Page 17 of You Make It Feel like Christmas

L IKE A LOT OF the choices she made lately—strolling into a bathroom with her head in the clouds, suggesting a muscled right wing put on a skintight onesie—getting out of the house seemed like a good idea.

Colton and Jacob were heading into town for a few last-minute things and to explore the festivities.

Maisie planned to edit some photos in front of the Christmas tree but her mother had sat beside her and asked why she had to go through that step; why didn’t she just take the photos properly the first time. For someone so smart…

It’d been on the tip of her tongue to tell her family about the artist-in-residence gig but she was nervous. Mostly because she was excited and she didn’t want her mom to dribble seeds of doubt all over the news.

When Colt said they were going out, Maisie jumped at the chance to join. A little space from her mom and a hot hockey player.

But of course, the universe had other plans. It really enjoyed messing with her head. It would have been fine because Asher wanted to come and the little boy was the cutest buffer ever. But he’d fallen asleep on the floor in front of the tree shortly after they’d had some lunch.

How was she supposed to stop thinking about Nick when he was right there?

When she got out of bed this morning, her brain had gone to Nick immediately.

She’d spent more time than she’d ever admit staring at photos of him in that reindeer onesie.

She might have had his measurements, thanks to Colt, but holy hell it was a snug fit.

It outlined every muscle and glorious aspect of a body she knew by memory.

Maisie was grateful she hadn’t drooled on her camera and would never, in her entire life, acknowledge, not even to Lexi, that Nick King was hot even in novelty pajamas.

Because it was somehow wrong and extremely unfair.

Soft flurries hit her windshield and cast a diamond-like glow on the fields they passed. She might as well have been driving through a blizzard on bald tires for the way she white-knuckled the steering wheel. His scent—like fresh air, sharp and crisp—would linger in her Jeep; she just knew it.

Worrying over this, Maisie was only half listening to Colton telling Nick about meeting one of Jake’s more high-maintenance clients for drinks.

Nick sat in the passenger seat, his hands curled into fists on his thighs, laughing along, but the sound was somewhat remote.

Strained. She glanced at him, saw him watching her before she looked back at the road.

Her spirits lifted when she found a parking spot on Main Street, right in front of Bits and Bites again. Definitely a sign that I deserve sweets.

“I told Asher I’d grab some more cookies,” Maisie said, cutting the engine.

She felt Nick’s gaze so she turned. His lips pursed before he said, “That kid is working everyone. He asked me for some, too.”

An almost smile tilted her mouth.

“I need to grab extra wrapping paper, unless you have some, Maisie,” Jake said, opening one of the back doors.

Maisie shoved her shoulder against the driver’s door but it didn’t budge. She lifted the handle then tried again, really putting her body into it. The cold made it stick worse than usual.

“Why are you shoulder bashing your door?” Nick asked, turning back to look at her, one foot out of the vehicle already.

Giving it one more shove, she held steady so she didn’t fall right out. He met her around the front of the Jeep, scowling at her while Jake and Colton whispered quietly to themselves like a couple of newlyweds.

“It gets a little sticky.”

He arched a brow. “You do that all the time, you’re going to injure yourself.”

“Says the man who races around the ice on sharpened knives, slamming into walls, plexiglass, and other men.”

Jake laughed loudly at something Colton said before the two of them walked hand in hand toward the first shop. The sight of it sent a pang through Maisie’s chest that she had trouble ignoring.

Following after her brother and Colton, she tried not to frown when Nick’s long stride made it easy for him to keep step with her.

“That’s quite the description of my job. However, I’m in gear when I do that. And it’s controlled.”

She couldn’t help but smile. Stopping, she looked up at him. “While your concern is touching, I promise you, I’m fine. If it’s sore, I’ll soak it in that glorious hot tub calling my name.”

Ellie had given her a more thorough tour yesterday, revealing a gorgeous back patio complete with large-bulbed twinkle lights strung between posts, a hot tub that would let them gaze at the stars over the mountains while they relaxed, a fire pit, and comfortable, oversize outdoor seating.

His dark gaze went impossibly darker, making Maisie’s skin heat. He reached out and gently ran a hand over the shoulder she’d used. “Get your door fixed.”

