by Livia Grant
Sean rushed across the lanes of traffic as Traci jumped out of the driver's seat to run around and jump into his arms. They didn't bother with words, choosing to say their hellos with locked lips instead. It felt damn good to have her in his arms again. They made out like long-lost lovers until cars trying to pick up other travelers started to honk their horns to break them up. Sean was forced to peel them apart, taking time to cup her cheek gently.
Traci spoke first. "I've missed you."
"I've missed you, too." Sean grinned, realizing how lucky he was to say the next words to this amazing woman. "Let's go home."
Epilogue: Christmas Eve
Traci had to rush. She and Ashley had been wrapping Christmas presents until late that afternoon and she hadn't left herself enough time to get ready for church. As she put the finishing touches on her makeup, she got a good look at herself in the mirror and had to admit she liked what she saw.
Was it only a year ago that she'd been feeling so lonely as she got ready to attend Christmas Eve service with her brother? Last year had been such an important Christmas for Troy and Hallie and now, one year later, they were happily married. The fact that she had met and fallen in love with Sean and now had him and Ashley in her life had her feeling like the luckiest woman in the world.
She jumped when Sean appeared behind her in the mirror. She had been daydreaming and missed him coming into the room. He was already ready, looking like a GQ model in his black tailored suit.
Damn, he is the best looking man in town and he's all mine.
Sean leaned down to hug her from behind. Their eyes met in the mirror as he leaned close to whisper into her ear. "We were supposed to leave five minutes ago. You know what happens to naughty girls who make us late, don't you?"
The glimmer of mischief in his grey eyes had her heart rate spiking with excitement—the kind of excitement that had a girl in danger of needing to change her panties. Sean's lips brushed her ear lobe before trailing kisses down to the sensitive place where her neck joined with her bare shoulder, bringing trembles to her whole body.
"Oh no. Do we have to go to church? Couldn't we just stay home?"
Sean's passion-filled eyes told her he wished they could indeed stay home. "We'd better not. Troy and Hallie are saving us seats and Ashley is looking forward to the party at the community center afterwards."
With a sigh, Traci grabbed her clutch purse. She stood and turned to catch one last kiss before they headed out. Sean's hands strayed from her waist to cup her ass, massaging her still tender bottom through her skirt. Memories of the erotic spanking her HoH had delivered just the night before had them locking lips.
Ashley's, "Oh, not again. You two should get a room!" from the open doorway of their bedroom forced the couple apart.
Sean didn't take his eyes off Traci as he answered his now sixteen-year-old daughter. "I'll remind you this IS our room, young lady. Don't come peeking in if you don't like what you're going to see."
Ashley laughed. "Are you kidding me? I love seeing you guys so happy. Can we go now?"
Traci grabbed her clutch. "That's a great idea. Let's go."
Like the year before, there was a light dusting of snow falling, lending the perfect atmosphere for Christmas Eve. After Traci, Sean, and Ashley moved through the greeting line, they saw Troy and Hallie sitting near the front of the church next to Gina and Adam. They'd saved them seats and as Traci slid in to sit between her brother and Sean, she felt a peaceful calm she'd never felt before. As if they'd planned it, the two most important men in her life reached out to grasp each of her hands. As the candlelight service began, she knew God had answered her prayers from the year before.
After the beautiful service ended, they all headed over to the annual Christmas party at the community center. Like the year before, friends crowded in to spend time together. Carrie Ann greeted them again, passing out welcoming gifts like the year before. At least this year, Hallie was happy to receive the pain-reducing cream she'd been so unhappy with the year before.
A large group of their friends had gathered in the open party room. Sean and Troy enjoyed opening their HoH gifts. This year it was a ping-pong paddle.
Sean's eyes sparked with excitement. Traci assumed it is because he was imagining using the paddle once they got home.
"I don't know, Troy. It's nice that they passed the cream out to the girls, but I think Traci deserves a better gift than that this year."
Traci scoffed at his suggestion. "Hey, don't knock that cream. It works like a miracle so unless you plan on throwing that Ping-Pong paddle away, you step away from my cream, buster."
Sean grinned. "Oh, I'm not going to take away your cream. I just thought I might add another gift to it is all."
"Well, we agreed we're going to exchange our gifts tomorrow morning."
Ashley egged her dad on. "I'm pretty sure even you can come up with a gift better than a tube of cream, Dad. Don't you think so too, Uncle Troy?"
It took Traci a second to catch the change in salutations. "Wait. Did you just call Troy, Uncle Troy? Since when did that start?" Traci wasn't upset. In fact, she loved how it sounded. She liked the grin on Troy's face even more.
It was Sean who gave her the answer. He dropped to one knee, taking her left hand in his as he held out a black velvet jewelry box. Time moved in slow motion as their close friends and family crowded in around them, catching onto the exciting event that was unfolding.
Traci trembled as she saw tears in Sean's eyes. "I was hoping she could start calling Troy and Hallie her uncle and aunt as soon as you say yes. Traci Jackson. I love you. Will you be my wife?"
The huge room full of people had quieted. It was as if everyone was collectively holding their breath, waiting for her reply. Traci glanced up to see the love in Troy's eyes. She suspected he'd known the proposal was coming ahead of time. Hallie had tears falling down her cheeks she was so happy for her sister and friend. Traci saw a look of hope on Ashley's face before she glanced back down to see Sean still waiting, looking apprehensive.
Doesn't he know he's just made me the happiest woman in the entire world?
"Sean Campbell, I can't wait to be your wife. Yes!"
The room full of on-lookers heaved a collective sigh of relief before erupting into jovial cheers. Sean opened the box to show Traci the most beautiful square-cut diamond ring she had ever seen. He took the ring out and slowly slipped it onto her ring finger. He leaned in to kiss her hand first before he jumped to his feet to scoop her up into his arms.
Sean took off towards the door with Traci in his arms. He called back over his shoulder. "Troy, can you make sure Ashley makes it home in an hour or two? I think your sister and I have some celebrating to do."
Troy rushed to catch up with them at the door. He kissed Traci on her forehead. "Congratulations, Trace. I'm so happy for you." He then turned to Sean and placed the Ping-Pong paddle on Traci's tummy. "Don't forget your paddle, Sean. My sister has waited a long time to find her HoH. You might need this some day."
Traci was mortified. "Troy!"
Sean just chuckled. "Your sister is an amazing woman, Troy. Lucky for me, she rarely needs a strict HoH, but I'm up for the job. For now, I'm pretty sure we'll be able to find a few other fun things to do with our new paddle, won't we, Trace?"
"Yes, sir."
"Merry Christmas, baby."
The End
Livia Grant
The fourth book in this series, Protecting it All, will be released in mid-2015 by Blushing Books. Will Lukus, Markus, Dylan and Z be able to bring Jake Davenport down before he hurts more innocent women? This final installment in the Passion Series will return readers to the darker, raw qualities displayed in the earlier books as it delves behind the scenes into the online sex industry and underground sexual slavery trade.
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