"It's gorgeous!"
"Well done, Sean!"
Melinda stood mute for a moment and checked the threatening blur of tears. "It's lovely. Where did you find it? It's perfect."
Sean only nodded and looked almost smug.
"Do put it on," said Lena.
The gold braided chain was long, and it easily slipped over Melinda's head. The brilliant pendant nestled softly in the dip right above her breasts. She stroked it.
"And one more thing, just for you." Sean winked and handed her the other gift.
More guests gathered around as Sean stepped back and she half-lost him in the crowd. She glanced at the package in her hands. It was weighty and seemed like it must be a painting or a framed photograph.
She tore away the star-spattered, midnight blue wrapping paper and had a moment of confusion. It was a photograph of her at the old black granite bar, and she was hoisting a champagne flute in a toast. There was also the article from the Denver lifestyles magazine in a nice matted background. The headline shouted that her bar was the sizzling new thing in Vail and that she was an entrepreneur to watch.
Her breath caught in her throat. She wasn’t a side note in the story. She was the lead feature. That must have been why the reporter emailed her.
Melinda scanned the crowd for Sean, but she couldn't find him in the press of people oohing and aahing over the elegantly displayed news article about her. Her eyes blurred for a moment as she looked back down at it. Gutsy. Energetic. Charming. Spunky. The words popped out at her.
Were they really describing her? Her heart clenched. Could she trust her success?
* * * *
"Are you sure you don't want help closing up?" Esme cocked her head and a broad smile spread across her face.
"No, I'm fine. I think I want a little quiet time to soak up the moment."
"You deserve it. I know the White Rose is popular, but the turnout was epic. I can't believe all the people who came in from Denver just for the party."
"That article sure spread the word."
"You've made the big time! Congratulations."
Esme hugged Melinda in a tight grip and smooched her cheek.
"Fine. Fine. Out with you. Go home. We open at eleven which is not that long from now. Get some sleep. I'll lock up. I won't be far behind you."
Esme raised her eyebrow cryptically and seemed as if she was concealing a smile, but with a jaunty wave, she slipped out the door and onto the wide sidewalk where a dusting of snow cast a milky sheen over the town.
Melinda inhaled the gust of fresh air and reveled in the invigorating, chilly air that wafted through the room. She shivered and grinned. Yes, winter could come now.
The reopening had been brilliant, and everyone had raved about the new style and the gorgeous craftsmanship.
Melinda's shoulders drooped. Why hadn't Sean stayed? After Jax and Lena's wonderful toast, he'd disappeared. She touched the necklace, and the gold and diamond champagne bottle was warm against her skin. Why had he left?
As she clicked off the chandelier lights, she stared at the framed newspaper article that was propped against a mirror. It was the most thoughtful gift she'd ever received.
She flipped the switch to turn off the loft lights, but a soft glow still bounced off the high timber ceiling. Melinda pursed her lips. That was a lot of stairs for her aching, high-heel imprisoned feet.
She kicked off her stilettos, wiggled her bare toes and tried not to groan as she marched up the staircase. Five hours on her feet in five-inch heels was almost a misery.
So much for her party-girl image. Maybe it was time for sensible, low heels. She was a businesswoman, right? She snorted at the idea of dowdy pumps and frumpy jackets. With a smile lingering on her lips, Melinda took the last step to the loft and froze.
Sean was relaxed in a chair with his long legs stretched out in front of him, and his ankles crossed as if he had all the time in the world. The round bistro table had six short, white pillar candles encircling a vase overflowing with white roses. There were two long-stemmed flutes and a silver ice bucket holding a black bottle with a silver and black label, waiting to be popped.
"You...you didn't leave?"
"How could I? This is your moment of glory. I wanted to celebrate with you."
Melinda's gaze flew back to the rare grand cuvée awaiting her. That must have been what Sean and Esme had been whispering about.
"That's one of our most expensive wines. I've never even tasted this one. Are you sure?"
"Very certain. This is your night to celebrate."
A jolt of excitement shot through her veins. Sean was here. For her.
As if he'd practiced a thousand times, Sean smoothly unwrapped the foil around the bottle's neck, untwisted the wire cage, and pulled the bottle away from the cork like a pro. With the faintest of pops, it opened, and the delicate fizz of the carbonation danced into the air.
Sean handed her a flute, and their fingers brushed. A lone butterfly flapped its wings in the center of her belly.
"You did it. This is your creation." Sean motioned around the whole loft. "Now do you believe?"
"You're right. I was wrong." Melinda knew it in her core. Sean had faith in her. She was a strong, capable woman. She was no longer the uncertain, lost waif looking for a man to take care of her. This was her moment.
"Can I get that in writing?"
"Don't push your luck."
