by Diana Tobin
“Hmm. You are kinda goosebumpy.” He rubbed the front of her body against his. “Or, are you just happy to see me?” He waggled his eyebrows.
“It’s chilly.” Her tone wasn’t nearly frosty enough.
“Don’t want you gettin’ a chill, baby.” He went to his closet and pulled out a flannel shirt for her. She shoved her arms into the sleeves. Ethan buttoned it for her, making sure his knuckles rubbed over her in the process. “I’ll make sure you’re toasty warm after we eat.”
“Aren’t you going to put on something?” She began rolling up the sleeves.
“Nope. Just you and me here. Thinking about having you next to me for the rest of the night will keep me warm enough.” He turned to head out of the bedroom, but not before she’d seen what else his thinking did to him.
He should look silly hopping around. Instead, he looked strong and capable and yummy.
Mike put together bacon, eggs, and toast while Ethan made coffee.
“Do you have to work tomorrow?” He frowned at the clock on the oven. “Guess it’s today.”
“Rose and I have a couple of morning appointments. We plan to close at noon.” She plated the food and set the dishes on the counter where they could eat.
“Good. Your mama said we were to be at her house for supper.” He scooped up a bite of scrambled eggs. “Gonna let me sleep in your room?”
“You want to spend the night at my house?”
“Nettie said I was to plan on spending all of Christmas Day with y’all.” He ran a hand up under the back of her shirt. “Betcha Wil is spending the night, too.”
“Yes, well, um. Things are different with Mom and Wil.” Like the fact they were planning a future together. Mike decided she wouldn’t feel sorry for herself because she only had a short time with Ethan. He claimed to love her, and maybe he did, but she knew he would leave one day all too soon. She was going to enjoy their time together and when he left, she’d have some wonderful memories to get her through the coming years.
“Eat up, honey. Got something I want to give you.”
She gave him a saucy grin. “I know what you want to give me. You’ve given it to me four, no, five times already. You might need to rest up before tomorrow night.”
Ethan threw his head back and laughed. “I knew you had spunk right from the minute I saw you.” He nuzzled beneath her ear. “Can’t believe you counted how many times we did it. ’Course, you didn’t mention how many times I made you—“
She placed her hand over his mouth. “We’re not keeping score.”
“Oh, I plan to score at least once more tonight,” he promised.
While she cleaned up from their late night meal, Ethan went into the living room. “Turn off the lights, darlin’, and come here.”
“We really should get some sleep before I have to go to work.” Mike turned off the kitchen lights and headed for Ethan, thinking he might want some help back to bed. The Christmas tree lights were on and he was sitting on the couch, a gaily wrapped package next to him. “Aren’t you cold?” He didn’t look cold. He looked big and masculine and the most beautiful man she’d ever seen.
“I’m hopin’ you’ll warm me up.” He held an arm out to her. “Come here. I want to give you something.”
Slowly, she walked toward him. “It’s only Christmas Eve. We usually open our presents on Christmas morning.”
“I want you to open this one now.”
Mike giggled as she moved to him. “You’re insatiable.”
“Only with you, darlin’. Uh-uh,” he said as she made to sit next to him. “On my lap, like before. This time we’re…better dressed.”
“You mean, naked?”
“Yeah.” His eyelids were at half-mast and he was excited at the prospect of her being on his lap again. She carefully straddled his thighs. He pulled up the tails of the shirt so they were skin to skin. Then he handed her the present. “Merry Christmas, sweetheart.”
The package was light and she wondered if he’d wrapped an empty shirt box to tease her. She wiggled a bit, sliding closer to his heat, and his fingers dug into her hips. Savoring the moment, the feel of his hot, hard thighs beneath her, the probing of his erection at her moist center, she slowly removed the ribbon and paper.
“You don’t just rip in, do ya, baby?”
“Sometimes,” she said with a small smile, convinced this was all part of his seduction plan. Deciding to help him along, she rubbed against him, pleased when his breath hissed.
