The Christmas Sneak: Hope’s Turn Holidays

by Marie Harte

  “It’s great.”

  In a lower voice as she followed him down a hall, she said, “It better not be your dick tied up with a bow.”

  He cracked up as he nudged her inside his bedroom, a huge guest room with an adjoined bathroom, and shut the door behind them. “That’s not a bad idea. Wish I would have thought of it before I got you something else.”

  “Someone else’s dick with a bow?”

  “Stop.” He was grinning when he seated them on the bed then handed her a large box, big enough to hold a small TV.

  “What’s in it?”

  “Duh. Open it.”

  She did and stared, speechless.

  Chapter 20

  The laptop Nora had been drooling over, complete with all the latest tech and gadgets, as well as the software she needed, lay nestled together in the box. And it cost a small fortune.

  “Deacon, this… It’s too much.” She kept touching the computer, in love with the sleek design and the fact he’d gotten her a red sleeve to cover it.

  “I know you love red. And I’m waiting to read your love scenes. Now you have no choice but to finish the damn book.”

  Tears burned at the backs of her eyes, and she blinked furiously as she set her presents back in the box on the floor. “You’re such an ass.”

  He groaned. “Becca told me you’d love that. What did I do wrong?”

  “Plenty! I was going to tell you I love you at Christmas. But I can’t hold it in, and now it will look like you’re buying my love with presents.”

  His wide smile was her reward for finally embracing the terrifying truth of her feelings. He chuckled. “If I’d known you were this easy, I’d have bought you a pony long before now.”

  She sniffed then dissolved into laughter that made her cry, but only because she found him so funny.

  He caught her in a hug. “Oh man. I love you so damn much. But honey, you are one ugly crier.”

  “Asshole.”

  “Yep. There’s my Nora.” He kissed her forehead, waiting for her to blow her nose, and started stripping naked.

  “Deacon. Now?” Hell yeah. But I need to appear like I have some staying power, and not like I’m desperate for him all over again. Like I am all the time.

  “I want to give you one more present.” Once naked, he gestured to his erection. “This, minus the bow, is for you.”

  She bit her lower lip. “No condom, okay?”

  His smile widened. “And now your present is my present. Whatever my lady desires.” He paused. “Then again, you’re no lady. Whatever my Nora desires.”

  “Much better.” She tore off her clothes and let him have his wicked way with her.

  He had her on her back under him, on the floor because she worried the bed might squeak when they got to rocking. Sadly, Deacon moved much too slowly. By the time he’d finished playing with her breasts, she teetered on the verge of climax.

  “Oh no. Not yet.” He kissed her nipples, teething them while running his large hands over her breasts and belly, teasing as he inched his fingers lower, then stopping at the juncture of her thighs.

  “God, fuck me already.” She squirmed.

  His big body kept her from moving too much. So strong, Deacon held her right where he wanted her. And she loved it.

  “I love you,” she said again, feeling out the words. They sounded right, but more, they felt right. “But if you don’t start moving, I will kill you.”

  He leaned up from her breast to grin. “Now why would you do that? Then I can’t fuck you as hard as you need it.”

  She moaned. “Do it. Please.”

  Deacon slowly kissed his way down her body, finally stopping at her sex. He crouched there, spreading her thighs wider so he could lie between them. “I love eating you, baby. And I’m going to make you scream, so happy birthday.”

  “I’ll get you for this.”

  “Promise?” He dove in, kissing and licking her into a swirling mess.

  She could only feel as he tuned her body like he owned it. She did whatever he wanted. Until finally, he blanketed her and pushed deep inside her.

  “Oh yeah. So hot.” He moaned. “So wet.”

  “Yes, yes,” she hissed and started coming the moment he stopped moving, fully inside her, while his pelvis brushed her sensitized clit.

  Gripping him with her inner muscles, she lost herself in the ecstasy of being with the man she loved.

  Deacon wasn’t far behind, thrusting deep and fast and coming but not stopping.

  “Oh, God.” He kept pumping, and she kept climaxing.

