by Sabrina York
Moments later, he was sound asleep, and she studied him closely. He’d actually put on a little weight, and he looked tan and fit. It was strange to see him without the long hair and goatee.
Gee, he looked good.
Mia took a quick shower, putting on sweats and a t-shirt. She went downstairs, and after shutting off the gas fireplace, she made sure the doors were locked and the alarm set.
Running back upstairs, she slipped under the covers beside Noah, snuggling up beside him.
Noah awoke in the morning not knowing where he was, until he realized Mia’s head was burrowed beneath his chin. For several minutes, he just laid there, thinking about what it would be like to wake up every day beside her. How many nights had he gone to sleep these past few months just thinking about Mia and how much he missed her?
Mia was suddenly awake, and she smiled, looking into his eyes. “This sure feels nice.”
But Noah grimaced, wondering if she’d noticed just how wide awake he actually was. “Uhm. Maybe I’d better get up and get moving?”
“No. I like what I’m feeling. Don’t you dare move,” she murmured.
She rubbed against him just enough to make him groan. “Mia. Stop that.”
The damn woman actually giggled.
After a few more minutes, Mia kissed him quickly and then slipped from the bed. “I’ll leave you to take a shower, while I go downstairs and make us breakfast.”
He grinned. “Sounds good. I’ll be down in about fifteen minutes.”
Noah sat up in the bed, glancing at the pictures Mia had in the frames resting on her nightstand. There was one of the two of them dancing together the night his band had opened the summer season at the Dragonfly Pointe Inn, along with the one which had been shot by a reporter when’d they’d kissed after their performance at the Mistletoe Lodge. Their picture had made the national news and had been all over facebook.
Although they’d decided to disband since Noah was entering the Air Force and Brad was going away to school, Blue Moon would be giving a special performance at the Christmas charity event supporting the wounded warrior home and the local school for kids with disabilities next week.
Rounding up his clothes, Noah went into the bathroom and took a quick shower. While he was standing at the sink shaving, the other bedroom door for the Jack and Jill bathroom was suddenly thrown open by a stranger.
Noah glanced at the woman, who was wearing a flimsy robe, and nothing underneath.
Even though he had a towel wrapped around his waist, he didn’t like the way she was looking at him.
“Who are you?” she asked, her eyes roving over Noah.
She had the nerve to come closer.
This must be the fiancé. Noah could understand why Mia didn’t like her since she fit Noah’s definition of a predator perfectly.
“Does Mia know you’re here?” he growled. “You shouldn’t just show up without contacting her.”
She suddenly reached out to him, and Noah knew exactly what she meant to do.
Quickly, he spun her around and shoved her through the doorway, closing and locking the door behind her.
Hearing her laugh, he was furious.
Taking in a deep breath and bracing his palms atop the vanity, he stared at himself in the mirror until he’d calmed down and regained control of his emotions.
After he finished gathering his belongings from the bathroom, Noah got dressed, coming up with some plans to get Mia away from the house.
Rushing down the staircase with his duffle bag, Noah laid it in the entryway and headed toward the kitchen.
Mia was scooping eggs and bacon onto a plate when Noah approached her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders and kissing her quickly on the cheek.
“Looks good,” he said, as she handed over the plate and Noah took a seat at the kitchen island.
After Mia spooned some eggs onto another plate for herself, she sat down beside him.
“I take it you met Monique?” she asked, looking sullen. “I guess Dad’s on his way home, and they’re planning on staying until after Christmas.”
“Yeah,” he muttered. “She walked in on me in the bathroom.”
“What the…?” Mia’s eyes went wide. “That bathroom opens up into a guest room where my friends usually stay.”
“Luckily, I had a towel wrapped around my waist, but I can see why you don’t trust her by the way she behaved with me. Let’s spend the day together, and go cut a fresh tree at the farm for my grandparents?” Noah suggested. “Maybe you can help them take it down after the New Year since I’ll be back on base?”
“Of course I will,” she answered. “Let’s eat quickly before Monique comes downstairs and expects me to make her something for breakfast? I hate that Amanda doesn’t know they’re going to be here for Christmas.”
“Alright. Go get dressed,” he said. “I’ll clean up the dishes.”
Mia had a brilliant idea about spending as much time as possible with Noah during the upcoming week. She’d called the Dragonfly Pointe Inn and was able to get a week’s reservation for a single, which had surprised her, because of the big charity event coming up a few days before Christmas. Apparently, they’d always set aside some extra rooms for military personnel, and since Noah was performing at the event, they’d accepted the reservation in his name.
He’d asked her to go as his date, and of course she’d accepted. But rather than listen to her father grumble, even though it was an afternoon event, she would have everything she needed for the day ready to go in the room she’d reserved. Plus, she and Noah would have somewhere they could be alone.
And then, after the concert, they would travel to the Mistletoe Lodge with Phil and Bree and stay overnight in the cabins Phil had rented for the night. Phil and Bree were an item and Phil was planning on asking her to marry him, even though they were young.
Mia had a feeling that Bree would accept, and surprisingly, her parents and brothers had no objections. Phil had impressed them that much.
