CHAPTER ONE
Nash
No one would guessthat I loved Christmas. At least not when first meeting me.
In the small town I lived in, the rumors pinned me as a grumpy, cold guy who liked to be left alone.
Did I try to change it?
Nope.
Because I did like to be left alone. Besides my group of buddies, I played cards with or shot hoops with, I kept to myself. My online business kept me busy, and I enjoyed fixing up my old cabin.
But honestly? I loved Christmas.
While I didn’t decorate a bunch, I liked the peaceful quietness of the season. I enjoyed seeing family and friends and giving gifts.
And what I loved most? Drinking a cup of coffee by the twinkly lights of the tree.
So why did any of this matter?
Because last month, a woman moved into the cabin across the street. A woman who apparently loved Christmas. Let me explain.
It had been vacant for months, repairs slowly being done on it, when finally, a for rent sign was placed out front.
Of course, the sexiest woman I’d ever seen rented the place. Her curves went on for days and long chestnut waves hung down her back. My imagination ran wild with what she might look like up close, or smell like, or hell even taste like.
I had yet to catch her in passing, but not for lack of trying. A part of me begged me to go knock on her door, to put myself out of the misery I’d created, but instead I wondered about her from across the street.
That was until her Christmas decorations came out to play.
I watched her from my kitchen window, coffee mug in hand, as she strung light strand after light strand, wrapped them around trees and bushes, and set up figurines on the lawn. She hung icicles from tree branches and stuck signs in the ground, turning her front yard into a magical Christmas wonderland.
She loved Christmas.
Something inside me shifted.
And it was on that day, I knew that woman was something special. Now I needed to knowwhy.
Dodgingher for the past month was over. And while I couldn’t explain it if I tried, besides seeing she obviously loved Christmas, the fierce need to meet her took over my thoughts, all-consuming and pulling me under.
Before I could talk myself out of it, I pulled on my boots, jacket, hat, and gloves, and walked out my side door, down my driveway, not stopping until I reached her fence.
“Nice decorations, neighbor.”
The woman visibly jumped, dropping the light up candy cane from her gloved hands. A hand flew to her chest, and she gasped. “Shit. You scared me.”
“Sorry. I was admiring your decorations from my window, and I wanted to come over and introduce myself. I figured it was time we met. Name is Nash.” I held out a hand, and she placed hers in mine. Tingles ran up my arm-how?Our skin didn’t touch.
Imagine if it had…
“Aubrey. Nice to finally meet you neighbor. I figured you’d introduce yourself when you were ready to.”
“When I was ready to? So, I take it you heard the town lore about me.”
Her cheeks flushed, and she looked away quickly before returning her eyes to mine. “No…I didn’t mean…”
I scowled, but a laugh took over, one I couldn’t hold back. “Relax, it’s okay. I know the reputation I have. But keeping to yourself doesn’t necessarily mean you’re a grump. I wish people understood that.”
