Free Deadly Christmas by Lily Harper Hart Page B

unnecessary. Jake loved her. She was certain of that. Everything else would happen when it was supposed to.
    “I didn’t think about him accidentally shooting someone,” Ally said. “I didn’t really think at all. I knew I had the taser in my purse and that Mandy was refusing to give up her jewelry and I just reacted. I’m sorry.”
    “Angel, I don’t need you to be sorry,” Jake said. “I need you to give a few moments of thought before you act occasionally, though. I don’t ever want anyone else in my life. You’re it for me. I know you don’t believe that sometimes.”
    “I … .”
    Jake shushed her. “You just told me that you think I’m debating if you’re worth keeping around,” he said. “Just for the record, I am never thinking about that. You’re worth every headache and potential heart attack. I still don’t want you hurt.”
    “I didn’t … .”
    “I know, angel,” Jake said, slipping his arm around Ally’s waist and pulling her on top of him as he reclined on the couch. “I don’t mean to upset you. I really don’t. Believe it or not, I was the calm one when we walked into the mall.”
    “I believe that,” Ally said, resting her chin on his chest. “You’re always the calm one.”
    “I told James that you two were a lot alike and he didn’t like it.”
    “I don’t like it either,” Ally replied, making a face.
    Jake snorted. She was too adorable for words sometimes. “You’re both passionate people, my Ally. You both fight for the people you love. I consider myself lucky to have you every moment of every day.”
    “I love you, Jake,” Ally said, her voice barely a whisper. “Sometimes I look at you and the love I feel overwhelms me. That’s when I scare myself and let my mind wander to bad places. It’s like … it’s like I can’t imagine anyone loving me as much as I love you and I make myself crazy.”
    “Well, then we’re both crazy,” Jake said, pushing her brown waves away from her face. “I never knew it was possible to love anything as much as I love you. I promise you a future together, Ally. Please, don’t let your head run away from you.”
    “Mandy told me to let you do things on your own timetable,” Ally mused.
    “Mandy is smarter than she looks sometimes,” Jake said, smirking. “I’m betting she and James have already made up. We’re going to be snowed in tomorrow, angel. I don’t suppose you’re ready to make up now so we can enjoy the whole day together tomorrow, are you?”
    Ally grinned. “Are you ready to make me feel better?”
    Jake tightened his arms around Ally’s waist. “I’m ready to make us both feel better,” he said. “Now come here and give me a kiss. I’m about to give you an early Christmas present.”
     
    “IT’S REALLY coming down out there,” Emma Pritchard said, her eyes serious as she rubbed her burgeoning stomach close to the window.
    Finn moved up behind her, pushing her auburn hair away from her neck so he could kiss the soft flesh there. He loved the way she shuddered at his touch. “We’re perfectly safe here, sweetheart,” he teased. “I ran to the store and got everything your hormonal heart could possibly be craving in the next thirty-six hours.”
    Emma’s smile was rueful when she turned to her fiancé. “Am I really that bad?”
    “You wanted pickles and tomato juice when I left the apartment yesterday morning and were happily dipping chocolate in peanut butter and making faces about the pickles and tomato juice when I got back an hour later,” Finn said, grinning. “I happen to think your cravings are adorable.”
    Emma ran her hand over Finn’s short-cropped hair. She loved how soft it was and how the close cut highlighted the angles in his face. “You take such good care of me.”
    “I’m going to take really good care of you when we’re snowed in here together tomorrow,” Finn said, grasping Emma’s hand and leading her toward the couch. “Get comfortable and I’ll rub