Page 86 of Prince Charming

Tag hovered in the background later while she spoke to the twins, showing them the beautiful tree, it excited them for Christmas. She was grateful her gifts arrived weeks ago for Santa to deliver.

Strong arms came around her when she eventually said goodnight.

Sagging into Tag’s chest, she let some of her weight go.

“It’s gonna be okay, darlin’. I know it.”

“Will it?”

“Has to be, right?” Lips touched the edge of her ear. She wanted to believe that. She’d reached out several times now to Mister G and got nothing back. Of course she’d been scammed, that’s how her luck went.

Christmas in the Drake household was nothing short of magical.

Marianna got swept up in Tag’s enthusiasm.

They watched movies, eating too much caramel popcorn. She curled up next to him on the couch and they shared different Christmas memories. His didn’t sound all that fun, and her heart hurt to make it better as much as he was doing for her. She stroked his hair while the movie ended.

Tag being Tag, unable to listen to simple instructions, meant he was in and out of the kitchen as she made dinner. “Official taste tester,” he declared.

His touches owned her. Did he know that?

Kisses so soft dropped to her lips.

After she watched him clear two plates of mushroom and cabbage stuffed dumplings with ragu, Marianna presented him with an extra fat slice of pie.

“I think you need to marry me,” he declared, wiping his mouth on a napkin. “That was fucking incredible, Anna.”

Feeding him was a pleasure she didn’t know she wanted every day.

He was extremely easy to make happy. And to talk to. And to be with.

She was stupid to think she could stop from falling for him.

“Go call your kids, Anna, read the Christmas book you got them. This year looks different, but you don’t have to let it stop you from making your memories.”

God, this man was phenomenal.

She rounded the table and pressed a hard kiss to his mouth, leaving him startled.

It was wonderful.

It was heartbreaking.

The moment she disconnected the call, she headed for Tag and climbed into his lap, tears trailing down her face.

“Oh, my darlin’ girl. I got you.”

Taking a fortifying breath, she pulled back slowly, Tag brushed the wetness from under her eyes. “Okay?”

“Da. It was a good call. Just being a silly mama.”

“Never silly. A beautiful mama.”

She could fall in love with him so easily.

“Tag?”

“Yeah, darlin’?”

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