He gently pinches my chin. "I've never slept with a woman I wasn't sleeping with if you know what you I mean."
“I know what you mean. I look forward to when we get to that part.”
He exhales slowly. “Not as much as I do.” Standing up straight, he runs his fingers through his hair. “But I’m patient. I’ll wait. I know it’s going to be worth it, and I want to get to know you so much deeper than that.”
I shake my head. “Totally blowing this Scrooge image. You’re downright sweet.”
“See what happened is this beautiful Christmas angel moved in next door. She opened my eyes just by being herself. She made me see what I was missing, and that my memories don’t have to be sad. She made me want…” My brow creases as his voice actually cracks with emotion, and he clears his throat. “You, Harper, make me want to be better. I want to be good for you.”
“Brendan…”
He walks around to my side of the island and pulls me close. Without words, his lips find mine, and we kiss. As he presses me against the island, I can't help but run my fingers through his glorious hair. His incredible cologne seduces my senses. His kiss leaves me weak. It's just mind-blowing. As he backs up a little, he rubs his nose on mine.
“So, gingerbread house?”
I laugh. “Yeah. You want the roof?”
“Let’s do the roof together.”
“Okay.” I push a bowl of green candies toward him. “I’ll do red?”
“Deal.”
We start dipping and placing the candies on the roof, periodically stealing glances at each other. After a few minutes, I take a chance and turn on some Christmas music. It is tradition after all.
“This okay?”
“Perfect. Even better if you sing along.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah. I like it very much.”
A Christmas Song comes on so I softly sing along as I place my candies on the roof. When I look up, Brendan is gazing at me.
“What?”
“This is the best time I’ve had in a long time. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Only one thing would make it better.”
“What’s that?”
“This.” He sticks his finger in the icing and drags it across my cheek, then starts laughing.
My mouth falls open. “Oh really?” I retaliate with my own icing covered finger on his nose.
“This is war.”
“Bring it.”
Before I know it, we’re flinging icing, pretzels, and candies at each other. Brendan chases me around the island, catching me and swinging me around in a circle, before pulling me down onto the couch.
He hovers above me, grinning as his hair falls in his face. “This weekend, I want to do all those couple Christmas things you want to do. We’ll just cram them all in. Whatever you want.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.”
As we fall into another kiss, my heart is full. I’ve wanted a moment like this as long as I could remember, and here it is, from the most unexpected source.
I pull back slightly, brushing my lips over his. “Just so you know, I’ll probably get you a gift.”
Brendan flashes that gorgeous smile of his. “Harper Rose, you’re the only gift I’ll ever need.”
Epilogue
Opening my eyes, I stretch and roll over to see Brendan, but his spot is empty. I sit up, looking around, and then climb out of bed to find him. Just as my feet hit the floor, the bedroom door opens, and Brendan enters carrying a mug.
“Ah, you’re awake.”
“I am. What are you doing?”
“Trying to surprise you and be romantic. Get back in bed.”
I laugh softly. “Yes, sir.”
“Mmm, kind of like the sound of that.”
I shake my head laughing. “You’re silly.”
“I know.” He hands me a steaming mug of coffee. “Hot coffee for my lady.”
“This is so sweet. Thank you.”
"You're welcome." He climbs in bed beside me. "I have an action-packed day planned for us."
I sip my coffee. “Doing what?”
“All a surprise. I know how much you love them.”
“I do.”
He takes one of my hands in his and plays with my fingers. “Can you believe how much has changed since last year? You could barely stand me, and now we sleep in the same bed every night.”
“Amazing.”
He takes the mug from me, setting it on the nightstand. “Harper, you know you mean a lot to me. Everything actually, right?”
“Right.”
“I’m so happy, and I didn’t think I ever could be. You showed me how to love, how to heal, how to enjoy life, and I’ll be forever grateful to you for it.”
I scrunch my nose. “But?”
“But what?”
“You sound like you’re breaking up. Are you breaking up with me?”
“Breaking up with you? No! How could you even think that?”
“I don’t know. It sounds like you’re about to let me down easy.”
“It does? Well, then I’m definitely doing this wrong. Let me try again.” He climbs out of bed and walks around to my side. “Come here.” I stand up, gazing up at him. “I want you to come see something.”
