Page 13 of We Three Kings

Her snow-dusted boots cross the threshold, and she looks up at me.

“Well, what do you think?”

No way I’m telling her what I really think. “This is your place? All by yourself?”

A great tactic to distract her with some questions to get her talking instead of me. An enormous smile lights up her luminous face.

“Yes. It’s kind of expensive but when Ms. Fine hired me, I knew I could probably afford it for the most part. I’ve never had my own apartment before, and I felt bad staying with Alex and Bree for so long, even though they’re like family to me and said it was fine. Anyway, I know it’s not great but with the decorations I thought…”

The radiance dims, and her smile disappears. She looks down and fiddles with the zipper on her fleece. “Sorry, I know I talk too much.”

Hell no. I slide my fingertips under her chin and lift her face back to mine. “Who told you that?”

Exquisite brown eyes blink several times. “My foster mother.”

Her whisper jolts me like electricity. “She was wrong. Don’t ever let anyone shut you down. You can say anything you want.”

A stuttered breath parts her sweet mouth. Yet no words come out. I’ve stunned her. “Now let me help you with your coat and you can tell me about your Christmas decorations.”

You’ve never seen genuine joy until you’ve seen this girl’s face after she receives my approval. “Really?”

I nod and stroke her flushed cheek. “Really angel.”

“Okay.”

As soon as she sets her bag of cotton candy on the table, I glide the flimsy fabric down her arms. Her dainty hand slides into my free one, and she leads me to the hallway. She practically bounces when she walks, and when she looks back at me over her shoulder with such an ecstatic expression, I almost lose my shit and devour her.

“I love it when it smells like Christmas too. When my friends helped me move in, Casey—”

Motherfucker.

The monster in me erupts, and I spin her around, pinning her against the closet door with my fist around her slender throat. My other hand snakes behind her lower back, pushing her forward so she can feel my rock-hard cock against her stomach. “He’s been here? Did he hurt you?”

“N-no! Of course not.”

Her small body trembles in my clutches. Damn. I fucked up, but she pushed me too far saying that bastard’s name. “I don’t want you around him. I don’t trust that guy.”

She tries to shake her head, but my grip only tightens. There’s no argument because there’s no debate. “I won’t let him or anyone else ever harm you.”

My grasp softens around her neck, but I keep her caged with my thighs on her hips. “From now on, you’re mine and I protect what’s mine.”

Graceful fingers curl around my forearm, holding me just as strong, and she keeps my gaze. “I am?”

The tone sounds more pleased than terrified. Good. “Yes.”

Despite the uncontrollable urge to push her up the wood and fuck her against the door, I restrain myself for her. She’s not ready for me in so many ways. I have to be smart about this.

Slow and methodical is the only way to earn her trust and win her heart. I tip down to give her a chaste kiss, and as much as I hate it, slide my hand away from her heated skin. “Now what did you want to show me?”

All of her earlier delight returns, and her head bobs enthusiastically. “There’s a box of candles on the top shelf that I can’t reach. Can you get it down for me please?”

Such a simple, easy request for me to be a hero. “Of course.”

I hold out my hand, motioning for her to step forward. She giggles an innocent giggle that would be annoying as hell from anyone else and moves to my right. Her little hands clasp together when I slide out the container and carry the glass jars banging together to the countertop.

She scurries to follow me. This time I get out of her way. Long hair obscures her magnificent face as she bends over and roots through her choices, before rising and holding up a round, white tin with a reindeer on the label.

“This one is Snickerdoodle scent. I love it because it smells like cookies even if you can’t bake any.”

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