Free Frosted Midnight: A Christmas Novella by Breena Wilde, !2 NAs of Christmas

happen to Emma?”
    He smiled sweetly. “No, Emma’s fine. I’ve got a surprise. Wear something warm.”
    “Okay.” I pulled the covers off and went to the closet. I put on jeans, a thick cable -knit sweater, and a pair of cowboy boots Austin bought for me. Then I went into the bathroom, brushed my teeth, and pulled my hair into a messy bun. When I was finished I came out of the bathroom. Austin was sitting on the edge of the bed, one knee bouncing up and down. “Is there something you want to tell me?” I asked walking toward him.
    He stood and grabbed my hand, dragging me down the stairs. “It’s a surprise. Remember?”
    “Right.”
    When he opened the front door, I pulled us to a stop. “Are we leaving? What about Emma?”
    My mom came around the corner. She had on a silk bathrobe and pink, fluffy slippers. “Me and your sisters will take care of Emma. Go.” I realized she was crying.
    “Mom?” I asked, a nervous wave washing over me.
    ‘I’m fine. Happy. Just go.”
    “Come on,” Austin tugged me through the door and into a waiting limo. He was bubbling over with excitement.
    “What time is it?” I asked.
    He shrugged. “Like seven-thirty in the morning.” He helped me in and climbed in after me. The car started moving. “Can you give me a hint about where we’re going?”
    He shook his head. “It’s a surprise, Will.”
    I started to ask another question and he stopped me with a kiss. When it was over he said, “We’re flying somewhere.”
    “Oh?” I thought it was sweet he wanted to surprise me, but I didn’t want to be away from Emma or my mom and sisters. There were only two days left. I’d spent all day yesterday trying on dresses until I found one that was perfect. It was a simple white dress. The bodice was sleeveless and had folds of material that went in a diagonal. At the waist was a “belt” made of real diamond flowers. The bottom half was straight and puddled around my feet. The designer had clapped her hands and exclaimed loudly that she’d made the dress for me, that I looked divine and had to have it. I’d asked her how much it was, and she pressed her lips together in a tight line. “Not to worry. Mr. Merrick is handling the expense.”
    I wanted to argue, but the look on her face discouraged me.
    Then there’d been the woman who was making the wedding cake. Austin and I tasted them together and decided on a vanilla with strawberry cream. The cake would be white with flowers that matched my diamond “belt.”
    After that Austin and I spoke to the party planner. It would be a small affair, with some friends and family. We discussed flowers, food, an open bar, and dancing. The night sounded like one to remember and by the end of the day I was tired, but content.
    “I t’ll be a quick trip. I promise,” Austin said, brining me out of my thoughts.
    “Alright.” I leaned my head back and closed my eyes. Austin squeezed my hand.
    We arrived at the airport and climbed aboard his jet. Austin pulled a black scarf from his jacket pocket. “This is so you don’t get any ideas.”
    I laughed. “Uh-huh. Right. Tell the truth, you’ve got kinky plans for me.”
    He lifted an eyebrow. “Maybe.” He placed the scarf over my eyes and the pilot took off. While we were in the air Austin fed me grapes, strawberries and a delicious almond flavored pastry. To wash it down we had champagne.
    “It’s a little early for that, isn’t it?” I asked giggling.
    “It’s never too early for champagne.”
    After we ate, he read to me from The Count of Monte Cristo. I love listening to his voice. The deep timbre, the way his voice caressed the words. If I hadn’t been in love with him before, I would’ve been now. There was something extremely sexy about a man reading out loud.
    I tried to attack him. We hadn’t made love last night since I’d said we needed to wait until our wedding night. I was seriously regretting that crazy decision.
    Austin laughed. “Oh, no. You don’t