Page 32 of Christmas With The Kings
Kinsley
After a hearty breakfast at a local cafe in town, he ushered me back to the car. I should’ve known something was up the second he made me buckle my seatbelt and double-checked that my scarf wasn’t going to “interfere with his view.”
“Where are we going?” I asked, eyeing the glint in his green eyes as he pulled out of the car park.
“You’ll see,” he said with maddening smugness, tapping the steering wheel to the beat of the Christmas classic playing on the radio.
I narrowed my eyes. “You’re being suspicious.”
He only grinned harder, refusing to elaborate, which, of course, made me squirm the entire drive. When we pulled up to the town center and I spotted the glowing “Winter Wonderland Mall Extravaganza” sign in shimmering lights, I turned to him, confused.
Nik wasn’t really a fan of this type of shopping. He preferred boutique high-end stores to the cookie-cutter style.
“You brought me to the mall?”
“You see a mall…” he said, turning off the car and reaching for my hand. “I see a battlefield.”
“Excuse me?”
He wiggled his brows. “You and me, sugarplum. A Christmas sing-off. I figured you love to sing, and so do I. Why not put our skills to the test?”
“A sing-off? Like Battle of the Bands style, just singing?”
“Not really. This is a little more chaotic. You’ll have to work to get the title of winner.”
“Okay,” I asked, nervousness setting in.
“Rules are simple. Approach fifteen holiday shoppers. Ask them to sing a Christmas carol with you. You have to record it for it to count. Full song. First one to get fifteen wins.”
My mouth fell open. “You’re kidding.”
“Do I look like I’m kidding?” he drawled. “Winner gets not only bragging rights but full control in the bedroom for one night.”
That earned him a squeal and an excited bounce. “You’re so on. Just know I’m going to edge you so hard. You’ll be the one a blubbering mess this time, Crow. Begging me to let you come.” I shimmied my shoulders in excitement.
“You’re adorable, you know. I love your confidence. But fair warning, I never lose. Oh, and I do have one tiny stipulation…” He turned and waved to someone behind me.
I turned, only to find my favorite former M16, bond style-bodyguard emerging from the shadows like a well-dressed mafia man. He was dressed in black and looked more like he was ready to do Death Squad work.
“Marcus is your shadow for the day,” Nik announced with a smug grin. “Just to make sure no one tries to run off with my favorite ornament.”
“A chaperone?” I hissed. “Are you serious right now?”
Nik didn’t even flinch. “Deadly. You’re hot, sparkly, and tragically too nice to fend off horny Christmas blokes.”
I narrowed my eyes. “You’re scared I’m going to win.”
“No, baby girl. I’m scared someone’s going to try to carry you off like a sugarplum fairy prize, and then I’ll have to gut someone in front of Santa.”
“You meanwithSanta,” Marcus chuckled, whipping out a creased and wrinkled Santa hat.
I rolled my eyes dramatically and shoved Nik in the chest. “You are so lucky I love you.”
He grinned. “And you’re going to look so beautiful all tied up for me later.”
Twenty Minutes Later…
I was on attempt number six, standing near the giant candy cane archway while Marcus hovered two feet behind me like an undercover bouncer.
