Chapter 8
FELIX
“It’s getting pretty late—you should probably head out.”
The words pierce my brain as I stir awake.
Propping myself up on my elbow, I raise my other hand, rubbing my eyes. I focus on my surroundings, and see that Holly is already up, out of bed, showered again, and wearing trousers.
Holy hell—am I the one who got worn out last night?
“So eager to get me out of here, I see.” I don’t try to hide my disappointment. “Can I see you again?”
As she crosses the room, there’s hesitation in her steps, and her eyes dart over to me. “What?”
“Can I see you again?” I ask, repeating myself. “Soon, ideally?”
She blinks at me, standing still and crossing her arms. “You know, I’m quite a bit older than you.”
“And?” I don’t understand what relevance that has to me seeing her again.
Her eyes narrow slightly, a brief moment of silence between us before she continues, “I’m thirty-six. You’re what, in your twenties? Last night was fun, but don’t you think we’re at different places in life?”
“I’m twenty-five,” I confirm as I get out of bed, beginning to get dressed. “And yes, last night was fun—”
She cuts me off. “So then why—”
“But I disagree, I think we’re at the same place in life, at the same time.” Cutting her off, I finish my sentence. “Our chemistry is more than just sexual.”
Her eyes have widened, and her lips are parted as she stares at me. I don’t want to be rude, but she cut me off first, right when I was trying to explain why I think we should go out again.
Once my pants are on, I walk over to her. As I get closer, I watch as her eyes flicker over my chest before making their way back up to my face.
I stop in front of her, taking her hand in mine. “Holly, I’d like to take you out on a proper date.”
“No.” She shakes her head, and for the first time, her voice is quiet.
Practically begging at this point, I ask, “What have you got to lose? Take the chance on me, and if you aren’t interested after a few dates, then…it’s just been a holiday fling. How about that?”
She purses her lips, but hasn’t removed her hand from mine. I hold eye contact, hoping that she can see in my soul that I want this.
I want her.
After last night, I know there are layers to her that I just need to unwrap. She’s got a sweet heart, one that she hides under a coating of coal.
Something must’ve happened to make her this way, and I want to know what it is. There’s no denying my physical attraction to her, but her mind? Her soul?
It’s captured my heart in just the hours that we spent talking, curled up in her bed.
What I thought was just going to be a one-night stand banging my friend’s boss—and hopefully giving her some holiday cheer—ended up being an awakening I didn’t see coming.
An entirely different, deeper level of attraction. One I don’t think I’ve ever felt before.
I need to figure out just what it is, and why I’m feeling it with her. To do that, I need to see her again.
And again.
And again.
Even after just one night, I can’t get enough. Trying to rush me out the door? She nearly tore my heart right out of my chest.
“Fine.” She lets out a deep sigh. “But I can almost guarantee you, this is just a fling.”
That’s what she thinks.
With a grin, I bring my face lower to hers, as if I’m about to kiss her. Her eyes flutter, but I stop an inch away.
“I’ll take that almost and prove you wrong, gorgeous,” I practically purr. “Now, how about I cook us some breakfast?”
Her eyebrows furrow, and she rolls her eyes.
My snakes disapprove of me teasing her too, several of them hissing in my ear. I let out a chuckle, teasingly asking, “What’s wrong, did you want a kiss? I thought you wanted me gone only a few minutes ago. Or do you want to cook breakfast?”
She reaches up, her hands wrapping around the back of my neck. “Just shut up and come here.”
Well, she doesn’t have to tell me twice.
It’s been a few days since I convinced Holly to give me her number and see me again. Today is our first actual date—and I’ve got a festive surprise set up for her.
As I pull up to her house, I see her waiting on the front steps. Even though she’s done work for the day, she’s still in business attire.
Come to think of it, even on the weekend, after our hookup, she was dressed very business casual. Maybe that’s just her style.
I park the car, hurrying out of it as she approaches. Her eyes narrow as I travel around the car to the passenger side, opening the door just as she reaches it.
As she slides in, she says, “How gentlemanly of you.”
“Anything for you, dollface.” I wink, shutting the door.
I get back into the driver’s seat, quickly pulling away before she can change her mind and hop out.
“So, where are we going?” Holly asks, watching the road.
Well, I can’t give it away just yet. “Something came to my attention when I was leaving your house on Saturday.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I can see her turn her head to look at me. “That doesn’t answer my question at all, Felix.”
