Page 8 of Naughty Noelle
She turns. “In there?” She glances down at herself, still covered by my jacket. “In this?”
I shrug. There’s no help for it. I couldn’t stop by her apartment, and she needs some stuff. “I’d prefer not to be too long, but you need some essentials.”
We get out of the car, and she stretches. At least there aren’t too many people here this early, but her outfit is going to raise some eyebrows, especially here where the customers look to be seniors and people getting an early start to the day. I shake out my jacket and drape it around her.
Inside, I’m accosted by more Christmas music and large inflatable decorations. I should be at my cabin already, surrounded by snow and silence.
Instead, I’m following a curvy, red-headed elf into the seventh circle of hell as she walks right past the snowsuits and into an aisle filled with stuffed toys gyrating to “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree”.
I wince and plunge after her, trying to block out the noise. I distract myself by trying to catch a glimpse of her peach-perfect butt, but alas, it’s covered by my jacket. I shouldn’t even think about her in that way. Henry wants me to protect her, not lust after her.
“What kind of Christmas décor do you have at your cabin?” She turns her big, baby blues up at me, those long, dark eyelashes fluttering. She puts a finger to her cheek, tapping as she considers. “Is it après ski? Lots of Nordic influence? Or maybe country Christmas, with lots of rustic wood pieces?”
“I don’t have any.”
Her eyes widened. “What?”
I shrug. “It’s just another day and I’ll head to see my family just before New Year’s, so I don’t bother.”
“Just another day?” Disbelief colors her words. “Christmas isn’t just another day, and it’s not just one day either. It’s the anticipation of all the days leading up to it. Decorating, listening to Christmas music, watching all of those cheesy Christmas movies, eating all the holiday baking.”
I reach out taking her arm. “Alright, I get it. You love Christmas. But it’s just not my thing. Now can we please get you a few things so we can be on our way?”
Noelle looks down to where I’m holding her arm. I’m not squeezing her, hell I’m not even touching bare skin, but there’s something there. Something palpable. Her gaze drifts back to mine and I should let go of her, but I don’t.
I’ve always been drawn to Noelle. I’ve always felt protective of her in a way that was easy to gloss over when she was younger – too young for me – because she was Henry’s little sister and he’s my best friend.
Of course, I was going to watch out for his family. But as she’s gotten older, that protective instinct grew to something more. An attraction I shouldn’t feel. I covered it up by being distant and aloof whenever she was around, and I know she sees me as nothing more than a giant wet blanket on her sparkly flame.
I drop her arm, telling myself I must be imagining the disappointment in her eyes. “Snowsuit,” I practically bark. “And I’m sorry it’s not Dior but it’s the best we’ve got.”
Noelle’s shoulders straighten. “Did I say anything? I’m not a designer snob either, but you always think the worst of me, don’t you?”
Heat crawls up the back of my neck. The Blacks have more money than they know what to do with, but they give plenty of it away and I’ve never known Henry to be a snob.
“I’ve been staying under the radar while at school and trying to live as normally as possible. I don’t have to worry about money, and I’m grateful for that, but I don’t take it for granted either,” she says stiffly.
“I’m sorry, Noelle.”
She looks at me in surprise. “Hiro Abbott apologizing? I thought you were always in the right?”
“Now who’s making assumptions? I’m sorry I implied you were a snob and I’m sorry for snapping at you.”
Noelle nods and looks away. “Thank you.”
I walk to stand in front in here. “When I’m wrong, I can admit it. But we do need to get moving and you will need some stuff to stay at my cabin.”
She purses her lips. “What am I supposed to do at your cabin for however long I’m there?”
I shrug. “You could have gone to Singapore.”
Her shoulders sag. “I’m like a puppy that someone has to take care of. Why doesn’t anyone see that I can take care of myself?”
I feel a momentary pang. If Noelle hadn’t been born a Black, she’d be able to forge her own path and twenty-two is certainly old enough to make her own decisions.
The Black name might come with a lot of opportunity, but it also comes with its own unique restrictions. For several years, the Black kids lived in a gilded cage.
Noelle rubs her eyes. “Look. I know you promised my brother you’d swoop in and save me from whatever it is I’m too young to know about this time, but I know you don’t like me, Hiro and I really can take care of myself.” She wraps my jacket tighter over her chest. “Why don’t you just take me to a hotel where I can have room service and watch Christmas movies until Henry can come and collect me.”
