A Billionaire for Christmas

“If she wants to leave me,” I start to answer him with the promise I know he needs, but I can’t give it to him. “Then I’ll convince her otherwise.” I tell him the truth, and his gaze drops.

“I love her, Drew.” My words make his eyes drift back up. I offer him something that I know will put him at ease, but unexpectedly, also puts me at ease. “I’ll bring her to the shops often. She’s curious and loves the town.”

“Alec!” I hear her call out from behind me with happiness in her voice.

I quickly add, “If she ever looks anything but in love and happy in every way, tell me.” I hold his gaze as I hear her call out again, the sounds of her coming closer to the porch getting louder and more evident.

As soon as I hear her boots hit the wooden deck, Drew nods his head. “I’ll tell you,” he says.

“And I’ll listen,” I reply and then quickly turn around to face my love with a welcoming smile. My heart clenches thinking that one day, Drew may come to me and tell me she’s unhappy. I won’t let it happen.

A gorgeous smile widens across her face as she comes closer, and I walk to meet her halfway. “Good morning,” I tell her and then press my lips against hers, wrapping my arms around her waist and pulling her into me, muffling her greeting. She moans softly as her lips mold to mine and I only break the kiss because I know Drew’s behind us.

The blush creeps up to her cheeks as she bites her bottom lip and tucks her hair behind her ear shyly.

It only makes me want her more.

“Hi Drew,” Lila says sweetly although it only makes her cheeks redder, and she can’t look him in the eyes. She’s so innocent and pure, so easy for me to take for myself.

A soft wind blows and I tuck a loose strand of hair back behind her ear and kiss her one last time before moving to the doors.

“Let’s go in,” I tell her and then glance at Drew. His expression is one of contentment at least as he nods and says hello in return. “This house is filled with stories.”

And I’ll tell her every one of them.

One day she’ll understand.

Until then, I know she has feelings for me. And what I feel for her is real.

Everything else be damned.A Very Dare Christmas

Carly PhillipsIan Dare misses the alone time and intense sex life he and his wife shared before their children were born. What’s an alpha man to do? He kidnaps Riley for an erotic weekend away before the Christmas rush overwhelms them both.

Riley Dare adores her husband and his dominant and protective ways, and she’s excited to spend time with him minus distractions on a sexy retreat where anything goes … and spontaneity leads to future surprises.

A complete stand-alone for people who haven’t yet read Dare to Love but a special treat for those who want to revisit their favorite couple.Chapter OneA month before Christmas, Riley Dare strode through the mall, taking in the holiday décor. The mistletoe, thick tinsel wrapped around every post and railing, the candy canes hanging from the ceiling and the Santa Claus at the far corner, all reminded her it was Christmas time. Having grown up in Florida, she didn’t need snow or cold weather to tell her it was the holidays. She’d take her seventy degree Miami weather any time.

She walked past Santa’s set up. The line for the jolly man stretched throughout the entire first floor filled with mothers and screaming kids. She was grateful she and Ian had brought their daughter, Rainey, and son, Jack, to meet Santa a few days ago, before the crazy lines began. Her four-year-old had taken one look at Saint Nick and screamed bloody murder. Needless to say, the photograph they’d taken hadn’t been the happy one they’d hoped for.

Today, she was alone and on a mission to buy gifts. It might be early but she had good reason to get a head start. She didn’t have much family, just her stepmom, Melissa. But Ian… when she’d married him she’d married a large, extended family.

Ian had four siblings – two brothers and two sisters – each of them married, two with kids. Ian also had two step brothers – one of which was married, and a step sister. And if that crazy amount of people wasn’t enough to keep up with and buy gifts for, his New York family was coming to town on Christmas day, including three cousins, all married, two of whom also had children.

Was it any wonder she was laden with bags and gifts and utterly exhausted? But she loved everything about her life… except her daughter’s night terrors. Rainey woke them screaming most nights and though the pediatrician promised it would pass, waiting, worrying and suffering through the painful shrieks wasn’t easy and made her bleary eyed during the day. Not to mention her son wasn’t a great sleeper… and life wasn’t easy at the moment.