Madame Eve's Gift- Nick & Kathryn's Story

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This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Madame Eve’s Gift Copyright  2011 by Kate Richards Cover art by Dara England All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work, in whole or in part, in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means now known or hereafter invented, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher. Published by Decadent Publishing Company, LLC Look for us online at: www.decadentpublishing.com

Madame Eve’s Gift Nick and Kathryn’s Story

Kate Richards

~DEDICATION~ To each and every author of a 1Night Stand story with affection and admiration.

~Other Decadent Publishing books by Kate Richards~

One Night on the Beach Avalon for Christmas

1Night Stand Stories The Virgin and the Playboy Trail of Hearts Gale Force Passion

Madame Eve’s Gift

Chapter One Nicholas Castillo hung up the phone and grinned. “Jackson reports Madame is pleased with us this holiday season, Kathryn.” “So all her clients are doing well? No mix-ups or demands for refunds?” His favorite guest and best friend lounged in the depths of his office sofa, work boots propped on his coffee table—as usual. He thanked heaven most men only saw her in her everyday guise as bush pilot, baggy jeans and flannel shirt, worn aviator jacket, and lush red curls tamed into a long braid down her back. Although, even then, her green-gold eyes, pink cheeks, and rosebud mouth garnered her more propositions than he was entirely comfortable with. “Well?” Her impatient tone drew him back to the moment. “How did it go?” “Go? Oh, the 1Night Stand couples. I gather a bit of chaos did ensue in one or two cases, but you know Eve, she seems to anticipate the problems and know, somehow, that they will work themselves out.” Kathryn smiled and a mischievous glint lit her eyes. “Not everyone realizes instantly they belong together. Some of my passengers this week were impossible, cranky, and frazzled—not like people about to embark on the adventure of a lifetime at all!” “Kathryn, not everyone looks for adventure in life—” “Well, they should! When I think of how they moaned and groused in the plane. Wanting to know when they’d get here and why is the ride so bumpy and aren’t we serving drinks…. They’re going to Alaska for Christmas, they couldn’t get much closer to the North Pole without an invitation from Santa himself.” Of course he understood what she meant. The passengers she referred to were probably not thinking about the location as much as the one-night stand that lay ahead of them. But Kathryn never had seemed interested in romance. She transported most of the 1Night Stand guests and other vacationers to his hotel. Romance was merely business to the woman he dreamed of on the long, cold Alaskan nights. He absorbed every inch of her. “You look lovely today.”

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“Oh, don’t tease.” She frowned at him, a look that emphasized the dimple in her left cheek. “I look like I always do, although tonight I’ll be dolled up for that affair you’re dragging me to. You know I’d never go to the gala at all except for losing that bet.” “Best one I ever made.” He grinned at her, enjoying the way her outrage raised the color in her cheeks. “I should have known better than to bet against Eve. Her matches are all winners. Nobody has asked me to fly them home yet!” “You wish.” He watched her face, pondering—maybe he should ask Eve for help. He thought he’d resigned himself long ago to the fact that Kathryn saw him only as a friend. Popping in between runs for a meal, a night in the guest room of his suite, and off into the sky again in the morning. A quick smile was all he ever got from her, although it irked him that she never failed to hug his Uncle Aarón or Jackson if they happened to be visiting. Why not him? She acts like I have cooties! He winced at his middle-school mentality. Maybe his feelings were only a crush. He’d only been plotting how to get her in his bed and his life for…three years. “It’s probably just the Christmas spirit. Tomorrow they’ll wake up and realize that they have all the same problems they always did.” “Maybe….” He rounded his desk and joined her on the sofa, daring to sit so close that their shoulders touched, feeling a small sting of satisfaction at the contact. “But from what I hear, those dates of Madame’s have a tendency to become permanent. Look at Jackson and Leah. They—” A tap on the door interrupted him. “Come in.” His secretary poked her head in. “Mr. Castillo, it’s noon. I’m going to go start getting ready for the party now. Unless you need anything? ” “No, I think we’re done for the day, Mamie. I’ll see you this evening.” She disappeared, the rapid tattoo of her heels fading down the corridor. He shook his head in amazement. “Kathryn, the ball is at nine o’clock tonight. How long can it possibly take to get dressed?” She giggled. “You’re such a man! She probably has an afternoon at the salon planned. Those gift cards you handed out to the staff at their party the other night are good for any services in the hotel. And she probably spent her Christmas bonus on 2

