Page 35 of Inherited Holiday

“Nicholas…”

“Come on,” he countered. “You used to love our sleepovers.”

“Yeah, because we slept. I have a feeling that won’t be the case this time around.”

He grinned. “I can keep my hands to myself… now, my mouth? That wants to taste you again. I woke up wanting to eat you for breakfast, and since you decided to deny me, I fixed your house instead,” he explained in a low tone, dripping with seduction.

“Thank you.”

He smiled. “My pleasure. Now try to deny you don’t like me in your home. I dare you.”

“You’re not playing fair.”

“I’m not playing at all.”

“I’m putting my foot down.”

He laughed, a husky and throaty sound escaping from his mouth. “Your foot doesn’t even make noise when you stomp it.”

“I can’t?—”

“Can’t or won’t?” He interrupted.

“I… I don’t know.”

“Yes, you do.”

“I wish it were that easy. I wish I could close my eyes and pretend I can forgive you, but I’m not entirely sure I can yet. I need you to understand that.”

He sighed deeply, the frustration evident.

“At the end of the day, nothing has changed. I still live in Mistletoe Town. This is my home. I don’t even know where you live. I don’t even know how long you’ll be here. I don’t know anything, and quite frankly, neither do you because, at the end of the day, you’re only here because you have to be. We both know you wouldn't be here if you hadn’t inherited this holiday.”

I had no idea how we had come full circle. He had an effect on me like no other man ever had or came close to. He was definitely pulling out all the stops, and I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t working.

I didn’t give him a chance to reply. “Are you trying to buy my affection by pretending you want to go to this Christmas parade with me?”

“Depends.” He smiled, trying to lighten the mood. “Is it working?”

It was pointless to argue with him, and I was beyond over it at that point. So I played the only card I had left…

“Fine. You want me to go with you, then you’re going to have to do something for me.”

“I like the sound of that.”

Little did he know, he wouldn’t like anything about the grenade I was about to throw.

Except this time…

I pulled out the pin before throwing it.

CHAPTER 14

NICHOLAS

She stepped toward me, not backing down. Not that I expected her to. “I don’t want to go with you.”

I cocked an eyebrow and folded my arms over my chest, her eyes traveling from my face to my body. “You never were a good liar. It’s time you stop acting like I don’t know you.”

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