by Elisabeth Naughton, Alexandra Ivy, Cynthia Eden, Katie Reus, Laura Wright, Skye Jordan
“For what?”
“Leaving your job. Putting down roots.” She allowed a rueful smile to curve her lips. “Me.”
His arm tightened around her, his spicy scent a heady temptation to leave the party early.
“I’m actually going to be doing the same job, only for more money and better hours,” he pointed out. “Being a consultant means I can do what I want, when I want, and charge whatever I want.” His lips pressed against her temple. “And I can’t wait to build a home to share with you. And our family.”
Her heart missed a beat. They’d talked about the future together, as well as starting a family, but the thought still managed to send a tingle of excitement through her.
She couldn’t think of anything she wanted more than to have children with this man.
“Have you thought about how large you want our family to be?” she questioned.
Amusement danced in his eyes. “I thought we might start with six or seven kids.”
Her mouth fell open. “Six or seven?”
“Okay, I’ll settle for five kids and two dogs.” He tilted his head to the side. “And a goat.”
She blinked. “A goat?”
“My final offer.”
She burst out laughing. Over the past few days she’d discovered that this man was not only smart, and loyal, and courageous.
He also had a quirky sense of humor that kept her constantly grinning.
Turning, Meg wrapped her arms around her companion’s neck. “Has anyone told you that you’re an overachiever, Dylan Cain?”
He arched his brows, leaning down so he could whisper directly in her ear. “That’s not what you said last night.”
Heat stained her cheeks as she recalled Dylan’s very thorough lovemaking that had her shivering and pleading for release before he finally settled between her legs and sent her to heaven.
“Good lord,” she breathed.
Lifting his head, Dylan gazed down at her with a roguish satisfaction. “Are you blushing, angel?”
“It’s hot in here,” she muttered. Which wasn’t entirely a lie. The room was packed with at least half the citizens of Holly.
Maybe more.
Well aware that the memory of his touch had caused the color staining her cheeks, Dylan reached up to brush his finger over her lips.
“Trust me, it’s going to get even hotter before this night is over,” he promised.
Meg slowly smiled. After spending weeks with a broken heart, she was never, ever going to take this happiness for granted.
“I’m depending on it.”
Dylan’s smile faded as he gazed down at her with an emotion so intense it made her shiver with pleasure.
“I love you, Meg Anderson,” he said, indifferent to the fact that his voice was loud enough to attract the attention of several nearby guests. “Now and for always.”
Meg pressed against the lean strength of his body, her heart overflowing with gratitude that this man had returned to her life.
“I love you, Dylan Cain, for now and for always.”
“Hey, you two. It’s almost time for the toast,” Ella interrupted, waiting for them to reluctantly pull apart so she could shove two glasses of champagne in their hands.
She scurried away with the loaded tray as Dylan sent Ella a wicked smile that promised a night filled with plenty of New Year joy.
* * *
“You’re supposed to make a resolution for the new year,” Jemma said as she stood just outside Yuletide Spirits. She’d loved being inside, hanging with her friends in the mix of the party fun, but…
She liked being outside—with just Gray—even more.
The night was cold, but when he wrapped his arms around her she forgot all about that chill. She still couldn’t believe everything they’d been through. When she thought about how close they’d come to losing each other…
No, I won’t go there. We made it. Everything is okay now. We’re safe.
“Does that mean you’ve made a resolution, sweetheart?” Gray asked her, his deep, dark voice rolling over her.
“Not yet.” She’d made one a few weeks before…before she’d met Gray. I won’t be afraid. This will be the year that fear doesn’t hold me back.
But there wasn’t any fear for her, not any longer.
“I’ve made one,” Gray confessed.
Her head tilted back as she stared up at him. He’d come into her life so suddenly, bringing his secrets, bringing danger, but also…
Bringing love. Happiness.
It shouldn’t have been possible. She shouldn’t have fallen for him so completely, so quickly, but she had.
“Aren’t you going to ask what my resolution is?” Gray teased.
