Holiday Second Chance Romance (Clarice and Trevor) novel Chapter 41

41 That’s What I Said

Nick POV

Clarice’s body is the thing of every one of my wet dreams, but seeing her put those two a**holes in

their place with no f**ks to give had me just

as her phenomenal body. I smile when I

thought about

and fieriness are almost as s*xy

Vers

our daughter. I’ve never really her round

just unlocked a new kink, I chuckle to I think I have

WIETLIGT being a turn on, bu

myself. “What the hell are you laughing about? I’m sick of that b**ch coming for Clarice,” Chrissy says, bringing me out of my thoughts.

It’s a good thing my cheeks are naturally rosy or one would know exactly what I was thinking

I

about. Jack’s eyes meet mine and he winks at me. A**hole apparently knows me too well. “Chrissy

Christmas flower. I know your worries, but , I don’t want her upset either, but she isn’t a wiltin despite us not completing the pledge yet, I feel our bond growing. She was pissed, not hurt.” I look back to where Clarice is hugging her mother. The minute our eyes meet, I know immediately something is off. Without a word to Chrissy or Jack, I stalk toward her. When she says she is fine but tired, I know she is lying. I’m anxious to get her to the apartment to find out what has her so

Her hands go to her hips and I upset. The minute the door to the outside opens, she whirls on m fight the chuckle at her very evident irritation with me. I’m not sure what I did, but I am definitely the reason she insisted on going to the apartment.

My body relaxes the minutes she gives me hell about teleporting in front of everyone. I’ll explain everything the minute we get inside, but she has nothing to worry about. When we finally reach the porch, I push the door open but my steps falter. “What the hell were you thinking,” my father asks. His deep voice filling the room.

He is standing in the middle of my living room with his arms crossed and a scowl on his face. Clarice’s eyes go wide, and she tries to scramble out of my arms. I finally set her on her feet, and she throws her hands in the air. “That’s exactly what I said, Chris. I could have handled the delusional little witch. I didn’t need him to step in,” Clarice says.

The stern look on my father’s face slips as his focus shifts to Clarice. “Excuse me. Who could you have handled and what the hell were they trying to do to you,” he asks. “Loretta lunged at her. If I hadn’t teleported, Clarice could have been knocked to the ground, possibly hurting her and the baby. She definitely intended to hurt her, but instead the stupid b**ch ran into my chest.” Clarice rolls her eyes and glares at me. “I could have dodged or just got another good hit in. You put yourself and Christmas at risk. I’m sure they will eventually ask questions. What the hell do you plan to say to protect your secrets,” she asks. I can’t stop the smile that spreads across my face.

41 That’s What I Said

My father chuckles and her eyes snap toward him. He raises his hands in surrender, but the smile never leaves his face. “Clarice, no one will remember what Nick did. We have many powers and one of them is the ability to erase short–term memories. I knew what he had done because his magic is an extension of mine. When he takes over as Santa, he’ll share the same connection with your oldest son when he comes of age,” my dad says. “So why were you so upset when we just

walked in if it wasn’t a big deal,” she asks.

“Despite Nick’s grumpy demeanor, he can be somewhat mischievous. Our gifts are not meant to be used for our own selfish reasons or for entertainment. That particular power is meant to be

dad says. “Why used when an older child catches us delivering presents on Christmas night,” my not all children,” she asks, attentively listening to every word my father says. “Grownups are less likely to believe small children when they talk about seeing Santa. In fact, they will usually encourage little ones to tell them all about our visit not knowing that it really happened,” he says.

“So, all those times I stayed up as a kid, did I ever catch you delivering presents,” she asks, with clear excitement in her question. “You did a few times. You were a very special little girl. You were very smart, caring, and inquisitive. Always asking about presents for others and what my elves were like. I enjoyed our short visits. I suppose I recognized just how special since you were destined to be my daughter someday,” he says. Tears edge Clarice’s eyes and my father opens his arms to her. She steps into his embrace, and he presses a kiss to the crown of her head.

When she steps back, I wrap my arm around her waist. “So no one will remember what happened. I mean I trust Trevor’s parents and mine, but those other two couldn’t be trusted if their lives depended on it,” she says, looking between the two of us. “No, love, none of them will remember, but I would do it without hesitation, even if they would. I would protect you and our daughter at any cost.” “Nick,” she says my name like a warning.

