“What’s her problem, anyway?”
“If she ate something every once in a while, she wouldn’t be so angry all the time,” I mumble under my breath, hoping he won’t hear me.
“Hangry. That’s a condition I know a lot about, but it’s never okay for you to put your hands on someone,” he says.
Usually, my petty attitude gets me into trouble, but Lucas just rolls with it.
“She followed me to the bathroom, not the other way around. You helped me off the floor, remember?” I reach into my pocket, grab the keys for the Manor, and shove them into his chest. “Here are the keys. If you go to the end of the road and make a right onto Route 164, follow that until you reach Kasper Drive, then make a left. There’s a sign in front of the house. Even you can’t miss it.”
I jump in surprise as he covers my hand with his, giving it a small squeeze.
“I remember. I wasn’t talking about you; I was talking about her. You said you would take me to the Manor and show me around. I’m a stickler for promises.” He flashes me another one of his panty-dropping smiles before pulling me back toward my dad’s shop.
“I don’t remember making you any promises,” I grumble as we stop next to what can best be described as a death trap.
“Hope you don’t mind riding on the back of my bike.”
It isn’t until I feel him placing something on my head that his words register.
“Oh, no! There is no way in hell that I’m getting on that back of that thing with you.”
“Why not? Don’t you trust me?” He flashes me another smile, turning my brain to goo once again.
I swear his smile is going to be the death of me, and he knows it.
“Doesn’t matter if I trust you or not. I’m not getting on the back of that thing unless you make it worth my while.”
I slap my hand across my mouth, realizing what I just said. Lucas doesn’t seem like the type of man to back down from a challenge, and I just laid down one.
“What do I win if I can get you on the back of this bike?” he questions, stepping into my personal space.
My breath hitches in my throat, desperately wanting him to lean down and kiss me, but my stubbornness wins out.
“It doesn’t matter, because there is no way I’m getting on the back of that death trap,” I tilt my chin up in defiance, realizing too late that I played right into his hands.
Lucas leans down so our lips are just a hair's breadth away from each other.
“Oh, we’re just going to see about that,” he whispers before capturing my mouth with his.
Our lips mold together in sync as if we have done this a million times. His tongue gently caresses my lips as he grips the end of my braid pulling my head back, eliciting a loud moan of pleasure from me. He plunges his tongue into my mouth, as if he’s trying to devour me whole. Fire burns in my veins as I pull him closer to my body. All these feelings are foreign to me, but I know in my heart that I want—no, I need—more.
“The things I want to do to you, Misty,” he growls before nipping lightly at my lip and standing up straight, taking me along with him. “I guess you win this round.”
His husky tone sends a shiver down my spine.
“I can’t very well take you for a ride on my bike for the first time if it’s snowing,” he says.
“I guess not,” I respond, just now noticing that tiny white snowflakes are falling. “We can take my dad’s truck, but I will warn you it stands out a bit.”
“I wouldn’t expect it any other way.” He leaves a gentle kiss on my nose before stepping back. “Just let me grab my bag and we can be on our way.” He reaches past me and grips what seems to be a roll of clothes off the back of his bike.
“Everything you need is in there?” I question, unable to fathom how anyone could fit a week’s worth of clothing in that small backpack.
“Yes. When you spend most of your time on the road, you learn how to pack light. Besides, I honestly don’t know how long I’m going to be here. If I need something, Shelly can have it delivered.”
Jealousy once again shoots through my veins. “And who’s Shelly?”
Lucas threads his fingers through mine before bringing our joined hands to his mouth, brushing a feather-light kiss on my hand. “My publicist. I don’t have a girlfriend, but I plan to remedy that as soon as possible.”
I open my mouth to respond, but he places a finger on my lips, silencing me.
“And before you get any ideas in that pretty little head of yours, I was referring to you.”
“Me?” The shock from his statement is clear in my response.
“Do you think I go around kissing just anyone like that?” He winks before threading our fingers together once again. “Lead the way, Misty.”
I don’t know what game Lucas is playing, but it seems I’m about to become an all-too-willing victim.
Chapter 5
Lucas
Although I would have loved to feel Misty’s body pressed against my back, clinging to me for dear life, there is no way I want her riding on the back of a bike in the snow—especially with it being her first time. However, if she thinks she won’t end up on the back at some point, she has another thing coming.
“It’s just behind the store, but I should warn you, it’s a bit of a spectacle.” Misty flashes me a smile before pulling me through the door. “Shit. My dad.”
“Mistletoe, is that you? Did you bring me back a slice? Sorry this is taking me so long, but you know how I am with computers,” Misty’s dad says as he pokes his head around one of the many trees in the store.
Santa. That is the best way to describe her dad. He’s dressed from head to toe in the fancy red suit. He has salt-and-pepper hair, rosy cheeks, and the patented Santa belly. If I didn’t know any better, I would think Father Christmas himself was standing in front of me.
“Sorry, Dad,” Misty begins.
“We had a little issue at the restaurant, but I ordered a meat lover’s for you,” I cut her off. “It should be here any minute now.”
“Thanks…” his words trail off, like he’s unsure of what to call me.
“This is Lucas, Dad. He is the one who rented out the manor for the week.” Misty gives me a bright smile and mouths her thanks before turning back to her dad. “It’s started snowing. Can we borrow the Santa Mobile?”
I raise my eyebrow, but she waves away my concern.
“Sure. The keys are on the hook in the back,” he says.
Misty gently kisses dad’s cheek before heading toward the back.
“I know who you are, Lucas. You better treat my little girl like the princess she is.” He looks up from the computer screen, leveling me with a stare. This isn’t Santa, but Misty’s protective father.
“I don’t know what you mean, sir.” I walk around the store, attempting to look anywhere but at him.
“Don’t play dumb with me, boy. I looked at her mother the same way the first time we met. I knew as soon as she smiled at me that I was going to spend the rest of my life with her.” A soft smile crosses his face as he looks back down toward the computer in front of him. “I’ll be sad to see her go, but she is meant for more than this little Christmas town.”