Christmas Cancellation

10. NOELLE

Chapter ten

T he fire crackled loudly, as though it were trying to fill the heavy silence. I wasn’t about to get into all the things he might want to talk about—my life, my mistakes, and whatever emotional black hole I was currently orbiting. So instead, I decided to shift gears.

I pushed myself up using the edge of the sofa, trying to shake off the new awkwardness that had settled between us. I need to say something—anything—to change the subject. Kol remained quiet as I limped over to the tree in the corner. Aunt Mary had gone all out in her Christmas decorating, as always—she’d never done things halfway.

The fire burned steadily now, lighting up the space. I turned in a slow circle, finally taking in the full view of the room for the first time. It was like stepping into Santa’s workshop. Unlit string lights framed the windows, a nativity scene stood on a small table by the front door, and a collection of vintage nutcrackers stood at attention on a nearby shelf. An antique wooden sled decorated with a bright red ribbon leaned against the far wall. The couch was sprinkled with festive throw pillows, each one embroidered with holiday patterns. On another table, a bowl filled with candy canes and glittering ornaments sparkled in the firelight. The Christmas tree shimmered with dozens of beautiful, tasteful ornaments.

“Look, there’s an angel on the top of the tree,” I said, limping back toward the sofa. “Of course she’d have an angel. It’s perfect.”

Kol had gotten up and stacked another log onto the fire. He nodded as he secured the fire screen.

“It’s been years since I celebrated Christmas,” I said, the words slipping out before I could stop them. My throat tightened as soon as they left my mouth. Damn. The last thing I needed was to get sentimental tonight. Our conversation had swung wildly from playful to heavy, but I needed to bring it back to something simple. I wanted him to see me as more than just a train wreck—as someone he’d actually want to be with tonight. “But, yeah, anyway it’s a beautiful tree. The ornaments are all so unique.”

Kol glanced over at me. “Since I joined the Army, holidays haven’t really been my thing either. Not opposed to them, but they haven’t been much of a priority. I’ve spent so many of them away, doing other things. I guess I let a lot of things lapse, like going to mass.”

I made my way back to the sofa, tossing the pillows onto the floor—doing my best to act casual. “No heat means we’ll have to camp out in here,” I said. “We’re going to freeze if we don’t huddle up in front of the fire. This house is so old, the cold’s creeping in from everywhere.”

“You’re right,” he said, coming over to help me arrange the pillows and dig out a few more thick quilts and afghans from the hope chest. “The fire’s helping, but this place still feels like an icebox.”

A gust of wind slammed against the windows, rattling the glass. Kol stepped closer, his large frame suddenly making me nervous. We worked in silence, spreading out the blankets to make a comfortable pallet between the sofa and the fire. I smoothed the last blanket and stepped back—only to catch my foot on the edge of the rug…

Kol’s arms wrapped around me, catching me mid-fall. His hands, strong and sure, gripped my back, pulling me against his chest, and for a second, we were way too close. His body was all heat and hard muscles as he held me suspended above the floor, dipping me like we were in a fancy ballroom dance.

“Again?” he asked. His teasing grin pulled me back to reality. “That’s the third time you’ve tried to take a nosedive today. You trip more than anyone I’ve ever met, Stinkerbelle.”

Heat surged through me—not only from embarrassment but because of how his powerful hands stayed locked on my waist, like he was in no hurry to let me go. The way his fingers pressed into my back made me wonder what else those hands could do. My mind raced, imagining them exploring my body, holding me, guiding me to try things I’d only imagined. He was so close now that the heat between us burned hotter than the fire behind him. My heart pounded in my chest. An undeniable current of attraction ran through us.

“Maybe I like it when you catch me,” I said, my voice coming out lower than I’d intended .

His face didn’t react, but his grip on my waist tightened just a little before he finally eased me down onto the pallet. His hands lingered longer than necessary before he stepped back. Silently I cursed him for letting go and always stopping just short of where I wanted him to.

