Chapter 15
FIFTEEN
Lumberjack
Noelle
Iwas trapped with the grump again, lost in the woods when I wanted to be at home, warm under a fleece blanket and watching a classic Christmas movie with a nice hot cup of cocoa. And I couldn’t leave out the fireplace crackling in the background.
Instead, I was with him.
I followed Jack deeper into the woods and hated everything about letting him be in charge.
The forest was behind our houses, and shouldn’t be hard to navigate, but he had insisted.
Anything to cut this trip short and be done with this insufferable man.
All we needed was a tree to surprise Faith with, and there were plenty around.
“This one is great!” I beamed, shaking the branches, and pine needles fell to the snowy ground. “Faith will love it.”
Jack glanced over his shoulder and frowned. “Yeah. If you want a dead tree by morning.”
Fine. The evergreen had seen better days, but some water would make the tree as good as new.
A weak twig broke off. Shit. Jack was right. This one wouldn’t do.
“Okay... Maybe not that one...” I rambled on and went to a wider tree full of green. “How about this beautiful evergreen?”
I smiled as wide as my mouth would go and posed like the ladies on The Price is Right, displaying all the prizes. This tree was the winner. I was certain.
Jack turned around, raised an eyebrow and asked, “Have you lost your mind?”
“What?” I glanced up at the tree and back at him. “I like it.”
“That damn thing would never fit through your door. For the love of God, quit posing and get your ass over here.” I went to stand beside Jack, and he pointed at the tree in question. “See?”
Fuck. Jack was right. The evergreen was too voluminous.
“Alright, alright... We’ll find a smaller one.” I glanced around. “How about—”
Jack yanked my arm. “Let’s keep moving.”
I stumbled, but Jack held me up. My wool hat fell over my eyes, and I couldn’t see, but I wormed my way out of his grasp. My gloved hands adjusted the warm fabric on my head, and I got my bearings back.
“Jesus! Do you mind? I don’t need your help,” I mumbled with irritation.
“Fine by me.” Jack huffed and continued to take the lead.
I heaved a loud sigh and followed Jack. His boots dug into the snow and created footprints that I tried to match with each step, but I missed a boot print. Damn Jack and his long, toned legs, walking through the snow with ease while I attempted to keep up.
My gaze somehow landed on his ass, swaying from side to side in tight blue jeans.
The bastard could pull off wearing denim in below-zero-degree weather because he gave off heat as if he were a damn furnace that was turned up too high.
Jack sizzled hotter than anyone I had ever encountered, and I only knew after the few times we had gotten too close.
I ventured further up his enormous masculine form to those broad shoulders built like a mountain man. The back of his neck had wispy dark hairs on it. Little strands my fingers ached to touch and use to pull him in closer when I knew damn well I shouldn’t, but all I wanted was a big...
I caught Jack glancing back at me. He cracked a smirk and turned back toward our journey ahead. Shit! He saw me gawking at him. Fuck!
I shook my head.
Jesus, Noelle! Quit checking out the jerk. Focus.
I cleared my throat. “So, uh... Why’d you choose to stay later to decorate the tree with us?”
“I didn’t. I said yes to supper,” Jack answered.
Usual dumb answer as Jack acted as if he was clueless.
“Cut the crap, Timber.” I rolled my eyes and gently shoved him in the back. “You know Faith will want you to decorate too. Why’d you agree? You hate everything about a classic Christmas.”
“But you don’t.” Jack glanced back at me and shrugged his shoulders. “I mean... Faith. She loves a traditional Christmas.”
Jack gazed straight ahead again, leaving me puzzled by his response, and I wanted to press him further. Had my holiday cheer ignited a spark under his grumpy ass and turned him to the bright side?
Suddenly, Jack stopped, and I collided with his back.
My open mouth was full of his flannel shirt, and my nose squished up against his firm back.
The smell of Jack made my body come to life, and I had a strong urge to lick him.
I was completely taken by him and wanted to wrap my arms around his perfectly fit torso.
