Page 34 of Never Kiss a Krampus
“I’ll bet,” Jenna said, grinning, then dashed back towards the door. “See you at the meeting tonight.”
The rush continued all afternoon and by four o’clock, I was running on fumes and caffeine. By five, I was ready to collapse. The last customer finally left at 5:23, and I turned the sign to CLOSED with a sigh of relief that came from my toes.
Bastian stood near the counter, looking even more intense in the shop’s dimmed lights. “A successful day.”
“A weird day.”
“Successful and weird are not mutually exclusive.”
“In this case, they’re basically synonyms.” I moved to the register, starting the closing routine. Count the cash, print the report, and reconcile the numbers. Normal things. Grounding things. “I made more today than I have in the past two weeks combined.”
“Because of my presence.”
“Because people are curious and nosy and wanted to see what the fuss was about.” I pulled out the cash drawer. “Don’t let it go to your head.”
“I am merely stating facts.”
“Facts delivered with a side of ego.”
“I do not have an ego. I have an accurate assessment of my value.”
I looked up, finding him closer than I expected. When had he moved? “That’s literally the definition of ego.”
“Is it?” He leaned against the counter, his posture casual but his eyes sharp. “Or is it confidence earned through centuries of experience?”
“Definitely ego.”
“Confidence.”
“Ego.”
“You are being contrary for the sake of argument.”
“And you’re being smug for the sake of—” I bit off the rest of the sentence, but it was too late.
“For the sake of what, Noelle?”
Don’t say it. Don’t you dare say it.
“For the sake of annoying me,” I snapped.
“If I wanted to annoy you, I would do far more than simply state facts.” He straightened, moving around the counter with that predatory grace. “I would mention, for instance, how your heart rate increases whenever I stand too close. Or how the bond flares every time our eyes meet. Or?—”
“Okay, point made.” I held up a hand, not looking at him. “You’re very observant. Congratulations.”
“I am also very patient.”
“Great. That’s great. Super helpful quality.”
“But my patience has limits.”
Something in his tone made me look up. He was watching me with an intensity that sent heat sliding down my spine.Oh no.
“You have been looking at me all day.”
My brain short-circuited. “I have not?—”
“You have.” Another step. “Your gaze lingered on my hands, my shoulders, my mouth.”