I tilt my head. “Okay.” After grabbing my robe from the edge of the bed, I wrap myself in it, filled with curiosity, and follow Brendan down the stairs. When we reach the living room, a small gasp escapes my lips. There’s a huge live tree in the bay window and a strong fire roaring. I look back at Brendan. “It’s beautiful.”
Brendan searches my eyes for a moment. “Harper Rose, I love you.” My eyes open wide. “I’ve loved you for a long time, but when I said the words, I wanted to really mean it, and I wanted you to know that I don’t take it lightly. I can hardly recognize my life and myself since I met you. You came just in time. I love you. I hope you love me, and um, well…” He exhales as he drops to his knee. “I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me?”
I try to speak, but I can’t. I’m stunned. I’ve been waiting every day for him to tell me he loved me. I knew he did. I felt it, but hearing it…
“Harper?” I look down at him holding a diamond ring. “Will you be my wife?”
“You want to marry me?”
He smiles. “Absolutely. Do you want to marry me?”
I nod. “Absolutely.”
He exhales. “Whew. You had me worried there.” He stands and slides the ring on my left finger. “Do you like it?”
“It’s beautiful. I love it.”
“Do you love me, Harper?”
“So much, Brendan. So much.”
“I’m sorry it took me so long. I’ve never said it before. Not to a woman that wasn’t my mother.”
“It was the worth the wait.” I look at the ring and then up at him again. “Whatever you had scheduled, cancel it.”
“Why?”
“Because the only thing I want to do is spend the day in bed with my future husband.”
“Done.” Brendan smiles. “Merry Christmas, beautiful. I hope this is everything you want for the holiday.”
I rise on my toes and kiss him softly. "Best Christmas ever.”
About the Author
Other books by Jennifer Domenico
The Sunflower Trilogy: Turn Towards the Sun. After the Rain. Forever in Bloom
Have my Heart- A Novella
Beautifully Twisted
Chasing Desire
Londyn Falls
Exposed
Break Me Down
If I Told You
At First Glance
When I Found You
Unexpectedly Royal
Reckless Devotion Duet
Lost Within
Find me at:
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[email protected]
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Get More Scrooged!
BSM Stoneking: Braxton
When his parents die in a car crash just before Christmas, and the abusive orphanage he’s sent to grow up in kicks him out the day before Christmas Eve, Braxton Scrooge chooses to leave the one person who completes him, leaving her in tears on Christmas Day, to become a cold big-shot million-dollar business owner.
Forget the Ghost of Christmas Past. With a history like Braxton Scrooge’s, how could one ever enjoy the Christmas season?
Braxton regrets nothing—until his true love, Gemma, re-enters his life. Only the Ghost of Christmas Future can give him the reality check he needs to stop being such a vengeful scrooge—before he loses her forever.
When it comes to love, the real question to ask yourself is, how far are you willing to go to ensure your partner still feels your love even after you’ve left her side? Because the love Braxton and Gemma rekindle will turn out to be the most unconventional love you’ll ever find.
CP Smith: Luke
If Luke Knight could change anything about his life, it would be the day his nephew died. Filled with guilt, Luke lived a lonely existence. Until the day an angel crashed into his truck... and struck his heart.
Anna Stubbs knew one thing without question: God has a reason for everything. Her optimism and faith shine from within, and no matter how hard Luke tries, he can’t ignore it.
When life throws an unexpected curveball, both Luke and Anna will need to reach deep inside themselves this holiday season, and learn to have faith that God is in control and duck slippers truly are a man’s undoing.
FG Adams: Michael
Do holiday wishes really come true?
For kindergarten teacher, Holly Mary Edwards, she’s banking on a miracle when the man of her dreams returns from duty abroad.
Decorated army doctor, Michael Barnes, is not ready to face the holiday season after his fiancé leaves him for another man. Michael is convinced it’s time to put happiness in a tight little box and ship it back to the North Pole.
He wasn't expecting Holly. And when the sexy Holly-jolly nymph takes it upon herself to divest him of his Mr. Scrooged attitude, she'll do anything to bring him into the jingle bell jolly.
Can Holly convince him ‘tis the season for love?
Jessika Klide: Zane
Zane Lockhart is a coldhearted, selfish Las Vegas cop who hates Christmas and proudly owns the nickname, Sergeant Scrooge. Refusing to celebrate it in any way except the bellowing of "Bah Humbug," he insists it’s just another day.
