Page 15 of Nick and Noel's Christmas Playlist

Noel giggled at her silent joke and Nick quirked a brow. “Something on my face?”

“No, you’re good. Just funny thoughts.”

“Hmmm, I get the feeling our boys were the butt of whatever joke you had rolling through that head of yours.”

“I’ll never tell.”

Nick chuckled, pulling her against him. “About Trip…”

“I don’t want to talk about it.”

Really, talking about it with Nick, sweet, perfect Nick who’d stayed with the same girl for eight years? They’d never really talked about their sexual conquests, but Noel had a feeling Amber was Nick’s one and only. It was hard to discuss her sexual exploits with such a paragon of virtue.

She hadn’t danced with Nick since high school and the press of his body to hers felt brand new. He was definitely harder all over than as a teenager. Noel still remembered the shock when he’d come back from boot camp and he’d stood in formation, his shoulders broader, his arms defined. No longer the skinny kid that left but a man. She hadn’t known what to do until after he finished hugging his parents and yanked her into his arms.

The awkwardness passed and they were Nick and Noel again.

She slid her arms around his waist and her hands stilled as the muscles in his back bunched. His fingers laced together behind her, resting at the top of her jeans. She could feel the warmth of his skin through the fabric at her back, a pleasant sensation.

When Nick shuffled his feet, she swayed with him happily. Nick wasn’t the best dancer, but his slow dance shuffle worked.

“Thanks for dragging me out here. That was embarrassing.”

“Why? It’s just us and no one’s judging you. We’ve all had friends with benefits.”

“Really?” Noel quirked an eyebrow. “All of us?”

Nick chuckled. “All right, so maybe not me, but I understand why it’s nice to sometimes have someone you can call any time you need the D.”

Noel groaned. “I can’t believe I said that in front of you.”

“Why in front of me?”

“You know…we haven’t hung out in person for a while. Even though you’re still my Nick, being away, we’ve missed a lot of each other’s day-to-day.” She cleared her throat. “I’m a little worried about you learning something about me you won’t like.”

Nick’s arms tightened around her. “I’ve seen you covered from head to toe in Beef-a-roni. Nothing could be worse than that.”

She dropped her forehead to his chest with a groan. “You were supposed to burn that picture.”

Nick grinned sheepishly. “Sorry, my mom hid the negatives.” He ran his hand gently over the top of her head and she pressed her cheek into his shoulder. “I don’t ever want you to be embarrassed with me, Noel. I’ll always have your back.”

Noel breathed him in shakily. She opened her eyes just in time to catch Trip staring at them. His tight T-shirt showed off the hours of work he put in at the gym his parents owned, but all that bulk had never been good for cuddling. Nick, on the other hand, was muscular without being uncomfortable to snuggle with.

Noel closed her eyes again, the familiar scent of Nick’s woodsy cologne surrounding her. The smell reminded her of his parents’ farm in December, Christmas trees and falling snow. Home. Nick smelled like home to her.

Noel felt Nick stiffen against her and glanced up at him. He was staring towards the entrance of the bar, his lips pinched. She looked over her shoulder and saw Amber wrapped around a guy who bore a striking resemblance to Chris Hemsworth. Nick’s ex glanced their way briefly before doing a double take, her mouth rounded in surprise. With a flip of her hair, Amber straddled the guy’s lap as he sat on the barstool, her profile clearly visible. A smug smile curved her pink shiny lips and Noel turned away to assess Nick’s reaction.

Nick’s crestfallen expression yanked at her heart strings painfully and before she realized what she was doing, she held the back of his neck in the palm of her hand. His brown eyes settled on hers and she pulled him down. He could have fought her if he wanted, but he let her guide him down. Noel’s lips brushed against his, noting the way they opened slightly, Nick’s sweet breath whooshing out quietly. Her tongue traced across his bottom lip, hoping that Amber and Trip liked the view.

Suddenly, Nick’s hands came up to cradle her cheeks and his mouth slanted across hers. His tongue delving in, playing with hers, and flames licked their way across her skin. The sensation shocked her at first and she stumbled against Nick, pressing her breasts into his front. Her nipples peaked to attention, and a slight moan escaped as Noel forgot they were standing in a crowded bar and pulled him into her, deepening the kiss.

Nick was the one to break the contact, his lips pressing against hers in a sweet, soft peck before putting several inches of distance between them.

“Thank you,” he whispered.

Chapter 5

NICK

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