Page 31 of Mistletoe Mistake
“Mmmhmm,” she murmurs, her hand already reaching for her own seat belt.
“Holly, I mean it. Give me a few minutes and I’ll be right back. But do not come in without me. Got it?”
“Sir, yes, sir.” She salutes me.
Fucking impossible woman. I give her nose a kiss and then jump out of my truck.
It takes me a minute to unlock the roller door that is in the middle of the makeshift building and I pull it halfway down again, behind me, so Holly can’t see inside. Heading to the left of the workshop, where I do my furniture designs, I cast a quick eye over everything I set up last night. All my equipment is pushed along the walls and it’s all neat and tidy. A large blanket with some pillows is laid out on the floor and I quickly turn on the fairy lights I’ve strung up around the room.
Satisfied, I make my way back to Holly and I’m halfway to the door when I realize I forgot the most important thing. Spinning around, I jog over to my drafting table and pick up the wrapped present, placing it in the middle of the blanket.
I duck under the roller door and almost crash into Holly, who was just about to enter.
“You were taking too long,” is her meek explanation.
I shake my head, but take her hand and tell her to shut her eyes. She does but as soon as we walk into the workshop they spring open.
Walking to the right, she pulls out of my reach and goes straight to the wood I have clamped on the bench and runs a hand over it.
“What are you making?”
“It’s going to be a hutch. But your surprise is this way.”
Holly turns and her hands fly to her mouth. “It’s so pretty, Nick.” She throws herself into my arms and kisses me, her tongue sliding against mine in a way that has me hardening uncomfortably.
Breaking our connection, I put her down and pull her gently over to the blanket.
“I have things planned for later, but this place is such an important part of my life, and I wanted you to see it, so it seemed like a good place to give you your present.” I push the gift her way, wishing I was better at wrapping and it didn’t look like I used an entire roll of sticky tape on it. Because I did.
She looks up at me from under her lashes, her lips quirking. “It’s not my birthday.”
“It’s not a birthday present. It’s a Hollymas present.”
“Well, in that case…” She rips at the wrapping paper, giving me plenty of side-eye. “Have fun with the tape there, did ya?”
My mouth stays shut, because really, what could I say?
Using her nails to rip the tape open and then pulling the paper off in one continuous motion, she stills when she eventually reaches the present.
“Nick…” Her fingers dance across the top of the intricately carved box, tracing the sprigs of holly, while her mouth keeps opening and closing, as if she can't find any words. Finally, she directs her attention my way. “Did you make this? It’s so incredibly beautiful.”
“I noticed you left your jewelry lying around your room, so I thought you might like a jewelry box. Of course, halfway through, I realized you probably do have one back at your place, but by then I was too far gone to change my mind.” I shrug, trying to stop staring at her.
Because that look on her face? I could get addicted to that.
“It’s perfect. The best Hollymas present I could have hoped for. I love it.” She tears her gaze away from me and I watch closely as she takes in the room once again. “This week has been… I can’t believe I’m about to say this, but it’s been pretty damn incredible.” Grinning, she turns back to me. “Maybe there’s hope for me and Christmas yet.”
“I know it sounds corny, but there really is magic in the air this time of year. Sometimes you just have to look a little harder, but it is there.”
Holly stares at me for a moment before bursting out laughing. “You are such a cheeseball.” Scooting closer, she straddles me, sitting on my lap. “But I think I’ll keep you.”
“Yeah?” I brush my nose along the slope of her neck. “What are you going to do with me?” I suck lightly until I elicit the moan that I crave from her.
“How tied to your afternoon plans are you? Because I’ve got to say, I’d happily spend the rest of Hollymas right here.”
I’m about to assure her that can be arranged when her phone buzzes from her purse.
“I should get that, Mom said she might need some help cooking tonight.” She grabs her purse from where she dropped it by the roller door and settles back next to me. Scanning the screen, her brows pull together.
