Samantha Kane (17 page)

her, and their expressions said they felt the same way.

“May we have a moment, sir?” Nick asked. Her father

narrowed his eyes, looking at al three of them. “Please, sir,”

Nick said humbly, surprising Vanessa. “Just a moment.”

Her father opened the door. “I’l be right outside. You may have

a minute.”

When the door closed she threw herself into Oliver’s arms. “Oh,

darling,” she whispered. “Thank you. I know how hard that was

for you.” He didn’t say anything, just kissed her passionately,

letting his emotions loose in his kiss. When he finaly let her go

she was breathless and smiling. She loved the way they kissed

her, as if there was nothing more important in the world.

her, as if there was nothing more important in the world.

“I would do anything for you, Vanessa,” Oliver told her. “Do not

doubt that, ever.” He moved away from both her and Nick and

faced them, his expression grim. “And that includes leaving you

both. You know it would be better if you were two instead of

three. You don’t need me.”

“Don’t be an ass,” Nick muttered. “Of course we need you.

You can’t go,” he said quietly. “Not just because you wil go

mad without us, but because we would go mad without you.” He

reached out and palmed the back of Oliver’s head, touching their

foreheads together. “I got her for you, you know.”

“What do you mean?” both Vanessa and Oliver asked.

“That night at Shelby’s. Oliver talked about how lonely you

were, and I saw the same sort of sadness in his eyes. I helped

pursue you, Vanessa, because Oliver wanted you and I would

do anything for him. Anything.” Nick had let go of him and was

pacing.

Vanessa felt a brief moment of panic before she remembered al

the things they’d done and said the last few days. She knew he

felt more than that now. “But you love her, Nick,” Oliver said,

voicing what Vanessa was thinking. “I know you do.”

Nick nodded. “Yes. I didn’t plan on it.” He looked ruefuly at

Vanessa. “I’m sorry, love, but it’s true. I didn’t want to love you.

Vanessa. “I’m sorry, love, but it’s true. I didn’t want to love you.

But Oliver was right. Your eyes spoke to me as wel. When we

banished the loneliness from your eyes I knew that I’d do

anything for you too.” His hands fisted at his sides. “We were so

caught up in the end of things. The end of the war, the end of our

army careers. It just seemed like the end of everything. I didn’t

understand until you, Vanessa, that what we needed was a new

beginning.”

She grabbed Nick’s hand and dragged him over to Oliver where

she put her arms around both of them, forming a tight little circle

of the three of them. “I like my mistletoe,” she told them. They

both looked confused by her change of topic. She smiled. “I’ve

liked al the gifts you’ve given me. Look.” She opened the gold

locket she wore on a chain around her neck, the one they’d

bought her yesterday, and showed them the smal sprigs of

rosemary and ivy inside. “But the gift of a life with the two of you is the greatest gift of al.” She laughed. “And we shal be married

on Twelfth Night! We should have a huge celebration.”

Oliver nuzzled her ear. “Oh, it wil be huge al right.”

Nick laughed at his suggestive tone and nuzzled her neck on the

other side. “Mmm-hmm,” he agreed.

“Don’t be sily,” she said breathlessly, praying her father didn’t

walk in too soon. “I meant with al our friends.”

“I meant with just the three of us,” Oliver said, kissing her cheek.

“I meant with just the three of us,” Oliver said, kissing her cheek.

“That too,” she whispered. Both men kissed her then, taking

turns at her lips and kissing each other, too.

“I love you. Merry Christmas,” she said against the corner of

Nick’s mouth as he kissed Oliver. He smiled and they broke

their kiss to hug her. “Merry Christmas, darling,” Nick said as

Oliver kissed her again.

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About the Author

Samantha has a Master’s Degree in History, and is a ful-time

writer and mother. She lives in North Carolina with her husband

and three children.

Samantha welcomes comments from readers. You can find her

website and email address on her author bio page at

www.elorascave.com.

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Also by Samantha Kane

A Lady In Waiting

Brothers in Arms 1: The Courage to Love

Brothers in Arms 2: Love Under Siege

Brothers in Arms 3: Love’s Strategy

Brothers in Arms 4: At Love’s Command

Brothers in Arms 5: Retreat from Love

Brothers in Arms 6: Love in Exile

Brothers in Arms 7: Love’s Fortress

Brothers in Arms 8: Prisoner of Love

Cougar Chalenge: Play it Again, Sam

Elora’s Cavemen: Jewels of the Nile II anthology

Hunters for Hire: Tomorrow

Islands

Print books by Samantha Kane

Aged to Perfection anthology

Brothers in Arms 1: The Courage to Love

Brothers in Arms 2: Love Under Siege

Brothers in Arms 4: At Love’s Command

Brothers in Arms 5: Retreat from Love

Brothers in Arms 6: Love in Exile

Brothers in Arms 7 Love’s Fortress

Brothers in Arms 8: Prisoner of Love

Cougar Chalenge: Tempt the Cougar anthology

Elora’s Cavemen: Jewels of the Nile II anthology

Hunters for Hire: Tomorrow

Discover for yourself why readers can’t get enough of the

multiple award-winning publisher Elora’s Cave. Whether you

prefer e-books or paperbacks, be sure to visit EC on the web at

www.elorascave.com for an erotic reading experience that wil

leave you breathless.

www.ellorascave.com