Page 9 of Cupcake

The lid sticks a little where I brushed on too much decoupage glue. I gently pry the corner of the lid until it pops off, revealing an assortment of hand-painted ornaments. Painted popsicle sticks in the shape of trees and stars, pinecone owls with beads and felt for eyes, and the accordion paper globes Nana taught me to make with scrapbook paper. Not one of them ever graced our family Christmas tree. I don’t know why Mom bothered to keep them. They weren’t good enough for her perfect, pricey, manicured decor.

I was never perfect enough.

It was foolish to entertain for a second that I’d be good enough for someone like Hailey. She’s bubbly, lively, and in love with the sparkle and perfection of Christmas. Perfect cupcakes, perfect gifts, and that perfect red dress.

God, that dress fit her like a glove.

A knock at the door pulls me from my self-indulgent pity fest. My door usually only sees the occasional food delivery person, rarely a guest. I’d like to think Hailey’s forgiven and forgotten my tirade from an hour ago, but that’s unlikely and undeserved. She’s far too smart to waste her time on a fool like me.

I set the box aside and pad barefoot to the door without bothering to pull on a T-shirt. When I open the door, Hailey steps into my personal space, taking up all the oxygen between us. My pulse is off like a shot, and all I see is red.

Plump red lips, a curvy red dress, and a giant red bow tied across Hailey’s breasts.

CHAPTER 5

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Hailey

My heart thunders against my chest as I step onto the elevator. I can’t believe I’m going through with this. I fidget with the satin bow I borrowed from one of the poinsettia pots, vowing to replace it tomorrow. Embracing my inner bad girl is one thing, but stealing isn’t something even a naughty elf would do.

Adrian may have given up on himself, but I haven’t given up on him. Beneath his stoic exterior lies a broken man. He’s wrong about Christmas and about me. The holiday is what a person makes of it. Sure, some people get carried away and put pressure on themselves and loved ones to create a picture-perfect, made-for-Hollywood holiday. Butthingsand what a person can buy aren’t what make this time of year so special. The real magic lies in people’s hearts and in giving without expectation.

Technically, what I’m about to do is a bit self-serving, possibly even a little greedy. But I’m doing it with the best intentions. Adrian’s being stubborn. He needs a wake-up call. He’s the most gorgeous man I’ve ever laid eyes on. His voice alone sends my body into a tizzy. Behind his sour frown is a towering man with a gentle heart and a body I’d like to take my slow, sweet, delicious time with.

I’m on a mission to do just that. What’s more selfless than a no-strings-attached holiday booty call to wake a man up?

The elevator reaches the eighth floor, and the butterflies in my tummy go crazy. My heart pounds, and my lungs refuse to inflate. I take a few short breaths, leaving me lightheaded but more determined than ever. There’s no turning back now.

I approach Adrian’s sad, unadorned door and knock. He opens the door, and I’m momentarily dumbstruck by his near-nakedness. His broad shoulders and six-pack abs slim to a solid waist and a manly happy trail that disappears into his sweatpants.

My heart skips a beat. Did he not get the memo about gray sweatpants and the sinfully delicious male appendage they so deliberately highlight. This is definitely the frosting on top of his beefcake.

I’m so caught up in soaking him in, I forget to look him in the eye with the confidence of a badass bad girl. When I do, his fiery gaze burns a hole straight through me. The bravado he demonstrated in the ballroom melts away, revealing heat and lust rather than anger and sadness.

“You said you like a woman who isn’t afraid to ask for what she wants. You saidanythingI want. I’ve decided I want you.” I step closer. So close, the heat from his body soaks into my skin. “I’m your Secret Santa gift. No strings. No commitments. No expectations. Unwrap me, Adrian. I’m not asking for anything more.”

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