Page 34 of Connected By Christmas
When my body has stopped trembling, I lift my head and meet his heated stare.
“God, that was fucking sexy,” he whispers against my lips before kissing me. “How did your last orgasm of the year feel?” He asks, grinning against my mouth.
“Earth-shattering, as always,” I giggle. He slowly removes his fingers and gives me a devilish look before dipping them in his bourbon. He stirs the drink, mixing his two favorite tastes together. He takes a long drink of the brown liquid before setting it down. Jesus, this man always finds a way to leave me breathless.
Our friends join us a few minutes later, and we spend the rest of the evening enjoying the last few hours of the year together. As the hour approaches midnight, we gather on the dance floor. I feel Travis wrap his arms around me from behind, and I smile up at him as our friends gather in a circle.
The crowd starts the countdown as we close in on the last seconds of the year. “…3, 2, 1…Happy New Year!”
“Happy New Year, Mrs. Montgomery.” I feel Travis’s breath next to my ear. Turning, I wrap my arms around him and bring him close.
“Happy New Year,” I grin, seconds before his mouth claims mine. His hands capture my face as he takes the kiss deeper. Fisting his shirt, I keep him there as long as I can before we finally break away.
“I love you, wildcat,” he runs his thumb along my bottom lip, and the emotions in his eyes have me blinking back tears.
“I love you, too,” I smile.
“Happy New Year!” Bella launches herself at me and squeezes me tight.
“Happy New Year to you,” I laugh, hugging my best friend.
My brother lifts me up in a big bear hug and kisses me loudly on the cheek. “Happy New Year, Sis!” His dimpled grin hits me straight in the heart. I couldn’t be happier that he is in love with my best friend, and we get to share this moment together.
“Happy New Year,” I grin as he sets me down. “You have a big year coming up. You guys are getting married!” I jump up and down with excitement.
“It can’t come fast enough. I need to put a ring on this beauty before she changes her mind about me,” he winks at Bella.
“Not a chance in hell am I changing my mind. I’ve waited forever to be Mrs. Lane.” She squeals when Maverick lifts her up and kisses her loudly on the mouth.
“Good, because you are stuck with me forever. There is no escaping now.”
“There’s no other place I’d rather be,” she kisses him softly on the lips as her feet touch the ground.
I’m swooped up in Noah and Cole’s arms before I get my hugs from Emma and Skye. The waitress comes by with a tray, and we all take a glass of champagne.
Noah raises his glass in our circle, and we all do the same.
“We have a lot to celebrate this year. We welcome our baby girl next month, Maverick and Bella are getting married, Skye and Cole are moving to Florida to join our crazy crew,” Noah grins at Cole, “and possibly a couple of pregnancy announcements along the way,” he winks at a smiling Maverick before meeting Travis’s eye.
“I can’t think of a more perfect year,” Travis grins and holds me close.
“To friends who are family,” Noah says as we clink our glasses together.
“To friends who are family,” we say together, taking a sip. I watch everyone I love smiling and laughing as we finish our drinks and set them aside. My cheeks hurt from grinning as we break apart into couples for another slow dance.
“I’m so happy right now. I feel like I’m about to burst,” I giggle against his chest.
“I am, too,” he says softly. “We have a lot to look forward to.” His hand rubs my back before sinking into my hair.
“We do,” I sigh and lay my head on his chest. He kisses the top of my head, and I close my eyes, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat as we dance to our first song of the new year.
Chapter Fourteen
Travis and Sophia
TRAVIS
Walkingin the front door with Maverick, I spot Bella at the kitchen island with her hands wrapped around a mug of coffee. My eyes scan the room for my wife, but she’s nowhere to be found. I woke up early this morning, and Maverick and I had the same idea to get a run in before breakfast. Noah stayed back with Emma, wanting her to take it easy this morning and sleep in after a long night of dancing.
