Page 42 of A Not So Merry Ex-Mas

“You weren’t that loud. I could’ve gone back to sleep.” She leans her head on my shoulder and pulls the blanket around her.

“So why didn’t you? It’s early.”

She leans in and kisses me on the cheek before settling her head on my shoulder. “Because I wanted to come and snuggle with you.”

I can feel her smile on my shoulder, and a sea of warmth moves through my body.

“And someone fell asleep on me last night,” she teases.

“Yeah, I already got an earful,” I softly chuckle.

“Oh?” Noelle covers her mouth with her hand as she yawns.

“Yeah,” I push the hair falling in her face behind her ear, and my lip lifts at how adorable she is. “If we don’t have Mel’s cookies ready when she and Mike get here later, I’m in trouble.”

Slow and steady breathing reaches my ears. I slowly move to rest my mug on the end table next to me, careful to move as little as possible so as not to disrupt the woman sleeping on me.

I reach over and pull up the blanket, ensuring it covers both of us. Noelle lets out the sweetest little protest before snuggling closer and wrapping her arm across my chest.

I glance down at her face. The fire casts a soft glow so I can just make out her content expression. My lips raise at the corners at the small smile lining her lips.I let out a slow breath and feel my body settle deeper into the couch.

The heat from the fire and the warm body of the woman cuddling up to me have me yawning. I rest my cheek on Noelle’s head; my heart is beyond full. I close my eyes and savor the moment. It’s not long before I drift off too.

Chapter Nineteen

Noelle

Clanking, Christmas music, anda deep voice humming wake me up from my sleepy haze on the couch. The delicious smells coming from the kitchen have my stomach rumbling. The popcorn Cole and I were munching on while making the garland does not substitute for a meal, and my stomach knows it.

Cole was extremely careful getting up—I didn’t even notice. A smile lines my face, and I reach my hands over my head and give myself a full-body stretch. I take the blanket with me as I stand and fold it before heading to where he is.

I lean against the door frame and watch the man making breakfast. I get the opportunity to look him over before he sees me, and I breathe in a contented sigh. He’s showered and in a pair of blue jeans and a flannel shirt. My heart stutters at how handsome he is.

He glances over and gives me a heart-stopping smile, making my bones turn to jelly. “Good morning, beautiful. Merry Christmas Eve.”

“Merry Christmas Eve,” I say back with a goofy grin. I walk over to him and wrap my arms around his back. Squeezing tight. “How are you? Did you sleep well?”

He stops fiddling with the items on the stove and turns to face me, cupping my cheek with his hand and giving me a soft kiss that has every part of my body melting into him. “Does that tell you how I am?”

A lopsided grin rests on his face, and his green eyes sparkle affectionately. I giggle. “It tells me something.”

The bacon splashes, and Cole turns back to the food he’s cooking. “Breakfast should be done in about fifteen minutes if you want to shower and get dressed.” He looks over his shoulder and smirks.

“Are you trying to tell me something?” I laugh and smack his side gently with my hand. Before I know it, he’s facing me again and grabbing my hand.

“Besides that I love you? Not at all. You’re perfect no matter how you look…or smell.” My eyebrows shoot up and he laughs, grabbing my chin and kissing me on the cheek. “I’m kidding. You’re perfect exactly as you are…always.”

“That was smooth, Cole Nichols,” My stomach swoops, and I smile up at him, feeling a bit weak in the knees. If not for the pop of grease coming from the stove, I would have gladly stood staring into his swoony eyes all day. But alas, breakfast, my stomach takes that moment to second the sentiment with a low gurgle.

“Don’t burn my food.” I give him a wink and head for a shower and change of clothes.

“Hey! I don’t burn food,” he growls, then lower. “Any more.”

When I get backto the kitchen, breakfast is ready and waiting, and my mouth is already watering.

Two places are set and Cole is sitting in front of the empty plate across from me, sipping his coffee.

“This smells delicious.” I pull out my chair and sit across from him. “I hope it tastes as good as it looks.”

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