Total pages in book: 16
Estimated words: 14489 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 72(@200wpm)___ 58(@250wpm)___ 48(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 14489 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 72(@200wpm)___ 58(@250wpm)___ 48(@300wpm)
Yet.
Shut up, I internally scolded myself, pulling out my phone and typing on it for a second.
When I was done, I looked up at him and slipped it back into my purse. “Okay. Let’s go.”
His smile deepened, and without another word, he opened the passenger door of his beat-up truck, waiting until I slid inside, before he started to shut the door. I placed a hand on it before it closed, and he looked at me, waiting.
“I’ve texted my friend all your details and am sharing my location. I also have a full bottle of pepper spray in my purse and a knife that, although small, is sharp enough to cut off your nuts.” I lifted an eyebrow, and I could see he was trying not to smirk. “So just keep that shit in mind.”
He nodded. “Duly noted.” We stared at each other for long seconds before he added, “Never thought I’d find it hot that a woman threatened to castrate me, but here we are.” He shut the door fully before I could respond.
Not that I would have, because his comeback shocked me.
He climbed in the driver side and cranked the engine. After we pulled onto the quiet street, the city lights blurred while he drove, and I glanced at him out the corner of my eye.
There was something steady, genuinely comforting, about sitting next to him. He was quiet, and with the heat filling the truck and the light music coming from the radio, I relaxed against the seat.
It didn’t hurt that Stefan was by far the hottest, strongest man I’d ever seen in my life. It was also a plus that his personality was awesome and he was funny as fuck.
My night might’ve started out shitty, but it certainly didn't have to end that way.
I’d never had a one-night stand… but maybe tonight was the night to experience a little something special for myself.
3
HOLLY
The truck rumbled down the street, the asphalt starting to be covered in snow as it steadily fell. Stefan had cranked up the heat when he saw me shivering, and now I welcomed the warmth that filled the interior. I stole glances at him as he navigated the slick roads with practiced ease.
He had a confidence about him that felt natural, not forced or fake. This man didn’t need to impress anyone. He seemed as if he just didn’t care what anyone thought and lived life the way he saw fit.
I glanced at him again, catching myself doing it frequently—too much, if I were being honest—and when his lips tipped up in a smirk, I knew he was fully aware of it.
“Do I have something on my face, or are you just admiring the view?” His smirk turned into a full grin, and I felt my face heat. Thank God it was too dark for him to see.
But regardless, I was still regretting looking his way.
“Just making sure you know where you’re going,” I lied easily. “Wouldn’t want Santa getting lost in the snow.” There was a teasing note in my voice, and when he chuckled, I knew he was aware I was just joking around.
His laugh was low and warm, and I found the sound oddly soothing. “Don’t worry, darling. I’ll get you where you need to go safely. Wouldn’t put precious cargo at risk.” His words were soft and sounded genuine, like he was being serious about getting me home safe.
We sat in comfortable silence for a few more minutes, and there I was, checking him out again and this time not even caring that he knew.
His dark stubble and inked forearms gave off more “biker” than “holiday” vibes, and the way his broad shoulders stretched the red-and-white fabric of his costume… yeah, he was walking sex. For real.
“You know,” I said, making sure to keep that teasing edge to my voice. “You don’t exactly scream ‘jolly.’ You look more like a leader of a motorcycle gang.”
His laugh was sudden and loud, like I'd caught him off guard with my comment. I was smiling from ear to ear at how relaxed I felt around him.
“Is that right?” He glanced at me and arched a brow, feigning surprise, but I saw the humor written all over his face. “Used to fix bikes for an MC in my younger days, as a matter of fact.”
“That doesn’t surprise me at all,” I said genuinely and giggled.
There was something disarming about his personality. Like the way he didn’t appear to care what I thought but still won me over and made me feel some sort of way, which I was loving.
“You wouldn’t want to take a pit stop and grab some coffee, would you?”
“You read my mind, Santa,” I joked again, but the deep, almost inaudible growl of approval that came from him had me clenching my thighs together as heat settled between them.