Magical Holiday Love (The Anthology Novella Series Book 4) Read online

  “Baby,” he choked out against her hair, his body trembling. “Don’t you dare leave me.”

  After what seemed an eternity to him, she moaned softly and he felt hope invade his senses like a runaway freight train. He leaned back so that he could see her perfect features and wanted to shout with joy when those incredibly long lashes fluttered and her eyes met his.

  “Vampire?” she croaked, her voice no more than a hoarse whisper, and Jax felt his entire body relax.

  “He’s gone, baby.”

  “Did you kill him?” She asked, those incredible eyes of hers shining so brightly with tears that Jax felt his heart ache.

  “Yes,” he replied, nodding.

  “Good. He…stunk. We are talking serious breath issues.”

  Jax laughed in relief as her pulled her closer, kissing her temple. He shifted and lifted her in his arms, carrying her into the bedroom and depositing her as gently as possible on the bed.

  Megan eyed him up and down a moment, her lips turning up into an angelic smile that literally stole the breath from his body in one fail swoop.

  “You’re naked,” she observed softly.

  “Yes.”

  “You make a pretty wicked cool wolf.”

  “Fleas and all?” He asked, his brow rising devilishly; and she giggled, nodding her head.

  “Fleas and all.”

  He slid into the bed beside her, pulling her into the circle of his arms and running his lips across her face. She felt so blasted good in his arms, and he realized with another twist to his heart that he found himself wanting this forever. She had come into his life like a whirlwind and changed how he felt about…everything.

  He felt her snuggle against him, then heard her soft even breathing as she drifted off to sleep. He closed his eyes and sighed, wondering what to do next. Dimitri was dead… time to find his next hunt. But, as he lay there in the darkness, with this woman held so securely in his arms…he didn’t get that usual rush he did when it was time to move on. In fact, the thought wasn’t appealing to him in the least. Christ. He was screwed.

  Megan woke to a chilly room and an empty bed. She rolled over and touched the space where Jax was supposed to be, only to find it cold to the touch and she felt her heart sink.

  She listened intently, not daring to breathe as she tried to detect any sound that the man that she was swiftly falling in love with was moving around the apartment; but she was greeted with only an earth-shattering silence.

  Tears stung the backs of her eyes and she slammed them shut to try and force them away when she realized that he was most likely gone. It was time for him to move on. He was a hunter, and once he made his kill, he would need to leave. He would need to move on to the next assignment or whatever the hell you wanted to call it.

  A tiny part of her almost wished that Dimitri had gotten away, and she immediately admonished herself for even thinking such a horrible thought. That was beyond selfish of her. That creature was a killer, and because of Jax he wouldn’t be able to hurt anyone ever again.

  She pulled the comforter over her head and fought back the sobs that wanted to overtake her. What was she to expect? She questioned herself angrily. He had a job to do, it was done, and now he had to move on to the next one. She shook her head as she felt the weight of her sorrow slamming into her. Not even a Goodbye…it’s been real.

  Stop this nonsense! She told herself irritably. Why should he be any different than anyone else in her life? People left. That’s what they did. He had no ties to her.

  She stopped the thought cold as the strains of Bing Crosby’s White Christmas drifted into her addled brain.

  Megan sat up quickly, looking toward the door as her legs slipped from beneath the covers. She haphazardly grabbed some clothes and quickly dressed before heading in the direction from which the song was coming.

  Were her neighbors playing Christmas carols? She wondered, then quickly shook her head. No, these apartments were pretty sound proof. Proof in point, was the fact that no one had even bothered to call the cops as Jax and Dimitri had smashed half of her furniture the night before.

  She opened the bedroom door and peeked out, not letting herself hope that this was anything more than a dream.

  She cautiously walked down the hall on shaky legs, curling her hands tightly into fists at her sides to the point that she knew beyond a doubt that her nails were making marks in her palms. Refusing to let herself even hope that this was anything other than a radio inadvertently left on or the television, she walked down the hallway on legs that shook.

