I smirk down at her. “This is the song you played on the drive up here.”
“Right. Look at you now, moving in time,” Noelle replies, and she moves her waist in a one-two count.
I look up and realize everyone is dancing. My parents, Ollie and Tillie, and Liam and Tessa.
This feels like a family who like each other. My father teases Ollie about not having any rhythm, and Ollie begins to dance even worse.
Seeing my parents happy and my brother, a part of me feels pleased. All because of this woman that I am holding in my arms. I press my cheek against the top of her head.
“Thank you for this,” I mutter.
Noelle pulls back and stares up at me. “More like thank you. This is amazing.”
The song comes to an end, and then I hear…
“Chapter Eighteen. Axel. As I lean her over the counter, I kneel and lick her sweet, juicy—”
I see the panic in Noelle’s eyes. She jumps out of my arms and rushes past my parents to her phone.
“My God, Axel, fuck me.” With the Bose sound system, the audiobook is clear and crisp.
My parents watch me, and I look at Noelle trying to get her phone to stop. With shaking hands, she tries to stop the audiobook.
“You have the most delicious tasting, cun—” In blind panic Noelle hurls the phone on to the marble floor. There is a heavy crack and it goes quiet.
She looks up, pulling at her fingers. “I am so sorry; that was an audiobook.”
My mother chuckles. “Is that E.L. Howard?”
Noelle holds back a laugh and nods. “Yes. I am so sorry.”
My mother shakes her head. “Child, hush; it’s a good book. Plus, the men in this room can learn a lesson from Axel.”
I laugh. “No, I am good, thanks.”
“Listen to your mother, boy. I read it to her, and it was a—”
Liam sticks his fingers in his ears. “LALALA. We don’t need to know.”
With Tillie’s help, we get back the music. Noelle forgets our dance, and she sits with my mother and Tillie talking, and from the way they are giggling, it was about that book.
Music, drinks, food, and laughter…this was turning out to be a great Christmas.
Chapter six
RULE #5: Control the room; control yourself.
NOELLE
Minutes turned into days. I guess that happens when you are having fun, and I am having an amazing time. Roman is not as stuffy as he was when we first arrived. He is smirking more. I thought he and Liam would be at odds, but they are good together.
Tessa is trying to get Roman’s attention. Interestingly enough, he is paying her little. Ollie and Tillie are my new best friends. The thing that worries me is the longing I see in Elizabeth’s eyes when she stares at Roman.
There is something going on with them. I wish they would resolve whatever it is for Elizabeth’s sake.
This morning, we are all piling in the car. Well, all except Elizabeth, Tessa, and Liam. They will be discussing weddingstuff with their planner. With the fun I am having, I almost forget that there is a wedding that I have to attend with Roman.
Today, we are going downtown to the Christmas market. Why? Well, Tillie informed me that tonight is ugly sweater and gag gifts night. It’s like a small competition, boys vs girls.