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her dress.” He swallowed. “All that money for one evening?” “Well, of course!” She wore an indulgent and tolerant expression. “I guess not all women are practical like you.” He stood and tugged her to her feet. “Let’s go have lunch in the suite and maybe watch some television. I’m not going to get any work done this afternoon, so we can kick back until the festivities.” “Sure, why not?” She sighed. “It’s going to take me a while to get ready anyway. You sure I can’t go like this?” He looked her up and down. “As appealing as you are in those faded jeans and that lovely flannel shirt with the worn elbow, no. You don’t look like Mrs. Claus.” “Mrs. Claus! Even if you think of yourself as Santa, and with those abs,” she poked at his belly and he grunted, “you would have a hard time convincing me of the fact, I am not a chubby old lady yet!” “You’re my date.” “Only because I lost a bet.” She tossed her head and her long braid bobbed over her shoulder, with a jingle. A tiny bell on the hair tie at the bottom twinkled in the light. Looked like she did have a little Christmas spirit. He stored the knowledge away in case he could use it to his advantage. He only hoped he wouldn’t mistake a friendly gesture for an opening and ruin what they did have. “And I suppose it includes wearing that dress I spotted in the closet.” “And the shoes.” He stood back and watched as she left the room, her free stride making his heart lift. Beautiful, smart, and far too independent to want to settle down with a hotel manager, even if he was one of the very successful Castillos…a first cousin to Jackson and Jagger, raised in their home as a brother. His parents had insisted he have an American education and life, despite their own reluctance to leave Cuba. Funny he’d end up at the northernmost of the Castillo resorts—and every bit as much in love with its magnificent environs as his parents were with their island home. But Kathryn was not impressed by status or money. She treated him as a friend and he tried hard to make that enough. “Are you coming or what?” Her voice floated back to him and he shook himself

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and followed. No use fighting what couldn’t be changed; he would settle for watching his friend strut toward the elevator, her slim form and swaying hips making even her faded flying clothes sexy. Did platonic buddies run their fingers through one another’s hair? Did they stroke long, silky waves back to press lips to the satin skin under their friend’s delicately curved ear? Will she wear her hair down tonight? His steps slowed as he came up behind her, hands clenched at his sides to keep from finding out what would happen if he grasped her waist and pulled her back against him. The elevator slid open and she stepped in, holding the door with one hand while he—and a striking woman with the long, straight black hair of the local Inuit people—boarded. He let out a relieved breath. If they’d been alone, he would probably have said something stupid or worse. Christmas spirit was a dangerous thing, making him all too determined to put his heart out there. If she realized how he felt, how often he turned away so she wouldn’t see the arousal she stirred just by walking into a room, she’d probably feel so uncomfortable she’d never stay in his suite again. And, pathetic though it made him, he’d take whatever time with her he could get and on whatever terms she chose.

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Chapter Two Kathryn watched the numbers above their heads light up one by one until they reached the top floor. Nick stood next to her, inches away, but not touching. As usual. The tall, elegant man formed a sharp contrast to her own scruffy appearance with his meticulous dress and perfect grooming. She sniffed, his subtle cologne reminding her of the woods on a snowy day. He outclassed her. She didn’t want to mess up his clothes with a quick hug. She’d probably spot his immaculate shirt with the engine oil sure to be on her somewhere. The other Castillos, also elegant, seemed more approachable somehow, although they were every bit as well-groomed and expensively clad. Anyway, despite their complete lack of physical contact, Nick was her best friend. And if her nipples peaked and she moistened in secret places when they sat on the couch in his suite watching late night horror movies…he didn’t need to know. Their companion in the elevator got off on the penthouse level as well, turning left as they went right down the long hallway. “She was pretty, wasn’t she?” “Huh? Oh, yes, very.” Great, of course he’d like a woman like that. Clearly belonging in Alaska, but with an elegance to match his. “Another of Madame’s clients. So…do you like the dress I picked out for you? Is the color all right?” “Yes, it’s fine.” Gorgeous, in fact, a green, shiny material with a gold gleam when she held it to the light. “I gave the seamstress an outfit of yours from the guest closet to work from, so it should fit.” “Nick, you had it made for me?” Tears pricked her eyelids. “That was a lot of trouble and it must have been so expensive!” Horror struck. “I left an old pair of jeans and a flannel. What did she think of me?” He slipped the key card through the slot to open the door, chuckling. “She didn’t say. I also showed her a picture of you because I wanted the gown to match your eyes.” She trailed after him. At the very top, front of the building, his suite featured

