Page 67 of A Christmas Bargain

“Don’t you need to work?” I was careful to keep the snark out of my tone. I had no right to hold it against her for wanting her job.

“No.” She smiled. “I closed on a house yesterday morning. Remotely,” she added.

“A house?” I looked up from putting the creamer on the counter.

“Yeah.” She smiled. “I love doing residential properties when I can.” She hugged herself. “It’s more personal, more fun to help a family find their place.”

“It sounded like you were a commercial realtor.”

“I am. We’ve represented a variety of clients. The smaller residential ones don’t bring in the big bucks, but I enjoy them more.”

Huh.I wondered if she liked dealing with smaller sales and residential properties because they reminded her of her mom staging houses when her dad started the company.

“So, what are the plans today?” she asked again. Coming closer, she hugged me. “I’m all yours.”

Fuck. Do I really want that? Am I ready for that?

In my heart, I was confident I did.

But seeing the reminder of her interest in real estate around her, including the loose offer I gave her aboutmyland, I worried that I’d screwed it all up in advance.

What was I thinking, wanting a woman who was only available for a holiday fling at best?

What was I doing, playing house with a careerwoman who admitted her job was her life?

And what am I going to do when I explain that I manipulated her into acting like my girlfriend without intending to sell my land?

“Derek?” She furrowed her brow as she remained in my loose embrace. “What’s wrong?” She stroked her hand over the side of my face. It was sweet. It was simple. And I hated that I wouldn’t be able to keep her.

Not now.There was no reason to burst this bubble now.

I leaned into her hand and kissed her palm. “How about we just stay in? The three of us.”

Her smile was sweet. “I’d like that.”

“No,” Naomi said, yawning and walking into the kitchen. She must have overheard us. “Veto. Today’s the holiday parade.”

“Ooh, a parade?” Claire said. “That does sound fun.”

I sighed. “Okay. The parade, and then we can just stay in.”

I wanted Claire to make it look like I was taken and no longer single, but now, I just wanted to soak up all the time I could with her. Without anyone watching.

Later, though, we bundled up and got into my SUV to drive into town for the little parade. Nicky and Stacy were already there, shivering and waiting for them to begin.

Naomi rode on my shoulders, and Claire did her best to wrangle all three of our hot beverages in thermal cups that we’d ordered on the drive into town. Hot cider for Naomi and coffee for us.

“Damn,” Stacy said. “I wish I'd stopped to order one on the way.”

“I told ya to get one when I stopped,” Nicky said. “Want mine?”

Stacey cringed. “Without creamer? Ugh.”

“Want mine?” Claire offered. “I think I’ve had enough caffeine for now.”

Stacy raised her brows. “You sure?”

“Yeah.” Claire handed it over. “I wouldn’t want the warmth to go to waste.”

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