A Christmas Proposal: A Hidden Threat Short Story Read Online Free PDF Page A

so far everything was on schedule. All he needed to do now was make sure they left for home no later than four thirty. 
    As luck would have it, Jessie suggested they play a board game and it didn’t wrap up until well after five. Matthew was beginning to rethink his plans, how he could alter them and still do everything he’d wanted to. He was distracted as they walked out to the car, both carrying leftovers Jessie had insisted on sending home with them. 
    “Are you okay?” Cali asked as he slid behind the wheel of his car. 
    “Yeah, I’m fine.”
    “All right,” she said, looking doubtful.
    Matthew took her hand in his, kissing her knuckles. “I just wanted to be out of here a little earlier. It’s our first Christmas together and I haven’t even given you your presents yet.”
    “Mmmm,” she said, closing the short distance between them. Her lips were inches away from him. “Am I going to enjoy said presents?” Her eyes danced with mischief.
    He sucked in a breath, cupping the back of her head with his free hand. “I sure hope so,” he whispered before pressing a lingering kiss full of promises against her soft lips. When they sat back in their seats, they were both breathing heavily. 
    The ride home was quiet, but not awkward. He kept her hand in his over the center console, unable to resist running his fingers over the place he hoped his ring would be in a few short hours. 
    Cali sat beside Matthew wondering what was going on in this head. He was a methodical person, so she could only assume that he was pondering something and would share once he figured it out. She wasn’t too worried about it, but she wished he’d share. If something was bothering him, she wanted to help.
    Matthew remained silent as they walked through the door and removed their coats. “I thought maybe we could warm up first with a bath.”
    She smiled. They’d taken baths a few times while she’d been healing from her injuries and they’d always been . . . enjoyable experiences. “Sounds perfect.”
    He took her hand and led her up the stairs to their room. “Why don’t you get undressed and I’ll start the water,” he said, giving her a quick kiss before disappearing into the bathroom.
    As she removed her layers of clothing, she couldn’t help but chuckle. For some reason, Matthew was nervous and he was rarely nervous. She found it cute. 
    Matthew walked back into the room, stopping abruptly. He stood staring at her, his eyes raking over her body. She could see the heat building in his gaze, and knew she was really going to enjoy this bath. 
    She let her body sink down into the water, and leaned back into his arms as they wrapped around her. Candles surrounded them providing a soft, romantic, glow to the room. 
    “No wonder you wanted to rush home,” she said, looking over her shoulder at him. 
    Water streamed from his hand as it cupped the side of her face. “Bath or no bath, you naked trumps watching movies with your father and my brother any day,” he said, placing a soft kiss on her lips. 
    Their mouths parted, and she rested her head back against his shoulder. It was both peaceful and electric at the same time. Everywhere they touched, her body sang with a familiar song as the water moved gently around them. 
    Matthew’s fingers intertwined with hers as he slid farther into the water, taking her with him. His cheek found a resting place on top of her head. “You know I never thought this would be me.” He squeezed her hands affectionately. “I’d tried relationships before and they never worked out. I guess I was just waiting for you,” he said, placing a kiss on her temple. “I love you, Cali Stanton.”
    Cali looked up into his eyes, a warmth filling her chest at his words. He was looking down on her with so much love. “I love you, too,” she whispered as he brought his lips down to hers in a reverent kiss. 
    The kiss, however, soon had a mind of its own as the feel of being so close yet