Page 13 of A Billionaire's Holiday Love

“Yup.” She slid back into her wet slippers.

“Sit down, Hope. I’ll take care of it. As long as I’m around, you don’t need a weapon.” I didn’t wait for her to answer.

“I’ll be back.”

Trudging through the snow behind our cabins, deeper into the dark woods, I tossed one of the rifle straps onto my shoulder. I peered through the scope of the second rifle. Mom’s family was from Italy. Most of them resided in Atlanta, Georgia. They loved to hunt. Bet that was why granddad bought this land.

The wolf stood amongst the slender trees. My eyes locked on his blue ones in the distance. I released a warning shot. Hoping it would jar him. He bared his teeth and snarled.

“Well, so much for playing nice,” I muttered.

Peering through the scope again, I pulled the trigger. The dummy bullet blasted his side, sending him to the ground. He laid there a moment, then stood and ran deeper into the forest.

Good, that should keep him at bay. I trekked back to the cabin.

I knocked on the door. “Hope. Open up.”

She cracked the door, peeking around me.

“Did you kill him?”

Her wide eyes stared into mine.

The thought of grabbing her pouty lower lip between my teeth distracted me.

I blinked twice, then guided her back inside. After closing the door, I stomped the snow off of my boots. “No, I hit him with a dummy round. He ran into the woods.”

Her eyes fell on those god awful red and green elf slippers with a bell on the toe.

“How long do you think he’ll stay away?”

Placing the rifles next to the door, I kicked off my boots. “I don’t know. Offer still stands. You can take the bedroom.” Blankly, I stared at her, shrugging off my coat.

More creeper stalker moves to come.

I wasn’t above watching her beautiful ass sleep. Next to me, that is. I laughed inside.

“Thanks.” Her eyes fell around the large cabin.

“Are you sure you can manage renovating both of our homes?”

She disregarded my invitation.

I picked up the rifles and placed them in the case across the living room.

“With your help, I can manage.” I stepped toward her.

A small smile spread across her lips.

“Hope, make yourself comfortable. You can start by removing the Ms. Clause robe and those big ugly elf slippers.”

Her brows rustled together. “No.” She sank onto the sofa, kicking her wet slippers up on the wooden coffee table.

I shook my head and darted into my bedroom.

“Hope?” I called out.

“Yes.”

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