Total pages in book: 46
Estimated words: 45966 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 230(@200wpm)___ 184(@250wpm)___ 153(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45966 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 230(@200wpm)___ 184(@250wpm)___ 153(@300wpm)
I was upset she didn’t ask my permission, fully aware I’d say no. However, the thought and time behind this was too much for me to ignore. At least it was themed out to my liking, but I’d never repeat it out loud.
Especially to her.
The last thing I wanted to do was give her false hope that I turned into the man I always dreaded.
I couldn’t help but shift my gaze from one decoration to the next, from the obnoxious couch pillows to the Whoville blanket and everything in between. There wasn’t a character she didn’t bring into this house. Including the entire town of Whoville in ceramic glass, which was displayed by the big front window. Despite the house looking like the Grinch literally moved in, it was somewhat tastefully done, whatever that meant.
Before I could utter a word, Noelle appeared out of thin air. “Surprise!” she shouted from behind me, walking into the room with trouble in her arms disguised as Max.
She wore a sweater that read “Mrs. Claus working for the Grinch” proudly displayed across her chest. The Santa hat, skirt, and knee-high red boots with matching stockings really brought the whole outfit together for me. The Santa hat was a nice touch.
“I’m surprised you only did the inside.” That was the first thing I could muster when she was wearing something like that.
As a kid, I used to appreciate her little outfits, but now, now, it was on another level of how much she fascinated me and kept my attention. I dated some through the years, but it was never serious. My business was my priority, and I didn’t leave room for much more.
“I’m doing that tomorrow,” she sassed, aware I knew she meant it.
She took off Max’s 2.0 headpiece and put him in his crate that was suddenly in my living room as if he had moved in as well.
Once Noelle was looking at me, I gestured to the open space. “Is this your idea of a peace offering?”
“No,” she confidently baited. “This is my grenade.”
“Well, what do you know?” I mocked. “I caught it, and now I’m holding the pin. The way I see it, you have two choices. You can surrender to me, or I’ll have to punish you for being a bad girl.”
“Surrender to you? What the hell does that mean?”
“It means you owe me a dinner.”
She extended out her hip in a defiant manner. “A dinner for what exactly?”
Twirling my index finger in a circle in the air beside me, I responded, “Need I say more?”
“Oh,” she celebrated with a pleased expression on her face. “I’m getting punished for bringing some holiday cheer into your life? Also, do you need me to remind you that you specifically asked for the Mistletoe welcome, and I’d hate not to live up to your town expectations.” She left for a minute and came back with a cookie basket. “That reminds me, I made these for you.”
I wasn’t going to pass up one of her delicious cookies. Reaching into the basket, I grabbed one and immediately took a big bite. Within seconds, I was spitting it out into my hand.
“Oh yeah…” she mocked in a snide tone. “I ran out of chocolate chips, so I used raisins instead.”
Wiping my mouth with the back of my hand, I walked into the nearest bathroom and tossed it in the trash where it belonged.
“You know how much I hate raisins,” I called out, stepping back into the room.
“Oh yeah…” She smiled wide. “Oops.”
“This is how you treat your new boss?”
“I’m just following your orders and trying to make you feel welcome.”
“Is that a threat?”
She winked at me. “Never.”
“Does that mean you won’t have dinner with me?”
“That’s exactly what it means.”
Listening carefully, I asked, “You’re choosing to be punished, then?”
In two determined strides, she was in my face. “Mrs. Claus never backs down from a challenge.”
I grinned, knowing I just won the golden ticket. Without thinking twice about it, I followed Dan’s advice to show her I really had changed.
Specifically, when it came to her.
Gripping the back of her neck, I tugged her toward me.
In a steady breath, I warned, “Then I’ll have no choice but to bring out the Grinch in me.”
NOELLE
My hands were pressed against the mantel on the brick fireplace beside the tree in one quick movement. The heat from the flames instantly warmed my skin as he spread my legs from behind.
With my back now to his front, it gave him the leverage he sought.
What is happening?
My mind raced with mixed emotions while my body completely betrayed me. It didn’t just melt into his touch—it molded.
Shit!
I needed to stop this.
I couldn’t let this go any further.
Why can’t I get my mouth to move?
“You feel that fire?” he asked into my ear in a husky tone that wasn’t referring to the flames burning in front of us.