Authors: Janet A. Mota
Chapter 9
New Year’s Eve
Dylan
It’s New Year’s Eve and I’m helping my parents set up at the park and everyone should be here soon. The weather is perfect. It’s not snowing and no wind. It’s cold but bearable with the right amount of clothes. The weather calls for snow tonight but hopefully we will all be home by then. I’m excited about tonight because I am missing Amber. I haven’t seen her since dinner a few nights ago. She has been working late all these nights. I didn’t get to kiss her again the other night either because Evan and Mia were around when I left. I miss her something fierce. I’m also dying to taste her sweetness again. I better stop thinking like this or my thoughts will be very noticeable. I really hope she has fun tonight. She works so hard and never takes any time for herself. I wonder if we’ll ever have any time alone. I know it’s selfish of me but I want to spend some alone time with her. I’ve come to adore Evan and Mia. They are good kids and Amber has done a wonderful job raising them but Amber hasn’t lived herself and that’s not fair. She’s a phenomenal woman and I would be very proud to call her mine if she’ll have me. I plan on asking her tonight and I hope to get my midnight kiss. I want tonight to be magical for her.
I hear some commotion behind me and turn around. There’s my girl hugging my mom and she looks sexy as hell. She’s wearing black skinny jeans, a maroon turtle neck sweater with a black leather jacket, black gloves, a black scarf and black boots. Her hair is completely down and flowing down her back. Evan and Mia are standing behind her with huge smiles on their faces. My heart thumps harder in my chest as I watch the scene unfold. I watch as she introduces her siblings and my mom hugs them as if she’s known them forever. I love my mom. She has an incredible way of making everyone feel so comfortable. Bless her heart. I watch as my dad and Miranda head over toward them. Tonight though, Amber extends her hand to my dad and he waves it away and wraps her into a hug. She sees me then and smiles at me. I smile back and wink at her. I can see the blush from here and immediately my pants feel tighter. I make my way over to her.
“Hey there.” I say as I reach them.
“Hi.” Amber says. I lean down and kiss her cheek. She smells great, as usual. She always smells minty and it turns me on. Let’s face it, everything about her turns me on.
I extend my hand to Evan and give Mia a quick hug. I show the three of them around and then lead them to one of the fire pits. The fire pit is in the center and there are eight chairs all around. The chairs are in groups of two. Evan and Mia sit in a set and Amber and I grab the next set.
“Did you have any trouble finding us?” I as.
“Not at all. You gave me perfect directions.” Amber says as she wraps the jacket around her tighter.
I reach under my chair and pull out the blanket. I open it up and place it over her. “There is a blanket for each set of chairs. You won’t need once the music starts though.” Mia reaches under her chair and pulls it out. She opens it and places it over her and Evan.
“Music?” Amber questions.
“Yes. My cousin DJ’s.” I say. “There will be about forty people here tonight. Mostly family.” She seems nervous about this but I tap her hand to reassure her. Miranda comes over and we talk for a while. Soon, the food is served.
****
An hour later, we are making s’mores at the fire pit and the music has started. Miranda comes over and gets Evan and Mia. They head over to the makeshift dance floor and start to dance. Amber watches them with a smile on her face. The two of us are alone now. She has been really shy with me since she got here.
“I’ve missed you.” I tell her as I continue to watch the dancing. I can see her turn to look at me from my peripheral vision.
“You have?” She asks. It bothers me that she sounds shocked that I would miss her. I look back at her and her eyes are wide and teary. She blinks it away.
“Yes. Why are you so shocked by that?”
“No one has ever said that they missed me before.”
“I missed you a lot. I am very happy you’re here with me tonight.”
“I’m happy to be here. I’m having a great time and so are Evan and Mia. Thank you for inviting us.”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way.” She looks back at the dancing and I figure it’s because she is trying to hide those rosy cheeks. “Do you want to dance?”
“Oh no. I don’t dance.” She looks down at her hands.
“Why not?”
“I have two left feet. I’ll only embarrass you.”
“I doubt that.” She looks at me. “One slow dance is all I ask for. I want to hold you in my arms.”
“I have nothing to offer you. Why do you want me around?” Her voice cracks at her question and she looks at the fire. I place my hand under her chin and push her face toward mine.
“You are an incredible human being. Anyone would be honored to have you standing right next to them. Not only are you gorgeous and sexy, you have an enormous heart and a whole lot of love to give. You are kind, humble and extremely smart. I want you. All of you. I’ve only been around you three times but those three times have been the best nights of my life.”
“But I have so much baggage and a huge responsibility to Evan and Mia.”
“I know that and I respect you for it. I know Evan and Mia come with you and I’m good with that. They are great.” She tries to look away but I don’t let her. “I want you and I’m not giving up.”
****
My cousins gathered around our fire pit with Evan, Mia and Miranda. Jokes were being told and everyone is having a good time. Amber and I have been sharing the blanket but have kept my hands to myself. My hand has been itching to grab hers but I hold off. It’s a few minutes before midnight and the song ‘God Gave Me You’ by Blake Shelton starts to play. I stand up and hold out my hand to her. She looks up at me.
“May I have this dance?”
She contemplates this. I guess she realizes that I will not let this go and places her hand in mine. With her other hand, she removes the blanket and stands. I lead her to the dance floor. I turn to her and place my hands on her waist. Her hands come up around my neck and I pull her close to me. She feels so good. I just want to wrap her up but I don’t. The last thing I want to do is scare her. I start to move and she follows the rhythm perfectly.
