I preferred to stand outside the revelry and keep an eye on things.
Noelle stopped beside Ash, and his conversation shifted to immediately include Noelle.
Even when I didn’t look at her, I felt her presence, sensed her mood.
Pink infused her cheeks, and she waved a hand to fan her face.
Ash caught her when she took a step toward the tree and almost tipped right into its branches.
My lips quirked, my amusement spiking.
I could watch her all day, every day and never grow bored or tired.
She finished the second mug in an impressively short time and patted Ash on the shoulder on her way back to the bar.
With a third drink in hand, she locked eyes with me and headed my way.
My traitorous heart skipped a beat.
I crossed my arms, but no amount of leave-me-alone was going to convince Noelle to do shit once she made a decision.
She walked right into my space and tipped the drink to her lips.
Her throat dipped in a swallow, and she held the mug toward me. “Why aren’t you joining the festivities?”
“I like to watch.”
Her eyes narrowed, that wonderful brain of hers spinning to figure out if I meant more than what I said.
She knew I did. “I’ve noticed that. But partaking is half the fun.” She leaned toward me and almost lost her balance again.
“You know the drinks are spiked, right?” I worried about her in our environment.
No one here would dare to lay a finger on her. But she could unintentionally hurt herself. “There’s alcohol in the eggnog.” I tried again when she shrugged and took another healthy swig of eggnog.
“It’s good.” She placed a hand on my chest. “You’re so warm.” A sigh parted her lips. “Me too, but I think it’s the booze. I’m a little woo-hoo.”
She swirled her cup around in a circle, causing the creamy liquid to slosh up the sides. “I like it. And I like you.”
One finger poked me in the center of my chest. “You’re the only one I haven’t had alone spicy time with. Why is that?”
She tried to pout, but with her rickety balance and glassy eyes, it took all her effort to stay upright.
“I guess I’ve been busy.”
She walked her fingers up my chest and over the edge of my jaw. “Too busy for me? That’s a shame. I’dreallylike to spend quality time with you, Bishop.”
She stared hard into my eyes, and for a minute, I almost pushed aside the fact that she was drunk off her ass.
She kissed the underside of my jaw and pressed her body to mine.
I wrapped an arm around her waist to keep her from toppling sideways.
She grinned like that had been the plan all along. “Isn’t thereanythingyou’d prefer to do instead of watch?”
Oh, I could think of plenty. “You’re adorable when you’re drunk.”
“Not drunk.” She tsked and ticked her finger back and forth under my nose.
