by Meg Lacey
"They're not bringing the squirrel, too, are they?" Mike whispered.
"Bite your tongue," Danny muttered, chuckles from the room recapturing his attention. Down the aisle came Josie with a solemn expression and Emma with her little mouth stretched in a wide smile. Emma was waving at everyone and Josie was tugging at her own ribbon leash. No squirrel followed them, though. Instead Fuzzface, the black kitten Danny had rescued and given to Tessa's children, was rolling along behind, playing with the ribbons. Finally Josie had to stop and pick him up as she and Emma hurried the rest of the way to the tree. Little ham that she was, Emma curtsied to the chuckling crowd while Josie started to say something to Danny. Thank heavens the guitar player began singing at that moment.
All eyes went to the back of the room.
At the sight of Tessa, all Danny's nerves fled. All he could think of was how beautiful she was in the ivory lace dress that hugged her figure. She wore no veil, just a few simple flowers in her hair that matched the casual bouquet of roses and ivy accented with red and green bows and sprays of white and silver. She looked nervous, but still so lovely she took Danny's breath away. Tessa started down the aisle, her arm entwined with Eric's, who was a bit pale but smiling as he manfully led his mother toward Danny.
When Tessa's gaze met his, the love in his heart overwhelmed him. Her hand reached out to meet his waiting one. As they touched, he had a vision of their life together. He couldn't wait for it to begin.
It began as soon as the pastor pronounced them man and wife, and he kissed her for what felt like the first time.
Raising his head, Danny whispered, "I love you, Tessa. I promise to show you how much later."
After another kiss Tessa whispered back, "I'll hold you to that promise. I love you, too, Danny."
Their loving moment was interrupted by a swarm of children and friends circling them with hugs, kisses and congratulations. The guitar player wailed an energetic celebration song at the top of his lungs, with a barking dog and the meows of a frantic kitten accompanying it all. Life was back to normal. The only thing they could do was go with the flow as the champagne corks popped, the beer tabs snapped and the food was devoured.
* * *
FINALLY GUESTS WERE GONE, kids were tucked into bed to dream of Santa Claus and his presents under the tree, and the house was quiet for the night. Now Tessa and Danny could pick up where they had left off at the altar.
"About that promise," Tessa reminded her husband as she dropped her silk negligee on the floor beside the bed. She climbed onto the mattress where Danny already waited, with only a sheet covering his eagerness to get his hands on his wife.
"What promise?" he teased.
"Well, if you need reminding," Tessa said as she slipped the silk nightgown off her shoulders, laughing as Danny tumbled her onto the sheets.
"Oh, that promise."
His lips met hers and conversation ceased as their hands avidly explored each other's bodies, relearning each curve and angle, experimenting with touch, with taste, discovering thrills of emotion pulsing with anticipation.
"Have I told you how beautiful you are?" Danny murmured as his lips caressed her skin, kissing and licking his way down her curves to her sweet spot.
Tessa groaned as her body responded. "Tell me again."
"I'll tell you later," Danny said, caught in his own response as her fingers wrapped around him.
The only sounds now were soft moans and whispers of delight as he entered her and brought them both to the peak until they finally flew over into satisfied contentment. Close in each other's arms they slept until a pounding on the door wakened them. They surfaced from a long and satisfying night to the early-morning sounds of excited children.
"Santa was here. Santa was here," the twins' voices echoed.
"There are so many presents under the tree!" Josie squealed.
"Come on, you guys, get up. We want to open the presents." The twins were getting impatient.
A small fist pounding on the door followed the twins' knocks. "He ate all the cookies, Daddy!" Emma yelled.
"Shut up," Alison said softly. "You'll wake them."
"They have to get up—it's Christmas," the twins yelled at their sister.
"Get downstairs right now," Eric ordered, followed by what sounded like a herd of elephants pounding down the steps.
Still entwined and cozy in their bed, Danny laughed. "Good thing we locked the door, huh?" He rose on his elbow, dropping a kiss on Tessa's lips. "Well, Mrs. Santori, ready to face the mob?"
Tessa giggled. "If we don't, they might break the door down next time." She watched as Danny got up, yanked on a pair of flannel pajama bottoms and grabbed a sweatshirt with a grinning snowman's face on the front. "Danny, did I tell you how happy I am?"
Danny grinned. "I got the idea last night."
"I was so scared. Then I saw you by the tree and it all clicked. You were the man I wanted. I wondered why I'd been so afraid to take the step, why I kept trying to push you away…."
Danny laughed. "But I wouldn't go."
"No, you wouldn't. Thank heavens for your stubborn streak, Danny Santori."
"I like to think of it as persistence and determination in the face of obstacles. You, my darling wife, were the biggest obstacle I'd ever come up against."
Grinning, Tessa tossed a pillow at him, which he ducked to avoid before yanking the covers off Tessa. "Get out of that bed, woman, or I'll have to get back in. Then you'll be sorry."
Tessa stretched, her pose as provocative and inviting as she knew how. "Sorry? Really?"
"Don't tempt me, sweetheart. Remember that speech you gave me about responsibility. Right now you and I are responsible for six kids not knocking over the Christmas tree to get to the presents." Danny yanked her out of bed and placed a light swat on her naked behind. "You have two minutes to cover that luscious body or I'm not responsible for the consequences."
After another tempting grin back at him, Tessa threw on her own Christmas sweatshirt with a grinning reindeer, and matching pants.
As they made their way down the stairs the sounds of excited kids swelled from the living room. When they walked into the chaos the kids were already stretched under the tree hauling out the presents.
