The 6'1" Grinch (11 page)
February 14
“B
UT THE STORES
are closed,” Hollie said as Noel pulled into the parking lot of the posh mall where the new store he was opening was located.
“I know,” Noel replied as they sat there outside the south end of the mall, the engine of his luxury car purring. “But I have a key to the store.”
“You mean you have to work? I thought we were going to celebrate Valentine's Day.” There was a hint of a sulk in her voice.
“I'm not working. Everything is ready for tomorrow's grand opening. But before the store opens in the morning, I thought the two of us could celebrate my favorite holiday here with plenty of privacy.”
“Not an easy thing to find at ten-thirty on a Friday night, I agree,” Hollie said, warming to the idea.
“Well, you were the one who had to work late writing up a contract for a client. Tonight was one of my early nights. But that was okay, because it gave me time to set this up.”
“Set what up?”
“You'll see.”
Hollie was giddy with excitement as Noel escorted her into the closed mall. There was something sexy and exciting about their clandestine entry into the upscale department store he was opening. He had overseen every detail of the store until it was perfect.
“Come on,” he said, tugging her along when she would have lingered to look at every little thing. She and Sarah had been more likely to haunt flea markets and tag sales than do posh shopping. The only big purchase she'd made recently was the new car she'd bought using the commission check as a down payment.
Noel had been introducing her to a whole new world since they'd begun dating at Christmas. A world she'd known existed, of course, but one she'd not really had access to. It was sort of like a fairy tale. One with a happy ending. Noel had been talking about marriage, and although they were both scared, they were in love.
“You really did set this up,” Hollie said when they stopped at the fine jewelry counter and a bottle of chilled champagne and two glasses were set out on a tray, waiting for them.
“I told you it was my favorite holiday,” Noel said. The store was decorated with splashes of red to draw the eye to special displays and offers for the grand opening.
He went behind the counter and played host, pouring champagne into the two glasses after a showy pop of the cork and the bubbly flow of champagne, which he'd caught with a towel.
“To us,” he said, offering her a glass.
She giggled at the bubbles that tickled her nose when she took a sip.
“Remember what happened the last time we had champagne,” she warned.
“I was hoping you did. Only this time I've locked up all the curling irons,” he teased.
“Noel!”
“It's okay. I'm as good as new, no permanent damage done. The doctor gave me the Î-OK yesterday.”
“Good news,” she toasted.
“See anything you like?” he asked, grinning.
She leaned over the counter and pulled him toward her with his tie. “Yeah, sweetie, you.”
“I meant in a solitaireâ¦.”
“Ohâ” She paused in her lean to kiss him, then looked down at the case. “You mean?”
“You are going to make an honest man of me, aren't you?”
She let go of his tie and gave the case of diamond engagement rings some serious consideration.
“Pick any one you want,” he said.
“For tonight or to keep?” she asked, gazing up at him to see his true intention.
“If I give you an engagement ring, I mean for you never to take it off.” She trusted the love she saw in his eyes.
Returning her attention to the rings, she pointed to a square-cut stone in a simple setting. He took it out and slipped it on her finger.
“It fits,” she squealed with delight.
“Now, take your time, make sure. You can try on other rings.”
“Not me,” she assured him. “When something fits, I know it. This is the one.”
“Come on,” he said, grabbing her hand.
“Where to?”
“You'll see.” He took her over to the escalator and they went upstairs to the bridal department.
“You don't expect me to pick out a wedding dress tonight, do you?”
“No. I have a surprise for you.
“Sit down here,” he instructed, indicating a plush ottoman. “Close your eyes and I'll be right back with it.”
As she sat there with her eyes closed, she wondered what Noel was up to. The past weeks had shown her that he was a true romantic beneath his dark, brooding looks.
“Keep your eyes closed,” he said when he returned with her surprise.
She heard him kneel before her. Then heard the rustle of tissue as he opened a box.
“What is it?” she coaxed.
“Just put your foot here on my knee,” he instructed, lifting it there. He then slipped off her pump and gently massaged her foot a moment.
“My surprise is a foot massage?” she guessed. “Not that I'm complainingâdon't stop.”
But he did stop to slip on another shoe.
“You can open your eyes now.”
When she did, tears formed in the corners of her eyes. “They're beautiful,” she sniffed, staring at the wedding shoes he'd had made especially for her. They were white brocade, elaborately adorned with pearl beading and Austrian crystals.
“So you like them, then?”
“Like them? I love them. I'm going to have to keep them under lock and key when Elena comes over. They look like shoes made for a princess.”
“They were made for a princess,” he said, slipping the other shoe on. “While I'm on bended knee, there's something I want to ask you. Will you marry me, Hollie, and make all my Christmases merry?”
“Yes, I'll marry you, Noel. You may kiss your fiancée.”
