Chapter 6

Six

Evie

T he snowfall turned from solid sheets to a light flurry and I give up a little prayer of gratitude Gabriel is better at driving in snow than I am. Only with the power of a Christmas miracle do we manage to drive the remaining ten miles to a tiny town off the interstate.

"Christmas, Michigan," I whispered softly.

Gabriel killed the fire back at the rundown hotel, motel, murderers-r-us whatever while I packed the few things we brought in with us and we both agreed if we managed to make it this far we would either hole up in the truck, or if a Christmas miracle happened and we found a decent room in a non-creepy backwoods motel, we would wait out the storm there. As far as I was concerned, I could stay right here in the truck, wrap myself around Gabriel and stare at Christmas lights until I couldn't stay awake any longer.

I'd also go for a bed because I wanted to find out what it would be like to see such a mountain of a man beneath me.

Honestly, I never wanted to leave the place.

Every passing twinkle light and decorated shrub had my face plastered to the window trying to take it all in. I probably looked like a ten-year-old with how I couldn't stop smiling.

They had roads with names like Silent Night Drive and Santa Lane, I kid you not. Plastic Santas, sleighs, and bows decorated everything.

Umm, a little secret not many knew about me—not even my father— was I loved Christmas. Yeah, like, goofy sweaters, matching pajamas, holiday parties, deck the house in a million lights kind of love.

Gabriel slid a look my way. "You like what you see?"

I knew I wore a grin that touched each ear, so why he needed to ask I have no clue. "HA! Try love. Christmas is my favorite holiday."

A shocked look flashed over Gabriel's expression. "Really?"

"Yep, only I never got a chance to live out my dreams of sharing my love for the holiday. Can't exactly decorate a private jet or hotel room on the years I traveled with him and on the years Dad was never around." I shrugged. "Not fun when going solo and my mom, well, you know."

"Yeah, I'm sorry, baby. She would have loved seeing you this happy. That pretty smile on your face. I know I do." Gabriel reached out and stroked a thumb over my cheek when my smile dipped at the memory of my mother.

She passed away shortly after I was born due to complications and it was just me and my dad ever since. Or more like, me, nannies, tutors and my dad stopping in long enough to sign the checks. Don't get me wrong, I loved him more than anything in the world. He cared for me, only in his own way. But for tonight, I shrugged away the sad memories and focused on the here and now.

I took Gabriel's hand in mine and soaked in all the glittery lights and festivities I could. Tens of people paid no attention to the snow. They bustled about, smiles on their faces and packages tucked under their arms.

"Oh, look. They're getting ready for a party."

"A tree lighting," he offered warmly.

I arched a brow. "You speak as if you know."

"You could say that."

"Wanna go?"

"Maybe. First food. Mayor Johnson tends to be a little long-winded for how cold it is outside tonight. But we can see it from where we are going."

I turned to the side window when we eased down Mistletoe Lane before coming to a stop outside a cute bakery with garland and all sorts of decorations blinking from the front.

"I swear, If I'd known this place was here all this time I would have totally found a hotel here instead of back at the Mystique. Honestly, because of who my father is I have to keep up this persona. It's all a never-ending game really." I pursed my lips. "About how I talked to you back at the hotel. Yeah, that's not really who I am. I'm not some brat. I've just been playing this part to fit in for so long I've kind of adopted this preppy college kid vibe."

Beside me, Gabriel reached out and settled a hand on my thigh, and I immediately felt a jolt of heat bloom from my center and feed into my whole body.

"It all worked out. I have no regrets of slinging you over my shoulder."

I turned as red as the bathing suit I still wore under my warmer clothes.

"And I'm glad you like the town. I come here every year so it's grown on me."

I sat back. "You do?"

Gabriel climbed out of the truck and pulled me across the expansive seat with him,

"Creamed Pie Bakery?" I asked, unable to hold back a small laugh when I looked up at the pretty red and white sign. "After what you did to me back at the hotel I should have known you would bring me to a place like this," I teased, falling into his open arms, snow catching in our hair.

We're tucked behind the truck door so I give a throaty forbidden moan when he slid a hand past the band of my pants to grip my ass cheek. "You don't like pie? Would you rather we go somewhere else?"

"Tough questions to answer. Yes, and yes please." Just then my stomach gave another gurgling plea for food. "Or how about I let the dinner bill speak for me in an hour as to how much I love pie and we can leave the other question open?"

He chuckled, holding the door open. "Challenge accepted."

Fifteen minutes later we had a slice of everything you could imagine spread out before us. The traditional pumpkin, with a creamy whipped topping, apple, coconut, and even ones made out of pineapple and sweet potato. That one I had seconds of and then stole Gabriel's when he switched to the apple.

"Shall we order another round?" His left hand has taken up a permanent spot on my right thigh, and it felt nice sitting there in silence just being for once. No preppy boys to shoo off or girls to play up my snotty too-good-for-anything-and-anyone attitude. Honestly, working to fit in got tiresome real fast.

"I don't think I can but yes. We can take it with us. And ask for whipped cream to go, maybe?" I wiggled my brow and he read my intentions instantly.

"Dirty girl," Gabriel hissed and squeezed my thigh.

He hooked my leg and dragged it over his lap. I gasp around a mouthful of cream when I felt his huge fucking cock pulsating against my thigh.

I felt the heat of his hunger through the cotton of my sweats and I'm ready to ask for the check.

We're sitting in a corner booth a little out of sight from the rest of the late-night crowd coming in to warm up, so I'm not entirely surprised when his hand grazed up and stroked over the V between my legs.

"Gabriel," I half moaned, half-whispered when what I wanted to do was find that room and see how his cock tasted covered in whipped cream.

