.

  Dr. Holly Evans, he thought, shaking his head. Damn, but he was proud of her. She may not know his feelings, but by the time his short trip home was over, she’d know that and a whole lot more. But first he needed to find firm footing. To see where he stood with Holly now. They hadn’t spoken in over ten years, and Dylan understood that the girl he’d left behind might want nothing to do with him. He also realized that his own feelings might have changed too. He doubted it, but he needed to keep an open mind.

  He understood these things deep in his gut, in a way he couldn’t have managed in his youth—and not just because his manager, his publicist and his personal assistant all told him he was an ass to turn his back on the beautiful actresses at his beck and call. Specifically Melanie Masterson, his latest and longest-lasting relationship. Melanie desperately wanted a reconciliation, but only, he thought, because being on his arm benefited her career. But he was finished hanging on to Melanie or any other woman in a futile search for the normalcy he’d experienced only once before. With Holly.

  He wasn’t a man prone to believing in omens, but a month ago he’d dreamed of Holly—which wasn’t unusual since he dreamed of her often. But this time had been more vivid. In the dream, it was Christmas Eve and they sat in his house, opening gifts they’d bought for each other with their hard-earned money. Feeling warmer and more content than he could ever remember, he’d drowsily reached for Holly only to find Melanie in bed beside him.

  The shock to his system had been greater than if he’d crawled into a cold bed all alone. It was a wake-up call he’d taken seriously.

  So now he entered the office that had once belonged to Holly’s father and glanced around, noting that although much was the same, such as the old doctor’s diplomas and the black-and-white photos, Holly had added her own touches too. Aside from the Christmas tree in one corner, tinsel draping the walls and decals on the windows, there were more permanent fixes. She’d painted the place a cheery yellow color, a corner of the waiting room held a large toy box and a shelf filled with children’s books, and an array of magazines lay on the center table.

  Doc Evans had a great bedside manner, but he’d never updated the decor. His daughter had. Dylan wondered if the old man had lived to see it. Today Dylan had learned that the dad Holly adored had passed away last year, and right now her mom was out of town visiting her sick sister. Dylan hadn’t been here to cushion the loss of her father. Had anyone? he wondered. The thought caused a cramping in his gut.

  How many other major events had he missed in her life? And was it too late to even approach her now? So many questions.

  “Can I help you?” a red-haired woman he didn’t recognize asked, interrupting his thoughts as she grabbed her coat from one of the hooks in the hall.

  “I’m looking for Holly—I mean Dr. Evans.”

  Without looking up, the other woman shrugged her coat over her shoulders. “Dr. Evans is in the back, but we’ve seen our last patient for the day unless it’s an emergency. Is it an emergency?” As she spoke, she finally glanced into his face for the first time. “Oh my God! You’re him! I mean, you’re Dylan North. The actor.”

  Used to this reaction, Dylan merely treated her to his stock fan smile and reached out a hand in greeting. “Pleased to meet you.”

  She pumped his hand with enthusiasm until he thought his arm might fall off.

  He eased his hand out of her grip. “And you are? Your name, I mean?”

  “Oh, sorry,” she said, her cheeks turning as red as her hair. “Nicole. Nicole Barnett. Oh my goodness, I can’t believe you’re standing here.”

  She gushed like every other fan he met, and though Dylan understood the reaction, he hoped that the more time he spent here, the more people would get used to him and treat him no differently than anyone else. Funny how after craving the spotlight, he now wanted the ordinary.

  But Nicole continued to ramble in the face of idol worship. “I’d heard you were in town, and of course Holly’s been talking about you, but I didn’t think I’d meet you in person. Oh my gosh, this is so exciting.”

  “Holly’s been talking about me?” His heart rate kicked up a notch. That his return was on her radar had to be a good sign.

  “Your return is all anyone can talk about. Our patients keep reminding her that you two used to be an item, not that she wants to remember….” Nicole’s voice trailed off as she realized that in her excitement, she’d slipped big-time. “I’m sorry. I really do need to get going. Should I tell Holly you’re here first?”

