Noelle kneeled in front of her offering her hand to Sabre to sniff. Then she rubbed Sabre’s head, and my precious girl lay down at Noelle’s feet. I’d never seen her behave with anyone that way before. Not even Foster and Richardson, who she knew.
I froze in place for a brief moment. Something about seeing her in my flannel shirt was unnerving. The shirt was longer on her than that damned sexy ass dress she wore last night and wasn’t as form-fitting, showing off thick thighs, curvy hips, and a perfectly round and high ass.
But in my shirt, she looked more...wholesome. Gorgeous and simple. The makeup that outlined her eyes and cheeks last night was gone. The gloss that tinted her lips was no more, but her lips appeared to be plumper than before, if that was possible.
And I knew...I knew she had no underwear on underneath my t-shirt and flannel shirt.
In all of her simplicity, she was sexy as hell. Sexier than last night and sexier than any of the women I’d dated.
“Easton?”
I stood there stupidly, realizing she’d been calling my name, and I was staring at her like a horny teenager. Now she was biting down on that plump, delicious-looking lip and staring at me with a perfectly arched eyebrow raised over her right eye. Tiny, pretty feet shuffled until she placed one on top of the other.
“Uh, yes?”
“Are you okay?” she asked with a smile tugging at those thick kissable lips.
“Yes. I’m just surprised.”
“Why?”
“She’s never behaved like that with anyone else. That’s new,” I said.
“She likes me,” Noelle replied confidently.
“Well, if you two are getting along like that, you can’t be all bad.”
Noelle looked up at me with those wide, expressive dark brown eyes and smiled.
“My bark is worse than my bite.”
Laughing, I shook my head. “Somehow, I doubt that.”
She stood and crossed her arms over her chest. “I guess I’ll never live down last night.”
There was a note of sorrow in her voice, and I felt bad about my words. But I had to keep the line in place. After all, she worked for my client, which meant she was the client.
It was already inappropriate for her to be in my home like this. Wearing nothing but my flannel shirt that hit at the knees. The same shirt whose top button was missing and showed off a dip in her caramel cleavage. The same shirt that rose up and down when she took deep breaths, making me think of her breasts.
“Uh, if you don’t mind, I need to shower. I just finished running,” I said, nodding at the stairs.
Rather than walk up the stairs ahead of me, she nodded, moved down from the landing, and said, “I’m sorry.”
I jogged up the stairs getting halfway up before I stopped.
“Sabre?” I called out. Looking over the railing, I noticed she was right by Noelle’s side. This was a problem.
“She’s fine to stay with me if it’s okay with you,” Noelle said.
Shrugging, I turned away and finished jogging up the stairs heading for my bedroom.
“Traitor,” I muttered when I was alone.
When I’d finished my shower and returned downstairs, Noelle was nowhere to be seen. When I walked into my laundry room, I noticed her clothing had been removed from the dryer.
Curiously, disappointment flowed through me at the thought of her no longer in my shirt. I picked up my laptop and began working on a new proposal for Craig Technologies, one of the largest software firms in the country.
I’d promised to have my request for a proposal in by the first of the year, but it was my goal to get it in before that. With Christmas looming, I doubted that anyone would have time to look at it. But perhaps some poor schmuck like me would be working through the holidays because he had nothing better to do. And if not, then it would be sitting in someone’s inbox upon their return.
I looked up when I heard her feet padding on the stairwell. Closing my laptop and setting it on the coffee table, I stood.
“Thanks for the wash and dry and the use of your bathroom,” she said.
“No problem,” I replied.
“I’ll just put these in the washer now,” she said, holding the clothes I’d shared with her up.
“Uh, don’t worry about them. I can wash them,” I said, walking towards her and retrieving my t-shirt and flannel shirt.
I knew she was staring after me, but I didn’t care. I needed to get out of her presence before I made an even bigger fool of myself.
“Thanks,” she called after me.
I couldn’t even be bothered to say, “you’re welcome.”
5 – MY WIFE
I was confused. Was Easton always this rude, or was it that he was still bothered by my behaviors last night? I felt horrible and wished that I could erase everything I’d said and done. But that was impossible.
When we discussed his dog, his guard was down, and he seemed kind, and even how he assisted me with my hangover. But when I’d returned his clothing to him, the same abrupt and aloof manner took over that he handled me with the night before.
It was time to get out of dodge. Not to mention, he was looking and smelling all kinds of good after his shower. The midnight black hair now appeared onyx after he’d washed it. Gone were the traces of blue undertones that, although imperceptible, you could tell were there in certain lights.
His icy blue eyes had taken on hints of grey, looking like the misty waters of the lake when a storm rolled in. And I couldn’t tell if it was anger or something else that flushed his olive skin to a deep shade of red.
The hairs of his mustache and beard appeared much softer after his shower than before.
Those types of thoughts would get me into trouble. Trouble that I didn’t need because I’d already created enough problems in my life.
I believed my reaction to Easton was no more than confusing how he’d come through for me in my time of need to actually feeling the man. Hell, I didn’t know him. I couldn’t deny the attraction that I had to him. That was very real. But anything more was just superficial thinking and a result of raw and betrayed feelings.