"Say when, Dad," Kevin or Kyle said. Tessa decided she'd have to color someone's hair so she could tell the two imps apart, since their cuts had grown out.
Tessa elbowed Danny. "What does he mean?"
"The past few years I've yelled 'go' and let the kids start unwrapping. What do you do?"
"We take turns so no one misses anything." She glanced at the excited children poised over their gifts. "You know what? I think I like your tradition better." She melted at the look of love in Danny's eyes.
"You sure?"
"Absolutely."
Danny stood up. "Okay, kids, everyone have their own presents? No cheating. On my mark, ready, set, go."
Ripped paper floated to the floor, ribbons flew and squeals filled the room. Not to be left out of the action, General and Fuzzface dashed into the mix with lots of growls, meows and chasing around the excited children. Tessa curled next to Danny on the sofa and watched, calling comments as she saw the gifts.
She looked over at Alison, who'd gone very quiet as she stared into a box she'd just unwrapped. "My own phone? Dad, you gave me my own cell phone?"
Danny smiled. "Tessa convinced me that every girl needs a phone in her room so she can share secrets with her friends. Don't take it to class—leave it in your locker."
"Mom, look, I got all this new software and games."
"It goes with the new family computer in the den," Tessa said. "Danny told me a house with six kids needs more than one computer or we'd never be able to use it, too."
"Sweet," Eric yelled. "Can I go…?"
"Not yet," Danny said. "After we open some more gifts."
Josie and Emma showed their princess dress-ups, Barbie dolls and play kitchen set, and the twins their new racetrack and monster g
ames. When the voices died down, Danny stood up and asked the kids to get the two gifts for Tessa hidden behind the tree.
Tessa pointed. "Wait a minute, there's two back there for Danny also. Bring those out, please."
"You first, Danny," Tessa said. He started to refuse and insist she go first, but she shoved the first gift into his hands. "This is from me and the children." He tore into the wrapping as enthusiastically as his kids and pulled out a soft leather briefcase.
"I thought the new assistant fire chief might need one."
"It's terrific—so soft." His hand caressing the leather brought back erotic memories to Tessa, so she thrust the other gift into his hands to take her attention off her libido.
"This is from me."
Danny unwrapped the box and gave a shout of laughter as he pulled out a T-shirt that said This Fireman Belongs to Tessa and She Belongs to Him. He leaned over to kiss her. "So you're giving in, going to be an obedient little wife?"
Tessa arched her brow. "Aren't you the one who's always saying I didn't mean it the way it came out?"
"Now you, Tessa," Alison urged, stopping the teasing conversation. "Open yours."
Danny handed Tessa a small box. Tessa detached the bow, then opened the paper with careful movements.
"Honey, it's only paper. More is available."
"Hush, I'm saving it for a memory box." She folded the paper and put it aside before opening the gift to reveal…"A key?"
"That's right, a key to your very own office and work space."
"What are you talking about?"
"I rented it for you."
"You what? Where…how…?"
"I was talking to Barrett. You know that Victorian mansion he's renovating for his business?"
"Yes. It has a greenhouse on the property, too, doesn't it?"
"That's the one. He has quite a bit of leftover space for another office and workroom. He was thinking of renting it, but wanted to find a business that complemented his, and of course the right person. I suggested you and he jumped at the deal. Barrett said he wouldn't hold you to it if you don't like it. But I figured a businesswoman needs her own location."
For a moment Tessa had no words. Deciding she didn't need any, she jumped into Danny's lap and covered his face with kisses, accompanied by the appropriate giggles, horrified ooohh, gross and kissy sounds from the kids.
"I guess you like it, huh?" Danny said when he could breathe.
"Open ours next," Emma and Josie urged.
Danny handed over the second present. "This is from all of the kids."
"Don't open it like an old lady this time," one of the twins urged.
Tessa laughed and ripped the paper, flinging it into the mess on the floor. "How's that?" She flipped open a box and gasped. "Oh, oh, oh, this is too much."
With reverent hands she lifted the door plaque from the tissue paper.
"I can't believe it," she said as she read "Living Lifestyles, Tessa Santori, President." She started to cry.
Not sure what to do, the kids tried to comfort her. "No, no, I love it, "she reassured them. "I'm just…I can't believe it's happening, that's all."
Again the children's chorus chimed in.
"Girls."
"Silly Mommy."
"Tessa's a crybaby."
"Shut up, Kevin."
"Knock it off, you guys."
"That's enough. Everyone in the kitchen," Alison ordered. "We're making breakfast, remember?"
The kids trailed out of the room, leaving Tessa and Danny alone.
Danny folded her in his arms and leaned back on the sofa. "Well, Mrs. Santori. When you're a successful mogul, I expect you to keep me in luxury."
"You can be my houseboy, how about that?"
"Do I have to do dishes?"
With a suggestive wink, Tessa said, "I'm sure there are other things you can do with your time."
Danny traced her lips with his finger. "You'll find me up for the chore."
"I'm sure I will," Tessa murmured, caressing his face as he kissed her.
"Merry Christmas, Tessa. I love you."
"Merry Christmas to you, darling. I love you, too." They became lost in their own little world for a few moments.
"Hey, you guys, look," Kyle yelled from the kitchen. "They're kissing again."
"Gross," Kevin said, following his comment by blowing raspberries. "Are they going to do that all the time?"
Danny chuckled as he suited action to words. "Damn right we are."
ISBN: 978-1-4268-4326-6
THE FIREMAN'S CHRISTMAS
Copyright © 2009 by Lynn Miller.
All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher, Harlequin Enterprises Limited, 225 Duncan Mill Road, Don Mills, Ontario M3B 3K9, Canada.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
This edition published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
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Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven