“No. Well, not a traditional one.”
Rachel and Avery went off into a fit of laughter. “Ten bucks says he pops the question,” Avery said.
“Oh, God... No, it’s too soon. He can’t possibly... Can he?”
“Of course he can. You said neither of you got over the other one. Not fully, anyway.”
Savannah put her hands to her cheeks. “What if he does? No, I can’t think about that. Because then if he doesn’t that will be awful.” She shoved her hands through her hair. “Damn it, what else do I get him? In case you’re right.”
“Of course we’re right,” Rachel said.
Avery laughed. “Go buy yourself something sexy from Fallen Angels to wear on Christmas Eve at the inn. Trust me, he’ll love it.”
On her way back to the office, she stopped at Fallen Angels Lingerie. It wouldn’t hurt to have new, pretty lingerie, even if he didn’t ask her. She was petrified to allow herself to believe it. Because once Rachel and Avery had put the idea in her head, she realized there was nothing she wanted more than to marry Harlan Sullivan. But regardless of what her friends said, a proposal was in no way a sure thing.
Saturday morning Savannahwoke up in Harlan’s arms. She felt him hardening against her back.
“You awake?” he asked.
“Hmm. Obviously, you are too.”
His hands cupped her breasts and she sighed, turning her head to kiss him. Slow and dreamy, his hands glided down to caress her. She turned in his arms and kissed him again, sliding her hand down to grasp him, to arouse him even more. He slipped inside her, slowly at first, gradually building in intensity until her climax burst in wave after wave of pleasure. She felt him follow her with a groan.
Harlan kissed her and said, “My favorite way to wake up.”
She laughed and stretched. She’d dithered about whether to tell Harlan about their evening at the Harwood Inn that she’d planned, or to surprise him on Christmas Eve. She’d finally decided to warn him not to plan anything for that night, but not to tell him what they were doing.
“You haven’t made plans for Christmas Eve night, have you?” she asked, following him into the kitchen after they took care of business.
“Other than having a nice dinner somewhere and sitting by the tree?” He gestured at the tree they’d spent so much time and energy on. “Not really. Why?”
“I have a surprise planned. I’ll take care of dinner. All you need to do is pack an overnight bag.”
“Are you kidnapping me?”
“Yes, for a night of pleasure.”
“In that case, just let me know when you want me and I’m ready.”
A little while later, after Savannah had showered, she decided to go to Riva’s and get them some breakfast. Harlan was in the shower and she called out, “What do you want from Riva’s?”
“Black coffee and some kind of pastry.”
“What kind of pastry?”
“Surprise me.”
She picked up the apartment keys, lying next to Harlan’s wallet and cell phone. As she did a text came in. Since it was there, she glanced at it.
It’s signed. Your lawyer should have it today.
No name, but a number had popped up. A very familiar number.
Her father’s number. For a moment she stood there indecisively, then pressed home and the text came up again on his locked screen.It’s signed. Your lawyer should have it today.
What the hell?
Harlan had dressedand was checking his phone messages when Savannah walked in with coffee and a sack of pastries. He finished his text responding to a query about a delivery and said, “What’s for breakfast?”
