Page 45 of Wrapped Up with the Three Scrooges
“And in those five years, has anyone ever brought in Christmas decorations? Or played holiday music? Or tried to make this place feel less like a factory and more like this?” Igestured to the garland, the lights, the subtle touches of festivity I’d added.
His jaw tightened. “We don’t need those things.”
“What about the other employees?” I pressed. “Have they seemed happier this week? More productive?”
“Productivity isn’t about happiness,” he snapped, but I caught the flicker of anger in his eyes.
“Maybe that’s the problem.” I softened my voice. “You’re so focused on being perfect that you’ve forgotten this is supposed to be joyful. We’re wrapping gifts, Blake. We’re literally helping people spread happiness.”
He looked at the candy cane in his hand like he’d forgotten he was holding it. “The owners never wanted-”
“Maybe they just needed someone to show them it was okay to want it.” I picked up another candy cane and held it out to him.
For a moment, I thought he might actually take it. But then his expression hardened again. “Keep your focus on wrapping, Ms. Williams. And remember your place here.”
As he stalked away, still clutching his original candy cane, I couldn’t help but feel a little sorry for him.
I felt eyes on me and looked over to find Ronan watching me. His expression darkened when he saw my troubled look. “Everything okay?” he mouthed.
I forced a smile and nodded, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that Blake was going to be a problem. And given how precarious my situation already was, I really didn’t need any more complications.
Chapter Twenty-One
Emery
Iwas hunched over my workstation, taping down the last corner of what felt like my millionth package of the day, when Max materialized beside me like some kind of ninja-slash-guardian angel. He was holding a sleek black garment bag that looked way too fancy, and the sight of it made my tired brain instantly curious despite my end-of-shift exhaustion.
I blinked in confusion as he handed me the bag, my fingers curling around the expensive-feeling material. The weight of it felt substantial, making my curiosity spike even higher.
“This is for you. Go change.” His tone leaving no room for argument despite the gentle look in his eyes.
I raised an eyebrow, fighting the urge to unzip the bag right there in the middle of the warehouse. “Into what exactly?” My voice came out more suspicious than I’d intended, but after the day I’d had, being handed mysterious clothing by my admittedly gorgeous but usually stoic boss and now my lover felt a little surreal.
“Trust me.” He nodded toward the employee bathroom, the ghost of a smile playing at the corners of his mouth. “You’ll like it.” Something in the way he said it, with a hint of warmth in his voice, made me forget my suspicions.
Grabbing my purse, I headed to the bathroom, trying to ignore the butterflies in my stomach. Inside the garment bag, I found a beautiful black A-line dress that looked expensive enough to make me nervous about touching it. There was also a pair of heels that, thankfully, weren’t high enough to guarantee a trip to the emergency room.
“How did you even know my size?” I muttered to myself as I slipped into the dress. It fit perfectly, the fabric floating around my thighs in a way that made me feel both sexy and elegant. The heels were surprisingly comfortable, adding enough height to make my legs look amazing without risking life and limb.
I studied my reflection, grateful I’d worn my good bra. The dress hugged my curves in all the right places before flowing out at the waist. It was classic but definitely not boring, with a neckline that showed just enough cleavage to be interesting without venturing into questionable territory.
My legs and toes were going to freeze a bit, but I doubted we would be outside for any extended period. And if we were, that was a good excuse for Max to warm me up.
After fixing my hair and reapplying some lip gloss, I emerged from the bathroom to find Max waiting. He’d changed too, into a crisp white button-down shirt and black slacks that made him look like he’d stepped out of a magazine.
His eyes darkened as they traveled over me, and the heat in his gaze made my skin tingle. “Beautiful.”
“You clean up pretty nice yourself.” I tried to keep my voice steady despite the way my pulse was racing.
“Have fun, kids!” Levi called from the top of the stairs, his voice suggestive. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do!”
“That’s a very short list,” Max shot back, making me laugh despite my nervousness about this whole situation.
“Exactly!” Levi grinned wickedly before he disappeared back down the hall, leaving Max and me alone in a bubble of anticipatory tension.
I was glad everyone else had left already, because the last thing I needed was for Blake to hear and see me with any of them.
After putting on our coats, Max led me out to his truck, opening the passenger door for me like a gentleman and helping me up.
