Page 4 of Stolen Holidays (The Miller Brothers #5)

four

Eli

Sunlight bounces off the four-karat emerald-cut diamond engagement ring currently pinched between my two fingers. Something about the way the prisms dance across the jewelry counter sends an electrical charge up my arm and makes my heart race.

Rainbows.

I rub at the swell of emotion filling my chest, making it tight. I’m not only about to propose to the love of my life, but I’m about to pull off one of the biggest surprises the Millers have ever seen: a same-day wedding.

The idea came to me when we were out for dinner and a line of photographers were sitting outside, waiting to snap a shot of us.

So much of Callie’s life before me was spent in the spotlight.

She’s managed all the scrutiny with such grace, but I know she wants a more private and normal life.

My mission is to give her anything and everything she needs to be happy.

I also don’t want the world to have photos of my bride on our wedding day. There are some things that are private, and I want this to be one of them. Just her and me, and our family. That’s all we need. The fame could disappear, but our family will always be there for us.

Cam bumps my shoulder and whistles. “That’s some ring.”

“It is.” The diamond sparkles like a sign from the universe. I chose this ring because it’s simple and glamorous. The diamond set in gold, to match her parents’ wedding rings, is both elegant and sophisticated, but the brilliance of the cut is what stands out, just like Callie.

To the world, my soon-to-be wife may be a popstar, but to me, she’s just Calliope.

Callie is more than the glammed-out woman who dances around on stage in sparkly bodysuits or walks red carpets in designer dresses and shoes—all of which she hates.

She is one of the strongest, most tenderhearted women in the world.

The love, dedication, and loyalty she gives to the people who surround her, especially her family, know no bounds.

Even when I was being a total ass and didn’t deserve her, Callie saw past my facade and loved me anyway.

I never thought I could love someone as much as I love Callie.

Finally accepting my feelings for her and making her mine was the best decision I have ever made.

She’s the other half of my soul and makes me so damn happy.

I can’t wait to marry her. To spend the rest of my life with her. To start a family together.

Fuck. I still can’t get the sound of Callie’s breathy moans, as she begged me to fuck a baby into her yesterday morning, out of my head. Flashes of our lovemaking transform into a vision of Callie smiling at me as she cradles our baby in her belly.

Soon.

I place the engagement ring next to the other matching gold bands I had made as a surprise for her and ask the salesperson to pack them up. The saleswoman collects the rings from the velvet cushion and excuses herself to wrap them up for me.

In eleven days, each of those rings will grace Callie’s fingers. Each a symbol of my love and devotion to her for as long as I live.

“How are you feeling?” Jace steps up beside me, pulling me back to the present.

“Fucking amazing.” My eyes meet my big brother’s, and I grin at him. “I’m about to make Callie mine forever.”

“Seems a little fast. I mean, you only just started dating,” Cam interjects.

I know he’s just fucking with me, but before I can punch him in the dick for even questioning my proposal, Mason steps in and slaps Cam upside the head, knocking his hat off. “No one is asking for your opinion, douche-dick.”

Cam rubs at the spot as he bends over and grabs his hat off the floor, placing it back on his head backwards. “I’m kidding. Sheesh, lighten up.”

“You’re just mad that I’m beating you to the punch.” I wink at Cam, who flips me off in response.

“I should have eloped in Mexico,” Cam groans, sending me, Jace, and Mason into a burst of laughter. “What’s so funny?”

“The fact that you think you could elope with Talia is what’s funny.” Mason shakes his head at Cam.

Jace grips his stomach as he tries to stop laughing. “You would get your ass beat so fucking hard by her big brother if you eloped.”

“Oh man, can you imagine the punch you’d get for that?” I pop Cam in the chin, and the big oaf shoves me, making me stumble.

“You guys suck.” My little brother sulks, but he knows we are one hundred percent right. There is no way in hell Talia would get married without her family.

The sales associate interrupts our good-natured teasing of Cameron and hands me the bag containing my rings.

“I’m fucking starved.” Cam flips his hat around as we walk out of the jewelry store and make our way towards Jace’s SUV. Since he has the biggest ride, he’s our designated chauffeur for the day.

Jace pulls out his phone and swipes a few times. “The ladies are already at Blue Cantina. We could crash their dinner.”