Embarrassment flushed my skin, and I was red in seconds once my brain had processed that I should’ve pushed away in a natural response. Instead, I had desired to get closer to Jack. What the fuck?
I shoved Jack in a delayed reaction. “Watch where you are going! Jerk.”
I barely made Jack move. He was as fit as a damn bull. An infuriating, stubborn fool.
“Me?” Jack grumbled and turned around. “You ran into me.”
I crossed my arms in disbelief and huffed, “I did not.”
Jack folded his arms across his chest.
“Did too,” Jack argued and squinted down at me.
Amusement came over Jack. Goddamn obnoxious asshole thought he’d win this argument? I’d show him.
“I did not run into you because you—” Jack tucked his hands under my armpits and lifted me off the ground. “Put me down, damn it!”
While I kept up my dispute, Jack set me down where he once stood and spun me around. The world twirled for a few seconds before everything calmed, and I saw the beauty in front of me. The perfect Christmas tree.
“Shut up, little Elle...” Jack whispered in my ear and pressed his index finger against my chin until my mouth clamped closed. “And admire your tree.”
The evergreen Mother Nature had grown out of her glorious roots was magnificent.
Fresh pine needles twinkled with snow, and the shape of the tree made my heart swell.
Faith would love this tree when it was full of decorations and had presents underneath on Christmas Day. Jack’s choice was excellent.
“It’s perfect,” I whispered, tears glistening in my eyes, and I turned around to peer up at him. “Thank you, Jack.”
My hands rested on his chest, and Jack glanced down at them.
He touched me; tingles ignited on my skin and crawled up my arms. I shivered when his deep gaze met mine, and electricity sparked between us.
A zing I knew he had experienced too because he lowered his head toward me and his lips became fuller.
I couldn’t turn away as his mouth neared mine, and I closed my eyes out of pure instinct, filled with anticipation for Jack Timber to kiss me.
To hell with limitations. I was done with holding back the woman inside of me who desired Jack. His mouth wanted to be on mine as much as I needed his lips to discover me. To experience the attraction burning between us for far too long.
“Little Elle...” Jack whispered.
“Yes, Jack?” I asked breathlessly.
“Time to chop this bitch down.”
My eyes popped open. Embarrassment flushed my cheeks, and I stood there, frozen, while Jack smirked down at me like he had won. He swung the axe handle up and rested it against his shoulder. Jack stepped aside and headed toward the tree.
“Asshole,” I muttered under my breath.
I had let Jack get to me for a split second and showed my vulnerability. The idea of his lips on me had weakened my defenses, leading toward his capture of my tempted state. The overpowering man had tricked me with those perfect lips.
I gathered my composure and took a few deep breaths. I clenched my fists and stuffed my hands into my jacket pockets. If I didn’t, I’d strangle Jack and bury his handsome face in the snow.
We had promised this damn tree to Faith, and I didn’t intend to come home empty-handed. Whatever the fuck was happening between Jack and me would have to stay preserved away in ice for the rest of ancient history, never to be thawed and explored again.
Jack raised the axe and swung down at the base of the tree. The evergreen trembled at his whack but didn’t budge. He hadn’t hit the sturdy bark hard enough.
“Let me help,” I insisted as I stepped forward and held out my hand.
“No. I got this,” Jack argued and held up a hand. “Stand back.”
I stopped on the spot while Jack took another swing, the thud of the blade cutting bark as pine needles fell into the snow. The tree didn’t budge and still stood tall. Some damn lumberjack he was.
A lady should show Jack how to handle hard wood.
“Here. Let me try,” I said.
“No way.” Jack grunted. “Stay back.”
Whack!
I took a step forward, took my mittens off and tossed them down into the snow.
I rolled my eyes. “Come on. Afraid a woman will show you—”
Jack hit the trunk again. “Damn it, woman! Quit arguing and get...”
The sound of cracking wood overpowered Jack’s voice. Instead, he yelled something at me, but I couldn’t hear him as time slowed down, and fear paralyzed me in place. My eyes widened as the tree fell straight toward me, and I let out a bloodcurdling scream.