White-Hot Christmas (25 page)

He opened the box, exposing the beautiful diamond ring. Dropping onto one knee, he said, “Merle Cameron, will you marry me?”

Merle stared at him. She blinked. “Are you kidding me?”

He blew on his spare hand and put it back in his pocket. “That’s not quite the reaction I was hoping for.”

“Neon, get up.”

He did so, frowning. She was shaking. “Are you cold?” She shook her head, and he realised she was shaking because of what he’d said. He reached out and touched her cheek. “What’s up? Don’t you want to marry me?”

Tears came into her eyes. “You really mean it?”

His lips curved. “Of course I do.”

“Oh God.” She shook her head. “I told Mum this was what I wanted, marriage and kids, but deep down, I didn’t really think it would happen. I thought I’d lost you. I believed I’d go back to her eventually, and I think she believes it too. I just feel so…guilty.” A tear spilled down her cheek.

Slipping the box back into his pocket, he pulled her into his arms. “Oh, sweetheart. I’m so sorry. She should never have put you in that position. It was incredibly unfair of her. You’ve nothing to feel guilty about.”

She rested her forehead on his shoulder, the tears flowing. He kissed her hair. “You’re the kindest, most unselfish person I know. But you completely did the right thing. You shouldn’t sacrifice your own happiness for her.” He pulled back and lifted her face up. “But I don’t expect you to move away from your home. I’ll move here, Merle. I’ll get a job here as a firefighter. I’ve already spoken to the station back home. They’ll write me a terrific reference and John knows someone in Plymouth—I know it’s a bit far from Exeter but it’s better than nothing. We can live halfway between the two cities.”

She went pale, her holiday tan fading with her shock. “You’d move here, for me?”

“I’d do anything for you, Merle.” He smiled. “I’ve never been in love before. It just took me a while to realise it.”

She bit her lip. A tear rolled down her cheek.

“Don’t cry.” He cupped her face and brushed the wetness away with his thumb. His beautiful brown eyes were so warm.

“I can’t help it.” Another tear joined the first. His hands were icy, the first time she had ever known them cold. Neon and wintry climates didn’t go together. He was like a mountain lion that had found itself in Alaska. He adored the heat and the warmth. England was beautiful, its history incomparable, but he’d hate it after a while. He’d miss the space and the sun, the surf and the rugby. She thought of the tattoo on his arm. The country was engraved into his skin. She wouldn’t be able to separate him from it. “Neon…”

He bent his head and kissed her. His lips were cold but soft, and his tongue, when it brushed hers, was warm. She sighed, accepting the kiss.

He pulled back, smiling at her.

“Look…”

He kissed her again, longer this time, his hand slipping through her hair to cup the back of her head, pulling her close so he could deepen the kiss. She pressed her hands against his chest, her heart beginning to pound.

“Neon…” she said when she could finally push herself away.

“I’m going to keep kissing you until you say yes.” He lowered his lips again.

She slipped her hand between his lips and hers. “Just wait a second.”

He frowned, pulling back.

She looked up at him, remembering how sad he’d been that night after the accident, realising a good measure of his sadness had been because of her. “You can’t come to England. You’d miss New Zealand too much.”

“I’ll do it. For you.”

“I know. But you’d grow to resent it.” He started to protest and she exclaimed, “For goodness’ sake, man, let me speak!”

He stared at her, then pretended to zip up his mouth.

She laughed, shaking her head. “Look.” She took his hands in hers. “I’m touched at the gesture—and, yes, it was romantic—that you made coming all this way. And I’m stunned at what you’ve just asked me.”

“But the answer’s no.”

“Carter…”

“Sorry.”

She took a deep breath. “We’ve only known each other a few weeks. I’m pretty sure I want to spend the rest of my life with you, and from what you’ve said, you seem to feel the same way. But we don’t have to rush into anything. I want you to be sure before you do anything as dramatic as settling down, Mr. Feral.” She grinned at his raised eyebrow. Then she took a deep breath. “But, if you really want me, I’ll come to New Zealand for a while, and we can get to know each other properly, to make sure it’s what we both want.”

He stared at her.

She waited for him to say something. After a few moments of watching him blink, she added, “You can talk now, by the way.”

