A Christmas for Carrie

by Alison Packard

  “There’s nothing to forgive. Given the past, I understand why you were so upset. I came here tonight to apologize for being so judgmental. Whether I was right or wrong, I should have handled it differently.” He set the CD and crumpled wrapping paper on the coffee table and then reached for her hand. His fingers were warm as he entwined them with hers and pulled her close. “Can you forgive me?” he asked in a low voice that made her heart thud.

  “Of course.” Her smile was tremulous. “You changed my life.”

  “And you’ve changed mine.” Nick leaned forward and placed a quick kiss on her mouth. “I haven’t been able to think of anyone but you since I got back to town. I want you in my future, Jones, and I hope to God you want me in yours. Because, in case you haven’t figured it out, I’m falling in love with you.”

  Joy wrapped around Carrie like a silken web. “What a coincidence.” She lifted her hand and brushed her fingers across his lightly stubbled jaw. “Because it just so happens I’m falling in love with you too.”

  Nick’s eyes flared with heat and smoldered into hers. “Well, Merry Christmas to me,” he said huskily and then captured her mouth in a passionate kiss that caused a slow burn of desire to curl through her body.

  Melting against him, Carrie could only marvel that in a day with one beautiful memory, two seemed too much to ask for. But here it was. And nothing had ever felt so right.

  Epilogue

  Carrie gazed in awe at what had to be the most spectacular view she’d ever seen. She’d visited San Francisco a handful of times in her life, but she’d never seen the city like this. The panoramic view in in front of her literally took her breath away.

  She didn’t know what kind of clout someone had to have to reserve the Top of the Mark at the Fairmont Hotel for New Year’s Eve, but Nick and his partner, Adam Logan, had it. As she gazed at the San Francisco skyline, which featured many of its high-rises, including the iconic Transamerica Pyramid, lit up with festive holiday lights, she felt like she’d entered a world much different from the one she inhabited.

  Taking a sip of her Berry Delight martini, one of a hundred signature martinis offered at the Mark, Carrie turned and surveyed the room. It was a veritable Who’s Who of the Bay Area sports and entertainment scene. On one side of the room was local sports reporter and retired MLB star Trevor Jackson, chatting with Tom Morgan, the manager of the San Francisco Blaze, and on the dance floor, Cy Young award winner Dave Rizzo and his wife, Chantal, were dancing with alcohol-fueled enthusiasm alongside a few of the other Blaze players and their dates. Carrie also recognized a gold-medal-winning swimmer and several very large NFL players.

  But despite the elite crowd and dozens of hunky athletes, she only had eyes for one man.

  Nick.

  A week had passed since the night Nick had come to her house and they’d confessed their feelings for each other. One magical week Carrie would never forget. She’d spent Christmas Day with her mother and, surprisingly, it had gone well. So well, in fact, that when they’d said their goodbyes, they’d promised to call each other at least once a week and visit in person at least once a year. When her mother left for the airport their relationship was in a much better place—and Carrie was confident it would improve.

  In the days following Christmas, she and Nick spent every day, and most nights, together. They’d gone to a movie, met Gillian and Ian for drinks and had dinner with Nick’s parents. Vince and Paula were thrilled about Carrie and Nick’s burgeoning relationship and welcomed her with open arms. So much so that Carrie felt like she was already a part of their family.

  But was she? She and Nick still hadn’t discussed the future. Maybe it was too soon, but with him living in San Francisco, she needed to know how their newfound relationship was going to work. Would she visit him? Would he visit her in Grass Valley? Would they meet in the middle? There were so many questions, and she didn’t have an answer to any of them.

  Tapping her foot to the beat of the jazzy swing music, Carrie took another sip of her martini and let her gaze wander until she spotted Nick across the room. Her heartbeat accelerated at the sight of him. Dressed in a gray suit with a black shirt and patterned gray tie, he looked every inch the successful sports agent he was. Standing with him was his partner, Adam Logan, who was several inches taller than Nick, and judging by the directness of his piercing blue eyes when they were introduced, Carrie had a feeling he was a force to be reckoned with. By the serious expression on their faces, she suspected Nick and Adam were discussing business.

  Just then, Nick looked past Adam and met her gaze. He said something to his partner, then stepped around Adam and headed toward her through a throng of partygoers.

