Daring Brides (17 page)
Authors: Ava Miles
Tags: #bride, #award-winning romance, #billionaires, #family, #bestselling romance, #romantic comedy, #alpha males, #sweet romance, #small town, #friendship, #short stories, #falling in love, #new adult, #Nora Roberts, #wedding, #heroes, #humor, #suspense, #love story, #sagas, #sisters, #series, #mystery, #contemporary romance
Her nemesis gripped her shoulders. “Are you all right?”
“There's a moose chasing us!” she sputtered.
He was all but leaning into her lap to evade the shower of glass. “Right. Stupid question.”
“Okay, let's get out of here.”
The moose stood in their path. Mac revved the engine. “Move, dammit!
“Go!” she yelled. This was not the time to be a granola-loving tree hugger.
His hands tightened on the steering wheel as the animal landed a crushing blow on the hood like a pro-football linebacker. Something popped, and smoke rolled out from the engine, making her nose twitch. The moose stumbled to the side.
The path clear, he hit the gas. The engine sputtered and died, lights flashing on the dashboard.
“You're kidding me,” she heaved out.
“Oh, shit! Must have blown something.”
“Try again!”
He turned it over. It didn't even fire. “It's like an elephant sat on my car. That thing's gotta weigh close to a thousand pounds.”
“How can you joke around at a time like this? Where's your gun?” She dug into his glove compartment.
“I don't have a gun.”
The moose circled the car. Tossed its head. Its wild, eerie eyes peered through the shattered windows.
Maven's eyes swept across her, following the moose. “Great, it knows it has us cornered.”
She slammed the glove compartment shut. “Why don't you have a gun?”
“I don't like them.”
“How unmanly of you.” The moose fogged up her window as it peered through the web-like glass. Yuck, moose breath. She hit the window to make it go away, causing more spider cracks.
“I wouldn't do that,” Maven cautioned.
It darted back.
“See, it moved! Just needed to show it who's boss.”
It lowered its head and charged her side of the car.
Maven tugged her body over the partition between the seats, his strong arms encircling her as he pushed her head against his chest. “Shit. Now you've really pissed it off.”
Pie covered her front, its wetness spreading through her shirt. The smell of citrus blended with the smell of burnt car parts hanging thickly in the air.
The moose rammed her side again. The top part of the window blew apart, showering her in glass.
Maven plucked her onto his lap. She flinched at the heat pouring from his body, the sensation of his muscles bunching under her. God, it had been ages since she'd been this close to a man she wasn't handcuffing. Wasn't it her luck they were in mortal danger, and he was her enemy?
“Wait! Give me the pie.” He yanked it from her, leaned over, and flung it through the broken part of the window like it was a frisbee.
He gripped her body more tightly against his, a stance so protective she almost fought him. She didn't need anyone protecting her. She was a cop. Then the moose circled the car again. Who was she kidding? Even cops had partners. Damn, she missed her gun.
Suddenly the moose lifted its head as if sniffing the air. It lumbered toward the pie with its clippity-clop gait, bent over, and clamped it between its teeth. After giving them another eerie glance, it ambled down the street.
Maven dropped his face to her shoulder, hugging her. “Jesus, it was hungry. Thank God!”
“Yeah, hungry.” What was she saying? Her ears buzzed like they did after a drug raid. She realized they were both breathing hard. His heart was pounding like an anvil in his chest, mirroring hers.
They were both shaking.
He pressed his cheek against hers. “You scared me. I saw you stop and let Keith run ahead.” Then he cupped her neck and tunneled his fingers through her short hair.
His concern broke through the power of her hostility toward him. Hell, he'd saved her life. “I had to.”
He rubbed their foreheads together, a gesture so tender her heart cracked open.
“I know you did,” he murmured. “Mom's instinct. Where's your car?”
His understanding warmed her even more. Maven's breath feathered her lips. She wanted to lean into him, giving herself to the heat, the connection.
“Ah…” What was he saying? Oh. Car. “We walked. It's not far. The weather's nice.” Was she babbling? She never babbled.
His strong body and spicy scent made her feel safe. God, why did some big scary mountain creature make her feel like such a girl?
He stroked her hair-a gesture she recognized. She did it with Keith when she wanted to soothe him. Well, she didn't want that type of soothing from Maven. His touch burned. Her body switched from fear to heat. Why did he make her feel this way? He was a freakin' poker player.
THE HOLIDAY SERENADE
And then the crowd seemed to part, and her fairy tale prince appeared. He wore gray dress pants and a white dress coat with a white shirt underneath. The gray silk tie had sparkles on it, something only Rhett could pull off. He wasn't truly in a Christmas costume, but it didn't matter. It was the most dressed up she'd ever seen him. And her heart beat rapidly in her chest.
“Don't make the man suffer much longer,” Jill suggested, giving her a squeeze. “It's Christmas. Time to make up. Let's go, girls,” she said to the others.
“Wait,” Abbie called after them, but they just smiled and continued on their way.
Rhett bowed grandly in front of her. When he straightened, he plucked a red rose from his lapel and extended it to her. “Merry Christmas, Abbie.”
As she took the rose, part of her wished she wasn't wearing white gloves. She wanted to run her fingers over the velvety petals. Instead, she brought it to her nose. “My goodness, this one is fragrant.”
That cocky smile flashed across his face. “What can I say? This hotel carries great flowers.”
And since ordering the flowers fell under her purview, she appreciated the compliment.
“So,” he continued, his golden eyes as inviting as shiny tree ornaments, “do you like it? I missed you so badly last Christmas that I wanted to celebrate being together this year. And I know you like elegant parties.”
She bit her tongue as she struggled with what to say. “Rhett, this is…lovely…more beautiful than I ever could have imagined. But you know we're not a couple.”
His smile lost a few watts of its power. “Sure we are. You just haven't realized it yet.”
Enjoy THE HOLIDAY SERENADE now.
About the Author
USA Today Bestselling Author Ava Miles burst onto the contemporary romance scene after receiving Nora Roberts' blessing for her use of Ms. Roberts' name in her debut novel, the #1 National Bestseller NORA ROBERTS LAND, which kicked off her small town series, Dare Valley. Ava's books have reached the #1 spot at Barnes & Noble and ranked in Amazon and iBooks' Top 10. Both NORA ROBERTS LAND and COUNTRY HEAVEN have been chosen as Best Books of the Year. Ava has also released a connected series called Dare River about the power of love and family. She's fast becoming a favorite author in light contemporary romance (Tome Tender) and is known for funny, sweet, emotional stories, sometimes with a touch of mystery and magic. Ava's background is as diverse as her characters. She's a former chef, worked as a long-time conflict expert rebuilding warzones, and now writes full-time from her own small town community. Ava is a big believer in living happily ever after and writes about her own journey on The Happiness Corner blog every Friday on her website. If you'd like to connect with Ava or hear more about her upcoming books, check out the links below:
Copyright June 2015, Ava Miles. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means—graphic, electronic or mechanical—without permission in writing from the author, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review.
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictionally.
Ava Miles
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