“I understand. I wouldn’t have wanted you to have canceled. As a matter of fact, what I kept thinking was that I wanted what you had. That I wanted to be a part of that family, to experience the warmth and love of what Christmas should be.” She stood on tiptoe and pressed a kiss to his lips. “You are what Christmas and love should be.”
Riley kissed her long and hard. “My heart is yours, princess. I don’t have all the answers to our future, but I’m yours every day for the rest of my life.”
Her breath caught. “Really?”
“Really.” His eyes catching on something behind her, he swept her up off her feet, carried her over to the tree then sat her down. “There’s something I want to do.”
Seeing what his gaze had caught on, she knew what he was going to do. Her heart swelled.
He pulled a chair over and she automatically sat down. He dropped to one knee and picked up the other hightop.
“Thank you for this.” She spread out her arms towards the tree. “You make a great Santa.”
He shook his head. “Wrong guy.”
She arched a brow, not quite sure what he meant.
“I’m not going for Santa in your life.”
“What are you going for in my life?”
He grinned and slipped the other shoe onto her foot. “I’m your Prince Charming, of course. Your right Prince Charming.”
“My one and only Prince Charming,” she assured him, touching his arm.
“I like the sound of that.”
“But, Riley, I should tell you.”
“Yes?”
“You’re my Santa, too.”
“Oh?”
She nodded. “Every day I’m with you is like Christmas.”
“You’re the one who is a gift, princess. You’ve made my life better.”
“Hey, I have a gift for you, too,” she recalled, jumping up and rushing to the drawer where she’d stashed his gift.
Smiling, she handed him the bag.
He eyed it suspiciously. “You used a bag rather than wrapping paper?”
She grinned. “I bought this before my wrapping lesson.”
He pulled out the paper and lifted out a box about the size of his hand. What was inside made him burst out laughing.
And had his eyes shining brightly.
“It’s perfect.”
“I thought you’d think so, snowflake.”
Holding the ornament as if it was the most precious treasure, he smiled at her, love in his eyes. “I love you, Trinity.”
Her heart swelled with Christmas joy, with love. She leaned forward and planted a kiss on his lips. “I love you, too. Thank you for my best Christmas ever.”
He grinned. “Until next year’s.”
After the Christmas Party
Janice Lynn
CHAPTER ONE
IF THE PRETTY little blonde were a chameleon, Dr. Riley Williams was positive she’d have blended into the hotel ballroom wall long ago.
Who was she? Obviously not someone’s date as only a fool would have left her alone. She had to be a hospital employee he just hadn’t had the pleasure of meeting.
She sipped on a glass of what appeared to be rum punch and nervously surveyed the room as if she’d rather be anywhere than at the Pensacola Memorial Hospital Christmas party.
He took a sip of his soda and continued to listen to Dr. Sanders discuss an upcoming heart program the hospital was sponsoring while Riley’s attention was really on the blonde.
Never had he seen a less likely wallflower. Although she did seem as delicate as one of the orchids his mother loved to grow. Fragile even.
Every bit as beautiful.
Looking almost hopeful, she smiled at a group of women that passed by but they never paused in their hee-hawing to say hello. If anything, she seemed to wilt further. A pity because he’d liked that brief glimpse of a smile.
The need to see that smile again hit hard. Surprisingly hard. He liked women. A lot. Always had. He imagined he always would but he didn’t envision himself ever settling down. The long hours and demands of his career would keep him from ever tying a woman to him. A family deserved time and attention.
A plump pink lower lip disappeared between white teeth. Every muscle in Riley’s stomach contracted and he’d swear the air in the room had thinned.
Never had he had such an instant, strong reaction to a woman.
He placed his half-full glass on a passing waiter’s tray. “Excuse me, gentlemen, but I just spotted what I want for Christmas.”
Several of his colleagues followed his line of vision and grinned.
“Trinity Warren. She just started last week,” a cardiologist who was one of his partners informed him. “On the cardiac unit. I’m surprised you haven’t already noticed her.”