'Tis the Season: A Collection of Mimi's Christmas Books (69 page)

Before they left, Steve managed sufficient time alone with Jesse to say what had to be said. “Thanks, man. You don’t know how much I appreciate your help.”

Actually he did. Not being the time for explanations, he just held out his hand and decided when the other shook it firmly that he liked the man.

Throughout the chaos, one fact struck him that he wouldn’t dispute—best he keep Belle close by so she didn’t shut down again. If forced to, he’d override any objections she made.

Once she realized his ploy for getting the other two lovebirds alone, she became less difficult. Indeed, she got right into it by being a wonderful hostess and clearing her and Layla’s things out so they wouldn’t be disturbed in the morning.

Now Jesse’s world didn’t seem near as gloomy. After Belle rushed to his side to defend him, he stayed close… even while she whizzed around making everyone as comfortable as possible.

Thinking back to Mari who had thrown herself into her husband’s arms and wouldn’t let go, mistakenly afraid that he might continue to attack him, Jesse grinned. Hell, it took until the poor guy looked over Mari’s shoulder and caught Jesse’s wink that he started to get with the program. Then he couldn’t get Mari alone fast enough, probably to start working on the baby they both now decided was the biggest thing they had to accomplish in the New Year.

Jesse continued his musings while Belle helped Layla and her ‘Gwampa’ set up a tent in the Kim’s bedroom by her big window. The delightful imp wanted to watch for Santa. Ten minutes after both babies, canine and human, had crawled onto the makeshift mattress, they’d drifted off to dreamland. Harry was more than happy to take up residence on the nearby bed to stand guard with Snowball and Puff for sleeping partners.

That left Jesse’s bedroom free. His goal to woo the woman he loved and talk her into sharing his bed was now in operation.

First he had something he had to do. He sauntered over to the larger branch on the Christmas tree where he’d left a parcel wrapped all in gold and retrieved it. The present’s significance had driven him crazy with doubts since he’d bought the darn thing.

He hoped she’d be happy… no, he prayed she’d be happy to see what he’d bought for her to wear.

Chapter Forty-six

Belle still didn’t understand what had happened earlier. One minute, she was accosting a threatening stranger and the next he’d turned into a bewildered relative.

That he’d punched Jesse and managed to knock him down still didn’t register. Jesse was a big man, lean and strong, with muscles everywhere on his body.

Steve, in contrast, looked to have a runner’s build, slim, compact and six inches shorter. Something didn’t compute. She couldn’t stand it another minute.

“How did Steve come to hit you?”

“Just a lucky punch, I guess.” Jesse wouldn’t look Belle in the eye and she had a feeling there was a cover-up going on. With his back to her, he walked over to the tree and was searching for something. It gave her a moment to filter through the evening.

One thing she knew for sure, not only did Marilyn love her husband, but they would be staying together to start a family. And it was because of her and Yaya that Marilyn had overcome her fears about motherhood.

Secretly, it made her swell with pride to think that they’d made such a good impression. Every woman tries her hardest to be a good mom, but many times it wasn’t noticed by outsiders. When it is, and commented on, darn but it felt great.

The acknowledgement probably shouldn’t matter if one knows they’re doing their best, but it did. The lightness floating inside Belle certainly made her happy.

If she was being entirely truthful, it could be that the happiness existed more from realizing that Jesse and Marilyn were not back together. That maybe, she’d mistaken what she saw the other night—a sweet interlude between old friends, rather than an intimate moment involving lovers.

Jesse, holding the small golden gift in his hand, the same one he and Yaya bought the other day, approached slowly. Watching his advance cranked up her pulse to where she felt quite dizzy.

The dryness in her mouth forced her to lick her lips and she found quick swallows of the cooled Hot Chocolate helped. Though, it didn’t do anything for the shakes that developed deep inside her stomach. They quickly travelled through her entire system until she thought she’d pass out. She managed a few deep breaths before Jesse sat close to her on the sofa, his fragrant after-shave a reminder of other intimate moments.

The enticing magic of the sexual tension, interwoven with her overwhelming love for the man, drove her half-crazy with need.

Shy, scared he’d see the hunger in her eyes, she gazed away from him to where the atmosphere of Christmas surrounded them in its enchantment. From the multi-colored lights and ornaments decorating the tree, which was now loaded with presents underneath, to all of Kim’s other holiday treasures, it screamed of the season to be jolly.

Jesse got her attention when he put his arm behind her on the back of the couch and whispered her name.

“Belle. I know there have been difficulties between us these last few days. As a mere man, I can’t begin to understand what’s going through your mind.” He put the gift in her hands and very gently cradled her cheek. “Is it enough that I desperately want to try and understand? Can you tell me what’s been worrying you? I’d like everything settled between us before I ask you to open my present.”

“Oh, Jesse, I think I’ve been very foolish. The truth is, when you first saw Marilyn and reacted the way you did, I’ll admit to being jealous. And it took me a while to come to my senses. Eventually, after I figured that it might have been shock that made you react the way you did, I came back to get you. That was around ten last night.”

