I couldn’t believe that I was able to pull off such an amazing opportunity for Rhys. I knew a guy who knew a guy who knew a guy. And that guy knew Jeremey was in town, and because he caught the game the other night, Jeremy knew who Rhys was and was willing to make my Christmas wish come true.

Seeing Rhys’s face the second after he saw Jeremy Roenick at the finish line was awesome. Seeing him talk to Jeremy and tell him how he had been his idol since he was ten was heart-warming. And seeing Rhys’s face when I took off my coat, stripped off the Roenick Blackhawks jersey I was wearing, and handed it to Jeremy to sign was incredible.

When we got home, Rhys had forgotten that he was the one who won the race, so he did all the pleasuring.

I didn’t wake to the smell of coffee. Instead, I woke to a hand caressing my parted thighs. A hand that slowly traveled up and then slipped into the waistband of my panties before I even opened my eyes.

I moaned.

“You should have slept naked, Cupcake.”

“Cold,” I panted.

“Are you cold now?”

“No.” I wasn’t.

Rhys tore the covers off of me and then did the same to my panties. His mouth was between my parted legs, and he ran his tongue from the bottom of my pussy to my clit in one fluid motion as though to drink every ounce of my arousal. I was his morning coffee or his breakfast, giving him the energy to go on for the day. They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day and I knew of one source of protein that I was looking forward to in just a few minutes.

Rhys slipped a finger inside of me and then two, fucking me with them while his tongue flicked my clit. My hands gripped the sheets as I moaned, bowing my back as the orgasm was building quickly. My bent knees started to wobble and shake as he worked me like I was a bass guitar for a rock band. Each strum was the right cord. My hands gripped the sheets tightly, and then as I came, my grasp tightened, and I heard a rip.

We were silent for a few moments as my breathing returned close to normal.

“You ripped the sheets, baby.”

“I did what?”

Rhys nudged his head toward my hand. I followed his gaze, and sure enough, there was a tear in the cotton.

“I’ll buy new ones.”

He smirked as he pressed his lips to mine. “I’ll buy three hundred and sixty-five sets if that’s what it takes to make you come like that every day.”

“Well, it is Christmas.”

“That wasn’t your present.”

I chuckled. “Then what is?”

“Santa left you something under the tree.”

“How did he get in? We don’t have a real fireplace.”

Rhys grinned. “He knows a guy who knows a guy.”

I shook my head and laughed.

Stepping into his PJ bottoms, he said, “Let’s open your present and then since we both need to shower before we head out, we can save water and shower together.” He winked. I wasn’t going to argue. Shower sex was hot. I was extremely curious what he’d gotten me for our first Christmas.

After I threw on my T-shirt and PJ bottoms, I walked down the hall and found him in the kitchen. “First, I need coffee,” he said.

“Why do you need coffee for me to open my gift?”

“You’ll see. I’ll bring you a cup.”

I turned and walked to the couch and sat down. A minute later he handed me a big steaming mug. “Thank you.” I took the cup from him.

He took a few sips of his coffee and then set it on the coffee table before grabbing a medium sized wrapped box that had recently appeared under the tree. I was in charge of wrapping the presents for our family, and when I’d put them under the tree a few days ago, that box wasn’t there. “Did you buy this yesterday?” I teased.

He grinned. “No. But I wrapped it yesterday.”

I reached out my hands and took the box from him. It was heavier than I thought it was going to be. “Jesus. Are there bricks in here?”

Rhys laughed and reached for his coffee again. “Just open it while I finish my coffee.”

I tore through the paper, and once enough was torn away, I balked, surprised at what it was. “You got me a karaoke machine?”

“I thought you liked to sing. The other night with the Emmys…” He trailed off, smirking at me.

I rolled my eyes. “I was drunk.”

“Clearly, but you sing in the shower.”

“I can’t use this in the shower.” I laughed.

“True, but this isn’t all of your present either.”

“Oh?”

He took a deep breath as though he was nervous. “Yeah, the machine is just the vessel.”

“The vessel?” I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion.

He downed the rest of his coffee and reached for his iPad that was sitting on the table. “I’m actually going to put on a concert for you.”

I snorted. “You’re what?”

