Epilogue

Epilogue

Holly, one year later, Christmas Eve

M y life underwent some massive changes since last Christmas, but I wasn't complaining. I was in New York, living with Malcolm in his Greenwich Village townhouse and working as an emergency department staff physician in Metropolitan Hospital since late January.

I felt more myself having Malcolm back in New York. It was strange that another person could make me more "me," but I left my scientific analysis at the bedroom door. If my Scottish duke wanted to pound orgasms out of me as he whispered filthy endearments in that sexy brogue of his, who was I to question it?

Until late summer, he traveled back to Lachlan frequently. Malcolm, his mother, and Ronan had created a trust that protected the estate by requiring major decisions with an equal vote among them. Despite all Ronan's bluster about the arrangement, he was relieved to not have all the burden on him for Lachlan's big decisions. Malcolm's mother loved having an official role beyond hostess duties. She and Ronan frequently called Malcolm to talk about finances, gradually the conversations included other parts of their lives. They were happy to have a reason to work together as a family, and that was a good thing.

Between the stalking and near financial ruin, Malcolm was reluctant to give Ronan a chance at first. Once I pointed out this new plan meant Malcolm could return to New York full time, his mood improved. Secretly I was grateful to Ronan for bringing us together again. We were both pretty stubborn; I'd have hated to miss out loving Malcolm and being loved by him.

In other news, we'd moved my mother to an apartment near us with private nursing care around the clock. From time to time she recognized me when I visited, we even took short walks together. The staff took excellent care of her, and it was a relief to know she was comfortable after all her years of hard work.

All the family news was positive, but tonight was just about us. I'd finished my fourteen-hour shift, but Malcolm had to remain in the hospital overnight. As the emergency room was strangely quiet, we'd planned to meet up in the resident call room. It sure sounded more fun than being home alone on Christmas eve.

Next year we would be back at Lachlan for a big family Christmas.

I draped a strand of tiny white Christmas lights around the headboard of the lower bunk. I smiled to myself, thinking of the duke of Lachlan, crammed on this twin bed. All the times we'd shared this room as colleagues, I never allowed myself to think about sharing a bed with him. Now we were sharing that and so much more.

The small Christmas gift I wrapped for him was about the size of a ring box. I set it on the narrow desk. I'd wracked my brain over a gift this year because it was the first year we'd been together long enough to plan anything. Last year, the only thing Malcolm wanted was my panty collection. Come to think of it, that would have worked this year, too.

What do you get a man who has it all? It was a tricky problem, but I'd solved it.

Malcolm entered, frowning, locking the door behind him. "You shouldn't leave the door unlocked," he said.

"Why not? I was planning to fuck the first doc through the door." I wrapped my arms around his muscular chest. It felt like forever since he'd held me though it only been since early morning.

His growl sent little shocks through me. "You feeling better? You were sound asleep when I left this morning."

I tipped my head back to meet his gaze. "After last night, I needed my rest."

"Was it too much? I recall you being rather enthusiastic. Nice dress, by the way." The dress was new, and I bought it, hoping he'd like it.

"I wasn't complaining; it was only a statement of fact." His hands were drifting lower over my body, skimming my hips. "I don't think we're going to both fit on that bed," I whispered. I slid my hands up underneath his scrubs against his bare chest. I loved the feel of his hard muscles under my fingers.

"I don't think I've fucked you on a desk since we last visited Lachlan. We're overdue." His hands explored under my black silk dress. He inhaled sharply.

My heart beat faster, but I feigned nonchalance. "I'm pretty sure we've covered every horizontal surface in the townhouse."

"No panties?" His fingers went right to work, strumming my clit.

"Merry Christmas, Malcolm," I whispered, widening my stance. "Oh! I have a Christmas present for you."

"Can I open it later? I'm busy." He unbuttoned my dress, letting it fall to my feet. As I skipped a bra, my nipples hardened under his gaze. It almost killed me to step away from him, but I reached back and snagged his gift.