"That's my specialty. It's gotten me this far in life."
"I almost can't believe it. The White Rose is doing well."
"I'd say a wild success. One of the hottest entrepreneurs to follow according to the Denver Star. You'd better start believing in your abilities and trusting yourself."
"Trust myself. Wow. When I unwrapped the article...it was framed and magnificent. It made it all so real. That people were really noticing it. Liked what I'd done. Thought that I was gifted."
"You're exceptional. Talented. Kind. Hard working. You know, you deserve your success. You've earned this victory."
"I have, haven't I? I've overcome my past and made something of myself."
"It's all always been inside of you. You just had to give yourself a chance to spread your wings and soar."
"After all of the rotten things I used to think about you, I have to say you are the sweetest and most loving man I've ever met."
"That sounds encouraging. Anything else?"
"The sexiest and most kissable, too."
"I like the sound of that. I'm going to take that as encouragement. Do you mind if I take advantage of the moment?"
"You had better."
In one fluid motion, he wrapped his arms around her and their mouths met, and it was as if all the candles in the room focused into one brilliant, white light that glowed and pulsed around them. Their lips tested, teased, and almost seemed to forge a promise of now and forever.
Sean raised his head and studied her, he chuckled. "I still hold to what I said earlier."
"What's that?" Melinda smiled a slow, contented half-grin.
"That you are exactly the sort of woman that I could fall in love with."
"I was rather hoping for more than that."
"Oh?"
"Because you're exactly the man that I have fallen in love with."
"Even if I out-argued you in a city council meeting?"
"No, I love you in spite of that!"
"That's the girl I love!"
"Do you? Truly? Even if I'm a ridiculous ball of self-doubt?"
"Yes, with all my heart. I love that you're all sass and polish on the outside, but soft, tender and caring on the inside."
"I think that's the sexiest thing that anyone has ever told me."
"I'm just getting warmed up."
Sean ran his thumb across her lips and she nipped at it, and with a sigh, Melinda pulled Sean's head close to hers and claimed his mouth as hers.
THE END
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LAST RESORT LOVE
One daring whim leads to a whole lotta smokin’ hot temptation...
Bad luck be gone...Krissa Courtland whispers her vow and stabs a pin in the map. No more cheating exes or downsized jobs. With fingers crossed, she lands in Colorado, but right off a storm flattens her dream cabin. But disaster turns delicious when smoking-hot Nick Olin saves the day. And now Vail’s sexiest resort developer is her landlord and next door neighbor.
Nick’s silky brown curls and teasing smile are tempting, but Krissa can’t shake the ache in her soul and won’t trust in love. Too bad for Krissa, Nick has other ideas. With her luscious curves and vulnerable amber eyes, Nick is oh-so-distracted from his empire building. Every time Nick makes a move, Krissa bolts. Can Nick prove he’s trustworthy and just the man to heal her heart? Or will Krissa run out on her chance at love?
Last Sweet Surrender
Wescott Springs #2
Jax and Lena’s story
LAST SWEET SURRENDER
He’s conquered mountains and built an empire...will he dare surrender everything for love?
Free-spirited blogger Lena Anderson has no time for angry and obviously bitter recluses. How’s she to know that the seriously gorgeous, bearded dude next door is Jaxson Prince, a world-class skier and entrepreneurial genius? When Lena accidently blows his cover, and the paparazzi descend, she unleashes the beast!
Peace, quiet, and one bluebird day on the slopes...that’s all Jax is looking for when he arrives in Vail for his best friend’s wedding. But one badly aimed snowball has him rescuing stubborn, but sexy, Lena Anderson. If he’s not interested in love or commitment, what’s Jax doing playing house with five rambunctious kids...and the delectable and very independent Lena?
With the help of an adorable snow angel on the powder perfect slopes of Vail, can Lena uncover a heart of gold inside this diamond in the rough?
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Holly Cortelyou
...Always Dare to Love!
More About Holly...
Holly Cortelyou is a romance author who pens sweet and spicy small town, contemporary romances as wells as supernatural and paranormal historical romances.
On any given day Holly can be found sipping coffee and surfing Facebook for gossip on royals, college football (Go Ducks!), knitting, and ghosts!
After trying on many hats as a meeting planner, political scientist, long haul trucker, and financial services specialist, she’s finally found the perfect fit as a romance writer!
Holly’s living her own Happily Ever After with an uber-handy and sexily broad-shouldered husband, and a fluffball kitty in sun-kissed Southern Oregon...and expecting a new puppy any minute!
She has hazel eyes and a goofy sense of humor...all the rest is subject to change without notice.
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Happy Reading!!!
Kiss Me at Last (A Wescott Springs Novella) Page 10
