“I know what you mean. I look forward to when we get to that part.”
He exhales slowly. “Not as much as I do.” Standing up straight, he runs his fingers through his hair. “But I’m patient. I’ll wait. I know it’s going to be worth it, and I want to get to know you so much deeper than that.”
I shake my head. “Totally blowing this Scrooge image. You’re downright sweet.”
“See what happened is this beautiful Christmas angel moved in next door. She opened my eyes just by being herself. She made me see what I was missing, and that my memories don’t have to be sad. She made me want…” My brow creases as his voice actually cracks with emotion, and he clears his throat. “You, Harper, make me want to be better. I want to be good for you.”
“Brendan…”
He walks around to my side of the island and pulls me close. Without words, his lips find mine, and we kiss. As he presses me against the island, I can't help but run my fingers through his glorious hair. His incredible cologne seduces my senses. His kiss leaves me weak. It's just mind-blowing. As he backs up a little, he rubs his nose on mine.
“So, gingerbread house?”
I laugh. “Yeah. You want the roof?”
“Let’s do the roof together.”
“Okay.” I push a bowl of green candies toward him. “I’ll do red?”
“Deal.”
We start dipping and placing the candies on the roof, periodically stealing glances at each other. After a few minutes, I take a chance and turn on some Christmas music. It is tradition after all.
“This okay?”
“Perfect. Even better if you sing along.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah. I like it very much.”
A Christmas Song comes on so I softly sing along as I place my candies on the roof. When I look up, Brendan is gazing at me.
“What?”
“This is the best time I’ve had in a long time. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Only one thing would make it better.”
“What’s that?”
“This.” He sticks his finger in the icing and drags it across my cheek, then starts laughing.
My mouth falls open. “Oh really?” I retaliate with my own icing covered finger on his nose.
“This is war.”
“Bring it.”
Before I know it, we’re flinging icing, pretzels, and candies at each other. Brendan chases me around the island, catching me and swinging me around in a circle, before pulling me down onto the couch.
He hovers above me, grinning as his hair falls in his face. “This weekend, I want to do all those couple Christmas things you want to do. We’ll just cram them all in. Whatever you want.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.”
As we fall into another kiss, my heart is full. I’ve wanted a moment like this as long as I could remember, and here it is, from the most unexpected source.
I pull back slightly, brushing my lips over his. “Just so you know, I’ll probably get you a gift.”
Brendan flashes that gorgeous smile of his. “Harper Rose, you’re the only gift I’ll ever need.”
Epilogue
Opening my eyes, I stretch and roll over to see Brendan, but his spot is empty. I sit up, looking around, and then climb out of bed to find him. Just as my feet hit the floor, the bedroom door opens, and Brendan enters carrying a mug.
“Ah, you’re awake.”
“I am. What are you doing?”
“Trying to surprise you and be romantic. Get back in bed.”
I laugh softly. “Yes, sir.”
“Mmm, kind of like the sound of that.”
I shake my head laughing. “You’re silly.”
“I know.” He hands me a steaming mug of coffee. “Hot coffee for my lady.”
“This is so sweet. Thank you.”
"You're welcome." He climbs in bed beside me. "I have an action-packed day planned for us."
I sip my coffee. “Doing what?”
“All a surprise. I know how much you love them.”
“I do.”
He takes one of my hands in his and plays with my fingers. “Can you believe how much has changed since last year? You could barely stand me, and now we sleep in the same bed every night.”
“Amazing.”
He takes the mug from me, setting it on the nightstand. “Harper, you know you mean a lot to me. Everything actually, right?”
“Right.”
“I’m so happy, and I didn’t think I ever could be. You showed me how to love, how to heal, how to enjoy life, and I’ll be forever grateful to you for it.”
I scrunch my nose. “But?”
“But what?”
“You sound like you’re breaking up. Are you breaking up with me?”
“Breaking up with you? No! How could you even think that?”
“I don’t know. It sounds like you’re about to let me down easy.”
“It does? Well, then I’m definitely doing this wrong. Let me try again.” He climbs out of bed and walks around to my side. “Come here.” I stand up, gazing up at him. “I want you to come see something.”
I tilt my head. “Okay.” After grabbing my robe from the edge of the bed, I wrap myself in it, filled with curiosity, and follow Brendan down the stairs. When we reach the living room, a small gasp escapes my lips. There’s a huge live tree in the bay window and a strong fire roaring. I look back at Brendan. “It’s beautiful.”
