Page 53 of Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree
“Happy New Year, princess.”
The first of many more to come.
EPILOGUE
1 YEAR LATER
EVAN
The effervescent happiness on Lilah’s face makes the last two days of freezing temperatures worth it. So I push aside all thoughts about how I can’t feel my toes despite the socks that swore to keep them nice and toasty. Instead, I focus on what she’s saying when we step into the cabin.
“Lumi was probably my favorite, but I love the way Kaisla wouldn’t leave Joona alone.”
We spent today with several husky teams, and every dog seemed to fall in love with Lilah—which isn’t hard to do. But I can see where this is going.
“You’re not getting a team of huskies when we go home. We don’t need dog sleds in LA.”
Her lower lip protrudes, and I lean forward and nip at the plump flesh, earning me a jump and a squeak, then a longer brush of our lips.
“Not a team, no. But wouldn’t one be fun? Well, two, so they’re not lonely.”
“Princess, we’re not going to be home much for six months. A tour bus probably isn’t the best place for a puppy.”
“Two puppies.”
“Definitely not, then.”
“Fine. But after we get home, we’re talking about this again.”
“Whatever you want, baby.”
Because it’s true. If she wants two puppies—fuck, if she wants a hundred and one—if it makes her happy, I’ll do it.
She drops her coat on the couch and stops, looking at the bed and then into the glass enclosed igloo structure at the end of the cabin. Since we’ve been here, it’s housed two cots for viewing the northern lights. But this morning while she was in the shower, I called and asked for a different setup.
Now it boasts a stack of blankets and pillows, with a bottle of champagne on ice.
“What in the…did you do this?”
“Not me exactly.” I wink. “I’ve been with you all day. But I thought it would be fun to check out the lights like this tonight.”
She moves closer, twisting her fingers in my shirt and tugging until she presses her lips against mine.
“You really are the sweetest, aren’t you?”
“You’re only now realizing this?”
It’s been just over a year since we first got together, but a year ago today, I pulled my head out of my ass and told her how much I loved her. How I would battle anyone and anything to keep her in my life. A year of gossip as news broke that we had left Cornerstone and moved to Arrhythmic. A year of settling in at our new label and with each other.
“No.” She shakes her head and brushes her lips teasingly against mine until I stop her with both hands on her cheeks and deepen the kiss. The tastes of chocolate, mint, and cold air greet my tongue, and I can’t stop the shiver as I break the kiss.
“Still cold?” She rubs my arms roughly, trying to warm me up.
I grin. “I think I forgot what warmth feels like.”
“Maybe we need to share body heat,” she suggests, making my dick harden in a painful rush.
Not yet.
