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

get any of me until after we’re married, young lady.”
    I whined. “Come on, just a little make out, that’s all I want.” There was something freeing about the blindfold. I felt bolder and dove for where I thought his pants were and ended up smacking my forehead into his knee.
    “You need to relax,” he said, laughing.
    I sat up, rubbing my forehead. “Fine.”
    He pulled me into his arms and kissed my forehead, then my eyes, the tip of my nose, each of my cheeks, my chin, and my neck near my ear.
    Chills ran the length of my body. “You are evil,” I said, my voice breathy.
    He turned me so I was fully on his lap and kissed between my breasts.
    “So evil,” I said again.
    He tucked my head against his shoulder. “Sleep if you want, love.”
    I closed my eyes, sure I was too turned on to sleep, but it seemed like minutes later he was helping me to get buckled because we were about to land.
    We landed and Austin rushed me into another limo. He fed me some dry wine, cheese, and green apples during the drive. I couldn’t see, but I could taste the flavors. The combination was delicious.
    When we stopped, Austin helped me out of the car , and I immediately knew where we were. Between the sound of the birds, the rush of the waves, and the smell of the ocean, I knew I was home. I yanked the blindfold off and threw myself into Austin’s arms.
    “What did you do?” I whispered into his neck.
    “You’ll see,” he said, hugging me tightly.
    We walked hand in hand down the steps. The wind was blowing and the sun was setting. When we rounded the bend next to our rock I noticed a man in black. He had a book in his hands and a white collar around his neck.
    I stopped. “Austin, you didn’t.”
    He turned to me and touched my cheek. “Your mom told me you’d always dreamed of getting married at the beach. I had to make that happen.”
    “Serious?” I said. Tears of happiness streamed down my face. “That is… You are the kindest man I’ve ever known.”
    He took my hand and we walked toward the priest.
    When we were close, the priest smiled and met us. “You must be Austin and Willow?”
    Austin shook the man’s hand. “That’s us,” he said.
    The priest smiled. “I’m Reverend Smythe. It’s good to meet you both.” He shook my hand. “Well, if we want to do this while the sun is setting we’d better get a move on.”
    I was still crying as we walked toward our rock. It was a beautiful day. A tender peace filled my heart.
    This is a good sign, right? I thought. 
    Reverend Smythe stood with his back facing the sunset. We stood on either side of him.
    “Please take each other’s hands.”
    We did. There was always a crowd on the beach at sunset. Several stopped to watch.
    “Do you , Austin Merrick, take Willow St. James to be your lawfully wedded wife? Do you promise to love her, honor her, and cherish her for as long as you both shall live?”
    I listened to the Reverend, but inside all I kept thinking was, it’s happening. This is really happening. I can’t believe this is happening.
    Austin said, “I do.”
    The priest turned to me. “Do you, Willow St. James, take Austin Merrick to be your lawfully wedded husband? Do you promise to love him, honor him, and cherish him for as long as you both shall live?” At the reverend’s words, I got choked up. I hoped it would be for a long, long time, but it might be only two more days.
    Austin shook my hands. “Will?”
    I swallowed. “I do. Of course I do.”
    Reverand Smythe smiled. “Then by the power vested in me by the state of Oregon, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.”
    Austin pulled me to him, lifted me into his arms and kissed me. Cheers came from the random crowd behind us. When he set me down, we shook the Reverend’s hand again.
    “Thank you, sir,” I said.
    “Thanks,” Austin said.
    “You’re welcome. My work here is done.” While the priest walked away, the random people came up to us and