Donna pops three into her mouth before closing the box and putting it in her purse. “The other box is for him, isn’t it?”
I pick up the blue-wrapped box and feel like a fool, but then I return it under the tree.
“If he said he’ll return, then he’ll return. What did you get him?”
“A key to this house. I guess I got ahead of myself.”
When she pulls me in for a hug, I let the tears flow. “I miss him so much. Why didn’t I go with him?”
“Because you have a life here. There was no right or wrong choice.”
“But staying here without him feels wrong.”
“Let’s make some hot chocolate, start a fire, and talk smack about the guys in the office for a while. That will get your mind off your alien.”
I force a smile. “Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine. You need to get back to Max, get him under some mistletoe.”
Donna’s face lights. “You sure?”
“Most definitely.” After another hug, Donna heads out, leaving me to close the door and sit in an empty house, staring at my tree and garland. All the joy of Christmas is gone without Nikkov. I can’t help thinking I’d rather be up there in space with my blue Santa….
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
NOELLE
Arustling noise jerks me awake. One look around and I remember I’m safe at home, in my own bed no longer playing the role of traitor. The clock on the wall stares at me. It’s two a.m. Christmas has come and gone and no Nikkov. I shouldn’t feel so disappointed, but I am. He said he’d return. For as much as I know better than to believe guys who make promises, I was sure Nikkov was different.
I snuggle back under my blankets, hoping to dream about him and a perfect universe where we didn’t live lightyears away from one another.
A banging against my window spurs me to jump up and grab the knife from my nightstand. Foolish me, I haven’t brought my backup gun up to my bedroom. It’s in the kitchen where I was oiling it earlier.
As soon as my eyes adjust to the dark, I spot a rope hanging by the window… which is wide open.
And someone’s standing behind me.
I spin and swing outward with my knife, stopped by an iron-grip clamping down on my wrist and expertly disarming me.
“This is not how I envisioned our next meeting, sholani.”
“Nikkov!”
Strong arms wrap around me, making me whole again.
“I tried coming down the chimney, but it’s hot, from a fire. At first I thought this is what humans do if they do not wish Santa entering their homes, but then I realized my sholani is cold without me to warm her.”
I chuckle as I hug him harder. “You could have come through the front door.”
“You were quite clear that Santa enters houses from above. And I’m quite good with ropes.”
“You’re giving me ideas, Nikkov. Naughty ones.”
His hand squeezes my ass. “Naughty can be very, very nice.”
“Yes it can.” I settle into his embrace and simply enjoy having him here. There will be plenty of time to work out how nice or naughty he likes it, at least I hope so.
I’m shivering from the cold, so Nikkov closes the window. When he turns around, he’s wearing a Santa hat. “Am I too late to celebrate Christmas with you?”
“Having you here…” I throw my arms around him again. “I’ve wished for nothing else. This is a perfect Christmas!” That elicits that devilish smile of his.
