by Jody Holford
“What are you doing?”
He walked to her, pulling her into his arms. “I’ll tell you in a minute. Let’s sit down first.”
She sat, intrigued, but felt some of the tension seep back into her shoulders. He turned her so they were facing, pulled her as close as she could get without sitting on his lap, then passed her a glass of wine.
She sipped, watching him as he did the same. “I’m proud of you. I think you’re amazing and I want you to know that I’ll do everything I can to support your dream.”
She melted a little inside. “Thank you.” Reaching out, she pressed her palm to his cheek. “That was a lovely thing to say.”
“I mean it. I want our life together to be about compromise. I’ll give you everything I have and never take you for granted.” He laughed roughly. “I’ll mess up. But I promise to buy flowers.”
Kate laughed, setting her wine down, and scooted closer. “I’d rather have chocolate than flowers. What should I get you when I mess up?”
His eyes twinkled. “Guys are pretty easy.”
She watched his gaze shift, become more serious. “How do you feel about kids?
Elliot put his glass next to hers and took her hands, staring at them. When his gaze met hers, the emotion in them stopped Lucy’s breath, making it back up into her lungs.
“I love Grace and Beth, but I’m not looking to be their mom. I won’t try to take Gina’s place. Do you think all of this is too soon? Too fast? Too much?”
Elliot shook his head. “They love you back. They don’t want you to leave. But that’s not exactly what I meant.
Kate was letting the glow of his words warm her when she realized what he did mean. “Do you…do you want more kids?”
Now he tugged her hands, pulling her forward so she was nestled between his legs. “I didn’t think so. In fact, I was sure I didn’t. Until you. But I want that with you.”
Kate’s heart pounded against her rib cage rapidly, like it was punching its way out. “You do?”
“I do. I’m not usually big on fate or kismet or whatever you want to call it. But I feel like all of the things that have happened led us here. I’ve wanted to ask you out for years but the timing was never right. But no other time would have been right for either of us. We wouldn’t be who we are right this minute without all of the things that brought us here.”
Kate bit the inside of her cheek, thinking about that. “All roads lead you where you’re meant to be.”
Elliot leaned back on the couch, bringing her with him. “Exactly. I love you. Maybe it is fast, but it’s right. I mean, we don’t have to start trying right this minute or get married next week. But I want all of it. With you.”
Kate’s smile started on the inside and spread to her lips. “I want that too. With you and the girls. I want all of it. I love you, Elliot.”
He closed his eyes and breathed deeply. “I’m really glad.” He opened his eyes and sat up, nudging her off his lap. “The girls seemed pretty sure of what you wanted for Christmas. I figured that if you were at all unsure about us, about everything, maybe this would convince you.”
When he stood up, so did Kate, her eyebrows scrunching together. “I’m not unsure. At all. What would convince me?”
“Stay right here,” he said.
Kate stood still, refusing to pace or worry about what he was doing. She heard a door again and realized it was the garage. Unable to stay in one spot, she walked to the fireplace and flipped the switch. Orange and yellow flames danced immediately.
The door opened and closed again. She stepped away from the fire, listening but heard nothing. Pacing, she tried to be patient but curiosity won out. She was heading for the kitchen, intent on finding out what he was doing, when Elliot came back into the living room. In his arms, he was holding a wriggling, whining ball of grey fur.
Kate rushed over. “Oh my goodness! You got a puppy?”
Elliot’s cheeks scrunched up when the dog licked at him and tried to nip. His little nose sniffed at his shirt. “I got you, us, a puppy. She’s a Weimaraner. They’re smart and good with kids. They have a lot of energy, but I figure the girls will match her there.”
Kate stopped in front of him and reached out a hand, then paused. “Wait. You got a puppy hoping I’d stay?”
Elliot shrugged. “Who could leave this face?” He held the puppy up in front of her.
Kate took her from Elliot and snuggled the little one into her chest. “Not me. But I’m pretty fond of your face too. I wasn’t planning on leaving it.”
Elliot wrapped his arms around Kate, laughing when the dog gave a tiny bark that sounded more like a meow. “That’s good news. But the girls were really sure you wanted a puppy. And I want to give you everything I can to make you happy.”
The puppy settled her snout on Kate’s neck, its breath tickling her skin. “You make me happy, Elliot. You and Beth and Grace. I just want you. I want this. I want us to be a family.”
Elliot’s eyes darkened as he came closer and kissed her, sinking into her as his hand found its way into her hair. The dog perked up, pushing its nose between them.
They both laughed and Elliot’s hand settled at the base of Kate’s neck. “We already are. Maybe by next year, we’ll be an even bigger one,” he said.
The puppy started to yip and squiggle. Kate passed her back. “Let’s see how we do with a puppy and two girls first.”
Elliot laughed and kissed her again. “Probably a good idea.”
They sat on the couch, the puppy between them. Elliot pressed play on the movie and with the fire crackling in the background and Elliot’s fingers linked with hers, she wondered if there’d ever been a better Christmas.
“Kate?”
“Hmm?”
“Next Christmas, it’d be nice if all of us shared the same last name.”