  Her orgasm seemed never-ending. She lay beneath him, quivering, as he finished, finally spent. He leaned up on his elbows and kissed her, still thick and hard inside her

  Deacon rasped, “Okay, now that I’ve emptied on round one, it’ll be safe for you to swallow on round two.”

  “If you can manage a round two, you’re on.” She groaned. “I’m exhausted. I’ve never come that long before.”

  “Because I’m the man.”

  She huffed, amused with him. “Oh sure. Let’s make my orgasm all about you.”

  “Well, if we must.” He withdrew and thrust back again. Little pushes while he grew harder. “Give me a little…” He kept moving, touching and caressing her.

  And somehow the big bastard managed to rev her engines all over again. But this time, instead of coming inside her, he withdrew and turned around.

  “A sixty-nine for your thirty-fifth. Not bad math, eh?” He didn’t give her time to respond, but her mouth over him was all the answer he needed.

  Christmas morning was magical. Deacon smiled so much his jaw hurt, but he wouldn’t have traded this time with Nora and their families for anything. He still couldn’t believe the perfect woman had been there all along, and he’d been too blinded by insecurity and a lingering heartache to see it for over a year.

  Everyone opened presents, and Deacon was touched to see a box of homemade cookies and a key to her cottage from Nora.

  They hadn’t discussed living arrangements yet, but with their explosive sexual chemistry, and just wanting to be with her all the time, he figured they’d end up moving into his house, for the sole fact he had more space.

  “I love it, Nora.” He kissed her in front of everyone, and the small crowd applauded.

  “It’s not that big a deal,” Nora grumbled, then kissed him back. “Well? I guess it’s okay if you clap when I kiss him.”

  He laughed. Becca rolled her eyes.

  “Oh man. Good luck handling that one,” Mitch said with a nod at Nora.

  “I know, man. I know.” Deacon hung his head.

  Hours later, after they’d unwrapped all their gifts and enjoyed a full brunch, Deacon sat with Nora in the reading room. They sat on the couch under a blanket, facing the fire and a sleeping dog, and enjoyed the quiet.

  Nora shook her head. “I’m still not sure how we went from getting Mitch and Becca together to here over a year later.” She turned to look at him. “I had a major crush on you. Then you disappeared, and I half-hated you. Then, I can’t explain it. It’s like you were there, always hanging around. I kept running into you all over town.”

  “Huh. Like fate.” And a great play of Roy’s that had totally helped him score a winning touchdown with Nora.

  “There, then not there.” Nora sighed and kissed him. “I hate to admit it, but without you, my life is half empty.”

  “Well, I’m a glass half full kind of guy. So we’ll need to be together forever to make our lives worth living.” He smiled.

  “Dramatic, but okay.” She paused. “I love you, Deacon.”

  “Ah, the words. Now that is the best Christmas present a guy can get.”

  “Oh?” She reached into her pocket and pulled out a familiar box.

  He swallowed around a dry throat. “Where did you get that?”

  “From the dresser in your—I mean our—room. I snooped.” She showed a lot of teeth. “I know I only gave you a key to my place.
”

  “I thought it was to your heart, like, symbolic as well as a physical thing.”

  “Sure, sure. Let’s say it was.” She cleared her throat, and to his surprise, she seemed nervous. “But about this box… If it’s what I think it is, then my gift to you includes accepting this gift from you.”

  “I’m almost confused.”

  “Give me the damn box,” she growled.

  He took it from her and left the couch to get on bended knee, his heart in his eyes, his voice thick with feeling. “Honoria Nielson, you—”

  She shrieked. “I knew Mitch would tell you my name!”

  He cleared his throat, and she quieted so he could continue. “As I was saying, Nora, you are truly a pain in my ass. And I have loved you from the moment I laid eyes on you. It just took me a lot of bad dates with boring people and some crazy hot Nora-sex to realize you’re not perfect, but you’re the perfect woman for me. Will you do us both the honor of agreeing to become my wife?”

