Father Christmas (Kringle & Co #4)

Chapter 14

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

S he was an angel dressed in white. All she needed was a crown on the top of her head. She was clad in a white bathrobe that looked very much like his own. The soft folds of the robe draped gracefully over her curvy frame. The pristine white fabric contrasted against her complexion, making her glow from the inside out.

Noel had thought he preferred her in the elf costume. But his Mindy wore angel just as well. More than anything, Noel wanted to get her out of the robe and into his favorite outfit: her birthday suit.

"You came for the robe?"

He blinked. He had been focusing on her lips, but the words she formed didn't make sense.

He hadn't come for the robe. He'd come for her. Though seeing her dressed in something that belonged to him was a bonus. It was not merely the robe that captivated Noel's gaze; it was the woman within it. Mindy stood before him, her eyes aglow with warmth and kindness, her smile a beacon of welcome and affection. In that moment, she was more than just a vision of beauty; she was the embodiment of everything he had ever yearned for.

Mindy was not just a Christmas angel; she was the embodiment of his deepest desires and aspirations. She needed no crown to proclaim her regal presence. In her, he found not only the promise of love and companionship, but also the hope of a future filled with joy and fulfillment.

"It's kinda like stealing office supplies, only stole this from your closet."

"Take it off."

"Okay." The single word was said with disappointment, defeat.

Noel reached out his hand and tilted her chin up with his finger. "What's going on?"

"You're firing me."

Her statement wasn't a question. Even if it had been a question, it was a crazy one. "Why would I fire you?"

"Because of Elvin. Which you should do."

"I should fire you because of Elvin?"

"He's your son. You should choose family over…"

"Over?" Noel desperately wanted Mindy to complete that sentence. He wanted to know how she defined their relationship. That would be necessary when they filled out the paperwork he'd brought over with him.

Instead of answering, Mindy shrugged.

Noel strode past her into the apartment. He felt her moving slowly behind him. Once he had the paperwork laid out on her kitchen island, he turned to her.

Mindy yelped as Noel gripped both sides of her waist and hoisted her up onto the island. He spread her thighs and insinuated himself in between her legs. Then he held up the paperwork between them, pointing to the field noting relationship.

"What do you prefer we put here? Girlfriend and boyfriend? Lover? Partner? Fiancée? It's entirely up to you."

"Fiancée?"

Noel's grin spread huge as he ignored the question at the end of the single word. "I accept your proposal. Fiancée it is."

"Noel, wait. Aren't you… aren't you firing me?"

"Why would I fire you? You were excellent at the party last night."

"Then aren't you dumping me?"

"I just agreed to marry you."

"But Elvin?—"

"Do you want to marry Elvin?"

Mindy jerked back as though the very idea repulsed her. Then she caught herself, likely reminding herself that he was Elvin's father.

"I want you," Noel said, leaning into her heat as he pulled her snug to himself. "I want to work with you. I want to sleep with you. I want to be with you."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah." He pressed a kiss to the corner of her eyelid to catch the tear that fell. "I've tried to be there for Elvin, but he doesn't want what I have to give him. In fact, he regularly throws my style of help back in my face."

"I'm sorry," she said, but her tone was filled with an understanding that told Noel she had experienced the same setbacks with Elvin. "Elvin will always be my son. But you, Mindy Evergreen, are my heart's desire. From the moment we met, I felt a connection unlike any other. Say you feel it too."

"You know I do." Mindy nuzzled against his palm, her lips curving into a radiant smile.

"I know our situation is complicated. But life is short, and I don't want to miss this chance at real happiness. You make me feel alive in a way I haven't for years. I'm ready to follow my heart, no matter what anyone thinks." Noel took a deep breath. "If you feel the same, I want to see where this new journey takes us."

Mindy's eyes glistened with emotion. She caressed his bearded cheek. "I could fall in love with you."

"You could?"

"Maybe I already have. Just a little."

"That's convenient, because I'm already on the floor for you."

Noel's pulse raced, joy flooding through him. Unable to resist any longer, he captured her mouth in a passionate kiss. Mindy melted against him with a soft moan.

His hands slid down to her waist, drawing her even closer as their kiss deepened. She twined her arms around his neck, fingers tangling in his silver locks. All the built-up longing and tension between them ignited in that moment. Their mouths met again, and then again, kissing fiercely under the Christmas lights. The paperwork was forgotten, the gesture no longer necessary as it was clear this wasn't going to be a Christmas fling. It was the start of a lifelong holiday tradition.