“You’re an ex spy, Gray,” she said, “I’m almost afraid to ask.” And that was true.
He pressed a gentle kiss to her lips. “I resolve to stay with you. At your side. In your bed. I resolve to make you happy. To make you laugh every damn day. I resolve to cover you in chocolate and—”
He had her laughing at that one. “Gray…that’s way more than one resolution.”
But his smile slipped away. “I love you.”
She’d never get tired of hearing those words.
“And I have a present for you,” Gray added quickly. Almost…nervously. Strange. She hadn’t thought Gray could get nervous.
“It’s not Christmas. I don’t think people get presents on New Year’s…”
“Screw what other people do. We’ll say this is our new tradition.” And then he bent down before her. Down, in that newly fallen snow. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small black box.
Her knees were knocking together, and the trembling wasn’t due to the cold.
Gray pushed out a long, slow breath, then he looked up at her. “Jemma White, will you please marry me?”
And she gave a little scream. One that was full of joy and the wild love she felt for him. Jemma jumped at Gray, but since he was still bending down on his knee, they wound up falling into the snow. Jemma didn’t care. She kissed him, over and over. She loved him. She—
“That has got to be the strangest snow angel design I’ve ever seen…” Nora’s voice pulled Jemma from her Gray-induced haze. Or, at least, her friend’s voice pulled her partially from the haze.
Jemma looked over her shoulder and saw Nora standing just a few feet away.
“I heard you scream…” Nora said. “Thought I’d better check, you know, in light of what happened with you and Mr. Mystery recently.”
“I think she was saying yes,” Gray drawled. “At least, I really, really hope she was.”
Jemma focused back on him. “Yes.” A thousand times, a freaking million times…yes. And she started kissing him again.
Maybe they could make the sexiest snow angel ever. If they kept rolling around in the snow like that…they’d definitely be giving the folks in Holly something new to talk about come morning.
The town good girl got very bad again…
“Okay…I’ll just leave you to all of that,” Nora told them, laughter in her voice. “And by the way…congratulations.”
* * *
“It’s good to see Jemma so happy,” Nora said to Jackson, linking her fingers through his as they stepped into Yuletide’s. Heck, it was good to see all her friends so happy. It was like Santa had brought everyone love this year for Christmas, which was a freaking miracle.
“No kidding. She deserves it.” He squeezed her hand before pulling her close and wrapping his arm around her shoulders.
She slid her arm around his waist, savoring the feel of holding him so close. This sexy, strong male was all hers. It was a little heady to realize that she could kiss him anytime she wanted. “After we make the rounds and ring in the new year, I say we get out of here and make some snow angels of our own.”
He barked out a laugh, the sound loud enough to be heard over the din of laughter and music. “Is that what we’re going to call it now?”
&nb
sp; She grinned, turning into his embrace, not caring that she was stopping in the middle of the bar. The place was packed, noisy and three-deep at the bar. There was no way they’d be getting drinks anytime soon. Not that alcohol was on her mind. “I love you, Jackson O’Connor.”
His blue eyes went molten hot, the intent there clear. “I’ll never get tired of hearing you saying that.”
There was something in his gaze, a promise that told her he meant in the forever kind of way. Which was good, because she was definitely in this for the long haul. Jackson had knocked her world on its axis when they met and nothing had been the same since.
When he brushed his lips over hers she melted into him, just like that. It was hard not to. For a long moment, everything faded away as his tongue teased over hers in erotic little flicks. God, the man made her come completely undone.
“Get a room,” a familiar female voice said, her amusement carrying over the noise and energy of the place.
Feeling a little dazed, Nora pulled back to see Carol grinning at her. Of course her friend was wearing another hot red dress. For the first time in months she looked truly happy. No more stress lines or shadows under her eyes. In fact…she was glowing.
Nora grinned. “I think we’re going to pretty soon. Where’s your new man?”
With a mischievous smile, Carol nodded at the bar where Tall, Dark and Sexy was getting drinks.
