A Billionaire's Holiday Love - Posey Parks Page 0,12
to be perfectly fit without a strand of hair out of place.
He stood smiling at her from behind the long wooden counter. I narrowed my eyes. Fuck, I knew this guy. He hung out with my brothers and I when we were kids. I didn’t expect him to work at his family’s hardware store. Thought he’d be off doing something else in the world. What was this guy’s name?
He flashed his white teeth. “My dad’s bringing your order to the front as we speak.” His hair was swept to the side off of his forehead.
I didn’t recall seeing his father when we were kids. But he mentioned his family owned the local hardware store. So that was his father who assisted us. I found it odd he wasn’t doing the heavy lifting. He was officially a douche bag.
“Did you find everything you were looking for?” his starry eyes remained on her.
Hope’s lips parted. “Now, I think I have everything I need.” She inspected the imitation gold pendant of a little girl blowing a horn.
“Happy you like it. The gift shop down the street delivers a box every week. They sell out fast.”
It dawned on me I never spoke. Guess their interaction threw me off just a little, not by much.
“Thanks─”
“Ismael.” He reached for the pendant.
Yup, that was his name. Hopefully, he didn’t remember me.
I grabbed it out of her hand. “She’s a beauty, I get it, but didn’t you learn it’s rude to stare?”
His gray eyes met mine. “Sorry, dude. She’s breathtaking. I don’t see beautiful women like her every day.”
“Ring up my woman’s pendant,” I growled.
“Noah,” Hope snapped.
“Ismael, we aren’t together.” Her facial features softened.
“She’s right. We just sleep together,” I winked at her.
Hope cranked her neck and closed the space between us. “In your dreams.”
“Yeah, there too.”
Her eyes widened.
Thought my attraction to her was obvious.
“That’s the only place, Mr. Grinch.”
My brows lowered. “Charge our items to my credit card.” I placed the card on the counter, still staring at those lips, eyes, and button nose.
“Noah, I told you I wouldn’t sl─”
“Ah, ah.” Placing my finger over her pouty lips, I felt her entire body shiver. She was wet for me and she hated it. I glanced at the little old lady in line behind us.
“You two make an attractive couple.”
My cheeks lifted. “Thank you, ma’am.”
I reluctantly removed my finger from Hope’s lips.
No plans of letting up, though. I was having too much fun. “Hope, baby, I need to place the merchandise on the counter. Step back. You’ll have me all to yourself in a couple of hours.” I chuckled.
“Noah, you’ll regret this.”
I ignored my cinnamon beauty and filled the counter with our goods.
After Ismael bagged our items, he picked up my card and stared at it.
“I need your I.D.”
“Oh, yeah.” I grabbed it from my wallet and placed it in his hand.
His eyes lit up.
Shit.
“Noah Canyon, I haven’t seen you in years.” His heavy hand landed against my arm. I didn’t budge.
“How’s the beer business treating you?”
I couldn’t look at Hope. She didn’t realize who I was at the diner, and I didn’t offer the information. Our chemistry was natural. Not based on the billions of dollars in my bank account.
“Good,” I smirked.
“The owner of Canyon beer has returned to Christmasville.”
“Yup, I’m in town to fix up my granddad’s cabin and sell it.”
“Oh, that’s too bad. We were all so sorry to hear when he passed away. My condolences, Noah.”
“Thanks.”
Hope slammed her credit card on the counter. “Run my card. I’ll pay for everything.”
“No, you won’t,” I bit out.
“Ismael, anything fun happening in town this week? I’ll need a drink after working with him day in and day out.” Her thumb jabbed in my direction.
“Here’s a calendar for the rest of the year. If you like ice skating there will be carolers singing and hot chocolate served. The bar up the street will have several holiday themed nights.”
Her lips lifted. “Yes, to everything you said. I’ll definitely check it out. Will you be at any of the events?”
He grinned from ear to ear. “I will.”
“Good.” She folded the paper and placed it in her purse.
If her goal was to see me act an ass, her wish would soon come true.
I grabbed him up by his collar. “Just because we played together when we were kids means nothing. I’m warning you, Ismael, stop flirting with my woman. Or I’ll break your nose.” I bit out.
“Noah, don’t,” Hope barked.
“Relax, Noah.” Ismael raised his hands like he was surrendering.
“I’m not your