Okay, note to self, Holly doesn’t seem to enjoy beating around the bush. Will remember that for next time.
“You need a Christmas tree,” I tell her, turning my tone more serious. “I noticed on my way out that you don’t have one set up. You need one.”
Maybe if I match her intensity, she’ll take me seriously.
She shakes her head. “I really, really don’t.”
Reaching over, I take one of her hands in one mine. “You do. It’s not Christmas without one.”
“That is the point,” she reminds me, but she doesn’t take her hand from me.
“Oh, come on, Holly,” I plead. “I thought you were starting to enjoy the holiday season.”
Her lips thin before she lets out a sigh. “Well, I don’t know why you’d think that. I never said anything to insinuate that.”
I give her a grin, briefly turning my attention away from the road. “You agreed to come out with me without knowing what we were doing.”
“Lesson learned for next time,” she fires back, but I know I can see the hint of a smile at the corner of her lips.
I let out a chuckle. “So, you’ve already decided there’s going to be a next time.”
For a second, she doesn’t say anything, but a quick glance shows me the redness in her cheeks. Oh, she is so going to enjoy this date.
“Watch it, Felix,” she warns, but just hearing my name grace her lips makes my dicks twitch, their rapidly expanding state crowding my pants that weren’t designed for a guy who’s literally double-hung.
Not now; it’s Christmas tree shopping time.
It’s make-Holly-feel-festive time.
As I pull into the bustling lot, full of other shoppers and pine trees of varying sizes, my excitement grows. This is step one of showing Holly that Christmas is the best time of year.
Step two is what will follow.
I park, practically jumping out of the car to race around and open the door for her. She has her hand outstretched, and I think I may have snatched the door right out of her grasp.
Whoops.
“The only lesson to be learned here is the joy of Christmas,” I say, playing on her earlier words. “And I will be your teacher.” I gesture widely toward all the trees. “The tree is more than just wood and pine needles; it brings a reminder of the warmth, love, and cheer of the season.”
She crosses her arms in front of her, but walks alongside me and into the rows of pine trees. The fact that she didn’t immediately turn and walk away—or tell me off—is already a win.
The no response to my Christmas tree spiel? Not exactly a win. Not a loss, but not a win.
I have a feeling she isn’t going to make this easy on me. Maybe she really doesn’t feel the desire, the need, for more with me the way I do with her.
But I can see in the way she moves, the way she talks, that she intentionally keeps people at a distance. It’s defensive, for sure.
And I will get through her defenses.
We walk into a row with less people, and I ask, “So, what do you look for in a tree—tall and skinny, short and full?” I finally earn a laugh from her, and it sends a ripple through my chest. “It’s a shame that sound is so rare.”
“What sound?” She raises a brow at me.
“Your laugh.”
Her steps falter, and her arms have fallen to her sides. I take this opportunity to slip my hand in hers.
We stop altogether, and I slowly lower my lips to hers. I drag them gently over hers before kissing her tenderly.
I’m pulled slightly closer by the loop of my pants; it seems her fingers having found their way to my side. God, why is that so hot?
Why is she so irresistible?
Breaking away, I pull back, staring down into her eyes. They’ve softened in this moment, and I swear the windows to her soul have started to open.
Just as I feel like I’m about to get a deeper connection with her, she looks away. The blinds have been shut, tight.
“If I’m going to get a tree, it needs to be tall—and lush.” Her arms are crossed over her chest again, and she’s walking the row of trees.
I watch for her a few moments. The confidence in each step she takes, the way she holds her head high.
If anything, I’ll accept that she somehow agreed to getting a tree. Was the kiss all it took to sell her on that?
I follow her, taking a few quick steps until I’m walking beside her. “A perfect tree for the perfect woman—makes sense.”
She swivels her head, shooting me a glare that’s paired with a cute little smile. Finally, she’s starting to let herself relax.
“You don’t know me well enough to say that I’m perfect,” she remarks, veering away from me toward a large tree.
I adjust my footing to head in the same direction. “Well, then I can’t wait to get to know how perfect you are.”
“That was…something,” is all she responds with, but the quick glance at me shows the burning in her cheeks.
Seeing the effect I’m having on her, even a subtle one, makes my chest feel warm and a smile slide onto my lips.
When I first saw her, I knew right away she was the most beautiful woman I’d ever laid eyes on. Then, we spoke and…I could practically see the walls she’s built around herself, how she uses abruptness to keep people on the other side of them.