“That we did,” Alex grinned, striding forward, and swinging Jack down from his roost. “But right now I am freezing and I promised this boy,” he tenderly mussed his son’s hair, “a hot cup of chocolate.”
“Good. I have everything ready in the family parlor.”
“Chocolate!” Jack jumped excitedly, ripped off his hat and tore down the hall.
Charley and Alex laughed together and followed, hand in hand.
A short while later, settled before a roaring fire, Charley set her empty chocolate cup on the table and gazed fondly at Jack, dozing on the carpet before the hearth with his new spotted puppy.
Alex too polished off the contents of his mug and propped his feet on the stool before the sofa. He draped a well muscled arm around Charley’s shoulders and reclined with a sigh, pulling her back with him.
She rested her head in the crook of his shoulder, taking comfort in the unending rush of his breath. In and out… In and out… a rhythmic music all its own.
“You realize this is the first time in years I won’t spend Christmas Eve sleeping on the hard ground.”
The Christmas surprise waiting in their bedchamber danced through her mind. She tilted her head back and flashed an impish smile, walking two fingers up his chest. “Then I suggest we make the most of it. Celebrate if you will.”
His brow shot up as any hint of exhaustion fled. “Are you sure you’re up to it?”
Pregnancy had left her fatigued and inundated with morning sickness for weeks. Why the ailment was dubbed morning sickness when it in fact lasted all day she’d never know, and Alex, bless his heart, hadn’t pressed for favors even once.
She rose up, brushing her mouth against his with sweet, come hither friction. “Come upstairs and I’ll show you how fit I feel tonight.”
He groaned and rolled them off the loveseat, tracing his hands along her curves. “I’ll take Jack to bed,” he said huskily.
“I’ll meet you upstairs.” She spun away, tossing a coy glance over her shoulder. “And don’t let him sleep with that dog.”
Alex flashed a mischievous grin and hefted Jack into his arms.
Charley shook her head and dashed toward the stairs. Some battles were not worth fighting, and their son’s puppy was one. She glanced down the hall to ensure Alex would not happen upon her too quickly, and slipped into her chamber. She likely had five minutes to finish preparations before Alex returned. Tremors of nerves excitement shivered through her.
A maneuverable wheeled cart had been delivered to her room laden with festive nuts, fresh strawberries from the hot house, and a bottle of the finest champagne, chilling in a silver bucket filled with ice. At the center of the tray she placed the knight he’d carved for her all those years ago—a symbol of faith and their love.
She went to the burrow and lifted the package from the dressmakers shop in London—his present from her. Tugging free the twine binding the wrappings she drew a steadying breath and unfolded the brown paper to reveal the sheer sea foam fabric within. She brushed her fingers over the soft lace and lifted the negligee, holding it out before her.
The piece was completely see-through.
She’d never attempted anything so daring. She nibbled her bottom lip, half tempted to abandon the racy garment for something less revealing. If she donned the piece she’d finally look the part of the red haired French whores Regina forever compared her to. Reminding herself it was nothing Alex hadn’t seen before she shirked her gown and under clothes, slipping the diaphanous fabric over her head. Smoother than butter or silk. She shivered as the gossamer film slid over her skin in an intimate caress all its own, and turned slowly to assess herself in the mirror.
She stopped breathing, unable to recognize the apparition haunting the glass. Thin cloth floated along every curve of her figure in an elusive curtain which obscured painfully little. Simple in design the cut was erotic and elegant all at once. The pale green hue set off her vibrant coloring, and despite the risqué cut she found herself gaining confidence. One look at this and her husband wouldn’t be able to keep his hands off of her. She grinned. Charley plucked the pins from her hair and allowed the curls to tumble wildly down her back. She ran her fingers through the length a few times but did not bother with the brush knowing Alex preferred a more tussled look.
