“You walked out on me,” he growls .
“But, well, it was over. I mean… Well, we were done and …”
“I wasn’t done with you, Holly, not at all .”
“You weren’t ?”
“Santa had some more packages for you .”
“Nick… Is that even your name ?”
“It is, and is your name really Holly ?”
“Yes… How… Why are you here ?”
“You should know, Holly, Santa is everywhere,” he says with a smirk .
Any other time I would have found that sexy, but not right now. Right now I feel like the earth under my feet is literally trying to disappear. Heck, I’m even dizzy .
“No. Not this time. This time no more games,” I argue, and maybe he can hear the panic in my voice. I know I can. I’m scared I’m going insane. That’s the only explanation for the fact that the man I’ve been dreaming about for weeks suddenly appears at a business holiday party .
Before I can question him further, Michael is standing beside us. I should have known he would have followed me outside and, as always, his timing is impeccable .
“Holly? Is this man bothering you?” he asks, eyeing Nick up and down like he can really take him if it comes down to it. I snort at that thought .
Michael does his best to make his voice sound threatening. I hold my head down, because Michael is the last person I want here. I need to be alone with Nick—I need answers. Besides, it’s kind of ridiculous. Michael is a good foot shorter than Nick and looks downright skinny next to Nick’s muscular form. I clench my fingers involuntarily against the firm, hard muscles of Nick’s biceps .
God, I’ve missed him .
“Who are you?” Nick asks, bringing my attention back to the moment at hand. His voice is hard, slightly pissed off .
“I’m Holly’s boyfriend,” Michael answers, and my body goes stiff as shock flows through me. I snap my head in Michael’s direction, knowing my eyes have got to be as big as the fucking moon. Oh my God! I always knew Michael was insane, and now I have proof. Before I can speak up, I look up at Nick’s face and discover I may have bigger problems. He looks like a volcano about to blow .
Oh shit .
Chapter 13
Nick
I still can’t believe it. I fucking found her. Elation fills me, because honestly, I had given up hope. Now that I have Holly in my grasp, I’m not about to let her slip through again. Maybe it was stupid to remind her of our little holiday “game,” but I couldn’t help myself—probably because I can’t wait to resume playing with her .
Fuck, there’s so much more I plan on doing to Holly .
I’m about to tell her exactly that when some asshole comes up and puts his hand protectively on Holly’s shoulder. I’ve never been territorial in my life, but right now I am about half a step away from ripping that fucker’s arm out of its socket for daring to touch what’s mine. This might have started off as a game, but Holly is definitely mine .
“I’m Holly’s boyfriend,” he announces. The urge to break his neck so he stops breathing is there. It’s raw and dark, but Holly reduces my thoughts to caveman-like processes. She’s mine. What’s mine stays mine. I manage to beat it down, but it’s not fucking easy .
“You’re her what?” I growl, and I can feel Holly’s body tremble beside me. Her hand cups the side of my neck, trying to draw my attention. Any other time I would look at her, but right now, all I want to do is —
“Holly and I are dating,” he announces .
“No fucking way,” I growl .
There’s no way in the world this pipsqueak has touched my girl .
“You are not,” Holly answers, her voice hard. “We’re not dating, Michael .”
“You’re here at the party with me,” he answers, his tone filled with annoyance and his face flushed .
“Is that true?” I ask Holly. I don’t really give a fuck. I’ll deal with this jerk and she will be coming home with me .
“Not the way he’s making it sound,” she mutters. “I met up with some coworkers and we arrived together. Michael and I work at the same place. That’s it .”
“That sounds a lot different than the story you’re painting , man .”
“Do you know this guy, Holly?” Michael asks, ignoring me .
“Nick? Yeah. I know him,” she whispers, and this time I look down at her, because I have to. Her voice is sweet and she’s blushing. Her gaze centers on mine and I can tell her head is as full of memories of our time together as mine is .
“Damn straight you do.” I grin. “Trust me, buddy. She knows me and I know her in ways you’ll only ever dream about,” I add, goading the little asshole .