Total pages in book: 19
Estimated words: 18010 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 90(@200wpm)___ 72(@250wpm)___ 60(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 18010 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 90(@200wpm)___ 72(@250wpm)___ 60(@300wpm)
“You don’t have to worry about being alone. I’ll find a way home, no matter what,” Mackenzie says as if I’m the child and she’s the parent. She worried so much about me after her mom passed. It’s my fault. I disappeared into my grief for a long time, only coming back out of my shell in the past two years.
“Put Ace on the line, kiddo,” I insist.
He gets on the phone, and I don’t bother greeting him. We talk daily. We have for years. Hell, we grew up in a boys’ home that was rough. Eventually, we served in the military together too. We’re used to reading each other. “How likely is an extraction?”
He grunts.
In the background, I hear Mackenzie ask him a question.
“Yeah, I’ll get more hot chocolate,” he tells her, and there’s the sound of a door clicking. That’s the thing about Ace. He might be my age, but his whole world spins around Mackenzie. He’d do anything for her. “She’s hooked on this premium cocoa blend. It’s proprietary to the lodge.”
“Are you away from her yet?” All I want to do right now is finish this conversation so I can go to Susie. I’ll drag her back to my place and spend the night worshipping her beautiful curves. I’ll show her just how much fun it is to be a naughty little elf.
“There’s no way in hell we’re getting out of here,” Ace says, interrupting my thoughts.
I nod, having already suspected as much. “What’s your plan?”
“Let her spin her wheels for a couple of hours. Once she’s exhausted and realizes it’s not happening, I’ll…uh, console her.”
I grunt at what he’s implying. “Tell her I’ll be fine.”
“There’s always a video call as long as the towers hold up. I’ll remind her of that,” Ace answers.
That should be enough to soothe my daughter. I’d rather her be home for Christmas, but if she can’t be, then there’s no one else I’d rather her be with than Ace. He’s a survivor and one of the toughest guys I know. He’ll protect her with his life.
We say our goodbyes, and I move to the hospital courtyard. It’s time to take what I want, and what I want is this cute little elf on the back of my bike.
Susie
I rub my face when I hear someone approaching. I hope Marsha didn’t come outside to check on me. I don’t really want anyone to see me like this.
I straighten, unfolding my knees from where they’re pressed against my chest. The stone fountain is cold beneath my body, and I didn’t even think to grab a jacket. But I grit my teeth against the chill, refusing to show how uncomfortable I am.
In the soft glow of the Christmas lights, I recognize Rogue approaching me. He’s still dressed in his Santa costume, but even if he weren’t, I’d know him. I’d know it from the way he stalks across the courtyard, lithe on his feet like a powerful lion.
He shoves something at me, and instinctively I reach out to take the thing. I wrap my hands around what I first think is a ball but quickly realize is his motorcycle helmet.
“You’re coming with me,” he grunts.
I think it’s the first time he’s ever spoken to me. I like the way his voice is all rumbly when he talks and the way he scowls at me with his eyebrows drawn down. I blink up at him, certain I’ve misheard him.
He finally growls, “Fuck it.”
Then without warning, he bends over so he can sling me over his shoulder. The blood rushes to my face and the world grows dim for twenty seconds.
“Wh-what are you doing?” I finally manage to squeak out as I stare at the prints he’s leaving in the snow. His feet are so big. Is he that big everywhere? The thought makes my panties damp and sends a wave of longing through me. I’ll never know for sure, but a girl can dream.
“Kidnapping you,” he answers casually, like this is a perfectly rational explanation for carrying me away from the party. I mean, we’re both off-duty. Marsha even said as much when she invited us to mingle with the guests.
This has to be a dream. That’s what this is. I’m still at home, asleep on my couch after coming home from work to find the angel he left behind. It’s clutched tightly in my hand, and Lucky is purring nearby.
Rogue sets me on my feet again in the parking lot. The world is gray for a few seconds before it rights itself again, returning to full color. I look around the well-lit parking lot that’s covered in a fine sheen of ice. My breath comes out in a little puff of air. I mentally congratulate my subconscious on making this one feel so real.