“He’s right, Clarice. We protect the secret of Santa just like the men before us, but I’m proud that my son knows there is nothing more important than you and his children. Family is everything to us. I would have done the same for Anya, Nick, Chrissy, and now you and my granddaughter,” he says. “Watch dad, you are starting to get soft. Before you know it, you’ll be looking more like the pictures the human world has of you.”

“Anytime you want to see if I’m soft, son, I’ll be waiting,” he says with a wink. “Now I do need to get back, but I need you both to stay safe. That young lady, Loretta, has always been spoiled and jealous. I love all the children of the world but there is a reason there is a naughty list. Besides, she sin’t a child anymore and desperation can make those particular traits worse. You keep her safe, Nick, especially until the pledging is completed on Christmas,” he says. “Dad, I’ll always keep her safe, but we won’t be pledging until Clarice is ready, no matter how much you and mom want it to happen.”

41 That’s What I Said

“We will see you on Christmas Eve before your trip, Chris,” Clarice says, and he smiles at her. “A very special young woman,” he says before he disappears. “Clarice, I don’t want you to feel rushed. I can wait.” Before I can finish, she glares at me. “Did you ask me if I felt rushed? Did you ask me

what I want and when I want to do it,” she says. I feel sufficiently chastised as I stare at the woman

that owns my heart. Before I can answer, she takes a step toward me.

“I love you Nick. I’m not going to change my mind. I can’t imagine my life without you in it. I know I’m technically still married, but in here, I’m not,” she says, pointing to her heart. “A piece of paper isn’t going to stop me from being with you” she says. I lift my hands to cup her cheeks.

“Clarice, I love you. Will you pledge to me on Christmas and let me pledge to you? Will you be mine in every way? Will you share our very long life?” “Yes, to all those questions, Nick. I don’t care how quickly it happened. I know with you is where I am meant to be,” she says. I lower my lips and press them against hers. I can’t believe we will pledge in a week. Best Christmas ever.

Trevor POV

As soon as I leave the Inn, I walk straight to my car. I need to leave before I have to deal with Loretta. I have never in my life wanted to hit a woman as badly as I wanted to hit her a few minutes ago. As soon as I’m in the car, I peel out of the parking lot. Instead of heading back toward the hotel, I decide to drive through town.

I need to figure out a way to get Clarice alone. She never should have allowed everyone to be there for our conversation. I know I screwed up but she isn’t even giving me a chance to fix things. She can’t throw away all the years we have spent together. Seeing that ba**ard with his arm wrapped around her had me wanting to pummel him, but I knew my parents and hers would have stopped

me so I reigned in my anger.

I still don’t understand what the hell her parents were doing there. In all the time we’ve been married she refused to even visit them because of her father’s cheating. Maybe her forgiving him is a good sign. Maybe if I can talk to her alone and show her that it was a mistake I’ll never make again, she will forgive me too. I mean he cheated all the time and her mother seems to have forgiven him. I made one mistake. I know it was a big one, but it was a lapse in judgment. I refuse to give up on our marriage, on Clarice, because I f**ked up.

I almost laugh when I reach the end of the town. It is truly the definition of a small town. Clarice hates this place. She has since the moment her grandmother died. She loves California. I need to remind her of everything she is giving up just to punish me. Besides, we are having a baby. I refuse the divorce. We are going to be a family. I see a small diner and pull into the parking lot. I pull the phone from my pocket and dial my mother. I know they are upset with me, but they need to realize if Clarice stays here and chooses to divorce me, they will lose her too.

41 That’s What I Said

My mother picks up on the third ring. “What do you want, Trevor,” she asks, curtly. “Mom, I know you are angry with me, but we need to talk.” “I can’t imagine what you think we need to talk about. We were there if you recall,” she says. “Mom, please I need you. I know I screwed up. I just want to do what I can to make things right. Please” I plead. “Fine, your father and I will meet you. Where are you now,” she asks, and I smile.

“I just pulled into a small diner, Carly’s.” “We will be there in ten minutes, Trevor,” she says, and cuts the call. I feel like I can breathe for the first time. If I can get my parents back on my side, they can help me get Clarice alone. I lean my head back and close my eyes. I imagine holding my wife while she holds our daughter. I refuse to let go of that future.

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