Chapter 26
CHAPTER 26
D ecember 24 th
What is it about a formal event that makes everything seem like a dream? It all started with the fairy tales my mom read to me when I was little, then prom, and now tonight. I’ve seen Max in a suit and it’s a sight to behold. I was nervous going to the charity gala with Patrick, but tonight there are no nerves. Max is courting me—his talk of princesses and dukes is filling my head with my own fairy tale. The dates, the smiles, the kisses, the talking. It feels as if we’re building something deep and permanent.
Tonight, I feel more myself than I ever have. It’s as if all of my reading, all of my adventures, and all of the lessons I learned have built up to this. Total acceptance and love of who I am and what I want. Tonight I’m going to shine. I’m having my slow-motion movie moment and I can’t wait.
Paige set down her mascara and looked into the mirror in the small bathroom. Her emerald green velvet gown hugged the curves of her breasts and waist before falling into a gentle A-line. Her red hair was pinned into the best updo she could manage on her own. Her makeup was understated but festive with bright red lipstick.
She was upset they couldn’t save the bookstore, but she’d also found happiness. The New Year’s Resolution was forgotten, for she’d found something much better. She’d found love.
Tonight, she was going to have her own fairy tale with her own Prince Charming. Paige took one last look at herself and reached for the bathroom door. She opened it to find Max standing by the window looking out at the falling snow. She took a moment to observe him in the black suit that looked made for him. His wide shoulders filled the jacket perfectly before the jacket seemed to taper in to show off his waist, and his ass in those pants was perfection. Even the way the material hugged his calves was a turn on.
Max must have seen her in the window’s reflection because he turned slowly and Paige busted out laughing. While everything about the suit screamed power and sex appeal, the tie was . . . something else. “Are those T-Rex Santas?”
“Lexi got it for me last year. We both like dinosaurs.” Loving your niece so much you’d actually wear the tackiest tie she’d ever seen? Damn, that was sexy. Even if it made her laugh each time she looked at it. “Are they holding beer steins?”
“She thought they were presents,” Max said with a shrug. “Now you, you are definitely a present. My present. I can’t wait to unwrap you.” Max placed his hands on her hips and kissed her cheek. “I won’t mess up your makeup, but know in my mind my hand is in your hair and your lipstick is smeared.”
“We have a couple of minutes before we need to be at Holly’s,” Paige told him, grabbing onto his T-Rex tie and pulling him to her.
“Oh, Paige. What I have in mind will take way longer than a few minutes. Come on, Duchess of the Books. Let’s go hand out books.”
Paige dipped into a curtsey. “Yes, my Duke of the Massive Dick. It’ll be my honor to spend hours tonight servicing you.”
“Paige,” Max groaned when she glanced down at the package trying to pop up for her.
Last night Max had held her close as they spooned after they’d had their dinner date. They’d talked and he slowly, gently, and teasingly played with her breast with one hand and her clit with the other. He talked with her as if he weren’t slowly bringing her to the top of her peak only for her to hurtle off as wave after wave slowly washed over her. It had been different from all their other times. It was . . . more. Yet, it still wasn’t all.
Max opened the door to his car, which he had warmed for her, and helped her into the seat before getting behind the wheel. “Max?”
“Yes, my duchess,” he said with a cocky smile.
Paige should be nervous, but she was learning from the heroines of her books to ask for what you want, both emotionally and sexually, from her hero. She’d done that the other night, telling Max the spot that felt just right and, contrary to a past boyfriend who got upset about being told how to give oral pleasure, Max went all in and the gazies , as Moxie called orgasms, were totally worth it. Communication, both about their feelings and desires, was super sexy.
“I am very sexually satisfied,” Paige told him. He put the car back into park and turned to look at her. “But, why haven’t you had sex with me?”
“I have had sex with you. There’s more than one way to have sex,” Max said before his lips quirked up.
“I just thought you’d be pushing for intercourse. Or do you not want that with me?” Paige asked.
Max turned in his seat and reached out for her hand. “I want that with you more than you can imagine. However, I wanted to show you that you’re worth the wait. I wanted to show you I’m different from the other men in your life who either didn’t care about satisfying you because they only wanted to get off themselves or were too inept to do a good job of it. I know it’s your first time. I know you’ve been trying to lose your virginity. But I also want to make it special if you choose to let me be the one. Because, Paige, if I’m lucky enough to be that man, I’m not walking away. I want all of you. Your mind, your heart, and your body. And not just for one night, but for every night because I love you.”
Paige’s heart stopped, was jump started, then went into overdrive. Max reached out and used the pad of his thumb to gently wipe away a tear that had fallen. “Oh, Max. I love you too. Now get over here and mess up my lipstick.”
Max smiled, and while he didn’t put his fingers through her hair, he did wrap them around the back of her neck. He drew her toward him and kissed her with such love her head spun, her heart pounded, and she thought she might need to change her panties. “I love you, Paige Turner.”
