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 gasped. “Oh…”
She smirked again. “So, you have been sleeping with my grandson?”
“I… I… I…”
“It’s okay, darling. I may be old, but I’m not old enough not to realize you two are in love, and I couldn’t approve more.”
My gaze widened. “Really?”
“Absolutely. You were made for each other. You always have been. All I’ve ever wanted is for my family to be happy, and now that the love of my life is gone, I’m making sure that my family will be okay once I’m gone too. It’s on my shoulders to make that happen.”
“I understand wanting to feel that way.”
She reached for my hands as if we were just two schoolgirls gossiping.
With the warmest smile, she announced, “You’re the key that holds Nicholas’s heart and the key to his Christmas. You’re his home, Noelle. You’ve always been his home. Wherever you are, he’ll be happy. Because at the end of the day, you hold his Grinch heart.”
Before I could reply, she pulled me into a tight hug. Like a mother-type hug. I leaned into her embrace, feeling the love she was pouring.
“I didn’t know I needed to hear this until right now. Thank you, Mrs. Saint Clair.”
She kissed my cheek and left.
Once she was gone, he approached me from behind, and I didn’t have to turn around to know who it was. I heard his footsteps follow, bringing him closer to where I stood before the fountain. My breathing hitched as soon as I felt him come up behind my shaky frame. I didn’t turn around; I didn’t move. I closed my eyes but didn’t know what I was waiting for. His warmth increased the closer he got, convincing me I would combust at any moment.
We weren’t even touching, yet his presence engulfed me.
Owned me.
He was everywhere.
His hands.
His lips.
His love.
He leaned in just inches away, letting his whiskey breath brush against my ear and assault all my senses. Shivers coursed through me and down my spine while my knees buckled.
I wrapped my arms around my stomach, trying to hold in the emotions that threatened to spill, knowing he noticed. There was no way he couldn’t have felt the effect he always had over me.
His touch.
His aura.
His mere presence.
My breath hitched as I shuddered, and weakened, the wall I built came tumbling down at our feet.
“I have a gift for you,” he stated out of nowhere.
“Nicholas—”
“It’s tradition. You get a gift tonight, on Christmas Eve, and on Christmas morning.”
I swallowed hard, not knowing what to say or do. I should have left, but I couldn’t get my feet to move. They were glued to the ground, cemented into this place and time where it felt so good to have him there with me after all this time.
I licked my lips, my mouth suddenly becoming dry.
My head spun in a whirlwind of feelings, battling with my heart to move or to stay grounded. I wanted to turn and face the man who was still such a mystery to me although before I could, his actions decided for me.
My eyes followed the quick movement of his strong arms as they came around my body. Skimming the sides of my ribs, he placed his hands on the railing out in front of me, which protected the fountain from intruders.
He caged me in against his body, his scent, his suit.
Engulfing me.
Comforting me.
Tormenting.
It was loud.
Explosive.
Maddening.
It was everything.
CHAPTER 20
NOELLE
The closer he got to me, the more I wanted to feel him against my body. I yearned to be touched in a way I knew he could soothe me. I sensed he wanted to put his hands on me, and I needed to feel my silky skin under his callused fingers.
He didn’t.
“Open it,” he whispered, indicating his gift, a slender box wrapped in paper, covered in silver foil, and tied with a pretty white bow.
I did, allowing my fingers to linger with his for a couple of seconds. Opening the jewelry box, I gasped as soon as I saw the rose gold locket necklace. I had my eyes on it for the past year.
How did he know?
“How did you know?” I asked. “How do you always know what to get me?” I had to finally know the answer to a question plaguing my mind for as long as I could remember.
“Because I know you,” he emphasized, placing his hands over mine, and I jumped from his sudden touch.
I could feel him grinning, knowing he was the cause of the rapid rhythm beating against the palm of his hand. Slowly, he opened the locket with my hands in his, and that warm feeling washed over me. It had the perfect photo of my mom that immediately melted my heart. It was my favorite picture of her.
I had no words.
He rendered me speechless.
All I had were emotions spilling out.
His hand rose to the side of my cheek.