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slanted, open beam ceilings and tall windows that overlooked the inlet. She loved curling up in the cushioned window seat to wait for the winter sun to creep past, casting long shadows across the expanse of frozen sea. A few days past the Solstice, darkness ruled, but she’d still find a moment to sit there, feeling as if she were in the prow of a ship, the deep silence of the Arctic night magical. “We have plenty of time, what do you want to do?” he asked. She started at the question, almost surprised into telling him the truth. I want to fall into your arms and beg you to kiss me senseless. I want to spend the afternoon in your room, in that big bed where I always worry you may be spending the cold nights with someone else, because I don’t have the courage to find out if you’d like the woman snuggled under the comforters with you to be me. She sucked in a breath. “I only need an hour or so to get ready, I might have a bath in that swimming pool of a tub of yours.” Join me? She sighed. “What? Are you tired?” Concern filled his handsome face, his eyes as dark as the sky outside. “Maybe you should have a nap. We’ll have a late night at the party.” “No, really I’m fine. A bath will do.” Always so considerate, aware of her—how could he not know how she felt about him? Or maybe he didn’t want to acknowledge it because he wasn’t interested. She ducked into the bathroom and filled the tub, dropping her clothes to the floor and stepping in. The water rose above her shoulders and she sighed, enjoying the heat seeping into her muscles and bones. Out in the cold so much of the time, she appreciated the warmth. “Kathryn?” “Yes?” She struggled to sit up straight. “Is everything okay?” “Are you still dressed? I have something I want to give you before you get in the bath.” “Hang on.” She tugged the long, linen drape around most of the tub. “Come on in.” What might be such an important gift that it couldn’t wait until she emerged? After a moment a hand appeared around the curtain. “Watch this. He opened his fist and dropped a ball into the water. It began to fizz, streaming colors across the surface of the water, green and blue and red, and the scent of evergreen and citrus rose in the steamy air. Are those little stars? 6

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“Oh it’s lovely! You have to see.” Without thinking, she yanked the curtain back to meet his stunned gaze. “Oops. Sorry.” While the vivid colors rolled out across the water, he stared at her, his eyes filled with intent. “It’s a bath bomb.”

“What is?” Her lips parted. He’d never seen anyone as lovely. “What is what?” His brain refused to form a coherent thought. “You said something about a bomb?” She sat straight with her lovely, rose-tipped breasts resting on the surface of the water. He was vaguely surprised that she didn’t cover them, or ask him to leave. Her tongue flicked out to wet her lips and steam made wisps of hair stand out around her face. “Nick?” His cock rose, pressing against the front of his slacks. He flushed, heat rising to his face as he realized he’d been staring. Staring at his best friend’s upper body. The multi-colored swirls of color clung to her waist, disguising what lay below. “I’m sorry, I should go.” He turned, ready to escape before she screamed for help. God, what was he thinking coming in with the excuse of a stocking stuffer he’d bought her. “A bomb?” He froze. Kathryn acted as though he hung out and chatted with her while she bathed on a regular basis. How was he supposed to react? He spun back to face her, “Yes, I—” and his foot tangled in the pile of clothes on the floor. Arms waving trying to regain his equilibrium, he fell toward the tub, landing with a crash and a shriek. Her shriek...a very girly one. And the splashing sounds were Kathryn jumping to her feet and landing at his side. “Are you okay? Did you hurt anything?” He closed his eyes, utterly humiliated. Could he disappear into the floor if he wished for it hard enough? Her soft hands patted his arms and legs, checking him for injuries, checking him for…. “Kate….” “Nick.” Peeking through his lashes, he scanned down his body to where her hand lay against his zipper. Embarrassment fled, replaced by a roaring arousal that sent all

