“They’re absolutely perfect. I love them both.” I shut the lid. “My turn.” I throw off the blanket and get up, pulling a beautifully wrapped green and white package out from beneath the bed. “You open yours now.”
“Not yet,” he says. “You still have another package. Actually, a couple of packages.”
I shake my head. “You open yours first.”
Shadows flicker in his eyes, a hint of discomfort I recognize instantly. “You aren’t used to getting presents,” I say. “Well, get used to it. You’re with me now, and every Christmas Eve morning from now on, you will be getting gifts.”
He arches a brow. “Every Christmas Eve morning?”
“We’re creating traditions, and you just started one.” I climb back on the bed and push the package closer. “Open it.”
After only a moment of hesitation, he reaches for the package and methodically starts unwrapping it. I laugh and yank one side open. “Hurry! I’m dying here. I can’t wait to see what you think.”
That gets a smile from him and he rips off the paper, then stares down at the black leather box and gives me a curious look.
“Open it,” I urge.
Almost tentatively, he lifts the lid and takes out the black leather picture album inside, then opens it to stare down at the dedication to Alex in the front. He flips the first page to a picture of the first building Alex designed.
“Every design he did is in there. And in the back are yours.” His chest rises and falls, his lashes lowering to become dark half circles on his cheeks, and I watch the way his lips firm above his goatee. “Derek helped me,” I explain, trying to read his reaction. “I told him his help was his gift to you this year. I really wanted it to be special.”
Still, he doesn’t move or speak, and suddenly I’m afraid I’ve hit some nerve that’s hurt him. “Liam—”
He sets the package aside and presses me to the bed, the sweet weight of him settling on top of me. “It’s perfect. You’re perfect.”
I curl my fingers around his jaw. “Oh, good. I was starting to worry it upset you.”
“How could something so amazingly thoughtful upset me?”
“I’m so glad you like it. And since you do, this seems like a good time to propose another tradition I’d like to start.”
“And what would that be?”
“I lick your tattoo every Christmas Eve morning.”
“Only if I get to lick you anywhere I like, first.”
“Okay,” I tease. “If that’s what it takes to get what I want.”
“I’ll try to make it as painless as possible for you,” he vows, sliding down my body to press his lips to my belly, his tongue flickering around my belly button. I close my eyes and sigh with pleasure. Sometimes the most unexpected traditions are the best.
PART TWELVE
Love
IT’S TWO IN THE AFTERNOON BY the time Liam and I shower and grab a bite to eat and nearly three when we snuggle onto the couch in his office, me to work on my book and him his design for Chase Electronics. I’m cozy in light blue sweats and a tank, my hair a bit of a mess, my feet bare. Liam is pure perfection to me in faded jeans and a plain white T-shirt. I’ve torn down the walls he’s lived behind¸ and the man beneath the starched shirts and custom suits is gentle, thoughtful perfection. He’s the best gift any woman could want on Christmas Eve, and the next few hours are absolute heaven.
By early evening, we’ve moved to the couch in the living room, gazing at the lights that seem to dance across the Hudson River. I’ve tuned in Christmas music on the radio and Liam has filled our glasses with eggnog topped with sherry. We’re contemplating roasting the chestnuts when Liam’s phone rings.
I hold my breath, willing it to be the one thing that would make this day absolutely perfect: hearing from my brother. Liam listens a moment to whoever has called, says, “Come on in,” and places his cell on the table. “Tellar has something to give us.”
“He must have gotten the Super Bowl tickets you sent him,” I say. “That was an amazing gift.”
“Like you said, he gave up a lot to be with us these past few months.”
The garage door buzzes and Liam and I stand to greet Tellar, only to find Derek, Dr. Murphy, and Coco with him.
Derek announces, “You wanted to leave us out of the wedding, and we’ll accept that, but we’re celebrating it tonight.”
Liam’s arm wraps my waist and he leans in and whispers, “Are you okay with this?”
“Yes,” I say, warmed by the sentiment, glancing up at him. “Are you?”
