Page 16 of Decked Out with Ivy

The flash lit up the space again, and this time, Ivy grabbed his face and kissed him. Every rational thought he had vanished with that candy cane taste and sweet movement of her lips. Instinctively, his hand wrapped around her back, yanking her into him, pressing her tight against his chest.

She eased away, eyes dazed, tongue darting out to touch her lips.

“What was that for?” he asked.

“Cameras. Maybe if he gets the shot he wants, he’ll leave.”

“Smart,” he said, glancing toward the paparazzo, who was still releasing a series of flashes.

“If you don’t take your butt off my property, I will call the sheriff. The last one of you wound up with a hefty fine for trespassing.”

“This is a public business, buddy,” the paparazzo argued.

“I never said you trespassed. I said you were endangering the lives of wildlife. A very large fine in these parts and a Class B misdemeanor.”

“What wildlife? There’s nothing here.”

“You want to argue that with the sheriff? I have him on speed dial.”

The paparazzo held up his hands and stepped back. “I got my shot.” He didn’t leave, though. He slipped out his phone and tapped the screen. “Hey Cody. How you getting around without a license?” he asked, and every muscle in Cody’s body tensed. “DUI is a serious charge. You could have killed someone.”

The reindeer man stood in front of the asshole once again, this time holding his own phone. “I’m calling the sheriff.”

The paparazzo let out a derisive snort before peering around the man. “It’s only a matter of time,” he called out, “before I catch you fucking up again. And let me tell you, those pictures will be worth a lot more than whatever this Hallmark Christmas movie bullshit you are pretending to be a part of.”

“Out!” the man said again, this time moving toward the asshole and not giving him any berth. When he was gone, the man turned to him. “If he returns, we won’t need the sheriff. Well… maybe to hide the body.”

Cody’s eyes widened, and his head practically jerked off his body.

The man let out a loud, boisterous laugh. “I’m just kidding.” His hand slammed down on Cody’s shoulder. “You should see your face, young man.” He turned to Ivy. “You okay, Ivy?”

“I’m great, Hal. Thanks for your help.”

“You know I always have your back. Now I’ve been meaning to get to the store to see if you have any Santa sweaters in an extra-large.”

“I sure do. I’ll drop by tomorrow with one.”

“You don’t have to do that. I can come to you.”

Ivy waved her hand. “You’re busy here, holding down the North Pole. It’s the least I can do.”

Another boisterous laugh exploded from the man. “I appreciate you.” His finger turned to Cody. “You hurt my Ivy, and the sheriff will help me hide your body. You hear me?”

Cody didn’t doubt the man for a second. He nodded, unable to come up with a quick retort.

“Hal, he won’t hurt me. Besides, Trent and Rome taught me how to hold my own.”

Who the hell were Trent and Rome? Ex boyfriends? Men who wanted her but couldn’t have her? A pang of jealousy hit him low in the gut, confusing the ever-living hell out of him.

Ivy grabbed the decades old handsaw and his hand, tugging him back out into the blistering cold.

“Who are Rome and Trey?” he asked before she could ask him about the paparazzo’s threats.

“My cousins, but we grew up together, so they’re more like brothers. And while I can promise Hal you won’t hurt me, I can’t promise Trent or Rome won’t hurtyou. They’re very protective.”

“Thanks for the warning, but I think I’ll be okay.”

“Confident. They’ll hate that.” With a smile, she walked away, leaving him to hurry after her. One step on the snirt, and his foot slipped, arms flailing to catch his balance.

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