by G. , Whitney
“Are you seriously blaming me for the words you wrote?”
“I never wrote any of those words,” he said, stepping closer. “And I know we’ve only known each other for a short while, but do I honestly seem like the type of person who would participate in a goddamn Wish Tree tradition?”
“Yes.”
“No.” He brushed a strand of hair out of my face. “I specifically recall us discussing how I didn’t participate when we were riding to the resort ...”
“Maybe you were lying.” I shrugged. “All types of people want to win ten thousand dollars and a week at a luxury resort.”
“I just spent a week in a luxury resort with you,” he said. “And if I wanted to win that badly, I would’ve found a way to cheat the night I broke into the Plaza and stole your wish ornament. Don’t you think?”
I stared at him.
“My brother was with me when I broke in that night.” He paused. “He filled one out under my name and sealed it without showing it to me. I didn’t think anything of it.”
“Even if I wanted to believe you—”
“You do believe me.” He smiled. “Nonetheless, I apologize for letting him seal it without reading it first.” He clasped my hands. “But I really wish you would’ve talked to me about this instead of just ignoring me. We could’ve had way more dates by now.”
“You’re saying ‘dates’, when you really mean sex.”
“Yes.” He ran his fingers through my hair. “I really do like you, and I do think we’re damn near a one hundred percent match.”
“Damn near?”
“We’ll be a perfect match after you go a few years learning how to communicate better than the romance heroines.”
“What makes you think we’ll last longer than one year?”
“I can’t see myself ever letting you go,” he said, pressing his forehead against mine. “I honestly can’t.” He pressed his lips against mine, kissing me slow and senseless, making me forget why I was ever upset.
When he let me go, I looked into his eyes. “I’m sorry I didn’t ask you about the list first.”
“Don’t be. Am I still allowed to come join your family for dinner?”
“Maybe.”
“Why is it a maybe?”
“Depends on how well the make-up sex goes.” I smiled and he pushed me against the wall.
“I can deal with that,” he said, kissing me all over again. “Did you really delete that recording?”
“Absolutely not.”
“Would you like to make another one?”
“Yes...”
“Now or after Christmas?”
“Now.”
EPILOGUE
Christmas
(No, not this Christmas. The one in July.)
CHRISTINA
“GIVE ME ONE REASON why I haven’t left this town yet,” Nathan said, leaning back in his seat. “One good reason.”
“I can give you three.”
“As long as one of them isn’t what’s currently happening in front of us, I’ll believe you.”
I laughed and looked ahead. We were sitting in his squad car, watching a group of residents prepare for the annual “Winter Wonderland” party. The town’s founder had donated five million dollars to bring this year’s celebration to life, and for whatever reason, that meant blowing up over five hundred, six-foot snowmen.
“Reason number one,” I said, handing him a cup of coffee, “You love a woman named Christina Ryan.”
“She thinks I love her.”
“You said it to her twenty minutes ago, and you said it last night—repeatedly.”
“Reason number two?”
“Deep down, you like all the benefits you receive from being an officer here.”
“The only benefit is the check.” He smiled. “Number three?”
I hesitated, trying to think of one, and a call came through from his radio.
“We’ve got a 10-5 in the Maple District, 10-4,” the voice said.
“10-5 in the Maple District,” Nathan responded. “I’m on my way, 10-4.”
“Isn’t a 10-5 a missing person?” I asked. “I can get out of the car, if this is serious.”
“It’s never serious,” he said, laughing. “I can guarantee that I already know who this missing ‘person’ belongs to.” He motioned for me to put on my seatbelt, and then he turned on his sirens and sped onto the main lane.
“Number three,” I said, finding another good reason. “The woman you love joins you on your ‘emergency’ calls from time to time to keep you sane.”
He looked over and smiled at me. “Next time, start with that reason first.”
“So, should I keep the reason list at three and not mention that expecting a child this coming Christmas Eve is another good reason to stay?”
“Excuse me?” He pressed his foot against the brake. “What did you just say?”
“Nothing.” I smiled. “I’m just kidding ...”
I’m totally not kidding.
THE END
If you enjoyed this steamy novella, be sure to read:
Two Weeks’ Notice
Thirty Day Boyfriend
Reasonable Doubt: Full Series
My next Kindle Unlimited release is THE FINE PRINT—a steamy romance with an all new alpha male to love! In the meantime, be sure to check out TWO WEEKS’ NOTICE!
Author’s Note + Happy Holidays
Dear Amazing Reader,
Thank you so much for inviting me to your bookshelf with my first holiday/winter romance! I’ve always wanted to write one of these, and I can now check it off my bucket list.
Between me and you, the holidays are the time of year when I’m always reminded that I am not allowed in the kitchen. My family has never been too impressed with my baking skills, but since Christina listed some of her grandmother’s recipes in this book, I think it’s only fair that I share one of mine. Here’s one that I’m more than capable of using every year.
THE “IT’S TOTALLY HOMEMADE” CHOCOLATE CAKE
INGREDIENTS NEEDED:
Transportation
Eighteen dollars (plus tax)
Twenty minutes
Directions:
1. Go to Target.
2. Find the candle aisle and select the “fresh baked cake” scent.
3. Go to the bakery shelving and pick out fully baked and frosted chocolate cake.
4. Purchase items and return home.
5. Light cake scented candle and let burn for at least two hours.
6. Place cake on Christmas themed tray half an hour before event. (Be sure to dispose of all packaging in outdoor trash can)
7. Place cap on cake-scented candle and hide it in bathroom closet.
8. Enjoy tons of compliments from your guests about your improved baking skills!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS & F.L.Y. (Effin Love You),
Whitney G.
ALSO BY WHITNEY G.:
Series & Standalones:
STEAMY COFFEE READS Collection
Naughty Boss
Dirty Doctor
Cocky Client
Filthy Lawyer
REASONABLE DOUBT SERIES
Reasonable Doubt #1
Reasonable Doubt #2
Reasonable Doubt #3
FALLING FOR MR. STATHAM Series
Resisting the Boss
Loving the Boss
THE ONE WEEK SERIES
On a Tuesday
On a Wednesday
On a Thursday
On a Friday
On a Saturday
On a Sunday
On a Monday
Sincerely, Carter
Forget You, Ethan
Turbulence
Over Us, Over You
Two Weeks’ Notice
The Layover
e.