“As long as it makes you happy.”
“It does.”
Dr. Murphy hugs me, her long red hair tickling my cheek. “How are you, Amy?”
“I’m good,” I promise. “I’m glad to have you back.” I give her slim-fitted white dress a once-over and note the glow in her cheeks. “You look stunning.”
She gives me a wicked smile. “I have Michael to thank for that.”
“Michael?”
“An island fling, honey. It did me good. We’ll go to lunch and chat after the holiday.”
I am stunned and amused by this new side to Dr. Murphy, which I think I quite like, laughing as Coco appears beside me, giving me a hug, too.
“Tellar and I have your back,” she declares, her voice a hard contrast to her soft light brown hair and feminine beauty. “Jared will never know what hit him if he comes near you again.”
“We have cake!” Derek calls out, and I look up to see him and Tellar carrying in a huge three-tier pink wedding cake toward the kitchen.
“And presents!” Coco says. She takes off to get them and I turn toward Liam, only to discover he’s disappeared.
Assuming he must be in the kitchen, I follow Derek and Tellar, watching as they set the cake in the center of the table, surprised when Liam isn’t here. “It’s amazing,” I say, noting the delicate flowers around the edges. “And I swear the color matches my dress. How could you know that?”
“It’s to match your ring,” Coco says, as she and Dr. Murphy join us, each setting several wrapped packages on the table. “Tellar told me it was pink, and I want to see it.”
I extend my hand, and she and Dr. Murphy are gushing over it when I hear, “Amy.”
I turn to find Liam standing behind me, looking serious, though something different lurks in his eyes. “What is it?”
“I have something to show you.”
“Now?”
“Yes. Now, baby.”
“Okay,” I say. “What is it?”
He pushes open the kitchen door. “You’ll see.”
I walk into the living room, stopping at the sight of two people looking out the windows overlooking the river. I blink and blink again, homing in on the blond hair of the man in jeans and a T-shirt and the long, flowing dark brown hair of the woman in a red silk blouse. My heart begins to race.
“Chad!” His name rasps from my throat. I launch myself in his direction as he and Gia turn to face me, and he does the same. In an instant we’re embracing, holding on like we never want to let go. “How are you here?” I ask, tears burning my eyes. “How is this possible?”
“I wasn’t letting another Christmas go by without seeing you, little sis. And I’m sorry about surprising you both with the party, but I needed a distraction to show up unnoticed, and this worked. Tellar helped set it all up.”
“I can’t believe it,” I say, swiping at the dampness on my cheeks, then grabbing his arms. “You’re really here!”
“I’m really here,” he says with a grin, as Gia steps to his side and Liam to mine.
“Hi,” I say to her, giving her a hug. “Are you okay?”
“I’m wonderful,” she promises. “So glad that we’re here.”
“Me too. How long can you stay?”
“For a few hours, sis,” Chad says, covering my hand with his. “It’s too dangerous to stay longer. Jared will be watching for us.”
“He came to see me, Chad. He
swears he’s helping us. I really believed him.”
“We can’t take a chance, Amy,” he insists. “You know that.”
“But we’re getting married on New Year’s Eve. You have to stay for the wedding.”
His hands settle on my shoulders. “The idea of missing it guts me—but I can’t stay.”
“You should have told us you were coming. We could have planned the wedding.” Suddenly I whirl around to face Liam. “Can we get married tonight?”
He doesn’t show a moment of hesitation. “We can do whatever makes you happy, baby. I just want you to be my wife.”
I have an instant of excitement that quickly deflates. “Oh, but we don’t have anyone to marry us.”
“Why don’t we hold the ceremony now, and go to the justice of the peace on Monday and make it official?”
“What about New Year’s? Our new beginning?”
Liam leans in, his voice meant for only me. “Our new beginning started the day we met.” Those perfect, aqua eyes meet mine. “Let’s get married.”
I swear I fall in love with him all over again with those words. “Let’s get married,” I say, pushing up to my toes to kiss him. “In an hour?”
