“I thought you wouldn't be back until later tonight?”
“That was the plan, but we decided to come back earlier. I saw you were still here, so I thought I would stop.”
“Great! Maybe an early night then,” she winked and smiled, looking over her shoulder in my direction.
I came up behind her and took the books from her hand, putting them down on the cart and pulled her into my arms.
“Distracting me already.”
She smiled up at me as I looked into her eyes. “I love you.” I placed my hand on her cheek, leaned in, and kissed her.
“I love you too, Brody,” she whispered when we parted.
“What do you say we head home?”
“I'd like that.” Pressing her lips against mine, I knew I had finally found my way home.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Cass
“Half hour until midnight!” I called out the back door while holding onto Missy. Brody came through the sliding door, carrying the last bucket of wood he planned on bringing in for the night. Snow had been dumping heavily most of the day which caused me to have to shut the store early and come home. “Do you think that’s enough wood?” I asked, closing the door behind him.
“It should last us a few days, long enough until I can at least clean out a path to the woodpile once the storm stops.” I locked the back door and pulled the heavy curtains across the cold glass, shutting out the raging storm.
“Did you want another tea? Or a hot chocolate?”
“Hot chocolate.” He looked over his shoulder at me and smiled as he took his coat off and started unloading the wood from the basket onto the large pile. “With whipped cream,” he called.
While waiting for the milk to warm, I stood back and watched Brody carefully stacking the wood, then throw a few pieces into the fire. Finally, for the first time in a long time, I could say I was happy, content, and that the house felt like home.
I poured the warm milk into the mugs, dumping generous amounts of chocolate into each cup and stirring them, then spraying them both with a dollop of whipped cream. I carried both mugs into the living room and headed back over to the couch where we had been curled up together while I wrote, and Brody watched TV. I sat back down and pulled the laptop onto my lap. I only had another half a chapter to write before I hit the end of the short story. Brody settled onto the couch beside me.
I had been typing away for about fifteen mins when Brody rested his chin on my shoulder to read what I was writing.
“What you working on? Anything fun that maybe we can work through together?” He winked as I met his eyes.
“Maybe,” I giggled and turned my attention back to the screen.
“You almost finished for tonight?
“Maybe ten more minutes or so,” I said, deep in thought, trying to get this idea down before it escaped me.
“I really want some attention baby,” he said, putting his arm around me.
I did my best to ignore his pouting lips, but when he grabbed my hand, pulled it away from the keyboard, and placed it on his hard, throbbing cock, it was much harder to ignore. I turned to face him, his lips meeting mine with need and hunger, his tongue sweeping deep into my mouth. He lifted the laptop from my lap and put it on the table, crashing back into me before I could protest, running his hands over my body.
“Brody, please, I really need to get this finished,” I said giggling, reaching for the laptop, but Brody pushed me back against the couch.
“Nope, you’re mine! I plan to be inside of you at the start of the new year.”
Brody got up from the couch, effortlessly picked me up from where I was sitting, and carried me into the bedroom. I let out a loud laugh as he threw me on the bed and pulled my pants from my body. Sliding the bottom of my shirt up, he trailed kisses down my abdomen, his fingers tracing the edge of the waistband of my panties.
“I want to rip these babies off of you,” he growled.
“No way, they’re my favorite.” I let out a little giggle and raised my butt a little, so I could slide them off.
He knelt on the bed, kissing me. I pulled at the back of his shirt and it quickly found its way to the floor, along with his lounge pants. Crawling between my legs, he allowed me to lock mine around his waist. I watched as he stroked himself a couple of times before he placed himself at my entrance and slid into me.
We lay under the covers together, our sweaty bodies wrapped up in one another, Missy curled up at our feet.
“God, I love making love to you.” Brody whispered into my ear, breathless. He placed gentle kisses along my neck, just below my ear, and pulled me against him.
I glanced at the time, just a little after one.
“We missed the new year,” I giggled.
“No, we didn’t, I was right where I said I would be, and you were right where I wanted you, moaning my name,” he quietly whispered in my ear.
I rolled into his chest, his arms wrapping around my body as I buried my face into his neck, breathing in his scent. He was right, I was right where I wanted to be, wrapped in the comfort of his arms on this silent night.
Epilogue
Two Years Later
Cass
I glanced down at my watch, it was a little after one. I figured Brody would be here soon as I placed the last book that was in the box on the shelf. My back was killing me. I was so done with being pregnant. Jessica was helping a couple customers out front, so I was going to head to the back and have a break when I heard the front bell jingle.
“Cass, there you are.” May came strolling in the store, carrying her bag of knitting. “I have something for you, dear.” She plopped the bag on the counter and pulled out a beautifully knit afghan in an array of colors.
“May, this is beautiful. Thank you.”
“I can’t stay and chat, dear, but I wanted to drop this off to you while you were still here. That little bundle will be arriving any day now,” she said resting her hand on my belly. As if in response to her, the baby gave a pretty good kick. May let out a laugh.
“I was just going to go have some tea, do you want to join me, May?”
“I can’t, dear. I have a date with my ladies for a knitting class. You should give it a try again.”
I let out a small giggle. “I’ll stick to my writing.”
“Alright, dear, it’s never too late to change your mind.” She waved and headed out the door. I looked down at the blanket in my hands and smiled to myself.
“You okay out here, Jessica?”
“Of course, go on and take a rest.”
“Would you like some tea?” I asked.
“Yes, please.”
I waddled into the back room, put the kettle on, and sat down at the table.
“Cass!” I heard the back door open and Brody’s deep voice call my name.
“In here.”
