A Christmas Wish (4 page)
Authors: Evie Knight
“Do
you want more?” she asked, arching her hips against his.
“I’ll
never have enough of you, Jas.”
I must be crazy
,
Jasmine thought as she stole a glance in Ethan’s direction, having a hard time
believing how much her life had changed in the past few weeks. Since she’d
spent the night at Ethan’s place, he hadn’t left her side. Who would’ve thought
she’d end up with him, of all men? His dating record wasn’t promising of long-term
relationships.
Then
again, it worked well for her. Jasmine couldn’t have anything permanent, with her
fears of having a family and losing it all remaining as fresh as the day she
lost her parents and brother. Yet, it didn’t mean she wasn’t enjoying spending
time with Ethan. Only, she’d have to be careful and mentally prepare herself
when he called it quits. After all, they still had to work together. So when
the time came and he ended their relationship, she planned to part ways in the
most amicable terms. Though it’d hurt—just thinking about it now left a bitter
taste in her mouth—she’d respect their professional relationship.
At the
practice, they’d been careful not to be seen coming or leaving together. But
their attempts at keeping their secret from Laurie were failing miserably.
Laurie believed not a word. Regardless, neither Jasmine nor Ethan confirmed
anything, and it drove Laurie crazy.
Jasmine
took in the scene around her, tuning out the loud chatter, kids’ laughter,
snack stands, and the thunderous sound of the rollercoaster rides. Being at
Disney World on Christmas Eve wasn’t how she’d imagined she’d spend the holiday
this year. Memories of her family were ever present and the pain of
irreplaceable loss remained. Yet, somehow being here today with her patients
and Ethan made her feel good, as if everything would be okay.
It’d
been so long since she’d enjoyed this holiday, Jasmine didn’t remember how much
she missed it until now. Her patients and their parents seemed to be having a
good time, making new memories. The excited smile on Roxie’s face and her mom’s
loving one squeezed Jasmine’s heart. Roxie didn’t have long, but the new
treatment would give her a little bit of more time with her mom. Though Jasmine
hadn’t appreciated Ethan’s promise to the kids a month ago, she was glad he did
it. Roxie deserved so much that Jasmine would’ve never forgiven herself if she
had denied her of this.
“What
do we have here?” Ethan asked, grabbing her hand and bringing her to a halt in
front of the infamous Cinderella Wishing Well.
“Nuh-uh.”
Jasmine tugged her hand from his, only he gave her fingers a squeeze.
Lifting
a brow, his lips spread into a grin as he stared at her. “I dare you.”
“Really?”
“Yes.
Really. What do you got to lose?” He shrugged.
“Then
why don’t you do it?”
He
leaned forward and said at her ear, “How do you know I haven’t?”
“You’re
lying.”
“Tsk.
Tsk. Tsk. I don’t lie,” Ethan said, humor in his voice. “Come on, enlighten
me.”
Jasmine
scanned her surroundings, drinking in the jolly Christmas spirit, people’s
laughter, the holiday music in the background. “I can’t believe I’m doing this.
What am I going to wish for?”
Ethan
stepped behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. His breath hot on her
ear, he said, “True love.”
“I
don’t want true love.”
He
turned her around and pressed her body to his, closing every last gap between
them. “How do you know if you don’t give it a chance?”
True
love.
Two words with the power to turn her life upside down, if
only she believed. She tore her gaze away from Ethan and glanced back at the
Well.
If
you’re as magical as everyone believes, then show me what it’s like to love and
live again.
One year later….
Jasmine
wished away the fluttery feeling in her stomach and the cold sweat invading her
hands. It’d been too long since she gifted anyone something for Christmas.
Would this count as a present? But what could she give someone who had
everything? She’d made a list of possible things to give Ethan, and crossed out
every single one of them. None of the presents on her list were personal enough
or had a meaning. And Jasmine wanted it to be special.
During
the past year, little by little, Ethan helped her move on, and she overcame her
fears at having and losing things she cared about. As hard as it was to accept,
life was life, and there would always be situations within and out of her
control. In being with Ethan, she learned to enjoy everything for what it was.
And so
here she was, a bundle of nerves, her mind swirling with all of Ethan’s
possible reactions at the present she had for him. Would he think it cheesy? Hopefully
not.
Ethan
handed her a flute filled with champagne. “My parents said hi. They asked that
we do everything we can to visit them in New York next year,” he said, sitting
next to her.
Family.
Yet again another thing she hadn’t counted on until Ethan. They’d welcomed her
as if she’d always been part of their family. “I’d love that.”
“Is
there something wrong?”
She
shook her head. “No.” Then, reached for the medium-size box next to her on the
couch. “I got you this. If you don’t like it, it’s okay. I promise you won’t hurt
my feelings.”
“I’m
sure I’ll love it.” Ethan removed the gift wrap and pulled the box opened. “How
did you get this?”
Excitement
filled her chest at his surprised expression. “Roxie’s mom shot that picture
when we weren’t looking apparently.” Jasmine recalled being held by Ethan and looking
into his eyes that day as they stood next to the Cinderella Wishing Well. “She
e-mailed it to me soon after our trip a year ago. I thought it’d make a good
Christmas present.”
“She
captured our moment just perfect,” he said, setting the picture frame on the
coffee table, and faced her. “Thank you.” Leaning forward, he brushed his lips
over hers. “What did you wish for that day?” Ethan pulled her onto his lap
until she straddled him.
“If I
tell you, my wish won’t come true.”
He grabbed
her left hand. “How do you know it hasn’t already come true?”
“I
don’t, but I don’t want to jinx it.” She paused. “You know, in case that
Wishing Well does have magic. Not that I’m superstitious or anything. What
about you?”
“I’ll
tell you later tonight.” Ethan brought up her left hand between them and held a
diamond ring with the other. Her mouth grew dry and she swallowed, having
trouble breathing as her gaze darted back and forth between Ethan’s eyes and
his hands. “Jas, I love you more than I ever imagined it was possible to love
someone,” he said, looking intently at her. “And nothing would make me happier
than you being my wife.”
“E-Ethan…
I-I….”
“Sweetheart,
help me out here, because I can’t tell if that’s a yes or a no.”
“Yes.”
Her voice came out in a soft whisper. Her throat closed and tears clouded her
vision as she recalled her wish a year ago.
Ethan
slid the diamond ring on her finger, then cupped her face and sealed her mouth
with a kiss.
Breaking
their kiss, she said, “I love you, Ethan.”
“You’re
my wish come true, Jas.”
She
smiled against his lips, their hot breaths intermingled. “That Wishing Well
sure is powerful, then.” Jasmine swept her mouth over his. “I wished to love
and live again, and it gave me you.”
##
Evie
Knight writes wickedly sexy contemporary romances with irresistible bad boys,
sassy heroines, a bit of conflict, humor and a dash of spice. When she’s not
hard at work writing, she spends her time blogging, reading, listening to
music, or looking for a muse.
She
lives in sunny Southern California.
Evie
loves hearing from her readers. Feel free to stalk her here:
www.evie-knight.com
|
Facebook
|
Pinterest
|
Tumblr
|
@inlovewromance
|
Goodreads