Page 9 of The Naughty Or Nice Clause

Jones rubbed against Klaus’ legs. Lyla had never seen him take to anyone that quickly.Traitor.

“Do I need to book flights? How far away is your family?” Most flights would be fully booked by now.

“Far,” Mason said shortly, fidgeting with his tie.

“I can hire a car, but you’ll have to drive and tell me how long the journey is.” Lyla was already thinking of what she should pack. Jones tried to climb Klaus’s leg, and she quickly scooped the cat up before his nails tore a hole in his navy suit. She didn’t need to owe him another favour.

“A car will only take us so far; the village is protected.”

Klaus closed the distance between them, reminding her that she was still only in her shorts and top.Protected? What’s that supposed to mean?She would have asked, but under his gaze she felt rather exposed. Before she could step back, he reached into his pocket and pull out a round gold bell which fitted neatly in the palm of his hand.

“This should do the trick. No need to worry about arrangements,” he told her, tossing it and catching it again. She noted his sad smile as he looked at the bell.Does he think this is a car key? Maybe he really did hit his head.

“I think we should take you in for a scan. Let me get dressed and I’ll take you,” she tried to persuade him, but Klaus didn’t budge. Lyla stared up at him.

He hesitated, and then wrapped an arm around her waist. With Jones occupying her arms, she couldn’t push him away.

“Hey! I don’t like whatever game you’re playing—”

The soft chimes of the bell echoed around the kitchen. The walls faded around her as if the walls were melting. In a panic, Lyla clutched Jones tight and leant into Klaus’s embrace, eyes squeezed shut, afraid she would fall through the floor.

Chapter Five

THE CHIMING STOPPED as quickly as it had begun. Lyla heard the crunch of snow underfoot and sharp cold cut through her, causing her eyes to snap open. She shoved herself away from Klaus and clutched Jones tight to her chest, trying to warm herself. They were standing in the middle of a snowy foreign street, the wind threatening to turn her to ice. She wrapped her arms around herself, trying to protect her body as much as she could from the harsh climate.This is not the weather for pyjamas!

“This is a d-dream! B-bells don’t bring p-people p-places,” she stammered, stepping away from the snowbank and onto a cobble path carved free of snow to save her bare feet.

“Take a few breaths. Travelling by bell can be unsettling on the nervous system,” Klaus said, removing his jacket. He tried to wrap it around her, but she backed away.

“Stay away from me, and explain!” she demanded, only to slip on an icy cobble and land in the bank of snow. When the cold didn’t wake her from whathadto be a dream, she clutched the snow in her hands, discovering that it felt very real.

Jones played with the falling snow while Klaus helped Lyla to her feet. She was about to demand answers again when a family in a sleigh pulled by a reindeer passed them with a polite wave– and some concerned glances at her attire.

“I definitely hit my head,” Lyla said.

Klaus pulled the jacket around her. “Don’t worry; you’re perfectly safe here. You can trust me,” he told her, his hands on the collar of the jacket.

She wanted to believe him, and once the jacket was belted, she felt a little more secure. “Trust you or not, where are we?” Afraid of losing him in a strange place, she picked up Jones, who protested a little before settling in her arms again.

“Showing is much easier than telling,” said Klaus, turning her around.

She was greeted by a flurry of golden lights. The sight of the vast village transfixed her so much that she forgot the burning cold settling in her legs. The whole village looked like a Christmas advert. The logged buildings were covered in fairylights, and the doors were marked with wreaths. Snow-covered mountains surrounded them.Was that what he had meant when he said the village was protected?She realised she was crushing Jones.

“Welcome to Yule, or as you might know it, the North Pole,” he said.

“Yule. The North Pole.” Lyla couldn’t believe what she was saying. She was too stunned to protest as Klaus took her hand and led her to the entrance of the village, where she read a wood-carved sign.Village of Yule. Population 20,000. Established 270AD.The letters were in the same gold cursive she’d noticed on the letter he’d received.

“Why are you not wearing any shoes?” Klaus asked with a frown.

“Are you the dumbest person in the world? You didn’t bother to let me get changed! Myfeetare what you’re concerned about? I’m in my pyjamas in the middle of a village that looks like Christmas threw up on it!” Lyla pointed out, trying not to sound hysterical. His lack of reaction was infuriating.

“I can’t bring you home with frostbitten toes,” he mused, before scooping her up in his arms.

“Are you kidding me?! I don’t need to be carried like a child!” She struggled, but he only held her closer.

“Yes, you do. Walking through the village without shoes will inspire too much talk.”

“And you carrying me won’t? And since when do you care what others think?”

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