Page 9 of Noel
Holy.Freaking.Cow.
I’m not saying my ovaries just started a pyrotechnic display worthy of Times Square on New Year’s Eve, but if there were a fire extinguisher nearby, I’d probably grab it.
He’s standing so near now that my pulse stutters.Every part of me is screaming that this man is dangerous—not because I think he’ll hurt me, but because the way he’s looking at me makes me want things I shouldn’t even be thinking about right now.
“You are ridiculous,” I manage, but it comes out breathier than I intend.
His gaze dips, lingering just a second too long on my mouth before dragging back up to meet my eyes.
“Maybe,” he says, voice softer now, like it’s a secret meant just for me.“But you’re still keeping the nickname.”
My heartbeat goes haywire.
“You’re impossible.”
He finally steps back, smirking in that infuriatingly calm way men do when they know they’ve rattled you.
“And you’re late getting home.Get in the car, Tinsel.I’ll follow you, make sure you get there safe.”
For a long, charged second, neither of us moves.
The world narrows to the pulse pounding in my ears and the faint glint of amusement in his eyes.
Then he steps back, the spell breaking.
“Get in the car.I’ll follow you home.We’ll talk about security there.”
“I don’t remember agreeing to that.”
“You don’t have to.”He gestures toward my car door.“The Callahans already did.Congratulations, Tinsel, you’re important to some very important people.”
I exhale, feeling somewhere between annoyed and oddly safe.
Fine.Let the overbearing giant follow me home.Anything’s better than being alone right now.
“Right,” I say, fumbling my keys, because apparently, I’ve forgotten how to be human.“Bodyguard or stalker, still up for debate.”
That earns me a low, rough laugh that does things to my insides I don’t want to talk about.
“You’ll figure it out soon enough.”
And with that, he turns and strides toward a sleek black SUV parked a few rows down.
Broad shoulders.Long, steady stride.The kind of man who commands attention without even trying.
I exhale shakily, leaning against my car for a second to collect myself.
Who even talks like that?
Who compares a woman to tinsel and makes it sound like the most flattering thing ever?
I’ve had boyfriends.Dates.Disappointments.But no one’s ever made me feel like this.
Like I’m awake and buzzing after a decade of just going through the motions.
And that’s terrifying.
Because if I’m not careful, the man who’s supposed to protect me might end up being the one who completely wrecks me.