  Tears ran down her cheeks, and her brown eyes looked black, dark with emotion. “Best dang proposal a girl could receive. I have to say yes to that, or I’ll look like a complete jerk.” She opened the box and stared at the 2-carat, flawless, colorless, square-cut diamond ring. “Holy shit. This is worth more than everything I own! Including my new laptop.”

  “I had to sell a kidney, but you’re worth it.”

  “Well, you do have a spare.” She couldn’t stop looking at the ring. “It’s too big. It’s not me.”

  “It’s exactly you. It’s beautiful and worth a lot. And you’re worth more than everything to me.”

  “God, Deacon. I think you’re the one with all the words today.”

  “We’re playing Scrabble later—clothes on—so I’m sure to win.”

  “I might let you.” She kissed him deeply, and he kissed her back, lost in love.

  She pulled away and pushed him onto his back on the floor.

  The dog had yet to move, now snoring quietly by the fire.

  Nora frowned. “I hate to ask, and I know how sensitive you are about money, but damn, Deacon. How not-rich are you, anyway?”

  He grinned. “Well, let’s just say we’ll be comfortable as long as the brewery stays in the black. But I’m hoping to someday quit my job and be a stay-at-home dad when your book career takes off. You know, to live my dream of being a kept man.”

  She smiled. “I’m surprisingly okay with that.” Then she showed him how much she loved him, ever so slowly…

  Christmas night, Simon nodded with satisfaction. Nora wore one heck of a big rock on her finger. Deacon, the proud fiancé, stood by her side, hugging her close, as the new couple accepted constant congratulations from everyone, including Nora’s parents over the phone.

  Simon’s grandparents cooed over the ring and the baby. His mom squealed and nudged Mitch every time she glanced at Nora’s diamond, but Mitch only smiled and encouraged her, no sign of jealousy that his big brother might be stealing Ava’s spotlight.

  Jenna had mentioned that might be a possibility, but Simon had known the family would only grow tighter with his aunt and uncle now marrying.

  He nodded to himself. They should be thanking me.

  As if Deacon heard him, he locked gazes with Simon and nodded. Then he winked.

  “Ha! I am the best.”

  “Honey, did you say something?” his mom asked as she passed by holding his sister.

  Ava blinked at Simon and smiled. He’d swear she did, that it wasn’t just gas.

  “Nah, Mom. Just talking to myself.”

  “Well, we’ll have to get you fitted for a new suit next year. You’ve already grown out of your pants from your suit for our wedding.”

  “Ugh.”

  “But on the bright side, we have another wedding to attend that I don’t have to plan. Yay!”

  Double ugh. Though maybe he could talk Nora and Deacon into a destination wedding. Hawaii would be awesome.

  He texted Jenna, who texted him back with a lot of happy face emojis and ideas on how to make that Hawaii trip work. Man, he sure had the best girlfriend.

  Chapter 21

  One month later

  Nora finally arrived home. “I’m back.”

  Deacon smiled, every moment with her was brighter and better. Deacon’s house now had color, plenty of books, and girl stuff without compromising his taste. She’d managed to turn his house into their home without too many arguments. Though he still thought he should have been able to keep that vintage girlie calendar in the downstairs den. Instead, he’d given it to Nora, who’d framed her lookalike (Ms. December) and hung the looker in the bedroom closet, which they’d then christened rather creatively.

  “You did it, Deacon. You gave me the best birthday present I could ever hope for.” Nora pumped her fist in the air.

  “You got an agent already?” He hadn’t realized she’d finished the book, though she’d been going to a few local writer meetings and had been researching how to get published while she worked on it every night, little by little.

  “No way. I’m not ready to query agents yet. I’m only a quarter of the way done my first draft. Slow down, tiger.”

  “Sure thing, killer.” He sneered. She sneered back.

  They laughed.

  He asked, “Then what’s so great about the laptop?”

  She beamed. “Nothing. I’m pregnant!”

  He stared, shocked. “But… But… Really?”

  “It’s too soon to announce it yet, but I took three tests, and they’re all positive. I have a doctor’s appointment scheduled for tomorrow.”

  He let out a yell and swung her around before realizing he should be a lot gentler. He set her down and gave her a huge kiss. “I’m so happy right now. You have no idea.”