After one last glance in the mirror Charley touched the garnet adorning her neck, smoothed her hands along the gown, and snatched a dressing robe from the bed. Just as she tugged the robe into place, the doorknob rattled and Alex stepped into the room. Surprise lit his face. No doubt he’d expected to encounter her fully clothed.
“Charley,” he murmured, smoldering gaze raking over her in a palpable caress of the eyes. “Your robe… My vision… You really were with me in Spain,” he whispered, expression soft and thoroughly haunted. “My angel…”
The breath froze in her throat. A long swatch of curls fell over her eyes, obscuring her vision. She pulled the hair back to find Alex standing before her, statuesque and still, face wrought with disbelief and tense longing. Her heart thumped wildly in her chest fusing her with such heat she scarcely noticed the cold. Alex always had that affect on her. “I love you,” she murmured. “It’s always been you. Since I was five years old it has only been you.”
“I know.”
Without warning he stepped forward, yanking her roughly into his arms. One brawny limb clamped about her waist while the other dipped beneath her knees, scooping her up in his arms. For a moment Charley was so stunned by the impulsive embrace she could do nothing but lie still in his arms. He buried his face in her neck and her heart swelled. She curled her arms around his neck, and in response Alex crushed her to him, seeking her lips. He held her so tightly she could scarcely breathe. She didn’t want to breathe. The world beneath her fell away, leaving them suspended in time. Locked in Alex’s arms her sanctuary closed in around her, shimmering at the base of her fingertips, begging to be embraced… indulged.
* * *
Alex needed no further encouragement. Charley was the answer to his happiness, everything he could ever want or need in life. He marched to the bed, and Charley squealed in delight as he tossed her onto the mattress.
Sprawled across the coverlet she grinned up at him like a cat with warm cream and crawled to her knees. Kneeling on the mattress, she plucked open the knot of her white, flowing wrapper, allowing the silk to slip seductively from her body.
Utterly starved, Alex growled in carnal delight, drinking in the luscious sight before him. Pale green gauze sheathed Charley’s siren frame, and her full, round breasts rose up, giving him a glimpse of the succulent pink buds hidden behind the film curtain. “What are you wearing?”
“Your Christmas present.” She tilted her head back, lids at a seductive half-mast, and pegged him with a ‘come hither’ stare. “Don’t pretend you don’t like it,” she purred, reaching back to pull the luminous length of her red hair across one shoulder. The movement only served to tighten the gossamer across her protruding breasts.
Oh, he more than liked it. It was his undoing.
With a guttural sound he lunged forward onto the bed, gathering her up in his arms, Alex bore her to the mattress beneath him. Their lips locked in a fierce, passionate kiss of mating desire. This was where he belonged… wanted to be. “I need you, Charley. I love you.” He shifted over her, reaching for the hem of her negligee.
“No.” She grasped his hand, stilling his attempts to undress her.
He groaned. “Do not torment me, Charley.” He rolled to his side.
She rose up above him, pushing him onto his back, and mounting him, slender legs nestled on either side of his hips. She grinned seductively. “The other part of my gift is that tonight… I make love to you.” Her expression softened, changed… grew vulnerable. “I never want you to regret choosing me over your career, Alex.” Her lower lip quivered and her palms settled innocently against his chest.
He took her wrist, sliding her palm until it rested o
ver his heart. “Do you feel this?”
Slowly she nodded, huge green eyes delving into his with such loving uncertainty his heart ached.
“It beats for you. Only you. You are my guiding light, Charley.” He grasped the back of her neck and leaned up, kissing her softly. “My light to Valhalla.”
END
Books By Melissa Lynne Blue
Forget Me Not
Edge of Time
Cadence
Light to Valhalla
About the Author
Photo by Susan Gest
A Registered Nurse by night, Melissa battles the stresses of life and illness by enjoying uplifting tales of love and romance. A firm believer in true love united with an enduring fascination with history has prompted her pursuit of romance writing. She lives in beautiful Big Sky Country Montana with her husband and children.
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