Brendan searches my eyes for a moment. “Harper Rose, I love you.” My eyes open wide. “I’ve loved you for a long time, but when I said the words, I wanted to really mean it, and I wanted you to know that I don’t take it lightly. I can hardly recognize my life and myself since I met you. You came just in time. I love you. I hope you love me, and um, well…” He exhales as he drops to his knee. “I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me?”
I try to speak, but I can’t. I’m stunned. I’ve been waiting every day for him to tell me he loved me. I knew he did. I felt it, but hearing it…
“Harper?” I look down at him holding a diamond ring. “Will you be my wife?”
“You want to marry me?”
He smiles. “Absolutely. Do you want to marry me?”
I nod. “Absolutely.”
He exhales. “Whew. You had me worried there.” He stands and slides the ring on my left finger. “Do you like it?”
“It’s beautiful. I love it.”
“Do you love me, Harper?”
“So much, Brendan. So much.”
“I’m sorry it took me so long. I’ve never said it before. Not to a woman that wasn’t my mother.”
“It was the worth the wait.” I look at the ring and then up at him again. “Whatever you had scheduled, cancel it.”
“Why?”
“Because the only thing I want to do is spend the day in bed with my future husband.”
“Done.” Brendan smiles. “Merry Christmas, beautiful. I hope this is everything you want for the holiday.”
I rise on my toes and kiss him softly. "Best Christmas ever.”
About the Author
Other books by Jennifer Domenico
The Sunflower Trilogy: Turn Towards the Sun. After the Rain. Forever in Bloom
Have my Heart- A Novella
Beautifully Twisted
Chasing Desire
Londyn Falls
Exposed
Break Me Down
If I Told You
At First Glance
When I Found You
Unexpectedly Royal
Reckless Devotion Duet
Lost Within
Find me at:
facebook.com/authorjendomenico
Twitter @jendomenico
[email protected]
pinterest.com/jendomenico
Instagram: jendomenicowords
www.jendomenicobooks.com
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Forget the Ghost of Christmas Past. With a history like Braxton Scrooge’s, how could one ever enjoy the Christmas season?
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When it comes to love, the real question to ask yourself is, how far are you willing to go to ensure your partner still feels your love even after you’ve left her side? Because the love Braxton and Gemma rekindle will turn out to be the most unconventional love you’ll ever find.
CP Smith: Luke
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Anna Stubbs knew one thing without question: God has a reason for everything. Her optimism and faith shine from within, and no matter how hard Luke tries, he can’t ignore it.
When life throws an unexpected curveball, both Luke and Anna will need to reach deep inside themselves this holiday season, and learn to have faith that God is in control and duck slippers truly are a man’s undoing.
FG Adams: Michael
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For kindergarten teacher, Holly Mary Edwards, she’s banking on a miracle when the man of her dreams returns from duty abroad.
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Jessika Klide: Zane
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Julia Goda: Daxton
Daxton McArthur is a successful but cold businessman. For reasons he never discusses, he has no time for the frivolities the Christmas season brings. A surly man normally, he turns it up a notch when Santa’s elves come out to play. This year, that personality flaw might cost him.
Instead of finding joy by helping a friend, Emersyn Moore finds herself bearing the brunt of Daxton McArthur’s disdain. Usually a good-natured person, Emersyn is pushed to the end of her patience by his scowls and sneers.
When he’s stranded in the middle of a snowstorm, she feels obligated to take him in. It is Christmas Eve, after all.
What happens when two worlds collide and they’re not as different as they thought? Will the light Emersyn's smile promises be enough to bring Dax back to life, or will he run, forever hiding in the darkness of his past mistakes?
Mayra Statham: Zaiden
World-famous fashion photographer, Zaiden Klausen, is a jerk of a boss. That’s why, after two years, I quit four days before Christmas. But then he makes me an offer I can’t refuse.
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Table of Contents
Chapter One: Harper
Chapter Two: Harper
Chapter Three: Brendan
Chapter Four: Harper
Chapter Five: Brendan
Chapter Six: Harper
Chapter Seven: Brendan
Chapter Eight: Harper
Chapter Nine: Brendan
Chapter Ten: Harper
Epilogue
About the Author
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