Page 66 of Noel
“I’ve only worked at Big City Events for three years, and I usually take on three or four clients a year—so it’s not a huge list,” she murmurs, tapping quickly.“I’ll send it to you now.”
I watch her work, watch how effortlessly she adapts, how calm she is under pressure.
She has no idea how fucking strong she is.
I get the message, forward it to Cruz.
The elevators ping, and we step inside one gilded with polished brass and frosted glass etched in snowflakes.
The moment the doors slide shut, the world fades away.
So does my self-control.
She’s standing too close.
Or maybe I’m the one inching toward her like a man starved.
Either way, the scent of her—cinnamon and something citrusy—wraps around me, and I swear I can feel her heat through the layers of our clothes.
The hotel is decked out for the holidays—massive bows, glowing wreaths, glittering garlands.Ornaments hang from the chandelier like tiny suns.Soft Christmas carols drift through the speaker system like a lullaby.
But all I can see is her.
Holly.
My Tinsel.
She glances up, catching me staring.
“What are you looking at?”she asks, breathy and curious, a blush blooming across her cheeks.
I don’t hesitate.
“You, Tinsel,” I murmur.“All I see is you.”
She bites her lower lip again, and before I can move, before I can tug it free and kiss her silly like I want to, the elevator doors open.
I take her elbow, hurrying us to the door where I punch in a code to gain entry.
I got this suite on my own dime.
Didn’t want the bosses involved.Didn’t run it through Sigma’s channels.No expense reports.No oversight.
This—her—isn’t about an assignment.
Maybe it’s the time of year, the lights, the fucking carols playing in every lobby and coffee shop.
Maybe it’s the way she laughs.
Maybe it’s justher.
But I know one thing—when I take Holly in my arms tonight,
I want it to be real.
Not because she’s scared.
Not because she needs protection.