He swallowed. “I don’t expect you to do that for me, Merle.”

“I know.”

“What about your mum?” He studied her carefully.

She took a deep breath. “I love her, and I want to know she’s all right. But I’m not going to give up my dream for her. I can visit. And she can visit too. As Bree said, she’s not an invalid, and she’s got plenty of money.”

“And your job?”

She sighed. “I’ve been thinking about becoming a secondary school teacher for a while. I could take the qualification in New Zealand, teach somewhere in the Northland.” She smiled. “I adore your country, Neon. I’d love to make it my country too, and I’d love to be nearer to Bree. She’ll be so happy.”

His eyes were alight with joy. “You really want to do this?”

“I do.”

He smiled. Before she could stop him, he pulled the box out of his pocket again. “Merle…”

“You don’t have to—”

He raised an eyebrow and she stopped talking. “Now it’s your turn to zip it.” He opened the box and extracted the ring. “I still want you to have this. I want to give you something to show you how much I love you. And I want other people to know you’re my girl.” He looked into the distance slightly as if he was remembering something and gave a wry smile.

“What?”

“Nothing. I think I’ve got tinnitus. Don’t worry about it. Look, will you wear it? We can call it something else until I can talk you into walking down the aisle with me.”

“A friendship ring?”

“I was thinking more of a shag-partners ring, but your word is good.”

Laughing, she let him slip it onto her finger. “Romantic doesn’t come easily to you, does it?” Her throat tightened, but she managed to whisper, “Thank you, Napoleon Carter.”

“Jeez, I suppose I’ll have to say that at the altar.”

She wiped away a tear as she admired the ring, turning it this way and that to catch the light of the street lamp. “Where on earth did you get it? It’s lovely.”

“Local toy shop.”

She laughed. He sighed and put his arm around her shoulders as they started walking back to the pub. “There’s something else I’ve got to tell you,” he whispered.

She looked at the ring, smiling. “What?”

“I borrowed this uniform from one of the local stations. I don’t have to give it back till tomorrow.”

She looked up at him. The mischievous look she loved was back in his eyes. She winked at him. “What’s next?”

Grinning, he bent his head and kissed her.

About the Author

Serenity lives in the beautiful Northland of New Zealand with her husband and her twelve-year-old son, who wants to be a vet. She would much rather immerse herself in reading or writing romance than do the dusting and ironing, which is why it’s not a great idea to pop around if you have any allergies. You can check out her website at
www.serenitywoodsromance.com
.

Look for these titles by Serenity Woods

Now Available:

Something Blue

It’s bad enough losing the wedding rings, let alone your heart…

Something Blue

© 2011 Serenity Woods

A
Come Rain or Come Shine
Story

Josh Hamnett is best man at his mate’s wedding, and he’s determined that nothing’s going to go wrong on the big day. That’s before ex-girlfriend Kate Summerton appears in the church, looking mouthwateringly good in her tight red satin dress. Her maid of honor’s dress.

Ceremony, reception, speeches, the first dance…he’s got to go through them all by the side of the woman who still haunts his dreams. And to top it off, she’s not wearing any underwear.
 

Their break-up three years ago was explosive, and Kate was sure she’d never forgive how he behaved. But now all the memories are coming back—the good as well as the bad. As their wedding duties keep throwing them into each other’s company, Kate can’t ignore the resurging chemistry between them—or the nagging thought that maybe, this could be the start of a second chance.

Warning: Contains sexual chemistry hot enough to turn sand to glass—best read while wearing oven gloves and dark shades.

Enjoy the following excerpt for
Something Blue:

“Kate, promise me you won’t get drunk tonight and do something you’ll regret.”

Kate looked across at Becca. They were standing outside the reception hall, waiting for Alex to join them and start welcoming the guests. “I’m accident prone when I’m not drunk and in three-inch heels—do you really think I’m going to enhance my special abilities, especially on your wedding day?”

“I’m just saying…”

“Becca, you don’t have to. Honestly, nothing’s going to happen tonight. That relationship ended a long, long time ago. I have no intention of starting it up again, even if it was possible, which it’s not.”

