Page 50 of Inherited Holiday

His touch.

His aura.

His mere presence.

My breath hitched as I shuddered, and weakened, the wall I built came tumbling down at our feet.

“I have a gift for you,” he stated out of nowhere.

“Nicholas—”

“It’s tradition. You get a gift tonight, on Christmas Eve, and on Christmas morning.”

I swallowed hard, not knowing what to say or do. I should have left, but I couldn’t get my feet to move. They were glued to the ground, cemented into this place and time where it felt so good to have him there with me after all this time.

I licked my lips, my mouth suddenly becoming dry.

My head spun in a whirlwind of feelings, battling with myheart to move or to stay grounded. I wanted to turn and face the man who was still such a mystery to me although before I could, his actions decided for me.

My eyes followed the quick movement of his strong arms as they came around my body. Skimming the sides of my ribs, he placed his hands on the railing out in front of me, which protected the fountain from intruders.

He caged me in against his body, his scent, his suit.

Engulfing me.

Comforting me.

Tormenting.

It was loud.

Explosive.

Maddening.

It was everything.

CHAPTER 20

NOELLE

The closer he got to me, the more I wanted to feel him against my body. I yearned to be touched in a way I knew he could soothe me. I sensed he wanted to put his hands on me, and I needed to feel my silky skin under his callused fingers.

He didn’t.

“Open it,” he whispered, indicating his gift, a slender box wrapped in paper, covered in silver foil, and tied with a pretty white bow.

I did, allowing my fingers to linger with his for a couple of seconds. Opening the jewelry box, I gasped as soon as I saw the rose gold locket necklace. I had my eyes on it for the past year.

How did he know?

“How did you know?” I asked. “How do you always know what to get me?” I had to finally know the answer to a question plaguing my mind for as long as I could remember.

“Because I know you,” he emphasized, placing his hands over mine, and I jumped from his sudden touch.

I could feel him grinning, knowing he was the cause of therapid rhythm beating against the palm of his hand. Slowly, he opened the locket with my hands in his, and that warm feeling washed over me. It had the perfect photo of my mom that immediately melted my heart. It was my favorite picture of her.

I had no words.

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