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“Ohh, Cole. I’m going to come again.”

“Yes, you are.” He waggled his eyebrows. “All night. It’s Christmas.”

I inhaled sharply as the next firework exploded inside me. I felt the fire spread along my nerve endings until I was begging for another one.

“All night,” he promised.

I was desperate for air, but I couldn’t stop. I didn’t want to stop. He bit and kissed me. I licked and lapped at his body. Our hands tangled and our breath was ragged. I climbed his body and he surged inside mine.

With one final thrust, Cole catapulted us into the blaze. I gasped his name, but we were so lost. So gone. The words never came.

22

Kaitlyn

I stared up at the branches overhead dotted with white lights. The Texas ornament swung against the needles.

Cole was propped on his elbow, drawing slow circles on my stomach. “God, I love you.” He smiled. I hadn’t seen him this happy.

“I love you too.”

“So do you have the whole thing planned out?” he asked.

“Planned out, what do you mean?”

“The wedding. I figured after Sasha’s wedding you would know exactly what you wanted.”

“Well, that was before I knew we were having a holiday wedding,” I admitted. “This isn’t exactly going to be a beach wedding.”

“No. It’s not.”

He kissed my shoulder and shifted to give me more room next to the Christmas tree.

Cole’s fingers tipped my chin upward. “Darlin’, I know you’re worried.”

“Don’t say it.” I pressed a finger to his lips. “I don’t care if I’m in denial. I don’t care if it’s stupid and naïve. Please don’t say anything about your mission. You’re going to be here for the wedding.”

He nodded. “Ok. I’m going to be here.”

I moved forward to kiss him. His lips felt firm and tender, just like the first time we kissed on the beach. That was what I wanted to hold on to. That was what I wanted to remember.

His palm rested on my belly. “Tell these two to be good while I’m gone.”

I smiled. “I will.”

He kissed my stomach. “Listen to her,” he ordered.

I laid back in his arms. I wanted to stay awake and talk the rest of the night. I wanted to memorize everything about our night together. Our first Christmas. But I nuzzled against his chest. It was where I felt safest. Where I knew I was always protected.

“Don’t let me fall asleep,” I whispered.

“It’s ok.”

I tried to shake my head. “No. You’ll be gone tomorrow.”

“Shh. I’ll be back.”

I fought the burn in my eyes. I tried to focus on the tree. I looked across the room at the flickering candles.