Читать книгу 12 Gifts for Christmas - Джулия Кеннер, Джулия Кеннер - Страница 23

DES stared at the closed door after Ally had gone, devastated for her sake by what she’d told him. Two mortal blows in a row—first she’d had to deal with her fiancé’s sudden death and then the diagnosis of breast cancer.

Up on the frozen waterfall he’d discovered she was the most courageous person he’d ever known. She’d disregarded her own safety to get him to the clinic before hypothermia set in. Without injuring herself, no less! He knew Miguel would have sent out a search party for them if they’d been delayed, but by then Des could have been in real trouble. She had a warrior’s spirit and he stood in awe of her.

So how could someone who’d been so brave on that ice be so insecure about her own body? No matter what he had to do, he was going to get around her fears.

No one knew how long they had to live. And since every minute of life was precious, he had no intention of staying down in his room and away from her. Wheeling around, he picked out what he wanted to wear, then headed for the shower.

After he’d shaved and dressed, he left the room for the front entry to the posada. Pleased to have caught sight of Maricela in the hallway without needing to bother Miguel, he called to her. “Will you show me to Ally’s room? I need to talk to her.”

“Sure. She’s right down here.” He followed her along two different hallways until they came to Ally’s door. “Are you going to come to our apartment later?” the girl asked.

He patted her cute face. “We wouldn’t miss it. Come and knock on the door when you’re ready for us.”

“I will.” Her brown eyes danced before she ran off.

Des turned and rapped on Ally’s door.

Ally didn’t recognize the knock, but thought it could be one of the staff. She’d just come out of the bathroom after blow-drying her hair. She pulled on her pink toweling robe and padded across the room to open the door.

“Des!”

She almost fainted at the sight of him.

It was the same man whose room she’d left just a short time ago, but all she could do was stare at the changes in him. Without her shoes on, he seemed even taller. He was wearing a fabulous midnight-blue dress suit and tie, and he’d dispensed with the hair thong. His hair was swept away from the crown and sides of his head to lie against the back of his neck.

His dark Spanish looks, the contrast of his olive skin against his dazzling white shirt, were so incredible she could only stand there, speechless. Her breath came faster as she detected the enticing scent of the soap he’d used in the shower.

“I … I didn’t expect you to come to my room,” she stammered. “We’re not expected at the Torrillas’ apartment yet.”

He lounged against the doorjamb with his arms folded. “After what you told me earlier, I don’t feel like wasting any time. May I come in while you finish getting ready?”

“Of course,” she answered jerkily. He entered the room. As she shut the door, he removed his suit jacket. “Do you care if I sit on your bed while I wait?”

“No … go right ahead. I’ll finish dressing in the bathroom.” She grabbed the clothes she’d intended to wear and dashed into the other room. But her hands were shaking so hard, she had difficulty pulling and adjusting and fastening everything.

When she eventually came out wearing her long two-piece velvet dress with the three-quarter sleeves, he got up from the bed, eyeing her with what she could only describe as desire.

He murmured, “Exquisita. What do you call that color in English?”

She swallowed hard. “Periwinkle.”

“It suits your coloring.” He moved closer. The next thing she knew he had his arms around her and had lowered his head to kiss her long and thoroughly. Ally’s body gave up a voluptuous shiver because his hunger matched hers. She couldn’t hide her desire for him.

But they had a party to go to and eventually she pushed her hands against his chest.

He loosened his hold on her to feel the fabric on her sleeve. “It’s uncrushable, verdad?”

She nodded.

“Bien.” His hand found hers and he pulled her toward the bed. “Then lie down with me for a little while. I just want to hold you.”

A pain jabbed her heart. “Des … I don’t need comfort.”

“That’s the last thought on my mind.”

His response surprised her.

“Since this is the day for honesty,” he continued, “do you want me to tell you what I want?”

“I’m afraid.”

“I know. That’s why I simply want you to know what it’s like to lie in my arms. We both need this. To feel cherished and loved. Would that be such a penance?”

“No,” she answered softly.

“Then come to me, muchacha.”

The banked fires in his eyes and the deep tone of his husky voice seduced her. She put a knee on top of the bed. That was all the encouragement he needed. He enfolded her into his hard-muscled frame, nestling his face in the profusion of her hair. A long drawn-out sigh escaped him. It was as if his body was letting go of all the angst and tension he’d been carrying. When she felt it leave him, her body also seemed to shed a heavy burden.

She felt like she was floating on a light mist.