“You’ve always been there for me. You’re my knight in shining armor.”
Max’s lips quirked into a smile. “Hey, I’m a duke. Don’t demote me,” he said with a chuckle before turning more serious. “Paige, your love is the best gift you could ever give me.” Max leaned forward and kissed her again.
Until a flash broke them apart. Paige pulled back and looked out the front of the car to find her mother smiling at them.
Max rolled down the window and Paige heard her mother stifle a laugh. “Stuff this in your stocking, Gretchen,” her mother said with a giggle.
“Do you need a ride, Mrs. Turner?” Max asked.
“Oh no, I got what I needed. I just won Christmas, provided Ashley doesn’t get pregnant in the next twenty-four hours.”
“You know, I could call the sheriff in Westbrook. Do you want me to send a deputy out to the house to investigate a possible nuisance complaint about their holiday decorations?” Max asked.
“Don’t encourage her,” Paige said, shaking her head, but smiling at the way Max and her mom winked at each other.
Paige’s father pulled up in his truck and her mother got in with a wave to them. “See you at the ball. Tell Holly we’re sending our love.”
“I will!” Paige called out.
Her heart fell along with her smile. “Let’s go and see if Holly needs any help.”
Holly’s was packed. Mostly with kids and their parents, but also with adults like Paige who were the kids that had been turned into bookworms by Holly’s love of reading.
There was a big Christmas tree in the center of the store. Underneath it books were wrapped in Christmas paper. Kids were running around the shop picking up books and educational toys as their parents also browsed.
“Oh, Paige,” Holly said, coming over to them. “Thank you for trying to save my store. I can’t believe this is the last Christmas, but look at everyone who turned out!”
“It’s because they all love you, Holly. Is there anything we can do to help?” Paige asked.
Holly was a little misty-eyed as she reached for the Christmas bell sitting on her checkout counter. “No. Just enjoy the evening one last time.”
Holly rang the bell and everyone came running. All the children took their seats on the floor in front of Holly’s chair that sat in front of the tree. Holly took her seat, thanked everyone for coming, and picked up A Visit from St. Nicholas .
“Twas the night before Christmas,” Holly began to read.
“I hate we couldn’t save the store. I had to return all the donations and I emailed all the people who had made pledges. It was hard telling your boss we couldn’t take his hundred thousand. As for the cash we made, I figured we’d give it to Holly to help with the cost of moving things and closing down,” Nick whispered, joining them as they watched Holly read the poem to the children.
“Good idea. I can’t believe this is it,” Paige whispered back.
“You did good, Mayor,” Max said, holding out his hand to Nick.
Nick shook it. “Thanks. You did too, Max.”
The children clapped as Holly finished the book. “Okay, let’s see who has presents under the tree!” The kids all screamed and Holly laughed, holding back tears as she began to pass out the books.
The door to the shop opened and delivery man entered. “Holly Barrie?”
“Yes?” Holly said, all eyes turning to the delivery man. The man walked over and handed her an envelope before leaving.
“What is it, Holly?” Nick asked.
“It’s from the developers,” Holly said, siding her finger through the envelope to open it. “I’m sure it’s my final eviction.” Holly paused as she read the letter and then burst into tears. The children who had been comparing books all froze and looked up with worry. “It is a letter from the developers. They’re informing me they sold the building this afternoon and the new owner will be in touch after the New Year. They wanted me to know that if I so choose, I can stay in the building with a locked-in low rent for the next ten years.”
Paige gasped, her hands coming to her heart. “Your store is saved!” Max put his arm around her and kissed the top of her head as Paige frantically tried not to cry with a mixture of joy and relief.
Everyone clapped, cried, hugged, and screamed with joy. It was a real Christmas miracle, just like her father had said.
“Who bought the building?” Nick asked.
Holly scanned the letter again. “It says d’C?ur Properties.”
“Oh my bookworm,” Paige gasped.
Max looked down at her. “Do you know them?”
Paige nodded. She didn’t want to tell Max how she knew Mr. Paris, who obviously worked for them. “I, um, know one of their employees. They also threatened to pull funding from the hospital if Fraser wasn’t let go for his affairs with patients. I think the guy I know is friends with Jack. Jack must have told them about the donation to help save the bookstore.”
Max raised an eyebrow. “Ah, one of your friends from an adventure?”
“Would you be mad if I said yes?”
“My jailbird duchess,” Max said before kissing her quickly, “haven’t you learned I only wanted you to discover yourself and what was important to you? Plus, it is how we met. I’m lucky enough to be the man you started your adventures with, and I hope to be the one you have adventures with for the rest of your life. I love you.”
“I’d like that, Max.”
“Now, let’s head to the dance. This duke wants to dance with his duchess.”
Paige snuggled up to him as they walked out of the bookstore. Could this already be the best Christmas she’d ever had?