Page 98 of Fire in My Heart

Charlotte ran a hand over the soft flannel. “I can’t believe you bought these.”

“I’m committed to recreating Christmas Day. Now put those on, so I can make us breakfast.” Fiona had given me instructions for a french toast casserole dish. It could bake while we drank our coffee.

Downstairs, I threw the casserole in the oven, started a fire, and brewed coffee. Charlotte turned on the TV to a station that played Christmas tunes.

“I didn’t notice there were presents under the tree last night. I was distracted by the rose petals.”

I joined her in the family room, where she knelt in front of the tree. My heart picked up because she was holding the tiny box I meant to give her tonight. But we could do it now. There wasn’t any reason to wait.

“Open it.” My voice trembled slightly.

Her eyes widened. “Are you sure?”

I nodded even as my jaw tightened. I sat next to her on the floor. “Absolutely.”

Charlotte unraveled the ribbon then carefully pulled the wrapping paper off as if she was worried about ripping it. She must have sensed the importance of this gift. When the paper was off, she held a white velvet box.

Her gaze flew to mine, and I took the box from her.

“Charlotte Monroe, I love you with all my heart. I want to come home to you naked in the bath every night, and I want to paint all the rooms in my house yellow.” Charlotte’s eyes filled with tears as I slowly opened the box to reveal the diamond I’d picked for her. “I want to fill the empty rooms of our house with happy, overly positive children. Will you take pity on me and marry me so I’m not a miserable bastard for the rest of my life?” I finished in a rush, my heart racing out of control.

What if she said it was too soon? That she couldn’t commit? Everything banked on her saying yes. Our recreation of Christmas Day. My plans to move her into our house.

When I realized she hadn’t said anything in response, my ears started ringing. Panic clawed my throat. Had I not asked her the right way? Had I forgotten the script? “Charlotte, will you marry me? Will you make me the happiest man on Earth by being my wife?”

One tear spilled over as she crawled into my lap and wrapped her arms around my neck. “I will. Nothing would make me happier.”

Satisfaction filled my soul. I’d made this woman happy. I squeezed her tight, then kissed her, pouring all my emotionsinto it. When I finally pulled back, I slipped the ring on her finger, and she admired it as it sparkled in the morning light.

“How can I top this? I didn’t bring the presents I’d wrapped for you.” Her voice filled with wonder.

“Actually, Cole and Daphne helped with that. They packed up all your things and delivered them while you and Juliana were looking at apartments.”

Charlotte’s eyes widened. “I can’t believe everyone was in on your plan.”

“I couldn’t have done it without them. Like it or not, the Monroes and Calloways are tied to each other.”

Charlotte leaned closer, nibbling on my ear. “I like the sound of our families being one.”

“Me too.”

We finished opening our presents for each other which included books, clothing, and even a weekend stay at Juliana’s Bed and Breakfast in Annapolis.

The french toast casserole filled the house with the smell of cinnamon and dough. Holiday music played on the TV, and flurries fell from the sky.

It was the perfect start to our happily ever after.

I hope you loved Charlotte and Teddy’s story! To read more about their happily ever after, download their bonus epilogue. Scarlett and Eli’s story is next in Wild Love!

"Who's that?" Mac tipped his head toward the entrance way where my best friend since childhood, Dash, stood in a suit. I wasn't used to seeing him in anything other than his sheriff's uniform or casual clothes for our adventurous outings.

The thing that caught my eyes was the woman whose hand curled around the crook of his elbow. She wore a red wraparound dress that showcased voluptuous breasts and curvy hips. She was dynamite.

Her red lips made me think of them wrapped around my dick as she knelt on the floor at my feet. "Is that?—?"

But Dash had already stopped in front of us. "You remember my sister, Scarlett?"

"Your sister, Scarlett." The last time I'd seen her, she'd been a lanky teenager with all angles and a sharp mouth. When had she grown into a gorgeous woman?

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