His legs shifted under her, opening her to his explorations as his hands curled around her bottom. As she raised the lid on the box, Ethan lifted her to impale himself deep. “Look in the box, darlin’.”
She tried to move, but he held her still. Digging into the tissue paper she pulled out a document. “What is this?”
“Read it.” Keeping a firm grip on her hip with one hand, he lifted the other to the buttons on his shirt.
“It looks like—is it some kind of deed?”
“Yes.” Finished with the buttons, he spread the sides of the shirt as he slid into her, deeper. Pushing the box and wrapping paper to the side, he gently removed the deed from her hand to lay it on top of the box. His lips at her throat, he put his arms around her to bring them in contact, chest to thigh. “Web sold me a parcel to the north of their place. I’m giving it to you,” he said between kisses. “Hoping you’ll let me build us a house.”
“You want to—What?”
He took her mouth in a heated wet kiss and thrust hard, burying himself to the hilt. He spoke against her lips. “I ain’t your daddy, baby. I’m not leaving.” He shifted her just enough to make her moan. “I want a place here.” He lifted his hips in a thrust. “I want a life here.” He repeated the action. “I want you.”
If Ethan said more, she didn’t hear it. A humming filled her body, along with him. It was all sensation and heat. Fireworks began to explode behind her eyelids, throughout her body, and all she could do was hang on and call his name.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
It was the best Christmas Mike had celebrated in years.
Ethan was at her mother’s house when she got off work and he spent the night, as promised. They didn’t make love, Ethan claiming she’d be too tender, but he did insist on them sleeping naked so he could feel her skin against his. Amazingly, with him spooned around her, she went right to sleep and slept deeply until Charley’s high-pitched squeals woke her the next morning.
The morning was spent in a frenzy of gifts and wrapping paper. Ethan had something for each one of them, and it was evident he’d chosen the gifts with care and thought. He gave Mike a blue cashmere sweater that he said matched her eyes.
Neither of them mentioned the deed he’d gifted her the night before.
The rest of the day was spent on food and games and movies and almost more love than the house could hold.
She saw him each day following the holiday. Most often, her family joined them in what ever they did, but there were always a few minutes alone to share long sweet kisses with promises of more to come. Not once did he whisk her off to his empty house and make love to her. Nor would he spend the night in her bed again.
Despite all his sweet words, Mike decided he’d had his fill of her. Maybe he’d just needed to regain his confidence that a woman would still find him desirable and sexy. She would try very hard to be happy with having done that for him. But her heart was slowly breaking that she wasn’t enough for him.
The Hair Mousse was busy the day of December thirty-first. Rose and Mike had had appointments booked for weeks. Many of their clients were attending parties. Mike was happy to spend New Year’s Eve home with her family, and Ethan, and off her feet.
Similar to Christmas Day, the six of them spent the evening playing games and eating and trying to stay awake until midnight. Once the new year had been celebrated and welcomed, Wil followed Nettie up to her room and the girls headed down the hall to theirs, leaving Mike and Ethan alone.
“
Will you stay with me tonight?”
“Are you sure you want me to?” He nuzzled beneath her ear.
“Yes,” she breathed. “It’s crazy, but I don’t sleep as well without you.”
He pressed a kiss beneath her jaw and murmured, “Me neither.” He nipped lightly at her collarbone. “I’ll stay if you promise to come out with me tomorrow.”
“That’s easy. I’d love to.”
Together, they turned off lights and checked the doors before climbing the stairs hand in hand. Ethan chuckled quietly as they made their way to Mike’s room. She turned to him in question when he closed the door behind them. “I was thinking of the day you cut my hair down stairs in the dining room. Never thought I’d be sleeping up here with you.”
She turned down the covers on the bed and kept her gaze on his as she removed her clothes. “You never know what life may bring.”
She saw him swallow as she shimmied out of her jeans. Maybe he was interested, after all.
“Maybe I should sleep on the couch. Or head home.”