He sat down on the lower bunk then crooked his finger at me. "I'll only open it if you sit on my lap."

"If you promise to behave." I was already moving toward him. Who was I kidding? I settled into his lap.

He shook the box good-naturedly, raising one eyebrow in that sexy way that always had me creaming my panties. "I wonder if we got each other the same thing?" He mused.

"We said no gifts," I said primly, before lightly nibbling on his ear. His hard cock was under my ass. I was excited for him to not only open his gift but to remove his scrub bottoms.

"But you got me something." He pulled the ribbon and paper off with his arms still around me while I leaned my head against his shoulder.

"It's more of a joint gift." Suddenly I felt shy. What if he didn't like it?

"Now, I'm intrigued." He dropped the wrapping paper on the floor then lifted the lid. He went still. Malcolm removed the old-fashioned diaper pin I'd placed inside. At the end that housed the clasp, I'd glued a bit of the Malcolm family tartan around it. He stared at it.

My heart raced.

Blood pounded in my ears. Maybe this was the wrong way to go about it.

"You're pregnant." He said, quietly.

I nodded. I didn't trust myself to say anything. I'd been pretty hopeful when I did a home pregnancy test this morning to confirm my suspicions. I was thrilled with the results.

He grabbed his backpack and pulled out a fancy gift bag. He practically threw it in my naked lap. He still held the pin, but he'd said not a fucking word about our life-changing news.

"We need to talk about this, Malcolm."

I was furious, of course. We'd been fucking like rabbits for a year without any protection. Having a baby had been a plan we'd talked about. And now that he'd knocked me up, he had nothing to say?

Bloody, Scottish asshole.

"Open it." His voice was tight.

This night was a disaster. That was something considering last Christmas Eve I'd been abducted by his presumed-dead twin.

With shaking fingers, I pulled a deep blue velvet ring box from the bag's tissue paper. Now it was my turn to stare.

"Open it, my love." Malcolm's words made me tremble.

I'd used up my courage allotment for the evening.

"Malcolm." I started to cry.

Holding the diaper pin between his fingers, he opened the box. A square-cut emerald surrounded by diamonds twinkled in the crappy call room lighting. He slid the ring on my left hand while I wiped away tears with my right. It fit perfectly.

The ring was breathtaking and fucking massive. I loved it. And the arrogant duke that it belonged to.

"Marry me, Holly, and make me the happiest of men."

"What about the baby?" I sniffed, overcome with so many damned emotions. If this was life with extra hormones, it was going to be a watery nine months.

"We should keep him or her, don't you think?" He wrapped his arms tight around me, kissing me hard on the lips. "And give him some siblings soon."

"You fucker," I whispered before I returned his kiss.

"Only with you." His kisses drifted to my cheek then the sensitive spot behind my ear. "I'm thrilled you'll be my wife, Holly. Let's make an army of babies." Malcolm tipped my chin up so he could study my face better. His eyes narrowed. "How far along are you? Do you have your prenatal vitamins? Maybe you should reduce your workload? We need to get an appointment with obstetrics and line up a pediatrician."

"It's going to be fine, Malcolm." I laid a finger against his lips. "I'm fine. The baby will be fine. We're a family." My calm, cool, and collected Scottish duke physician was going to be a worrier. It was sweet and surprising.

"Let's get married." He kissed my fingers.

"How about at Lachlan in spring before I start looking like a cow?" I wiggled my ass against him. My body was aching for some serious loving after all this excitement.

"Tonight, in the hospital chapel."

For fuck's sake. This man was so impatient it was more than a little erotic.

"Malcolm, your family, would be so disappointed besides, having family there would be nice."

"They don't have to know we got married early. It'll be our little secret, like when I do this." His fingers danced along my pussy lips before they stroked my asshole.

Oh, fuck yes, it was going to be a very merry Christmas indeed.

Thank you for reading High Heat Christmas Kisses! Read on for Cherry Sweet, a spicy menage romance between two Army Rangers and the girl they want to love forever.