“Sure thing, boss,” she said. Joking was easier than holding his gaze or standing so close. She caught up with her brother and Colton, who held the door open, waiting for them.

Tiny Treasures was a perfect, small-town store full of eclectic finds that delighted Maisie.

Bells jingled over the door as it swung shut.

The older woman behind the counter had snow-white hair and wore a bright-red cardigan with animated reindeer running up one side.

Maisie’s gaze collided with Nick’s and she had to stifle a giggle.

It was too easy to read his dark expression; he was totally remembering the pajamas.

He hadn’t enjoyed them as much as she had.

“Who are we shopping for today?” she asked once they’d all entered the rather cramped space.

“I need something for my sister,” Jake said.

Maisie poked him in the shoulder. “You brought me shopping for my own gift?”

He glanced back at her. “I have two sisters. I want to get Nat a piece for her Christmas village. I read about this place online.”

“Oh yes. Our Christmas village pieces are one of a kind. Come, I’ll show you,” the woman said, coming out from behind the register.

Colton joined her brother but Nick stayed by Maisie’s side as she looked through an assortment of funny Christmas postcards.

“It’s nice to see Colton so happy,” Nick said, picking up a little snow globe.

“Jake, too. They’re peas in a pod. They both probably researched every store in this town and know what each one of them has in stock. Now it makes sense why he’d leave his shopping late.”

Nick’s shoulder brushed against Maisie’s arm. A simple touch shouldn’t put her on high alert but that’s what Nick King did. He spun her senses out of control. The bell over the door jingled but neither of them turned to look.

Maisie started to move on when Nick tugged her jacket. She looked up at him.

His gaze was thoughtful, endearing, and a little wistful. Looking at him was like sinking into the sand. Caring about him was an involuntary reflex. Like breathing.

“I will get you back for the pajamas.”

She smiled, the air around her warming up several degrees. “Get me back for a gift ? That isn’t very gracious.”

He leaned in and his scent made her want to bury her face in his chest. “I want the pictures.”

Stepping away, she shook her head. “Oh. No way, Hockey Man. That’s my Christmas gift.”

Both of his brows arched and he closed the space between them, reached out and touched her hair, twirling a strand around his finger, watching the movement before he met her gaze. His was hot enough to burn. “You want a picture of me, Maisie, I’ll let you take a better one than that.”

Okay. She yanked at the collar of her jacket. Could she have hot flashes before thirty? She tried to find some words but her heart was beating too hard in her ears to formulate any.

He moved closer. “We could do a private shoot. Just us.”

Maisie felt her resolve cracking like ice. How was she supposed to stay strong when he kept saying things that made her want to fall back into his arms and pretend he hadn’t hurt her; that he hadn’t walked away.

Words escaped her but she managed to look around frantically to see if anyone else was burning up from this man’s gaze and presence. No? Just her? Great.

The way he looked at her filled her with an intoxicating kind of confidence even as it flustered her.

Call his bluff. Instead of stepping back, she closed the sliver of space between their bodies and placed her hand on his chest. Warmth seeped into her skin as memories crashed over her of what it felt like with nothing between them.

“Okay. Fine. You agree to that, I’ll give you the reindeer pictures after. ”

Nick laughed, his head tipping back and his Adam’s apple bobbing with the movement, and Maisie felt like she might incinerate right there.

Nicholas King’s laugh would be the death of her.

She had absolutely no defense against it.

Especially after seeing him in the cruel grip of panic yesterday.

Knowing she could make this man’s eyes shine with happiness was a powerful drug.

He’d hurt her, yes, but he’d hinted at reasons they hadn’t yet discussed.

Maybe it was time. That night they spent together had been the kind people read about or made movies about.

They’d connected on a level that had nothing to do with attraction even though it’d been fueled by it.

Maybe the universe wasn’t such a jerk after all.

Maybe it was saying, Here’s a second chance.

A temporary one, since he’d leave again, but that might be better than nothing.

His nostrils flared and his hand went to her neck, his fingers sliding to the nape, pressing in and making her wish they were alone. “Only if I get a turn with the camera.”

Sucking in a breath, Maisie held on to her wits by a very, very, hair-thin thread. “No one touches my camera.”

“Hmm. Sounds like a challenge.” The words whispered over her cheek.

“Excuse me?”