  What she saw when she turned the corner and stepped into the living room caused a surprised gasp to rush past her lips as her eyes widened in shock.

  Jax moved about the room, which was lit up with shimmering Christmas lights of every color. Santa Claus’s and snowmen adorned the tables and mantle of the fireplace that she never ever used, but now hosted a beautiful, crackling fire. Her mouth dropped open when she saw the huge tree in the corner of the room, shimmering and twinkling with hundreds of white lights like something straight out of a Christmas card or Better Homes and Gardens. Oh, Holy Hell…

  Jax turned and smiled at her as she entered the room then stopped and stood there in stunned silence. Her apartment looked like a fantasyland. It was incredible.

  “Morning,” he called, his eyes gleaming with unabashed pride. He strode over to where she stood, her mouth still hanging open is shock.

  His lips brushed against hers as his hands slipped up her arms, pulling her in close.

  “I…what…how…” she stammered against his mouth, at a complete loss for words. “I thought you were gone.”

  “Yeah, about that,” he hedged, his eyes locking with hers. “I was kind of wondering how you felt about me maybe extending my stay a bit.”

  Megan felt her heart stop dead. Could she hope? “You were?”

  He nodded, his mouth turning up in that grin that had stolen her heart. “Yes.”

  “But, don’t you have to go on another…hunt?” She asked, her body trembling with hope. “I…I mean, that’s what you do.” She couldn’t help but wonder if she could handle being in a relationship with someone whose life was constantly on the line. Who would be gone for long periods at a time- but only a moment later, her inner voice yelled at her…for him, I would.

  “About that,” he replied, his hand lifting and tenderly brushing across her cheek. “That was my last hunt,” he informed her softly. “I’ve already told the powers that be that I’m done.”

  Megan’s eyes shot to his, wondering if she had actually heard him right. “But…” She didn’t know what to say. Was he actually saying that he was willing to quit to be with her? That perhaps to build something together? Could she actually be that fortunate?

  “Listen, baby.” He said, his eyes boring into hers with a heat and tenderness that had her heart pounding once again. “I don’t know how the hell it happened, but you came into my life like a class five tornado, and made me want and feel things that I have never wanted before.” He paused, and she could see the sincerity in his expression. “I’m thinking that I want a cabin in the woods…with you by my side.”

  “You do?”

  He nodded once again. “I want to spend my days laughing and talking with you, and my nights holding you in my arms. I even want a passel of puppies if you’re game,” he laughed. “Do you think you could handle that?”

  “Jax…” she breathed, her eyes shimmering. Never would she have ever thought that she could trust anyone ever again – yet she trusted this man. She trusted him with her life…her heart, and she wanted to spend every waking moment with him. She knew that she had fallen, and she had fallen hard and fast, but it was right. She knew it down to her bones. This was just so damn right that it was making her head spin. “That sounds like absolute Heaven.” She replied, sniffling back her tears.

  Jax’s mouth crashed down on hers, his tongue staking claim as his hands fanned out against her back and pulled her up
against him as close as humanly possible. The proof of his desire pressed hot and firm against her stomach as she returned his heated assault, wrapping her arms around his neck and wriggling against him.

  Jax groaned deep in his throat as he led her over to where the Christmas tree stood and gently eased her to the floor on the pile of cushions that he had laid there. His eyes snapped fire as he broke their kiss and painstakingly pulled the clothing that she wore from her, tossing the garments over his shoulder as he did.

  His mouth lowered and met her heated core, his tongue sweeping between her silky folds with a determination and strength that had her crying out to him in an instant. He lifted her legs and set them over his shoulders as his mouth cherished her. His teeth nipping at her sensitive bud right before sucking it gently between his lips, pulling a desperate, strangled gasp from her.

  His hand slid up her satiny thigh and joined his mouth, slipping a finger into her wet channel.

  Megan arched against him as his mouth, tongue and hand brought her to heights that she never before imagined and her body quaked with the force of her orgasm. All-consuming and powerful.

