by Mariano, Sam
Like last year, he helps me down like a gentleman, and like last year, sliding down his hard body fills me with lots of unladylike thoughts.
“I love tonight,” I tell Cal happily, hugging his arm and leaning my head against his bicep as we approach the reception desk.
“I love you,” he returns, leaning over and stealing a kiss.
I love him, too, but he knows that already.
Once we’re checked in, we head up to the same suite we stayed in last year. We’re more prepared this time. I set up my charger cord so my phone doesn’t die, and unpack a few necessities in the bathroom.
When I come back out, I don’t immediately see Cal. I look around and spot him at the door, wheeling in a room service cart.
“Did you order food?” I ask him, peering at the cart.
He shakes his head. “A drink.”
There’s a bottle of champagne chilling in a bucket of ice with two glasses waiting to be filled. “Going all out for the anniversary, huh?” I tease, but he knows I love it.
“Something like that. Are you done unpacking? I want you to open your gift.”
“Oh yes, I want you to open yours too,” I tell him, thinking more of the naughty homework assignment I did for him than the expensive watch I bought him. It will look incredible on his sexy wrist, but if I’m being honest, the gift with sentimental value is my favorite.
Cal takes my hand and walks me around the couch. It’s only when we sit down that I notice he must have had flowers delivered ahead of us, because there’s a beautiful bouquet in the center of the coffee table. It’s festive, too, with reds and whites exploding out of the vase. Red roses and holly berries and carnations, big white lilies with baby’s breath. There’s Christmas tree greenery sparsely added in, and a bright red bow wrapped around the vase to finish it off.
“Oh, Cal, they’re gorgeous,” I tell him, scooting closer to the edge of the couch so I can lean in and smell them. They smell magnificent, too. Flashing him the biggest smile, I throw my arms around him and give him a hug. “Thank you.”
“There’s a card,” he adds, pointing to the bouquet.
“Oh, I missed it.”
“I think it’s on the other side,” he says.
I frown, scooting off the couch and crawling to the coffee table, pulling the vase closer. It takes a little digging, but I finally find the card, and I smile when I read the inscription:
For my favorite elf.
Love,
Scrooge
My grin widens, and I turn back to respond, but when I do, I freeze.
Cal is still sitting on the edge of the sofa, but now he’s holding out a small red jewelry box.
“Oh my God,” I murmur, sitting back on my legs.
His lips curve up faintly, and he pops open the box. “Noelle…”
“Yes.”
“Will you marry me?”
“Yes! Yes, that’s what I meant, I meant you didn’t have to—oh my god, yes,” I say, crawling to him and grabbing the box out of his hand so I can get a closer look.
The ring he picked out for me is gorgeous and unique, an ice blue sapphire with a hexagonal halo, set in rose gold and almost resembling a snowflake. Unconsciously, I lift a hand to cover my mouth, shaking my head in absolute awe.
“Cal, this is perfect. It’s so beautiful. I love it.”
His voice is warm with pleasure. “I’m glad.”
I swallow past a sudden lump in my throat, plucking the delicate ring from its velvet bed and sliding it onto my finger.
Looking up at him, I say, “I love it so much and I’m so happy…”
“But?”
“How will we explain it to people?” I ask, hoping I don’t dull his enthusiasm. “I definitely want to marry you, I’m all in on this plan, it’s just—”
He cuts me off, taking my hand and pulling me back up onto the couch beside him. “The same way we got our head start. We’ll keep it quiet for a little while. Tell people in a few months when it won’t be as surprising.”
My teeth sink into my bottom lip and I can’t help smiling. “A secret engagement?”
His blue-gray eyes sparkle with mischief. “Perfect for us, don’t you think?”
I picture it all as I sit here with him: this time next year, back in Marymount for our annual tradition, but this time when the horse-drawn sleigh pulls up to the inn, I’m in a long white dress, Callan dashing in a black tux. Snow clings to his dark hair, pleasure dances in his eyes at the sight of me, and my heart couldn’t be fuller.
He’ll grab me around the waist and help me down. He’ll slide me down his body and get me hot. Then, he’ll escort me inside the Marymount Inn, where we’ll spend our very first night together as husband and wife.
Smiling at the plans he doesn’t know we have yet, I take his hand, answering his question and practicing for next year at the same time.
“I do.”
THE END
Also by SAM MARIANO
If you enjoyed the forbidden attraction of Callan and Noelle, make sure you check out Sam Mariano’s full-length dark, forbidden romance, THE IMPERFECTIONS!
Brant’s a family man who always looks out for his own. If there’s a problem that needs fixing, he’s not afraid to get his hands dirty. When a messy mistake is made and protecting his sister means getting rid of a cute little blonde with questionable judgment, Brant doesn’t hesitate… at least, not until he meets her, and she’s nothing like he expected. Is the girl he was supposed to eliminate actually everything he’s ever wanted? Find out in THE IMPERFECTIONS!
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2D2se7l
Amazon UK: My Book
Paperback: https://amzn.to/37KwW7P
About the Author
SAM MARIANO loves to write edgy, twisty reads with complicated characters you’re left thinking about long after you turn the last page. Her favorite thing about indie publishing is the ability to play by your own rules! If she isn’t reading one of the thousands of books on her to-read list, writing her next book, or playing with her adorable daughter… actually, that’s about all she has time for these days.
Feel free to find Sam on Facebook, Goodreads, Twitter, or her blog—she loves hearing from readers! She’s also available on Instagram @sammarianobooks, and you can sign up for her totally-not-spammy newsletter HERE
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About the Author
Dark, dirty and taboo is what ISABELLA STARLING is known for.
An Amazon top 25 bestselling Author, Isabella is a self-proclaimed Tumblr gif addict and always looking for her next forbidden story.
If you pick up a Starling book, you can count on a bad-mouthed, bossy man who will dominate his woman with a rough hand.
Add just a sprinkle of taboo, a touch of BDSM and a pinch of suspense, and you're all set for a story you won't forget.
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