Noelle's Holiday Rebound: A BWWM Christmas Romance (A Glacier Hollow Christmas Romance Book 1) Read online

  NOELLE’S HOLIDAY REBOUND

  A GLACIER HOLLOW CHRISTMAS ROMANCE

  CASSIE VERANO

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

  THIS EBOOK IS A WORK of fiction. Names, characters, places, and situations are complete creative works of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner.

  Resemblance to actual events or persons is entirely coincidental.

  Any unauthorized reprint or use of this book or any portion thereof is prohibited. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without express written permission from the author/publisher.

  Copyright © 2020 Cassie Verano

  All Rights Reserved

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  Printed in the United States of America

  Contents

  CHAPTER 1 – THIS CHRISTMAS

  CHAPTER 2 – AN ANGEL

  CHAPTER 3 – WINTRY WONDERLAND

  CHAPTER 4 – TRAITOR

  CHAPTER 5 – MY WIFE

  CHAPTER 6 – GINGERBREAD

  CHAPTER 7 – DR. JEKYLL & MR. HYDE

  CHAPTER 8 – THE FIRST NOEL

  CHAPTER 9 – CHOPPING TREES

  CHAPTER 10 – CHRISTMAS CAROLERS

  CHAPTER 11 – CINNAMON STICKS & J.D.

  CHAPTER 12 – FIRE BLAZING

  CHAPTER 13 – WOODEN ANGEL

  CHAPTER 14 – MICK’S

  CHAPTER 15 – SILVERBELLS

  CHAPTER 16 – MERRY CHRISTMAS

  CHAPTER 17 – CHRISTMAS SYMPHONY

  CHAPTER 18 – NEW YEAR’S EVE SURPRISE

  CHAPTER 19 – NEW BEGINNINGS

  SNEAK PEEK AT HOLLY’S HOLIDAY SURPRISE...

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  1 – THIS CHRISTMAS

  I slammed the glass down on the bar, glaring at the gaudy Christmas lights and the cheap Christmas décor. I could have sworn I saw most of these in the dollar store last week, I thought.

  Honestly, I hadn’t, but I was just being a Scrooge.

  “Aye, watch that. Those glasses aren’t cheap,” the bartender yelled from the other end of the bar.

  I sighed and turned my back to him, resting my elbows on the edge. Another drink hadn’t served to dim the pain or cloud my judgment. It only served to piss me off more. I took another glance at Tucker on the floor with his wife.

  They swayed back and forth as if they were in love. Hmph! What did his ass know about love? I wondered how Mrs. Timbers would feel if she knew I had just fucked her husband this morning. He wasn’t only hers; he was mine, too.

  Or at least he had been until tonight.

  He’d been mine a lot longer than he’d been hers. I wasn’t the typical woman who messed around with a married man. Tucker had been my man for three years, and we had talked about marriage. Fourteen days ago, he came into the office and turned my world upside down.

  He was engaged to some woman he had just met six months prior. His father had chosen her as his forever mate.

  It was a sound business decision, he said.

  It was an investment in his future, he said.

  It wasn’t about love, he said.

  I didn’t give a damn what he said any longer. The truth of the matter was, I’d played the fool for long enough.

  I knew his father didn’t care for me, but how could the man so blatantly disregard the fact that I was about to be engaged to his son. It’s all we had discussed. Worse still, how could Tucker so blatantly disregard me after three years?

  We had broken up upon his announcement, and it lasted all of six days before I accepted Tucker back into my life, my bed, and my heart. The promise that this was just for a little while until his father closed a deal turned into just a little longer to ensure the operations ran smooth.

  Now he announced tonight in front of the entire executive and senior management staff at the Christmas party that he and Anya married this afternoon. Did he think I was about to be his side chick? He’d fucked me this morning, rolled out of my bed, and went and married that skinny ass broad? How the hell had I, Noelle Riley become anyone’s side chick?