I was still hurting over Tucker’s betrayal, and I guess Easton was the next best thing.
I waited in the living room until Easton came back out.
“Hey,” he said, as though we hadn’t just seen one another.
“Hi. Or rather, I guess I should be saying goodbye and thanks for your hospitality.”
Not looking forward to the road trip, I knew I needed to get on the road.
“Well, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I don’t think you’ll be going anywhere any time soon, Miss Riley.”
“What do you mean?”
“Looks like the snowstorm was worse than they predicted. I’ve listened to the weather station early this morning, and while I was out, I checked out the roads. There’s no passage through these parts. The roads haven’t been plowed yet, and I don’t expect them to get through here until another day or so. We’re always the last on the list.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me!” I exclaimed.
“Unfortunately, I’m not. There’s a lot of snow that’s accumulated.”
“That can’t be!”
Rolling his eyes, he said, “That’s the same reaction I had. I’ve tried to move my Range Rover, and nothing’s happening.”
I blew out a breath, partially grateful that my desire to not return home was coming true; however, I didn’t want it to happen like this. It was clear that Easton didn’t want me around. The last thing I wanted was to be somewhere that I wasn’t wanted. I wasn’t that desperate.
“Well, I might just have one more option,” he said, scowling, but his eyes lightened a bit.
“What’s that?”
“I have a friend who owns a helicopter. If I can get him to come in and pick you up—”
“A helicopter! You want me to ride in this storm in a helicopter?”
“Look, trust me, he’s safe.
He’s been on different missions in all parts of the world, flying that thing. If I’d trust anyone with my life, it’d be him.”
“But, it’s not your life we’re talking about but mine!” I exclaimed, pointing my finger at myself.
“Look, ma’am...”
“Noelle!”
“Noelle. I get it that you don’t want to travel in this weather, but I didn’t have plans on having any house guests either. The only reason I hosted this damned party at my place was that your boss was too inconsiderate to give me the time I needed to plan it properly. I don’t do this! People in my home, in my private domain...uh-uh, that doesn’t work for me,” Easton ranted.
I was taken aback by how gruff he came off. But on the same note, I understood and respected his right to privacy. I was a stranger that had outstayed my welcome.
Yet, despite everything that he did say, I also heard what he didn’t say. If it hadn’t been for me getting drunk, then I wouldn’t still be here in the first place. I’d brought it on myself.
“You’re right. Again, I apologize for taking liberties that I had no right to,” I said, walking to his sofa and sitting down. “I’ll just wait here for you to make that call.”
His eyes flickered briefly from anger to confusion. But he simply nodded his head and said, “I’ll be back.”
Pulling my phone from my purse, I decided to deal with the inevitable. I dialed Tucker’s number and headed for the kitchen door. Stepping out onto the snowy deck, I shivered against the cold.
My stomach knotted as I listened to the ringing phone on the other end. I couldn’t help but wonder if he’d answer my call. But if he were with Anya, he probably wouldn’t. If he was with her, she might just answer the call. I hung up, not wanting to face any of those scenarios.
She’d always had a judgmental attitude towards me. The woman didn’t know me, so I knew whatever opinion she had of me, she’d derived it from what Tucker may have said to her. That and the fact that I was sure she’d known all along something was still going on between him and me.
Just as I was stuffing the phone back into my purse, it rang. I glanced at his smiling face on my caller ID, and my heart thudded lightly before my stomach soured, recalling the night before.
“Hello?” Just a hint of hope, not much.
“What do you want?”
“To talk. About last night, Tuck.”
“No, you don’t have anything to say to me after last night. I think you made yourself pretty clear where you stood. I think the entire company knows where you stand, Noelle. You made sure that not only my wife knew about us but the entire executive and senior management staff,” he snarled.
“What was I supposed to do, Tucker? You foolishly flaunted her in front of me, taunting me, showing how easily I could be replaced. Doing the things with her you once did with me and taking her to the places you’d taken me! And for the record, everyone already knew about us. The sooner you quit underestimating everyone’s intelligence, the better off you’ll be.”
“She’s my wife, Noelle!”
“You said only for a little while, Tucker!” I cried out, squeezing my eyes shut against the tears pricking them. “You didn’t even give me a heads up that you were doing it yesterday. It was supposed to be a little while,” I emphasized again.
I could hear the exasperated breath he blew out on the other end. “Yeah, well, after last night, she and I had a long talk.”
“What’s that supposed to mean? Are you leaving her?” I asked.
“No. She wants to work this out and try to give it a real go. Make this thing real. And I think that’s the least I owe her after humiliating her in front of everyone the way I did. I should never have gotten caught up with you again after I’d exchanged vows with Anya.”
“What?” I gasped. He’d just ripped my heart out of my chest and buried it in the snow. Like paper left on the frosty ground, it was disintegrating one piece at a time.
“I’m sorry, Noelle, but it’s over. I thought...I don’t know what I thought, but I can’t go on with you.”
A sarcastic laugh escaped my throat of its own will. “No, you don’t get to dismiss me like that!”
