Page 26 of A Little Christmas Caper

Fumbling the room key out of her purse, she managed to wrench the door open. And when it slammed in his face, it took every ounce of strength he had left to turn and walk away.

Better for her to be pissed at him, than to risk making things harder on both of them further down the line. They’d had one amazing night together, and really, even that was more than he’d dared to hope for.

So why did he feel like he’d just left his fucking heart outside her door?

Michelle

Men, she decided as she furiously washed the makeup from her skin and piled her hair high on her head for bed, were assholes.

What other explanation was there for telling a woman how amazing she’d been, then turning her down cold when she offered to let you scene with her again? It wasn’t like she was after anything permanent. Shehadsomething permanent, with Allie, and she was perfectly happy with their relationship exactly as it was.

“Idiots,” she mumbled, yanking back the covers on the empty king-sized bed. “All of them. Absolute fucking morons.”

Climbing into the bed, she pulled the covers back up over her still-tingling breasts and glared up at the ceiling. Her body hadn’t quite gotten the memo that they werenotlusting after Nick the Christmas Tree Man any longer.

As she lay there, studying the perfect white paint above her, the night’s events played over and over again in her mind. Was it something she’d done? Said? Hadn’t done or said? Maybe her ass was too big. Too small?

“Well, his fucking loss, then. My ass isamazing.”

If Allie had been there, she would have… well, actually, Michelle wasn’t sure what she would have done. It wasn’t like she made it a habit of getting her freak on with random men on a regular basis. And treating it like a date gone wrong or a breakup felt disrespectful to their relationship.

Guilt churned in her stomach. Was she basically cheating on Allie, by getting so emotional over what had happened?

Ugh. Flopping over onto her side, she punched her pillow and screwed her eyes shut against the tears that suddenly threatened. They never should have come to Rawhide. This whole trip had been a huge mistake.

Allie

“Master Derek, these are the bestest waffles in the whole wide world!” Picking up the bottle of blueberry syrup, Allie coated her Christmas-tree-shaped waffle with the sweet, sticky goodness.

“I’m glad you like them, sweetheart.”

On either side of her, Hayleigh and Sadie were digging into their own holiday-inspired breakfasts and nodding their heads in vigorous agreement. When Master Derek turned back to the stove, Sadie leaned in and dropped her voice.

“I have a plan.”

“Uh oh,” Hayleigh said, but her eyes were bright. “Is it the kind of plan that ends with us all getting our butts paddled?”

“Maybe. Probably,” Sadie admitted with a shrug. “But there are cookies involved, so it should be worth it.”

“Cookies?” Allie immediately perked up. “What kind of cookies?”

“All kinds. Every year, the kitchen makes hundreds and hundreds of cookies for the Christmas party. We’re going to help ourselves to some a little early.”

“Absolutely not.” Mouth set in a firm line, Hayleigh shook her head. “Nope. My Daddy will kill me. You don’t mess with Chef’s food, Sadie. Everyone knows that.”

“We’re not messing with it! And there’s always way too much food for the party anyway.” When Hayleigh shook her head again, Sadie put more of a whine into her voice. “Please, Hayleigh? Daddy and I are flying to Las Vegas on Christmas Eve for a wedding, so we’re going to miss the party. This could be like, our pre-party party!”

Before they could argue about it further, the chime of the doorbell rang throughout the house, distracting Master Derek from the stove.

“I wonder who that could be. You girls sit tight, I’ll go see who’s at the door.”

“Meh-be ish Shanta!” Sadie’s words were muffled by the mouthful of waffle she’d just shoved in her mouth and Master Derek sent her a withering look.

“Don’t talk with your mouth full, little girl,” he admonished before disappearing around the corner.

Hushed voices from the front hall had all three girls glancing worriedly at each other. And when Master Derek reappeared with a distraught-looking Michelle by his side, Allie’s stomach fell to the floor.

Instantly vaulted from her Little space, she slid from her chair and raced to throw her arms around Michelle’s neck. “What’s wrong? Did something happen? Are you okay?”

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