Page 13 of Yule Love Me

But I can’t forget it and I can’t let her go.

We drive in silence for five minutes and then I reach out and turn on the Christmas music. I know my Pet. She won’t be able to resist it for more than a few minutes. She loves her Christmas songs. This whole time of year is like catnip to her.

Sure enough, Last Christmas comes on and her head starts bobbing. I bite my lip when I hear a smothered, mumbled word or two comes out and then her eyes slide my way. I pretend like I’m not hearing any of it. Then the chorus starts and she starts belting it out and I pull my head in, laughing into my scarf.

“Shut up, Jeremy.”

But she doesn’t. She keeps singing each song for the next half an hour. Until we pull into the parking lot of the sleigh ride. Two sleighs stand to the side, along a lean-to and the horses stamptheir feet, puffs of air coming out of their nostrils as they huff in the cold air.

Petra hops out and I can see the fascination on her face. “I didn’t know this place was here. I’ve driven past here a million times.”

“They’re only here for a few weeks out of the year. Right before Christmas.” My girl walks up cautiously to the bay horse with a white blaze and holds her hand out, smiling and giggling when it reaches its muzzle out and its lips whiffle along her palm gently.

“Hello, beautiful,” she whispers gently, her hand smoothing along his face right between his eyes. He lowers his head and butts it into her.

“Well, look at that. Old Atlas never likes anybody. You must be a really nice person.”

The old man standing to the side of the horse smiles and walks over. “You folks want a ride?”

I nod my head. “Yeah. I called earlier and took care of it.”

He nods his old head. His wily smile almost makes me laugh out loud. Guy clearly loves his romances.

“Ah. Yes, Mr. Johnson. Old Atlas is all ready to go if you’re ready.”

He helps Petra up into the red-painted vehicle and nods. “The rugs are right there to cover up. All the other things you asked for are already in there.”

I climb up and he pops into the seat and gently clicks to Atlas who takes off so carefully on the snow that the sleigh barely rocks. Smooth and steady he draws it along and the hush of the night air, the moon hanging over the frostbitten night is so peaceful and magical.

Atlas whinnies gently and a wolf howls off in the distance. Petra jumps and moves closer to me. I grin to myself and tug her up against me.

I think Mother Nature might be my partner in crime here. I pull out the thermos of hot cocoa with so many marshmallows that they’re not even all melted.

I lift it to her and cock an eyebrow at her. She nods her head and I pour her a cup. Then I pour one for myself and lean back, smiling when her head ends up right beside my shoulder.

We don’t talk but I don’t think we need to. This is perfect. Four more chances to win her heart.

Four more chances to get the woman of my dreams and finally get my own happily ever after.

CHAPTER 9

Petra

It’s been four dates and Jeremy has been a perfect gentleman. A little peck on the cheek and he’s left me at my door every damn time.

My pussy is so needy right now that I can’t even get myself off no matter how hard I try.

Promise sits on my bed as I get ready. “So how’s it been going with Mr. Hot Stuff? You two do it yet?”

“No,” I growl.

She giggles and leans back on her hands. “Why do you sound so frustrated?”

One hand reaches up and rubs at her tummy. “You ready to bag yourself a man?”

“Ugh!” I roll my eyes and flop down beside her. “You really are a menace! Stop saying it like that. It’s not like I’m going hunting or something. I’m dating the man.”

“Fake dating the man,” she says.

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