Chapter Four

Drake

For hours, Wynter Brody has been moving around the library like she owns the place, her red curls bouncing with every step. She’s all sunshine and sparkles, while I’m... well, I’m a storm cloud.

She’s invaded my sanctuary, and I’m honestly not sure how I feel about it. While my brain is trying to figure out what’s happening, she has my hormones on screech. Everywhere she goes, I can’t stop following her every move like some love-struck idiot.

“Merry Christmas, young man. I can’t wait for the festival.” Mr. Abernathy slides his book returns across the counter. “It’s going to be a very Merry Christmas this year, Drake. Very merry indeed. Have yourself a good day.” He winks.

“You, too.” I wave.

As the door closes behind him, I realize I didn’t return his festive greeting. Oh well, holiday cheer is not my thing anyway. Hell, I’ve never really had a Christmas. My childhood wasn’t filled with twinkling, decorated trees and tons of presents or even the warmth of family gathered around a fire. It was foster homes, one after the other. Always barely scraping by, just keeping my head down and trying not to get noticed in the wrong way. Christmas was just another day. Sometimes worse than others, depending on whose house I was trapped in.

Wynter’s voice pulls me back from my thoughts. “Drake, do you think we should hang lights around all the bookshelves, or is that too much?”

Too much? It’s all too much. The thought of turning my quiet, orderly library into a Christmas explosion makes my skin itch, but I can’t bring myself to say no to her. Not when she’s looking at me with those bright, hopeful eyes.

“Uh…” I clear my throat, trying to sound like I’m still in control of this situation. “Lights around the shelves could work as long as you don’t damage anything.”

She gives me a smile that lights up her whole face, and damn, I feel my chest tighten. What is it about her? It’s like she’s got this...power over me. And why does she make everything seem brighter just by being here?

“Perfect!” Wynter claps her hands, practically bouncing in place. “I knew you’d come around, Drake.”

I raise an eyebrow. “Come around? I didn’t realize I’d gone anywhere.”

She laughs softly, shaking her head. “Oh, you’re going places. Just you wait.”

Her words hang in the air, and I wonder if she means more than just decorating the library. But before I can say anything, she moves past me, accidentally brushing my arm lightly with hers. It’s a slight touchbutsends a jolt through me, like static electricity.

“You know,” I say, leaning against a nearby bookshelf, “you haven’t even asked me how I feel about all this Christmas chaos in here. What if I say no to more decorations?”

Wynter stops mid-step and turns, giving me a smirk. “Drake, you already triedto say no to me. And that didn’t work. Besides, I’ve started my decorating process, and I know you couldn’t say no to me now even if you tried.”

I narrow my eyes. “Is that so?”

“Mmmm-hmm.” She crosses her arms, tilting her head. “I’ve seen the way you look at me.”

I feel heat crawl up my neck, but I keep my voice steady. “And how’s that?”

“Like you’re just waiting for an excuse to join in the holiday fun,” she says, stepping closer. Her voice drops slightly, teasing. “Or maybe you’re just waiting for an excuse to be close to me.”

My mouth goes dry, but I refuse to let her see that she’s rattling me. I straighten up, stepping forward, closing the space between us. “What makes you think I need an excuse?”

Her blue eyes widen slightly, and I catch her gaze as it drops to my mouth before snapping back up to my eyes.

She swallows, and for the first time, I think I may have thrown her off balance. But it doesn’t last long. She straightens her shoulders, then flashes me a wicked grin. “Careful, Mr. Hudson. You might just end up enjoying yourself this Christmas.”

I chuckle low, shaking my head. “I don’t think you know what you’re getting into with me.”

“Oh?” Her eyebrows lift, and there’s a spark in her eyes now—something mischievous, something daring. “Is that a challenge?”

“Maybe.” My pulse speeds up at the way she’s looking at me like she’s daring me.

“Well then,” she bats her lashes. “I’ll just have to make sure I win.”

I open my mouth, trying to come up with a witty reply, but before I can dig something intelligent from the recesses of my hormone-flooded brain, she turns on her heel, leaving me standing there like an idiot. Watching her hips sway as she walks away, I realize she’s right.

I couldn’t say no to her if I tried.