Kate looked at him, wondering if he could see her heart flailing around in her chest. She leaned in to kiss him, careful not to wake the puppy. “Even the puppy?”
Elliot frowned. “We should probably give her a first name.”
Kate’s heart continued to hammer like it wanted right out of her chest. They were talking about being married and living happily ever after and all she could think was “yes.”
“Where were you born?” Kate asked, knowing he’d moved to Angel’s Lake for the job. “Indiana.”
Kate thought about it. Played with the word in her mind. “Indy. Indy Peters. I like it. Do you like it?”
With the same care he’d give a newborn, Elliot transferred the pup to the corner of the couch and then turned to Kate. “I do. It’s a good name. You know what other name sounds pretty great?”
Kate grinned, moving closer, her fingers playing with the collar of his shirt. “Hmm.”
Yanking her against him, he whispered against her mouth, “Kate Peters. That’s a good name.”
“Or Elliot Aarons. Also a good name.”
Elliot pulled back and laughed. “I might actually like it better. Except then the girls would have to change their names or we wouldn’t match.”
Kate trailed her lips up the side of his neck up to his ear. “You’re right. I guess we better go with yours,” she whispered.
She lost her train of thought when his hands started gliding over her body beneath her shirt as his lips met hers over and over again. “Elliot?”
She felt his smile against her neck. “Hmm?”
“I think this is my favorite Christmas ever.”
Pulling back, Elliot looked at her like he saw her completely. Like he wanted everything she was or wasn’t. Would be or wouldn’t. Good or bad. No matter what. That was the best gift.
“Next year will be even better,” he promised.
Bonus Story
As a special holiday bonus for my readers, I’m including Kyle & Jordan’s story for your reading pleasure.
Enjoy!
Jody
A Not So Lonely Christmas
Jordan Scott took a long swallow
of her Shiraz before raising the glass in a mocking toast toward the tree.
“Merry Christmas,” she said bitterly before polishing off the glass.
The lights sparkled cheerily in response. Heaving a sigh, she flicked on the gas fireplace and went to the kitchen for a refill. One tear hit the granite counter top but she ignored it, emptying the bottle and swiping at her eyes.
“Lots of people spend Christmas alone,” she muttered.
She rooted in the fridge, unsurprised to find nothing since she’d emptied it yesterday. She wasn’t supposed to be here today so why would she have food? Fortunately, she always had the essentials. Opening the freezer, she grabbed the gallon of double chocolate cookie dough ice cream, put a spoon in her mouth so she could carry her wine, and went to pout in the comfort of her living room.
Grabbing a hair tie off the walnut coffee table, she scooped up her auburn locks into a haphazard bun, lined up all of the remotes and sat crisscross in the middle of her wide cushioned couch. Finding the black and white version of Miracle on 34th Street, the better of the two in her opinion, she pried the top off the carton. Using the spoon to root through the ice cream, she found the largest chunk of cookie dough and popped it in her mouth, just as the doorbell rang.
Frowning, Jordan set the ice cream on her Cosmo magazine so it didn’t leave a mark on the table and stomped through her townhouse as loudly as her fluffy pink slippers would allow. Peeking outside, she saw Kyle Meyers blowing into his leather gloved hands as snow swirled around him. She yanked open the door, completely forgetting that she’d been set to spend the night alone, sulking.
Kyle came in without waiting for the invitation. His brushed some of the snow off of his brown, annoyingly wavy hair. He felt chilled all the way through his wool jacket and the suit he wore underneath. Jordan stood in front of him, her sexy scowl firmly in place. Her long curly hair was piled on top of her head with the ends sticking up like feathers. Her gorgeous face had been scrubbed clean of make-up and she wore completely unflattering, ill-fitting pajamas, topped off with pink, fuzzy slippers. The ensemble should have scared him but instead, all he wanted was to yank her close and warm himself using her body.
“Nice look, Jo.”
“What are you doing here?” she grumbled, shutting the door and blocking out the storm.
“Merry Christmas Eve to you too,” he laughed, shrugging out of his coat. He hung it on the banister of her stairs that he knew led to her bedroom, though he’d never been up there.
“Sorry. Merry Christmas. What the hell are you doing here, Kyle?”
“Well, as it turns out, there’s a storm,” he smiled at her and walked forward into the living room of her charming and openly designed townhouse. The main light was low, letting the twinkling Christmas tree lights take center stage.
“Ha-ha, smart-ass. I know there’s a storm. If there wasn’t, I’d have been on a plane to see your sister instead of stuck here,” she huffed, flopping down on her couch.
He eyed the open carton of ice cream leaving a water ring on Scarlett Johansen’s face. Picking it up, he scooped out the ice cream, leaving the cookie dough bits for her.
“Help yourself,” she suggested with false sweetness as she turned down the T.V.
“I’m in the same boat so I thought we could ride out the storm together. No sense in either of us being alone on Christmas,” he said, settling in and making himself at home. She took the ice cream from him with a snarky look and scooped out the bits of cookie.
“You shouldn’t have been on the roads,” she said around a mouthful.
“Aw, you worried about me?” he teased, loosening his tie.