Of course, no one compared to Jackson, but Nora could appreciate the man. “Very nice.”
“I’ll say. We’ve got a table too, if you guys want to join us.” She motioned to a small high-top table with no chairs, but hey, at least it was a place to put their drinks.
And Nora didn’t plan on standing around for long. “Thanks,” she said, heading over there with Carol, Jackson’s hand firmly on the small of her back. “Can you believe Tate Kendrick is playing here?”
Carol’s eyes lit up. “Right? And that he and Ella are…” She gave a purely wicked smile as they reached the high-top.
Nora was ecstatic for Ella. After her tragedy, she deserved a chance at love. “Sasha is so jealous we’re getting to hear him tonight.”
“I think everyone not in Holly is probably jealous we’re getting to see him for no cover charge,” she said as her new boyfriend appeared at the table, drinks in hand. And for a long moment, Nora and Jackson didn’t exist to either of them.
Laughing, Jackson kissed the top of Nora’s head. “I’m going to grab us some drinks now before the ball drops.”
“Thanks.” She turned to him, loved that she didn’t even have to tell him what she wanted because he knew her that well. When his lips found hers again, she leaned into the kiss and into him, with a sense of urgency humming through her.
Deep down, she knew she’d never get enough of this man. And she didn’t want to.
* * *
“New year, new life,” Carol said, gazing up at the man of her dreams. “And—”
“A beautiful wife,” Gabriel finished, before capturing her mouth under his in a spectacular kiss.
When he drew back she was breathless. “I’m so happy. I’ve never been so happy.”
His ice blue eyes melted into hers. “That’s my goal. To make you happy. Every day of our lives.”
Was it possible, Carol wondered, for life to feel unsettled and unfair and lonely one moment, then full and rich and amazing the next? For anger and sadness to finally be peeled away to reveal the beating heart beneath?
Yes, she thought, reaching up on her toes to kiss her man once again. Absolutely yes.
“Carol, there’s Faith,” Nora said. “Her dress is fantastic.”
Carol turned in Gabriel’s arms. “Wow. She looks blissfully happy. She’s practically glowing.” She smiled and waved at the stunning blonde who owned the hardware store in town.
“Falling in love will do that to a person,” Nora remarked, giving her sexy former SEAL a wink.
Carol felt Gabriel’s arm tighten around her waist and his lips near her ear. “Then I must be glowing like Tinkerbell over here, baby.”
Her insides went instantly hot and she pressed back against him.
He groaned softly into her ear, making her shiver. “Let’s get out of here. Let’s ring in the new year with a late-night sled ride. Just you and me.”
Another kind of ‘ride’ entered her mind and she licked her bottom lip. “Ten minutes? I want to make sure I see all my friends. Babette is here somewhere.”
“Whatever you need, baby. I’ll be here when you’re ready.”
She glanced over her shoulder. “Yeah?”
He nodded. Slowly. So sexy. “Always, Carol Cardini. This is my home, and you’re my family. I’m not going anywhere.”
Tears pricked Carol’s eyes. Never in her life had she felt so happy, so at peace.
“Hey, look.” Nora grabbed Carol’s arm. “Faith and Meier are back.” She turned to Gabriel and Jackson. “Excuse us for a second, boys. We need to find out how her screen test went.”
Jackson gave her a playful growl, while Carol laughed and blew her soon-to-be husband a kiss. “Love you.”
“Love you more, baby.” For a moment those ice blue eyes that no longer carried pain or fear or anger warmed with deep and abiding affection. Then he granted her a sexy wink and turned to talk to Jackson.
* * *
“Oh my God, it’s packed.” Faith stood just inside the door to Yuletide Spirits where the pub was filled with cheerful celebrants.
Meier squeezed in behind her, letting the door close on the blustery night outside, and slipped his arms around her waist, pressing his body to hers. He was warm and strong and filled Faith with a level of joy she’d never known.