  “I’m sorry I left you alone.” He slid a possessive arm around her waist and bent his head closer to hers so she could hear him over the music. “I wanted to ask Adam’s advice about Trey.”

  “What are you going to do about him?”

  “He’ll be back in San Francisco next week. I plan to have a one-on-one with him. Hopefully, I can get through to him. Fortunately, or maybe unfortunately, I can provide him with several examples of athletes who’ve trashed their careers as a result of their bad behavior.” Nick paused. “Not all athletes are able to pull themselves out of the abyss like Matt Scanlon did.”

  Carrie’s heart constricted when she thought of what the Blaze’s star catcher had gone through. Not many people could bounce back from the type of loss Matt had suffered. “What if Trey doesn’t listen?” she asked.

  Nick’s expression clouded. “I’ll cross that river when I get to it.”

  “Is Trey your only client who’s not here tonight?”

  “No. J.T. Sawyer sent his regrets last week. He’s got a lot going on right now.”

  “He’s not in trouble, is he?”

  Nick shook his head. “I wish all of my clients were like J.T. He’s got a good head on his shoulders.” He slipped his hand from her waist and lightly gripped her elbow. “No more shop talk. Come with me.”

  “Where are we going?”

  Instead of answering, Nick led her toward the elevator. Confused, Carrie set her martini glass on a table and clutched her small evening bag to her chest as they weaved their way through the crowd. After they stepped inside the elevator car, Nick surprised her by pressing the button for the eighteenth floor instead of the lobby.

  “Nick? What’s going on?” she asked as the doors slid closed.

  “I reserved a room for the night.”

  “We’re not going back to your house?”

  “We won’t make it by midnight and when the New Year starts I want to be alone with you.” His eyes darkened as he lifted her hand to his mouth and kissed her palm. “Not in a crowded room. Besides, I don’t want anyone else kissing my woman.”

  His woman. She liked the sound of that.

  Five minutes later, Carrie had tossed her purse on the king-size bed covered with opulent ivory linens and stood at the window gazing at another spectacular view. From her vantage point, she could see the Golden Gate Bridge in the distance. In a city full of iconic buildings and landmarks, the Golden Gate was the most iconic of all, and one of the most famous bridges in the world. Tonight, a fine layer of fog floated at the red lights at the top of each of the two bridge towers, giving the bridge an ethereal orange glow that was almost otherworldly.

  “Did I tell you how beautiful you look tonight?” Nick asked as he moved to stand behind her. He slipped his arms around her waist and pulled against his solid body. The spicy sent of his cologne enveloped her—he smelled delicious, as usual. She was affected, as usual.

  “I believe you did. But if you’d like to tell me again, I wouldn’t mind.”

  “That dress is sexier than hell.”

  Carrie smiled. Sexy yet tasteful was exactly what she’d been going for when she’d selected the be
aded cream colored dress with overlapping lace tiers that clung to her body like a glove. “I’m glad you like it.”

  “As much as I like it, I can’t wait to get you out of it.”

  “I’m not sure you can tear me away from this view.”

  “It’s a beautiful city, isn’t it?” he said solemnly, then after several silent seconds, he released her and stepped back. Carrie turned from the window and found him near the end of the bed, removing his suit jacket.

  “Is everything okay?” she asked, sensing a change in his mood.

  He laid his jacket on the bed, loosened his tie and then unbuttoned the top button of his shirt. As handsome as he looked in a suit, she preferred him like this—a tad bit disheveled and a whole lot of sexy.

  “Could you see yourself living here?” he asked, then held up his hand. “Wait. That’s putting you on the spot. I guess what I want to know is that if things get serious between us, would you consider moving here someday?” He put his hands on his hips. “I know it’s a lot to ask. You have a job you love, and friends you’re close to. But Carrie, what I feel for you is so much more than casual. I told you last week that I’m falling in love with you. Nothing’s changed since then. And maybe I’m being selfish, but I want more than a long-distance relationship.”

  Carrie sucked in a breath and tried in vain to calm the sudden pounding of her heart. She’d longed for this conversation, but that didn’t stop her knees from trembling. Her future could be decided tonight. That was no small thing.

  “You’re not being selfish,” she said and moved to stand in front of him. “The thought of doing the long-distance thing for too long doesn’t appeal to me either.”

  “Do you want to know what I see for us?” He reached for her hands and tucked them snugly between his.

  “Yes.”