The thought of seeing my girl has me picking up my pace. A few hours away from her feels like a lifetime. Big Mike has been sending me progress reports, but laying my eyes on her for myself is exactly what I need.

“Let’s do it.” I point at Jace. “But no fucking in the bathroom.”

Jace grins at me like he’s the Joker. “I make no promises.”

“Fucking hell,” Mason grumbles and places his sunglasses over his eyes. I love how he pretends he doesn’t feel his wife up in public. Fucking hypocrite.

We all climb into Jace’s SUV, and in less than twenty minutes, we are pulling into the parking lot of the restaurant. When we arrive, the hostess greets Jace like one of the family and leads us to the private dining room, where the Miller ladies are sitting.

I give Callie’s security guard, who is standing sentry in the hallway, a handshake and follow my brothers.

Rylann notices us first. “Hey, what are you guys doing here?”

“That’s no way to greet your husband, Sunshine.” Jace makes his way to his wife, but I only have one thing on my mind.

The moment her eyes find mine, the rest of the world melts away. She hits me with that brilliant smile—the one that makes my heart skip a beat while simultaneously putting my body at ease—and I’m done for. I make my way towards her in three long strides.

“Princess,” I greet. My voice is unintentionally low and gritty. Hungry. It’s unavoidable. This is what Callie does to me. She makes me feel alive, loved, and always needy for her. I don’t miss the way her cheeks turn pink at my sultry tone.

Without another word, I lift her off her seat and place her sideways on my lap, where she belongs. She wraps her arms around my shoulders as I bury one hand in her hair, cup her cheek with the other, tilt her head to the side, and kiss her. Hard and deep.

Her tongue tangles with mine as we lose ourselves in each other, neither of us caring that we’re surrounded by my family. Callie gives as good as she gets as our mouths move in sync. I pour everything I feel into her, refusing to let her forget, for even a second, how much she means to me.

When we break apart, I rest my forehead against hers and breathe in her sweet floral scent. “Fuck, I missed you.”

“It’s only been a few hours.” She snorts, and it’s so fucking cute my chest squeezes.

How on earth did I go for years without her by my side? “A few hours too many.”

“Aren’t you just the sweetest?” Callie cups my jaw in her hands and kisses my lips. “I missed you too, handsome.”

“I’m back!” Scarlett sings as she enters the dining room with a brown paper bag in her hand. Her hands and the bag fall to her side. “What the fuck are you guys doing here?” She looks around the room, and her face twists into a scowl. “And where the hell is my husband?”

“Oh shit. Jace, you left your bestie behind,” Cam jokes as Talia, who is sitting on his lap and looks as thoroughly plump-lipped as Callie, swats him on the shoulder.

“Relax. Levi’s on his way,” Jace says.

Scarlett’s scowl turns back into a grin as she takes the empty seat beside Jace and Rylann. “Okay then. But you still haven’t answered my question. What the hell are you guys doing here?”

“Cam was hungry.” Mason rubs his hand over Emery’s pregnant stomach.

A tinge of jealousy hits me, but I push it away. Soon, I remind myself again.

“Of course he was.” Talia rolls her eyes.

“Hey now. I’ll eat you for dinner if you’re not careful, Itty Bitty.”

Talia blushes, and Cam growls as he buries his face in her neck.

Before, a display like this would have had me losing my appetite, but as I look around the room now and notice that, like me, each of my brothers has his woman on his lap—definitely a Miller thing—I get it.

This is the way it was always supposed to be.

My brothers and I, with the loves of our lives, spending time together, laughing and sharing meals together.

Our family.

Callie rests her head on my shoulder as I weave my fingers through her hair. Over her head, I glance in Emery’s direction, and she gives me a subtle thumbs-up.

Mason scowls at me. Emery is in her last month of pregnancy, and Mason is not thrilled she’s been helping me plan my wedding.

I suggested hiring someone else, but Emery refused to let anyone but her plan the surprise.

I sure as hell wasn’t about to turn down my sisters-in-law’s help.

She is an amazing event planner, and if she can pull off even a tenth of what she did for Jace and Rylann’s wedding, it will be the most unforgettable day for Callie. Which is all I want.

