Page 100 of Sleigh Bells and Snowstorms
I laughed. “He’ll just be saving me the trouble of telling him no.”
“Indeed.” He pushed me against the wall and kissed me. “I hated every minute you were in his house. I didn’t even want his eyes on you.”
Biting my lip, I wiggled against him a little. “I like it when you get possessive. Besides, he was a jerk. All he did was talk about himself.”
“I noticed. Prick.”
I laughed again. “What happens now?”
“My organization is sending one of my colleagues to retrieve the necklace. We’ll meet him at the airport in the morning.”
“This is going to be the best Christmas.”
“It is, isn’t it?”
He kissed me again, and it was triumphant and decadent. We’d done it. We’d won. And we’d done it together.
By the time we woke up Christmas Eve morning, it was snowing heavily. Jensen wrapped and boxed the necklace with care and off we went. Together.
Visibility was low, and the drive to the airport to meet Jensen’s colleague was a bit treacherous. He was in a rush—his pilot in a hurry to take off again before the incoming storm got worse—but the handoff went smoothly. We waited there until we saw the private plane take off.
And just like that, my first—and certainly only—operation to re-steal stolen jewelry was over.
I spent the drive back into town feeling a little giddy and suddenly very excited for Christmas morning. Considering the state of my bank account, I was grateful to be earning a cut of Jensen’s fee for the necklace’s recovery. I intended to use at least some of it to make Christmas magical.
The heavily falling snow added to Tilikum’s holiday charm. Lights gleamed even in the daylight, and the wreaths and garlands were even prettier with a dusting of white.
“Will stores be open in this weather?” Jensen asked as we turned onto Main Street.
“Definitely. It would take a record-breaking blizzard to get this town to close, especially on Christmas Eve.”
“Brilliant. I don’t know about you, but I have shopping to do.”
“Me too,” I said, smiling with excitement.
He found a parking spot on the street, right in the center of the little downtown corridor. Despite the weather, people walked up and down the sidewalks, bundled against the cold, carrying shopping bags.
“Shall we start with Miss Annabel?” he asked.
“You know you don’t have to—”
He put a finger to my lips. “Darling, I plan to spoil the three of you absolutely rotten, and nothing you can say will stop me.”
“Okay, I’ll let you. Just this once.” I paused. “And you have to let me get you something.”
With a slight grin, he rolled his eyes. “Now you’re taking things a bit too far.”
“Why can’t I get you something for Christmas?”
His eyes met mine, and his expression turned serious. “Because I already have everything I want.”
Warmth spread through me, and I smiled. “So do I. But I’m still getting you something.”
He started to protest, so I put my finger on his lips.
“How about something we can both enjoy?” I bit my lower lip. “Something sexy.”
“Mmm,” he hummed like he was tasting something delicious, “I like that.”
