Page 15 of Christmas in Vines

“Music to my ears,” were the last words the uncle muttered while they headed out the door.

I knew a business deal when I heard it—but I didn’t know what that deal was about. It could be innocent enough; who was to tell that the two of them didn’t have their own separate business dealings going on?

But what if they were talking about this one?

I jerked back at the thought. Incredulity was heavy on my chest. There was no way they could be talking about stealing the business right from under Willow. I knew there were still men out there who thought women were not fit for business or that they didn’t have the strength—or smarts—to run one. Hello toxic masculinity.

But would her uncle do such a thing to his own niece?

I shook my head and dislodged the thoughts as well. It could not be that—it could never be that. It had to be something else, something that I didn’t know about and what was clearly not any of my business.

Instead, I thought about last night and getting that massive dinosaur tree in place. It had to be one of the biggest firs I had ever seen in my life, but what struck me was the happiness around me while it was going up. I never gave any credence to the thought that someone could feel other people's emotions, but last night, it was impossible not to feel the joy radiating from the crowd.

I still didn’t get Christmas, but I was getting a sense of it.

“I wonder what she is going to throw at me today,” I murmured while heading out to dinner.

Last night, we’d agreed to go back to the square, and I would be helping to dress the tree—God help on that one.

* * *

While I waited for Willow, I pulled out my cell and texted the real Tyler.Eight days in, and I haven’t broken a sweat. You might have fucked up on this one, buddy.

The dots began to dance.13 days to go. You’ll crack by Christmas Eve, you rich fucker. Labor isn’t in your wheelhouse.

Snorting, I made to reply when I spotted Willow trudging over the snow-dusted lawns toward me. Dressed in skin-hugging jeans, a large college sweatshirt and tall tan boots, I felt my belly tighten at how simple but beautiful she looked. Her hair was pulled up, and thin whisps framed her face.

A corner of her lips flicked up. “What’s that look for?”

“I’m wondering what fresh hell awaits me.” I lied because I truly wanted to tell her how amazed I was at how artlessly she outclassed so many other women I’d known.

She grasped the lapels of my coat and pulled them together. “Let me say this in caveman speak. You take ornament, you put ornament on tree. You do not fall from ladder and break neck.”

I let out a deep belly laugh, and Willow giggled a little. “Not breaking neck, promise.”

“Good,” she replied.

“Now, get your bubble butt into my car,” I said, slapping such butt. “We’ve got places to be.”

Inside the car, I got it warming up, but then turned to Willow, “Are you all right? I missed you today.”

“I’m fine,” she replied. “Today was my day off, so I went to visit my friend in Denver. She’s having a hard time dealing with her sick mom and her troublesome brother. He never seems to stay out of trouble.”

“Sounds like me,” I snorted, and when she looked at me, I shrugged, “I was a menace in high school and college. You name it, I did it. My shining moment was egging and supergluing a massive dildo to my dean’s car freshman year.”

“You didn’t?”

“It was twelve inches and neon purple,” I sighed in nostalgia. “Good times.”

Willow shook her head. “You’re such a goof.”

I turned to her. “Can a goof get a kiss for luck? You know, the not breaking my neck thing?”

She smiled and reached over, slid her hand into the hair on the back of my head, leaned over the central console and kissed me. It was too soft, too tender and didn’t match the heat that suddenly spiked up the back of my neck.

Just as she was about to pull back, I caught the back of her neck and pulled her mouth back to mine for a better kiss. I parted her lips with mine, swept my tongue through her mouth—and tasted whiskey. Our kiss turned hungry, and her mouth matched my pace.

I wanted to get her off the seat and onto my lap so she could feel how turned on I was and give me the bodily connection I craved. Heat flared between my legs, and I was sure I was sporting a semi, but I resisted and released her.

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