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  “I don’t want you to think, baby, I want you to feel.” Lifting his hips, he pushed to the hilt. “I love you and I’m not going to let you leave me again.”

  “Stop, Richard, please.”

  Hearing the plea in her voice, he ceased his movements.

  “Are you serious?” Her brown eyes roamed around his face.

  “Yes. Nine years ago you left and I didn’t think I’d ever have a moment to tell you how I feel. I’m not going to let that happen again.”

  She tried to rise.

  He held her in place.

  “I don’t have anything to offer you.” There was water in her gaze. “I have no money. No job. No place to live that’s mine. I can’t cook.”

  “Your heart, Lorna, that’s all I want.” Rising up, he kissed her. “Besides I am in serious need of an accountant and bookkeeper.”

  Tears rolled out of her eyes, as she laughed. “You want to use me for my skills.”

  Rotating his hips, he moved his cock inside of her. “All of your skills.” His hands moved around her hips and up her back. “I don’t want you to hate living in Carlton County. Then blame me for keeping you here. If you decide you don’t want to be here I will sell the restaurant to my aunt and cousins and move where ever you desire.”

  Flinging herself against his chest, she hugged him and rained kisses over his face. “I love you, Richard. I’ve loved you even before you kissed my flip-flops off against that tree.”

  “So, is that a yes?”

  “Yes! Yes! Yes!” Her eyes went round. “It’s Christmas and I have to get home.” She made a move to get up.

  “The hell you will. Neither one of us are going anywhere until we finish what we started,” he grumbled.

  “Oh,” she smiled. Leaning into him, she swiveled her hips and lowered herself along his cock.

  “First things first, I guess.”

  “You better believe it.”

  “You two are just in time for breakfast,” her mom said as she and Richard arrived at the house shortly after sunrise.

  Embracing her mother, Lorna was amazed how her parents seemed at ease with the fact she’d been snowed in a house all night with a virile, single man.

  “Great, I am starving,” Richard kissed her mother on the cheek.

  They all moved into the kitchen where her father was pulling out the ingredients for breakfast.

  Crossing the room, she received a kiss from her father. Richard and her dad shook hands and exchanged small talk about the snow outside and Mr. Julian’s plow.

  Lorna left them all downstairs and went up to her room and changed clothes. She’d showered with Richard before they left his house.

  When breakfast was complete and they all sat around the half of the table that wasn’t covered with her mom’s puzzle, she said, “Mom, Dad, I need to tell you all something.”

  She noticed her mother looking from her and Richard expectantly. Before she told them the news that apparently they were expecting, she needed to be honest. “I didn’t know how to tell you all this, but I came home because I lost my job months ago.”

  “Are you all right? Do you need money for rent?”

  Her mother was speechless, her mouth gaped and her hand covering her heart.

  “There’s no need for that now, Dad. I lost my apartment this month even with all my saving. I had no other options but to come home.”

  “Why didn’t you tell us?” her mother reached over and stroked her arm.

  Lorna shrugged. “Shame mostly. I pushed so hard to make it then the bottom fell out. I was too stubborn to quit when I was ahead. Then everything snowballed.”

  “Well, you’re too smart for something not to come along, soon,” her dad got up and hugged her.

  “And if it doesn’t you always have a home. Whatever the reason I’m glad to have you here.”

  “Thanks.” She took the napkin from Richard and wiped her face and eyes, clearing off the tears. “I love you both so much.”

  “We love you, too.” Her parents echoed in unison.

  Richard stroked her back as his warm gaze assessed her, inquiring if she were okay.

  She nodded.

  Turning towards her parents, Richard spoke, “Mr. and Mrs. Morgan, I’d love the honor of having your daughters hand in marriage.”

  Her mother screamed, clapped her hands and threw her arms around Lorna and Richard at the same time.

  “Now, that’s a Christmas present,” her father commented as he rose from his chair and came around the table. “I’d be glad to give my approval.” He gave Richard a hug and a pat on his shoulder as he reached over and embraced her with his other arm.

  “Well, I have something else for you and mom.” Dragging everyone into the living room, she presented her parents with the gifts she bought them.

  “Honeybear, this is perfect.” Her dad admired the craftsmanship of the bear carving along the body of the cane.

  “I’m glad you like it, Dad. I figured it would help getting around during the winter when your legs get stiff.”

  Her father kissed her on the cheek again.

  “Lorna, where’d you find these pictures?” Her mother held up the quilt with all three of their baby pictures screened on three of the squares.

  “One day I was going through some boxes in the attic and found your picture in grandpa’s things. I called Uncle Greg and got a picture of dad. Mine was easier to find.”

  They all laughed.

  “I love it, sweetheart.” They hugged.

  “I know how much you like reading by the fire or working on your puzzles, that way you’ll be warm and won’t have to put on so many layers.”

  Her mother nodded. “Do you want your gift now?”

  Shaking her head, she said, “No, I’d rather wait. I think I have everything I need right here.”

  Crossing the room, she slipped her arms around Richard.

  His arms tightened around her as he kissed her on the forehead.

  Lorna looked around the room at the people she loved the most in the world. It had taken her nine years to realize that she was running away from the life she wanted instead of to it. She was willing to place a bet on every holiday mistletoe that she’d never forget again.

  Happy Holidays!

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  I've been penning erotic tales since 2006, on the hedonistic side of the romance genre. However, I've been writing romance under a different pen for a while. I'm eclectic by nature. My stories range from paranormal, contemporary, BDSM, sci-fi and historical. Mostly short stories, but occasional full-length novels.

  I'm married to my best friend. A guy that makes me laugh 'til I can't breathe and one who steals my breath every time he walks into a room. I believe in happily ever after like the rising of the sun depended on it.

  If you’d like to find out more about my books, visit my website. http://yvettehines.com

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  Twitter: @sasseYvetteH

  Blog: http://www.sasse-yvette-hines.blogspot.com