But Mia and Noah would finally be alone for the night, and there was no way Mia would let Noah return to Atlanta without making love with her first.
The next few days went by quickly. After Mia had driven Noah to his grandparents’ home, so he could borrow their truck, they’d visited the tree farm and picked out a tree for Noah’s grandparents.
Several inches of snow had already fallen, and a lot of things had been neglected outdoors, so after they put up the tree and decorated with Noah’s grandparents, she and Noah had spent the next few days clearing snow from additional walkways and winterizing the screened in porch. Noah had been paying someone in town to take care of the snow in the driveway and the area around the back of the house.
Before long, it was the day of the charity event. Noah would be departing a few days later on Christmas day to return to base.
Mia couldn’t stand the idea of him leaving again without them making love, so she would do her best to try and convince him to go with her to the Mistletoe Lodge, because who knows how long it would be before they would see each other again.
She wanted—no she needed—the memory of that ultimate connection she’d been longing for with Noah to keep her grounded.
26
Noah knew he was in trouble when he knocked on the door of their room at the Dragonfly Pointe Inn. The sexy sapphire gown Mia was wearing clung to her body like a second skin. She’d had her hair done, and with some piled high on her head and the rest curled loosely around her face, she looked a hell of a lot older than seventeen, especially wearing makeup.
Noah said softly, “God. I’ve never seen you look more beautiful, Mia.”
She smiled, seeming a little numb as she looked him over. “You seem like a stranger wearing that uniform.”
“But I’m not,” he muttered, taking her face within his hands and brushing his mouth against hers.
“Ready?” he finally asked.
“Yes,” she answered, hesitating.
“What
?” Noah asked, pausing before they left the room.
“Did you know Bree and Phil are traveling to the Mistletoe Lodge tonight after the event?”
Noah nodded. “Phil mentioned something about it to me earlier today. I think I’m the only one who knows besides you.”
“I hope you won’t be mad at me, but I also had Phil make a reservation for us at another cabin. We’re supposed to travel along with them tonight.” She drew in a deep breath. “Please don’t say no.”
Closing his eyes, Noah rubbed his forehead with a hand, murmuring softly, “Oh, Mia. This is so not a good idea. And what if your dad finds out?”
“He won’t. Especially since Amanda is never around to give him reports on me anymore.”
He heaved a sigh. “I can’t say yes right now.”
Mia looked devastated.
He continued softly, “But I can’t say no to you either.”
She gave him a wry smile.
Noah murmured. “Give me the day to think about it. Alright?”
“Alright,” she answered, picking up her purse as he opened the door for her.
The day went by quickly. They spoke with so many people, Noah lost count. He never let Mia out of sight. He couldn’t stand the idea of having to leave her again.
But soon the band would be performing, so he left Mia sitting with his grandparents at the table which had been reserved for them.
Noah had practiced earlier this morning with Brad, Chris and Mike, and surprisingly, no one seemed rusty. Blue Moon’s first set would feature their regular selections, while later on this evening they would be singing several Christmas songs for the holiday dance which would take place afterwards.
Their performance went over well, with Noah singing Mia’s song as the final number. He approached Mia slowly, drawing out every word as if it would be the last he would ever sing to her. It was a special night, but he had a bad feeling in the back of his mind, because everything that had happened since returning to Crystal Rock had been going way too smoothly.
Noah joined Mia and his grandparents at their table afterwards when dinner was served.
Another hour later, Noah stood up, ready to change from his uniform into the costume he would be wearing for the Christmas concert.
“I wish you would tell me what songs you’ll be performing,” she said, looking curious.
Noah’s grandmother patted her hand. “He wouldn’t tell me either, Mia.”
Noah grinned. “Hey, I wanted it to be a surprise.”
Gramps snorted, muttering, “This ought to be interesting.”
Everyone laughed as Noah walked away from the table, while the space was being slowly rearranged for dancing.
There were rooms that had been provided for everyone to change into the costumes they would be wearing, and once Noah was dressed, he grinned, looking down at himself in the tight black leather pants and flashy polyester v-neck shirt, embellished with a lot of bling.
Brad grinned, cramming a sleek black wig over Noah’s head before putting on one of his own.
“Whose idea was this?” Noah asked, looking at Brad.
“Rose Atkinson’s,” Brad muttered.
“She’d better be wearing something similar, or we’re going to have to get even,” Mike muttered.
The four of them left the room to stand behind the curtain of the makeshift stage, set up at the edge of the huge banquet room.
Emily Richardson began the Christmas segment by performing a few traditional numbers, and several couples stood up and danced.
And then the fun began as Noah and the band walked onstage where the lights had been dimmed.
They suddenly flashed bright, and Noah began singing and strumming the guitar in an Elvis like motion.
‘I’ll have a bluuuuuue Christmas without you-‘
Noah grinned, watching several people in the audience laughing as he continued to sing Blue Christmas.
Everyone seemed to be getting into it, and Noah left the stage to meet Mia at the table with his grandparents, who were laughing loudly.
