Beyond the Mistletoe: A Christmas Romance (Beyond Love Book 7) by Karice Bolton Read Free Book Online Page A

jumped in. “He relayed Bodie’s fate to me earlier in the bar. Even had the front desk print out the page. He thought you might not believe it.”
    “I do have a copy in my pocket,” Eric confirmed.
    “Nah. I’m good. I’ve never been one to follow the crowd, and I have a small issue with authority so whether it’s scribed in the universe or not, Bodie is and always will be my little chiwoodle.”
    I felt Eric’s shoulder shrug against mine as if he were somewhat disappointed I didn’t embrace this newfound information. Wanting to drop the whole chiwoodlegate scandal, I eyed Gabby.
    “I can’t wait to get back to the fire,” I announced, feeling the chill drill into my bones.
    “It is getting a lot colder,” Gabby agreed, blowing into her gloved hands.
    Derek leaned over to whisper something in my ear, and I literally wanted to melt into him.
    “I’ve got a secret. You have a chiwoodle, and I have a buggs. And when she barks, she sounds like an old man tore his hamstring.”
    I chuckled and glanced over at Eric, who was talking with Jason about his findings and how the AKC goes about naming conventions.
    “What’s a buggs?” I whispered.
    “Wouldn’t you like to know…”
    I giggled and nodded. “Actually, yes.”
    “All in good time.” He patted my knee, and with that simple gesture, desire to be touched again paraded through my body, reminding me just how long it had been since I’d been with a man.
    Bodie sat up, stretching his head toward the sky, and Derek reached down to scratch his ear next. Seeing the smile on Derek warmed me up all over again. Could this man do no wrong?
    But he wasn’t the only man sent here to amuse me. I needed to keep my options open.
    “Eric, I’m sorry. In your presence, Bodie will only be a wapoo. I apologize for being so harsh.”
    Eric brought his hand out of his lap and wrapped his arm around my shoulder and squeezed me. I stiffened at his touch and realized no matter how attractive he was, there was something missing. I glanced at Derek, who took it in stride. Actually, I think he got some twisted pleasure out of seeing me squirm. I knew Gabby did.
    “Don’t go ticklin’ the wrong ear with your free hand there now, Eric,” Derek said devilishly.
    An unexpected giggle erupted from my belly, and my body warmed again. I doubted I had the nerve to do anything more than ogle at rugged Derek and Esquire Eric this weekend, but Derek’s charisma made me lose my ability to make proper judgments, which was why I should focus on Eric. Then the reasonable and objective side of me would make sound decisions, and I’d leave the weekend unscathed and ready for Gabby’s upcoming nuptials.
    Derek leaned over and pulled out a thermos I hadn’t even noticed.
    “Hot chocolate anyone?” he asked, unscrewing the lid.
    “Absolutely. I can’t believe you’ve been holding out on us,” Gabby scolded him.
    “Timing is everything. If I whipped it out too soon you’d be disappointed the rest of the ride home that we didn’t have any left.” He poured the thick chocolate into the first foam cup, and Jason stood up in between bumps to fetch it for Gabby. “It’s kind of like sex.”
    My jaw dropped open, and Jason’s laughter filled the air.
    “Would you like some?” Derek asked me.
    “Like some of what in particular?”
    The hot chocolate. Of course, he was talking about the hot chocolate.
    “Yes. Please.” I answered before giving him the chance to further expand on my embarrassment. I honestly had no idea what was going on with me.
    Pouring the hot chocolate, Derek’s lip curled up slightly as if he’d cracked a code.
    “And you?” he asked Eric.
    Eric nodded and slid his arm off my shoulders.
    “Looks like we’ll be getting back to the lodge in the next ten minutes,” Jason said, glancing at his phone.
    “See? Timing is everything.” Derek smiled, handing me my own cup of delicious peppermint cocoa. Our gloved hands touched as I took the cup from him,