He lowered his head and spoke into her ear. “We could always ring in the new year at your place.”
She grinned, turned her head and kissed him. “Oh, that’s definitely going to happen. In about”—she glanced at the screen where the New Year’s countdown continued—“three minutes.”
He tightened his arms and pressed his face to her neck. His nose was cold, but his lips were warm. “Three minutes never felt like such an eternity.”
Happiness spread across her face in a smile that made her cheeks ache and bubbled in her chest like the champagne flowing at the bar.
Meier released her to remove her jacket, just as Nora and Carol pushed their way through the crowd.
“Hey,” Carol said, her eyes alight with excitement.
Nora paused by Carol’s side, her expression just as hope-filled. “So? How did it go?”
The whirlwind thrill of her trip to New York with Meier flooded back. Watching him play hockey, meeting his teammates, seeing his apartment, walking around his neighborhood and shopping—it had been an absolutely amazing week. Hands down, the best of her life.
“Really good,” she told them. “Surprisingly good.”
“She’s a natural.” Meier’s voice came from behind her just before his hands closed on her shoulders and slid down her arms. He leaned in and kissed her cheek. “And she looks gorgeous on camera.”
The women laughed, then started peppering her with questions at the same time.
“When will you start taping shows?” Nora asked.
“What did you think of New York?” Carol added.
Before Faith could answer, Kelly climbed onto the bar and shouted, “Grab your drinks and your significant others, everyone. We’ve got a minute until the new year kicks in.”
Gabriel and Jackson appeared, and Faith gave Carol and Nora quick hugs and promises to talk details later before the men stole them away. Then Meier tucked her into their own little corner between a beam and a wall and pulled her close.
Faith relaxed into his arms and smiled up at him. “Do you want to grab a drink before the ball falls?”
“Nope.” He lifted a hand to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. “My mouth is going to be busy in other ways far more pleasant than drinking.”
God, her chest ached with the p
ressure of the love filling her. “You’re amazing. I have no words to tell you how wonderful the last two weeks have been for me.”
Meier’s eyes rested on hers, soft and sweet with all the love he returned. “I have to tell you, babe, there was nothing like playing and winning at my home rink, knowing you were right there watching. Absolutely nothing more fulfilling or settling or thrilling than coming out of that locker room after the game to find you there, this gorgeous smile on your face.” He shook his head. “I never knew I could love like this, and I know everything has happened cyclone-fast, but I can’t imagine ever being without you.”
She leaned into him, tilted her face up and slid her hand around the back of his neck. “You’ll never need to. I’m not going anywhere.”
Meier lowered his forehead to hers as the crowd started the countdown. But neither Meier nor Faith were interested in looking at anything but each other as the count reached one and he took her face in both hands.
Cheers and horns and bells filled the pub. But before Meier kissed her, with his lips a breath away, Faith said, “I love you, Meier Grant.”
He paused. “And I love you, Faith Nicholas.”
And they were both smiling when they kissed, surrounded by the rowdy bar.
His lips were warm, his kiss soft and filled with emotion. Everything in Faith’s world righted and filled. And when she pulled back and glanced around the space, she saw she and Meier weren’t the only people who’d found love and hope and happiness in the new year.
Across the room, Lily was laughing with a group of her friends. Nora and Jackson were talking with Carol and Gabriel. Dylan and Meg made their way toward the door while Jemma and Gray snuggled near the bar. And Ella stared into Tate’s eyes with an intense and deep love, a healing kind of love.
And as Meier slipped his arms around her from behind and whispered, “Ready to take this celebration to a private location?” Faith knew she’d also found that kind of love. The kind that fulfilled and supported and gave her a new perspective on life. A perspective that allowed her to stretch to become who she was meant to be.
She leaned her head back against Meier’s shoulder, looked him in the eye and said, “My dad would have really loved you.”
A moment of confusion passed before he smiled, kissed her temple and squeezed her tight. “And I would have loved your dad, because he created the most beautiful woman in the world—inside and out.”