Mike came around the bed taking off her bra as she got closer to him. “Why would you want to do that?” She ran her hands over his chest before undoing the buttons on his flannel shirt. “You really don’t want to be with me, do you?”
His hands went to her waist. “More than you can imagine, darlin’.” His voice was thick with need. “I’ve been tryin’ to keep my hands off you. I was gonna suggest you wear a nightgown or somethin’, but I’d have it ripped off you in seconds.”
She slid his shirt off and gave herself a moment to appreciate the expanse of muscle in front of her. Hers for the touching and tasting. For now. She leaned forward to lick one brown flat nipple. “Is there a reason you don’t want to make love to me?”
“Yeah. I’m an idiot.” He filled his hands with her hair just before his mouth came down on hers. “I want you every minute of every day. You’re just gonna have to get used to it, sugar.”
Much later, Mike decided it was a lovely way to welcome the new year.
****
After breakfast with the family, Ethan told Mike to dress warmly—they were going to be out in the snow for a while. He refused to say where they were going or what they were doing, and apologized to Charley when he wouldn’t let her go with them.
“Your mama and I have some decisions to make, Sprite. We’ll see you later.” He tugged her pigtail and kissed her forehead before ushering Mike out the door.
“You’re being awful mysterious.”
He didn’t respond for a moment. “Frankly, I’m a bit hurt you haven’t done this already. Or, suggested we go together. Or, is this your way of telling me you don’t like my gift?”
She knew he didn’t mean the sweater she was wearing. “I’m having trouble accepting such a large gift. It’s too much, Ethan. What happens when you leave?”
His knuckles stood out as he gripped the steering wheel and he turned into the lot he’d given her. He’d called someone Web recommended to snow plow enough of the property to allow Ethan to drive in and walk about. He parked the SUV before slowly turning to face her. “You don’t believe a damn thing I say, do you?”
“I do,” she protested. “I want to. But what happens if the Wolves don’t do well? You said yourself coaches who don’t win don’t remain.”
His lips lifted in a smirk. “Darlin’ even if they fire me as coach they ain’t getting rid of me.” He gave her a long level look. “I’m one of the owners.”
“You’re what?” How did she not know this? Then she realized she had no idea who were the team owners. She’d assumed Web was the owner and hadn’t given it another thought.
“When Web approached me about the coaching position, I decided I wanted all in. Investing in the team was a good way to let the owners know I was serious and committed.” He grinned. “’Course, the owners are Web and his daddy. Maybe one of Web’s uncles.” The grin slid off his face. “I’m in for the long haul, baby. Let’s look around.”
Mike slid from the vehicle deep in thought. Had she actually found a man willing to stay? One willing to put down roots?
Ethan came around the car to take her hand as they walked up a slight rise. “I kind of like the idea of the house being up here. There’s a good view of the lake. Be nice to have a big covered porch on the back of the house to enjoy that view. I’d want to leave the trees between us and the Websters, but we could put in a nice path between our places. How many bedrooms you think we need?”
“How many—”
“I’m thinking at least four, to start with. Dani and Charley should each have their own, one for us, and at least one for a baby.” He turned to look at her. “Do you want more children, sweetheart? I’d really like one, but I’ll take as many as you’ll give me.” He squeezed her hand and turned to indicate the northern side of the property. “I think we should put a guesthouse down that way. Even if I’m not the coach, I’d want us to host a few of the players, but I don’t think we want them in the same house as our daughters. Unless you hate the idea of hosting?”
“No, of course not.” She answered automatically. She could barely think. Ethan was planning the house for them. Not just for Ethan and her, but also for her daughters. Only, she thought, he’d called them our daughters, meaning he was willing to take on two girls along with her. And, he wanted a baby. No, he wanted babies!
“The guest house will be good for when my mama and daddy visit, too. Once the babies start coming, they’ll be here every chance. Considering how much they like Nettie and Wil, they’ll probably want a place of their own up here for the summers.”
