Total pages in book: 35
Estimated words: 33546 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 168(@200wpm)___ 134(@250wpm)___ 112(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33546 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 168(@200wpm)___ 134(@250wpm)___ 112(@300wpm)
I called out to my cousin, who I knew was a fast driver. “Bruno, I need a ride!”
***
The grand white staircase was adorned with gold accents, tinsel, and large red Christmas bulbs woven through the banister. I rushed up the stairs, and then I saw him. Holy shit. Cade wore a black suit and red satin tie. He was holding his jacket, and his sleeves were rolled up, showcasing his colorful ink. He looked beyond hot—holding a bouquet of roses.
He shook his head slowly when he spotted me. “Wow,” he said, almost breathlessly. “You were right. That dress is killer.” He handed me the flowers.
As we stood facing each other, there was so much I wanted to say. “I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you, Cade,” I blurted, barely aware of the wedding reception in the ballroom—I couldn’t have cared less. “I was afraid the reason you called out today was because you’d thought better of everything that went down with us and were avoiding me.”
“Are you kidding? The only regret I have is what didn’t go down, if you know what I mean. I can’t stop thinking about you, either. I just want to be back at that cabin. I know it’s Christmas, and I’m supposed to be with my family—assembling my nephew’s presents tonight or whatever—but I only want to be with you.” He looked into my eyes. “I called out of work today because I had to wedding prep—grooming myself, picking up a suit that fit, and getting you flowers—hoping to crash this thing and find you.”
My eyes began to water. “I’ll never forget this.” Then, I couldn’t help myself. I leapt into his arms, and to my surprise, he lifted me. Wrapping my legs around his tall frame, I kissed him with everything I had, this time not caring at all whether I came across as too forward.
“Daria?”
Cade and I broke our kiss as we turned in unison. Derek stood there, dressed in his white wedding tux, looking shocked at the spectacle I’d just made.
As Cade put me down slowly, I wiped my lips. “Oh…hey, Derek. Didn’t notice you there.”
“I can see that.” He looked up at Cade. “I didn’t know you were bringing someone.”
“I didn’t bring him. He met me here…although, I just got here myself. In fact, we were just leaving.” I took Cade’s hand and stood proudly. “This is Cade.”
“Ah.” Derek nodded. “Mr. Big Dick himself. I wasn’t sure if you were real, considering how drunk she was when she texted me the other day.”
“That was actually me texting you about my dick. But yeah… I’m very real.”
Derek squinted in confusion. The look on his face was priceless.
“He’s real, Derek.” I smiled up at Cade. “He’s my man. Thank you so much for breaking up with me so I could find the real deal.” I squeezed Cade’s hand as I told Derek one last thing. “It all worked out the way it was supposed to. I do wish you and Sharon the best of luck. You’re perfect for each other.”
Cade lifted me again, carrying me away like a caveman as we made our theatrical exit down the grand staircase. I never looked back, though catching one more glimpse of Derek’s flabbergasted expression might’ve been nice.
“I don’t like the way he was staring at your tits just now,” Cade growled in my ear.
“I didn’t notice, but mighty possessive, aren’t we?”
“Well, you called me your man. I don’t want anyone staring at my woman’s tits, except me.”
I ran my fingers through his hair. “I think you have some anger issues. You might need to take some of that aggression out on me.” I kissed his cheek. “Take it out on my totally clear-minded, sober ass, by the way.”
He wriggled his brows. “Now you’ve got me thinking about that ass.”
As we made it to the lobby, I asked, “Do you think they have rooms available?”
“Only one way to find out.” He put me down.
Cade went to the front desk, spoke to the attendant, and flashed me two big thumbs up. When I tried to give him my wallet, he shooed me away. So I waited in the wings, taking deep inhales of the roses he’d bought me, wondering how what was slated to be one of the worst nights of my life had turned out to be the best.
A few minutes later, Cade returned, waving the keycard as he flashed me a devilish smile.
“Thanks, Santa.” I winked.
We hopped into the elevator, and he backed me up against the wall and showered my neck with kisses. “This might be my favorite Christmas ever, beautiful. And it’s just getting started.”
I bent my neck back in ecstasy and exhaled. “Safe to say, Santa Claus is definitely coming to town tonight.”
THE CHRISTMAS CARD
When my ex got engaged pretty quickly after we broke up, I did something stupid… I made up a new boyfriend. How would anyone ever know? They wouldn’t. Unless my fake boyfriend showed up at my ex’s annual Christmas party…