Total pages in book: 22
Estimated words: 20786 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 104(@200wpm)___ 83(@250wpm)___ 69(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 20786 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 104(@200wpm)___ 83(@250wpm)___ 69(@300wpm)
“No, it’s sweet—like you. I braced myself for something outrageous, but it’s like walking into a classy magazine spread of what Christmas is. Home meets Holiday. It’s perfect.” A rumble comes from her belly. “Enough talking. You need to eat.”
“I guess you’re right. We can eat over here.” She leads me to the small dining room where there’s a cute Christmas display on the table with a round napkin holder and snowmen salt and pepper shakers. “Do you have a special gathering for the holidays?” I’m a little jealous about all the people who got to spend the holidays with her.
“I lost my parents when I was nineteen, so I have Glen and Sheila as my surrogates. They stop by on Christmas Day for a special lunch before seeing their grandkids.”
“I’m sorry about your parents, but that’s very sweet that you have that tradition.”
“It’s been nice.” We both take a bite of our burgers, and they’re cold. “Um…maybe I should warm these up. Would you like something to drink?”
“Sounds good. Let me help.” I follow her into the kitchen, which is similar to mine but just a tad smaller.
“I have some wine, a couple of diet sodas, and milk.”
“I’ll take the wine.” I grab it and pop the bottle open. I look at it and laugh. “Sugarplum. Did you look at the bottle? This isn’t wine. This is sparking grape juice.”
“Oh, my goodness,” she giggles. I pour us a glass each and laugh.
“I’m going to kick Glen in the shins. He said he bought me my favorite bottle of wine and chilled it for me.”
“He still thinks of you as a child,” I accuse. She’s still young, but she’s not a child obviously.
“No, but he says I’m pretty naïve.” I nod.
“He’s not wrong.” Her gaze drops and I’ve hit a sore spot. Fuck.
“Come here.” I pull her into my arms and hold her close. “I find it unbelievably beautiful and refreshing how sweet you are. You work hard, but you have a very kind heart that’s extremely trusting. Let’s eat, and then I’m taking you to bed before I go home.”
“You don’t want to sleep with me, do you?” She bites down on that bottom lip and I’m tempted to take over for her, biting it and then taste her puffy lips.
“Sleep with you? Sugarplum, one day I’m going to marry you, but for tonight, I just want to care for you.” I take our kid juice and reheated cheeseburgers back to the table, and we talk and talk.
“So you’re a crime novelist. I’m sorry I’m not that type of reader and it’s not often I get to read these days. I’ve heard of you, but I couldn’t say I know anything about your books.”
“Don’t be sorry. My books are crime thrillers and yes I’ve sold millions of copies since I’ve started my career over the past ten years.”
“Wow, that’s insane. How did you get started?”
“Well, I was good at school. It was the one thing that allowed me to focus my frustrations and pain and my teachers recognized it. When I got a job, I would save up until I the money to buy a computer, a desk, and the works. For months, if I wasn’t in school or working, I hid in my small room and typed up my stories. Finally, I submitted the first one to an agent when I turned eighteen. It took a little time, but it was picked up by a major press, and it took off.”
“That is so amazing. You’re amazing, James.”
“You’re no different, Holiday. I stare at your Christmas wonderland and I’ve wonder what the hell I’ve been missing my entire life.”
“Thank you. I’m not sure what it is about Christmas, but I love it so much. Is it the cinnamon in the air, the shiny colors, the decorative trees, and I’m in heaven.”
“So am I,” I whisper.
The more she speaks about Christmas, the brighter the light in her eyes shines. Holiday is making the icy part of me thaw.
All my life, I never let people get close because people were cruel and used you, but my woman is the opposite. She’s the person who does the best she can, knows danger is out there, but can’t help herself when it comes to being too nice to people.
I bet she would have caved eventually to one of these guys, but she couldn’t figure out how to say yes to one without hurting the other’s feelings. I took the choice away from her and therefore, made it easy. Even now, I bet she still feels guilty about that fucker at the diner.
“Sugarplum, I’m having a wonderful night, but it’s getting late and you need rest. So, take your pretty little bottom to bed, and then I’ll be next door, dreaming dirty dreams of you. When you’re ready, I’ll be eating more than the cookies you make.”