Holiday Heat

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Holiday Heat Page 29

by Janelle Denison


  “Hi. I was wondering if we could talk?”

  “If you’ll excuse me,” his grandmother said, “I have to check on dinner. You will stay, won’t you, Doc?”

  Jess looked at Tanner, then at Margie. “Can I wait and answer that after Tanner and I talk?”

  “Of course,” the older woman said.

  Once they were alone, Tanner grabbed her hand and tugged her outside, onto the front porch. As if suddenly realizing she might not be here with good news, he asked, “Is everything okay? Is it Mr. Preston?”

  “No, he’s fine. It meant a lot, what you did.”

  “I didn’t do anything.”

  “You acknowledged him. Valued him. For a lot of people in that place, that’s something they don’t even let themselves dream about anymore.”

  He nodded once, understanding, as she’d known he would. “I’m glad. Now, what are you doing here?”

  “I’ve been thinking about what I said to you before you left last night.”

  He held up a hand, waving off her apology. “Don’t worry about it, I really do understand.”

  She grabbed that hand, twining her fingers through his. “I was being stupid. Believe me, Lieutenant Boudreau, I am not a coward.”

  “I never thought you were,” he said, lifting his hand to her face and brushing his fingertips against her skin.

  She curled her cheek into his palm, noting, of course, his strength, but also the innate tenderness she’d seen in him from their very first meeting all those years ago.

  “I couldn’t let you leave again, not so soon, not without taking advantage of the little time you have here. And not without letting you know that I care—very much—about when you’re coming back.” Taking a deep breath for courage, hoping she hadn’t misread his feelings, that hers weren’t one-sided, she added, “I’ll be here waiting for you, if you want me to. I don’t care how long it takes.”

  He smiled, then actually started to laugh.

  She moved her lips to his rough palm. “What’s so funny?”

  “Oh, Doc. I’ve been waiting for you for more than three years.”

  She edged closer to him, loving the way his hands fit so perfectly in the indentation of her hips. He drew her close, staring down at her, those gentle brown eyes gleaming with emotion.

  “Now come inside and you can be there when I share the news with my family, because the wait isn’t going to be nearly as long as you think.”

  He wouldn’t say more. Intrigued by the cryptic tone and the sexy smile, she couldn’t wait to hear the rest. But first, she just needed to taste him. Feel his heart beating against her chest, share his warm breath, taste his tender mouth.

  They melted together in a kiss as natural and easy as if they’d been long-time lovers. As if they’d always been meant to be together.

  And somehow, though the future was still uncertain and she didn’t know how long her wait might be, she suspected that someday they would.

  Epilogue

  NOTICE:

  To all residents of Rolling Acres-

  Remember, this year’s Christmas party will double as a wedding shower for our own “Doc” Jessica D’Angelo. Help us celebrate Doc’s upcoming marriage to Miss Margie’s grandson Tanner “Santa” Boudreau by bringing shower/housewarming gifts in lieu of holiday goodies.

  And don’t forget: The wedding will take place on New Year’s Eve, right here in the common room and all are invited!

  THE END

  About the Author

  Leslie Kelly is a national-bestselling author who writes in numerous genres. Her contemporary romances range from sweetly-sexy to downright sizzling and she has published more than fifty books with Harlequin. As Leslie Parrish and Leslie A. Smith she writes dark romantic suspense and straight thrillers.

  Leslie’s books have been honored with multiple National Reader’s Choice Awards, as well as numerous others, and she is a four-time RWA Rita Award nominee.

  Leslie lives in Maryland with her husband and daughters, and spends her days trying to decide whether she’s in the mood to write sex or murder.

  For more information on Leslie’s latest releases, visit her webpage:

  www.lesliekelly.com

  Extended Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Box Set Contents

  Seducing Santa

  Copyright

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  About Janelle

  Other Books by Janelle Denison

  Midnight Angel

  Copyright

  A Note From Carly

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Epilogue

  Thank You

  Connect with Carly

  About Carly

  Carly’s Booklist

  About the Love Unexpected Series

  Dirty Little Christmas

  Copyright

  Praise for the “DIRTY” series

  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

  Marisela’s Dictionary of Dirty (and not-so-dirty) Spanish

  Afterword

  Other Works by Julie

  About Julie

  Contact Information

  Wrapped and Sealed

  Copyright

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Epilogue

  About Leslie

 

 

 


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