He exchanged the karaoke machine with his iPad. “I’m gonna sing to you.”

“You’re kidding!”

“I’m not.” He opened the box, and I realized it wasn’t taped completely. He’d already opened it.

“Why are you going to sing to me? And why now?”

“You’ll see.” He did some things on the machine and then said, “Open the karaoke app and follow along.”

I looked down at the iPad and noticed it was the only app on the screen. I touched the icon, and it opened to a list of songs. I looked back up at Rhys, not paying any mind to the titles.

“Are you ready?” Rhys asked.

I chuckled. “Are you?”

He grinned. “Well, I’m no Ed Sheeran, so you can’t make fun of my voice.”

I smirked. “I won’t.”

“Now, for the next twenty-three minutes or so, you can’t stop me.”

“You’re going to sing for twenty-three minutes?”

“Yep. I have six songs to sing to you.”

“Okay.” I smiled and sat back on the couch. I threw a blanket over me and sipped my coffee as I waited for the show.

Rhys took a deep breath, cleared his throat, and then pressed something on the machine. “I’m also going to record this so you can listen anytime you want.”

I laughed, but it died off when I heard the strum of a guitar of a country song.

Rhys started to , a smile on each of our faces. He nudged his head toward the iPad, and I looked down to see the words scrolling across the screen. He sang about meeting a girl who makes him smile. One that crosses the street and when she moves, it changes the whole world. Though he changed the lyrics to sing about my green eyes and not the baby blues in the song. I realized as he sang that he was talking about meeting me and my smile didn’t falter. It actually grew bigger, and I had to resist the urge to sing along with him.

After the song ended, another one started right away. As soon as he started to about being a call away, I realized that the songs that were on the list on the main screen of the app were specifically put there by Rhys. It was like his own concert set list.

Rhys continued to sing about being a call away if I needed a friend, that Superman had nothing on him and no matter where I went, I wasn’t alone. His voice was beautiful. I hadn’t realized in the months that we were dating that he had a good singing voice.

I swayed my upper body as I listened to the words, wishing I had a lighter to hold up. Rhys started to move a little as though he was finally getting comfortable singing in front of me, and I caught myself as I quietly started to sing the words along with him.

The piano faded out, and the strum of a guitar started to play as the queued. My eyes widened when I realized what song he was singing. “JT?” I whispered-hissed.

Rhys nodded his head, not missing any words. My ears perked up at the mention of falling in love. I knew it was just a song, but it was clear that he’d chosen it and now he was singing that it was okay to fall in love with him. He was telling me that not only was it okay to fall in love with him, but that he’d be the guy to heal my heart. He was the guy who had healed my heart. The previous two songs were a timeline of our relationship, but now he was singing that I should fall in love with him. Did he actually mean it? Or was I reading far too much into these songs?

He sang the lyrics about being the last voice I’d hear at night and that he wanted me to be the one staring back at him when we woke each morning. I continued to sway in my seat as he did the same singing next to the Christmas tree. Listening to the words, I realized that it wasn’t bad to fall in love with him. I needed to tell him that I did love him, but before I could get a word out, the next song started, and Rhys quickly took a sip of my cooling coffee.

“Throat’s dry,” he whispered.

I nodded, not able to say anything. Then the song picked up, and realization once again dawned on me. “?” I whispered.

He nodded and started to sing. I definitely knew the song. It was one that was popular when I was in high school. All the girls wanted their boyfriends to fall truly, madly and deeply in love with them, and I was one of those girls. Now here I was with the perfect man, and he was singing how he’d be my dream, my wish, my fantasy, my hope, my love and everything I’d need. He was all of those things, and as he sang the slow song, a lump started to form in my throat.

Rhys was telling me through all of these songs that he wanted to be with me forever. I wanted to be with him forever too. I wanted to sing along with him, but there was no way for me to even whisper the lyrics or I would cry. I felt my heart expanding in my chest, and I was paralyzed, not wanting to ruin this moment because he was finally telling me that he loved me.

When reality was, I loved him too.

The guitar faded away, and before I could stand to rush into his arms, another one started. I had no idea what number we were on. He’d said that there were six songs he wanted to sing to me. Six songs of him expressing how he was in love with me—or so I now assumed.