“I do, and I have. Speaking of which, when you return to work after the holiday, I need you to collect your items. We’ll be searching for a new Senior Director of Accounting.”
“You can’t fire me!”
“Uh, I can. Vermont is an at-will state, and before you say anything about your contract, you and I both know that you’ve violated it several times. And I have the proof if you want to make this thing legal,” Tucker threatened.
“Are you threatening me?”
“No, just letting you know the reality of the situation. Anya doesn’t think it would be in our marriage’s best interest for you to continue working for the company. And father agrees,” Tucker said.
My heart hurt, but I refused to give him the satisfaction of hearing me cry.
“Your behavior last night was deplorable. At a professional event, you made a fool of yourself and me. You have no self-respect, Noelle, and I think it’s time that the company allows you to leave so that you can get a fresh start. I’ve been in contact with Cindy in HR; she’ll be in touch after the holidays with the paperwork you need to sign and discuss the details of your package.”
“Package?”
“Yes, severance package.”
“More like a blackmail package, it sounds like. Because you and I both know that I’ve got dirt on you, too, Tucker.”
“Call it what you will. Have a nice Christmas, Noelle.”
“But, Tucker, you can’t just fire me!” I shouted into the phone.
It was too late; he’d already ended the call. The tears that begged to be released finally escaped, and I let them have their way.
6– GINGERBREAD
Shit!
Why’d I always have to have the worst timing? I’d just stepped onto the deck when I heard her say Tucker’s name in conjunction with the words, “you can’t fire me.” To compound the problem, she was crying.
I tried to back up and ease back into the house without disturbing her. Women needed their moments, and the last thing they wanted was a man bumbling that moment. And I was certain that’s what I’d do because I wasn’t good at offering comfort, and I had no idea what to say.
The only thing I knew was that I wanted to kick Tucker Timbers’ ass. Sure, she’d made a fool of herself the night before, but so had a few of his other employees. They hadn’t been fired. And yes, she’d outed their secret in front of his wife and top company management. But he was just in the wrong as she was to be sneaking around on his wife.
And then the jerk had the nerve to fire her right before Christmas. Yeah, he needed a bona fide ass-kicking.
Just as my hand grabbed the doorknob, Noelle spun around, looking at me with accusing eyes. But they softened a bit as they took me in.
“Oh, I’m sorry I didn’t realize you’d come out here,” she said, swiping at her eyes.
Shaking my head, I said, “It’s okay. I was just going back inside...so you know...you can do your thing. Uh, I’ll be inside if you need me.”
“Easton.”
The way she said my name tugged at my heartstrings. Why the hell did I feel a strong desire to protect this woman? She was hardly defenseless. Yet, I wanted to come to her rescue in the worst way.
“Yeah?”
“Did you get in touch with your friend? The one with the helicopter?”
“Oh,” I said, frowning. “I did, but he can’t make it. He’s actually in Switzerland on a mission now.”
Blinking rapidly, she stared at me and then nodded her head before turning away. Pressing a fist against her mouth, I could tell by the way her shoulders hunched forward she was crying once more.
I felt like a jerk myself now. Although I didn’t know how to comfort her, I needed to say something to her rather than leaving her out in the cold alone.
“Um, Noelle.”
“Uh...I know that he can’t make it, and it’s clear that there’s no traveling in this weather, but you can take over the cottage until the roads clear. Maybe...maybe you need some time away from your normal environment to get your head together.”
Pressing her lips together, she offered a semblance of a smile. And although it didn’t reach her eyes, it was still beautiful just the same.
“Thank you, Easton,” she said in a soft voice.
I gave a brief nod. “You’re welcome.”
Quickly I made my way back into the house before I said anything to make either of us uncomfortable.
WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT smell? I wondered as I stepped inside the house. I’d been out in the snow chopping wood and taking Sabre for a walk for the last couple of hours. The only thing I’d wanted to do was come inside, take a hot shower, prep a quick meal, and sit down in front of the TV with my beer and my dog.
But it seemed as if that was about to be derailed.
Somebody was on the radio singing about not falling in love again next year if the boy won’t be there. I shook my head and kicked off my snow-laden boots in the mudroom as Sabre ran ahead of me, barking.
“Sabre! Hi girl! Here this is for you,” I heard Noelle say just as I hung up my coat on the hook in the mudroom.
Quickly making my way into the kitchen, I watched as Noelle allowed Sabre to eat from her palm.
“What is that?” I barked.
“A gingerbread cookie,” Noelle said, smiling up at me.
“Don’t give her that! I don’t feed her that crap. She has a pure diet!”
A dip between her eyebrows and the slight downturn of her lips was the only indication that I’d hurt Noelle’s feelings. She came back with pure fire.
“Nothing I make is crap! You may not eat it but before you judge it, at least know the ingredients!”
“I don’t need to know the ingredients to know that I won’t feed it to my dog. You didn’t ask, and that’s the bottom line.”
Crossing her arms in front of her, she tilted her head. “You’ve got a point there. I did not ask, Easton, and for that, I’m sorry. But you didn’t have to be so rude.”
Noelle's Holiday Rebound: A BWWM Christmas Romance (A Glacier Hollow Christmas Romance Book 1) Page 4