by Layla Hagen
“Damn right I am.”
I wiggled my ass, even though I had no intention of sliding out of his arms, just to rile him up. And I succeeded. The next second, he flipped us over, and he was on top, resting his forearms near my shoulders, propping his knees next to my thighs. He wasn’t crushing me, but I couldn’t get away either. In other words, I had him just where I wanted him. Pressing every single delicious muscle against me.
“There. Now you can’t try to get away.”
“Who said I was trying?” I asked, unable to mask the mischief in my voice.
He feathered the tip of his nose up and down my neck, laughing. “I see. So, you were just messing around with me?”
“No, but I love it when you think you have to lay on the charm to convince me to do things your way.”
He pulled back a notch, looking me straight in the eyes.
“I’ve got something for you,” he said in a low, raw voice, reaching for the nightstand. He opened the drawer. My heartbeats became lightning-quick when I realized he was taking out a small jewelry box. Sliding off me, he sat at the edge of the bed, holding the box for me, opening the lid. My sapphire engagement ring!
“I’ve had this for a while. I wanted to give it to you on our one-year anniversary, but didn’t want to risk them selling out, so I bought it.... Anyway, I don’t want to wait anymore.”
He took my hand, caressing my ring finger, the diamond engagement ring.
My eyes were misty, my throat completely closed up with emotion.
“I love you, Josie. When I slid this ring on your finger, we both thought it would be just for a while. I don’t know what went through your mind, but I was already doubting that I could avoid falling for you.”
His voice faltered on the last words. I clasped his fingers, letting him know that I was right there with him.
“When I slide this ring on your finger, I want you to have the certainty that I will love you for the rest of our lives.”
I barely had enough patience for him to slide that ring on before wrapping my arms around his neck, practically straddling him. “Thank you. It’s beautiful. But you didn’t have to get me a new ring.”
“I wanted to. And you love it.”
I grinned but didn’t argue. What could I say? He knew me well. I drew him close, peppering his cheeks and neck with kisses. I just couldn’t get enough of him. But he wasn’t touching me with the usual enthusiasm... which could only mean one thing.
“Is there anything else you want to tell me?” I asked.
He blinked, clearly taken aback. It gave me immense pleasure that I knew him just as well.
“As it happens, there is one thing... how would you feel about becoming Ms. Josie Caldwell?”
I threw my head back, laughing, before straightening up, attempting to sound serious as I spoke, pointing to my ring.
“Was this a bribe?”
“No. As I said, I’ve had it for a while. But I thought that asking you right now might increase the chances of you saying yes.”
“Using your devious strengths again?”
“Guilty.” Bringing his mouth to my ear, he whispered, “But if I really wanted to use devious tactics, I’d be doing this....” He drew his mouth down my neck, pushing my thighs further apart with his leg. I gasped, rolling my hips into him before playfully pushing him away.
I debated whether to make him sweat a bit, but even though I loved keeping him on his toes, I loved seeing that big, happy smile even more. When he’d first suggested it months ago, I hadn’t seen the point. Why change it only to revert back to my maiden name further down the road? But things were different now. And I couldn’t wait to be Mrs. Caldwell.
“Fine, you opportunistic man. I’ll change my name.” And there it was, that huge, heartfelt smile. I loved it so much. “I love you, Hunter.”
I held him tight to me again. I’d just decided I wouldn’t let go tonight when a phone started ringing.
“That’s my phone,” I said, attempting to wiggle out of his arms, but he held on tight.
“How about you don’t answer it?”
I grinned. “No can do. That’s Tess’s ringtone. She made me promise to tell her every single detail as soon as the evening was over. If I don’t answer, she might come banging at the front door.”
He flashed a grin. “Wouldn’t put it past her.”
“I will need you to let me go to answer the phone.”
He fondled my right ass cheek. I narrowed my eyes but couldn’t help shimmying a little.
“Or, I’ll tell her I couldn’t make it to the phone because you’ve been fondling me. Pretty sure that won’t earn you any cousin of the year award.”
He pinched my other ass cheek too. “By the looks of it, it might just earn me husband of the year, won’t it?”
That damn shimmy gave me away. But he couldn’t blame me for liking his hands on me, could he?
“Don’t get ahead of yourself.”
“I like my odds.”
To my astonishment, he did take his hands off me, practically freeing me. Letting an opportunity for naked time slide by was very unlike him.
I became even more suspicious when a smirk that was a little too self-indulgent appeared on his handsome face.
“What’s that?”
“What?” He promptly schooled his expression, but he wasn’t fooling me.
“That... smirk.”
“Can’t wait to hear what Tess has to say when you tell her about the name change. She was so convinced you’d never agree.”
“Wait a second. When did you talk about this?”
“When we returned from the Bahamas. She was at my office. One thing led to another....”
I shook my head, at a loss for what to say... but then an idea popped into my mind.
“In that case, I might tell her that I’m still considering it.”
He grinned. “Changed my mind. Won’t let you answer after all.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes.”