The song that started next was another like the one he had started with. This one was about me finding my Prince Charming and how I liked romantic movies. Then he sang about how he could love me like Romeo loved Juliet. He sang that I just needed to give him a chance, but that was exactly what I was doing. Even though I was brokenhearted when we’d met, I’d opened my heart again, and it was all because of him.

Rhys sang about moving Heaven and Earth and making me his world if I’d be his girl. I was his girl, and as I listened to him finish the song, I realized that he must have fallen in love with me before he asked me to be his girl. Or so I assumed given the timeline of these love songs.

So where did that mean we were on the timeline? He met me, he was one call away when I needed him to forget my past—but he sang that it was okay for me to fall in love with him before he sang about loving me deeply and being my Prince Charming. Then I grasped that it wasn’t just him singing to me that it was okay for me to fall in love with him.

He was giving himself permission to fall in love with me.

Tears pricked my eyes. Even though we’d met when we were both broken and scared, we’d fallen in love with each other. I didn’t know how or when it had happened, but the game of love always goes on. It had for us, and here we were on Christmas morning having our own Christmas miracle.

“This one’s important,” Rhys stated, holding the mic away.

I hadn’t noticed that the song had ended, so I nodded, still paralyzed and unable to move. I didn’t care what number song we were on. Rhys was telling me he loved me and I wanted this moment to last forever.

More guitars strummed as the next song started to play. I furrowed my brow when it dawned on me what song it was. Or better yet, who sang the original. “, really?” I laughed.

Rhys cracked a smile, but all laughter stopped when he moved, sat next to me and started to touch each part of my body when the lyrics matched them. And then the moment he sang that he loved me, the tears I was trying to keep at bay spilled over my lids. I wasn’t even sure what most of the lyrics were because each time that he sang he was in love with me, everything seemed to fade away except those words.

“You’re in love with me?” I whispered as the song ended.

Rhys was still sitting beside me, and he slowly smiled. “Yeah, Cupcake. I love you so fucking much.”

A tear slid down my cheek and onto the blanket. “I love you too.”

He brushed the tears away with his thumb. “Don’t cry.”

“I’m crying because I’m happy.”

He chuckled slightly. “So that means you loved my show?”

I rolled my eyes at his ridiculous question and tackled him. We fell back onto the couch and eating breakfast was replaced with something else entirely for the second time that morning.

And then again in the shower.

Rhys’s Love Concert

I Met a Girl – William Michael Morgan – 3:22

One Call Away – Charlie Puth – 3:14

Not a Bad Thing – Justin Timberlake – 4:26

Truly Madly Deeply – Savage Garden – 4:37

I Can Love You Like That – John Michael Montgomery – 3:55

Little Things – One Direction – 3:40

We arrived at Rhys’s parents’ house around noon. I was starving since breakfast was forgotten, and by the time we finished what replaced breakfast, it was time to get ready to leave. But I’d skip breakfast every day if all mornings were like the one I’d just had.

When we walked in through the front door, Rhys’s mother was standing in the entry as though she’d been looking out the window all morning for our arrival.

“Ashtyn!” She beamed and wrapped me in her arms.

“Merry Christmas, Claire.”

“I’m so happy you could come.” She pulled back.

“Thank you for having me.”

“Hand me your coat,” Rhys said.

I shrugged out of my wool coat and handed it to him. Claire gestured for me to walk into her home, and as we headed toward the kitchen, we passed a lit fire in the fireplace and little bit of pain scorched my heart. I had a fireplace in my condo, and I knew Rhys wanted one. If only I could stand to be in there for more than ten minutes while I grabbed clothes …

I turned my head to look at Rhys as he followed behind us and nudged my head toward the flames. “We should find a place with one.”

Rhys’s mom stopped walking. “You two are going to find a place together?”

My gaze darted to Rhys, realizing I had just said we should move in together. We practically were living together, but it wasn’t official yet. There were things that needed to be done before we had the same address. Like selling my condo. And if we decided to find a bigger location with a fireplace, then we’d need to sell his home too.

“It’s a possibility.” Rhys winked at me as he answered his mother.

“Did you hear that, Romi? Your brother and Ashtyn might move in together!”

We finally rounded the corner, and I saw a few more people standing at the kitchen island and eating what looked to be cheese dip.

