Page 53 of A Billionaire's Holiday Love

“The tree’s gone. Did you throw it away?” she snarled.

I bent over and threw her over my shoulder. “Quiet woman.”

“Put me down, Noah.” Her fists beat against my back.

The second I stepped over the threshold, I lowered her to the floor.

“Relax, Hope.”

Fists on her hips, her eyes darted across the room, then shock struck her gorgeous features. “You brought it inside.”

I couldn’t wait to bury my seed deep inside of her.

“Yeah, I didn’t want to spoil the surprise. After dinner we can trim the tree.”

“Ok, but what happened to us talking?” her perfectly arched brow rose.

“The food is in the warmer. We’ll eat after our conversation. I’ll take your coat.”

Her suspicious gaze never left me.

“Have a seat.”

Hope kicked off her boots. “It’s toasty in here.”

I hung her coat on the rack near the front door.

She sat on the sofa, resting her elbow on the plush oversized pillows. Hope’s head fell against her hand.

I caressed her leg.

“Don’t try to sweet talk me. The second you do; I’ll walk out the door.”

My long, thick peppermint stick was ready to tame that smart mouth of hers.

“This is hard to share. The only person who knows about that day is my mother.” I exhaled.

Sitting on the edge of the brown sofa, I kept my hand on her knee.

“My mother’s parents meant the world to me. Granddad Piero loved my grandmother Aida with all his heart. Every year we spent Christmas here in this cabin. Grandad built it with his own two hands. Nana helped, but not as much as you. She was his support system. He and a friend performed most of the work. Throughout the years, he asked if I’d help him renovate. I jumped at the chance every time. The first time I assisted him, I was ten. I capitalized on those skills later in life. The money I earned eventually funded my business.”

Hope leaned forward and squeezed my hand.

“Nana passed away in December, twenty-two years ago. Mom carried on the tradition. She prepared Italian and American dishes for the Christmas holiday.”

“I’m so sorry for your loss, Noah.”

“Thank you.”

“Granddad never remarried. He buried himself in his work.” I threaded my fingers through my strands.

“He never retired. I begged him too. Especially after I received my first large check. He said it had nothing to do with the money. Granddad said he loved repairing classic cars.” Beads of sweat formed on my forehead.

Hope wiped the sweat from my brow. I loved how she cared for me. I knew I picked the right woman. “Continue.”

“A few years back, grandad refused to fly to Aspen for Christmas. Said he was working on a Nineteen fifty Packard Super Deluxe Eight Convertible. He said he planned to finish up on Christmas Eve. So he stayed home in Atlanta. He assured me we’d talk on Christmas day,” I paused.

Hope rubbed my arm as she listened. My heart beat in my throat at a rapid rate.

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