Mia was definitely having trouble controlling her laughter too, so Noah continued to sing straight to her, and held out the mic so that she could join in as they both jiggled their hips.
By the time Noah returned to the stage, the dance floor was packed, and he and the band continued to play a few more upbeat Christmas songs.
All too soon, their performance was finished, and Noah was leaving the stage to change back into his uniform. It was finally hitting home that he would be leaving again two days later on Christmas Day, in order to be back on base the day after.
When Noah returned to the banquet, he suddenly noticed someone he hadn’t seen earlier sitting across the room. What was Mia’s dad doing here? He was pretty sure Mia wasn’t aware of it, and immediately, Noah became concerned.
He returned to the table, where his grandparents were getting ready to depart.
“What can I do?” Noah asked.
“Not a thing,” Gramps answered. “Just enjoy yourself. Mia is having the valet pull up the truck to the lobby entrance, so we’ll be on our way.” He held Noah’s gaze. “We’ll see you when we see you.”
Gram gave him a hug. “It was wonderful hearing you perform again. I’ve missed the music.”
“Me, too, Gram. That and Mia,” he confessed.
“I can’t say I blame you,” Gram answered. “But be careful, whatever you two decide to do. I can’t say I think too much of her father. For some strange reason, he stopped and spoke with me the other day in town.”
“He did?” Noah frowned. “Yep. I hate to say it, but I agree. And I just noticed he’s here tonight.”
Gram sighed, looking concerned. “We’ll see you later. Okay?”
“Alright,” he answered, watching Mia approach. How had he been so lucky to find someone as special as her?
“The truck is ready and waiting for you, Mr. and Mrs. Erikson,” Mia said, smiling.
His grandparents each gave her a hug goodbye.
We’ll see you on Christmas Day,” Gram said.
“Alright,” she answered. “Be careful driving home.”
Once his grandparents had departed, Noah laid an arm over her shoulders. “Have you got a coat somewhere handy? Let’s go for a walk outside for a few minutes.”
“Actually, I left my coat nearby on a rack, because it felt kind of cool in here earlier.”
“It’s sure not that way anymore. Is it?” he asked, tugging at his collar.
Ten minutes later, they were on their way outside, and Noah held Mia’s hand, guiding her over the bridge to the gazebo, where his band had performed Memorial Day weekend.
“Noah, look,” Mia said, pointing at the sky above. “It’s a blue moon.”
“A blue Christmas moon,” he answered softly, looking first at the sky and then at Mia.
“Oh, Mia,” Noah said hoarsely, before pulling her close and laying his lips over hers.
He deepened his kiss with a hungry urgency that send his head reeling when she kissed him back. Hot ripples of pleasure shot down to his toes, his bones liquefied, and if he hadn’t been holding her so tightly, he probably would’ve dropped to the ground at her feet.
She owned his heart, and as their lips blended, sweet satisfaction rippled straight through his very soul.
When Noah broke away, Mia stood there, looking like she was in a trance.
“Wow,” she finally said breathlessly. “Noah, please?”
He knew right away what she meant, because he wanted it so much himself.
Noah laid his forehead against hers. “Let’s think about it a little more after we go inside and dance for a while. Alright?”
Mia sighed, looking reluctant. “Alright.”
Nope. He wasn’t going to let it happen. Instinct told Noah it was a really bad idea. Mia had already gone to the hotel room to get her clothing together to take along to the Mistletoe Lodge while Noah had said his goodbyes to Brad, Chris and Mike, because
who knew how long it would be before he would see them again.
When Noah stepped from the elevator to head toward their room, he halted, noticing Mia’s father standing in the hallway near the door.
For some reason, Noah wasn’t surprised. He’d had a bad feeling the entire night since seeing Derrick Michaels earlier at the event.
“You’re not going to date my daughter anymore,” Mia’s father said abruptly, showing Noah the picture on his phone of Noah and Mia kissing, which had circulated on facebook and the news. “I don’t want my daughter’s reputation tainted by having her on public display.”
Noah sighed. “I think that’s Mia’s decision to make, since she’s nearly eighteen. Besides, I’m going to be going back to base, and I haven’t told Mia this yet, but there’s a pretty good chance I’ll be deployed quickly.”
“It isn’t her decision to make,” Mia’s father growled, holding out a manila envelope, obviously waiting for Noah to take it.
Reluctantly, Noah grabbed the envelope, pulling out the pile of paperwork from inside.
Noah’s jaw dropped, looking at the first page. He couldn’t believe Mia’s father would go to these lengths just to prevent Noah from seeing Mia.
The guy was despicable.
“I purchased the mortgage several months ago when your grandparents defaulted on two payments in a row when you first began seeing Mia.”
“But since then I’ve caught up on the payments,” Noah muttered.
“It doesn’t matter. If you read the fine print, you’ll see that I have the right to evict them at any time because they defaulted. And if you see my daughter again, I won’t hesitate to do it.”
Noah was stunned. “Not even to say goodbye?”
“No,” Derrick Michaels answered, leaving Noah with the paperwork, as he headed toward the elevator.
27
Seven months later
It was Mia’s eighteenth birthday, but she couldn’t care less.
