Christmas Sugar (Insta-Spark)

“Seth would like that.”

“But not you?”

She hesitated, biting her lip. I could feel the tension in her body at the mere thought of coming with me.

I nuzzled her soft mouth. “Tell me, my darling girl.”

“I was so lost when I was there, Dylan. I was scared all the time. I was broke, homesick, and I hated my job. I . . . I was attacked one night.”

“Were you . . . did they hurt you?” I stumbled over the words, worried about her response.

“They didn’t get that far—I fought them and managed to escape. But they got my purse, containing my ID and some money, and I knew they had my address. It scared me so much, I stayed with some friends. They packed up my things, and I came home. It took me a long time to feel safe again.” She sighed. “I think maybe that was one of the reasons I married Eric. I felt safe.”

I held her as I thought about her words. I hated hearing how scared she’d been and the fact that she was attacked. I didn’t want to force her to do anything that made her uncomfortable.

“I know you had a bad experience, Alex, but it will be different this time. I won’t let anyone near you.”

“I know. You’ll be there.”

I kissed her forehead, my lips lingering. “I’ll always be there for you now, Alex. I can’t be without you.”

“I’ll come with you.”

“Thank you. If you hate it, we can leave right away.”

“It’s only for a visit, right?”

The anxiety in her voice was evident, and I hastened to reassure her.

“Short visits. I’ll bring you right back here where you belong. I promise.”

She snuggled closer. “Okay.”

I folded an arm under my head and glanced around. “I never thought I’d see this room again.”

“I never thought you would either.”

“Lots of good memories in here,” I teased.

She pointed to the bathroom door. “In there too.”

I groaned and rolled over, pinning her under me. “Alex, my darling girl, unless you tell me I have you alone for the next few hours, don’t be reminding me of that shower . . . and how talented this wicked little mouth of yours is,” I added, tracing her bottom lip with my finger.

She nipped at my finger. “I think we have about another five minutes before Noelle will burst in here. Plus, the fact that dinner is almost ready and there are a bunch of people downstairs wanting to meet and talk to my fiancé. But,” she added with a wicked smile, “the kids were up very early, which means they’ll both be flaked out by seven or so. And George goes back to Susan’s every year to spend time with her and her family. He won’t be home until tomorrow.”

I lowered my mouth to hers, hovering over her lips. “So, after seven, you’re all mine?”

“I’m already yours,” she whispered. “But after seven, you can show me as often as you want.”

I kissed her hard—a promise of what would be happening later. I planned to show her often.

The pounding of little feet heading our way made me pull back.

I kissed her once more, my mouth lingering on her smooth lips. “I can hardly wait until seven.”

Her eyes were wide with desire. “Me too.”

The bar area was full of holiday cheer. Alex had pushed all the tables together, making a large U shape, and had the room festively decorated and filled with her friends. Susan and her family, Jodi from the store in town and her husband Adam, and other people