His hand dropped and he stiffened. “At ten? You came here to the apartment?” Jesse’s frown said it all.

“Yes.”

“Oh honey, I’m so sorry. If you’d spoken, you would have realized I… it looked bad, didn’t it?”

“Oh yeah! Real bad.”

He nodded and swept his hand through his hair. Then he rubbed his thigh and cleared his throat. She could see when he came to the obvious conclusion. “That’s why you changed. Look, I can explain.”

“You don’t have to.”

“Honey, don’t be mad. Please trust me—”

“I do.”

“You do?” He stared at her as if she had just morphed into an angel.

She couldn’t stop a tender smile from appearing. He was an endearing man and she was nuts about him. “I do trust you, Jesse. It didn’t come easy. I had to have a good talk with myself. But I came to realize that most probably it was a tender moment between old friends. I’m right, aren’t I?”

“She was very unhappy.”

“I don’t need to know the intimate details.”

“I really would like to tell you, Belle, but it’s Marilyn’s story, not mine.”

“I kinda figured that by the way you were holding her. At first the shock made what I actually saw unclear. I was hurt and angry. Then you gave me that look in the snow and I wondered if I’d made a mistake. Upon re-visiting the scene, I came to understand that there must have been more to the incident than I’d picked up at first glance.”

“What look? You mean the one I’m using now?”

She swayed toward him. Her bones weakened. Every nerve ending on her body woke up and became sensitized. “That’s the one.” The sweet agony of knowing how much she meant to him floated between them soft and gentle. How incredible it was that he wanted her so desperately.

She inched closer and Jesse put his arms around her as if he couldn’t stand not being physically linked. Her eyes sought his and the look of pure adoration lifted her heart right out of her chest where it met his and connected.

What woman, who knew herself so cherished, wouldn’t yield? He scooped her into his arms and she nestled on his knees. His hungry lips dove in to claim hers and the world faded.

The kiss promised so much.

A man she’d treasure every day while they built a life together.

A wonderful father for Yaya to love and any other children they might have.

And his love that would keep her safe forever.

The sound of the gift dropping onto the floor caught Jesse’s attention and he pulled away just enough to retrieve it.

“I need you to open this now and say you’ll wear it for me.” The throaty way Jesse spoke made her realize that for him this moment was precious.

Trembling, full of joy blended with anxiety, Belle took the parcel and unwrapped the fancy bow. Inside, she found a small red velvet box.

Before opening it, she looked up and caught his eye. Scared that he’d gone a bit faster than she’d expected, she hesitated. Was she ready? Another searing glance and her heart settled into the rhythm of commitment.

She opened it. There on the white satin lay a stunning heart of diamonds with the silver chain threaded through.

“It’s so beautiful.” She whispered the words because her emotions had overwhelmed her ability to talk out loud.

“I hope you’ll agree to wear it, honey. I don’t want to sound corny but it represents my heart that I want to give to you, to keep safe.”

“Oh, Jesse. I love it. Help me put it on.” She lifted her hair while he gently set it around her neck. “I’ll treasure it forever.”

He kissed the heart where it lay against her neck, sending shockwaves over her vulnerable skin. “When you’re ready, we’ll add a diamond ring to match. I didn’t want to rush you, but there’s an intense need in me to make you mine.” He kissed her very softly there again and then worked his way back to her lips.

Needing to clear away the tiny niggling unease that she couldn’t shake off no matter how many times she told herself not to worry, Belle pulled back a bit and watched his expression. “Kim did tell me that you’d loved Marilyn for many years. That… that she’d broken your heart. Jesse, you have to be sure.”

“Of course I’m sure, Belle.”

“But how can you be so positive? She’s everything a man could want.”

“But she’s not you.”

******

About the Author

Mimi Barbour lives on the beautiful east coast of Vancouver Island and fills her days with writing and promoting her work. The rest of her day is spent in her garden, doing minimal housework, and visiting with her husband while he cooks their dinner.

“The favorite part of my job is meeting the characters from each new book. Designing them the way I want and having them act however I think they should. It’s thrilling, especially when most of my make-believe folks are so very interesting. They’re fun and surprising, and in most cases people I would love to interact with in reality.”

Contact Information

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http://www.mimibarbour.com/

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Other Works by Mimi Barbour

Angels with Attitudes

My Cheeky Angel
- Naïve and love-starved, Annie will soon to be celebrating her big 3-0. Something needs to be done! Celi, her ‘down-to-earth’ guardian angel appears to help kick-start Annie’s big change—her looks, her job, her whole life. By taking a managerial position with a sophisticated shoe manufacturer, Annie becomes embroiled with her new associates and hooked on the power of big business. Unfortunately, her exhaustion from overwork forces her to ignore old friends. And her lapse places someone she cares about in terrible danger.