10. Tannen
Chapter Ten
TANNEN
I pace up and down outside Peppermint. There’s a part of me that is so sure Hollee couldn’t have taken the money. But why would the money be missing from the safe when she had the key?
My phone buzzes. It’s Rick.
“I got a call on the way to yours to break up a fight at Shooters - guess who’s propping up the bar?
Your no-good ex Natasha and her sleazebag boyfriend.
They got caught buying drugs with bills in a yellow bag.
Looks like the story about her dad was a lie.
Your money is here with me, less about $200. ”
Suddenly it comes to me - Natasha. She still had the keys, I hadn’t changed the safe combination since she left and I was so keen to get her out of the house that I didn’t take her keys back.
Rick says he’s taking them down to the station and he’d make sure the money was taken care of. I stare at the Christmas tree lights.
Hollee texted me hours ago and I didn’t reply. Shit. I text her back.
Hey. Some weird stuff happened. Can I come over?
How could I ever have doubted her? Her happy smiling face through the window wondering what I thought of the tree - and I scowled at her? I’m determined to make it up to her. My phone beeps.
Of course. I’m home alone.
I’m heading back home faster than one of Santa’s speediest reindeer, with a quick stop at Snowflake Falls gift shop. My blood is fired up at the thought of seeing her again.
She opens the door with a shy smile.
“You weren’t so keen on the tree set up in your house - huh? Too much Christmas, too soon?” She makes a silly face and even doing that she’s so cute I want to grab her.
“I’m sorry, gorgeous. When I got back my safe was open and all the money had been taken. For a moment I thought it could have been you because you had the key. Then I saw you with that blond guy and I saw red. The thought of another guy touching you makes me crazy.”
I need to be inside her again, to make her all mine.
“Tannen - that’s my brother Noel. You know, the one I spend Christmas with every year? The dog trainer?”
Of course. I’d been so busy with delivery stuff I hadn’t met him yet.
“Okay - I’d like to meet him.”
“Sure. What happened with your money?” She walks over and puts her hand on my arm.
“Rick found my ex and her boyfriend spending the stolen money at a bar. He’s going to bring it back. Look - I love the tree. Sorry for doubting you.” I want to kiss her, now.
“Yeah.” She’s pouting those full red lips. “How are you going to make it up to me?”
A million dirty things race through my mind, but I take the gift-wrapped box out of my jacket, walk over to her in front of the Christmas tree and give her a long kiss.
She opens up the gift box, laughing at the sight of an ornament which has a burly bear dressed as a woodsman holding a Christmas tree.
“Merry Christmas beautiful,” I say, feeling her soft curves against me as my hard cock presses against my jeans.
Damn - If this is what Christmas has in store for me this year, I’m ready and waiting with a Santa hat on.