While on patrol with his new partner, a K9 cop named, Bruce Wayne aka Batman, he has a chance encounter with a hot chick and sets up a midnight date with her. Off-duty and ready to score a hookup, the two are getting acquainted, when a robbery occurs and Zane comes face to face with a past full of scars, and a present full of secrets.
This Christmas discover that real heroes are born not made, that love is truly magical, that "Bah Humbug" can be weaponized, and a future full of sorrow can be rescued.
Julia Goda: Daxton
Daxton McArthur is a successful but cold businessman. For reasons he never discusses, he has no time for the frivolities the Christmas season brings. A surly man normally, he turns it up a notch when Santa’s elves come out to play. This year, that personality flaw might cost him.
Instead of finding joy by helping a friend, Emersyn Moore finds herself bearing the brunt of Daxton McArthur’s disdain. Usually a good-natured person, Emersyn is pushed to the end of her patience by his scowls and sneers.
When he’s stranded in the middle of a snowstorm, she feels obligated to take him in. It is Christmas Eve, after all.
What happens when two worlds collide and they’re not as different as they thought? Will the light Emersyn's smile promises be enough to bring Dax back to life, or will he run, forever hiding in the darkness of his past mistakes?
Mayra Statham: Zaiden
World-famous fashion photographer, Zaiden Klausen, is a jerk of a boss. That’s why, after two years, I quit four days before Christmas. But then he makes me an offer I can’t refuse.
What’s the worst thing that can happen?
~
Michele Henlin is the best makeup artist he has ever worked with. When she quits unexpectedly, he finds himself begging a woman for the first time in his life.
One more photoshoot. That’s all he wants from her.
Until a nightmare of what a future without her in his life would be kicks him into high gear to convince her he isn’t the scrooged-up man she thinks he is.
Regina Frame: Grayson
Grayson Decker is a man with many titles. New York's Man of the Year. New York's Most Eligible Bachelor, but when he meets the feisty Aubree Lane, he earns the title of Scrooge. When Grayson's parents push him to marry and even force to assist in finding the perfect wife, Grayson takes matters into his own hands.
Aubree Lane is a college dropout, working part-time in a coffee shop, desperate to make ends meet, but finds herself in danger of eviction from her run-down apartment in a sketchy neighborhood. When Grayson Decker sets his sights on her, he makes her an offer she can't refuse or is it the other way around? When he offers her $50K to be his fake fiancée for three weeks, she throws a wrench into his plan. She'll go along with his idea, but it will cost him $100K and Christmas Dinner with her family.
When their agreement ends, will he be able to let her go? Will she refuse to stay?
Tracie Douglas: Travis
Travis Malone is a grinch, and he’s damn proud of it. If he never sees another twinkle light or smells a fresh batch of Christmas cookies in his life, he’ll die a happy man.
Olivia Wilder needs to make this Christmas the most memorable for her daughter. It’s their first holiday in their new life.
When Liv moves in next door, Travis learns how fast the Christmas spirit can seep into his world, and he struggles to ignore the growing attraction he feels for the single mom. But when he declares war, Liv is determined to win, even if it means getting the whole neighborhood involved.
Will Travis’ Ghost of Christmas Past destroy any chance at joy during the holiday season? Or will Olivia be able to give him the Christmas miracle he didn’t know he was looking for?
Winter Travers: Silas
Silas Warlack doesn't have time for anything other than running a multi-million dollar business thousands of miles away from his hometown. He especially doesn’t have time for frivolous things like the holidays and family. Too bad his mother doesn’t understand that.
Ainsley Crowne finally has everything she ever dreamed of in her life—amazing friends and a successful flower shop all in her hometown. But a blast from the past blowing back into town and her best friend’s wedding just before Christmas remind her of the one thing missing in her life: Love.
Will Ainsley and Silas realize what they had was once in a lifetime or will they be too stubborn and let the holiday miracle in their midst pass them by?
Table of Contents
Chapter One: Harper
Chapter Two: Harper
Chapter Three: Brendan
Chapter Four: Harper
Chapter Five: Brendan
Chapter Six: Harper
Chapter Seven: Brendan
Chapter Eight: Harper
Chapter Nine: Brendan
Chapter Ten: Harper
Epilogue
About the Author
Get More Scrooged!
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Brendan: A Scrooged Christmas Page 6