Tis The Season for Secrets (Village of Yule #2)

30. Juliet

T hankfully, Juliet’s bruised knuckles healed faster than her emotions over the next couple of days. This morning, she’d managed to FaceTime with Beth while Will went down to the breakfast buffet. They hadn’t left the room since he’d returned from Yule, and now she knew the chest was safe, she was sleeping more soundly than she had since learning about it in the first place – that, or it was the multiple orgasms.

Either way, she’d woken up satisfied and ready to face whatever the rest of the season threw at her today. She opened the notes app on her phone, where she’d written everything that she’d learned about Yule to remind herself it was real, and not some festive fever dream. Looking over the details – the gold coins, magic luck-giving dust, and sleigh taxis– she had to admit it all sounded like the great start to a book.

The click of the key card made her close the app and put her phone back on the nightstand. She didn’t want Will to know she was writing about Yule, even if it was for her own personal use. It still added to the risk of exposure.

“They were out of the apple Danish, so I went to the bakery next door. One mocha, one shot and extra cream,” Will said, his words muffled by the paper bag hanging from his teeth as he balanced their coffees and breakfast. She’d have gone with him, but he’d left before she’d woken up. He was an early riser, and she most certainly wasn’t – though she didn’t mind being woken up by a hunky overprotective man with her favourite coffee, fruit, and pastries.

Still just in his T-shirt from the previous night, Juliet tossed back the duvet and climbed to the end of the bed, taking the bag from his teeth and the tray of coffees. He stared at her bare legs.

“Suddenly, I’m absolutely ravenous,” he said, brushing her hair over her shoulder as she put their breakfast on the desk by the bed. The weight of his hands on her hips was even sweeter than the mocha he’d brought.

“I need food and a shower first.” She turned around and rested her hands on his chest. He was insatiable, and even though she ached for him, she needed sustenance.

Will ran his hands from her hips to her waist, lifting the T-shirt so it grazed the top of her thighs. Juliet’s heart pounded in her chest, and she wondered if the effect he had on her would ever wear off. Giving in, she closed her eyes, waiting for his kiss.

“I don’t know what you’re suggesting,” he said, and her eyes snapped open as his hand left her skin and reached behind her for a pastry. She flushed with embarrassment, though his wink made her weak in the knees. She slid off the bed, taking her Danish and mocha with her to the bathroom to get ready in peace.

“Did you get through to Beth while I was out?” Will asked when she returned dressed in an oversized hoodie with a red-nosed reindeer she’d taken from his suitcase and some black sweats, since her yoga pants had proved too tempting for him.

“Yep, and before Gillian or Dad got to her. She’s happy at her friends’, and I told her about the concert tickets, so at least I got to see her reaction on video chat.”

“How did she react when you told her you weren’t staying at the estate?”

She climbed back onto the bed. “She wasn’t surprised – she isn’t oblivious to what’s going on. I said we were going to spend the rest of the holidays together so we could have some privacy. I’m not sure if she believed me, but it’s the closest I could get to the truth without telling her about Yule and Dad’s threats. She doesn’t need to feel guilty about leaving, and I know she’ll blame herself if she knows I fought with Gillian after she left. I don’t even want to think about it. Beth is happy, and the chest is safe and out of my father’s reach.”

Will brought his lips to hers, kissing away her worries until she forgot her own name. “You’ve had a rough couple of days,” he said, pulling away but staying close enough to play with the ends of her hair. “I thought we should do something to reignite your holiday spirit?”

“Just point in the holly jolly direction. So long as it’s not another snowman contest. As fun as it was, I don’t think my fingertips can take the cold.” Lyla had promised she’d adapt to the weather of Yule, but now she wondered if she’d even get the chance to.

Will hadn’t given her any updates after he’d returned from Yule, but she suspected he was waiting for the right moment. To be honest, she needed a break before facing the next challenge.

“No contests; this is just for us to enjoy.” He pulled off his cable-knit sweater, and his white shirt rode up just enough to expose his flat stomach. Juliet was paying so much attention to his physique that she only caught the end of his sentence.

“A Christmas tree farm?” she asked, looking up at him.

“You didn’t get a chance to go with Beth, and I don’t have a tree at my place. I thought we could do it together.” His excitement was adorable.

“Last year, Margot and I just went to a church parking lot and found the cheapest one we could get. She was only beginning to book clients, and my salary wasn’t enough for anything fancy,” Juliet said. It was one of her favourite memories. It had been her first Christmas without Nana Rose, so Margot had wanted to fill the gap as best she could.

“Yule’s trees are sold by donation. The money goes to those who are struggling on the Outside during the holidays, but you only pay what you can,” Will explained. Juliet loved the idea of the donations going to help people like her, who were adapting to a new world. “Just because you returned your chest, it doesn’t mean you can’t visit. For a bit.”

A harsh rap on the door distracted them both. Juliet’s heart stopped; what if her father had found her, or worse, found out that she no longer had the chest? Her paranoia was only dissolved by Margot calling her name. She let out a long exhalation and considered taking a break from caffeine for a while.

“Juliet! Open up! I have news – please tell me you aren’t still in bed!” Margot yelled through the door.

Juliet shoved Will off the bed. He landed with a hard thud.

“What the fuck?” he cried, rubbing his elbow. She stifled a laugh as he stared at her in confusion.