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sensible thoughts flying from his mind as the blood rushed to his cock, rock hard and demanding release. “Nick, is this for me?” For her? He swallowed past a throat swollen with emotion and lust. He reached to cup her cheek and stare into beloved eyes. “We’re alone here…who else would it be for?” She slapped at his pants and he grunted. “Damn, so if someone else were here it would be for her? Or him?” He released her face and wrapped both arms around her neck, pulling her close to him. “You really think that?” Holding her still, he watched closely for any signs of objection before touching his lips to hers. She tasted like the peppermint gum she always carried in her pockets to share with passengers whose ears wouldn’t pop. Sweet and cool. He moved his finger into her hair, under her braid, and tilted her head for better access to her mouth. When her lips parted, he took advantage to slip his tongue inside, stroking hers and encouraging it to participate. She sighed and responded and for a few moments he lost track of everything but the heat of her mouth and the silk of her hair tangled in his fingers. Then she pressed her palms against his shoulders and broke the kiss. “Nick, stop.” He struggled to sit up, suddenly aware of the cold tile under his back. What had he done? He pulled his hands back and tried not to touch her, difficult when her naked, damp body lay across his, but then she lifted onto her knees and rested her hands on her thighs. “I’m sorry, Kathryn. I don’t know what came over me.” “Stop apologizing.” She bit her lip and seemed to be considering her words. “Do you or do you not want me?” “I think my desire is obvious.” He didn’t know what she wanted him to say. He drew a breath and plunged ahead, beyond holding back anymore. “But I need to know how you feel.” She shivered. “I feel cold. I’m going to climb back in that warm, psychedelic water, thanks to that thing—bomb?—you threw in there. If you want to continue this conversation, I suggest you take those clothes off and join me.” She stood and lifted a leg over the side of the tub, giving him an eyeful of her swollen, pink lips. Waxed— 8

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that was a surprise. “Coming?” He scrambled to his feet and stripped as fast as possible. Now was not the time to ask why…he had to go for it. After a moment, he dipped a toe and yanked it back. “Hot!” “Mmmm, yes it is and so are you.” She winked at him and slid further down so only her head stayed above the water level. “And it’s so, so good. Come on in, that water’s fine.” She burst into a musical giggle and his cock throbbed, bobbing against his belly. Clenching his teeth, he stepped in and sat down across from her, hissing when the water reached his privates. “How do you take this, woman?” “Oh, you’ll get used to it.” She smiled. “So…what were you asking me?” “No more talking.” He’d been a gentleman, restrained himself for years, and if this was the one time her guard was down and she wanted a holiday encounter, he’d take it then try to convince her he wanted more later. “Get over here.” She quirked a brow. “I beg your pardon?” “You have me where you want me…now get over here and take advantage. I’m completely at your mercy.” He tried to keep it light, fearing if she knew how much she meant to him, she’d be out of the tub and taxiing down the runway in five minutes. Just go with it! “Well, I don’t know.” She ran her hands across the water, capturing little silver stars in her palm. “I am not in the habit of sitting on gentlemen’s laps in bathtubs— naked.” “How do you normally sit on gentlemen’s laps in bathtubs?” He reached and captured her slender wrist, tugging, and she allowed him to pull her toward him. “I…well, I don’t usually….” Her loss of aplomb charmed him. Miss Completelyin-Control bush pilot trembled under his touch and his mouth went dry. He’d waited so long for some kind of signal, any indication that she saw him as more than a good friend. Why now? He remembered her words earlier about the passengers she’d brought in. It’s probably just the Christmas spirit. Tomorrow they’ll wake up and realize that they still have all the same problems they always did. Did she really speak of herself?

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He’d almost convinced himself to call it off, before it was too late, when her slippery, smooth body arrived on his side of the tub. It was already far too late. “Kiss me, Kathryn.” She obliged.

