When I’m talking with Veronica’s cousin who keeps going on about something called cryptocurrency I catch her looking at me from across the room, biting her lip, looking happy and a little shy. Like she can’t believe I’m here.
I can’t believe it either.
My bear was right all along. Our mate would change everything. Finding this girl truly was a Christmas miracle.
I spotted a sprig of mistletoe hanging under the archway between the kitchen and the living room, so when everyone crowds around the family room to open presents, I quietly pull Veronica toward it.
We’re all alone, away from the crowd, just for a moment.
“Is that mistletoe?” she whispers, looking up.
I slide my hands onto her hips and our bodies just melt into one another. It’s been torture keeping my hands to myself when she’s here looking like this.
I lean down and kiss her slow and deep while her family erupts into cheers and whoops in the other room.
She melts against me, fingers in my hair, lips warm and perfect.
Ilovekissing this woman. It’s my favorite thing in the world.
We eventually pull away, breathing heavy, our cheeks flushed, heated eyes locked on one another.
“Think your parents will notice if I steal this mistletoe?”
She smiles and licks her lips. “You don’t need mistletoe to kiss me, Boone. I’m always ready and willing for you.”
I moan as she steps on her toes and kisses me again.
“Merry Christmas,” she whispers.
I kiss her softly, reverently, still in awe that she’s here.
“Merry Christmas, my mate,” I whisper back.
We smile uncontrollably as we stare at each other, knowing the future that lies ahead will be full of magical moments like this one. Just me and my mate.
“Boone!” someone shouts from the other room. “Veronica! Get in here! You have presents to open.”
Well, just me and my mate…
…and her giant family.
EPILOGUE
Boone
Five years later…
“That one is Blitzen, Daddy. And that one is Zuma.”
Beth is pointing at the reindeer with her little mittened hand, her adorable nose pink from the cold and her brown eyes shining up at me. She’s so cute, I can barely take it.
“Zuma?” I say, gazing at her. “Isn’t that from Paw Patrol?”
She looks at me and then looks back at the reindeer. “No, it’s Santa’s reindeer. He zumas all over the world giving presents.”
“Oh,” I say, chuckling. “Makes sense.”
She beams, proud that I finally get it.
