19. Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Nineteen

Noelle

Clanking, Christmas music, and a deep voice humming wake me up from my sleepy haze on the couch. The delicious smells coming from the kitchen have my stomach rumbling. The popcorn Cole and I were munching on while making the garland does not substitute for a meal, and my stomach knows it.

Cole was extremely careful getting up—I didn't even notice. A smile lines my face, and I reach my hands over my head and give myself a full-body stretch. I take the blanket with me as I stand and fold it before heading to where he is.

I lean against the door frame and watch the man making breakfast. I get the opportunity to look him over before he sees me, and I breathe in a contented sigh. He's showered and in a pair of blue jeans and a flannel shirt. My heart stutters at how handsome he is.

He glances over and gives me a heart-stopping smile, making my bones turn to jelly. "Good morning, beautiful. Merry Christmas Eve."

"Merry Christmas Eve," I say back with a goofy grin. I walk over to him and wrap my arms around his back. Squeezing tight. "How are you? Did you sleep well?"

He stops fiddling with the items on the stove and turns to face me, cupping my cheek with his hand and giving me a soft kiss that has every part of my body melting into him. "Does that tell you how I am?"

A lopsided grin rests on his face, and his green eyes sparkle affectionately. I giggle. "It tells me something."

The bacon splashes, and Cole turns back to the food he's cooking. "Breakfast should be done in about fifteen minutes if you want to shower and get dressed." He looks over his shoulder and smirks.

"Are you trying to tell me something?" I laugh and smack his side gently with my hand. Before I know it, he's facing me again and grabbing my hand.

"Besides that I love you? Not at all. You're perfect no matter how you look…or smell." My eyebrows shoot up and he laughs, grabbing my chin and kissing me on the cheek. "I'm kidding. You're perfect exactly as you are…always."

"That was smooth, Cole Nichols," My stomach swoops, and I smile up at him, feeling a bit weak in the knees. If not for the pop of grease coming from the stove, I would have gladly stood staring into his swoony eyes all day. But alas, breakfast, my stomach takes that moment to second the sentiment with a low gurgle.

"Don't burn my food." I give him a wink and head for a shower and change of clothes.

"Hey! I don't burn food," he growls, then lower. "Any more."

When I get back to the kitchen, breakfast is ready and waiting, and my mouth is already watering.

Two places are set and Cole is sitting in front of the empty plate across from me, sipping his coffee.

"This smells delicious." I pull out my chair and sit across from him. "I hope it tastes as good as it looks."

He gives me a mock glare. "I will have you know that working in a firehouse has improved my cooking skills immensely."

"Well, if the stew was any indication of that, then I'm in for a treat." I give him a grin and start scooping some scrambled eggs onto my plate, then grab a few pieces of bacon. I take a bite, and my eyebrows shoot to my hairline. "Mmmmm. This is perfectly cooked."

Cole fills a mug with coffee and hands it to me with a smug look. "I'm glad you approve."

He fills his plate with eggs and bacon while I add milk and sugar to my coffee before taking a sip.

"You added cinnamon." I'm surprised he remembers.

"You still love it, right?"

"Still love it." I hold eye contact for a moment, feeling grateful for a man who knows me and cares about what I like. I give him one last smile before digging in.

During breakfast, Cole told me about some of his earlier cooking experiences at the firehouse.

"I was so bad the guys threatened to kick me out of the kitchen permanently," I can't help but laugh at the image he's painting. "But Mike wouldn't have any of that. He told them that they would just have to help me learn."

"I would have to say that you were successful in that achievement!" He flips his gaze to mine, and my stomach swoops at his smile.

"It was either that or have Mike kill me," I almost spit out my coffee at how seriously he says that statement. "He made it seem like he was on my side in front of everyone, but behind closed doors, he put me through a cooking boot camp. It was worse than when he had me in training for the Tough Mudder."

Cole shudders at the memory, and I burst out laughing.

I raise my cup to my lips, and just as Cole gets up, I reach out to grab his hand. "Where are you going?"

He gives me a smile that has my insides melting like butter, making me grateful to still be sitting down. He leans in and gives me the gentlest kiss. "First, I'm going to put my dish in the sink, and then I'm going to head outside and shovel the driveway. Last, I'll dig out my truck and Belle."

I watch him walk over to the sink to place his mug and dish in before returning to me.

"Mike sent a text letting me know they would be heading up around 9."

I am ecstatic at the thought of seeing my best friend for the first time since her wedding.

"Excited?" Cole's eyes lovingly rove my face.

"So excited," A wide grin stretches my face, and I get up to bring my dishes to the sink. "It's been too long since I've seen Mel and Mike."

"They're excited to see you too. Or should I say," he grins, and his eyes fill with a teasing glint, "your cookies."

"Hey!" I scrunch my nose and scowl at him.

"I'm teasing! I know Mel is dying to see you." He grabs my waist from behind and gently squeezes me, just as I put my dishes on top of his in the sink.

"When you went shopping, did you get everything I needed to make them?" I ask, facing him and resting my hands on his chest.

Cole chuckles. "As if Mel was going to let me miss any of the ingredients for the recipe. I think there may have been a threat to my life if I did."

"Sounds like Mel," I chuckle. "I'll wash the dishes and head outside to help you."

"You don't have to do that. It's cold out."

"I know I don't," I gently push against his stomach. " But I want to."

"Do you have any winter gear here?" Concern lines his face. "There's at least a foot of snow, higher in some other spots because of the drifts."

"Mel should have everything I need to be warm. I'll give her a call and see."

He shrugs and kisses me on my forehead. "If you insist."

I grab his shirt and pull him close before he can walk away. "I insist."

My eyes land on his lips, and I watch them curl at the corners before he lowers his head and touches his lips to mine. The kiss reminds me of the first sip of hot chocolate. It is a warm, loving goodness that leaves you waiting for the next sip.

He takes my hand from his chest, turns it over, and kisses my palm before smiling at me, leaving me like a marshmallow floating in the hot drink.

"Sounds good." He drops my hand and heads to the front door, but not before yelling, "can you add a log to the fire before you head out?"

"Anything for you, dear!" A crooked grin lands on my face.

"Thank you! Wait!" His head pops back through the side of the kitchen entry. "Did you just call me ‘ dear'?"

I turn back to the dishes and shrug. His laughter rings out through the house.

I hear the door open.

"I'll see you outside," and then a pause. "Honey."

A wide smile crosses my lips, and I shake my head as the door closes. He knows how much I hate to be called ‘honey.' I know how much he hates being called ‘dear. '

Let the games begin.