  “I see commitment. The kind of commitment that leads to marriage and a family. I know it might sound crazy after such a short time, but when it’s right, you know it. And I know it. I guess the question is do you know it too?”

  Did she know it? Oh boy. Did she ever. And now it was time to tell him.

  “What I know is that I’ve been half in love with you since I was seventeen years old. And I know that if it wasn’t for you that, right now, I’d be sitting home alone, hating Christmas and everything it stands for.” She paused to steady her breath. “And I also know that you’re an amazing man, with a kind heart and an extremely hot body,” she said and grinned as his eyes widened in surprise. “Sorry. I just had to throw that in there.”

  Nick chuckled. “Don’t apologize. I think your body’s pretty damn hot too.”

  “I know we can’t predict the future, but right now, I’m more certain of my feelings than I’ve ever been.” She blinked as emotional tears threatened. “I’m in love with you, Nick.”

  Something that looked like a mixture of heat and tenderness flickered in his eyes. “That’s bold, Jones. Going all in. I like that.” He reached up with one hand and gently brushed her cheek with his finger. “Can I tell you a secret?”

  “You can tell me anything,” she said softly.

  “I didn’t want to scare you off, so I sort of underplayed my hand.” His gaze smoldered into hers. “I’m so in love with you I can’t see straight,” he said in a husky voice as he lowered his head and feathered his lips over hers. The light kiss took a turn toward steamy as she slid her hands up to his neck and pressed her body against his. He groaned and slipped his arms around her waist as their tongues met in a sensuous dance that made her dizzy with desire. When he lifted his head, they both were breathing hard.

  “So how about it?” Nick asked. “Is there a move to San Francisco in your future?”

  Carrie smiled and linked her fingers behind his neck. “You had me at commitment.”

  * * * * *

  Craving more from Alison Packard?

  Then pick up these two exhilarating contemporary romances, available now!

  The Winning Season

  Kelly Maxwell has finally landed her dream job as publicist for the San Francisco Blaze. But the team’s newest member, handsome bad boy catcher Matt Scanlon, is refusing every interview. She’s got to get him to open up before the season ends, or she may not be back next year. And after everything she overcame to achieve her dream, Kelly’s not about to let that happen.

  Matt Scanlon just wants to be left alone to rebuild his life and his career. After a year of masking the pain of a recent loss with hard partying and fast women, he finally hit rock bottom and was traded to a team he’s loathed his entire life—a team with little to no chance at the post-season.

  Butting heads is getting Kelly and Matt nowhere but annoyed, and with the team’s schedule on the road, they can’t avoid close quarters—or their surprising attraction to one another. As the season winds down, Matt finds his growing feelings for Kelly have brought his numbed emotions back to life. But when betrayal shatters their fragile trust, winning it all seems more impossible than ever.

  Love in the Afternoon

  Kayla Maxwell is eager to shed her slasher-flick bimbo image—and she plans to do just that in her new role on daytime’s most popular soap. With a chance to showcase her dramatic range, Kayla will be able to wash away the lingering betrayal and public humiliation left by her controlling, philandering ex-boyfriend.

  When Kayla receives threatening letters, her past as a scream queen seems to be coming back to haunt her. Succumbing to an attraction neither one of them can deny, Sean and Kayla must face down her stalker and their own personal demons before trusting what they both feel—a love that lasts long after the cameras stop rolling.

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  About the Author

  Alison fell in love with reading at a very early age. Her favorite grandmother worked for Scholastic Books and every Friday she would bring home a box filled with books. In her early teens, Alison discovered Harlequin Presents romance novels at the library and read them voraciously. What she liked most about them? The exotic locales and happy endings, of course!

  When Alison isn’t working at the day job that pays the bills, keeps a roof over her head, and supports her book and chocolate habits, she spends her free time writing heartwarming contemporary romance with a dash of spice. But when she takes a break, she enjoys reading and spending time with her family and friends.

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  ISBN-13: 9781426897573

  A CHRISTMAS FOR CARRIE

  Copyright © 2013 by Alison Packard

  Edited by Angela James

  All rights reserved. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, down-loaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of publisher, Harlequin Enterprises Limited, 225 Duncan Mill Road, Don Mills, Ontario, Canada M3B 3K9.

  All characters in this book have no
existence outside the imagination of the author and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names. They are not even distantly inspired by any individual known or unknown to the author, and all incidents are pure invention.

  This edition published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.

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