I would do anything to make Callie happy. That includes turning Christmas Day into the most unforgettable day she could imagine. Our wedding day.

“What have I missed?” Levi asks as he struts into the room and makes a beeline for his wife.

He pulls her out of her chair, dips her back, and kisses her full on.

The room erupts in catcalls, and they break apart with a laugh.

A memory of them all loved up in Hawaii for their wedding takes me back, and I glance over at Rylann and Jace.

So much has changed since then. Hawaii happened before the whole drama with Hudson’s dad went down.

Back then, I was carefree, flirty, and having fun sleeping around.

Then after it all, I went to the other extreme: closing myself off to relationships, switching into serious mode, and throwing myself into work.

Now, it feels like I’ve come full circle.

I’m lighter and laugh more. I don’t have the weight of my work holding me back, keeping me from connecting. Keeping me from Callie.

My throat tightens with emotion. Of course, my girl catches it. She misses nothing. Callie always knows what I’m thinking or how I’m feeling.

“Are you okay?” Her dark eyes search mine.

“I’m perfect.” I frame her jaw in my palm and kiss her.

“You like being here with them.”

The weight on my shoulders melts away with her statement and bleeds into warmth. I love when she reads me. “You always know.”

“I know you.” Callie’s lips curve up as she says, “I like it here too.”

I’m not surprised at her admission. This place, our family, is Callie’s favorite place.

I brush a strand of her silky hair behind her ear, loving the way her bleach-blonde is growing out. “I’ll bring you up here more often.”

Callie bites her bottom lip as emotions I can’t quite nail down flit across her face.

“Don’t you dare, Levi. I will kick your sweet little ass,” Scarlett shouts.

The commotion across the table pops my and Callie’s bubble.

“What the hell is in the bag, Scarlett?” Levi growls, reaching for the bag.

Scarlett pulls it out of his reach. “None of your damn business.” Her blue eyes sparkle with mischief, daring her husband to find out.

Levi accepts the challenge and takes a step forward. “Woman, if you don’t start talking, I’m going to bend you over my knee and smack your sweet little ass.”

“Is that a threat or a promise?” Scarlett taunts.

“Both,” Levi grunts.

“You’d have to catch me first.” Scarlett jumps out of her chair, and the legs screech across the floor. She runs out of the dining room, with Levi hot on her heels.

“What the hell is going on?” I ask Rylann, who laughs nervously.

“Sunshine,” Jace warns, lowering his voice to a decibel that should only be used in the bedroom, and probably is.

“It’s nothing, Ace. Just Scarlett being Scarlett.”

Jace narrows his eyes at his wife, but his probing stare doesn’t faze her.

“Ow!” Everyone’s attention shifts to Emery, who clutches her stomach.

“Are you okay? Is it the baby?” Mason runs his hands over every inch of Emery, panic blowing his eyes wide.

Emery lets out a huff of breath. “Phew. Just some Braxton Hicks contractions.”

“Are you sure? Maybe I should take you to the hospital.”

Mason’s fawning makes me smirk at how his wife brings out this softer side of him.

“No, no. I’m good. This happens, right, Rylann?” Emery asks.

“All the time. Perfectly natural,” Rylann assures Mason, who turns to Talia, looking for medical expertise.

She gives him a nod. You can physically see the tension in his shoulders ease in relief as he places a palm on Emery’s stomach.

Just then, the servers arrive with a variety of steaming and sizzling platters of tacos, rice, beans, fajitas, and more. My mouth waters as the savory scent of Mexican food placed around the table fills the air.

Still on my lap, Callie fixes our plates.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

I kiss her neck and then dive into the food.

“Holy shit, I forgot how fucking delicious this place is.” Cam groans around a mouthful of food, making us all laugh. He’s not wrong. There’s a reason this is Jace’s favorite place to eat.

“Such a caveman,” Talia teases.

Cam sends us all into a roar of laughter as he growls and takes a feral bite of his taco, spilling the fillings on the table to mess with Talia.

Dinner is loud and full of laughter as we discuss the plans for our trip to the mountains. Callie called it when she said I loved being around my family. This feels like it did when we were growing up, only better now that I have Callie to share these moments with.

I can’t wait to share a lifetime of moments like this with the gorgeous woman sitting in my lap. Christmas can’t come soon enough.