“An hour it is,” he confirms. “I’ll get ready in one of the spare bedrooms, then I’ll take you back to ours after everyone leaves to celebrate.”
“It’s a date,” I say, and our gazes linger in a sizzling connection I feel deep in my soul, in a place once empty and now filled.
Then I turn to face Chad and Gia. “We’re getting married tonight! We’re getting married tonight!”
“What?!” Tellar calls from the kitchen door.
Gia cheers and shouts, “They’re getting married tonight!”
Crazy excitement erupts as everyone joins us in the living room, and I step to Chad and poke his chest with my finger. “There’s no way I’m letting you miss this.”
He grins. “Go get dressed. I have a wedding to attend.”
I turn away and my gaze collides with Liam’s again, the warmth spreading between us giving me a thrill that has me running down the hall and up the stairs.
I’m getting married to Liam.
Tonight.
And Chad is here.
It’s everything I could ever want and more.
I burst into the bedroom, shutting the door, and I’ve barely made it into the bathroom when a knock sounds. “Come in!” I shout, already opening drawers to find the makeup and supplies I need to get ready.
“I came to help,” Gia says, appearing in the doorway. “I need to get Liam’s suit, and he’s loaning one to Chad. I’ll need to borrow a dress, too.”
“This way,” I say, motioning for her to follow me and showing her everything she needs.
When I go to the bedroom door to open it for her, Dr. Murphy is there with a glass of champagne. “Drink. Doctor’s orders.”
“I’ll be back,” Gia calls over her shoulder, disappearing into the hallway.
I smile at Dr. Murphy. “Thank you, but I can’t. I’m a lightweight, and I don’t want to forget a single moment of this.” I rush back to the bathroom, looking for the pink shadow I bought for the wedding and feeling flustered that it’s nowhere in sight.
“A sip or two won’t hurt,” Dr. Murphy says, joining me and leaning on the door frame, “but aside from calming your nerves, which you obviously need, I came to tell you that I can perform the wedding.”
“Oh, thank you,” I say, sighing with relief as I find the shadow. “I didn’t even think about someone playing the officiate.”
“I meant I can really marry you,” Dr. Murphy says. “There’s no play about it.”
I pause, a bottle of hairspray in my hand, giving her a puzzled look. “I don’t understand.”
“My best friend wanted me to perform her marriage ceremony last year,” she explains. “I did all the paperwork to get registered—and then the bastard cheated on her before the wedding.”
“I . . . That’s . . . amazing. I mean not for your friend, but for me and Liam. It seems almost impossible.”
“It’s called fate,” she says. “Kind of like the story you once told me of you being in an airport at just the right time to lock gazes with Liam Stone. You don’t question it; you embrace it. I’m not a hundred percent the certification isn’t expired, but it might be official tonight. I’ll find out Monday morning.”
“That’s enough,” I say, because it doesn’t matter. Liam matters. What this ceremony means to us matters. I step to her and kiss her cheek. “Thank you. Does Liam know?”
“He does. He wants to be sure you’re happy with it possibly not being legal tonight, and if so, he’s happy.”
“Silly man. I’m marrying him tonight, with my brother here. How can I not be happy?”
THE NEXT HOUR is a whirlwind of nerves and excitement, and finally I stand in the center of the closet with my dress on, Gia zipping me up from behind.
“All done,” she says, stepping beside me and looking gorgeous in a pale blue gown Saks had included in one of the bags they’d delivered. “You’re absolutely stunning.”
I swallow hard at the vision I make, the pale pink perfection of the strapless gown hugging my bodice and tapering down my hips until it flares at the bottom in a swoosh of silk. Even my hair has cooperated, lying in that sleek, shiny veil around my bare shoulders, a look I always hope for but never manage to achieve. But somehow, on this very special evening, I have.
“Thank you,” I whisper. “I can’t believe we’re doing this. I really can’t believe you and Chad are here for it.”