As the firelight flickered around us, all I could think about was how much I wanted to provoke him—make him lose control.

Kol’s eyes caught mine, a glint of mischief flashing just before he turned to get the suitcases by the door. I could tell he was up to no good. He dragged them over to the now-cushionless sofa and set them down without a word.

I tried to play it cool, like I wasn’t all that interested, and pulled my phone out of my tote to check my socials and emails. But I didn’t have any service. Damn storm. So I opened a game, eager for anything to keep my eyes busy on something other than Kol. But when he toed off his boots and unzipped his suitcase, my curiosity got the better of me. I leaned back against the sofa, taking a peek as he pulled out a pair of sweatpants and a T-shirt. Then he started peeling off his pilot uniform, and the sight of it was like a car crash—I couldn’t help but watch. He was really going to change right here . Of course he was. Mr. Captain did what he wanted, and this was the only room in the whole house that was even barely warm. I tried to act like it was no big deal, casually glancing his way as he undressed.

First, his watch came off—a bulky, expensive-looking thing he tossed into the suitcase like it was nothing. Then he unbuttoned his uniform shirt, sliding it over his broad shoulders, down his muscled arms, and revealing a white T-shirt underneath. The way the fabric clung to his chest showed off nearly every detail. My breath hitched as he pulled it over his head, exposing a body that was basically carved from stone. His muscles flexed enticingly with each movement. His wide-set shoulders tapered down to a set of abs and a V-cut that had me almost reaching out. There was ink on his chest too—a tattoo of a pair of wings with some script woven between them, black and bold, covering his right pec and continuing over his biceps.

I swallowed hard and tried not to stare. Except I was definitely staring.

He glanced my way for a second, his lips curving into a smirk like he knew exactly what was going on in my head. I looked away, pretending to busy myself with my game. I couldn’t let myself ogle him like a total creeper.

He tossed the T-shirt aside and unbuttoned his navy-blue uniform pants. They slid down, revealing boxer briefs that left little to the imagination. And by little, I mean his cock, which was large and very hard to miss. My face burned, but I couldn’t stop sneaking looks, my gaze drifting down and back up again as he bent to pull off his socks.

He caught me staring and shot me that cocky smile. “What? Haven’t you ever seen a man before? I thought you said you weren’t a virgin.”

I raised my chin, refusing to let him have the upper hand. “Oh, I’m no virgin. I just appreciate a man confident enough to change in front of a stranger. Clearly, you wanted me to enjoy the view.”

His grin widened, but he didn’t say anything, just turned and grabbed the pair of sweatpants he’d pulled from the suitcase. He yanked them on, then tossed on an old Army T-shirt. The firelight flickered over him, casting shadows that emphasized every line, every curve of muscle. It was like watching a Greek god getting dressed. He was strong, powerful, and annoyingly self-assured.

Without another word, Kol wandered off, rummaging through the house, leaving me alone by the fire. With my mind whirling in a frenzy, I sat there staring into the flames. I had assumed something was about to happen there, but no. Every time I thought I’d get a little more from him, he pulled back. It was driving me insane.

But I wasn’t going to let him off so easily. Kol might be trying to keep things in check, but I wasn’t in the mood for restraint. Not anymore. One way or another, I was going to stoke that fire and see just how hot things could get between us.

A few minutes later, Kol strolled back in with a big grin, holding two bottles of wine and a couple of glasses. “Turns out your aunt had great taste. All good Catholics like their wine, am I right?” He wiggled the bottles at me and set them down on the table along with the glasses.

I chuckled at the sight of him—this big, serious guy was getting excited about two bottles of fancy wine. “I wouldn’t have guessed you’d be a wine guy, Mr. Captain.”

“Storybook Mountain, 2019 Estate Reserve Zinfandel,” he said, holding a bottle out. He made it sound like he was offering me a precious artifact instead of wine.