I could give just as good as I got. Well, almost as good. Hunter was still a master at this, but I had plenty of time to learn. I attempted to wiggle out from under him. Rookie mistake. The next second, he clasped my wrists in one hand, pinning them above my head.
“See? Not going anywhere. Got you just where I want you,” he teased.
“So, what are you going to do with me?” I giggled as he drew the tip of his nose on my exposed underarm. Not what I was expecting.
“Tickle me at your own risk, husband.”
Chapter Thirty-Four
Hunter
One month later
“What do you mean, it’s a surprise? I want to know where you’re taking me,” Josie said.
“Always impatient, Mrs. Caldwell.”
She rolled her eyes, grinning. “Are you ever going to call me by my first name again?”
“Sure, just not anytime soon.”
She’d been Josie Caldwell for one week and two days, since we’d finalized the paperwork. And yes, I might have called her Mrs. Caldwell ever since. It just rolls off the tongue so easily.
“Are we going to celebrate that you’ve received your green card?”
“Maybe.”
Our case worker contacted us as soon as Josie forwarded the request for the name change, demanding an explanation.
Josie told her that since she was setting up her own firm anyway, she could just as well do it as Josie Caldwell. I received the approval for my green card two weeks later.
“Insufferable man.” She sighed, crossing her arms over her chest. Then she squirmed in her seat, sitting up straighter as I stopped the car at a red light.
“We’re going to your office?”
We were on the Upper West side, in the area of my office.
I winked at her. “Close.”
Instead of taking the road to my building, I turned right onto a side street. Watching Josie try to piece things together was one of my favorite things to do. I loved keep
ing her on edge, surprising her.
I parked the car in front of a red brick building, announcing, “This is us.”
We climbed out of the car, and I took Josie’s hand, leading her inside.
“What’s this about?” she asked when I unlocked the door, opening it.
“You’ve been office hunting for a while. Thought you might like this one.”
“I’ve searched for spaces in this area. This didn’t come up, or I would have put it on the list.”
“It’s not on the market.”
“So how do you know about it?”
“Pulled a string or two.”
“For me?”
“I’d do anything for my wife.”
She glanced at me over her shoulder, and that affection in her eyes just slayed me. I didn’t think there would be a day it wouldn’t.
“Thank you.”
She sighed as she stepped inside. I remained a few steps behind her, wanting to give her time to soak it all up.
“Wow,” she murmured.
The space was perfect for a law office, in a building that was elegant but not snobbish.
It boasted high ceilings and large windows that let in plenty of natural light. It had three separate offices and even a small meeting room with an adjacent nook that served as a small kitchen.
I knew she could already see herself here—specifically, in the middle office.
“This is big enough that I can put a recliner armchair in one corner. I can take powernaps when I’m exhausted, or just sit more comfortably when I have a lot to read. And the kitchen is perfect for coffee breaks.”
She grinned, turning around slowly, taking in the room before heading to the window. I walked up behind her, pushing her hair to one side, kissing the back of her neck.
“I can join you. My office is not far.”
“Midday foot rubs and hot chocolate?”
She shivered, goose bumps appearing on her arms. I ran my palms over the sensitive skin, nibbling at her ear. I loved the effect I had on her. “Maybe a sexcapade.”
She elbowed me lightly. “I’ll have colleagues.”
“Who’ll go out to lunch, have meetings.”
“I’m taking it. How much is the deposit?”
“I already took care of that.”
She turned around, blinking.
“Plus the first month of rent. I have a perfectly good explanation.”
A smile tugged at the corners of her lips. “Let’s hear it.”
“I passed by here on my way to lunch a few days ago, saw them carrying out furniture. They were about to put it on the market, and I went inside to check it out. I thought you might like it, and I didn’t want you to risk missing out on it.”
“I don’t think you could be any sweeter.”
I winced. “How about romantic?”
“Why, Mr. Caldwell, am I offending your manly sensibilities by calling you sweet?”
I winced again. She giggled.
“Fine. I promise not to use that word again. About the deposit and the rent—I’ll pay you back.”
“No, you won’t. Let me do this for you. You’ve given me so much, Josie.” I placed my hands on her waist, keeping her close. “You’re the love of my life, Josie Caldwell. You’ve been my best friend for so long, and now you’re my partner, my better half. I’ll be here for you, cheering for you every step of the way. Loving you, taking care of you. You’ve changed so much in my life. You’ve showed me what it feels like to be loved....” Drawing in a deep breath, I touched my forehead to hers, needing the connection.
I kissed the corner of her mouth, then her lower lip and the bow of the upper one before capturing her mouth, kissing her long and deep, entwining our tongues. I moved one hand to cup her cheek, tilting her head at the perfect angle so I could explore her.
I kissed her until we were both panting, needing more. When it came to Josie, I’d always need more. I smiled against her lips when I realized that so did she.
She pressed her hips against me, pulling at my collar with one hand, digging the fingers of the other in my arm, as if she was a few seconds away from taking off my shirt.
