One Wicked Christmas by Amanda Mariel

Author:Amanda Mariel
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2019-12-26T11:39:51.488545+00:00

AFTER SPENDING the night between moments of wakeful worrying and unwanted dreams of Adam, Cristiana had risen and gone to her private parlor. She now sat near the fire blazing in the hearth as she fashioned paper dolls and flowers. She was determined to throw herself into making this the best Christmas she could for Emily. Cristiana would keep herself so busy that she’d have little time to be distracted by Adam.

“A visitor, my lady.”

She glanced up, and as if she’d summoned him, Adam strolled into her parlor. “You look fetching.”

“You’re early.” She shook her head, not allowing his compliment to affect her.

“Not so very early.” Adam stepped farther into the room, holding out a bouquet of hothouse blooms. “These are for you, and I’ve brought a little something for Emily as well.”

Cristiana could not help but smile. It warmed her heart that he’d thought of their daughter. “Thank you,” she said, setting aside the paper flower she’d been crafting. She accepted the red blossoms from him. “They’re beautiful.”

“They pale in comparison to you.”

She could not help but laugh at his flowery words. “Do cease your flattery.”

“I’m afraid I cannot.” He winked, his blue eyes sparkling. “Might I see Emily?”

The thought of him spending time with Emily did not sit right—not when he’d be gone from their lives in a fortnight. The last thing she wished for was Emily to form an attachment to him and get hurt as a result. But then, how was he to tire of them if she did not allow him a real taste of what their future together would entail?

Cristiana swallowed back her objection. “Indeed. You can visit with her while I prepare for our outing. Since you arrived early, I’ve not had time to change.”

His gaze roamed the length of her sending spirals of heat through her body. “I’d not change a single thing about your current dress.”

Cristiana gave a playful scowl. “I’ll not take long.”

True to her word, she changed in record time. Not more than fifteen minutes could have passed since she’d left Adam in the nursery. Long enough for him to garner a taste of fatherhood without Emily becoming too fond of him.

She thanked Macy for her speed then traversed the hall back to the nursery. When she entered the room the sight that greeted her touched her so profoundly that all she could do was stare.

Adam sat cross-legged on the floor with his back to her. Emily was in front of him giggling as he danced her new doll across the space between them. A lovely doll with black as midnight hair and a flowing pink dress. She couldn’t help but wonder where he’d procured it.

“Mama.” Emily pointed.

“Hello princess.” Cristiana strode deeper into the room. She swept Emily into her arms and gave her a hug before handing her to the nanny. Turning to Adam, she asked, “Shall we be off?”

“Yes.” He stood and dusted off his trousers. Then he marched over to Emily and smoothed his hand over her hair.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.