“It’s pretty darn amazing that we are,” she says, touching my arm. “He loves you so much, Amy. He needed to be here for you as much as you needed him to be here.” There’s a knock on the door. “That’s probably him now. Are you ready?”
“Yes. I’m ready.”
“Then I’ll see you downstairs.” She hugs me and says, “Oh. I need your ring.”
I slip it off my finger and hand it to her. “You can have it back soon!” she declares, darting away.
I linger a moment, staring at my reflection, remembering that moment in the airport that Dr. Murphy reminded me of earlier, when I’d first met Liam. Suddenly, I am transported back in time. I remember standing at that ticket counter, hearing the news that I might be bumped from a flight that was my only escape from danger.
Definitely flustered, I turn away from the counter. Ignoring the few vacant seats, I head to the window and settle my bags on the floor beside me. Leaning against the steel handrail on the glass, I position myself so I can see everyone around me to be sure I’m prepared for any problem before it’s on me. And that’s when the room falls away, when my gaze collides with his. He is sitting in a seat that faces me, one row between us, his features handsomely carved, his dark hair a thick, rumpled temptation for my fingers. He’s dressed in faded jeans and a dark blue T-shirt, but he could just as easily be wearing a finely fitted suit and tie. He is older than me, maybe thirty, but there is a worldliness, a sense of control and confidence, about him that reaches beyond his years. He is money, power, and sex, and while I cannot make out the color of his eyes, I don’t need to. All that matters is that he is one hundred percent focused on me, and me on him. A moment ago I was alone in a crowd and suddenly, I’m with him. As if the space between us is nothing. I tell myself to look away, that everyone is a potential threat, but I just . . . can’t.
His eyes narrow the tiniest bit, and then his lips curve ever so slightly and I am certain I see satisfaction slide over his face. He knows I cannot look away. I’ve become his newest conquest, of which I am certain he has many, and I’ve embarrassingly done so without one single moan of pleasure in the process.
“Inviting our first-class guests to board now,” a female voice says over the intercom.
I blink and my new, hmmm, whatever he is pushes to his feet and slides a duffel onto his shoulder. His eyes hold mine, a hint of something in them I can’t quite make out
. Challenge, I think. Challenge? What kind of challenge? I don’t have time to figure it out. He turns away, and just like that I’m alone again.
I snap back to the moment and whisper, “Only I wasn’t alone. Not from that moment forward.” Smiling with that thought, I walk into the bathroom and just as I’m about to enter the bedroom, Chad appears in the doorway, looking amazing in one of Liam’s black suits with a white shirt and tie.
He gives me a once-over and grins. “For a couple of people who like to dig in the dirt, we clean up pretty good.”
I laugh. “Yes, we do.”
“You look gorgeous, Amy.” His voice softens. “Lara.”
“Amy,” I say quickly against the pinch in my chest. “I’m Amy.”
“Amy,” he amends. “I’m glad I’m here.”
I point at him. “Don’t make me cry and mess up my makeup.” I face the mirror. “I’m nervous. Is Liam ready?”
“He’s ready, and he’s pretty nervous, too.”
“Liam’s nervous?” I ask, surprised.
“Hell yeah, he’s nervous. The man can’t stand still.”
Knowing that he’s as affected as I am charms me. But then, everything Liam does charms me. “Then we should go down now.”
“Not quite yet. Shut your eyes.”
“What?”
“Liam sent you a Christmas present.”
I look at him curiously. “Why wouldn’t he give it to me himself?”
“Don’t argue about a gift. Close your eyes.”
I do as he orders as he steps behind me, my curiosity growing by the instant. I feel the touch of a chain on my neck and he warns, “Don’t look yet.” I wait impatiently until he says, “Now you can look.”
My lashes lift and I stare at the pink diamond at my neck that matches my ring. “He thinks of everything. It’s incredible.”
Chad steps beside me and looks at me in the mirror. “Like you, Amy. You’re brave and strong, and he’s lucky to have you.”
“Chad,” I whisper.
He offers me his arm, our gazes meeting in the mirror. “Shall we?”