“Is she okay?” Heath asks with a thick, rough voice.
“Yes, we forgot to call her,” I say, feeling guilty.
He checks his phone and curses under his breath. I tap my phone to switch the call to FaceTime, and the first thing Dad says is, “Why is it so dark?”
My cheeks heat up, and I’m speechless. I might be thirty-two, but I don’t want to tell my father what I was about to do.
“You caught us as we were arriving,” Heath answers and takes my phone while turning on the lights. “Where’s Cassie?”
“Hey, Daddy.” Cassie appears on the screen. “I miss you.”
“Hi, sweetie,” he greets her and his face beams. “How was your day?”
“Is Lee with you?”
I come closer to Heath and greet her. She gives me a big smile, warming up my heart. “Hey, baby girl.”
“Did you get me my special present yet?”
“I’ll work on it tomorrow,” I inform her. “Have you been good to Grandpa?”
She nods firmly.
“Have you helped him with Byron?”
“Yes, and he’s been sleeping with me,” she says smiling widely.
We sit by the table and while we’re having dinner, she tells us about her day. Bishop drove her to school in the snowmobile. She helped Bethany with Saturday’s wedding, since the flower girl isn’t arriving until Friday.
“I want to be a flower girl,” she requests.
“If either one of your uncles gets married, I’ll convince the bride to choose you as one of the flower girls,” I offer.
“What about your wedding?”
“Cassie, it’s already nine,” Heath interrupts. “It’s time for bed.”
“Don’t forget what you promised me, Daddy,” she pouts.
After the call, I ask curiously, “What did you promise?”
He sighs. “You.”
“What?”
“Hear me out before you walk out on me,” he requests, holding my hand. “I already planned to come with you to New York. I had made all the arrangements with your dad and Henry. Later, when I came home, and Cassie was in bed she said you were leaving and asked me to give you what you wanted so you can be her mom.”
My heart pounds harder and harder against my ribcage. Cassie has never asked for her mom or been curious about having a mother. She’s content with Heath. It’s the two of them.
“Look, I don’t want to skip steps and talk about the future when you’re still not sure about my feelings. Ideally, one day I’d love to marry you, have kids with you and if you find it in your heart to adopt Cassie—”
“She’s mine,” I gasp. “I mean, I know she’s not really mine, but I feel as if she’s a part of me.”
He shakes his head.
“I should’ve acted sooner,” he says, standing up and extending his hand to me.
“It’s never too late,” I remind him as he wraps his arms around me, resting his interlaced hands on my lower back.
Our heads nod to the rhythm of Van Morrison. My head rests on his torso and I close my eyes briefly hoping that whatever happens next includes Cassie and Heath.
Nineteen
Knightly
It’s been years, almost two whole decades that I’ve been waiting for Heath to look at me the way he’s been doing for the past couple of days. He’s familiar. I’m used to having him close. My body is trained to keep itself in check when he’s around, even when my heart is pounding like a jackhammer. I should be elated about this next step. I stand frozen, as the reality of what’s about to happen hits me like a lightning bolt.
Everything between us is about to change.
“Are you okay?” he asks, sliding an arm around my waist, locking me against his hard, powerful body.
I shiver as his fingers trail slowly over my face, tracing the lines of my jaw and the curve of my lips, as if he’s studying every inch of me. I don’t breathe or speak, afraid that I might wake up from this dream. My eyes flutter shut as his lips brush mine gently. The heat of his body fires up my insides.
“Lee,” he says my name in awe. “My sweet Knightly Rose.”
He lowers his forehead to mine; I open my eyes, and our gazes connect. “You’re one of the most important people in my world—my life. This, our relationship, matters a lot to me. I’m risking it because I love you.”
“You do?” I ask. I’m shaking under his grasp as I wait for his next move. “It’s too soon, I mean we just started to date—”
“I worked hard to fight my attraction to you.” His eyes move toward my mouth and then back to my eyes. “To bury my feelings for you. God knows it’s been getting harder as time passes. At night, I’ve imagined having mind-blowing sex with you. Thinking about peeling off every piece of clothing you wear until there’s not one barrier between my mouth and your soft skin.”
His mouth is so close to mine that I can feel how intoxicating the warmth of his breath is. I hold my breath waiting for him to kiss me with the sensual hunger he’s been kissing me with for the past couple of days. Instead, his lips slide over my jaw, down to the back of my ear. My breathing becomes erratic as his tongue traces a line to my neck. Everything inside me melts. I hold on to his shoulders as he nibbles the sensitive skin at the base of my throat.
Mouth exploring, hands moving down my body, and the intense gaze undressing me is pushing me to the edge but not soon enough.
He’s taking his time, and I’m impatient for more. His hands, his mouth, his scent and the feel of him. Every cell of my body shakes, waiting for more. I just can’t leave it to him. I tug his long sleeve shirt off exposing his muscular chest. I press my hands over his shoulders running them down his powerful body. Feeling each ripple, swell, and dip of his muscles.
