Total pages in book: 17
Estimated words: 14955 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 75(@200wpm)___ 60(@250wpm)___ 50(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 14955 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 75(@200wpm)___ 60(@250wpm)___ 50(@300wpm)
“Instruments of bribery.” I wink at her. “A man needs all the help he can get.”
Noelle laughs and adds a few more toys to my pile. “You’re already becoming his favorite human. I need to remind him that I came first.” A funny little sensation flows through my heart when she wraps her arm around my waist and hugs me tight.
“You’ll always come first.” I kiss the top of her head as we make our way through the crowded store.
“Can we stop at the coffee shop on the way home?” Noelle practically vibrates with excitement.
“How in the world can you drink so much caffeine and still sleep?” If my girl isn’t drinking coffee, she’s downing diet soda. I would worry about her health, except she also drinks enough water to float a ship.
“It’s a gift.” She winks adorably. In that moment, Noelle would’ve stolen my heart if it didn’t already belong to her.
When we get back to her place, we unload all our purchases before hurrying to wrap Snoopy’s gifts. “I told my parents we would pick Snoopy up in an hour, and I want to have all of these wrapped before he gets home so he’s surprised on Christmas,” my little elf tells me. What’s downright terrifying is that I totally understand. I don’t recognize myself as the cold-as-ice businessman anymore, and I couldn’t be happier. The family-oriented caveman that replaced him is a huge improvement.
We spend the rest of the weekend wrapping all the presents Noelle bought. By the time we finish, it looks like her living room puked presents, but my little elf couldn’t be happier.
I end up staring at the ceiling all night Sunday night, too wound up to sleep while my little elf snores softly at my side.
“Wake up, sleepyhead.” I’ve been up since before the sun rose. I showered, dressed, and ran down to the coffee shop to grab my girl’s favorite drink while she slept in.
“It’s vacation,” she grumbles adorably. “I get to sleep until noon.” My little elf pulls the pink frilly comforter over her head and snuggles back in.
“I’ll let you sleep until noon every other day.” I’d do just about anything to make her happy. “But not today. I have plans for today.”
Noelle’s head pops out from under the covers, and she pushes her hair off of her adorable face before glaring at me. “What plans?” I almost laugh at the slightly perturbed but intensely curious expression on her beautiful face.
“You’ll see.” I hold out my hand and pull her sweet body up against mine. “Get your lazy bones up and shower.” When leans up and kisses me, I almost change my mind and hop back in the warm bed with her. “You’re not going to distract me with your gorgeous body,” I grumble as my cock urges me to forget about the announcement and instead show Noelle how much she means to me. “I got you an extra-large white chocolate mocha.” Ah-ha. I just found the magic words.
“Coffee?” Her eyes light up. “Why didn’t you say that first?” While my little elf showers, I check my emails, making sure everything is set.
As we drive through Blue Spruce, Noelle glances over at me. “Are you going to tell me what’s going on?”
I pull up in front of the courthouse and turn to my little elf. “I have an announcement for the town.” Fear fills her honey-brown eyes, and I remind myself that Noelle has no idea what I’ve been up to. Wanting to put her at ease, I hurry to add, “It’s a good announcement.”
“How good?” As she stares at me, I realize I have no hope of ever hiding anything from my girl. Her fear is my fear, and her excitement is my excitement.
“I’m going to back the town’s efforts to buy Santa’s Shoppe.” I give her the bare basics.
“I don’t understand.” Noelle turns in her seat, and I can feel her anxiety filling the truck cab. “Are you leaving?” Her voice gets louder with each word. “Going home before Christmas?” Outrage mixed with fear fills her eyes. I guess my explanation was a little too bare.
“I’m already home.” I reach for her soft hand and bring it to my lips. “I’m home wherever you are.”
“Explain it again. This time, slowly.” She points at the cup of coffee in the cup holder. “I haven’t had enough caffeine to understand the condensed version.”
“Okay.” I take a deep breath, trying to find the right words. I’ve taken part in hundreds of deals throughout my career, but none of them compare to this one. This one is for life.
“The town was several million dollars short in their bid to buy the factory,” I explain.
“I already knew that,” Noelle grumbles. “And your company is buying it.” She throws up her hand.
“My company withdrew its bid this morning, and the town is re-submitting a larger bid. Large enough that the sale should go through pretty quickly.”