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“Do you want that?”
I frowned. “It’s a little early for eggnog.”
“Fuck that. We’re having some.”
We spent the rest of the morning sipping eggnog and eating far too many of the amazing cookies Lola had sent. Once the decorations were on the tree, we added shimmery tinsel icicles, which ended up all over the floor and then all over us when Devil stretched me out in front of the tree and we frotted like we were teens hoping no one walked in on us.
“You ready to explore the town?” he asked as we lay on our backs, staring at the glittering tree and trying to catch our breaths.
“Or…”
“Nope, town.” He took my hand and pulled me to my feet. “Let’s get changed.”
We decided showering together would delay us too much, so when I finished and returned to the bedroom, I saw that Devil had laid out one of the ridiculous lumberjack outfits he’d probably had some poor assistant buy for me, and he’d even included Santa hats. I’d wear the plaid, but a Santa hat was going too far. I buttoned up the plaid flannel and frowned in the mirror. I looked like I was playing dress up, but it was worth it for Devil.
Proudly wearing a Santa hat, Devil maneuvered his huge SUV into one of the parallel parking spots on Main Street and led me to The Christmastown Diner, which looked like it had come right from the set of a Christmas movie. There were garlands and lights everywhere and the servers all wore Christmas-themed aprons. There was a tree by the hostess stand and another in a corner. Even the salt-and-pepper shakers on each table were little Christmas elves—one with a P on his shirt and the other with an S.
I wondered if they changed those and all the other little Christmas touches for the holiday seasons or if they used them all year round. It was called Christmastown after all. Maybe the locals used that to bring in tourists even in the summer. I was about to ask Devil if he thought they had a Christmas in July celebration when our server, Chelsea, came to take our order.
Devil smiled up at her with that charming look that made people rush to do his bidding. I didn’t want to admit it, but the Santa hat made him even more ridiculously charming. “What would you suggest? We’re on our honeymoon, and I only want the best for my man.” He reached across the table and took my hand. My face went hot. What the hell was he doing? I doubted anyone in the diner was stupid enough to try to start a fight with us, but wouldn’t it be easier if we were less conspicuous in town?
The server laid her hand over her heart. “Oh my goodness. That is just awesome. We don’t get many honeymooners this time of year. I like almost everything on the menu—Quinton is an amazing cook—but our Reuben is the very best.”
“Then that’s what we’ll have,” Devil said, glancing at me just long enough for me to protest if I wanted to, but I didn’t. It sounded fantastic.
“Fries on the side?”
“Yes,” I answered before Devil had a chance too.
Chelsea was right. The Reuben was incredible. I was stuffed, but Devil was staring longingly at the dessert case.
“Are you still hungry?”
He shrugged. “Not really, but look at those pies.”
I grinned, they did look tempting, especially the chocolate cream one. I was about to say we should share a slice when I caught sight of a man passing the window. I froze. Fuck. Was that…
Devil laid a hand on my arm. “What’s wrong?”
The man passed by, and I began to second-guess myself.
“Joe?”
“I… I thought I saw Donaldson.”
“What the fuck?” Devil tossed an obscene amount of cash on the table and grabbed my arm. “Let’s go.”
I hurried toward the door with him and pointed in the right direction as we exited. Devil pocketed his hat as we rushed along the sidewalk, weaving in and out of tourists and shoppers, but there was no sign of Donaldson anywhere. We slowed our pace and finally stopped when we reached the end of the main business district. “Maybe I was wrong.”
Devil studied me for a moment. “What does your gut tell you?”
I wanted to lie, but I’d kept the full truth from him for long enough. “That it was him and that he’s the one who’s been watching the cabin.”
“Fucking son of a bitch. Why would he be here?”
I couldn’t hide it anymore. I didn’t even want to. “Because he wants revenge. On me.”
15
Joe
Devil shoved me between two buildings, then grabbed the front of my shirt and slammed me up against a dumpster. “What have you been keeping from me?”
He was as furious as I’d known he would be. I started to speak, but he tightened his grip and moved even closer. “Don’t you dare tell me any more lies.”