“Who says you can’t dance?” I hear her giggle and I smile.
Best sound ever
.
“You are a good leader.”
We dance for a little longer and I rest my head to hers. I make sure that my mouth is close to her ear. “Be my girlfriend.”
She pulls back and looks up and into my in the eyes. “Yes.”
I kiss her forehead and pull her close. She lays her head on my chest. I lean my head down and rest my chin on the top of her head. The song ends and she pulls away from me slowly. I check my watch. One minute until midnight.
“Come with me.” She nods and I lead her away from everyone to a secluded little area behind some trees. We have a perfect view of the sky but no one can see us. The countdown starts and we can hear everyone. We aren’t saying anything. We are facing each other. I get closer to her and as the countdown gets closer to one. The crowd reaches one, screams “Happy New Year!” and I grab my girl into a kiss.
Chapter 10
Fireworks
Amber
I hear pounding but I can’t tell whether it’s my heart or the fireworks. All I know right now is that I don’t want him to stop kissing me. I never want this man to stop kissing me. The kiss starts off passionate but just lips. His tongue brushes my lips and I open up for him. I taste him completely for the first time and I’m all his. He tastes like perfection and I can’t get enough. One of my hands rests on his shoulder and the other grips him at the back of his neck. I can feel his arm tighten around my waist and bring me closer. His other hand finds its way into my hair and grips my head. The kiss is hot and passionate yet sensual. We are savoring each other. I have never felt anything like this before.
When we break apart, we stare at each other a moment. Our chests are heaving and I can feel that my lips are swollen. I see his eyes move to my mouth again and then back up.
“Happy New Year.” He says. His voice is husky.
“Happy New Year.” I whisper.
“I apologize if that was inappropriate or if I scared you. I couldn’t help myself.”
“It’s okay. I wanted it too.”
He lifts my chin with his finger and I look into those beautiful gray eyes. “It’s a new year and new possibilities. I started this year off right and I plan on keeping it that way.” He sweetly and softly kisses my lips. “Thank you for giving us a chance. I promise you won’t regret it. You aren’t alone anymore. Lean on me.”
I nod my head. I don’t have words. I am so afraid tears are going to fall and I look away.
“Look up gorgeous.” He says and I do. The fireworks are so bright and colorful in the night sky. I turn and look at him. He’s so handsome and kind. I can’t help but wonder when all of this is going to blow up in my face.
****
An hour later, almost everyone had gone. The few people that are left are helping to clean up. Evan is helping Dylan put out all the fire pits and I am helping Claire and Miranda pack up the food. Mia is helping Andrew fold and pack away all the decorations.
“Amber, are you working later?” Claire asks.
“I open the store at ten and work until six. The mall is closing at six.” I respond and smile over at her.
“Great. Can you, Evan and Mia come over for our family dinner?”
“Are you sure? I don’t want to impose.” I say and I am completely flabbergasted with the kindness this family is showing us.
“Of course honey. We want the three of you there. Plus, I am pretty sure Dylan would be very happy as well.” I can feel my face redden again.
I hate that
. I look at Miranda and she winks at me. She picks up a stack of trays and heads to the car. Claire walks up to me and motions toward a set of chairs. Both of us sit. She pats my knee. “You are very special. I don’t know anything about you but I can tell how much my Miranda loves you. She never has anything bad to say about you, even in high school. My son is completely taken with you. I can see why though. You are extremely beautiful but I have a feeling it’s beyond that. Dylan is a reader of character and has great instincts. He wants you, Evan and Mia in his life. Therefore, you are a part of this family.” I look down and blink the tears away. I refuse to let them fall. She pats my knee again and I look back at her. “I am here for you if you need a shoulder to cry on. Andrew and I would like to get to know you much better and will be here when you are ready to tell us about who you are. You are welcome in our home any time.” She smiles big. “Now let’s go finish up. You have to work while the rest of us lazy asses get to sleep in.” She winks at me and I laugh.
“Thank you for the invitation and we’ll be there.” I say and she nods her head.
I finish helping her with the food and go collect Evan and Mia. “Hey guys. Are you ready to head home?”
“Hi Amber. Yes, I’m exhausted. I can’t remember the last time we had so much fun.” Mia says with a yawn. She extends her arms to Andrew. “Thank you so much Mr. Morgan.” She quickly hugs him.
“It’s Andrew and you are most welcome. I’m glad you had fun.”
Evan reaches out his hand to Andrew next and thanks him. We head over to Claire and Miranda. Hugs are exchanged and then Dylan walks us to our car. Evan turns and gives Dylan a handshake and bro-hug. Mia gives him a quick hug and jumps in the car.
“Thank you for tonight. I had a wonderful time.” I say.
“So did I. I’m really happy you came.” He smiles at me. “Now go get some rest. It’s not fair you have to work.”
I shrug. “That’s life.”
He gives me a peck on the lips. “See you later.”
I get into the car and drive away. Once we are on the main road, I tell them about dinner at the Morgan’s for tonight. They love the idea.
“They are a great family. They are so open and loving. Dylan is awesome. I’m glad you are with him.” Evan says.
“It’s so new but I’m going to give it a shot. But know this, you two always come first.” I say to the both of them.
“Amber, you have done everything and anything for us. It’s your turn now. We know that you will always be there for us but we want to see you happy too.” Mia says.
“I’m so proud of the two of you.”