Total pages in book: 29
Estimated words: 26731 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 134(@200wpm)___ 107(@250wpm)___ 89(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 26731 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 134(@200wpm)___ 107(@250wpm)___ 89(@300wpm)
His grin widens, and there’s a spark of something wicked in his eyes. “Could be. You sure you’re ready for it?”
I can feel the tension between us, thick and undeniable, and for a moment, the rest of the room fades away, leaving just the two of us locked in this battle of wills. I want to look away, to break the spell, but I can’t. There’s something about him that holds me, that makes me want to see just how far I can push.
“Maybe I am,” I say softly.
Chapter Four
Cole
Two mornings after our hot chocolate date, I’m bent over an old Indian motorcycle when I hear the crunch of metal echo through the evergreens. I grunt, dropping a set of pliers on my workbench and then walking out of my shop and into the road. I squint, looking up and down the old mountain highway when I see it, a tiny puff of smoke rising out of the ditch.
“What the hell?” I climb into my truck and back out of the driveway, headed down the icy road to investigate. By the time I drive the half mile, I know exactly what I’m looking at. A familiar little red car is pinned against a tree.
“Dammit.” I husk, crawling out of my truck and moving down the snowy bank. I throw the driver side door open and find Ivy. She has a small cut above her eyebrow but otherwise she looks safe.
She’s bundled up in her ridiculous red coat and matching hat with that pom-pom bouncing around like it’s got a mind of its own.
“You okay?” I grunt, helping her out of the front seat as steam barrels out from under her hood.
“I’m fine, I swerved to avoid a baby deer,” she breathes, blinking as she tries to catch her bearings.
“Nice.” I pull a handkerchief from my pocket and swipe at the trail of blood at her temple. “Your head hurt?”
“No,” she hums, touching the cut at her eyebrow. “Did I hit the baby deer?”
“No, looks like you’re the only one that got hurt. How many fingers am I holding up?”
“Three.” Comes her quick reply.
“Good. I don’t think your car faired as well.” Her car sits, once again, just as dead as it was the last time she “accidentally” needed me. I almost smirk, almost call her out on the act. But there’s something about her standing there with that gleam in her eye that makes it impossible to resist the game.
“Looks like you’re gonna need a tow.” I inform her.
“No–it’ll be fine. She just needs a breather.” Ivy glances back at her smoking engine.
“Sure.” I say, dubious. “You drivin’ up the mountain to spread a little more cheer? Or did you just miss me?”
“Both.” She grins, undeterred. “You love it, Cole.”
I raise an eyebrow, playing along. “I don’t remember saying that.”
“Oh, it’s in there somewhere.” She gestures toward my chest, the same way she might wave her hand toward a random piece of scenery, like she knows every inch of me. “Deep down. Past all the gruff exterior and anti-Christmas nonsense.”
I chuckle, opening the passenger side door of my truck. “Get in. You’re not standing out here trying to talk me into liking Christmas while we freeze.”
She climbs in, bringing a gust of peppermint with her, and buckles up, looking a little too smug as she settles into the seat. “Thanks for saving me again, Mr. Grinch.” Her eyes are sparkling with mischief. “I was on my way up here to deliver some goodies to you and try to convince you into helping me at the Christmas festival in town.” She presses her lips together, “Guess you’re coming with me now, Mrs. Frye is expecting me in ten minutes. You don’t mind driving me, right?”
I slide behind the wheel, trying to keep the corners of my mouth from pulling up. “Not sure I signed up for the part of your personal taxi service.”
“Oh, this isn’t a taxi,” she says smoothly. “It’s much more fun than that.”
“And how’s that?”
She bats her eyelashes, way too innocent. “We could make a little game out of this drive into town. A dare game.”
I glance over, eyebrow raised. “A dare game? With you?”
“Unless you’re scared,” she taunts, nudging my arm, her face alight with challenge.
“Scared?” I scoff, settling back in my seat. “Of what? Your childish dares?”
“Guess we’ll find out.” She smirks, looking out the window as if she’s suddenly uninterested in my reaction. It’s all part of her game, I know that, but damn if it doesn’t work.
“Fine. You’re on,” I say, leaning into her trap.
“Perfect,” she says, tapping her chin like she’s got a whole list of ideas ready to go. “First up—drink this.” She pulls a thermos out of her bag and hands it over. I unscrew the top, sniffing cautiously. The distinct scent of eggnog hits me, and I grimace.