His eyes locked on mine and suddenly I'm drowning in anticipation for the dark promises he had in store for me.

"It's Christmas Eve," I purr softly. "And you've already opened your present. How about we go and see if the second time feels just as good."

His lips moved over the soft skin of my neck, sending a shiver of anticipation through me. "It's better, baby. So much better. I promise."

"Lies. You'll need to prove it."

The second the words left my lips a deep, animalistic sound rumbled through him.

My gaze dipped to his pants and I fight the girl inside me screaming how wrong it is to do this in public, but I have to. I need to feel just how aroused he is for me.

I cup my hand over his shaft and stroke him through the thin material of his slacks.

"Damn, do that again, just like that baby."

From my peripheral I noticed customers coming and going, waitresses bustling over pie and coffee to nearby tables. All never turn an eye to us.

I stroked him again, knowing the head of his cock was covered in hot sticky precum and ready to claim my body.

Mmm...he's hard. So fucking hard and I don't want to waste this moment. Who knows when I'll see him again.

"Honestly, I don't see how you can make anything better than the first given how my soul graced cloud nine already." My voice is quiet but his expression turned dark and like I personally issued a challenge he could never turn down.

Mission accomplished. I wanted to pat myself on the back.

My eager pussy clenched with desire to have him deep inside me and dripped so much hot liquid I could feel a wet spot between my legs.

Strong fingers buried in my long hair, and I opened for him when his lips brushed over mine. He growled into my mouth, his thumb tracing small circles over my tummy.

He broke away, leaving me with a flash of heat so hot I had a hard time catching my breath. "Later. We better stop or I might fuck you on the diner table and then what would the townspeople think of us?"

"You'd definitely scare a few people," I offered with a light chuckle, knowing he was right.

To my left, I caught a flicker of something and I grabbed Gabriel's hand, turning in the overly large booth. "Look, you were right! We can see it!" A massive tree flared to life with every Christmas color imaginable, dazzling a crowd of people crowding around.

"It's as magical as you are, my Ice Princess." His arms tightened around me, and I loved how easily he slipped a hand beneath my fluffy coat to caress overheated skin. I really should take off the coat, but I didn't have time to find a bra so I grabbed my bikini top, sweatpants, Uggs and here we are. We already got enough looks from the waitresses with how he looked in a suit, I didn't want to add to it.

For the first time in my life, I didn't care about preppy clothes and making sure I fit in. I was happy just being me and it felt freeing.

I turned in his arms. "Why do you keep calling me that? Okay, I was less than welcoming when you first showed up at my hotel, but I think I've proven I warm up nicely," I offered with a coy smile.

"You do a lot of things nicely, Evie," he growled low. Fiery sparks flickered in his dark eyes.

"I call you ice princess because you look beautiful with snow in your dark hair and this fluffy coat on."

"Mr. Dyson, it's good to see you." A stout man with pudgy cheeks colored red from the cold he just walked in from, came to an abrupt stop in front of our booth and extended a hand to Gabriel.

Gabriel turned, his famous scowl slipping into place a second before recognition took over.

"Calvin," Gabriel nodded.

"We weren't expecting you until next week. We can go back to the office if you like, go over the books. We have everything in order for you."

I'm sure I looked puzzled because Gabriel tapped my nose and winked. "By the way, welcome to my little bakery, Ice Princess."

My mouth fell open.

His? Huh. So my bodyguard/gopher/daddy's best friend liked pies as much as I did.

"Not at all, Calvin. It's Christmas Eve. Go home, spend it with your family. We can catch up after the new year." Gabriel turned a stunning smile my way. "I have other plans for the last weeks of the year."

Calvin nodded and moved to walk away when Gabriel called out. "Oh, before you go. Do you know if there's any vacancy open down at the Claus House?"

"I'm sorry, Mr. Dyson. With all the people in town to see the tree lighting…" he paused. "I'll do you one better, though." The older man's face lit up like he had a secret to share.

Ten minutes later we stood in the middle of our own little apartment overlooking the town's square and our extra pie in hand.

Deep down, I'm not overly picky but the last place was not how I wanted to spend Christmas. This place was a huge upgrade, one I'm grateful for.

"Wow, this would have been nice a few hours ago," I murmured close to Gabriel's ear, and he only angled a side-eye my way.

"I was preparing this place for you knowing the bed and breakfast would be filled. Sorry I've only gotten as far as loading some firewood and putting clean sheets on the bed. I was going to have a fresh coat of paint and some flowers brought up, maybe a tree. Oh, and here's the extra pie and cream you asked for. I?—"

Gabriel took the package and cut the man's rambling with a hand to his shoulder. "It's perfect, Calvin. Go home, see the family. Spend time with them. There will be plenty of time to go over the books later and thank you. We might be up for doing the tree tomorrow. Sound good?"

It was surreal to see a bear of a man like Gabriel be so gentle. I never considered him someone who cared for people outside of it being a job. Come to think about it, that might be more reflective of me than of him. Maybe I adopted the bratty attitude more than I thought. Something I needed to change.

Either way, I don't know why I never saw the softer side of him before today, but now that I have, I wanted to know more. Like what he dreamed about at night, what his favorite pie was, did he want kids? A family? The whole nine yards?

Gabriel showed the man out and the second we were alone those dark eyes of his pinned me to the center of the room and I couldn't move if I wanted.

"Gabriel," I squeaked, a wash of heat overcoming me instantly.

"What else do you own around here?" I tried, suddenly a little nervous with the depth of hunger in his eyes.

He stalked forward, whipped cream in hand, paying no mind to my question.

He had a plan.