  She choked out his name, needing to feel him buried deep inside her and begged him to join their bodies as the lights from the tree twinkled and blinked before her eyes; and she thought nothing had ever looked so beautiful.

  Jax kicked off the flannel pants that he wore and slipped between her thighs, the tip of his manhood teasing her silky folds. She wrapped her legs around his hips and tried to bring him home, needing to feel that connection that only he could give.

  With a tortured groan, he slid inside her, his body shaking from the force of being one with this amazing woman. He moved his hips, grinding against hers and their breaths panted out between them.

  He moved with smooth, fluid strokes until he felt her body clamping down around him and increased his pace to bring him to that brink with her. He moved faster, the sound of her desire plunging him over that precipice and he tensed as his seed spilled forth and filled her, their bodies clinging to the others with the force of a hurricane.

  He collapsed onto his side and pulled her up against him, the aftershocks of their lovemaking rocking through them like an earthquake.

  “Megan,” he murmured against her neck, his tongue licking a path to her ear. “I love you.”

  Megan squeezed her eyes shut as his words hit her, breaking down that last brick in the wall that she had built. How this could have all happened so fast was a mystery…but it had. “I love you, Jax.” She responded softly, knowing without a single doubt that it was the truth. “And, thank you…” she glanced around the room as Christmas carols played softly, and the lights sparkled. “I can’t believe you did all of this.”

  “I didn’t get you a present,” he said against her skin and she smiled.

  “Yes, you did.”

  Whether he knew it or not, he had given her the best gift of all. He had given her the ability to trust again…to love. And that was worth more than any baubles on the planet. She giggled lightly as she once again looked over at the tree, shining like a beacon of hope, and happiness and…love. And she knew that she would now and always find the wonder and joy in the Holiday’s, and it would be with this man by her side.

  Yes, this wolf had given her a gift – and it was the most precious gift of all…his love.

  Only the beginning…

  About the Author

  Darlene Kuncytes was born and raised in Northeast Ohio. She has enjoyed reading and writing for as long as she can remember and has always had a love for romance. She’s got a wicked sense of humor who loves finding the humor in everyday life.

  "A Vampire's Saving Embrace" is her first novel in The Supernatural Desire Series - with no cliffhangers. (They drive her insane!! LOL)

  Book 2! "A Wolf's Savage Embrace" - Read Luke and Kat's story!!! Funny, sexy, romantic!!! A definite must read!

  Book 3! "Marcus' Mortal Embrace" Fall in love with Marcus and Liz! Warm, sensitive...touching!

  These are stand-alone reads - but will leave you wanting so much more! Join in the journey of this wonderful band of Supernaturals!

  And make sure to pick up her RONE finalist suspense/romance!!!

  I’ll Be Seeing You!

  It’s an edge of your seat thriller that will leave you wanting so much more! Hot, romantic…full of suspense!

  Don’t forget to pick up the rest of the short paranormal romances in Darlene’s Anthology Novella Series! These fun, award nominated shorts are ONLY .99 each!!!

  A Witch’s Hearts Desire

  Summer Sin

  Wolf Bane

  Magical Holiday Love

  You can find all of Darlene’s books on Amazon and Barnes and Noble! If you are a hard-core romantic who loves a great read, make sure to check out all of her books!

  Be sure to follow her on Facebook - Twitter at @VampireEmbrace and Goodreads! She loves hearing from her fans- so be sure to drop her a line.

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  Darlene’s Deliciously Delightful Reads

  Dark Savior

  By Darlene Kuncytes

  ©2016 by Darlene Kuncytes

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written permission of the author, except for brief quotations for reviewing purposes.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, places, and characters are solely the product of the author’s imagination, and any similarity to people or places is purely coincidental and not intentional.

  A Wolf’s Christmas Gift

  By Darlene Kuncytes

  ©2016 by Darlene Kuncytes

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written permission of the author, except for brief quotations for reviewing purposes.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, places, and characters are solely the product of the author’s imagination, and any similarity to people or places is purely coincidental and not intentional.