Page 22 of Pulling Heartstrings

“You didn’t have to do that,” I tell him, placing my hands on his chest. “I’m not going to freak out. I promise.”

“Just want you to have everything, and I know you love teaching.”

“I do,” I agree. “But at the time, teaching was all I knew, what I’d spent most of my life working towards, then I found you.” God, it feels like forever ago, even though it wasn’t. It’s hard to remember life without this man.

“I found you,” he corrects.

“I mean, when you mildly stalked me.”

“When?” he teases back, raising his eyebrows. “Didn’t know I ever stopped. I merely made it a little easier for myself.”

That makes me laugh again.

“I don’t know if I’ll go back. I’ve really liked helping with your charities. Especially the scholarship programs.”

“Then it’s yours,” he says simply, and I shake my head at him.

“Ours,” I correct. “I like helping the kids there, but I also like the freedom and, well, I want more, too. I’m just shocked at how fast I got pregnant again.”

“I’m not. You know I can’t keep my hands off you.” I know he can’t. After I had the twins I was a little shy about having sex again. My body wasn’t what it once was. I was never skinny, and pregnancy put extra marks on my body.

The first night we made love after I had them, Reese had kissed every mark. Then he told me he wanted to put more on my body. It was clear he wasn’t waiting. I really shouldn’t be shocked, either. Reese always dives head-first into everything.

“How many more do you want?” I bring my mouth to his.

“As many as you want.”

“We have three spare rooms in the new house.”

Reese moves fast, putting my back on the sofa as he comes over me. “Then I best get to work. Because what my little wife wants, she will always get.”

THE END!

A Valentine to Remember

Mina has always had a special place in her heart for Aspen. It's too bad he doesn't feel the same way. Maybe it's time for her to finally move on and let Cupid work his magic.

Aspen has done his best to keep Mina at arm’s length, but he won't last much longer. The thought of her with someone else is driving him to do things he swore not to. He's hanging by a thread, and she's holding the scissors.

Warning: This Valentine's Day quickie will send Cupid straight to your heart... or lady business. No judgement. If you loved Snowed in With Scrooge, this is the follow up you've been waiting for!

Chapter One

MINA

“Do you think this is enough?”

“I think you made more than enough cookies for the whole town,” my dad laughs, placing the last basket of cookies I made into the back of my car. “There a reason you made so many?” He shuts the car door and leans up against the side of it. Everyone knows when I get upset I bake. “I know you’re not nervous about your new job.”

“I’m not, I’m excited. I love Brightberry.”

This town is the only home I remember. In fact, my first memory that I can recall is the night my dad found my mom and me. We likely would have become frozen popsicles if he hadn’t spotted us on the side of the road. Technically Nyah is my sister but she was always more of a mother to me. But she and Fraser made it official when they adopted me, and Brightberry has been our home ever since.

After Mom and Dad had three boys that I utterly adore, our family has been my world. Sticking close to home has been my plan and that’s what I’m doing now. I’m not sure if my past plays a part in that since I had shitty birth parents. Thankfully I don’t remember them.

With the exception of the two months I spent in the city getting trained as a dispatch and 911 operator, I’ve spent my whole life in Brightberry. Even when I was in the city I still came home every week but now that it’s over I’m home permanently. I’ve started the next chapter of my life and my new job isn’t going to be the only adventure I’m embarking on. I have other plans and no one is going to stand in the way of them.

“Then what’s with all the cookies?” Dad taps the top of my car to get my attention.

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