Steve studied my eyes and I held them unwaveringly. "Oh, Emberly, I thought it would be obvious by now. I brought you here with the hopes of making you my wife."
*~*~*~*
Shock reverberated throughout my entire being.
My lips parted of their own volition.
"What?" I whispered.
He chuckled rather nervously and rubbed at the back of his neck. "Uhm, okay, I know how this sounds-"
I shoved up from the table, chest heaving. "Do you?!"
He sighed, gazing up at me patiently. "As I said, you are not a prisoner here. After my requested three days are up, then you are free to go if that's what you still wish."
"I can't stay here!" I laughed harshly. "My kids-my kids can't stay here! They have school; a-a life to lead, out in the real world."
He stood up then, lifting his hands in a staying gesture. "I understand. It should be a decision you make as a family. You'd need to get your affairs in order. But please...just try to understand. The last thing my father ever said to me was how important it was for me to find a good woman to stick by me through the ages while I attended my legacy."
I backed away from him another step, shaking my head more adamantly now.
"And I haven't found anyone so far...until the night I kissed you; last year, I felt something. And I knew I had to pursue it. I have a promise to keep, after all.
"Please...all I've requested is three days in which to try to woo you. I will stay true to my word; no one can make someone fall in love. When the three days are up, you're free to go."
I swallowed on a dry throat. "I think I'd like to go to my room now. You've given me a lot to process."
He dropped his head into a nod and seemed wholly understanding about it, but I still caught his subtle sigh of disappointment.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
So what do we think so far, everybody? Is Steve/Nick Naughty or Nice?
Should Emberly trust him and give him a chance or tell him to shove coal up his stovepipe? Haha!
I'd love to hear from y'all, regardless!
Happy holiday reading! #ChristmasReads
HRH
YOU ARE READING
Happily Ever Christmas
RomanceEmberly Faust first sees Santa Claus when she's just a little girl. HER Santa, however, comes in the unexpected form of a tall, dark, and handsome forty-something. Young Emberly has only one request of Santa that year; for her disenchanted parents t...
