Page 72 of Five Days of Christmas Spice

“Yeah. That was a happy day.”

“What did you want to be when you grew up?”

Holly shakes her head. “I wanted peace and quiet. But I just wanted something…more…something brighter than I was living.”

“Did you find it?”

“Yeah.” She kisses me, quick and sharp. “I’m great at screen protector sales.”

I laugh and kiss her brow, burying my face in her hair. “I’m happy you found it.”

“Thanks. I’m happy this is how I spent Christmas.”

“Think we should do Kinkmas every year?” The question leaps out of my mouth, and I hold my breath.

I didn’t ask about after tomorrow but next year because the far future is easier to plan for than the near future.

“Definitely.” Holly yawns.

I snuggle against her, feeling her breathing deepen. How right this feels fills me with a certainty I’ve never felt before.

16 HOLLY

DECEMBER 29TH, FIFTH DAY OF KINKMAS

“Happy Kinkmas, day five.” Noel comes up behind me, his hands on my waist.

I’ve just come out of a shower. I’m trying to find something to wear.

“Merry Kinkmas.” I cup his face, staring into his dark eyes. I don’t want this to end. He stayed with me last night, all night.

Being wrapped in his arms was the best gift Noel gave me. And he’s been giving me presents all week.

But I know the scales aren’t even here. He’s shared with me and given me everything I have asked for, and I haven’t reciprocated. My stomach rolls with guilt.

“Noel, I need to tell…” his phone buzzes, interrupting me.

“Sorry.” He grabs it, reads a text and curses. “I have to take this, and then I have a meeting with Axel about final arrangements for tonight’s party. Can we talk later?”

I swallow my disappointment. Of course we can talk later but I had worked up the courage in this moment. I don’t want to be the kind of woman that wallows while waiting and I don’t want to demand more of him, but I’m not sure if am going to get another dose of courage.

It should be simple, to tell people that you are attractive to what you do for a living, but I’ve had so many dates where guys hear that and they either ask me to make them a star or they scoff at me as if they couldn’t imagine I’d shake hands with movie producers and actors.

“I feel selfish for asking, but can you take your call and meet me in the dining room? Or can we have coffee in your apartment?”

His expression goes from all detached, focus on his business, to soft. He places a hand on my thigh and exhales.

“There isn’t a fire anywhere. All I want to do is spend time with you.” His lips crush against mine, and he threads his fingers through my hair, deepening the kiss. It makes me feel like I am precious and cared for.

“I understand if you do have something urgent. I’m not one of those women to call you a million times or whine about you working late. I work late.”

That’s an understatement. My email says I’m available until five unless it’s an emergency, but I usually eat dinner at my desk, and my car is the last in the parking lot most of the time.

“I know that about you,” Noel says. “It’s only…” He stands, paces in front of the bed and spins. “Do you want to go for a walk? I’ll grab to-go cups of coffee.”

“Okay.”

“Good.”

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