Drake Sisters 02 - The Twilight Before Christmas

Santa.”
    Victoria and Harold looked at one another and burst out laughing. Victoria waved gaily at Kate. Matt stared after them. “You don’t think they meant that mean old man is going to play Santa.”
    “I can’t imagine it. I think they were teasing you. Do you have the car keys? I’m getting cold, and I have to stop by my house to pick up some clothes before we go to the hospital.”
    “I’ve got them. Come on. Let’s get you out of the rain.” Matt drew her bra from his jacket pocket and held it out to her. “I’m sorry, Katie. I couldn’t stop thinking about playing out my little fantasy of being able to touch you when I was taking you home. It was childish of me.”
    Kate merely looked at the peach-colored bra in his outstretched hand, but made no move to take it. “And you wanted to be able to touch me how?”
    She walked past him to the car. There was a distinct sway to her beautiful rear, one he couldn’t resist. Kate settled into his car, slowly unbuttoned the wet overshirt, and al owed the edges to gape open to reveal the transparent silk blouse underneath. She leaned back against the seat.
    Matt drove slowly along the coastal highway, fighting for air when there was none in the car. The shape of her breasts was not only outlined beneath the see-through material, but highlighted. “Kate, you’re an incredible woman.”
    “I’m a lucky woman. I rather like your fantasies. By al means, tel me whenever you get one.”
    He couldn’t resist. Matt slipped his hand inside her blouse, cupped the soft, creamy flesh in his palm. His knuckle rubbed gently over her breast, the pads of his fingers possessive as he caressed her body. Right at that moment he could think of a hundred fantasies. He turned the car onto the drive leading to the bluff overlooking the sea. The moment he parked, he caught the back of her head and held her stil while he devoured her mouth.
    They spent an hour in the car, laughing like children, necking like teenagers, wildly happy as they held hands, touched and kissed and whispered of dreams and hopes and erotic fantasies.
    When they arrived at the Drake house, no one was home; the sisters were al at the hospital. There was a note for Kate tel ing her El e was doing much better and instructing her to join them when she could. Kate took the time to shower. Matt joined her and spent a long while leisurely lathering soap over her and rinsing her off. He made love to her under the spray of water, then dried her off with large towels. He couldn’t take his eyes off of her while she dressed. “I’ve never been happier, Kate,” he admitted, as she pinned the thick length of hair on top of her head into her “perfect Kate” style.
    “Me either,” she answered, and leaned over to kiss him.
    Matt caught her hand and dragged her through the house into the living room. “Kate, do you love me? You know I love you. I tel you. I show you. I want to spend my life with you, and I’ve made no secret about that. Do you love me?”
    Kate nearly stopped breathing. She touched his face. “How could you not know, Matthew? I love you so much I ache with it sometimes.”
    “Then why won’t you agree to marry me? I don’t think your family objects to me, and obviously my family would welcome it.”
    She let her breath out slowly. “I have some things to work out, Matt. I want to marry you. I do. But I have to be certain it’s right for you. That I’m right for you.”
    “Katie. Honey. I know you’re right for me.” He looked around the room. “Where’s that damned snowglobe anyway?” He retrieved it from the shelf.
    Kate took it out of his hands. “You only get one wish, Matt, and you’ve had yours.” She went to place the globe back on the shelf, but it came alive in her hands, the fog swirling. Waiting. Kate closed her eyes and made her wish. She couldn’t stop herself. She wanted Matthew Granite more than she’d ever wanted anything in her life.
    Matt said nothing, asking her no questions. He simply took her hand in a gesture of solidarity.
    Kate and Matt spent most of the afternoon in the hospital with Kate’s sisters in El e’s room. Matt and Damon played a game of chess while the seven sisters caught up on news. Joley helped Damon, and when Matt expressed disapproval, Abbey immediately took Matt’s side. They did their best to entertain El e, who looked bruised and very young. Her bright red hair tumbled around her white face and heightened her pale skin and