Christmas Kisses by H.M. Ward

sure my eyes are bright red and whatever makeup I was wearing this morning is now glued to the window.
    Looking down, I exit the plane and walk into the concourse. I throw my backpack over my shoulder s and walk toward the baggage claim. I sit down on a chair in front of the silver carousel and breathe.
    I should have told him that I love him. I should have said it and now I can’t. Part of me thinks that it makes no difference, I still would have left. It still would have sucked. My heart feels like it’s been impaled on the jet wing. I can’t speak. I stare blankly, ignoring the bustling of people around me.
    The carousel buzzes and the orange light starts to flash. I look up and a pair of blue eyes meets mine. I stare, thinking that I’m hallucinating when I see him. Ryan is sitting across from me, his eyes locked on my face. He stands and walks to me.
    He doesn’t smile. There’s a backpack over his shoulder. “Hey , Connelly.”
    “Hey,” I say, standing because he is. “What are you doing here?” I can’t piece it together. I still can’t believe he’s real. I reach out and pinch his wrist.
    “Ouch,” he says and grins at me, shaking his head. “ Why do you always think you’re dreaming? This is real. I’m really here. I followed you. I grabbed another flight and hoped to God that we’d land before you did. I forgot to tell you something. It was kind of important.” He looks up at me from under his lashes.
    My stomach falls into my sh oes as I stare at him. “What’d you forget?” I whisper, still shocked to see him.
    Ryan takes my face in his hands and says, “I wanted to tell you that I love you. I love you Holly Connelly. I love everything about you an d I’m not ready to let you go.” His eyes are liquid blue. They search mine for a moment.
    I find my voice, “I love you , too.” A smile slowly breaks across my face and tears stream from my eyes. “You followed me to Texas?” He nods. “You’re really staying?”
    “As long as you’ll have me. I transferred. It was the fastest transfer they ever did. The admissions guy, well, I owe him a fruit basket or something because I totally messed up his holiday. After we were together, and then your birthday, and Christmas, I just knew—I couldn’t leave you. He got me transferred in a few days. I have to sign some papers when I arrive, other than that, it’s a done deal. I wanted to follow the path and see where it leads. So far it leads to Texas.”
    “You transferred?” He nods , I think . I can’t see a damn thing. My eyes are a shower tears . They stream down my cheeks. It’s like a little river. I laugh-sob and pull him in to my arms. He hugs me back and spins me around the way he did that day in the snow. I find his lips and pour my heart and soul into that kiss.
    When Ryan pulls away, he breathes, “You really love me.”
    “I love you. Now and always.”
     

 
     
    SNEAK PEAK
     
    Enjoy a free sample of the bestselling new adult romance series:
     
    SECRETS
     
    PROLOGUE
     
    Everyone has a secret .
    Some people will do an ything to protect it .
     
    ~
    I’m practically giddy with excitement as that dream is within grasp. I’m sitting across from Sophia Sottero . She’s an amazing wedding photographer for the affluent families of New York. In a nutshell, she is everything I want to be, and meeting her in the flesh is so overwhelming I can barely contain myself. I try not to squirm in my seat as her gaze slides over my resume.
    Sophia is in her early forties with jet-black hair that is smoothed into a neat chignon at the base of her neck. A slender, black suit showcases her figure perfectly and makes her look regal at the same time. I hold my hands in my lap, trying hard not to fidget. The smile that lines my lips is making my face hurt, but I can’t stop. A tiny voice inside my mind squeals with excitement.
    Sophia glances up at me, “Tell me, Miss Lamore , why do you want to work at Sottero ?”
    Beaming, I reply,