Page 11 of Connected By Christmas
We already exchanged gifts because the new golf clubs and surfboard I got him were too big to take on the plane. “Noah, you’ve already given me too much.” I touch the necklace lying on my chest with the diamond lily charm, which happens to match the new diamond stud earrings I’m wearing that he said he couldn’t resist getting me.
“This one didn’t cost anything.” He seems nervous as he looks down at the present. “After I published my last book, I was at a loss for a bit on where to go from there.”
I nod my head because we had talked about this. Noah started writing down his memories of us, and one by one, our past lives together became best-selling books. When we first met, I had no clue I was falling in love with Beck Hunter, my favorite author. His books drew me in like nothing I’ve ever read, and it all made sense when I found out it was because they were my stories, too. We’ve always found each other in every lifetime we were in..two halves of a soul never fully complete without the other.
His latest published book is the last one we shared before we met in this lifetime. Our stories were finally complete.
“I woke up one night and started writing again, and I couldn’t stop. Turns out we have one more story to share,” he says softly, handing me the pretty wrapped package.
I finger the red bow before carefully unwrapping the gold wrapping paper.
“It’s just a proof copy, and I’ll need your help with your point of view to make sure I got it right. I just went with what I was feeling and what poured out of me.”
“Is this?” I blink back the tears as I read the title,Connected by Souls. Beautiful lilies are on the cover with our lighthouse as I run my hand over the front of the book. I turn to the dedication and lift my eyes to meet his. He swipes a tear away that has fallen as I glance back down at the words…to Emma, my connected soul. “This is our story in this lifetime,” I whisper.
“It’s, by far, my favorite. It’s a story that is meant to be told.”
Grinning, I open to the first chapter, eager to read what he wrote.
“I had a feeling you wouldn’t be able to wait,” he laughs. Grabbing the blanket, he pulls my fuzzy reindeer-covered feet onto his lap and covers us both. He settles in beside me and puts on a hockey game quietly in the background as I get lost in his words once more.
“How did you know?” I ask a few chapters in. “You knew exactly what I was feeling.” I peer at him over the top of the book.
“I know you,” he shrugs his shoulders. “I feel your emotions like they are my own. The way you look at me…the way your body responds to my touch…it was easy for me to write how you were feeling because it was exactly how I was feeling.”
He gives me a small smile and goes back to watching his game while I dive back in. Seeing our story through his eyes is something not many couples get to experience. He doesn’t hold back as I feel his longing and love for me in every page I turn.
“You are struggling to stay awake.” His voice breaks through my thoughts sometime later. “You’ve been reading for hours. Let’s get you to bed.”
“What time is it?” I yawn.
“After midnight. It’s Christmas,” he smiles.
“I can’t believe I’ve been reading that long. I’m halfway through and want to see how it ends.”
“You know how it ends,” he laughs, taking the book from my hands and placing it on the table.
“You know what I mean,” I grin as he scoops me up and carries me to bed. “It’s really good, Noah,” I say softly into his chest. “You have such a gift for making people feel the emotions.”
“It’s easy for me because it’s you I always write about.” He sets me down so we can brush our teeth before climbing into bed.
I snuggle into the covers and feel him climb in behind me. His arm wraps around me, resting on my belly. The snow has picked back up again as we watch the white flurries brush against the window.
“Merry Christmas, Noah,” I whisper sleepily.
“Merry Christmas, Emma.” I smile when I feel a sharp kick to my stomach. Noah chuckles softly and rubs my belly. “Merry Christmas to you, too, baby girl,” I hear him say seconds before sleep pulls me under.
I wake to kisses on my neck and blink my eyes open. A smile splits my face when I remember what day it is.
“It’s Christmas morning,” I grin.
“I know,” he murmurs. His tongue comes out to taste my skin before he sucks the sensitive spot behind my ear. “I want to unwrap my favorite gift now.” His hand glides down my stomach before sliding into my pajama bottoms.
“And what would that favorite gift be?” I close my eyes and take a sharp intake of air when his fingers find my center.
“You,” he breathes before sliding two fingers in. My body instantly welcomes him as desire spreads through my core.
“Only if I get to unwrap mine first.” I turn and climb on top so I’m straddling him. His sexy grin has me wanting more as I lift his shirt over his head and run my hands down his bare chest to his hard abs.