Feeling bold, I snap open the button of his jeans and slowly pull down the zipper. I lick my lips when I realize he’s not wearing any underwear and dare to close my hand over his thick length.
“Lee.” He shudders as I pump it a couple of times. “Please, don’t,” he groans pulling me into a deep, hungry kiss.
He thrusts his tongue inside my mouth, exploring every inch of it. I match his speed and demand more from him.
Without saying a word or moving too much, he pulls off my sweater and the turtleneck I’m wearing underneath. Then runs his hands down my body, peeling my jeans off, and just leaving me with the cute set of black lace I bought yesterday especially for him to see. He presses his mouth between my breasts. Licks one nipple, and then the other, wetting the lacy bra. My nipples are hard like pearls. They’re swollen waiting to be freed and sucked by him.
He stops and grabs my face gently between both of his hands. “I want you so much, are you sure about this?”
“I want you too,” I say, and gasp as he lifts me and sets me on the bed.
Heath moves his hand slowly, traveling from my heel, passing through the inside of my thigh, and stopping right at my core. He runs a finger over the wet fabric of my panties and draws a few circles around it with his thumb. I moan.
“You’re torturing me, Miller,” I complain as he slides one finger through the thin fabric and touches my clit.
“I’m enjoying you before I feast,” he says claiming my mouth.
As he kisses me, his hand slides down my back, unhooking my bra and releasing my breasts. Then, he continues tracing my skin until his fingers meet my hips and he pushes the lacey fabric all the way down leaving me completely naked and at his mercy. His mouth follows, stopping to suck my nipples alternating them as his fingers stroke, explore, and rub my heat.
I grab onto the sheets as a million sensations cascade from everywhere. My breathing is too fast, I can’t focus on anything, and all I can smell is his woodsy aftershave. I feel as if I can’t take any more but at the same time I want him to continue.
His lips move away, and I whimper but gasp as his hands part my labia and he sucks me. His tongue laps me, while he thrusts a finger inside my channel and pumps it fast. My body begins t
o tremble as he pushes me right to the edge and I soar. I’m at the highest peak of a mountain spent but needy.
He stands up, reaching for the condom he placed on the nightstand. His eyes are set on fire, glowing like a torch illuminating the end of a tunnel. He rolls on the condom, but his eyes barely leave my body.
“Are you ready?” he asks with a soft voice, his blue gaze never releasing me.
“I’ve never been more sure of anything.”
Slowly, he lowers himself down. The head of his cock right at my entrance. Our mouths crash against each other as he fills me slowly with his thickness. He’s careful as he gives me time to adjust to his length.
I close my eyes for a couple of beats and when I open them, he is watching me and says, “Breathe, baby, you’re safe with me.”
I gasp, taking some air before he pulls his shaft out and thrusts back in. This time he doesn’t wait for me to adjust. He starts rocking against me faster, moving with urgency. But it’s not hard, at least, not as hard as I believe he could be doing it. He’s gentle, the way he’s always been with me. Gentle and loving.
“You’re the most beautiful woman in the world,” he mumbles against my mouth.
“I love you,” I mutter, clinging onto his shoulders. “I love you so much, Heath.”
He pumps inside me deeper and harder. We’re becoming an extension of each other. He doesn’t hold back anymore. His movements are raw, primal. We lose control. Our breathing is erratic. Our bodies meld together just as our hearts and our souls become one.
I twist and thrash as my muscles convulse and he’s right behind me shaking on top of me. He groans and thrusts himself even deeper making me come even harder. We are flying high, skyrocketing to the ultimate place.
Heath drops his head on my shoulder, gasping for air just like I am.
“I love you, Lee,” he murmurs almost spent and rolls me around, keeping me in a tight embrace. “I’m all yours. I gave you my heart, now my body, and you own my soul.”
As he cradles me in his arms, we look into each other’s eyes and smile. He kisses my shoulder and rolls over to the other side of the bed, reaching toward the nightstand.
“Knightly Rose Lee,” he says, rising from the bed and bending down on one knee.
He stares at me, holding a red box that contains a gorgeous diamond solitaire ring.
“Heath,” I gasp his name.
“I love that you eat ice cream even when it’s minus twenty degrees outside. I love that you always look after everyone. I love that you welcomed my daughter and loved her as if she were yours. I’ve loved you in many different ways since we were kids. My love for you has evolved as we grow older. I came to New York to convince you that you’re the love of my life. I’m not perfect, but you make me perfect.”
He clears his throat. “Lee, will you marry me?”
“Yes.” I look into his clear blue eyes before I throw myself into his arms. “Of course I will.”
Epilogue
Heath
It’s Christmas day. Like every year, we’re at Steve’s house, having brunch and opening presents. I look outside the big window, staring at the snow-dusted forest; ice crystals shimmer on the surface of the lake. It’s a perfect white Christmas. Cassie is right by the tree, unwrapping boxes and squealing with happiness. Lee’s right beside her, snapping pictures of our daughter. Until her gaze meets mine.
As usual, she doesn’t need to speak for me to know what she needs. I walk to her, extend my hand and help her stand. I wrap my arms around her enjoying the feel of her body against mine, kissing the top of her head.
