Page 25 of Five Days of Christmas Spice

Vowing to call the owners myself after the holidays, I change from my sweats into a pair of pressed grey slacks and a light blue dress shirt, missing that I once had someone who laid out my clothes every morning.

Shaking away the sadness, I take the stairs two at a time, follow the narrow hallway and make my way to Rosa’s office.

“Merry Christmas.” I peek my head around the door.

Axel and Rosa break away at my knock as if I caught them in the act…which I did. Rosa blushes, reaching for her blouse.

“Merry Christmas, boss,” Axel says, leaning on the desk.

“Rosa, are you okay?” I grin at her.

“We were just taking a moment.”

I half shrug. “I know it’s unusual to have me here. I’m not concerned. It’s early, and your capable staff is looking after the guests.”

If anything, my words cause Rosa to blush more, and I remember her and Claire making dinner together in our kitchen in our Edmonton home.

“I got what you asked for, Noel. I made it to the shop in the nick of time.”

“Thank you.”

“We’re happy to help. You deserve happiness, Noel.”

I shrug. “It is a little Christmas fun,” I take the gold-wrapped box from Rosa. “See you two out there.”

Axel nods, and Rosa rushes to close the door behind me.

Whistling, I stride down the call, opening the door to the main resort.

I laugh as a man runs past the desk, chased by a woman brandishing a crop.

“Come back here, you brat!”

“Got to catch me first!” the man yells, almost crashing into Lori, her hands filled with a coffee tray.

The scent of cooked sugar and cinnamon is heavy in the air.

My stomach rumbles, wanting breakfast.

“Noel! Good to see you!” Rick Meaford slaps me on the shoulder.

I shake his hand and grin. “I didn’t know you guys were here already.”

“Wouldn’t miss the Fire and Ice party! Axel’s parties are the bomb. Isn’t that right, Cat?” Rick squeezes his submissive’s shoulder.

She laughs and flicks her short hair. “Vixen’s Paradise’s play parties are awesome. We had to come to the last one of the year.” Cat reaches up and gives me a kiss. “Merry Christmas, Noel.”

“Merry Christmas. It’s been too long.” I genuinely mean it. Rick and Cat were two of my friends from my old life. When I opened Vixen’s Paradise, they were my first phone call.

“We’ve got to work off that breakfast. See you later!” Rick swings Cat up in his arms, and she laughs as he leads her away down the hall.

My pulse gallops as I see Holly at the top of the stairs. I start over to her when Pauline steps in front of me. The old Domme takes my hand in hers.

“Noel! Merry Christmas.”

“Merry Christmas, Pauline. It’s good to see you. Thanks for coming.”

“We wouldn’t miss it for the world! Kai is around here somewhere.” She puts two fingers in her mouth, emitting the shrillest whistle I’ve ever heard.

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