“I see. We’ll check the schedule and see if we can turn on the TV when it’s playing again. I’d love to see it with you. Would that be okay?” Jaq liked seeing his face light up.
“Sure.” Charlie looked at Colin. “You can watch with us too if you want.”
“I want,” Colin teased and pulled the blankets up over Charlie’s shoulders. “Okay, snuggle down now. It’s time to sleep. Tomorrow is the big day, and Jaq and I have a lot of things to do so we’re ready for Santa’s arrival.”
Charlie grinned while doing as he was told. “We put out the cookies and milk.”
“Yes you did, and Santa’s going to have a big surprise when he bites into one of those shortbread treats. Happy dreams, pal.”
“Good night, Colin.” Before he could turn away, Charlie pushed up and gave Colin a huge hug.
Jaq watched his eyes close tight and saw him swallow hard while hugging the boy back before easing him again under the covers and gently brushing his hair from his forehead. He blinked a number of times as he made his way to kiss Maisie’s forehead in the same way she did with the children each night. Any affection from the kids seemed to affect him strongly, and she liked how he controlled it. How he was always gentle and kind, yet firm.
She’d known for some time that he’d make a good father but seeing him like this over these last few days made her understand how much he’d come to love the children. The promise he’d made to their mother would have been enough for him to do his best to look after them but now everything hadchanged. Now… he loved them and would fight for them for as long as it took.
Funny, she’d always had this niggling doubt that things had moved too fast and that the whole situation had been too much like a fairy-tale or a TV show. Not anymore. Now she accepted that real life had taken over and had no qualms that the ending would be as Colin had painted from the beginning. They would be a real family. Of that she had no misgivings.
Unknown to her as to why she felt the need to suddenly attack the man, she moved into his space as soon as they left the kid’s bedroom and without warning, she hugged him hard.
“What’s this for?” The huskiness of his tone sounded sexy as he held her, his arms gathering her closer.
“Because for the first time since this nightmare started, I’m accepting that what you said would happen really will. That this is not just some Harlequin Christmas story, but real life. And those kids are going to be incredibly lucky that you found them that day.”
Slowly, he held her away so he could look into her face. “Hold it. I only became involved because you called out. Your screams for help were what made me stop in time to save Charlie’s life. If it hadn’t been for you seeing the igloo collapsing, who knows whether we could have saved either child.” He shook his head. “It’s unbearable to even think about it.”
Listening to his words made the nightmare rise again, and Jaq lowered her head to his chest, needing his comfort. “So close, Colin. So close. I can’t bear to think of the ending being different. And knowing you’ll have those kids with you from now on makes everything bearable.”
Colin pulled back from her so he could look into her eyes. “For me, what would be unbearable is not having you with us. I can’t imagine a world where the three of us are together without you, Jaq. Is there any way that you might consider a relationshipwhen we’re back in Vancouver? Trust me, neither the kids nor myself want a life without you included.”
“You don’t?”
“Of course not. I thought you understood that. All my plans for the future include you. I need you. We need you.” His lips lowered to hers, and the world exploded. He picked her up in his arms and carried her into the dimly lit living room where the dazzling tree stood in front of the main window. There, the many twinkling lights and sparkling decorations reflected themselves, doubling their glowing attraction.
Letting her body slide down his provocatively, he watched for her reaction to his declaration. Once she stood in front of him, still wrapped in his arms. gratitude showed in her soft smile. Whispering, she spoke close to his ear. “You care about me too?”
“Of course I do. From the first moment we met, you’ve been a huge part of this whole story.” He smiled teasingly. “I can even say the main character. I’m positive I wouldn’t have been able to manage this situation on my own.”
Intensity filled her voice as she argued. “You would have.”
“No. You don’t understand. Sure, I would have helped Gisele any way possible but adopting children and making a life for them without you in the picture… I’ve asked myself that more than once. And the answer is always the same. How would it be possible?”
“Then I’m glad I was there. It was meant to be.”
“You feel that too. I’m so glad.” He lowered them to the sofa, and with her wrapped in his arms, he kissed her deeply. Their mouths fusing to each others while he cradled her head, his hands gently pushing her hair out of the way. Passion flared quickly between them and soon their intimate embrace pulsated with seduction.
Their breathing became affected, and it was Colin who pushed back, letting his forehead rest against hers. Panting with urgesbecause of her response, he forced his own restraint to kick in, knowing that with sparks igniting the way they were, he’d be hard pressed to let her go if they went any further. “No. We need to stop. One of the kids might come out to use the potty.”
“I know.” Jaq all but cried the last word. Her desire to be in his arms had overtaken common sense. She’d never felt this way before and wasn’t in control of herself… not in any way. To her surprise, her body had hungered for satisfaction, making her willing to do whatever he wanted.
“Oh, God. I need to leave… go to the hotel.” He wrenched himself from her clutching arms. “I can’t stay here with you, or I won’t be able to control myself.” Sadly, she tucked her hands into her lap, letting him go.
Then she remembered, “You can’t. We have presents to wrap.”
“You’re right.” Groaning, he grinned her way. “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”
“Maybe. A little. Look, I didn’t understand how much I’ve yearned for this myself.” Chuckling, forcing her hair away from her face with a shaky hand, in a strained voice, she admitted her folly. “We’ve only known each other a short time, but I swear it feels like a lifetime to me.” Softened with love, her amber-like eyes glowed with sincerity.
And though he turned away, the roughness in his voice proved that it took a lot of will power. “Stop it.”
