Total pages in book: 190
Estimated words: 181992 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 910(@200wpm)___ 728(@250wpm)___ 607(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 181992 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 910(@200wpm)___ 728(@250wpm)___ 607(@300wpm)
“Good. It means I don’t have to kill him.”
Brooks grinned. “And aren’t we all glad about that?”
Chapter Thirty-Three
The following evening, I walked onto our bedroom balcony to find Dax relaxing on a lounger with his tablet in hand and a sleeping cat curled up on his lap.
Sensing my presence, Gypsy woke and lifted her eyelids slightly, regarding me carefully through mere slits. With a brief flex of her claws, she then closed her eyes once more.
I arched a brow at him and folded my arms. “You know, for a guy who claims he’s certain she’s a complete psychopath, you sure don’t have much of a problem letting her snuggle into you. I’m not sure how I should interpret that.”
He parted his lips to respond, but then his brow puckered as he saw that I’d slipped on a jacket. “Going somewhere?”
“I’m heading out for a walk, I won’t be long.”
His frown deepened. “A walk?”
“I always go for a stroll around my neighborhood this time of year so I can check out everyone’s outdoor holiday decorations.” I hadn’t spent a Christmas at Oakengrove before, so I was particularly curious. But Dax’s answering expression was one of blank incomprehension. I almost snorted. Well, of course he’d see no appeal in this, the grump.
“Surely you’ve seen some while driving in and out of the village,” he said.
“Yeah, some. And only fleetingly, because I was concentrating on the road.”
He briefly glanced at the balcony’s amazing view. “It’s dark out.”
“That’s the best time to do it; you can’t properly appreciate all the lights otherwise, and they’re not always switched on until it goes dark anyway.”
His jaw tightened. “I don’t like the idea of you walking around alone at night.”
Aw, bless him. I’d totally be lying if I said his protectiveness didn’t make my belly all fluttery. “Oakengrove is very safe. You know that.” Especially now that Dax owned it—few people would have the gumption to behave in ways that would piss him off.
He exhaled a heavy breath and switched off his tablet. “I’ll come with you,” he said, sounding the epitome of put-out.
I blinked. “What?”
Carefully holding Gypsy, he stood. “I don’t want you going out alone at this hour.”
“It’s not that late,” I said, my arms slipping to my sides. “I’ll be fine.”
One brow slinked up. “Do you have a problem with me coming with you?” His tone said he didn’t give a monkey’s left tit if I did.
“Of course not.” I’d prefer to have the company.
He set Gypsy down on the lounger. “Then let’s go.”
Before long, he and I were strolling around the village, our arms brushing with each step. We passed residence after residence—villas, bungalows, townhouses, apartment buildings—as I admired the pretty lights and various props. Some homeowners had kept it simple, others had gone all out.
Passing my previous house, I didn’t knock to bid Alicia a quick hi—the absence of her car in the driveway told me she wasn’t home. In terms of outdoor decorations, she’d gone with a sparse and simple look.
One of her closest neighbors, however, had done the complete opposite. Taking it all in, I let out an appreciative whistle. “It’s like a damn winter wonderland. But in summer.”
“Hmm,” was all Dax said, unmoved.
I hid a smile and kept walking. As we reached a bungalow that had a huge Santa with reindeers on the roof, all lit up and flashing like crazy, I grinned. “Oh my God, I love them.”
Dax narrowed his eyes at me. “Don’t get any ideas.”
“But they would look awesome on our roof.”
“I don’t care.”
Neither did I, actually, but it was fun to tease him. “Oh, come on, get with the holiday spirit. Our roof is sorely lacking décor. They would be perfect for it.”
“Not happening, Addison.”
I huffed. “You’re such a Scrooge.”
“And you get far too hyper this time of year.”
Probably. “I fail to see how that’s a problem.” I gently bumped his arm with my shoulder. “You must have gotten excited for Christmas once upon a time.”
“Sure. But then I grew up.”
“Does this mean you don’t believe in Santa? That’s not good. If you don’t believe, he won’t come.”
The dry look Dax tossed my way almost made me cackle.
We continued meandering around the village, eventually reaching the strip of bars, restaurants, and cafés. All were packed to the brim, which was the usual case, since it wasn’t only residents who came to Oakengrove to eat and socialize.
Dax’s phone started to chime, and we both came to a halt as he fished it out of his pocket. He looked down at the screen and then cut his gaze to me. “I’ll just be a second. Wait here.” He walked away to take the call.
I figured his conversationalist was probably Rafael or someone else who Dax did not-so-legal business with. As he’d once cautioned me, Dax didn’t share anything related to that side of his life, refusing to allow it to filter down to mine.