  I rolled my eyes. I hated my name. Noelle. Who the hell names their goddamned child, Noelle, anyway? My stupid ass parents, that’s who. My father pissed away all his paychecks getting drunk, but none more so than during the holidays. Every Christmas, he managed to sweet talk my mama out of the few dollars she had, and he drunk those away, too.

  And my mama, poor pitiful thing, she had always been so heartbroken around Christmas time. Not just because of the shenanigans my dad pulled, but because of her job. I can’t imagine how it felt each year to expect that bonus you worked your ass off for, just to be told you didn’t make the cut again this year. You’d come up short on your sales, and your other, non-African American co-workers somehow received a little something extra in their checks, although their numbers were less impressive than yours.

  I turned around and faced the bartender again. I needed a little more liquid courage tonight because I felt like raising hell. I signaled to the bartender for a refill. He willingly obliged. I turned the glass up and let the whiskey burn my throat as it slid down. This was my fifth or sixth drink of the night. But who the hell was counting?

  I slid off the barstool and made my way onto the dance floor. This company party was hell on me. I was expected to be here whether I wanted to or not. I knew everyone would be bringing their significant other, and I would be alone. Unfortunately, I thought that he would be, too. In the past, I used to accompany Tucker to these things before he announced his engagement. Tonight, pitying glances were cast my way.

  I honestly didn’t think he’d go through with it. For some reason, I thought Tucker would see reason and come back to our love. That the “sound business” decision wouldn’t win out over love.

  Now to know he’d just lain with me this morning and said “I do” to her afterward angered me in the worst way. But what fueled the rage within me was his cocky assurance that I would do nothing about it. That I’d continue to take it lying down because I always had. Literally and metaphorically.

  My red dress clung to my thick hips as the silk brushed against my skin, my hips swaying side to side.

  The crowd parted for me like the Red Sea. I tapped her shoulder, and a smiling Anya opened her eyes, her smile faltering just a little at the sight of me. Yes, she knew who I was. We’d met on several occasions when she came to the office for a “meeting.”

  Now I wondered if they’d been screwing in the office all along, and I was the fool who’d turned a blind eye.

  Tucker stared at me with a slight hint of annoyance.

  “Excuse me, can I have this dance?” I asked.

  The hired singer of the night was singing Donny Hathaway’s This Christmas. The band was in their groove, and despite the storm brewing inside of me, they didn’t miss a beat.

  “Uh, I’m dancing with my husband. This is our song,” Anya had the nerve to say.

  I laughed and sucked my teeth. I was about to pull the ghetto bitch I used to be from deep within. People only saw my professional side these days, but I couldn’t be that woman right now. Not that woman that they saw in the office each day, the one that was the epitome of professionalism.

  “That’s funny because this is our song.”

  “Excuse me? T
uck, what’s she talking about?” she said, turning and looking at him as she released a nervous giggle.

  I laughed. “That’s funny, too. That’s the same nickname I call him when he’s fucking me. Especially this morning, I screamed it loud when he was on his knees, eating my—”

  “Okay, that’s enough, Noelle. I think you’ve had one too many drinks,” he said, as he dropped an arm from around his wife and held me back at a distance.

  “I don’t think I’ve had enough. You see, I’m tired of playing this game. You command my presence at these dumb ass parties, and I’ve attended them all along with the expectation I would soon be your wife. Because that’s all that you and I have planned for the last three years. Now you come bringing this stupid bitch to the party and introduce her to everyone as your stupid ass wife! You’ve got me fucked up! What did you think, Tucker, that I was supposed to look the other way and keep taking it? I’m not that foolish. Just because she’s been looking the other way and acts as if I wasn’t the woman you were supposed to marry is not on me. Or that you’re still fucking me! Even as recent as this morning!”

  Laughing, he looked at Anya and said, “She’s not even worth an explanation. Just a drunk fool.”

  “Ask him where was he this morning, Anya? He damn sure wasn’t with you. He didn’t leave my place until ten...was he running late to your ceremony?”