Even if it was only for one magical afternoon, she intended to take full advantage. More frightened than she’d anticipated, captured in his dark-eyed gaze. When he released her wrist, she wrapped her arms around his neck and held on. She straddled his lap, his cock pushing against the folds of her vagina. His lips devoured her, his tongue plundering her mouth until she had to break away to breathe. “I want you inside me.” “Kathryn, I’m not wearing protection. We can’t….” “I don’t care!” She couldn’t think straight. After ignoring and avoiding her feelings for so long, she threw caution to the wind. She rocked her hips over the silken steel until he lifted her slightly. “I do.” He slid her down until the tip of his extremely large erection poked between her legs and she dropped a hand to rub around the head, savoring his gasp. “Let’s go!” Eagerness like she’d never experienced before overwhelmed her. “I want you now. Please” He held her down with a hand on either hip. “I want you, too, but in a moment. I’m not done with the kissing part yet.” Impatient, she bounced, but he held firm. “We kissed already. We can kiss more in bed.” He moved his hands up her body, squeezing her waist on his way to cup her breasts. “No, we’ve only just begun.” Dropping his head, he drew one of her nipples into his mouth and she gasped. With long laps of his tongue and sharp nips he began to show her what he meant by kissing. And when that peak was alive with sensation, he moved to the other, sucking it hard and finishing with a sharp bite that made her jump in slight pain and incredible pleasure. Still resting her palm on his cock, she lowered it to take a firm grasp and give it a hard stroke. “Mmm, Nick. Have you always been this big?” Heat flooded her cheeks. What the fuck is wrong with me? I’m a freak! 10

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He released her nipple with a pop, staring at her before roaring with laughter that jounced her on his lap. “Well, for most of my life, yes. Have you always tasted so good?” Mirth bubbled up from her chest and burst out her lips. She fell against his chest in helpless laughter, his own rumble shaking her. Completely out of her depth, she just went with it. They had always known just how to set one another off…but she’d never imagined it would work that way naked. After some time passed they settled, cuddled together in the water’s and one another’s embrace. Even desire took a back seat to the incredible sense of comfort she felt there, as if nothing could penetrate, her fierce independence and need to prove herself among her mostly male peers at abeyance for once. Was it possible to feel so small and delicate and unafraid all at the same time? He held her away from him and looked her up and down. “You’re so beautiful. I imagined, but…I didn’t even come close.” “You thought of this before?” “Once or twice.” He winked at her and she slapped his chest. “Be serious. I need to know.” He stroked the loose wisps of hair from her cheeks. “I’ve never been more serious in my life. I think of you every day. I miss you when I don’t see you and when we sit on my couch, oceans apart, I try to be content just to have you in the room.” “You try…?” “But it isn’t enough, Kathryn.” He pushed her off his lap and stood. Stepping out of the tub, he took a bath sheet from a heating rack. “Come on, I want you in my bed.” She swallowed hard and forced her feet under her, straightening her wobbly Jell-o legs. He enfolded her in the warm towel and lifted her from the water. “Nick, is this really happening?” “God, I hope so. Because if I wake up and find it’s just another dream, it will tear me apart.” He strode into the bedroom while she clung to his neck, hiding her tears against his chest. He laid her on the bed as if she were made of glass and used the huge towel to dry her, then pulled the sheets and blankets from where they were

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folded at the foot of the bed to cover her. With a quick rub to get rid of any last droplets of water on his own body, he joined her, turning on his side and pulling her against him. When he kissed her, it was soft at first, gentle touches to her forehead and cheeks, the tip of her nose. Finally her lips, and he kept it slow, despite her wriggles against him. Lost in the sensations, the heat in her belly slowly built to a roaring fire, the feminine place between her legs seeped moisture. “Nick, I can’t stand it. I need you inside me.” “Not yet, baby. I want this to last. We have hours and hours to ourselves. Let’s not rush it.” He tugged her braid. “Can you undo this?” “Yes, but I have to sit up.” She pushed herself against the pillows and tugged the little band with its jingle bell from the bottom, beginning to unweave the tight, fivepart plait, but he covered her hand with his. “Let me do it.” “Okay.” She faced away from him while he began with the bottom, where the braid was tightest, move upward, smoothing the waves as he went. “It’s a bother having long hair, I have to keep it like this or it will end up caught in a rotor or something. I should just cut it short and be done with it.” A sharp yank forced her to face him. He had wrapped her hair around his hand. “Don’t you dare.” His fierce tone surprised her. “I’ve wanted to get my hands in this mass of gorgeous stuff for years. If you cut it off, I may never speak to you again.” He didn’t say anything more, just continued unbraiding with deep concentration. When it was undone, he fluffed it out around her shoulders. “It falls all the way to your waist. Have you never cut it?” She giggled. “Of course I have. As a little girl I wore it quite short. But since I grew up I only trim the ends to keep it neat. You really like it?”

