Once Upon a December: A Holiday Short Story Collection Read Online Free PDF

much to say, and for the first time in months, they finally said all the important things. They had missed each other. They loved each other. And nothing was more important than rebuilding their marriage.
    “How long has it been since you’ve been properly kissed by your husband?”
    Her answer was immediate.
    “New Year’s Eve.”
    He frowned. “Surely we’ve kissed since last January.”
    “You said properly kissed,” Melanie reminded him. “Not a photo-op peck on the lips. The last real, toe-curling kiss that made my blood boil was New Year’s Eve. We were at the Hanson’s holiday party, and—”
    Suddenly, Ethan’s mouth was on hers. Melanie groaned and slipped her hands around his neck as he deepened the kiss. Her fingers entwined in his hair, and she tugged a little, making him moan. The months of pent-up frustration and grief slipped away as their hungry kisses gave way to something softer and sweeter, until finally, Ethan buried his face against her neck. They held onto each other as they trembled with relief.
    “I missed your kisses.”
    Melanie sighed. “I missed yours, too.”
    He grinned. “So, my beautiful wife, was that a proper kiss?”
    She giggled, and the sound rocked him to his core. How long had it been since she’d laughed?
    “ Im proper, I think.”
    “I think so, too,” Ethan agreed with a nod. “And I think these improper activities need to continue once we’re home.”
    Melanie blushed, and he couldn’t resist trailing his fingertip across her crimson cheek.
    “If we ever get out of here,” he grumbled.
    “I can’t be upset about getting stuck in this elevator,” Melanie said. “We must have a Christmas angel somewhere. I mean, really, what are the odds that the two of us would be shopping in the same department store on Christmas Eve?”
    Ethan couldn’t argue with that. There was definitely some Christmas magic happening in this elevator.
    “Speaking of which,” Ethan said, nodding at the red and silver gift bag. “Did you really buy me a ten-thousand dollar watch?”
    Melanie frowned. “Yes, and it’s ridiculous.”
    Ethan laughed and lifted his hand. Snapped to his wrist was a beautiful gold watch.
    Melanie sighed with relief. “It’s not the same.”
    “We’ll return it, anyway. Nobody needs a designer watch.”
    “Or an imported car.”
    “Or a Chanel wallet.”
    Melanie’s eyes widened a little. “Did you buy me a Chanel wallet?”
    “I thought about it, but I decided to do something a little different. Something symbolic.”
    Ethan offered her the gift bag. She excitedly reached inside and pulled out the small white box. It fit perfectly in the palm of her hand.
    “Open it,” he said softly.
    Melanie lifted the top, and nestled inside was a necklace. Dangling from the chain was a silver mistletoe charm.
    “Turn,” Ethan murmured.
    Melanie twisted around in his lap, and he fastened the necklace around her neck.
    “It’s so pretty, Ethan.”
    “I’ve missed my wife, and I wanted to guarantee that she’d let me kiss her this Christmas, so I needed mistletoe. I couldn’t decide between this and the diamond earrings, but the man behind the counter insisted on the necklace.”
    Melanie gingerly touched the dainty charm before turning back around.
    “I love it.”
    “I love you, Melanie.”
    “I love you, too.” Leaning in, she kissed him tenderly. “There. Just so you can go back to the store and tell the man behind the counter that the mistletoe worked its magic.”
    When the lights flickered back to life and they finally made their way to the first floor, Ethan took his wife’s hand and led her out of the elevator. Tonight, they would go home and begin rebuilding their marriage. They would spend Christmas Day with their families, and for the first time in months, they wouldn’t have to force a smile.
    And on the day after Christmas, Ethan would return the watch. He would thank the man behind the counter—a friendly manager by the name of