Blue Christmas by Taylor Lee Read Free Book Online

deserve the thanks of the people of the United States. It is my honor to have commanded a team that was led by Captain Tiffany Anderson and Colonel Brady Schaefer.”
    Tiffany didn’t know how she made it across the room without falling but she did and from the way her face ached, she must be smiling. When she reached the Colonel’s side, he turned to the audience and said, “Ladies and Gentlemen, may I introduce our very own hero, a woman who makes me proud to be a soldier, Captain Tiffany Anderson.”
    As the audience erupted in a rousing burst of applause with catcalls and hoorahs mixed in, Tiffany fought back tears and reached up and kissed Col. Marion, and said simply, “Thank you.”
    After the applause died down, Col. Marion introduced Brady. Describing him as a true American hero, he listed a string of accomplishments—ending with his sadness that they had not been able to keep a soldier of Brady’s distinction in the active military.
    Brady stepped forward.
    “Colonel Marion is gracious indeed. I was quaking in my boots wondering if he was going to mention the times he had to spring me and my partner from certain time in the brig for, shall we say, ‘exceeding’ orders.”
    Following the roar of appreciative laughter at this and other hilarious self-deprecating stories, Brady tuned serious.
    “But, folks, I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge the bravest and most accomplished woman I know, Captain Tiffany Anderson. It was a privilege to work with her again. We were teammates three years ago and Tiffany did then what she does in every mission she works. She exceeded all expectations, putting herself in horrific danger. And she helped us take down an evil man and shatter a human trafficking ring, saving the lives of countless young women. The United States Army should be very proud. To say that Tiffany a superstar is an understatement. It doesn’t do her justice. No, a better description is to call her a supernova. As all of you astronomy buffs know, unlike a mere superstar, a supernova outshines an entire galaxy.”
    Brady reached out and took her hand, forcing her to look up at him.
    He added quietly, “It’s a privilege to work with you, Tiffany. I’m honored to have been on your team.”
    Knowing that she would burst into tears at any minute, Tiffany was relieved when Brady turned to the audience with a grin. “And I might add that she has the hottest ass in the entire United States Army!”
    The crowd came apart.

Chapter 7
    As men and women crowded around the two of them, offering congratulations and thanking them for what they had done, Brady kept a firm grip on her arm. Initially she’d tried to pull away, but he merely notched her closer. After several minutes, as she answered questions and tried to make conversation, she found herself moving closer to him, wanting the comfort of his strong body next to hers.
    After what seemed like hours, but was minutes at the most, the band moved into a lilting medley of Christmas songs.
    Brady leaned down and said in a low voice, “Shall we?”
    She started to refuse, but he tugged on her arm and led her out to the dance floor. Sweeping her into his arms, he murmured, “Hey, it’s not Elvis…”
    As he pulled her closer to him, she melted into him. She gasped as a rush of sensation flooded over her. Frightened by the fiery flames of heat racing through her, she tried to pull away but he just tightened his hold on her.
    `His voice was low, husky. “Uh uh, darlin’, you aren’t going anywhere but here in my arms. And, yeah, honey, I feel it too.”
    Breathing in his unique smell, a combination of expensive cologne and strong man, she was shocked at the quaking sensations streaking through her core. She buried her head against him, clinging to him to keep from falling. Her legs were shaking. He was so big, so strong, even with her five inch high heels he towered over her. If anything her shoes put her at greater disadvantage, brought her hips up