Under the Mistletoe with Me (With Me in Seattle, #1.5)

“Do I get to open it?” I ask dryly.

She glances nervously around the room. Brynna gives her a discreet thumbs up and Natalie smiles brightly at her, and now I’m dying to know what’s in this damn box.

“Maybe we should wait until we’re home.”

“Oh hell no!” Caleb and Luke yell out together. There are moans and boos, and she winces and looks back up at me, biting her lower lip.

“Hey,” I cup her face in my hands and smile down at this amazing woman that I’m lucky enough to call mine. “It’s okay. Whatever it is, I’ll love it.”

She swallows hard and whispers so low I can barely hear it, “I hope so.”

She hands me the box and, because I’m a smart ass, I start to slowly unwrap it the way she always does and she giggles.

“Unless you want to die, speed it up, brother,” Caleb growls.

I make quick work of the bow and paper and open the lid.

And my world stops.

It’s a black and white photo of Sophie. She’s sitting up on a hardwood floor with Christmas lights all around her. She has a Santa hat on that’s just a little too big. Her big eyes are laughing happily at the camera. But propped up next to her is a piece of paper, and on it are the words:

I’m going to be a big sister. Merry Christmas!

My eyes shoot to Stacy’s and she’s got tears flowing down her cheeks.

“What?” I breathe.

She just nods.

I shake my head and look at the photo again and feel my own eyes fill. We’re having another baby? Now?

But how?

“But…”

“I know, it’s soon, but the doctor confirmed it the other day.”

“Is this…?” I don’t even have to finish my question before she’s nodding frantically.

“Yes.”

“Oh my God.” I look up at our family, all staring at us with a mixture of curiosity and wonder. Brynna is crying – of course she already knew – and Natalie is rubbing her own belly serenely. “We’re having another baby!”

“Holy shit, I’m getting the beer!” Will runs for the kitchen for the celebratory beer and everyone else rushes around us, pulling us into hugs, slapping me on the back. It’s a blur of smiles and tears and hands and hugs.

Finally my wife is back in my arms and I’m kissing her with all I have. Jules doesn’t even dare say anything about this public display of affection.

I pull back, and wipe her tears off her cheeks with my thumbs. My God, after all these years of praying and hoping and trying so fucking hard to add to our family, it’s finally happening.

“I love you,” she whispers in her sweet soft voice.

I bury my face in her neck, breathe in her sweet Stacy scent and murmur, “God, I love you too. Merry Christmas.”




THE END





The WITH ME IN SEATTLE series continues in Book Two, FIGHT WITH ME, Jules and Nate’s story. This book releases on January 4, 2013.

As a special treat, here is an exclusive look at the prologue of FIGHT WITH ME…

*Please note; this is not the final version. Content may change in final editing.





Prologue


Summer


My back hits the wall with a light thud, and Nate’s face is buried in my throat, his hands on my ass, skirt hiked up around my waist, pulling me up so he can cradle his still-covered erection in the apex of my thighs. I pull the hair-tie out of his thick, inky black hair and run my hands through it, holding on to him. I’ve never seen his hair down before; he always ties it back at the nape of his neck, and it’s so sexy. It falls just above his shoulders, framing that impossibly handsome face of his that makes my insides quiver and my mouth go dry every time he looks at me.

But he’s never looked at me the way he is right now, in the semi-dark hallway, in the middle of his apartment, just outside his bedroom. His gray eyes are burning as he rocks his pelvis against mine.

“Do you know how beautiful you are, Julianne,” he murmurs. “I need you naked, now.” He picks me up, hands still braced on my ass, and I wrap myself around him. He carries me into his bedroom, and I’m suddenly standing before him, and we are a tangle of arms and greedy hands, pulling and grasping clothes, flinging them haphazardly about the room. He doesn’t turn the lights on, so I can’t see him anymore, but oh, those hands. I don’t know how many times I’ve sat in a meeting, watching these beautiful, large hands, and now they’re on me.

Everywhere.

His mouth is on mine, his hands in my blonde hair, and he’s kissing me with a fervor that makes my knees week. He’s a really good kisser. Excellent.

Fucking amazing.

He picks me up again, cradling me in his arms this time and lays me down on the bed. The sheets are soft and cool against my naked backside, and I wish I could see him in all his naked glory. I’ve been daydreaming about a naked Nate since he became my boss almost a year ago. I have a feeling there is a fine, fine body lurking under all those expertly tailored business suits.

Nate follows me onto the bed, and I run my hands up his stomach, over his chest, and up to his shoulders.

Holy fuck, he’s built, and his skin is warm and smooth and … oh my. His hands are cradling my face, kissing me tenderly now, biting and nibbling my lips, and then he leans on one elbow at the side of my head and sends his other hand down my neck, over my breast, teasing the taut nipple with his fingers, and farther south, slowly finding his target.

“Oh, God.” My body bows off the soft sheets as he slips two fingers into my *, and his thumb gently circles my clitoris.

“Oh, you are so wet. And so fucking tight. Jesus, how long has it been for you honey?”

Really? He wants to know this now?

“Longer than I care to think about,” I respond and lift my hips up into his hand. Oh, God, what this man can do with his hands!