“I want to stay like this until Maricela comes for us,” he said against the side of her neck. The caress of his lips against her skin sent rivers of delight coursing through her body.

She pushed away her fears and doubts. She decided to stop thinking and simply feel.

Des watched her sleep. He raised himself up on one elbow to study the features of the incredible woman cradled in his arms. After the experience of the past few days, exhaustion had caught up with her.

Unable to hold back, he lowered his head and pressed his mouth to hers. Very slowly he began kissing her until she started to respond. She made several little moaning sounds before her eyelids fluttered open.

“Des—”

“I’m right here,” he murmured against her lips. “As if I’d be anyplace else.”

In the next breath she began kissing him, causing his senses to leap. One kiss and then another and another until there was no beginning and no end. He rolled her on top of him, cupping her face so he could taste every centimeter of her. “You have no comprehension of how much I want you, amada.”

“But—”

“Hush,” he said to quiet her. “I don’t want to hear that we haven’t known each other long enough, or that you’re not desirable, or that we come from two different worlds, or any of the dozen reasons percolating in your mind.”

“Allee?” Maricela’s voice broke in as she knocked on the door. “It’s time for the party.”

“I’ll be right there,” she called out.

“I’ll tell Mama. Hurry!”

Des kissed her trembling mouth once more before letting her go. She practically weaved in front of him as she got to her feet. He helped her stand. “I’ve got a lot of repair work to do,” she said, and laughed, looking down at her dress.

He grinned. “There’s no time,” he said, loving to watch her blush. “We’re about to enjoy Christmas Eve with Miguel’s family. No matter what you do, you’ll look thoroughly kissed.” He strolled over to the chair and put on his suit jacket and then held the door open for her as they went to the Torillas’ party.

After a feast of lamb followed by almond pastry, everyone gathered in the living room around the Nativity scene. Miguel read from the Bible about the birth of the Savior. Then he flashed Ally a smile from across their living room where he was seated near the fire. “It’s time for your special surprise, señora. Our children have been waiting and waiting for this.”

They nestled on either side of her on the couch. Inez and Des were seated in separate chairs placed in front of the adorable tree the children had decorated. His black eyes didn’t move from her face.

“All right.” Still feeling breathless since waking in Des’s arms, Ally pulled a big picture book out of her sack. “This is my gift to you. It’s my very, very favorite Christmas story. In America, Santa Claus brings the children presents on Christmas Eve. Your parents told me that in Spain, the Three Wise Men will bring presents to your house in January.”

They nodded.

“So let this be my present to you.” Having learned the words by heart as a child, she stared at Des as she began.

“Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.’”

At that moment she had a vision of being in a house with Des, surrounded by their own children. The vision grabbed hold and wouldn’t let go.

When she looked back at her decision to come to the Pyrenees, she realized she’d wanted to pit herself against the elements and get past her fear. But unless she could get past her biggest fear of Des rejecting her, what was life for? Where was her courage, her faith?

She looked down at the book. After swallowing hard, she finished reading and ended with the famous line, ‘“Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.’”

The children were enchanted and begged her to read it again and again. Finally Des stood up and thanked everyone. “If you’ll excuse us, Ally and I have plans for the rest of the evening.”

“But I thought you were still sick,” Nuncio said.

“Nuncio …” his mother scolded.

Ally tried to stifle her laughter, but it was hopeless. “He has a point, Señor Pastrana.” She smiled into his eyes.

“I may not be a hundred percent yet, but tonight is a special one, above all the other nights of my life, and I intend to enjoy it.” She heard the throb in his deep voice and felt her legs turn to water.

After hugs and kisses for the kids, she put on her coat and walked out of the posada with Des. Once the door closed behind them he stopped and pulled the lapels of her coat together so she faced him.

“Where are we going, Des?”

“To a place I know of where we can see the stars at their most brilliant. But before we do anything else, I want you to know I meant what I said in there just now. Tonight I feel like I’ve been reborn and a whole new beautiful future has opened up for me. Because I’ve fallen in love with you, Ally Bonner. It’s the real thing. I know it in my heart and soul.”

She couldn’t deny her own feelings, either. Not now. “Oh, Des—” She threw her arms around him. “I’m in love with you, too. I don’t know how it could have happened this fast, but it did. With you, I feel as if anything and everything is possible.”

Des crushed her against him. “How lucky we are to have found each other in this refuge, of all places. Mi amor …”

He kissed her and then took her hand as they left to watch the stars fade into Christmas Day … and beyond.