Page 26 of The Rebel

Me

Jesus, little brother. Are you trying to get me settled down, like you?

Macon

You say that like it’s a bad thing.

Brady

It is.

And there’s no need for your head to even go there. Just have fun, Cooper, and return home a single man, so we can keep playing the field, like we’ve always done.

Me

See you guys tomorrow … and merry Christmas.

Brady

Merry Christmas, brother.

Macon

Merry Christmas.

I was just setting my phone on the table when the creak of the bathroom door finally opening caused me to look up, immediately catching Rowan’s expression. The look on her face only deepened when she processed what she was actually seeing.

Her hand went over her mouth, her eyes widening. “You did all this for me?”

I nodded toward the seat across from me. “Join me.”

She was in a pair of jeans and a tight black cotton top that ended mid-arm and just below her waist. It was a plain shirt, yet nothing, so far, looked simple on Rowan’s body.

Not when it was covering a body like hers. Everything hugged her in the right place, showing off her gorgeous curves and dips.

Fuck, that woman was hot.

I waited until she sat and leaned my arms on the small table, her face illuminated by the flickering candles. “Merry Christmas.”

Last night, we’d eaten our Christmas Eve dinner at the restaurant inside the hotel. Because none of the guests could really leave, the dining room was overpacked, the service lacked, and the quality of food was just above mediocre.

I didn’t want that for tonight.

So, while Rowan had stepped into the hallway a few hours ago to take a call, I’d ordered this meal. Room service wasn’t operating with a full menu since the storm prevented them from getting any food deliveries in, causing the options to be slim. After speaking with the kitchen, I’d settled on an appetizer of shrimp cocktail. Cheeseburgers, fries, and a Parmesan risotto. Cheesecake was for dessert. As for creating an ambiance, the best they could offer were candles and an expensive bottle of red wine.

A combination I certainly wouldn’t have chosen for a date or a holiday dinner, but it would do.

From the expression still growing across Rowan’s face, she was more than pleased.

“Merry Christmas.” Her cheeks glowed as she placed her napkin on her lap, wrapping her fingers around the stem of herwineglass. “A cheeseburger for Christmas. Aren’t you a rebel?” She winked. “This is beautiful, Cooper.”

“Beautiful would be a tender, succulent steak and a Maine lobster tail with a forty-year-old bourbon to wash it down. A private room with our own waitstaff and rose petals and candles covering every surface. This here is adequate for the circumstances.” I smiled. “You know, since I don’t have any mistletoe, a tree, or lights.”

“Tis the damn season.” She returned the grin. “But seriously, it’s more than enough. In my eyes, it’s perfect.” She held up her glass. “To a Christmas neither of us will ever forget.”

I clinked my glass against hers and took a long drink. When I set the wine down, I reached under the table toward the floor, where I’d stashed the present. “For you.” I set the large clump of toilet paper in the center of the table, far enough away from the candles so it wouldn’t set on fire. “Excuse the TP. It was the only pliable wrapping paper I could find in the room.”

“You got me a gift.” She sounded almost breathless.

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