  Tucker huffed a few times, his eyes narrowed in anger, before he muttered, “You stupid bitch.”

  I didn’t see my anger coming, but I raised my hand to slap him no sooner than his sentence was done. I didn’t see the horrified look I knew was on Anya’s face, but I heard her loud gasp.

  Tucker grabbed my hand tightly, squeezing and twisting it. The demented look on his face was scary. I noticed the blood draining from my hand as it went pale. I see blinding rage and a million ways to pay this motherfucker back for the hurt he’s caused me, physically and emotionally.

  “You bastard!” I scream out in disbelief. And just before I go maniacal on his ass, a set of arms wrap around my midsection and lift me from the floor.

  An unknown person hauled me from the log cabin's converted ballroom, which was the size of most mansions.

  I screamed over the murmurs of the guests and the shrieks of Anya as she cursed Tucker.

  “Put me down!” I shouted at the unseen force carrying me quickly from the melee. “Damnit! I said, put me down, stupid ass motherfucker!” I cried as I pummeled the hands wrapped around me and kicked my legs awkwardly. I failed to hit the intended target of his nuts.

  Cold air rushed over me as he barreled through a door leading outside. But it wasn’t the front of the house that we were heading to. The landscaping was vastly different from the front of the home where my vehicle was parked.

  Wild, informal gardens and rock gardens gave the environment a more natural, relaxed look. But I didn’t care about that.

  “Where are you taking me!” I screamed, still beating on his back.

  I wasn’t released until I was in what appeared to be a cottage. I turned around, ready to fight but froze as I faced the big hulking man standing in front of me. Eyes the color of Lake Glacier on the outskirts of town. And just as cold as I knew the water to be, too.

  I’d seen him around Timbers Pharma on several occasions, and I knew he was the head of the security firm we hired. He served as a bodyguard for Tucker’s father often and Tucker on a few occasions. But damnit for the life of me, I couldn’t recall his name! That’s what drinking did to a person.

  His relaxed posture was deceptive. I knew the moment I made a move; he would be all over my ass.

  Easton! That was his name.

  Easton grabbed a cup and stepped to a refrigerator in a corner. Scooping ice into the cup, he turned around and pulled a few napkins from the dispenser on the wall beside the fridge. I watched as he created a makeshift ice pack and handed it to me for my hand.

  “Who the hell do you think you are, and why have you kidnapped me and held me in this place, asshole?” I asked after I pressed the pack against the tender side of my wrist.

  His eyes burned a hole into my face. He did not show any signs of reaction towards the words I had just spoken.

  “Did you hear me?”

  When he remained silent, I moved towards the door.

  “If you step outside the door, I’ll have to ask you to leave the premises. But you won’t be leaving in your vehicle.”

  “You’re no more than security! You can’t order me to leave.”

  “I can, and I will.”

  “If I do, I will take my car, and there’s nothing you can do about it!” I slurred.

  “You’re drunk. I’ve got your keys. That vehicle is going nowhere,” he said in an eerily calm voice.

  “That bastard just assaulted me, and you have the nerve to detain me in this cottage? I should be out there calling the police and pressing charges. And when I do get a chance, I’ll make sure they get your stupid ass, too.”

  His blue-eyed gaze did not waver, even as I took a couple of steps closer to him.

  I made a move towards the door again. He stepped aside and kept his watchful eyes on me.

  As soon as I jerked the door open, blue eyes grabbed the knob, shutting the door, and positioned himself in front of it like a barrier between me and the door.

  “Look, I’d suggest you move your ass from that door before I kick your ass!” I threatened. Yep, it was official. I was drunk because there was no way in hell I could kick any man’s ass, especially not this beast standing in front of me.

  He was a gorgeous beast, but still a beast, nonetheless.

  An almost imperceptible smirk lifted the corner of his lips.

  “You need to move so that I can get in there. I’m not playing, Mr....”

