His Curvy Candy Cane (F*** Under The Mistletoe)

Chapter 3

CHAPTER THREE

Elise

“Are you sure you don’t want Ethan’s help?” Camille asked after I slid into the front seat of her SUV.

“No, I think I have it figured out. I ordered the part and watched a few videos.”

“Watched a few videos?” Camille gasped. “Please tell me you’ve worked on cars before.”

“Yes, a little bit here and there. But don’t worry, if I run into any trouble, I promise I’ll ask Ethan for help. Believe me, he’s already offered a few times.”

Camille smiled. “He looks gruff, and sometimes he is, but he’s a softy on the inside. He’s confident about cars, but he deserves to be. He’s been working on cars since he was a kid. His dad taught him everything he knew before he died of cancer when Ethan was only eighteen.”

A wave of guilt crashed into me hard. “Oh no. That’s awful.”

“I know. The entire town went into mourning. I’ll never forget how many people filled the church that day for his funeral.”

“Wow. He must’ve been a stand-up guy.”

“He was. He really was. Ethan is too.”

I was starting to think maybe I was too harsh on Ethan.

I just couldn’t see myself accepting his help.

A man let me down several times in the past, and I’d be damned if I let another one in, mechanic or not. Especially one that liked candy canes.

Thankfully, when the alternator was delivered, I had little trouble replacing it, and my car was up and running once again.

I was so damn proud of myself, I marched over to Ethan’s door and knocked. When he opened the door, a huge smile stretched across my face, and I pointed at my car now purring quietly in my driveway.

“Do you hear that? My baby is running again. Never doubt a woman’s ability to do anything.” I winked, spun on my heel, and walked away toward my car without waiting to hear what he had to say.

But as I climbed in my car, I heard his deep voice ring out. “Never trust someone who doesn’t like candy canes!”

I laughed all the way to the diner.

A few days passed since the last time I saw Ethan. Not that I was keeping track or anything. But with Christmas approaching, the town was busy with a flurry of activity. I leaned into the holiday spirit, hoping I might actually enjoy it this year, and when Camille told me about the town’s Christmas party and how fun it was, I knew I couldn’t not go. I wanted to experience it at least once.

Downtown Appleridge transformed into the perfect little Christmas village. All of the shops were decorated with wreaths and garland and lights strung along every inch. One store became Santa’s workshop, and Santa and Mrs. Claus were available for pictures, along with many elf workers.

The best part was each store’s Christmas tree. It was a contest for the most unique Christmas tree, with some big cash prizes up for grabs.

The town’s Christmas party was inside the library, with the stacks of books cleared away to reveal large open rooms with plenty of space for dancing and mingling.

Every inch of the library was decorated for Christmas, with lights and garland, and of course a ten-foot Christmas tree decked out in a snowman theme. As I took it all in and walked around, I recognized a lot of townsfolk from the diner, and they did me, too.

As far as small towns went, I never got over that. The feeling of having the whole town on your side, where everybody knew everybody’s name and helped each other out.

On the flip side, you couldn’t hide your business from anyone.

“Elise! I’m so glad you’re here. I want to introduce you to my friends.” Camille placed a champagne flute in my hand and held hers up. “Cheers!”

We tapped glasses, and both sipped.

Camille introduced me to the ladies in town, along with some other people, and when we landed back at her table, her boyfriend, Zach, was talking to the last person I wanted to see.

Okay, maybe he was the only person I wanted to see, but the first sounded better.

“Ethan, you remember your next-door neighbor, Elise, right?” Camille said as she pulled out a seat for me, directly between her and Ethan.

I snuck a glance at Camille and wondered if she planned this all out, but I pushed the thought from my head. Tonight was about having a good time, not silly little crushes.

Crush? Who said anything about a crush?

“Of course. The magical woman who can fix her own car. I’m impressed.” He held up his beer and clinked it against my flute.

“Thanks.” I straightened my spine and pushed my shoulders back before downing the rest of my champagne. It’d been a while since I drank anything, and the bubbles went straight to my head. “Thank God for YouTube videos.” I chuckled.

“Don’t tell me YouTube will put me out of a career.” Ethan grinned, and all I could focus on was his delicious-looking mouth.

I needed another drink, stat.

As the night went on, I lost count of how many times my flute seemed to fill itself. My cheeks flushed, and I couldn’t wipe the smile from my face.

The night flew by with endless food, talking and meeting new people, and playing fun Christmas games, like guessing the Christmas song by sounding out the picture.

Near the end of the party, only Ethan and I sat at the table as others dispersed and left. He laughed over the rim of his glass, and his eyes shone bright. I hadn’t noticed how green they were until now.

“I think they’re disgusting. Appalling. The mint flavor needs to go.”

“What flavor of toothpaste do you use, then? Do you not like minty chocolate?”

I scrunched up my face and pretended to gag. “No. All mint is a no-go for me. After years of gagging while brushing my teeth, I finally found a vanilla one I don’t mind. The fruity flavors do not taste good, trust me.” I stuck my tongue out.

Ethan couldn’t stop laughing. Apparently, he found my aversion to mint amusing. “What’s so funny? Isn’t there some food or flavor you don’t like?”

“I don’t know. I’ve just never heard someone say they don’t like mint. I pretty much like everything, except beans. Hard no. But candy canes are my favorite holiday candy.” He winked as he unwrapped one and popped it in his mouth.

“Ew. Okay, I think it’s time for me to go,” I teased.

“Why?” he asked as he leaned forward.

I got a whiff of the minty smell and waved my hand in front of my nose. “Gross.”

Ethan threw his head back in laughter.

“I’m glad you find this so amusing. I’m about to go find a big ole bowl of beans somewhere and stuff your face in it.”

He only laughed more.

So I grabbed my purse and stood. Very shakily, might I add. I was definitely toeing the line between tipsy and drunk.

Ethan wrapped his large hand around my small one. His hot skin seared my own, and I nearly gasped at the crazy amount of tingles running up and down my arm. “Wait.”

When my eyes met his, the sincerity I found in them was hard to miss.

“Don’t go yet. We need to finish off the night with some hot cocoa. It’s a tradition.”

“A tradition, hmm?”

Ethan nodded as he stood and now towered over me in height. “One I kind of want to share with you.” His deep voice vibrated somewhere between my legs, and the feeling made my breath catch in my throat.

“Okay.” I found myself saying, though I very much should’ve called it a night and gone home.

“I’ll make sure there’s no peppermint in sight. But I do think candy canes are delicious in hot cocoa,” Ethan said as he dipped his head lower toward mine.

His eyes searched my own, then dropped to my mouth and back up again. My entire body hummed to life.

With his free hand, Ethan ran his thumb over my top lip and down to the bottom one, pulling my lips apart ever so slightly.

I nearly burst into flames on the spot.