“Don’t embarrass the girl, Mom.” A woman who looked a lot like a younger version of Rhys walked over to me and stuck her hand out. “I’m Romi, Rhys’s sister.”

I smiled. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“This is my husband, Shane.” She gestured to a man behind her. We shook hands as well.

“And this big guy is my dad,” Rhys stated.

“It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Cole.”

“Please call me Andy.” We shook hands as well.

“I’m not trying to embarrass Ashtyn, Romi. I’m just saying that your little bun in the oven might not be my only grandchild.”

“Whoa!” Rhys held up his hands in mock surrender. “We haven’t even had sex yet.” My eyes widened as Rhys threw his arm around my shoulder and whispered, “Don’t be embarrassed, Cupcake. They know I’m joking.”

I wasn’t sure if that was worse.

One down. One to go.

Being with Rhys’s family was amazing. I felt comfortable, and I think I fit in well with everyone. His mom continued to be wonderful, and so was his father. His sister couldn’t stop glowing, and I was jealous that she was finally starting a family. It wasn’t that I was thinking Rhys and I should start right away just because we were in love. It was because I was going to be thirty-four and time was ticking.

Rhys drove us about twenty minutes to my parents’ house for Christmas dinner. I was already stuffed, but this was how I assumed all Christmases would be in the future. At least that was what I’d always wanted, or maybe next year we could do Thanksgiving at his parents and Christmas at mine then switch the next year.

“I know you’ve met Ethan, but I have another brother. Plus, my dad,” I reminded him.

Rhys looked over at me as he put the car in park. “I’m not scared. Ethan loves me.”

“Right.” I snorted. I wasn’t sure if either one of my brothers would ever approve of a boyfriend of mine. They were too protective and acted as though I was still in high school and some guy only wanted in my pants.

“Well, he knows I’m taking care of you, and that’s all fathers and big brothers want.”

“I hope so,” I sighed. What if they didn’t like Rhys? What if Ethan was only being nice because Rhys had tried to save me? It’s not every day you’re almost kidnapped and your boyfriend is almost shot. But they loved hockey and hockey was Rhys’s life. Plus, every game they watched Rhys on TV just like his family caught my broadcasts.

We got out of the car and walked up to the front door. It was unlocked, so we entered. Dad, Ethan, and Carter were sitting on the couch ready for the rare Christmas day football game. It didn’t happen often, but it was happening this year, and they were excited. It wasn’t even two teams they liked. It was just sports, and they were men.

Dad stood as we entered the room. “Dad, this is Rhys. Rhys, this is my father, Glen.”

Rhys stuck out his hand. “It’s nice to meet you, sir.”

“Likewise.”

Carter stood and stuck out his hand. “I’m Ashtyn’s brother, Carter.”

“Nice to meet you, too.”

Ethan came up with his hand out as well. “Rhys.”

“Ethan.” They shook too.

“Mom and the girls are in the kitchen?”

Dad nodded. “Dinner should be ready soon. I hope you’re hungry.”

I groaned inwardly thinking I was going to gain ten pounds in one day and I’d eat so much that they’d need to wheel me out because it would be too uncomfortable to move a muscle. “Let’s have you meet the women, and then you can come back here and do man stuff.”

“Man stuff?” Rhys laughed.

I waved my hand at the TV. “Watch men hit each other as they try to get a ball.”

“Football,” Rhys stated as though I had no clue.

“Don’t let this one fool you, Rhys. She knows about every sport,” Dad chimed in.

I knew the basics because of my job. I had no idea of stats and stuff like a lot of guys knew when they talked sports over beers. Now, ask me anything about Scandal or How to Get Away with Murder and I’d be all over it.

“I know she knows more than she lets on. She got Jeremy Roenick to meet me last night and sign a jersey for me.”

All the men looked at me, and I shrugged. “I know a guy who knows a guy.”

“I can’t wait to see what you got us for Christmas,” Carter beamed hopefully.

I frowned. “Nothing.” Then I looked at the door where we’d set a few bags down that had wrapped presents in it.

“Don’t be like that, Ash. I saved your life,” Ethan stated.

He had, and even though I got them signed jerseys too, it would never be enough.