  Damn! Forgot his name again.

  “Easton. Marc Easton.”

  My mouth dropped open as I realized it was his home that we were at for the Christmas party.

  Marc Easton was a former FBI agent and owner of Easton Executive Enforcement Services. He’s held the contract for Timbers Pharmaceuticals for the last three years. From my recollection, Marc Easton only hired former military men and women to staff his agency.

  Although I knew he hosted the party, I didn’t recall seeing him at the last two parties held at a conference center.

  “You’re throwing this party tonight, right? Kiss ass,” I mumbled.

  He didn’t even give the merest of nods; his face remained impassive.

  “What’s wrong? That big body houses a little brain that’s too incompetent to comprehend what I’m saying?”

  He continued with that same blank stare, and I had the urge to tap on his head and ask if anyone’s home. But I didn’t. I was still pissed as hell.

  “Ma’am, I could deem you a threat, but I won’t. I need you to step away from the party for a while to cool off. Maybe when you get your temper under control, then you can return to the party.”

  “I don’t give a damn what you deem me! I’m not calming down. I want to call the police and file a report on his ass,” I shout.

  “I am the police. Consider it filed.”

  My wrist chose that moment to start hurting like hell, pissing me off more. I stalked away from him and plopped down on the couch, staring at the Christmas tree in the corner. Christmas lights hung around the window, and the fireplace was decorated with garland. Miniature white lights spruced up a nativity scene on the floor in front of the fireplace.

  Two stockings hung from the chimney with care. One was labeled Marc and the other, Sabre. I wondered if that was his girlfriend or wife.

  Rolling my eyes, I figured they’d probably hired someone to decorate. None of it looked personal.

  I looked out the window beside the front door to notice a carbon copy of Marc Easton standing guard by the door. I know like hell he wasn’t trying to keep me here.

  But rather than confront the big bodyguard, I decided to concoct a plan. Returning to my spot
on the couch, I began to think of ways to get past the guy without being stopped.

  I sat still for a few minutes before I couldn’t take it any longer. I’ve always been accused of being hard-headed. I didn’t listen to my mama and daddy. What made that asshole think I was about to listen to him?

  I walked to the kitchen, discovering a minibar along the way. Peering out the back door, I noticed a deck. I would take that route to leave the cottage and head back to the big house. Only when I stepped out, I realized no stairs were leading down to the ground. It was just a simple balcony, too far off the ground for me to climb off.

  Not that it would be ladylike with the red dress and heels that I wore anyway. But I think I’d tossed all of my dignity out the window tonight, so it didn’t matter.

  Standing out on the snow-covered balcony, I looked up at the sky. It was starting to snow again, and I stuck my tongue out to catch a snowflake. Something I’d loved doing as a child, but I’d stopped doing a long time ago.

  Funny that such a distant memory and reaction would return tonight of all nights. Tears filled my eyes with the thought of returning to my condo alone. All of my friends were out somewhere.

  It’s not okay that I was kicked out on my ass, and I didn’t even do anything wrong. Well, not too bad.

  I wasn’t going down without a fight. But first, I needed some alcohol to bolster my courage. I stepped back into the cottage and headed straight for the little bar I’d seen.

  The well-stocked bar brought a smile to my lips and a giddy little giggle. Your girl was about to get lit, and then I’d go and tell everyone where they could get off at.

  I had fun mixing drinks, trying new ones, and creating old favorites. I turned on my Spotify Christmas station and sang a few songs, dancing alone with nothing but a drink in my hands as tears fell from my eyes.

  This was pathetic. How the hell did I find myself in this situation, being held against my will in a cottage and not able to attend a party I hadn’t wanted to be at anyway? All because I’d decided to call Tucker on his bullshit and dare hurt Princess Anya’s feelings.

  By the time I started feeling sick, I realized I couldn’t ingest another drink. But I was more than ready to head out to the big house again and confront Tucker, Anya, Marc, and anyone else who dared step in my way.