“Hide in the bathroom!” She scrambled off the bed and made it as quickly as she could.

“Are you kidding? She knows about us! What’s the point in hiding?” Will got to his feet, staring at her as though she’d lost all sense.

“Please! I don’t want her to think we’re this together,” Juliet insisted, tossing the bag of clothes he’d brought back from Yule into his arms.

“‘ This’ ?” He copied her gesture pointing for her to him. “I think she knows we have sex!”

Juliet rolled her eyes, trying to shove all six feet of him towards the bathroom.

“Sex is one thing, but we’ve been staying together and – would you just move it? We don’t have time to talk about this.” She didn’t want him to know that she’d told Margot about Yule, so keeping them apart was the best thing she could think to do. Also, Margot had warned her about getting too close to someone she might not be able to have a future with, and instead of listening to such wise advice she’d spent the last few days in bed with him, ordering room service and watching old sitcom reruns.

“Does this make me your dirty little secret? I don’t know whether to be turned on or offended.” He grinned as he backed up into the bathroom.

“You can think it over and decide while you’re in there,” Juliet said, closing the door on him. She checked the room and was satisfied that he’d left no trace behind. She should’ve been pleased, but a chill went down her spine as she realised how easy it was for him to disappear from her life.

“Sorry for popping in so early, I wasn’t sure you’d be up yet.” Margot scurried inside when the door was opened, beaming. “I only have a few minutes, but I couldn’t leave without telling you.”

“Telling me what?” Juliet’s stomach dropped; she wasn’t sure if she could handle any more sudden news.

“Harvey is taking me skiing,” Margot squealed excitedly.

Juliet had never seen her friend so excited about participating in any sport. There had to be more to the story. “You don’t know how to ski. And you hate the cold!” she pointed out, praying for anyone who was about to ski with Margot. Her coordination wasn’t as good as her coding.

“I don’t need to ski. Harvey said there’s some gathering happening with loads of execs at a resort in Aspen. Since I’ve refused to work with him, he wants to introduce me to some new clients,” Margot said, still smiling as if a hanger was stuck in her mouth.

“So, does this mean you are or aren’t going to sleep with him?” Juliet probed. It seemed Harvey had found a loophole in her friend’s rule.

“Technically, he’s only helping me, so I wouldn’t be breaking any of my rules.” Margot fidgeted with her nails.

Juliet had to give Harvey props for his smart thinking. Still, she wondered why he was whisking her off now. Had Will put him up to this, to keep Margot out of the way for the rest of the season? Maybe he was afraid that Juliet would tell her about Yule – too late. Still, her getting out of the blast radius was probably a good idea if everything fell apart.

“How did things go with Will?” Margot asked more calmly. “Have you spoken about your dad and the—”

“It’s fine!” Juliet cut her off, glancing at the bathroom door. “We talked; everything is cleared up. You should go and have fun.”

“Are you sure you’re okay? I don’t want to leave if you need me.” Margot’s tone turned serious.

“I’m fine, and you can’t give up this opportunity. I think Harvey might kidnap you if you refuse him. I saw the way he was looking at you at Alexandria – you’ve got him hooked.”

Margot folded her arms. “We’re friends. We’re even staying in separate rooms at his cabin.”

“But you’ll be in the same cabin?” Juliet teased.

“Shut it.” Margot stuck her tongue out at her. “He respects my space.” She looked at the breakfast, which Juliet suddenly realised looked far too plentiful for just one person. “Are you going to spend the rest of the season with Will?”

Juliet shimmied to the edge of the bed to hide the tray. “I don’t even know what the rest of the day looks like, never mind the next couple of weeks. I haven’t even been able to think about starting the new editing job,” she admitted. “I’m rambling – stop worrying about me and go! I don’t want Harvey coming to get you.”

“We won’t be back for Christmas. What about presents?” Margot asked, giving her a tight squeeze.

“We can exchange gifts when you get back! Have fun and get out of here,” Juliet ordered.

“I’m going,” Margot laughed, before hesitating at the front door by the bathroom. She glanced at the grey sweats strewn over the couch. Juliet blushed, wondering how the hell she could’ve missed them, but Margot just grinned. “Thanks for taking care of Juliet,” she called. “It’s safe to come out now.”

“My pleasure,” Will answered through the bathroom door. “Don’t make life too easy for Harvey– he’s used to getting what he wants.”

Margot chuckled, clearly needing no encouragement, and closed the door behind her.

Will emerged, a towel wrapped around his waist. “Speaking of my pleasure…” He backed Juliet up towards the bed. “I decided that I want to be your dirty secret, because right now, you’re looking far too clean.” His minty breath tickled her cheek, and her stomach flipped. She dropped onto the bed and he rested his hands on either side of her, pinning her to the mattress.

“I thought you were hungry. Breakfast will get cold,” she argued, looking at the food. However, he was looking far more appetising.

“That can wait for a few hours,” he said, trailing kisses along her neck. “There’s something else I want to taste.” His hand slipped under her jumper, and all thought of food, jobs, and life disappeared.

“I thought—” Juliet struggled to find the words as he undid the knot securing her sweatpants and eased them down her thighs. “What about getting the Christmas tree?” she managed to ask, in between kisses that took her breath away.

“We’ve got all day. Right now, you’re all I want to decorate.”