Page 36 of Enduring Christmas

Shiloh's physical outburst had surprised Xenobia. It was rare indeed for anyone to come to her defense. But her fierce little warrior had claimed her outright.

"Well, she is her father's daughter." She had no doubt that Luke would always be in her corner. It was one of the reasons why she wanted to have this talk with Ramsey. For her to truly build a solid foundation with Luke, the nature of her relationship with Ramsey, her memories with the hurt and anger of everything that Rook had done had to change.

"So, you love him? Like you loved my brother?"

Xenobia thought about the two men she'd loved. One she trusted with her heart even without the vows. She'd sworn to love and care for Rook, but he had betrayed the sanctity of their commitment to cherish one another. She was no longer an idealistic bride believing a white dress and ring on her finger meant happily ever after.

"It's different with Luke. There's no pretense or wondering what he's thinking," she left off the 'or doing' part. "He's an open book. A gentle giant of a man who wants me bruised and battered."

"You really are ready for this aren't you?"

She nodded her head. "Yeah, one day I'd love for you two to meet."

A single knock rang out on her front door before it swung open. A freezing gust of wind swept inside bringing with it a blinding cloud of snow flurries. When the dust settled, Luke, big and menacing stood in the open doorway, his features a stone mask.

"Luke," Xenobia said. "We were just talking about you."

The mask cracked; raw pain mixed with anger took its place.

"Told you I was done talking." He looked at Ramsey, his eyes narrowed on her brother-in-law's bare chest. "Let me show you what it means when I say you're mine." Zenobia pulsed jumped. She wasn't about to endure another devastating Christmas because of another name with the last name Tadeo man.

#

LUKEcame ready to do battle. He'd let Cheyenne go, Xenobia would not get the same reaction from him. She was alone in the house with the guy with muscles like the original Terminator. Luke wasn't sure what was going on, but he didn't like the optics of the situation.

To Xenobia he asked, "We still flinging?"

The guy obviously sensing the rising tension in the room came to his feet.

"Hey bud," he said offering his hand. Luke ignored it.

"Of course we are."

"Then come over here and stand behind me."

"Luke,” she said in a cautious tone, "why would I do that?"

"Because your naked friend and I are about to have a dust-up."

"What is it what you people and skin?" Ramsey quipped. " Last time I checked, I still have my jeans on and my boots."

Xenobia cut Ramsey a sideways glance. "Don't help."

Luke took a menacing step into her small living room. "Is this the guy who kissed you?"

"I haven't kissed anyone but you," she insisted.

Luke practically growled the words. "Shiloh saw you kissing some guy in a Santa hat."

Ramsey lifted a finger as if just remembering something. "Oh yeah, that was me," he said nodding his head.

"Ramsey," Xenobia shouted. "you are so not getting a present this year. A dust-up is country boy code language for fighting."

Ramsey's smile fell away. "A fight,” he said, his brows raised in bewilderment. “What are we fighting about?"

"He's my boyfriend, remember?"

"Oh," he shrugged, "what are we fifteen? I kiss women all the time. They love it."