Page 13 of Five Days of Christmas Spice

From the wall, Noel pulled open a pair of doors that were set-in so cleverly they blended with the wall.

“I didn’t see it.” My voice wobbles, to my horror, and I inhale a steadying breath.

The door opens, revealing a shelf with a pod coffee maker and a tea kettle.

“This is a little fridge.” Noel opens the door of the tiny fridge.

“I missed it.”

Noel takes the tea kettle into the bathroom, fills it, and plugs it in.

“What type of tea do you like?”

“Anything decaf right now.”

“May I suggest hibiscus?”

“Thank you.” I cross my arms in front of my chest, leaning against the wall.

Noel takes a saucer and a china cup from the shelf and, from a canister, measures out loose tea into a tea ball.

“May I make another suggestion?”

“You seem to do that a lot.”

Noel shrugs. “I can’t help it.”

“What do you suggest?”

“You take a bath and a nap before I knock on your door again. I’m happy to start the tub for you.”

His deep brown eyes stare at me, and I suck in a breath of air. This is like I fell into a rabbit hole of some kind of fairy tale, but I’m going to take it.

“Yes, please.”

“Good. Now take this.” Noel presses the warm mug into my hands, and I follow him to the tub, sitting on the bench seat under the window.

Noel turns the taps on, and the steam from the hot water rises.

“There’s all kinds of different oils and salts. What do you like?”

“Whatever,” I shrug.

“Let’s go with ‘mulled wine oil.’ It’s going to turn the water a pretty shade of red.” He cocks an eyebrow, sending flutters to my core.

He opens the jar, and red liquid flows into the water.

“Thank you.”

“Enjoy your bath, Holly. I’ll see you at seven.”

“I’ll be a calmer woman,” I promise.

He gazes at me across the tub, a look so full of heat and want I blush.

“I like a storm every now and then.”

I bring the tea cup to my lips to hide my smile. “Good.”

---