Mike wasn’t sure she’d heard all he said. Her mind was a whirlwind and he kept going on with plans and ideas.
“Think we can make decisions with the snow here? I’d like to have plans drawn up so they can start construction once the ground thaws. Down the road we can add a dock. Even if we never have a boat, it’ll be good for fishing and swimming.”
Finally, Ethan stopped talking. He kept her hand in his as he stared across the frozen lake. The breeze had a bite, and snow fell from the trees surrounding them. Still, they remained where they stood, silent. Was he truly handing her heart’s desire to her, or was she too confused to understand what he was talking about?
“Are you ever going to answer me?” he asked quietly.
“I-I’m not sure what to answer first.” The cold air hurt her throat as she sucked in a breath. “The guest house is a good idea. You need a mud room, especially with hockey players tromping through snow and ice to get to the main house for meals.”
He tugged on her hand to pull her around to face him. “That’s not the important question. Are you going to say yes to me?” When she continued to stare at him, he got down on one knee, ignoring the cold, wet ground beneath him. “Michaela, will you let me build us a house on your land? Will you let me help raise your daughters? Will you have my children? Will you let me love you the rest of my days? Will you love me in return? Will you make a life with me? Michaela, darlin’, will you marry me?”
He didn’t just hand her heart’s desires to her, he gave them to her on a snowy silver platter.
“Yes. Yes. Yes!” Her shout startled a cardinal overhead, causing snow to plop on their heads. Neither cared as Mike launched herself at Ethan to seal her answer with a kiss.
Ethan fell back in the snow with an “Oomph!” even as his arms went around Mike, holding her to him. “Your enthusiasm never fails to impress me, sweetheart.”
“You never fail to impress me.” She grinned as she wiggled her hips against his. “I do love you, Ethan.”
“I know, honey. I love you, too.” He pulled her head down for another kiss.
“Why did you give me the land?”
“You told me how Nettie’s farm is in her name and your dad could never get it. I wanted you to have something that was all yours. Maybe to hand down to one of our children. However, before you think that gives me an easy out, the house will be in both
our names. If I ever leave here, you’re going with me. Got it?”
“Yeah.” She smiled. “Better yet, I’ve got you.” She covered his face with kisses.
“Much as I’d like to continue this, I want to take you home with me. There’s something I want to give you.”
She laughed as she rubbed against the bulge in his jeans. “I thought cold and wet were supposed to…shrink things.”
Ethan chuckled. “Sugar, you have a way of disproving that theory.” Mike pushed up to straddle his thighs, giggling when he rolled his eyes. “If I didn’t fear frostbite for your delicate skin I’d be givin’ you something right now.” He pressed her center against him and groaned. “Let’s go. I’ve got a ring waiting at home for you.” They got to their feet and hurried to the car. “Then, I’m gonna give you what you been beggin’ for.”
“Hmm,” she licked her lips. “I can’t wait.”
EPILOGUE
Michaela and Ethan were married on May Day by the lakeside of their home-to-be.
The wedding was small and simple, just as Mike had wanted. She hadn’t wanted a big splashy wedding, but she wanted more than the impersonal office of a judge. That wedding, her first, had been for love, the love of Denny’s daughters. This wedding, her last, was also for love, the love she and Ethan shared, not only for each other, but with the girls who were now their daughters.
Mother Nature smiled down on this special day, providing sun and warmth and the budding of flowers and trees to come. Promises for the future to match the promises Mike and Ethan made to each other.
Construction had begun on their house with hopes of being completed enough for them to move in by summer’s end. Meanwhile, Mike, Charley, and Dani would move into Ethan’s rental after the honeymoon. They’d decided to spend five days in Bar Harbor, exploring the coast of Maine along with each other.
Wil walked Mike down the slope of what would become their yard to Ethan. She had hoped her brother, Marc, would come for her wedding and do the honors, but he was unable to get away. Her sister, Lynn, promised to be there for the ceremony and arrived just before they were ready to begin.
