Page 56 of Christmas Kisses

“This isn’t about the apartment.”

“It’s not?” She couldn’t sound more shocked if she tried. It is understandable. Usually nothing takes my nose off the scent, but ghosts of my past are rearing their ugly heads, making this an unfair fight.

I shake my head like Tahlia can see me. “It is about principles.”And something else I haven’t quite worked out yet.

My cock is saved from having its feathers plucked when Tahlia asks, “Did you fall and hit your head at any time in the last twenty-four hours?”

“No.” I try to hold back my following comment, but after the night I had, I can’t help it. “But it was a close call. I slept in thetub when the dizzy spells became too much.” I have no fucking clue who I am when one truth encourages another. “It was also the only guarantee I could live with the shame if I shit myself while sleeping. Thank god that didn’t happen.” Tahlia stops giggling when I murmur, “It was also a close call.”

“That should have been my first guess that she knew your ruse. Jimmy has used the too-hot-for-your-intestines-to-handle sham many times over the past two years.” Laughter chops up her words. “I bet he’s glad you took one for the team.”

Usually Jimmy moves on the unpaying tenants from our numerous building developments. He couldn’t do this assignment because it was so close to Christmas. He recently got married, and his wife is expecting their first child early in the new year. He would have gotten shot if he’d left the country for a week only a month out from Skye’s due date.

He met Skye during a sting similar to the one I’m endeavoring to get off the ground. That should have sounded an alarm that this assignment wasn’t for me. I’m just a stubborn fuck who once believed he’d never be taken down.

I now believe differently.

As my stomach grumbles, I mumble, “I do not recall Jimmy ever using beans.”

“Never with beans,” Tahlia agrees, laughing. “I’m curious, though. Did she research you? Otherwise, how would she know you hate unkempt pubic hair?”

My throat grows scratchy. “Every man hates unkempt pubic hair.”

“That isn’t true. Thomas?—”

“Lied. He lied because he’d rather eat an I-forgot-to-shave-today pussy than go without.”

I roll over, groaning when the peroxide bottle and sweater I found under the entryway table this morning dig into my ribs.

I would have still believed Angel had a pussy as hairy as a beaver if I hadn’t found evidence of her ruse.

When I stumbled to the door to collect an emergency pharmaceutical delivery, my wallet slipped off the entryway table and landed under it, exposing the props for Angel’s deceit.

She pranked me well, and I use that as an excuse for my eagerness to see this contract through. It is better than admitting I’ve never had such an immediate fascination with someone before, and it has me sniffing around for any bone she may toss my way.

It would be ludicrous to admit that out loud. I’ve invested a lot of time and effort into moving my construction company abroad. I can’t let it slip for anyone, much less a stranger.Right?

I ignore the screamed denials of my cock by shifting my focus elsewhere. “I need a handful of things organized before you head off on your Christmas break.”

A pen clicking open sounds down the line before Tahlia says, “Name it.”

She huffs in shock at my first demand. “I need you to cancel the tree I ordered yesterday.”

“But Jimmy said making them swoon while decorating the tree is the number-one holiday ruse.”

“I know.” I stretch when I hear footsteps pattering past my door. “But I don’t see it working this time.”

Last night, when Angel argued that she didn’t want a tree, it was the first time honesty rang in her tone. She isn’t a fan of Christmas. I have no clue why, but I feel like it is one reason she refuses to vacate a rental property not in her price bracket and to which she has no hold.

“All right. I guess I can do that.” You’d swear I was asking her to sell me her firstborn. “What else?”

“I need you to contact Pierre. He’s the best costume maker in this area.”

She hums in agreement. “He’s popular, but I doubt he’s booking out this many months in advance.”

“I’m not ordering a costume for Halloween. I need one for tomorrow night.”

Tahlia shouts so loud that I’m forced to cup my phone to ensure Angel doesn’t hear her. “Tomorrow night! He’s… I…” She gives in with a sigh. “I’ll see what I can do.”

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