Chapter 12

Skye proppedher slipper clad feet on the table top and reached for another handful of popcorn. Jimmy Stewart slid through the snow slicked streets in It's A Wonderful Life, screaming Mary's name. She'd already cried a few times though she knew the movie by heart. Of course, since Hunter had left two weeks ago, she'd been weepy all the time.

Skye sighed and her gaze flickered to Charlie Brown. The lights flickered cheerily in memory of the man she'd met over a month ago on a Christmas Tree farm. The Pasta King. The richest, most eligible bachelor in the city. Interested in a small-town elementary school teacher.

What a joke.

The inner taunting voice couldn't seem to shake her belief their time together hadn't been a lie. When Hunter kissed her and looked in her eyes, she knew the man he was. He'd shared stories of his family, his upbringing, and she could see how he'd screened carefully to keep his identity hidden. Still, something told her he'd revealed more to her than he had with women before him.

Not that it mattered. She'd discovered he returned to New York without a word. Even though she'd walked out, Skye had waited for the phone call, prepared to refuse to forgive his begging and pleas to get back together.

It had had never come. Not a text, or even an email. He probably forgot about her as soon as he returned to his world, and convinced himself it'd never work with her anyway. Hell, he probably had a hot date for New Year's Eve, escorting a gorgeous society woman to one of those fancy parties at the Plaza or Met or wherever the important people go to show off.

Jerk.

Dug lifted his massive head from her leg and gave a snort of agreement. Who needed Hunter Barone when she had the best dog in the whole world, Jimmy Stewart, and a Charlie Brown Christmas tree?

She stuffed another handful of popcorn in her mouth when the doorbell rang.

Skye looked down at her ratty robe, bunny slippers and old t-shirt with sweatpants. Who could that be? The weather report warned of a record-breaking snowstorm, and already the flakes were thick and fluffy, piling up fast. She went to the door and peered out the curtain.

Hunter stood on her doorstep.

Skye wiped her mouth on the sleeve of her robe, raked her fingers through her knotted hair, and groaned. Oh, for God's sakes, what was he doing here now? The bell rang again and she knew he'd spotted her. With a deep breath, she opened the door.

"Hunter."

Dug sprung from the couch and attacked, but Hunter was already prepared. He laughed, stroking him with affection while the dog drooled over his fancy wool coat dusted with snow. His gaze raked over her evening attire. Amusement gleamed within golden eyes, and his mouth curved upward in that sexy grin that made her want to rip his clothes off. "Can I come in?"

She motioned him in and wondered if she could escape to put on some make-up. Then pulled back her feminine instincts, reminding herself a relationship could never work between them.

"My favorite movie." He pointed to the television. "Wouldn't everyone want the opportunity to have a do over?"

"Hunter, what do you want? It's dangerous out there!. Did you drive up from the city?"

"I needed to ask you an important question," he said.

"You could have called."

"Not with this question."

Skye squirmed in her bunny slippers, wishing she was in a sexy cocktail dress with heels. She stalked back over to the couch and sat down stubbornly, refusing to stand in front of him. "Fine. Ask your question, then."

"Now that you know I'm the Pasta King, does it change your feelings for me?"

Her mouth fell open like a guppy. "That's ridiculous."

"You didn't answer the question. I lied to you because I was afraid. And you were right – I didn't know what I wanted. Now, I figured things out. But do you know what you want?"

"I didn't pretend to be someone I wasn't."

"Yes, but are you willing to love someone even if he doesn't fit your perfect image?" Hunter paced back and forth as he seemed to seek the right words. "I'm not a small-town dentist, Skye. The papers write messy articles and reporters sometimes hound me. I love my father but he's domineering and sometimes controlling, and I'm just learning to stand up to him to be my own man. All this time, I was so afraid I'd find a woman who wouldn't see me for who I really was. I thought she'd want my money and my image and my family. I never imagined she wouldn't want me. I assumed, like an ass, that I was the prize.

"Until you. Now, I'm terrified I'm not good enough to be in your life."

He paused in front of her, his face naked and vulnerable as he spoke. "I fell for you the moment you saved that damn Charlie Brown tree. I love this small town. And I do love the restaurant business – that's what I've been missing. I spoke with my father and told him my new plan. I'm moving out of the city. I'm going to open up my own Pasta King restaurant in Poughkeepsie. I'm branching out for myself and stepping away from the day-to-day administrative I've been stuck in. I want to do the work I love but in a place I can make a home for myself." He paused. "I love you, Skye Summers. And I want to make a home with you. If you want me."

Skye stared up at the man before her. A low humming rang in her ears. Slowly, she rose from the couch and walked towards him. Her hands cupped his beloved face and her heart squeezed, then bloomed to monstrous proportions, threatening to compete with the Grinch after the Christmas spirit invaded his soul.

Her voice came out husky with emotion. "You had me the moment you haggled over the price of that tree. I don't care if you're rich or poor and I don't care what anyone calls you. Because you're the man I love. I can deal with nosy reporters and a dynamic father-in-law as long as I have you." She leaned her forehead against his and caressed a stray golden curl off his brow. "I needed to know I was what you really wanted."

His mouth came down on hers, claiming her with possessive, long thrusts of his tongue. She buried her fingers in his hair, her hips arching upward to meet his, the delicious taste of hot male hunger swamping her senses. "I never knew bunny slippers could be so damn sexy," he murmured, lifting her high in his arms and pressing her deep into the couch cushions.

Skye laughed and worked on the buttons of his shirt, tugging off the fabric. She bit the slope of his shoulder in gentle punishment and felt his answering shudder. "I'm glad you like them. The matching robe was on my Christmas list."

"I may never recover." His lips traced down the sensitive curve of her neck to her breasts. Her breath came in short, choppy gasps." I think this is the best gift I've ever unwrapped. You taste so sweet."

Clothes dropped away and he held her tight. His lean, muscled body pressed against every lush curve. "Hunter." His name broke from her lips and he took her mouth with possession as he claimed her. The night grew darker and the twinkling tree lights cast shadows over the wall. "I love you," she whispered.

"I love you, too. Happy New Year's, baby."

And Skye knew it was going to be a very good year.

The End