Page 11 of Mr. Winter
"Looks like he ordered you a car to take you back to the office."
She laughs at the look I give her. He needs to be happy she was home. We'd be fighting, right now.
Chapter 5
Espen
Arden looked damn good standing in my home. I felt it was coming since I hung up on her and never responded to her basket. I have to remain focused on the big picture, but I can’t help but fan her temper. Part of me wants her to go away, and the other part wants her to continue to challenge me. I’d already appointed Edward to take over as the jolly man of the town. I don’t quite need a butler, and he’s perfect for the role. He loves this Christmas stuff, and I’m not trying to pretend to be the surrogate of my Great Uncle. I’m not a fucking Santa. That’s my cousin’s problem when it’s time to pass that helm. No thank you.
I can feel my magic surging the closer we get to the ceremony. I like it this way. I can do my job in the shadows while all eyes are on Edward. Win, win. I sit in my chair and watch Arden climb into the back of her ride with the cookies I made her clutched to her chest like they’re gold. Nope, just a little Christmas magic. I appreciate Lara pretending that she didn’t know where they came from. Telling Arden I made them for her would have her moving in with me. I’d never get rid of the sugar addict. Still, her addiction hasn’t done anything to the body I crave.
That red and green sweater dress hugged every curve I ache to explore, and that glare she gave me under some of the black bangs that fell in her face made me hard. Fight me, Arden. I’m dismissing the rest of my staff. They can come back in the new year. Good luck getting in now, sweetheart.
She may not know it, but I’m doing her a favor. I could use my magic and trap her on the premises. I groan thinking about our first kiss. She and I hadn't gotten around to kissing anyone else until that moment. It was perfect.
I’d visited her last night and watched as she and Mack slept off their alcohol. It was amusing to see them snoring, yet low-key fighting in their sleep. They always found ways to get in trouble together. I’m not surprised that they are still doing it presently. I’m more surprised that they both managed to stay in each other's lives and not sabotage their careers in the process.
“You called them trainwrecks, and I called them Tweedledee and Tweedledum.”
“Between you and Arden, I’m starting to feel crowded,” I tell Deacon in my head. “Congratulations. Kim finally chose you for good. Put your dick away next time, though.”
“You almost froze my balls off, you and your spectral creeping. That shit is weird.”
“Says the person who only uses his godly powers to talk to me. At least you can read minds. I have to go invisible everywhere.”
“I take it you’re ready for the ceremony.”
“Yep. A new shield will be put up as planned. I feel some darkness lurking somewhere off Fairhope. It’s far away, but I’m not sure which direction yet. Once the ceremony is over, I can go off and look into it better.”
“Okay, good and, Jack?”
“Hmm?”
“Stop fighting it. It’s inevitable.”
“What?”
“You and Arden.”
“Is that Deacon’s assessment or Baldr’s?”
“Both, bitch.”
I crack a smile, and he’s gone again.
Leaving my room, I go back to the main floor. “Lara, thanks for not telling her about the cookies. Also, I’ll see you all next year.”
She stares at me, surprised by my dismissal. They’ve never been sent home for weeks. “But—”
“It’s just me. I don’t need an entire staff. I can manage.”
She places her hands on her round hips and gives me the mother’s glare she’s perfected while I was growing up.
“It’s not about youmanaging,You’re trying to shut out Arden.”
She’s one of the few people who knows about my soft spot for the crazy sugar addict.
“I love you, and that’s my business since you’re officially on vacation. There are enough cookies for you as well.”
