Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 86597 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 433(@200wpm)___ 346(@250wpm)___ 289(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86597 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 433(@200wpm)___ 346(@250wpm)___ 289(@300wpm)
“That was amazing! I wish I could have filmed it,” he says with a wide grin.
I relax and meet the deputy’s eyes as I put my arm over Blake’s shoulders. “Will I get to light the illuminations next year?”
Harris chuckles and taps my chest. “Might take it up with the mayor. Have a good night,” she says, tips her hat, and walks off, leaving me stunned. So many highs and lows in a single day!
“For a second there, I was convinced it would collapse,” Blake tells me with a soft exhale and hands me my eggnog, watching the square, as if he hadn’t even considered running from me.
“But the hero was there,” I boast, greedy for praise.
I’m so desperate for him to love me I’d lift the damn tree myself to impress him or die trying. But maybe I won’t have to. Maybe there are other ways I can impress him...
The cool air sparks with heat between us, but just as I am about to hide him in my shadow and kiss those soft lips again, he speaks.
“It was a great day. But long. Maybe let’s go back home?”
My pulse quickens. Does this mean he wants to be alone with me? The shop is about to close anyway, so we wouldn’t have to worry about me being called in to help with the customers. Or making too much noise for that matter.
I can already imagine him moaning and squirming under me, and maybe it’s wrong, but I’m so excited to be his first.
First and only, because I would never let him slip through my fingers.
“Sure. Would you… like to see what I do with the teeth?” I whisper as we head to the Winter Emporium.
His eyes go wide, and he steps closer, about to touch my chest when a group of teenagers walks past us, and he quickly hides his hands in his pockets, blushing the prettiest shade of pink. “Yes…”
I chuckle to myself. He’ll love it.
I lead him to the shop and promise I won’t be long as I help Owen with stragglers. Blake hangs out by the Christmas Pride display featuring our artisan rainbow baubles, and he looks so thoughtful as he picks up a small statue of Santa in a Love is Nice T-shirt and a rainbow flag in his hand.
“Isn’t he just stunning?” I whisper to Owen, not even caring about today’s sales numbers. I love Blake’s serious expression. It goes with his dark humor, which I absolutely adore.
“He’s definitely your type,” Owen tells me with a smirk, and I have to roll my eyes, because he likes nerdy boys with hearts of gold, who are so very different from my skittish deer.
“I’ll remind myself what I like about him the moment you step outside.”
“Aaand this is my cue to go,” Owen says with a snort and steps out from behind the counter. “I’m watching the Star Wars Christmas Special with Adam.”
I shake my head at him, but he waves at both me and Blake before disappearing outside.
I notice Blake glancing into the street as I lock up, but when I approach him, he offers me a smile.
“I thought you’d never be done.”
I grin at him and lead him through the shop, holding his hand. “Is that how much you can’t wait?”
He clears his throat. “Well, you did tell me you’ll show me what you do with the teeth. I’ll be the only one to know!”
I’m nervous he won’t like it, or that he’ll find me too weird, but I want him to know all of me. And he actually asked about it, wasn’t creeped out. That has to count for something.
“What if you get a taste for it and you’ll want to create your own crafts?” I tease as we walk into the storage room. His hand tightens at the back of my sweater, and he clears his throat. “I have a bear tooth pendant at home. Teeth don’t scare me,” he declares, but as I lead the way toward the hidden entrance into the lowest level of the basement, I can feel him stall.
I open the hidden door in the back of the wardrobe and extend my hand to him, but I’m getting tense. Does he still not trust me? After what I showed him? What I told him? After I let him out and all but offered him freedom on a platter by focusing on the falling tree?
The muscles at the sides of his jaw twitch as his dark brows lower further, but he keeps his distance from the door. “I… it’s so cold down there.”
“Blake? Sweetie? I didn’t let you out just to put you back down there. You’re safe with me. But that’s where my craft room is.” I clear my throat, deflated. “We can see it another time if you don’t want to go.”