“She’s happy,” Lee whispers.
“Are you happy?” I ask.
“Mom, can we make cookies?” Cassie questions, showing her the cookie cutters Santa brought her.
Lee’s chin quivers. Her eyes fill with moisture. “Yes,” she answers with a quiet voice.
“It’s okay if I call you Mom, right?”
Lee moves from my grasp and opens her arms for Cassie. “Of course it is, sweetheart. I love you so much.”
“I love you too, Mom,” Cassie says before jetting off to the kitchen.
I smile at Lee and kiss her nose.
I never thought I could possibly love her more, but I was wrong. Every day I fall more and more in love with her. I adore this woman with all my heart. The woman who loves me for who I am. Our lives are perfect, for us.
We’re getting married next year. The McCalls accepted my offer. We’ll take possession of the vineyard in early January. Lee and I plan on building a house right by the lake, big enough to fit our family. For now, Cassie and I are moving into Lee’s house.
“Yes, I’m happy,” Lee finally answers, wrapping her arms around my neck. “You and Cassie make my life magical, perfect.”
Dear Reader,
Happy Holidays!
Thank you so much for taking time out of your life to read Christmas in Kentbury. I had lots of fun asking my reading group what they’d like to see on a holiday book. They chose a single dad, friends to lovers romance. I hope you fall in love with Heath and all the characters as much as I did.
Are we going to revisit Kentbury? I hope so. I fell in love with the town, the Harris and also the Millers. Mrs. Bowman knows so much about the town. I’m not sure when this will happen but maybe early next fall you might be able to visit them again.
After you’re done reading, I’d appreciate if you leave a review on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Goodreads, or Bookbub. And if possible, spread the love around your friends.
Subscribe to my newsletter to find out about upcoming releases, extra scenes and special offers.
Sending you hugs and all my love,
Claudia
Excerpts
I hope you enjoyed Christmas in Kentbury, keep reading for an extended excerpt of my bestselling friends to lover romance Found, and the bad boy romance, Undefeated.
Found
All I’ve ever wanted was for someone to choose me. My mother didn’t. My father didn’t. The beautiful boy next door, who grew up to marry me, didn’t. Neither did the next man with whom I thought my heart was safe.
Back in the Bay area, three thousand miles from New York City, I can start fresh. Become one with the sea again, rise or fall on the tide of my own choices. But on the first day of my bright new life, the darkest shadows of my past follow me through my office door. The two men whose names are definitely not on my five-year plan.
If I let it consume me—my need for one man, my love for the other—the darkness will swallow me whole. I can’t let that happen. Not again. This time, the waves of emotion crashing against my heart won’t drown me. This time, I get to choose my happy ending.
Undefeated
“Porter, only you can help yourself. We’re here to guide you, but we can’t take you to the next level if you refuse to work.”
…there’s nothing they can do for me.
No matter what I tell them, what I do or whom I talk to, my woman is gone, my kid is dead, my career is over and the only family that loved me, now despises me.
I was once the nation’s biggest musical sensation. An International heartthrob. Now, I’m a skeleton of a life I once lived.
Porter Kendrick: the man, the myth, the legend.
A fallen branch of the Colthurst-Decker dynasty.
The demons of my past haunt me. Do I have the strength and will power to put them to rest? Can anyone really have it all?
Found
One
Scott
All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother. ― Abraham Lincoln
“What are the three words that best describe you?” the reporter on the other side of the line asks after I disclose the projected revenues for the next quarter.
I stare at my phone and pinch the bridge of my nose, thinking. There are more than three. Committed, resilient, stubborn, impatient, quiet, reserved … I drum my fingers on top of my desk searching for the best words to use in this case.
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As a businessman, I’m … “Persistent, fearless and adaptable,” I respond promptly, checking the time. This interview is taking longer than I anticipated.
My brothers would say I’m logical, disciplined, and heartless. They have given me a few nicknames like The Tinman and Ironman.
“Adaptable?” The reporter’s voice carries a hint of curiosity. “I like that word. Would you mind expanding, Mr. Everhart?”
“Well, it’s my policy that our company adapts to the economic, social, and political changes our world experiences, just like we all try to.”
“Would you say that your philosophy is to adapt or die?”
“Isn’t it everyone’s?” I ask, not caring how she responds, only how long she takes.
I frown. Adaptation is a verb I use often when asked what's the key to my success. The truth is that I have continued the legacy that my father left behind. But I never say that out loud. I avoid mentioning my parents, hating the intrusive questions about their deaths. They are officially off limits. I still remember the pity looks and sad, morbid stories printed about the orphan raising his younger siblings.
Everyone remembers September 11th. But the date holds a different significance for me, because that morning I lost my parents. I press a fist against my chest, pushing away the sad memories. Their voices, their directives, continuously play in my head. Their last words, their requests and the need to remind me that no matter where they are, they were still right next to me.
The call came through in the middle of class. Although I barely used my cell phone, I answered it when it rang. My parents only called me when there was an emergency.
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