“As if. Did you just leave the office?”
“I did. Got anything to eat?”
She looked down at the ice cream then up at him. With a sigh, she handed over the container, making him laugh.
As if her life wasn’t miserable enough, she was now sharing her ice cream with perfection personified. God, did the guy ever not look good? It drove her nuts. Truthfully, he drove her nuts. But he was her best friend’s brother, making him a hands-off zone. Even if he wasn’t, she’d known him forever and he’d never looked at her that way.
“Did your dad stay behind too?”
“Nah. He left a few days ago before all this hit. That should be fun for Anna and Sam. Christmas with dad,” he smiled brightly, making her insides twirl.
“Beats Christmas alone,” she countered, ignoring the effect his smile had on her.
“You’re not alone now,” he said, holding out the spoon with a bite of cookie dough on it.
Leaning forward, holding his gaze, she accepted the bite. His eyes watched her mouth the entire time.
“I have no food,” she reminded him.
She’d spent plenty of time with him, since she and Anna had been friends since high school. She’d even been alone with him, but she could usually control the flutter of her pulse by reminding herself how annoyingly bossy he was. Kyle Meyers was used to being in charge. He thought he knew best and wasn’t afraid to share his opinion.
“I brought some stuff. It’s in my truck. We won’t starve.”
“Prepared.”
“Like a boy scout, honey.”
He handed her the ice cream and stood to remove his jacket. He might be bossy and hot, but Jordan knew he was also a hard worker and a great guy. He cared about people and took care of the people he cared about. Running his family’s food packaging company kept him busy, particularly since he tended to be a perfectionist.
When she watched him like that, her lips slightly open, her eyelids slightly closed, he wanted to remove more than his suit jacket. He shouldn’t think like that about her; she was his little sister’s best friend. Hands-off. Off limits. And so fucking hot, she drove him crazy. She always had.
“Is that all you’ve eaten?” he asked, nodding toward the ice cream.
“Yup. Don’t go all big brother-y on me, either. I don’t need you hovering.”
She stood up to take the now empty container into the kitchen and he watched as she sashayed out of the room. He followed behind, looking up when she turned around.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means that I don’t need you worrying about what I eat. I’m not Anna and I don’t need you taking care of me.”
“Are you really this bitchy because we can’t go see her for Christmas or is there something else?”
She turned abruptly, tossed the spoon in the sink, opened the cupboard under it and slammed the empty container into the garbage. Then she whirled back around.
“If you’re staying, go get your stuff.”
They’d spent plenty of nights together, most Christmas’ and holidays. She wasn’t close to her own family and made a habit of picking assholes for boyfriends. He had no trouble reading her and knew that right now she was close to tears. Jordan hated weakness, especially in herself. Deciding it was better to give her a moment of space, he said nothing and went out to his truck to grab his things. Fortunately, he’d had a bunch of stuff packed to fly out for Anna’s. He’d miss seeing his sister but he couldn’t say he minded being ‘stuck’ with Jordan.
She nearly squeaked out loud when she walked out of the kitchen and caught sight of herself in the hallway mirror.
“Son of a bitch.”
Her hair looked like a rooster was nesting in it. She quickly yanked the ponytail, shook it out but felt no better about its state. Running into her room, she quickly shed her grandma pajamas and threw on a pair of Lulu Lemons and a tank top. She wasn’t dressing up, or fussing, but she should at least be presentable, right?
He was setting presents under her tree when she came back. He’d lost the tie along with the jacket. He’d rolled up the sleeves of his dress shirt and she watched the way it stretched over his wide shoulders. He glanced up as she came in.
“You got dressed up for me?” he smiled.
She rolled her eyes and moved to squat beside him.
“In your dreams. Let me see,” she said, reaching for a small, decoratively wrapped parcel with her name on it. It weighed practically nothing, she noticed, feeling a flutter of excitement.
Kyle wasn’t like other men. He shopped early, bought really good gifts, wrapped them by himself, and thought about what made the women in his life happy. It made her wonder why he didn’t have a woman in his life more frequently. Maybe he did, she thought. After all, she didn’t know everything about him, but she was quite certain she’d know if he had someone special. She scrunched her nose up at the thought.
He pulled the gift out of her grasp and put it back under the tree.
“No way, nosey. You can wait until the morning,” he laughed. He stood, grabbed her arm and hauled her up beside him. He had touched her countless times, hugged her, seen her at her best and her worst. So why now, standing in her living room, in front of the Christmas tree, did his touch send a jolt all the way through her?
“You okay?” he asked, looking down at her and brushing a curl back from her face.
“Of course.”
She moved to the couch, grabbed the fleecy throw from the back and pulled it over herself.
“You going to tell me what’s got you in a mood?” he asked, settling in beside her, muting the T.V. and pulling her feet up on his legs, rubbing them gently. She didn’t want that to feel so good, but it did.
“Unexpected visitors,” she said snidely.
“You mean you have your—” he broke off when he saw the look on her face.
“Oh my God, Kyle. As if I would tell you that! No! You! You’re my unexpected visitor, you dork.”
She laughed at the way his cheeks turned red and he fumbled for something to say.