Chapter 6
Chapter six
NOELLE
Minutes turned into days. I guess that happens when you are having fun, and I am having an amazing time. Roman is not as stuffy as he was when we first arrived. He is smirking more. I thought he and Liam would be at odds, but they are good together.
Tessa is trying to get Roman’s attention. Interestingly enough, he is paying her little. Ollie and Tillie are my new best friends. The thing that worries me is the longing I see in Elizabeth’s eyes when she stares at Roman.
There is something going on with them. I wish they would resolve whatever it is for Elizabeth’s sake.
This morning, we are all piling in the car. Well, all except Elizabeth, Tessa, and Liam. They will be discussing wedding stuff with their planner. With the fun I am having, I almost forget that there is a wedding that I have to attend with Roman.
Today, we are going downtown to the Christmas market. Why? Well, Tillie informed me that tonight is ugly sweater and gag gifts night. It’s like a small competition, boys vs girls.
Tillie comes out of the car, and I follow her. “We haven’t done that competition in a while. We haven’t had a family Christmas in years now that I think about it.”
“Really?” I adjust my gloves and my beanie. Flurries twirl around us.
“Yeah, Roman hasn’t been home for, like, three years. Aunty Liz tries to get him every year.” Tillie looks at me and smiles. “It’s a Christmas miracle, and that miracle is you.”
I can feel my eyebrows almost touching my hairline. “Me? Tillie, girl, no.”
I laugh, trying to brush off the warm feeling that’s running through me.
“No, girl, seriously. I get why Roman adores you, even though, you know.”
I almost forgot that Roman informed Tillie about everything that was going on.
“Tillie, Roman…we…” I break off as he comes out of the car. It’s not like I didn’t see him this morning.
Sunglasses are perched on his nose. He has on a black overcoat with a grey sweater and a pair of dark blue loose-fit jeans. Jesus, he smiles at something his father says. Roman Voss is really hot. Oh no. Shit, I think I am falling for Roman Voss.
A piece of tissue appears in my face. “Here, this is for the drool at the side of your mouth.”
I laugh and grab the tissue from her. “Shut up.”
“Elle, let me talk to you for a second,” Roman says.
I stuff the tissue in my jacket and follow Roman around the hood of the car.
“‘Sup?” I ask, trying to sound casual.
He stands with his back to his family; his body is blocking mine. Roman takes his money clip out and slides a black Amex out.
“Buy what you like. I am afraid of letting you choose our sweaters, but my dad, Ollie, and I are going to the cigar bar.” He holds the Amex card out to me.
I have read books where the girl would be like “Oh no, sir, I can’t take your money.” Well, I am not that girl. I swipe the card from his hand. He is filthy rich; I am plenty of things, but dumb is never one.
“Thank you,” I reply, placing the card into my wallet.
“Try to put a dent in it. If you need anything or are having any trouble, call me.”
I nod. He looks back at his family.
“What do you want as your gag gift?” Roman asks.
I shrug. “I don’t know…a diamond dildo.”
He smirks. “Seriously. What’s something you always wanted?”
“Um, my mom wears a pretty tennis bracelet. I never got around to buying one.” I chuckle, because he is not going to get me that.
“Done.”
“No. I am kidding; get me something funny and cheap. I will be fine,” I reply.
“Fine. Are they watching?” Roman murmurs.
I flick my head to the side and send a small wave to Tillie. But he was right; the three of them are watching.
“Best we give them a show,” I reply.
Roman looks down at me and pulls me close to his body. He bends his head, and his lips press softly against mine.
Lord, this man can kiss. His tongue slips into my mouth, and my hands crawl to his neck, pulling the hair at his nape. He pulls back a little, nibbles my bottom lip, and then dives right back in.
His hand grips onto one of my ass cheeks, and the other is on my face.
A throat clears, and we both pull away. Cliff stands at our side with an amused look on his face.
“Son, you are not going to war. Let’s go. Have a great day, my dear.” Cliff walks away and taps Roman’s shoulders.
Roman bends to peck my lips. His eyes rove to mine. “If you need me, call. Okay?”
All I can do is nod as the car locks and he, Ollie, and Cliff walk away.
“Shit, forget the tissue; now I have to get you a towel,” Tillie says when I walk back to her side.
I cackle. “Come on; let’s go get the gifts and sweaters.”
Tillie wraps her arms around me, and we both start our shopping.
ROMAN
I watch as Noelle and Tillie walk away. My stomach knots like I want to go with those two. What the hell is wrong with me?” I pass my hand through my hair and grip my roots, trying to get myself back in control.
As I turn around. Ollie and my dad are watching me with small mischievous smiles.
“What?”