He rose then from his kneeling position and made her very happy she'd said yes with a kiss fit for a princess wearing slippers that fit to perfection.
“Try walking to see if they feel okay,” he suggested.
“That way if there is a problem I can have themâ”
“No, it's bad luck to wear them before the wedding. They're fine. They feel wonderful.” She slipped them off, put them back in the tissue paper and closed the white box.
“Now, I have one last surprise for you,” Noel said, tucking the box beneath his arm and motioning for her to follow him.
She tagged after him until he stopped one floor up in the sporting goods department.
“Why are we stopping here?” she asked, puzzled.
“I thought we'd go camping.”
“Camping? I hate camping.”
“You'll like this. Trust me. I'm doing pretty good so far, aren't I?”
A lot better than pretty good. He was making magic. He was magic. He'd put her under a spell. One she didn't want to break.
But
camping?
He held out his hand for her.
And she said yes, unable to deny him.
He led her to an enclosed tent that was set up for display. It was the size of a large pup tent. Unzipping the flap, he motioned her inside.
She leaned forward and let out a gasp.
Inside the tent were red heart-shaped balloons blown up and floating. And a dish of chocolate-dipped strawberries on a little folding table. It was so romantic. She almost didn't hear the flap being closed when Noel ducked into the tent with her.
“Did you get any work done today?” she asked, reaching for a strawberry.
“I did this on the sly, just as the store closed. No one can ever find out. It's our little secret.”
“I'm not telling,” she said, savoring the chocolate-covered strawberry.
“Don't you think I deserve a little treat myself?” he asked, pulling her into his arms, kissing her a seductive let's-make-love-right-now kiss.
“You mean here?”
He murmured that he did.
“Now?”
He murmured that he did.
“Butâ”
“We're alone and it's raining outside. Don't you hear the rain on the tent? Doesn't it make you feel romantic?”
She did. And it did.
“Can't go camping in a tie,” she said, undoing the knot and removing the tie from around his neck.
“Or a jacket,” he said, pushing hers off her shoulders and letting it fall to the floor of the tent.
“I've been waiting weeks for this,” he said.
“You've been planning this for weeks?”
“Uh-huh. And waiting to heal.”
“You must be very frustrated.”
“Very.” He began undoing the vest she'd worn alone under the jacket, kissing her temples as he did so. When he had it unbuttoned, he pushed it aside and reached to free her breast from the cup of her bra, taking it full into his mouth, his tongue swirling over her nipple, making it bud into a pearl.
“This feels so wicked,” she said, her hands busy freeing the buckle of his belt.
“I know,” he answered, undoing the clasp at the front of her sheer blush bra so that he had access to the full playground.
She pulled his belt from the loops and dropped it to the floor, moaning at the caress of his hands and mouth on her as he eased her to the floor.
“I want you naked beneath me,” he said, earnestly undressing her, hurrying.
She was equally hot. Equally ready.
Equally frustrated.
Her hands moved to free him of his shirt, while he worked at his trousers, until they were both naked and entwined limb to limb, lips to lips, heart to heart.
She could feel him hard and insistent against her hip. His tongue was mimicking what he wanted, exploring her mouth with sweet promise.
“I can't wait any longer,” he rasped.
“Now,” she said, and he slid into her, just as they heard voices and froze.
“I think we'll set up right here, Jonathon. Is that all right with you, Mr. Baker?” said someone from outside.
“Damn.”
“What is it? Who are they?”
“It's the store manager. I completely forgot that channel five television was doing a spot for the news tonight about the grand opening.”
“You forgot!” she whispered, feeling herself flush all over beneath him.
“I was busy with other things on my mind,” he murmured, not moving a muscle.
Just then they heard another voice.
“This is Chriss Meyer with Channel Five at the new Bon Marché, which will open its doors in St. Louis tomorrow morning at ten o'clock. We're in the store now andâ”
Hollie felt Noel begin moving inside her.
“What are you doing?” she whispered into his ear, trying not to feel how good it felt. “Are you crazy?”
“I have to, Hollie.
I have to.”
“Noel!” she persisted, trying to still him.
“Just don't yell out my name or anything,” he said, as he ignored her efforts to stop him and began moving in full thrust. “Don't scream, or we'll be on the news at eleven.”
Hollie had to use all her willpower not to.
And it was worth every terrifying, thrilling second, as she heard Chriss continue talking in the background, describing the store, while she herself prayed that no one would decide to demonstrate the size of the tent and open the flap.
Noel finally collapsed after one last deep thrust that took them both over the top, with both of them holding their hands over each other's mouths.
“Happy Valentine's Day, sweetheart,” he murmured, breathless.
Hollie didn't answer. She was too busy planning to get even.
At Christmas.
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