Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 44479 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 222(@200wpm)___ 178(@250wpm)___ 148(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44479 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 222(@200wpm)___ 178(@250wpm)___ 148(@300wpm)
But no one knows. Not yet. Not her parents, not the press. To everyone else, this is just part of the charade.
We stroll past the booths, the smell of nutmeg and roasting chestnuts filling the air. Kids are lining up for a chance to meet Santa, their excitement buzzing through the crowd. Noelle nudges me with her elbow, grinning.
“Hey, think we should get in line for Santa? I can tell him my Christmas wish,” she teases, her eyes twinkling with happiness.
I chuckle, leaning in close so only she can hear me. “And what’s your wish this year, Noelle?”
Her smile turns softer, and she bites her lip. “I can’t tell you. Might ruin the surprise.”
The playful banter between us is light, but beneath it, there’s a weight. The press is watching, her parents are somewhere in the crowd, and all I want to do is pull her aside and kiss her like I did last night in the garage. Just knowing I can’t do it in front of everyone gnaws at me.
We’re nearing the kissing booth now, decked out with holly and twinkling lights, the bright red sign swinging above it. It’s all part of the charity event, a way to raise money for the festival. People have been lining up all day, exchanging kisses for donations, and now it’s our turn. Noelle’s first.
My stomach tightens as I realize what’s about to happen. I thought I was fine with it earlier—hell, it’s just for charity, right? But now, standing here, watching her step up to the booth, my chest tightens in a way I wasn’t expecting. Noelle smiles, laughing as she takes her place, and the line starts to form. People are actually lining up to kiss her.
And I’m supposed to be okay with this?
A guy walks up, grinning like he’s about to win the lottery, and hands over his donation before leaning in for a kiss. I feel my jaw clench, the muscles in my neck tightening as I watch. Noelle leans forward, and it’s just a quick, harmless peck, but that doesn’t stop the flash of heat that surges through me. My fists ball at my sides, and I have to force myself to stay rooted in place, to not walk over there and tear the guy away.
She’s mine.
I don’t care if this is for charity—there’s no way in hell I’m okay with anyone else kissing her. The next guy steps up, and the thought of him putting his lips on her makes my blood boil. I grit my teeth, every instinct in me screaming to step in and stop this. I catch Noelle’s eye, and she gives me a small smile, clearly sensing my tension.
I can’t take it. When it’s finally my turn to step up to the booth, I drop my donation into the jar, and without hesitation, I close the gap between us. The kiss is supposed to be quick, just like all the others, but the second our lips touch, I deepen it, my hand sliding to the back of her neck. It’s possessive, not just for the cameras or the crowd, but for me. It’s a silent declaration that she’s mine.
When I pull back, her cheeks are flushed, and the crowd cheers like they’ve just seen something special. Noelle’s eyes are wide, her lips parted, but I can’t bring myself to care about the attention.
I lean in close, whispering against her ear. “That’s the last time anyone but me gets to kiss you today.”
She laughs softly, breathless. “Jealous much?”
I smirk, my hand still resting at the nape of her neck. “More than you know.”
Chapter 18
Noelle
There’s nothing sexier than a kissing booth. Well, maybe York planting his lips across mine at the kissing booth might be a bit sexier.
York’s lips linger against mine for a moment longer than any of the others, his hand firmly on the back of my neck, and I’m lost in the sensation of his possessiveness. The crowd around us cheers, clapping and laughing like we’ve just given them the show of the festival. My heart’s racing, my cheeks are flushed, and all I can think about is how much I never want this to end.
When he pulls back, his blue eyes are locked on mine, and his voice is low but firm. “Nobody else is kissing you today. Just me.”
The crowd cheers louder, clearly eating up the romantic declaration, but my focus is entirely on York. I don’t even care that the cameras are snapping away, or that people are watching. For once, I’m not pretending.
York's thumb grazes my cheek as he steps back, grinning at the reaction he’s stirred up. I can’t help but smile, my heart feeling light, like nothing else in the world matters but this moment.
Just as I’m about to say something, I spot my dad approaching, his expression unreadable. My stomach flips. He looks right at York and says, “York, can I have a word with you?”