I skimmed my hands up her waist, touching the underside of her breasts with my thumbs. She moaned against my mouth, pressing her thighs together. I nearly pushed her against a wall. I did hike her skirt up her legs, desperate for skin-on-skin contact. I ran my hand up her inner thigh, until my thumb grazed the hem of her panties. Josie fisted my shirt. How could I be so crazy for her?
I dropped my hand, pulling my head back a notch. The contour of her mouth was red, her lips slightly puffy. I’d marked her as mine with that kiss.
“Let’s go home, wife. I want you so much that I can’t even see straight, but I won’t have you here. Too chilly, too uncomfortable.”
She laughed, running her fingers through my hair. “Sorry... I know I promised, but that was the perfect word for you. Sweet.”
Epilogue
Christmas
Josie
“We really went all out,” my sister commented. I grinned, looking around the room at the decorations. My family had arrived two days ago, and today everyone was at our house to celebrate Christmas Eve in style. My sister and I had gone shopping for food and... additional decorations yesterday, and today, we’d set them up together with Tess and Skye. I’d felt like a kid again, lost in that catchy enthusiasm for all things Christmas.
“You mean overboard, right?”
I’d always loved Christmas, had longed to have a room tall enough for an enormous tree... and a fireplace... and our living room was just perfect for the occasion. I’d intended to only use a decent amount of decorations... and I’d completely failed, of course. One thing led to another, and now there wasn’t just a huge Christmas tree—I’d also bought stockings for every single guest, hung them on the mantelpiece, and stuffed them with presents. Strings of lights were hanging from the ceiling, along with mistletoe branches.
“Maybe just a bit,” my sister conceded with a grin just as the front door opened and Hunter came in. He’d been out to buy a few last-minute presents. His eyes bulged the second he entered the living room.
“Babe, are we filming a Christmas commercial I don’t know about?”
That earned him a pinch right on that delicious ass, but no teasing, because my sister and Tess and Skye were looking at us.
“It’s family tradition to... go overboard,” I explained, because well, it truly was.
“And we’ve promptly decided to declare it a Winchester tradition too. I mean, where’s the fun in decent decorations?” Tess asked.
“We went to pick up the tree with Dad every year. Made a big deal of it. Why not carry on the tradition?” I suggested.
Hunter’s expression softened inexplicably. He glanced around the room, a small smile playing on his lips.
“Any other traditions you want to pass on?” he asked.
“I’ll make a list.”
He drew me closer, planting a kiss on my temple, whispering, “Do that. And then... we can start working on those kids. We have to pass those traditions on to someone.”
Usually, I teased him when he brought up kids, but right now, I couldn’t do anything but melt in his arms, soak in all that happiness he was radiating. I had an interminable list of traditions and planned to spoil him with every single one.
“Bought all the presents on the list?” I asked.
“Wouldn’t dare show my face without them.” He pointed with his thumb over his shoulder at the mountain of bags in the foyer.
“Smart husband.”
I made to walk past him to start stuffing the last of the presents in the stockings, but he caught my arm. “Doesn’t even earn me one kiss?”
“We’ve got company,” I whispered. As of late, we couldn’t keep our kisses PG-rated. I couldn’t imagine why.
But the heat and determination in Hunter’s gaze told me that he’d claim that kiss one way or the other. Hmm... we could manage on
e small, PG-rated kiss, right?
I rose on my tiptoes, intending to give him a quick peck, but before I knew it, I had my arms around his neck and his hands gripped my waist in a deliciously possessive way. I felt every finger pressing against my flesh as he kissed me harder, deeper.
“Anyone feel like a third wheel?” Tess’s voice resounded through the room. “Anyone? No? Just me?”
We pulled apart, chuckling. Skye was watching us, tapping a finger against her chin. “Right. We need to split you two up, or we’re never going to be ready in time.”
To my surprise, Hunter nodded. That was unlike him... missing any opportunity to be around me, sneak in a kiss, a sinful touch.
My mouth formed an O. “Are you just trying to get out of the way so we don’t put you to work?”
“Possibly. But I have a good reason. I’m supposed to pick up your parents from the hotel. Your mom wants to buy something on the way here. Can’t start messing up traditions already, can we?”
Ah, of course. Mom hadn’t had a chance to bake her famous apple tart, so she’d ordered one at my favorite bakery—a small shop in Brooklyn that sold homemade goodies.
“Definitely not.”
He winked before leaving. I sighed as I headed to the girls. They still had three strings of twinkling lights to hang. I caught myself singing along to Christmas carols as I contemplated the best place to hang them (I didn’t have that many options, really, considering we’d already covered most of the living room with lights).
Tess and Skye were exchanging conspiratorial glances.
“What?” I asked.
“You’re humming... and Hunter has never been in such a good mood at Christmas. I mean, he’s never been the Grinch or anything, but usually he was melancholic...”
I could relate. I couldn’t explain why, but the past few Christmases had been a melancholic affair for me too.
“I think he’s just excited at the prospect of... what was the phrase? Having someone to pass the traditions on to?” Skye asked.
“You heard that?”
“Every word. Very creative way of saying he wants to get down and dirty with you.” Tess grinned. I felt the tips of my ears turn hot.