  He shook his head. “I’d rather surprise her.”

  Nicole grinned. “Good idea. And if you don’t mind a suggestion, if she gives you a hard time, just say you’re here for a flu shot. Holly can never turn down a patient in need. Unless you’ve already had one?” She raised an eyebrow in question.

  “No, haven’t had one.” Nor did he desire a shot, but he supposed the cause was worthwhile. “I’ll keep your idea in mind.”

  Nicole smiled. “It was really nice to meet you, and good luck,” she told him, and eyes still impressionably wide, she slipped out the door.

  Dylan exhaled hard. He hung his coat on a hook in the hall, then turned the lock, ensuring his reunion with Holly wouldn’t be interrupted. In silence, he headed for the back room.

  Holly stood with her back to him. Her silky blond hair had been clipped back into a ponytail that hung to her shoulders, a huge difference from the long cascading hair she had favored in high school. He couldn’t wait to see it framing her beautiful face.

  Since she hadn’t heard his approach, he took a minute to watch. To cement his certainty that the emotions and feelings in his heart weren’t shadows of the past. And doing so, he was more certain than ever that they were just as intact today as they once had been.

  She scribbled in a chart and then glanced at the calendar on the wall. For a brief second, he caught a glimpse of the profile he remembered, her features more defined and grown up but still the same. Her makeup had faded from a day of hard work, something the women he knew would rarely let happen, hence the entourage of traveling makeup artists to handle touch-ups and constant trips to the restroom to powder their noses.

  The woman before him was real, and he wanted her to be his again. This time forever. Steeling himself, he cleared his throat and knocked twice on the doorframe.

  “I thought I told you it’s okay to go home,” Holly called without glancing up from replacing the paper on the examining table. “I can clean up the last few things and get the office ready for tomorrow. Go get ready for the Christmas party at Whipporwill’s tonight.”

  Her voice hadn’t changed either. The light sound was still capable of sending rippling waves of desire through him, especially when she laughed. If he accomplished nothing else on this first encounter, he wanted to make her laugh.

  “It’s not Nicole,” Dylan said, drawing attention to himself at last.

  She inhaled sharply and turned around fast. Shock, pleasure and anger all flashed across her features until finally she folded her arms across her chest, schooling her face into a blank mask. Just not soon enough to prevent him from discovering she still had a variety of feelings for him, and he hoped to tap into the more pleasant ones.<
br />
  “Dylan,” she said, having regained her composure.

  He inclined his head. “Holly. How’ve you been?”

  She narrowed her gaze, obviously assessing him. “Is that really the best opening line you could come up with?” she asked, then chuckled, a sound he knew was forced because it lacked the warmth and genuineness he remembered.

  It didn’t count as the laugh he’d promised himself. He shrugged. “I didn’t think you’d appreciate it if I tossed some old line your way.”

  Holly nodded slowly, still unable to believe Dylan had come to see her here. She knew all about his return; how could she not when it was all her patients could talk about? But she didn’t think he’d bother to look her up.

  She tried to breathe steadily, a nearly impossible feat when he was still so good-looking, sexy and, damn him, charming in person. His raven hair had barely any gray and those blue eyes were just as bright.

  “You’re right. I wouldn’t have appreciated a flip line,” she said, surprised that he remembered how important honesty was to her, when he’d forgotten all about truthfulness in his rush to leave all those years ago.

  She and Dylan had a history she’d never been able to forget. They’d met at thirteen when Dylan’s family had moved to town, started dating at sixteen, begun sleeping together at seventeen and by eighteen and their high-school graduation, Holly had been planning their happily ever after.

  She’d go to Yale University and then to medical school like her father and his father before him, and though Dylan hadn’t chosen his college yet, he’d go close by, major in theater arts or drama, and they’d stick together as he tried for a career on Broadway. They’d have a house, kids and a happy life. That had been their plan, or so she’d thought until she woke up the day after graduation with a good-bye letter in her mailbox. A note on a flimsy sheet of paper, hastily written as if she’d meant nothing to him at all.