in front of us, and Ethan and I relaxed on the blanket, entangled in each other’s arms. I had my back pressed up against Ethan’s chest, while he traced his fingers along the outer curve of my hip. His warmth wrapped around me tightly, his breathing in time with mine, made me feel safer than I could ever imagine. Ethan reached for my left hand and brought it to his lips, kissing the top of it gently and then intertwining his fingers with mine. Never was a word spoken, never did he say I love you, but I had never felt Ethan’s love as much as I was feeling right now.
“This feels nice,” I purred.
Ethan continued to kiss my hand. Placing a single kiss on each one of my fingers tenderly, pausing slightly to give a second kiss on my ring finger. I closed my eyes and allowed myself to just feel warm, loved, cherished… to feel whole.
Ethan was there.
Ethan was holding me.
Ethan had become my everything.
“Jade. Do you love me?” he asked in the softest of whispers.
“Yes.”
“Do you think I can make you happy?”
“Yes.”
“Would you consider giving Mill Creek and me a chance?” Ethan asked softly again.
“Yes.”
There was no pause, no hesitation. I knew that the only thing I wanted, the only wish I had, was to be with Ethan for the rest of my life.
I loved Mill Creek Resort, but I loved him more.
Ethan placed a gentle kiss on my neck. “Do you mean that? You would stay? On my resort? With me?”
“Yes. Mountain living has grown on me,” I said with a smile.
Ethan repositioned our bodies to a sitting position facing each other. He never released my hand as he slid an antique gold ring onto my finger. He brushed a loose hair behind my ear and softly smiled. He paused to look deep into my eyes. He allowed for the sensual moment of pure love to connect with me. I smiled. I loved. My heart danced.
Ethan paused for a moment. He then wrapped his arms around me and placed the softest kiss to my lips. “I’ll always be the man you need.”
I pulled away from the kiss just enough to whisper, “And I’ll always be the woman you desire.”
He pressed his lips to my neck and gently kissed. I rubbed his back lightly with my fingertips.
“So, when the snow melts...”
He smiled and tenderly placed a hand on each side of my head. His fingers combed along my hair, while his eyes watched the way it looked against his palm.
“When the snow melts… we begin the next chapter.”
About the Author
Alta Hensley is a USA TODAY bestselling author of hot, dark and dirty romance. She is also an Amazon Top 100 bestselling author. Being a multi-published author in the romance genre, Alta is known for her dark, gritty alpha heroes, sometimes sweet love stories, hot eroticism, and engaging tales of the constant struggle between dominance and submission.
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Author’s Note
Stellan and Margot are characters pulled from the pages of The Wicked Prince. You do not have to know anything at all about them to read this little story.
Enjoy!
Chapter One
“It’s nearly Christmas,” I murmur, looking out the window of the chauffeured car. The sky is the cool gray of stainless steel, bright but lined with clouds that will mean more snow. It’s my first Christmas in Copenhagen. My first Christmas married.
My first Christmas as Queen of Denmark.
I’m excited and nervous and a little overwhelmed. After all, I have no warm and fuzzy memories of Christmas from my crummy childhood in New York. How am I supposed to be a cheerful Queen during the holidays here in Denmark?
The limo pulls up to the red brick walls and wrought iron gates surrounding the skating rink. I lean closer to the window, my breath fogging it a little.
An excited crowd stands in front of the entrance gates, waiting for us to arrive. The whole place is decorated with twinkling lights and festive red and white paper hearts, a Danish tradition. Just above the audience's heads is draped a lovely white banner with red lettering. Welcome King Stellan and Queen Margot!
I swallow at that, fidgeting with my dazzling diamond wedding ring. I desperately want not to let anyone down, especially not my new husband.
Stellan clears his throat and I turn from the window, biting my lip as I look at him.
He’s extremely tall and exceedingly handsome, with short dark hair and sparkling blue eyes. He arches a brow at me, a hint of a