Page 31 of Mistletoe Bargain with the Billionaire

The kids aren’t overly concerned by the correction but I absolutely love the way Janey’s jaw drops when she sees him. “Well, Nick Frost. It’s… wow, it’s been a long time.”

“It has, Janice,” Nick says as he gives a final wave to the departing Frosties.

“Janey,” she corrects with more meekness than is typical of her.

“Hmm.” I could kiss him.

I like to think I’ve got my share of moxy but Janey always seemed to have the upper hand on me as a kid. But Nick? Even with his own occasional bully troubles, he never was bothered by her. He’d treat her with that same look he’s wearing now, like she was a gnat buzzing around.

“Well, we’ll see you at the reunion in a few days but we’ve got to head to the inn to get dressed.” Then, he gives me the sultriest look, making his voice even deeper when he adds loud enough for Janey to hear, “But after we get undressed, right, honey?”

Holy snowballs, Nick is eye-figgy pudding me in the middle of Tony’s Pizzeria with my cousin watching. Is this a fever dream?

I nod, half dazed, and he helps me out of the booth, wrapping an arm possessively around my waist. Once I’m on my feet, he stoops to give my neck a teasing peck. Woo, it’s suddenly very hot here. I’m in Heaven and Janey’s roasting elsewhere.

I wave my fingers at her and the kids and hold back my laughter until we reach the sidewalk. “That was so perfect!” I shriek, hugging him tightly.

He adjusts my stocking cap, grinning. “I’m glad. I can’t stand a bully. She was always a pain back in school and loved making fun of the A/V Club guys I was friends with, even Jim who she wound up marrying.”

“Oh, I remember.”

He turns a more serious look on me though when he says, “But you may want to be careful about where you leave that journal. Some important stuff’s in there.” He lowers his mouth to my ear, making me shiver when he adds, “And some stuff neither of us would want seen, right?”

He’s right so I shake off my lust temporarily. I’ll need to mind the journal. But regardless, I’m thrilled. “Well, I think that bit of perfect timing just now is going to work out well for you, mister.”

His eyebrows raise with interest. “Oh yeah? Will any grumpy Himaylans be interrupting us?”

“No, he won’t. He’ll have to yowl at us from the other side of the glass.”

His eyes darken with desire. “Hot tub again?”

“Hot tub.” I tug on his hand as we hurry on our way.

19-Carol

Tonight, there’s a winter wedding to attend in Whistler but Mr. Jinglebell is still vying for the top spot on the Naughty List. “Why does my suit smell like cat piss?” Nick asks, scowling as we’re getting ready.

“Oh no! Mr. Jinglebell, you are a bad boy! Nick, I’m so sorry. We can-”

“Hmm.”

Nutcrackers. I’m not sure even my shimmery green and gold slip dress I splurged on - which technically he paid for - can take his mind off this latest debacle.

However, his eyes light up appreciatively when he sees me in it. “Goddamn, you’re gorgeous.” I get a lingering kiss as my heart pitter-pats wildly. “How am I supposed to behave myself with you looking this good?”

Trust me when I say, I do not want to behave with this man looking at me like that.

“We can’t misbehave during your sister’s wedding this close to Christmas.” That doesn’t seem to deter him from trying to lift the hem of my dress. “I’m afraid the cat may go after your shoes next if we don’t scoot.”

He chuckles and pats my ass, promising playtime will be coming later.

Poor Mr. Jinglebell has seemed a bit miffed since our arrival in Whistler. I suspect there’s not been enough head pats and chin scratches to suit him. Nick and I have been too busy tearing each other’s clothes off the second we’re behind closed doors since the night we arrived. I wish I could live in the Evergreen Suite year-round.

This morning, after going to brunch with the wedding party, we’d kept ourselves busy between the sheets when we weren’t napping or Nick wasn’t working on some project for the Frosties. At least, that’s what he said he was doing. He sure was secretive about his laptop anytime I came near it.

I’d given Mr. Jinglebell extra loving then but I guess it wasn’t enough. Luckily, Nick has another bespoke suit on hand, Mr. Fancy-Pants Billionaire.

“I was going to wear this to Grams’ party on Christmas Eve but it can pull double duty.”

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