Brody came strolling into the shop, carrying a small box.
“Hey gorgeous.” He sat the box on the table and leaned down and gave me a kiss, placing his hand on my belly. “How are you feeling?”
“Tired. I’m ready to be done with this. Whatever you do, don't get me pregnant again, okay?” I smiled, kissing him again. “What's in the box?”
“Why don't you open it, it's for you.”
Brody pulled his pocket knife out and cut through the tape, sliding the box over to me. I opened the flaps, and inside sat a few paperback copies of my newest release from my publisher with a simple note. I picked up the piece of paper and read it aloud. “Cass, congrats on hitting the top ten!” Tears flooded my eyes.
“Congrats, babe, she called just as I got home. I knew you would want me to bring this down.”
“I owe it all to you,” I said, taking his hand in mine.
“Nope, you're the one with the talent.”
I heard Jessica call my name from out front. “Coming,” I called.
Brody took my hand and helped me up from where I was sitting and followed me out front, carrying t
he small box of books. Ray stood on the other side of the counter.
“Ray,” I smiled, “how are things?”
“Good, Cass. How are you?”
“I'm doing well. Thanks.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Brody hand Jessica the small box of books and watched as she went over and placed them on the shelf that held all my other republished titles. He came up behind me and wrapped his arm around my waist.
“Ray,” he nodded.
I hadn't seen Ray since the night he had been at the store. He had written me a letter explaining he had retired from working on vehicles at his garage and was taking on more of a managerial role, scheduling and looking after the books. Once that transition had taken over, Ray sold his house and decided to move down south for a while with a couple of his friends. I had heard recently he was back in town and living in a condo just off the water.
“Brody. I ran into May earlier today. I wanted to come by and congratulate you both.” He handed me a bag, a yellow teddy bear peaking up over the edge of the bag.
“Thank you.” I gave him a gentle smile.
I walked around the counter and gave him a hug. I didn't hold any bad feelings toward him anymore. Brody and I had talked about the whole situation. I had decided that if Ray was back for good, Brody needed to know it was important to me to have Ray in my life in some way.
“Don't be a stranger, okay? We want to have you over for a barbeque after the baby is born,” I whispered.
“That sounds good, Cass, I'd like that.”
He let me go and looked to Brody. “Make sure you take care of her.”
“Always, Ray.” Brody held out his hand to Ray. They shook hands for the first time, and Ray headed back toward the door.
I watched as he walked outside and back down the street. Brody came up behind me, placing his hands on my shoulders.
“What do you say we head home for the night?”
I nodded, grabbing his hand with mine. “Jessica, you okay to lock up tonight?”
“Of course, Mrs. Thompson. I’m good.”
I grabbed my purse from the back room and hand in hand, we walked out to Brody's truck and headed home to celebrate.
Connor Jackson was born just shy of midnight a couple of weeks later with Brody at my side, coaching me every step of the way. Together, as we looked down into that innocent little face, nothing had ever felt more complete.
The End.
A Note From The Author
Dear Readers,
I would like to thank you for taking the time to read On A Silent Night. Christmas has always been a special time of year for me, and somehow it is always filled with magic no matter what I am going through.
I hope you enjoyed Cass and Brody’s story. If you did, I would love it if you would drop me a review. Reviews are important to me, I love to hear what my readers thought.
I wanted to let you know what my 2019 plans were in the way of writing. I loved the characters from A Kiss Beneath the Stars so much that I have decided to release all the Malone Brother’s Stories. 2019 will start off with Carter and Hope’s story coming in February 2019. They will be followed by Chase and Bryce. To keep up to date with the progress and to be notified of release dates make sure you add the following to your Goodreads TBR. You do not want to miss their stories!!!
Carter & Hope: http://bit.ly/MaloneBrothers2
Chase: http://bit.ly/MaloneBrothers3
Bryce: http://bit.ly/MaloneBrothers4
About the Author
S.L. Sterling has been an avid reader since she was a child, often found getting lost in books. Today if she isn’t writing, she can be found buried in a romance novel. S.L. Sterling lives with her husband and two dogs in Northern Ontario.
For More Information: www.authorslsterling.com
Join My Street Team: Sterling's Silver Sapphires
Newsletter: http://bit.ly/SLSterlingNewsletter
Also by S.L. Sterling
It Was Always You
Fresh out of an abusive relationship, Tatum packs up and goes to live closer to her brother.
A new life. New beginnings.
But when Parker - her college sweetheart - comes back around she’s immediately divided between trying again or protecting her damaged heart.
Parker hasn't been able to get Tatum off his mind since the night he walked out of her life. Eight years of one-night stands, along with sleepless nights, and the pain of losing her has virtually faded. But now she's moving back to town and all the emotions of the past come crashing in to drive him back to her.
Ex-boyfriends are real, though.
And hers becomes obsessed.
Tatum and Parker’s rekindled love will be tested to its limits.
And worlds may come crashing down.
* * *
A Kiss Beneath the Stars
After a brutal loss and messy divorce, surf, sand, and sun in the tropics are just what Autumn Taylor needs. What she doesn’t expect is Hunter, the devastatingly handsome man who doesn’t take no for an answer.
Hunter Malone’s only priority after separating from his crazy ex is to enjoy vacation with his brothers. Laying eyes on a stunning brunette named Autumn changes all that.
What begins as a whirlwind romance has the potential to be something more. But the past always seems to have a way of complicating things. As things get tough for Autumn, she starts pushing away the best thing that has happened to her. Will Hunter stay by her side when she needs him most? Or will he let her push him away?
On A Silent Night Page 17
