Chapter One

The drive home had shown so many beautiful sights: laughing people laden with packages, store windows lavishly decorated, wreaths and lights and song. It was a magical time of the year, a time when anything seemed possible, a time when love became clearer, and he hoped, more attainable.

He'd only come in moments ago, had just hung his snow-dusted coat in the closet before going to the tree to think about her, to consider the task ahead of him. Resisting her was never easy, but in his present mood, it would be doubly hard. He was a man, and he wanted her, right now, this very instant. He wanted to share the magic of the holidays with her, today, tomorrow, for the rest of his life.

Did he dare approach her now, or should he wait until he was in better control?

Those thoughts got interrupted when his apartment door flew open without a knock. Booker strode to the entryway, saw his visitors and cursed. Damn it, he was too tired and edgy to have to put up with company from his brother tonight.

Axel hadn't come alone. He had his best friend Cary Rupert with him, and they both looked too serious.

Booker cocked one brow high. "Forgotten how to knock?"

"On my own brother's door?" Axel snorted, then shook himself like a mongrel dog, sending snow and ice around the foyer. It would be a white Christmas this year for sure, given the present weather and next week's forecast. "Besides," Axel continued, "I figured if you were doing an