Nick stroked the length, its wavy satin, gold highlights in the deep red glowing in the light of the bedside lamp. Hypnotic, the way it felt under his palms. And Kathryn arched into his touch, trembling again. “You have to ask?” He parted her hair into two sections and focused on the soft, pearly whiteness of her back. He wanted his 12

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mouth on ever part of her and began by kissing her shoulder blades then moving down her spine. So slim, her waist tiny, but her hips flared to pleasing roundness. He cupped her buttocks, squeezing, and she moaned. He slipped his fingers into her pussy, her cream coating his fingers. His dick twitched, so hard and nearly painful. “I’m going to get the protection.” “About damn time.” Her strangled tone made him smile. He left the bed and padded into the living room, cock bobbing before him like a pornographic divining rod. He’d bought a box of condoms several months before in hopes of just such an opportunity. But he’d never really expected it to happen—and he didn’t want anyone but her—so he’d put them somewhere. Where? Panic rose. Where were the fucking things? He began to retrace his steps—he’d brought them back from Anchorage on her plane after a long weekend spent in her company. He remembered feeling guilty as she piloted him home with his load of illicit items purchased with her in mind. He’d also bought a few toys…but those could wait until another time, and he’d do his damnedest to be sure there was one. If he didn’t find the box in the next two minutes, he was going to explode where he stood. Knowing she lay naked in his bed, wet and waiting for him…. A knock startled and enraged him. Not now! Probably his assistant wanting a final approval for the gala setup. He yanked door open and snarled. “What?” “Uh,” the uniformed bellman turned his head aside, extending a beautifully wrapped Christmas present. “The concierge sent this up, sir. It came in on the plane earlier with instructions to deliver directly to your suite. Apparently nobody noticed with all the fuss about the party, so we just saw it now and brought it up right away.” The man was babbling. Nick grabbed the box. “Thank you.” He kicked the door closed and set the package down. Where are the damn— “Who was that?” His naked goddess stood in the doorway, eyes wide. He looked her up and down and groaned. “It was only a bellman with a package. Go back to bed. I’ll be there as soon as I find the condoms.” His eyes devoured her. If she didn’t go, he’d tackle her and bury himself inside her heat right on the floor, condom or not.

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She blinked. “And did you answer the door…like that?” “Like what?” He followed her gaze. “Oh, my God.” She guffawed, stumbled to the couch, and dropped onto the cushions. “Well, that should get around the staff in about five minutes. Unless he’s too shocked to speak.” “What was I thinking?” “You weren’t.” She held her sides and gasped, tears rolling down her face. She pointed to his turgid cock, only a little less hard from his embarrassment. “He was.” “Nice.” If this got out, he’d have to explain to his uncle and Jackson why everyone who worked for him laughed when he entered a room. Maybe he should transfer to Chile. That should be far enough away…no, a story this good would travel throughout the whole company. He inhaled and blew out a breath. “I’m toast.” “Aww, let’s see what’s he brought. It’s cost you enough.” She lounged against the back of the sofa, so at ease in her nakedness, so perfectly lovely. “No kidding.” He tore his eyes from her and untied the bow, peeled back the paper. The plain box gave no hint of its contents so he opened the top. Inside was an envelope and two smaller, equally beautifully wrapped packages. “A puzzle.” He lifted the envelope and opened it. The note inside read: You’ve got your chance. Take it. Another folded sheet of paper fell out and he read the short note and shook his head. How the hell…? In shock and simmering elation, replaced both and grabbed the gifts. He’d worry about the how later and hope Madame Eve had it right yet again. “Come on, we’ll open these in bed.” He padded back in the bedroom and held up the covers. When she slipped between the sheets, he followed her. “Here, you open this one.” She took the box and unwrapped it. “Condoms. Just what I wanted! But how….” “Christmas magic.” He pulled her against him and kissed her over and over, holding her sweet body to his, excited and nervous. Finally, she pushed him back. “Put one on, Nick.” She pulled a foil package out of the box and handed it to him. “Please, I need you inside me.” “Not yet.” “What?” The second time he’d heard Kathryn shriek like a girl. 14

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He smirked. “I didn’t open my present yet.” She stared at him. “Now? Can’t it wait?” “I don’t think so.” He enjoyed her outrage as he took his time removing the paper to reveal a black velvet box. “I have to ask you something first.” Her focus had shifted to the small box in his hands. He didn’t think she was breathing. But then neither was he.

