Jill Shalvis: Heating up the Holidays

He looked at the medicine man. “Could we, um…?”

“Okay, okay, I will give you privacy, so you can talk about your marriage. And when you are ready, I will marry you. Tonight, yes? Before the feast.”

Without waiting for their approval, he turned and hobbled away on impossibly thin legs.

Ryan turned to Lorelei and smiled. “Are you sure you want this?”

“You heard the man-it’s what my heart most desires. Don’t make me get all mushy now.”

She pulled him close and stood on tiptoe to place a kiss on his lips. When they finally pulled away, she said, “I can’t think of a place I’d rather get married.”

“Really? Right here, in the village?”

She nodded, smiling. “The wedding garb involves a sarong and no top. Are you convinced yet?”

“You mean, you’ll be topless, or I will?”

“Both of us.”

“Then what are we waiting for? Let’s do it.”

He picked her up and kissed her again, this time with the soul-deep satisfaction of his heart finally finding its greatest desire.

USA TODAY bestselling author Jill Shalvislives in Tahoe surrounded by her family, a few wild creatures and some of the sexiest firefighters on the planet. She is hard at work on her next romance novel. Visit her at www.jillshalvis.com/blog.

Jacquie D’Alessandrois an award-winning, USA TODAY bestselling author of more than thirty contemporary and historical romances. She grew up on Long Island, New York, where she fell in love with romance at an early age and dreamed of being swept away by a dashing rogue riding a spirited stallion. When her hero showed up, he was dressed in jeans and drove a Volkswagen, but she recognized him anyway. They now live out their happily-ever-afters in Atlanta, Georgia, along with their son, who is a dashing rogue in the making. Jacquie believes there’s nothing like a hot firefighter to warm up those cold December nights, and she hopes Antonia and Brad’s story adds some heat to your holidays. You can contact Jacquie through her Web site at www.JacquieD.com.

Jamie Sobratolives inside her own head too much to be anything but a writer. When she’s not writing, she can often be found hiking as she dreams up new story ideas. Jamie lives in Northern California, right across the street from the local fire station, where she does extensive visual research on firefighters.