The bride snorted. “I saw the way you looked at him—as if he was an ice lolly and you wanted to lick—”

“Becca!”

“Deny it. Tell me you weren’t thinking about him in bed.”

“I…can’t.” Kate pouted. “He’s hot and he was really, really good at it.”

She turned and took Becca’s hands, looking her in the eye. “But I’m not stupid. Well, not completely. We didn’t end well, Becs. I know I’ve told you before, but it wasn’t an amicable parting. I don’t want to dredge it all up again, and I don’t want a re-enactment. It was kind of nice to see him again, but you haven’t got anything to worry about.” She smiled. “Now come on, this is your big day and all we’re talking about is me. You’ve got to greet your guests and have a fantastic time—please don’t let me spoil it.”

“Oh, Kate, you’re not spoiling it at all.” Becca’s eyes went suspiciously glassy. “I just so want you to be happy and find what I have. You deserve it—you’re such a nice person. I’m so glad you’re my friend, and that you came all the way out here for me.”

“Of course I did. I couldn’t not come to the wedding of my best friend.” Kate’s own tears spilled over and the two women hugged.

“Oh yes,” said Josh as he and Alex walked over. He admired the two women, who were wrapped around each other. “Very nice. Don’t let us stop you.”

They broke apart, both glaring at him, and he grinned. “Guests are ready.” He bent to kiss Becca’s cheek. “You look ravishing, sweetheart.”

She hugged him and he shook hands with Alex before grabbing Kate’s hand. “Come on.” He strode off, pulling her into the reception hall with him.

“Will you let go?” She tugged on his hand, forcing him to stop.

He kept his fingers tight on hers, however, enjoying touching her. “We need to check the top table and make sure everything’s in order.”

“
You
can do that—I need to visit the Ladies’.” She yanked her hand out of his. “You can’t order me around just because we once went out together.”

He looked at her blankly. “I order everyone around. You’re not getting special treatment.”

She glared at him. “Where are we sitting? I swear, if I’m next to you, I’m going to take off my knickers and strangle myself with them.”

He stopped in his tracks and turned her to face him. “Seriously? You’re not going commando? Damn it. Talk about pop a guy’s bubble.” He looked at her butt and gave her a hard stare. “Wait a minute… There’s no way you’re wearing anything under that dress.”

He could tell by the way she blushed that he was right. He smirked.

“You haven’t changed a bit,” she said icily.

“Nope.”

He had meant the remark to be funny, but he saw the amusement fade from her eyes. He knew she was thinking how difficult it had been at the end of their relationship. The accusations they’d thrown at each other. The cruel things they’d said. He would give his right arm to be able to wipe their memories clean. But it was too late, it was all said and done and that boat had long since sailed.

“No hard feelings.” He brushed her arm. “It’s nice to see you. You look good and I was just window shopping.”

She gave a small smile. “You look good too. That suit suits you. If you know what I mean.”

“I do. But every dude looks good in a tux.”

She shrugged. “But you more than most.”

He studied her face, noticing she had new smile lines at the corner of her mouth and more freckles across her nose. “That was never a problem, was it? Being attracted to each other, I mean.”

“No. That was the least of our worries.”

“Okay.” He sighed. “I’d better start showing people where to sit.”

She nodded. “We’re both at the top table, I guess.”

“You are next to me, you know.”

She started to walk away, then turned back. “Well, I can’t strangle myself. As you know, I’m not wearing any knickers.”

Love may overcome dark family secrets…but a grieving ghost could fire the final shot.

Ain’t No Sunshine

© 2011 Selah March

A
Come Rain or Come Shine
Story

Boone Butler can shut out the memories that made him a war hero, but he’s compelled to follow the Sorrowful Angel’s mournful wails back to Harlan County, Kentucky. They can only mean one thing: Delia’s in trouble. Even if it’s been over between them for twelve long years, she can’t stop him from seeing her safe.

Delia Concannon isn’t sure if the cries she’s been hearing in Bogey Holler are echoes of the past, or portents of more heartache in her future. All she can do is keep running her diner and wait for the next in a long string of misfortunes that started when she fell for Boone. Their love began despite their families’ longstanding feud—and ended when Boone’s brother murdered her father.