The insane, naked man dropped to one knee beside the bed. “Kathryn, I fell in love with you the first time you landed that plane here. For three years, I’ve waited for my chance to tell you.” She clutched the down comforter to her chest. The air seemed thicker somehow. Really hard to inhale. Could Nicholas Castillo really be about to…. “Marry me.” He reached for her hand, but she couldn’t move. He’d proposed. He’d really done it. Her unrequited love and passion were…requited? Is that even a word? She didn’t care. Waves of joy carried her high, the world swam in her vision, and his voice sounded far away. “Kathryn?” She shook off the dizziness. It might be Christmas magic, or holiday delusions, but she would grasp it with both hands—after what slight edge of her practical side remained had its way with them. “Nick, I am not conventional wife material. Even if I make Castle my home base, I’m going to be gone a lot. And I can’t cook—and I’m a slob. I nearly killed you with that heap of clothes you tripped over.” He climbed off his knees and sat next to her on the bed. “It doesn’t matter if you’re in Juneau on Monday or Anchorage on Thursday, you’re in my heart all the same. I want to marry you because I want to shout my love for you to the world. I want everyone to know how lucky we are and I want—eventually, when you’re ready—to have a baby or two.” She shrugged out from under his hand and turned away. Her voice low, shaky. “I’d probably be a terrible mom, Nick. I don’t want to give up flying! You should ask Eve to match you with a nice hausfrau. Maybe someone with a hospitality degree who would be able to help you in the business? Someone whose clothes aren’t full of oil.” “Never. I don’t want you to clip your wings. If we have a baby—or two—” he

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laughed at her when she spun to face him, terror in her eyes, “I am here all the time, a perfect stay-at-home dad. And there’s nothing our staff would like better than a little Kathryn underfoot to mind.” She drew a deep breath and let it out, then sagged. “Or a Nick. Okay, darling, I’m done fighting you. If you can accept a free-flying, hardly ever home wife, who can’t cook, doesn’t clean and is really only good in the bedroom…I love you too much to argue any more. If you don’t know what’s good for you, who am I to stop you?” Her vision blurred and tears spilled onto her cheeks. “Nick Castillo, I fell in love with you the first time I saw you. I would be proud and honored to be your wife.” “Hold out your hand.” When she complied, he pushed the gold ring embellished with a large, dark green emerald on her shaking finger and kissed it. She looked from the ring to his face, stunned. “When did you buy this?” He shrugged. “Over a year ago, but someone apparently took it from the safety deposit box in Anchorage and sent it up today.” She rubbed at the stone then smiled. “It’s really lovely, much better than plain, cold diamonds.” “It’s exactly the color of your eyes, and since you won’t wear it when you’re flying anyway, why not have a big, gorgeous stone for when you’re at home?” He drew her close and wrapped his arms around her. “You’ve made me the happiest man in the world, you know.” “I sure hope so, because I got the best part of this deal. I love you, Nick.” Two more tears trailed down her cheeks. “I don’t think I can ever tell you how much.” She sniffed and he smiled. “I love you, Kathryn. I’m the big winner here.” He bent to kiss her. “Now it’s official.” “We can get married in the summer, or maybe next fall…or a year from now.” She licked her lips and wouldn’t meet his eyes. “No rush.” “Hmmm.” He pushed her back onto the bed. “I think we should get a head start on the honeymoon.” Her desire, tamped down for a few moments by an excess of emotion, roared back and she wrapped her legs around him. “What about the condom?” 16

Madame Eve’s Gift

“Oh, right.” She let him free long enough to sheath his still-rampant cock before he urged her legs apart again and moved between them. She’d waited forever for this moment and when he slid inside, she moaned. “I love you.” He panted, pushing deeper. “I love you, too. I’m not sure what feels more amazing, saying that or how tight and hot you are.” She rocked her hips and he sank balls deep. Thrusting again and again, he took her higher, finally reaching to rub a finger against her clit and sending her over the edge into climax. When she screamed his name, he sped up, crying hers as he emptied into her heat. She held him close, sated and happy, drifting into a light sleep wrapped in the arms of her best friend, her lover…her husband-to-be.

