Under The Mistletoe: A Holiday Short Story Read online

  “Two minutes. That’s all I ask.”

  Sighing in annoyance, I motion for her to enter. Yup. Glutton for punishment. She walks right to the fireplace, standing in front of it even though it’s not lit.

  “Jake… what you said last night… did you mean it?”

  “Which part?” I cross my arms over my chest.

  “That you love me and want me to stay.”

  “It doesn’t matter. I’m not what you want.”

  I turn away from her to head back to the kitchen, but her voice stops me.

  “You’re wrong.”

  “About what?” I keep my back to her.

  “That I don’t want you. I’ve loved you since we were teenagers. I was young. I wanted to see what the world had to offer… and I did. I have everything I ever wanted… except you.”

  I face her once more, waiting for her to continue.

  “You asked if I was happy. Sure, I have some measure but…” She shrugs, shaking her head. “I now know I’ll never truly be happy without you.”

  “What are you saying?” I move closer to her, hoping I’m not misunderstanding the direction this conversation is going in… hoping against hope that I’m not setting myself up for another disappointment.

  “After you dropped me off last night, I sent my boss an email. My resignation.” She waits for a reaction, her brown eyes meet mine.

  “Don’t play with me, Sydney. Are you serious?”

  “Yes.”

  I close the gap between us, taking her lips in a kiss rife with relief and promise.

  “There’s more,” she gets out between heavy breaths.

  “What else could there be? You’re staying and that’s all that matters.”

  “I’ve been on the phone with my boss all morning. He says he’s not accepting it.”

  “Jesus, Sydney!” I step back, running my fingers through my hair in frustration. “You really buried the lead with that one.”

  “Sorry. Just let me get all of it out.”

  “Okay, go ahead.”

  “He gave me another week off, said he’d try to work something out during that time.”

  “Work something out? Like what?”

  “Like a remote office. I’d still have my job, but I could work from here. It would involve a lot of traveling, but my base would be here… in Cody… with you.”

  “That could work?”

  “I think so. Not to sound like I’m tooting my own horn, but I’m good at my job. They don’t want to lose me.”

  “Syd, this… this sounds too good to be true.”

  “It isn’t. And I didn’t bury the lead. I wanted you to know that I planned to stay and make a life with you… that I chose us… that this time I chose you.”

  “Come here.”

  Biting her lip, she moves to stand in front of me. I slowly remove her hat, scarf, and coat, dropping them on the floor. I slide my hands around her waist, pulling her body flush against mine. Her lips part as she stares up at me, arms wrapping around my neck.

  “Sydney George, are you saying you’re finally mine?”

  “Jacob William Maston, I’ve always been yours.”

  I press my lips to hers, kissing her slowly, gently. It’s a kiss that’s been ten years in the making and I don’t want to rush it. I want to savor it, savor her, savor the feeling of knowing that my upturned world has been righted. I didn’t think I’d marry again, but I’m getting my ring on her finger as soon as possible.

  Breaking away from her sweet lips, I rest my forehead on hers. “You know, I think we should thank your mother.”

  “For what?”

  “You don’t realize she pushed you into my arms at the party, do you?”

  “She did what?”

  I chuckle. “I guess she saw where I was standing and took advantage of the opportunity. She bumped you.”

  “I know she bumped into me, but I didn’t think it was intentional. The sneak!” She leans away, eyes wide in disbelief.

  “No. She gave us a Christmas miracle, and it all started under the mistletoe.”

  “It did, didn’t it?”

  “It did. And now that I have you, I’m never letting you go again. Marry me, Sydney. I don’t want to waste any more time than we already have.”

  “Jake… are you serious?”

  “Of course. I’ll go out and get the ring tomorrow, ask you properly, but right now I just want to hear you say ‘yes.’”

  “Yes.” Her smile widens. “Yes, I’ll marry you!”

  With more joy in my heart than I’ve felt in a long time, I lift her into my arms, spinning her around. The sound of her laughter triggers my own. It sounds so strange to me that I wonder when was the last time I had anything to laugh about.

  “I think we should seal this agreement. What do you think?”

  “With a kiss?” Her eyes twinkle with mischief.

  “I have something else in mind.”

  I wink, heading for my bedroom. I don’t think I’ll be making it to work today after all. With Sydney sprawled out on my bed, I thank God for small miracles, snowstorms, meddling mothers, and mistletoe.

  BY ALANA

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  ALANA SAPPHIRE

  International bestselling author Alana Sapphire has a great love for writing and music, and always finds a way to combine the two. Her books, though in various subcategories, are all in the Erotic Romance genre. Like a little suspense with your romance? So does Alana! Pick up one of her books and you’ll get romance, suspense, drama, and lots of sexy time. With books ranging from MC to paranormal, an Alana story is out there for you. Her characters are like old friends—near and dear to her heart—and she hopes for her readers to enjoy them as much as she does.

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