Page 154 of How My Neighbour Stole Christmas
Ever since Taran came home and saw that Storee didn’t do anything that she’d asked—because Storee was doing me—Taran has been on her case about the lights and about practicing for the caroling portion of the competition. Hence, she hasn’t been able to sneak away.
But something has to change because, yeah, I’m tense and I don’t want to lose the momentum we have. I don’t want to lose her as Christmas approaches.
“I’m not tense,” I lie to Max. “Just focused.”
“Uh-huh, focused, is that what they’re calling it these days?”
“What are you talking about?” I ask as I turn to look at him.
“You think I don’t see what’s been happening?” he whispers. “You’re abandoning me for her.”
Jesus.
Christ.
“Please tell me you’re not serious,” I deadpan.
“And this is exactly why I didn’t want to bring it up,” he says, crossing his arms. “I knew you were just going to brush me off and act like it’s nothing. Well, it’s something to me.” He points to his chest. “You didn’t even practice with me on this candy cane-making stuff. How can I be a good holly jolly sidekick if I don’t know what I’m doing? Fortunately for you, even though you abandoned me, I won’t treat you the same way. I had a private lesson with Jefferson Chadwick myself after calling in a favor.”
“You…what? You did?”
“Yes.” He crosses his arms again. “I did. And I learned everything we need to know to win this competition—something I feel like you’ve forgotten about.”
“Hold on,” I say, holding up my hand. “When did you become so invested in winning?”
“I’m invested because you’re invested.”
I shake my head. “Not buying it. What’s going on?”
“Nothing,” Max says defiantly.
“Tell me.”
“There’s nothing going on,” he repeats.
“Atlas,” I say, using his real name, which I very rarely do. “Tell me.”
The real name does it. He sighs and then leans against the wall behind him. “I ran into Dwight Yokel on the farm, and he was making fun of us for being in third, and I didn’t appreciate the criticism.”
“Dwight Yokel?” I say, unimpressed. “Max, that guy has been trying to get under your skin since high school, and you’re letting him.”
“Yeah, I am, so get your head out of Storee’s cleavage and let’s win this thing.”
“First of all, don’t degrade her like that, and second of all, just because we’re actually seeing each other, that doesn’t take away from me trying to still win this—”
I pause just as I catch Storee walking through the door, with Taran pushing Cindy in her wheelchair. Storee is wearing a red cropped jacket that shows off a pair of high-waisted jeans. Her hair is pulled back into two braids, and she has matching red lips which are calling out to me.
I want to see that color rubbed all across my dick.
I wet my lips when she makes eye contact with me, her eyes traveling over my green-and-black flannel and then back up to my face. She offers me a wink and I swear I can feel my heartbeat in my throat.
“Uh…you were saying something about not getting distracted,” Max says while leaning in close to me.
“Yes,” I say as I turn away from Storee and focus on Max. “We’re still going to win this.”
“Uh-huh, and when we’re making candy canes, are you going to be able to keep your eyes off her? Because sorry to say but that shirt she’s wearing is pretty low-cut.”
I look over my shoulder and my mouth waters at the sight of said shirt. Fuck me. She’s unzipped her jacket to reveal a square neckline that cuts low to her breasts, the green color looking beautiful against her skin. Andwith the way she has it tucked in, showing off her curvy frame…yup, I’d have no problem asking her out after this. Maybe I should, as a fake date for the town but a real date between the two of us.
