“Are you going to have time to organize it next year, sweetheart?” Chase asked his wife, his hand gently stroking her rounded belly.
Sarah smiled up at him and then at her friends. “I’m sure I’ll get some assistance if I need it.”
“I’ll help,” Libby volunteered, stifling a giggle. “Maybe we should make Santa kiss Mrs. Claus twice next year.”
“Sounds good.” Flynn grinned, his arm around Kate drawing her closer to him.
“I think one kiss should do,” Sarah lightly reproved her cousin. “Especially since this was the first time that Mr. and Mrs. Claus kissed.”
Kate’s eyes widened. What?
“I had to write it in,” Libby protested. She winked at Kate and Flynn. “You two are perfect for each other.”
“Libby,” Jake growled softly.
Libby twisted to face her husband. “I know they’re meant for each other. They just needed a little push, that’s all.”
“We can hear you,” Flynn pointed out.
“Sorry.” Libby apologized, but from the gleam in her eye she didn’t look very sorry at all.
Just then, the oven timer dinged. “Why don’t we see if the turkey’s ready?” Luke rose, holding out a hand for Cassie.
“Good idea,” Cassie replied. “I can’t wait to try your double chocolate fudge brownies for dessert Emma, or your orange-cranberry bread, Kate.”
“Don’t forget my eggnog,” Libby chimed in.
“And Sarah’s pecan pie,” Chase added.
They all headed into the kitchen, watching Cassie take the glistening, golden-roasted turkey out of the oven.
“Oh look, mistletoe.” Libby hopped up on a chair and dangled a sprig over Kate and Flynn. “You know what that means.”
***
After dinner, Flynn caught up with Kate as she was about to join the others in the living room.
She stared up at him, her lips tingling at the memory of their kiss in the kitchen a couple of hours ago.
“So … playing Mr. and Mrs. Claus in the parade next year sounds good.” His eyes smoldered as he gazed down at her.
“Yes,” she managed to say, her throat suddenly dry. Only inches separated them.
“But I won’t be able to wait that long to kiss you again.” He took a step closer toward her.
Her breath stalled.
“I’ve been interested in you from the first moment I saw you,” he murmured, slipping one arm around her waist.
“You - you have?” Her pulse thrummed in her throat.
“Yeah.” He gently brushed back a stray lock of her hair. “Let me show you just how much I want to kiss you for real, Kate. No parade, no costumes, no mistletoe. Just you and me.”
All she could do was nod. Flynn really wanted to kiss her! His arm tightened around her waist, while his other hand cupped her face. The heat from his touch ignited an electrifying shiver through her body.
The kiss started off soft and slow, then became passionate and demanding. Kate kissed him back, her arms curling around his neck, unable to believe that her Christmas wish had come true. That Flynn Winters returned her feelings. And from the smile on his face and the look in his eye when he finally released her, she’d be seeing him a lot before next December.
EPILOGUE
One year later
Coldwater Springs Christmas Parade
“Mrs. Claus, it’s time for me to jump in the sled and deliver all the good boys’ and girls’ presents.” Flynn grinned at his fiancée beneath his long white beard. Since Christmas Day last year, he and Kate had practically been inseparable. And two months ago, Kate had agreed to be his wife - for real. He didn’t think there was a happier guy in Wyoming.
“Take care, Mr. Claus. Christmas dinner will be waiting for you when you come home.” Love shone from Kate’s eyes as she looked up at him.
“I also have a gift for you, Mrs. Claus. Ho, ho, ho.” Gathering her in his arms, he kissed her passionately, not caring that most of the town watched. A year ago, he hadn’t believed his luck when Sarah had asked him to play opposite Kate in the parade. He’d been attracted to her since the first time he’d walked into her bakery, and had planned on asking her out when Sarah approached him to play the part of Santa.
Mr. and Mrs. James, who’d acted in the parade for a decade, had decided to retire when they’d learned the whole town expected Santa and Mrs. Claus to kiss again this year.
Later tonight, he’d show Kate just how much he loved her by making sweet, slow love to her. His lower body tightened as he thought of caressing her bare, generous breasts, then trailing kisses down her lush, curvy body, before giving her the most intimate kiss of all. And after that …
As the crowds’ cheers rang dimly in his ears, he remembered exactly where he was and what he was doing. Fantasize about your fiancée later.
Briefly lifting his mouth, he murmured, “We don’t want to disappoint Libby,” before his lips claimed Kate’s once more.
THE END