While he twisted the corkscrew, I studied his movements.

“You’d be surprised,” he said. “Since becoming an airline pilot, I’ve had the chance to hit up some pretty amazing wine destinations. I kind of got into wine tasting.”

I tried not to laugh, but a little giggle slipped out. “You? Wine tasting?”

He shot me a mock-offended look as he poured. “What? A guy can’t enjoy a good glass of wine?”

I held up my hands in surrender. “Hey, I’m not judging.”

Kol handed me a glass, and I took a sip. It was smooth and rich, with a little bite to it. “Not bad,” I admitted, swirling the wine in my glass like I had a clue what I was doing .

“Yeah, as far as hobbies go, wine tasting is a particularly fun one,” he said, swirling his own glass and taking a long sniff. “It’s called oenophilia. Basically, it means I’m a wine nerd.”

I almost choked on my sip. “Wait, you’re serious?” I had to laugh. “I pegged you more for a beer and whiskey guy.”

“I enjoy those too, but wine tasting is…different,” he replied, all serious. “There’s a whole method to it. You analyze the appearance in the glass, then the aroma, the sensations in your mouth, and finally, the finish.” He settled beside me on the floor, stretching his long legs out and leaning back against the pillows he’d propped up next to the sofa.

“You’re really into this, aren’t you?” I asked, still in disbelief.

He gave a small shrug, but the smirk on his face told me he enjoyed surprising me. “Wine’s more than just a drink. It tells a story. Every vintage, every bottle, is different. It’s about complexity, character, and even flaws. Kind of like people.”

I rolled my eyes. “That was almost poetic. Who are you, and what did you do with my captain?”

He chuckled, taking another sip. “So you assumed I wasn’t a guy who appreciates the finer things?”

“Definitely not wine.”

“I’ve been to some of the best wineries,” he continued, undeterred. “France, Italy, Napa. Flights are cheap when you’re a pilot.”

“Okay, Mr. World Traveler,” I teased, leaning back and taking a slow drink, allowing the flavors to linger on my tongue. “Where would you go for an ideal wine trip?”

He didn’t even hesitate. “Tuscany, for sure. Late summer. We’d start with the vineyards, of course. The hills, the sunsets—nothing like it. Then we’d eat way too much pasta, drink way too much wine, and forget what day it is. ”

“That sounds suspiciously romantic,” I said, giving him a side-eye. The way he’d said we so casually made me all fluttery inside. I liked this game.

“Life’s about experiences,” he said with a shrug. “Not just work. And trust me, Tuscany’s the best experience.”

I swirled my wine again, and this time it wasn’t for show. “All right, I’m sold. We could definitely do Tuscany. But what about something a little less…refined? Maybe a backpacking trip through New Zealand. Wine tasting after hiking up some crazy mountain?”

Kol grinned, leaning back on his elbows. “Now you’re talking. Finish the day with a wine tasting at some obscure vineyard in the middle of nowhere? Could be the perfect balance of rugged and refined.”

I laughed, enjoying this unexpected side of him. “Who knew you would be so interesting, Mr. Captain?”

Kol sat up and poured me another glass of wine, the rich red swirling in the firelight. When he handed it to me, his fingers brushed mine just long enough to send a spark through my arm.

I opened the tin of fudge, offering him a piece.

“This should pair nicely with the wine,” I said, popping a square of fudge into my mouth. The combination of rich chocolate and smooth wine was perfect. Kol raised an eyebrow, scrutinizing me as he took a bite.

“Okay, you got me. Fudge and wine. Not bad,” he said.

I smiled, relishing the warmth from the fire and the slight buzz from the wine. “If you could go anywhere in the world right now, where would you go?”

Kol leaned back, narrowing his eyes thoughtfully. “Northern Sweden,” he said. “Somewhere up above the Arctic Circle. We’d stay in one of those glass igloos, go ice fishing, and watch the Aurora Borealis dance across the sky. They’ve got these luxury resorts now where you can go dogsledding during the day and drink hot chocolate by a fire at night.”

