Santa Soldier Bear - Meg Ripley Page 0,47

left his embrace.

Melody kept her arms resting on his, not wanting to let go but knowing she had to do this. “First, I need to apologize to you, too. You tried to talk to me about all this, and I was too stubborn to let you. I didn’t make things any better, and I guess I thought it would be easier.”

“It’s all right, Melody.”

“But there’s more.” She pulled in a deep breath. There hadn’t been enough time to find the right words. Instead, she reached out to the fireplace and picked up the mini stocking she’d hung there next to her own. “If we’re going to be together, you need to know that it won’t just be the two of us.”

He took a step back, but he tightened his grip on her arm as he automatically looked down at her stomach. “Are you sure?”

“Very. Emersyn confirmed it herself.”

Roman took the tiny stocking from her hand. Tears glistened in his eyes as he ran his thumb over the glittery rickrack at the top of it. “Melody, this is the best Christmas present I ever could’ve gotten.”

They fell against each other once again. Melody roved her tongue over his, tasting him as a thrill of Christmas magic ran up and down her spine. Her body was alive as she pressed herself against him, and her snow leopard leaped inside her. This was where she was meant to be. It didn’t matter what state or even what side of the world they were in, as long as they were together.

Roman scooped his hands underneath her, easily swinging her into the air and carrying her up the staircase, pausing on the landing to kiss her again. “You’re so beautiful.”

“Are you still going to say that when I’m as big as a house?” she challenged.

He laughed as he went up the second flight of stairs and down the hall. “You’ll be the prettiest house I’ve ever seen.”

Melody thumped the side of her fist into his broad chest, liking the way his hard muscles bounced beneath her hand. “Beast.”

“You don’t even know.” Roman shouldered open her bedroom door. He held her high over the bed, making it look as though he would simply drop her in place, but he lowered her gently to the covers and kissed her forehead as he kicked the door shut behind them. He pushed her back down as she started to sit up. “No, you need to relax.”

“I’m plenty relaxed,” she argued with a smile.

“Not the way I want you to be.” He took off her shoes and placed them on the floor next to the bed. Next came her socks, her pants, and her festive sweater. His lips pressed hotly against her cooling skin as he traced a curving line along the top of her breasts, dipping down between them as he unclasped the front closure of her bra. He moved down along the lines of her stomach, kissing her navel as he slowly slipped off her panties. His hands moved back up her legs, squeezing tightly and releasing the tension in her muscles.

Melody moaned softly, not having realized until then just how knotted up she’d been. “Oh, that feels good.”

“And I’m just getting started.” Roman worked his way up and down her legs. He rubbed down her arms and even swept his hands over her breasts before asking her to roll over.

Melody complied instantly, unable to get enough of this. “You’re going to spoil me,” she said, her voice halting in the middle of it as he straddled her from behind and worked the knots out of her neck.

“That’s the point, isn’t it?” His fingers dug pleasantly into her flesh and up onto her scalp.

Goosebumps erupted all over her skin. “That means I’ll have to find a way to spoil you, too.”

His breath was warm against the back of her neck. “Don’t worry. I’m sure you’ll figure it out.” Those magic hands roved down her backside and to her legs once again, and he dropped kisses all the way.

“There’s something distinctly unfair about this situation,” Melody remarked as he finally let go of her. She rolled over and sat on the edge of the bed, taking a moment just to put her hands around him and lean against him. He felt so solid and strong. She was always trying to be strong herself, but it was nice to know she wouldn’t have to be the only one. His skin was warm and inviting, radiating heat through his clothes. “I