  The doorbell rang, followed by the door opening and closing. Simon appeared with Mitch. As payback for Simon’s favor, Simon had requested to use Deacon’s SUV for practice driving. Apparently, Mitch’s Porsche wasn’t great in the snow. Go figure.

  Simon gave him a weak smile. Mitch didn’t look happy. And Deacon didn’t care about any of it. Nora was going to have their baby!

  Simon waved. “Um, hi, Deacon. I brought back the SUV.”

  Mitch sighed. “Simon…”

  Simon swallowed. “Is now a good time to tell you I might have accidentally skidded into a tree with your front bumper? I swear, it’s just a small smudge, no dent or anything.”

  “It’s not that bad,” Mitch agreed. “We didn’t see the ice.”

  Nora laughed. “Today is probably the only day you could tell him and live to see tomorrow.”

  “Huh?” Simon stared suspiciously between them. “Are you guys drunk?”

  Mitch chuckled. “High on love. Do you guys ever stop hugging?”

  “You should talk,” Nora said, still smiling like a loon.

  Deacon grinned. “We’re permanently joined,” he teased. To Simon, he said, “I’m high on life, kid. But I’m suddenly in the mood for a drink.”

  “Great.” Simon grinned. “I’ll have one.”

  “A juice for the kid.” Deacon shook his head. “Mitch? You want one?”

  Mitch brightened. “Sure. You got any of that holiday ale left?”

  “I do.”

  “I want a beer.” Nora groaned. “Oh wait. Man, this is going to suck.”

  “Not too much, I hope.” Deacon smiled. “But we have plenty of apple juice in the fridge.”

  Nora smiled back.

  Then Deacon kissed her again and put her down with a swat to her butt.

  “Not in front of the teen.” But Nora was smiling as she sauntered away. “How about a round of pool? Loser does dishes. Naked.”

  Simon cringed. “Ew.”

  Deacon nodded. “And that, Nephew, is how you succeed at the quarterback sneak.”

  “What’s that?” Nora asked over her shoulder.

  “Nothing,” Deacon and Simon said at the same time.

  Mitch scratched
his head. “You guys are weird. Now where’s that beer I was promised?”

  Once at home, Simon let Jenna know they’d made another successful couple. Nora and Deacon showed no sign of falling out of love. Heck, they seemed gushier and more couple-like every time he saw them, which made him feel so dang good inside. Finally. The people in his life were happy and settling down.

  Perhaps now Jenna would let him work on her aunt. Because if anyone needed help, it was the hot and single realtor all his friends couldn’t stop talking about. Teenage boys could be gross. But even he had to admit Piper Mason was awfully pretty, even if she was a lot older than him.

  Now if only Mitch and Deacon had a friend…

  Thank you for reading Deacon and Nora’s holiday romance. If you haven’t yet read Mitch and Becca’s story, Any Given Snow Day, read on for a sneak peek.

  Mitch stared at a feminine version of Simon Bragg. A few inches shorter than her behemoth son, she had long, dark-brown hair, greenish-brown eyes, and a frown that would do Simon proud.

  A subtle glance and he catalogued her feminine assets. Check, check, and check. A stunner if not for the scowl on her face. Her assistant, the other pretty brunette he’d seen with Simon at the game, just grinned at him before hustling away.

  “Hello. Mrs. Bragg?”

  “Yes?” Cool and collected.

  Funny, but his heart was racing. Mitch had been with supermodels, actresses, professional athletes. Some had possessed the same qualities Rebecca Bragg did, that essence of attraction that sparked something in his brain…and in other places. But Mitch didn’t do married chicks. Ever. Best to remember that.

  He cleared his throat. “I’d like to talk to you about Simon.”

  Her frown deepened. “Is he okay? What happened?”

  Mitch had debated how to broach the subject. After talking to Deacon, they’d decided Mitch should be the one to talk to her. He still wasn’t sure how they’d come up with that, other than that his brother was a scum-sucking wimp who’d rather face a firing squad than an irate mother.