Page 18 of A Billionaire's Holiday Love

Not one word left my mouth. The second she opened the door, I stalked through her house checking every room, then I closed the door behind me and walked back to my cabin.

She wouldn’t tell me I couldn’t protect her. As long as we lived on this mountain together, I’d do just that. Keep her safe.

**P**

Strolling the bright narrow aisles of the hardware store, my eyes fell over her curves. Hope wore dark jeans and black knee-high boots. Jingle bells dangled from the top of her boots. The bells rattled with each step. I didn’t catch a glimpse of her blouse before we left. I wouldn’t be surprised if it were another ugly ass Christmas sweater. The red pea coat’s belt squeezed her waist. Wish it were my arms wrapped around her. Our feet moved over the worn concrete floor as I scoured the aisle for safety glasses. The smell of freshly cut wood hung in the air.

“I love the smell of pine trees.” She closed her eyes and inhaled.

“You’re mistaken that’s fresh pine wood.” I pointed toward the end of the aisle. Panels of wood rested along the back of the wall.

Hope stood toe to toe with me, then peeked around my bulging arm in the direction of the register.

“That is a fresh cut Balsam Fir.” A smile lit her lips.

I glanced over my shoulder, then down at her. “Can we agree we’re surrounded by the smell of pine?”

She chuckled. “Yeah. Will you grab those safety glasses with the red strap close to the top of the pegboard?”

“These?” I tapped the plastic bag.

She nodded.

“I think the clear slender, fit will work better.”

“You can get those. Now will you grab them or should I ask the handsome guy working the register?” Hope flashed a devilish grin.

I snatched the bag off the pegboard and tossed it into her cart.

The thought of another man cozying up to my woman sent my blood coursing through my veins. No way would she cook for another man other than me. I’d see to that shit. Hope’s pancakes, sausage, and fluffy yellow scrambled eggs were delicious. I couldn’t wait to taste her cooking again.

“This week will be brutal on your neck, back, and shoulders. Installing kitchen cabinets is a tough job.” I nudged her shoulder. Rubbing out the knots in her neck and back while my cock was deep inside of her was a fantasy that had to be fulfilled.

“But we got this.” I winked.

Hope rubbed her shoulder. “If you say so.”

“Let’s select flooring.”

“Now you’re talking. After we’re done remodeling my home, I’ll have the skills to fix stuff myself.”

You won’t need to. Little do you know you’ll have me.

And the creeper, stalking comments continue.

I offered a smile.

We halted near a display of rich brownish red bamboo flooring. “Noah, this is it.” Her fingers brushed along the wood, staring at me with those dark doe eyes. Fuck, I felt my cock twitch.

“May I help you folks?” A gray bearded older short man approached us.

“Yes.” I reached into my inside coat pocket and retrieved my phone. “Here are the measurements for the flooring we need.”

The man peeked at the screen. “Continue shopping. I’ll have the boxes loaded and ready for you at the front counter.” He smiled.

“Thanks, sir.”

“No problem.”

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