Page 17 of Billionaire Grumpy Grinch

It definitely wasn’t as bad as it first appeared, nothing a few butterfly closures couldn’t handle. The brutal part was the cleaning. I couldn’t help but feel bad for him as I poured copious amounts of rubbing alcohol on it.

In the end we got him patched up all right and he looked up at me gratefully.

“Thanks,” he said. “You’re a good nurse. I’m gonna change my pants now if you don’t mind.”

I nodded and pushed past him, a giant armful of blankets in hand, and went to the living room fireplace. After tossing the coverings behind me, I grabbed a few logs and tossed them on the fire, then usedonlythe lighter to get it going.

Once dressed, Gabe followed me with a few more of the blankets I found, plus some hot water bottles and towels, and watched as I worked.

“I see I taught you something after all,” he said with a hint of a smile.

“I learn from my mistakes,” I snapped. “God. It feels like it’s never gonna be warm in here. And look at our poor Christmas tree. And there’s glass all over the floor—”

“Do you ever stop whining?” he asked in irritation.

“What?”

“Do youeverstop whining?”

I was taken aback by this confrontational question, but it took the question to make me realize it was true. I was acting like a spoiled little princess rather than the educated nurse that I was. I’d saved people’s lives. There was no reason for me to act like a damsel in distress. Especially when Gabe had been the one outside suffering to make sure we were insulated.

“Sorry,” I said softly.

“It’s all right,” he replied. “I just really will walk out to my death if you don’t knock it off.”

I nodded, feeling ashamed and turning my eyes to the fire as it sparked to life.

Gabe kicked off his boots and hung up his coat before coming up behind me and placing a hand on my back, patting it like someone’s great aunt who never learned how to properly hug. “What are the chances that the hot chocolate is still actually hot?”

“Slim to none.” I sniffled. “But there is a metal kettle, too. Not just an electric one. We could put it over the fire.”

“You know how to do that?” he asked. “That would be great.”

I nodded and got to my feet, working quickly in the interest of heating him up fast.

The kettle was easy enough to set up but it took me two tries to get it hanging in the fireplace. By the time it actually boiled, Gabe was nestled under a giant blanket, and his cheeks were getting color back.

I poured the hot water into the mug he’d been using and handed it to him, giving him a spoon to stir with.

“Thanks,” he said in genuine appreciation. “I’m sorry your Christmas is ruined.”

“It’s fine,” I said, acknowledging to myself that it was not fine, but I didn't want him to think I was whining any more. “Drink up. We need to get those organs warm.”

Gabe nodded and nearly chugged the drink, despite the fact that it was scalding hot. Then he looked at me and grabbed my hand. “Like my own personal Nurse Nightingale.”

I laughed and shook my head, then turned to walk away. But Gabe had me by the wrist, and faster than I could process, he pulled me into a kiss.

His lips were still cold from being outside but tasted deliciously of chocolate. I could feel my head spin as the breath was literally taken from my lungs, and time stood still around us.

But just as quickly, I pulled away, surprised that he’d done that. And when I did, he looked embarrassed.

“I… I just…”

“It’s fine,” I mumbled, a heat rippling across my face like a wildfire. “Things were tense. Sometimes impulses happen.”

“Yeah…” he said, looking away. “Exactly.”

My heart was still racing from the tiny zap of energy that transferred between our skin when our lips touched. I hated to admit it, but amidst all the panic, it felt pretty good.

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