Page 18 of Scrooged for the Holidays
My attention falls to his full lips surrounded by coarse brown hair. “I’m not a princess.”
He hums. “Sure, you aren’t.”
A smile tugs at my lips, and in the back of my mind, I find it odd his comment didn’t make me pull away. Instead, I lean in, two words I didn’t expect to say falling out of me in answer to his question. “For you.”
He traces his fingertip down my cheek until he’s holding my chin in a light grip. His head tilts as if he’s going to kiss me, but before he can, his hooded eyes go blank, and his body stills.
The sexual tension between us snaps, and the flirtatious energy around him shifts. He sits back, hand dropping away, and he blinks several times.
When his gaze refocuses, Kai clears his throat. “You should finish your meal. I’ll get the place closed up, and then I’ll walk you to the inn.” He stands before I can say anything, and the feeling of rejection overtakes the hunger in my gut.
I look at my meal, but I no longer want it. With clarity in my mind and Kai no longer near me, I’m annoyed at myself for even feeling attracted to him. For wanting him to kiss me and hoping it would lead to anything more.
I push my plate away and clear my throat. “I played your game. Now I’d like the Wi-Fi password.”
Despite his rejection of me, he has the nerve to look disappointed by my words. He finally nods. “Network is The Drift and the password is thedriftwifi, one word.”
“Seriously?”
A ghost of a smirk returns to his face. “I don’t lie, Greer.”
I exhale a breath, annoyance riddling my features as I take out my phone and enter the password. When the internet connects, I see Avery has sent me everything I’ve asked for. The only thing I’m surprised to see is that she didn’t ask if I made it anywhere safely or found the Roads Motel she booked. My throat feels tight, but the sensation only serves to irritate me more.
“Emotions are a liability. Control is power,” I whisper to myself as I start to download everything I need so I can look at it without Wi-Fi.
“What?” Kai asks.
“Nothing. I’m going to get going.” Now that I have what I need, there’s no reason for me to be here.
“I said I’d walk with you.”
“I’ll be fine.” I stand up and put my coat and scarf back on. I open my purse and throw more than enough cash on the bar to cover everything.
“It’s on the house,” he says, trying to hand me back the money.
I snag a cold fry and pop it into my mouth. “Keep it.” Then I turn and leave, Kai’s heavy gaze on my back as I walk out into the storm.
Chapter seven
Remiel
HadImetGreerin a normal fashion, our first interaction would have been here at the inn. I would have checked her in and shown her to her room. But since we made eye contact at the restaurant earlier, I felt it would be strange. I asked a fellow Nephilim, Sophia, to get her sorted and make her feel welcome instead.
Sam and I sat in my office behind the front desk, the door nearly closed so she wouldn’t see us. We heard her come in and Sophia’s attempts at making friendly conversation, but she would have none of it. Greer got upset that there wasn’t Wi-Fi or good reception. She also commented on the cheesy Christmas decor and how it was too much.
Sophia tried her best to remain kind, but our Scrooge was just that: a Scrooge. It shouldn’t have surprised me considering her gray aura and what I experienced of her at Holly’s, but I was hoping she would have warmed up a bit after spending time with Kai.
Speaking of Kai…
It’s been a long time since I’ve experienced the usually joyful Nephilim’s anger—so long I nearly forgot what it was like. It’s still buzzing like livid hornets through the bond. He nearlyscreamed his frustration when Sam stopped him from kissing Greer.
Between Kai’s anger and how put out Greer was when she came in, I’m starting to think Sam should have let the kiss happen.
The aforementioned broody being is currently pacing the length of the office while we wait for Kai to come home from the bar. He’s still spiraling, despite his submission earlier. I would have thought him being at the bar when Greer arrived would ease him a bit, considering when I saw her at Holly’s, I still felt the hunger, but her presence made me less restless. Yet that didn’t work. Then Kai nearly kissed her, and it made Sam…well, like this.
“Samael,” I say sternly. He continues to pace, practically wearing a hole in the carpet. “Please, take it easy.”
“How can I?” he scoffs. “I’m the only one concerned, and I don’t like it.”
