“Merry Christmas, Kathryn.” Colton kissed her cheek.
Kat offered the bottle to Colton. “Your home is beautiful.”
After introductions, Brigit hugged Crockett. “Good to see you.”
“Congratulations.” Crockett handed her the bouquet. “I heard you said yes.”
“I did, and I couldn’t be happier.” Brigit cradled the giant bouquet in her arms. “Thank you. These are lovely.”
Elliott shooed them. “Please, out of my kitchen. Shane, uncork the champagne, then put the flowers in a crystal vase.”
Smiling, Colton shook his head. “I’m being ordered around in my own home.”
“Your home.Mykitchen!” Elliott winked.
Shane collected the items and the group scooted into the living room, but not before Chad collected five flutes filled with chilled bubbly.
“Friends make the best family,” Crockett said and raised his glass.
“Hear, hear,” Kat said.
“Merry Christmas,” Chad said and looked at Kat. “Here’s to a damn good New Year.” Her cheeks flushed.
Colton gazed lovingly into Brigit’s eyes and tapped her flute. “Better together.”
Brigit beamed. “To the man with the Mitus touch.”
* * *
When the lastguesthad left, the couple retreated into their bedroom. Brigit needed alone time with her man.
Colton pulled her into an embrace and gazed into her eyes. “Hello, fiancée,” he murmured.
Feeling deeply loved and totally adored, she smiled. “I have something for you. Santa came early.”
“Lucky Santa.” Through their smiles he kissed her. “I have a surprise for you too.”
She caressed his crotch.
Colton ended the string of doting kisses, took her hand and strolled into the sitting room. “No, a real surprise.” He sat on the sofa and patted his leg.
After she got comfortable in his lap, he slowly ran his hand up her thigh until his fingers vanished beneath the dress. Her breath caught. Delicious tingles had her blood pumping as the air sizzled between them. With one possessive hand on her bare skin, he reached down with his other hand and plucked a wrapped box from the side of the sofa. “A ‘too big for the stocking’, stocking stuffer.”
Brigit lifted the lid. Resting on a bed of tissue paper was a framed picture from the gala. “I love this, Colton.” The two were gazing lovingly into each other’s eyes.
“I thought you might. That photo says it all.”
She kissed his cheek. “Thank you for this special gift. Be right back.” With frame in hand, she disappeared into their bedroom. After setting the photo on the bureau, she collected a gift from their closet and sat beside him.
“For you.” She set the gift box on his lap.
“First, I have a confession,” he said.
Her stomach dropped.A confession?
“There’s something I haven’t told you about the Francesco transaction.”
Oh, no.Her chest tightened.
