Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 106041 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 530(@200wpm)___ 424(@250wpm)___ 353(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 106041 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 530(@200wpm)___ 424(@250wpm)___ 353(@300wpm)
"Alaric," she gasps, turning wide eyes on me.
"It's what we both want for Christmas, angel." I brush her hair back from her face, smiling. "I worked out a deal with Santa. I told him if he'd have his elves get this ring ready in time for me to give it to you today, I'd spend the rest of my life making you happy. Santa came through, so now you have to say yes so I can uphold my end of the bargain."
"So, you bribed Santa, huh?"
"I did." I pluck the ring box from her hands to slip the ring out. It fits her finger perfectly. "I'm not even sorry about it, sweet December. Fuck." I press my lips to her shoulder, staring at the ring on her hand. "You look good wearing nothing but my ring."
She holds her hand up, scrutinizing it, and then she smiles over her shoulder at me. "Oh, I can think of one way to make it even better," she whispers, rising to her knees. The blankets fall from around her as she crawls into my lap.
"Yeah? What's that?"
"Me naked, wearing your ring, pregnant with your baby," she says, looping her arms around my shoulders.
"Goddamn," I growl, my dick throbbing at the thought. I press my mouth to hers, tipping her over onto her back and following her down. "You're right. That'd definitely make it better."
"Then get busy, Mr. Parrish," she breathes, staring up at me with dark, hungry eyes. "Because I believe I asked for rosy-red cheeks for Christmas."
"Oh, you're getting them." I yank her leg up over my hip, capturing her nipple in my mouth. "You're definitely getting them."
"Then my answer is yes," she moans. "I will marry you."
"You look happy," Blaze says, eyeing me over the rim of his beer later that night. He and Georgia came for dinner. So did Jillian.
"So do you," I murmur, watching as the girls whisper back and forth on the couch. I have no idea what they're talking about, and I'm not sure I want to know. But my girl is happy. She's been walking on air all day long. It feels good as hell to know I helped put that look on her face.
Surprisingly, so did her stepfather.
He announced today that he isn't going to be running for governor. He's taking a step away from politics to focus on his family. No one expected the move, least of all his daughters. But I think they're both hopeful that it means he's committed to repairing the hurt he's caused.
I invited him to dinner tonight, but he declined. He didn't want to intrude. He knows how much work he still has to do to win back December's trust. It's a good sign. And if he fucks it up, well, I can always smash my fist into his face later. But I don't think it'll come to that. He almost lost December. Worse, he made her feel small and worthless. I saw the look on his face when he left my office. That realization rattled him. He won't fuck up with her again.
"I'm marrying Georgia."
"Figured as much." I grin, nodding at December. "I'm marrying that one too."
"Good. Maybe she'll keep you out of my fucking office," Blaze mutters, smirking at me.
"Not likely. Annoying you is in my job description."
"Like hell it is."
"No, it is. I had Ruby write it in."
His smirk slips, a scowl overtaking his face. "You better be kidding."
"Nope."
"Ma should have swallowed you," he mutters, shaking his head in disgust.
"Well, Merry Christmas to you too."
He flips me the bird.
I chuckle and leave him to stew, strolling into the living room. "What are you three gossiping about?"
"Nothing," December squeaks, blushing bright red.
I narrow my eyes on her.
She hops up from the couch, bumping into the coffee table. Georgia's wine glass tumbles off the edge, spilling all over the rug.
"Oops," December whispers.
"It's just wine, angel," I murmur, dragging her into my arms. I press my lips to her ear. "But you will be screaming my name later for lying to me."
She moans quietly, pressing her face to my throat.
Blaze is right. I am happy. I got exactly what I wanted for Christmas. I got a future with her. For the rest of her life, I'll fight to make her happy. I'll slay her dragons. I'll give her as many spankings as she wants. And I'll love her every goddamn day. Exactly like I was put on this earth to do.
I've never been happier.
Epilogue
December
Five Years Later
"I bought you a present," Alaric says, rubbing my belly.
"Alaric," I groan. "Stop buying me stuff. It isn't Christmas yet."
"Christmas is tomorrow, December." He smirks, that same sinful smile that's set my blood on fire for the last five years. "And you're going to want this one," he growls, slipping his hand between my legs. "It's leather, and it rhymes with drop."