Claiming His Christmas Tree Topper

I squeeze my now empty glass so hard it shatters in my hand, and I place it on the table beside me. A quick glance down lets me know I’ve cut my fingers in a couple of places, but I can’t feel a thing.

“I-I’m…uh,” Eve stammers, and I’ve had enough.

“Hey baby, I found you,” I say warmly as I slide behind Eve and wrap my arm around her waist. I pull her back to my front and lean in to kiss her neck, all while never breaking eye contact with the asshole. “Who’s your new friend?”

Eve takes a deep breath, and I feel her sigh and relax against me. My cock is still hungry, and he stirs against her ass, but I ignore it. Right now I just need to make sure she’s safe.

“I’m sorry. I don’t think I caught your name. What was it?” Eve asks the guy, but he’s already taking a step back after I glare at him.

“Would you look at the time?” The guy glances at his wrist, where there’s no watch, and then he’s gone.

Eve lets out a small laugh as she leans against me, and I tighten my hold. I’m in no hurry to let her go now that I’ve got her close. After a long pause, she turns in my arms, but still I don’t release her waist. It’s like I’ve got to shield her from every potential asshole because she’s mine. She just doesn't know it yet.

“Thank you,” she says softly and bites her bottom lip.

“I’m glad I could help.” When I bring my other hand up to brush her hair out of her face, I see the blood dripping on my fingers.

She gasps and grabs my wrist. “Oh God, Dasher, are you okay?”

“Just a scratch.” I try to wave it off, but she’s shaking her head.

“I think you need stitches.” She looks around the room and then back up into my eyes. “Let me take you to the hospital.”

“Okay,” I agree because I would go anywhere with her.

Seven

EVE

I sit in the chair next to the hospital bed, trying my best not to glare at the nurse who is falling all over herself to help Dasher. I can’t blame her; really, the man is beyond handsome. Not to mention the million other things he’s good at.

When I got to the Mills’ house tonight, all I did while working was think about Dasher. It’s safe to say I’m a resident of Crushville. It’s the only thing I can think to call this even though I’m not sure I’ve had a crush before. It’s exciting to some degree and scary too because I’m going to get my heart broken. I keep trying to put space between Dasher and me, but at every turn I’m running into him.

“You poor thing. Don’t you worry, handsome, I’ll get you all fixed up.”

“Thanks,” he says to the nurse as his gaze flickers toward me. I give him a smile trying to mask my jealousy. I’m pretty sure that’s what I’m feeling right now.

“Let me go grab some things,” she giggles and then turns to leave the room. It’s obvious how she swings her hips as she goes, but Dasher misses it because he’s still looking over at me.

“I think the nurse has a thing for you,” I try and tease him.

“Not my type.” He winks at me and I guess he’s teasing me back? I thought he was flirting with me today, and I was wrong.

“Is it hurting?” My fingers itch to reach over and touch him. The need to soothe him nags at me but he’s not mine to soothe.

“No, and I’m not sure it needs stitches.” He inspects the cut. “The bleeding has almost stopped.”

“Better safe than sorry. I don’t want you coming down with an infection and ruining Christmas for Rae.”

“Do people always hit on you like that at your parties?” The question comes out of left field, or maybe not since I started it.

“Sometimes.” I shrug. “I’ve learned some men can be handsy once they start drinking, but for the most part I’m left alone. I’m the help.” He starts to say something else, but the curtain separating us from the emergency room is pulled back, and the doctor steps in.

“Dasher Sleigh,” the female doctor says, and her whole face lights up with a smile. “How long has it been?”

“A few years, I believe,” he answers as she walks over to him.

I see the name on her badge is Dr. Nina Porter, but she doesn't give me a second glance as she clears the space between Dasher and her. Maybe this is Dasher’s type.

The tall dark-haired woman is beautiful with plump lips and bright blue eyes surrounded by thick eyelashes. She’s tall, too, and I can clearly tell she’s fit even though she’s wearing scrubs. She picks up Dasher’s hand right away and takes a look at it.