Part 4 (1/2)
”How did they meet?” Noel asks, circling a tree that's so bushy the branches catch his coat.
”A bar in Wales. Gran was on a family holiday with her parents while Grandpa was home from the War, he was an Air Force Pilot. He bought her a drink and three years later they were married, living in London with their first child on the way.”
”Your mother?”
”Yeah.” We reach the end of the first row, turning to walk down the next whilst the smell of winter pine continues to fill the open s.p.a.ce. Each tree has its own individual beauty but nothing has sparked my interest. Everyone Noel asks about I have a reason for not wanting it. I can remember my gran saying When you know, you know.' She pretty much said that about everything in life.
”How about this one?” Noel asks, pointing to a short dumpy one.
”Too small,”
”That one?”
”Too big,”
”Hmm...” He turns behind him. ”That's a good one.”
I run my hand along the branch, the needles tickle my skin as they drop into my hand. ”Too dry.”
”Jeez, this is going to be a long day, I should've packed up a food hamper.” He chuckles.
”Hey!” I grin, shoving him with my shoulder. ”I told you it wouldn't be easy.” His arm comes around me to pull me into him. He kisses my head but I don't feel it through the thickness of my hat. It's possible that I'm missing them on me.
”Come on, Miss Awkward,” He grabs my hand. ”Let's head down toward the bottom, all the best ones are there.”
We make our way through the ocean of trees, inspecting them as we go. Noel examines them more than I do. I am merely checking out his a.s.s, the cosy fit of his jeans causing my lip to pull between my teeth. Even in thick winter clothing, you can make out the sculpture of his physique. A weight I am desperate to have on me as he drives me wild. I've not stopped thinking of him all night, the early hours alone became hard to bear as my fingers slipped between my thighs with only him in mind. If we weren't accompanied with other tree buyers, I'd most likely jump him right here.
The further down we head the boggier it becomes. Although the sun is out, weeks of previous ice cold November rain swamps the ground. My heels start to sink and slide on the sloppy ground as I walk. I'm not overly worried about ruining my shoes, it's more in case I fall. Witnessing my gran fall and break her hip has haunted me since. ”You go take a look, I'll stay here.”
His brows line. ”Why?”
”It's muddy.” I point to my feet, stating the obvious.
”Tamzin, it's a field. Believe it or not, mud comes with fields. And why are you wearing heels like that when there's mud around?”
”Why are you wearing shades in the middle of December when the sun's hardly out?”
”Point taken.” He grins but leaves them in place.
I look around to try and find an easier option in getting to the bottom of the field, when I'm immediately thrown over his shoulder in one quick sweep. My legs in the air, I'm shrieking like a child as I laugh out my demands. ”Noel Thompson, put me down this instant!”
”I'm trying to save your heels.” I can hear the smile behind his words.
”By giving me a head rush?”
He slaps my a.s.s. ”I'm saving that for later.”
Once at the bottom, I'm s.h.i.+fted around his waist, he makes no attempt to place me down which suits me fine. The closer I am to him the more my tummy flutters. ”How about that one?” He chuckles. I follow where he points, having to tip my head back so my eyes reach the top.
”Noel, that's big enough to be centre stage in Trafalgar Square. Be practical.” I look over his shoulder scanning my eyes over a dozen more trees.
Then I see it.
Like a beautiful green angel sitting confident and proud in the ground. When you find it, you'll know.' My grandmother's words whisper through my mind as my heart beats faster. ”That one!” I shriek, pointing to the six-foot Norwegian Spruce full of deep green bushy branches from head to toe. It is beautiful. Not worried about slipping on the mud, I wriggle out of Noel's grip and edge towards my tree, inspecting it a little closer. I'm surprised at how happy I feel when I never wanted to come here to begin with. My hands run along the branches as I breathe in its glorious Christmas scent, filling my lungs with the goodness I've missed out on for years.
”I want this one!” Adamant on my findings, I turn to the forest guys that approach. ”Get your hacksaw, Mr Christmas, I just got myself a beauty.”
An unusual feeling rushes within me but I refuse to call it excitement. I turn back to Noel, his shades now sitting firmly on his head, gracing me with chocolate eyes. His arms are folded, face beaming as he gives me a wink. A satisfied sigh leaves my lungs. I can do this month even if it kills me. At least I have him to fall back on if I should crash.
A powerful urge storms my belly and I go to him, grabbing his coat in my hands. I pull him close to capture his mouth, he tastes of mint as our tongues entwine, wrapping me in a coc.o.o.n of him. That sinful grin plasters his face. ”What was that for?”
”Just because.”
The guys from the cabin take over, cutting down my tree and netting it up for us, the body of it suddenly looking bigger than it did a half hour ago. I hate to admit it but today hasn't been as bad as what I thought it would. That thought brings a flicker of hope in my soul. Maybe he can find me my Christmas. ”Do they deliver?” I ask.
”Yeah but we're taking it now. I want the afternoon spent decorating it.”
I draw my brows in confusion as I look up at him, ”So how we getting it home?”
”Well, there's this thing called a back seat, you often find them in a car.”
I punch his shoulder. ”Oh you're hilarious, you know that?”
”I try my best.” He moves away from me, eagerness in his movements as he heads towards the car. ”Come on, twinkle-toes, let's go get it all sparkled up with fairy lights and tinsel.”
Noel.
”You make the coffees while I drag this beast inside,” I shout to Tamzin after stoking up the fire. I pull the heavy tree from the back seat and into her pathway. Warmth flows my body as I fight with it, causing me to strip off my coat and scarf along with my jumper, working against the cold wind in just my t-s.h.i.+rt and jeans. I'm elated on how the day is going. I thought her picking a tree would be harder than it was, given the fact dread filled her features the moment she stepped out the car. It made me realise just how hard this whole Christmas thing is for her.
Getting the saw from the boot of my car, I cut a few inches off the bottom before pulling the tree up with a grunt. It's heavier than it looks which means it'll last. Dragging it inside, I order Tamzin to hold the tree upright so I can fix it firmly into the tree stand. It's still in the netting, which is easier for her to hold, but a few branches poke out in various places. ”You got it?”
”Yeah.”
”Hold it steady.” I slide under the tree to secure it in place as her laugh bl.u.s.ters out above me. ”You alright up there?”
”I believe I have a p.r.i.c.k between my legs.”
”I should hope not.” My low laugh vibrates against the laminated floor. ”That p.u.s.s.y belongs to me remember?”
”Only as far as your mouth is concerned. It hasn't officially been c.o.c.k claimed.”
”Is this you complaining, Miss King?”
”Just stating a fact, Mr Thompson.” She's adorable and already has my head all over the place.
I hear her sigh happily, placing her foot on my a.s.s and pus.h.i.+ng me down slightly. ”You know I'm happy for you to stay there all afternoon if you wanted.”
”Why's that?”
”Because your s.h.i.+rt has rolled up and I've just noticed another tattoo.”