My dad tilts his head and shrugs. “I just know a whipped man when I see one.”
I lean back a bit. “What? I am not whipped.”
Ollie walks to my side and places his hand on my shoulder. “You are so right. You are definitely not whipped.”
“Thank you, Ollie,” I reply.
“You have your ‘yes dear’ mode on. You feel me?” Ollie tries to hold back his laugh.
I push him away playfully.
“I am not pussy-whipped.”
My dad nods. “You’re right. You are being trained. I like it.”
“You both can go to hell.” I laugh as we begin to walk down the street. The streetlights are wrapped in evergreen garlands, red velvet, and gold ribbons. The scent of mulled wine and hot chocolate carries through the air.
“Before we go shopping, how about a cigar and cognac on me?” My father points to Alphonso’s Cigar Lounge.
Ollie is the first to pipe up. “We are more efficient when coming to shopping. In and out.”
“Agreed. It’s cold out. We can go in,” I reply.
My father was already at the door of the bar, passing his coat to the hostess.
The glass door slides open, and the scent of aged tobacco and leather greets me. The walls are lined with cigars in boxes in a glass-topped humidor. Inside, the cigars are neat.
“When I was a kid, I was dying to come in here. I thought it was a secret club,” Ollie says as he looks at the dark wooden panels.
“Same. Especially when Dad and Uncle Pete would leave the house to go,” I add.
My father chuckles. “I remember the first time I took you here. Your eyes were wide, and then you choked on cigar smoke and almost died.”
We find a corner with four tufted brown leather armchairs. There is a table in the center with bottles of bourbon, rye, and single malt whiskey.
It doesn’t take us long to settle in. Both my father and Ollie have cigars; I settle for some Montredor 1798 Reserve.
“How is it?” Ollie asks.
“Smooth,” I reply. I have so many questions for Noelle. Like, why are you working for Prestige Partners? Yes, I know she said she and her father had shared some differences. But still, why?
“I always loved that about you, Son; you make smart decisions. Noelle is a smart decision,” my father states as he cuts the cap of the cigar.
I wait for the guilt of lying to wash over me, but nothing happens.
“Yes, she was a good decision,” I reply, thinking about all the joy she has brought to the house thus far.
Ollie leans his head back and puffs white smoke into the air.
“I got to ask. How are you dealing with Liam and Tessa getting married?”
“I was upset at first. I thought that Liam was disloyal, but Noelle showed me that none of that really matters.”
Ollie nods. “Impressive. I would have knocked his ass out. You never feel the need to K.O. him?”
I snicker. “All the time. You too.”
“You wish. Whenever you’re ready, try it.”
My father laughs. “It’s nice to have you kids home.”
“It’s good to be home,” I say. Two weeks ago, I would have argued with that statement.
I wanted… What the hell did I want? To make Tessa jealous?
Want her to realize that Liam was a mistake, and I was the best man for her?
To not look like a loser? This trip and Noelle were an impulsive decision that I’d never make. But I am happy that I did.
“Let’s finish up, and then we are out,” my dad says.
NOELLE
Tillie is the best person to window-shop with. Our motto for each store: what we see, we like, we buy.
With bags in my hands, I got the sweaters for Roman and myself. I don’t know if he will like it, but it doesn’t matter.
I got gag gifts and Christmas gifts for everyone except Roman. I don’t know what to get him. Until finally, I find a silver and gold Jaguar statue.
As the guy wraps it up, I look at Tillie. “You think he would like it?”
“I think he would love it.” She smiles.
With the gift in hand, we exit the store.
I wanted to get Roman a gift with meaning, but I didn’t know what.
Just as I was about to give up, I saw a Retro Toy Store.
“Wait here for me, Tillie,” I say while crossing the road and dashing into the store.
Pushing the door open, I hear NSYNC’s song “Thinking of You (I Drive Myself Crazy),” playing in the background. Yup, I came to the right store.
A woman with light pink hair and a Thundercats T-shirt comes out with a huge smile on her face.
“Hi, welcome to Retro. How can I help you?”
I take my phone out and Google what I am looking for. “Do you have this?”
“Awesome. We do have the gold and black one. But it’s around $1,000.00,” the girl says.
I almost shouted. A thousand for a fricking toy?!
“No problem; I can pay for it.” I don’t use his card; I take my card out and pay for it. She wraps it up, and I exit the store.
When I finally meet Tillie, she is busy talking to a guy holding a cheese tray.
I stand silently at her side, wanting to chuckle as she pushes her hair behind her ear.
“So can I have your number?” the man asks.
Tillie smiles wide. “No. You might be a stalker. Give me yours.”
I snort. They both look in my direction. “I am so sorry.”