“That sounds magical,” I said, raising my glass in appreciation. “Watching the Northern Lights from bed? Count me in. It would sure beat sitting in this cold, dark house.”

“Would it?” he asked, cocking his head to the side. The gold flecks in his eyes glimmered in the firelight, and my tummy did a little flip. He grinned, and for the first time tonight, it seemed as though his guard had lowered a little. “You know, up near the North Pole it’s quiet, peaceful. The kind of place where the world slows down, and it’s just you, the snow, and the stars. Not so different from us sitting in the dark in front of the fire.”

As I watched the flickering light from the fire dance in his eyes, I imagined going on a romantic trip with him. Actually, he was right about sitting here in front of the fire. This was pretty romantic.

“We’d have to try all the Scandinavian food. Reindeer steaks, maybe?” he said. “I hear they eat that a lot in northern Scandinavia.”

“What! Eat Rudolph on Christmas? No way—hard pass.” I shook my head and squinched up my nose.

Kol laughed loudly. “They’ve got a thing for wild game, but I guess I agree it might be in poor taste to eat reindeer on Christmas. So how about we go to a local place and feast on a smorgasbord? That way, we could taste a little bit of everything those Swedes like to offer. Then, when we can’t possibly eat another bite, we’d get back to that glass igloo and watch the stars and Northern Lights.”

“Not bad, Captain. Not bad at all. So, what’s next on the travel itinerary?”

He tilted his head. “Machu Picchu in April. That’s the best time to hike the Inca Trail, right before the tourist season really kicks off. We’d start at the base of the mountains, hiking through ancient ruins. By the time you reach the summit, it’s like standing on top of the world. The clouds roll in over the peaks in the distance, and you feel you’re on another planet.”

I smiled, leaning in closer to him. “And after hiking for days, what do we do next?”

“We’d spend the night at a cozy lodge. Warm food, a hot shower, and maybe a bottle of Peruvian wine to celebrate.” Kol’s voice dropped a little. “Then we’d watch the stars from the rooftop terrace, knowing that’d we’d done something special that most people never get to do—together.”

We locked eyes, and my pulse quickened. “You know, you’re really good at planning dream vacations.”

Kol shrugged. “I love to travel. Planning the trip is half the fun, you know. I’ve got a long list of places I want to visit.”

I reached for a piece of the peanut butter fudge and held it out to him. His gaze flickered down to my hand before he leaned in to take a bite. His lips brushed against my fingers, and an electric current coiled between my thighs.

“What do you think?” I asked, watching him closely.

His eyes darkened, and for a moment, I thought he might close the distance between us. But then he swallowed, moving back a little. “Not bad, but I like the chocolate better.”

I wasn’t about to let him off that easily. I scooted a little closer, my knee brushing against his. “You know, for a guy who spends a lot of his time in the air, you’re pretty grounded.”

Kol chuckled softly, though his body tensed. “Gotta stay grounded. Keeps you from floating off.”

“Is that why you keep pulling back?” I teased, resting my hand on his thigh. His muscles tightened beneath my touch, but he didn’t pull away. “Afraid you might fly too close to the sun? ”

His jaw clenched, and an internal battle played out behind his dark eyes as he gazed down at me. He exhaled slowly, as if trying to calm whatever was stirring inside him. “Noelle…”

“Kol,” I whispered, leaning closer until our faces were mere inches apart. “What are you waiting for?”

His breath hitched, and for a second, I thought he might finally give in. The tension between us was thick, and I could practically feel the heat rolling off him. But then, right before our lips could meet, his resolve snapped back into place. He pulled away, clearing his throat and reclining back against the pillows.

“Stinkerbelle, you’re playing with fire.”

Crawling closer to him, I brushed my lips along his ear. “Good thing I’m not afraid of getting burned.”