“Hurry up, Kathryn. We’ll be late and I have to open the ball.” Her ripple of laughter trickled from the guest room where she’d insisted on getting ready alone. Since it had taken them three tries to get out of bed after their afternoon of drowsing and love making, she was probably right. “Ready?” “Of course I am.” I sound like a husband already. He picked up the envelope from the box and tucked it in his inside pocket. Kathryn emerged, her hair hanging in long waves to her waist, as he requested. The strapless, shimmering green ball gown displayed her white shoulders and the top curves of her breasts, her tiny waist, then swept to the floor. “Look at my shoes.” She held out a slim arched foot confined in a strappy heeled sandal and he grew hard again. Funny, he’d never been a foot man. But then, everything about Kathryn had that effect on him. He strolled over and took her arm. The spirit of the season filled him, the marriage license tucked in his pocket the final surprise for his wife to be. How Eve managed that one, he had no idea. But it would be a holiday he’d never forget, nor would she. The magic of Christmas added to that of Madame Evangeline was a force unable to be resisted, even if he’d wanted to try.

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Chapter Three “Well, it’s done, Jackson.” Eve’s voice carried the happiness and mischief she felt at such a special time. “They looked so happy.” “Leah will be so excited. Nick is a particular favorite cousin of ours. She’ll be pretty annoyed to have missed Nick’s wedding.” “We couldn’t wait, that Kathryn is a skittish one. Once she said yes, Nick dragged her down the aisle. And when they kissed, it was all I could do to keep from crying myself. I do wish you could have been here.” “Well, thanks for letting us know. We’ll send them our congratulations in the morning.” “That’s right, the time difference. I hope you weren’t sleeping.” His laughter warmed her heart. “Nope, just getting a bottle of wine, we’re going to celebrate the holiday our way.” “Jackson, you devil. Well, hurry back to your lovely wife and give her my best. You know, I’ve always wanted to be a godmother.” “You’re the fairy godmother of half the population, let that be enough for now! Don’t rush us.” “Leah will make a wonderful mother.” “Someday…how is the ball going?” “Changing the subject, but it’s the best ever, I think. The music, the decorations…the happy couples.” “Maybe next year we’ll join you. Enjoy the party.” “Joyeux noël, Jackson.” “Same to you, Eve. You’ve made enough Christmases merry for other people.” “My pleasure.”

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~ABOUT THE AUTHOR~

Kate Richards is a SoCal dweller with a beach-loving family. She spends as much time as she can in the Pacific waves, but when surf’s not up she enjoys writing, reading, and spending time in the High Sierras. You can visit Kate at: www.katerichards.wordpress.com

Madame Eve’s 1Night Stand Anthology Cerise Deland - Santa, Cutie For a gal like Susanna Corrigan who always believed in Santa Claus, refusing to keep his gift of a perfect man would be rude? And foolish, right? Desiree Holt - He Came Upon a Midnight Clear He needed a wife; she needed a man to want her. Could they accomplish both in one night? D.L. Jackson - This Endris Night When Shiya, a Yupik supermodel, goes home under the pretense of attending a 1NightStand Christmas party, but secretly hoping to lure a predator into the open, Alaska becomes an alien experience of the extraterrestrial kind. Stacey Kennedy - All She Wants for Christmas is Her Dom Nestled in the Alaskan snow-capped mountains, two lovers set out an adventure of pleasure and pain. Rebecca Royce - I'll be Mated for Christmas This year she'll have a Werewolf under her tree...if only she can be brave enough to take the gift Liia Ann White - Her First White Christmas A woman looking for true love; a playboy wanting to settle down-will they meet for one hot night or will her first white Christmas lead to a happily ever after?

Clarissa Yip - Silent Night’s Seduction Kidnapped to Alaska for an unwanted tryst, Lily meets the unexpected. Desire and lust sparks as truths unfold, but can she resist a Silent Night's Seduction?