STUCK WITH MR. BILLIONAIRE FOR CHRISTMAS novel Chapter 23

Chapter 23

CINNAMON:

m M.

“What next should we do?” was the question on my mind when is stomach growled.

I put my hand over my mouth, stifling a laugh.

“I see you’re hungry.”

“No. That’s just my stomach acting up.”

“Right.” I smiled, knowing that he was lying. “Because stomachso that for no reason.”

He didn’t argue.

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This place didn’t have a kitchen. And while the lodge made decent food, it wasn’t anything special. But I had an idea.

“Would you like to try the best prime rib with horseradish sauce in Wisconsin? Or maybe grilled salmon with lemon and herbs? Lasagna with garlic bread? Beef tenderloin with roasted vegetables? Herb-crusted turkey breast?”

His stomach growled again, louder this time. I watched his throat work as he swallowed, practically salivating.

I laughed. “I’ll take that as a yes.”

I grabbed his hand and pulled. He resisted at first, dead weight on the couch. So I used my whole body, pushing and tugging until he finally stood.

“Go clean up,” I said, steering him toward the bedroom. “We’re going out.”

His body sagged like he was about to argue. Unexpectedly, he went into the bedroom and closed the door.

I changed quickly, throwing on jeans, a sweater, and my warmes coat. By the time I finished, the bedroom door opened.

Dante stepped out looking… stunning.

Black trench coat over a black sweater that fit his dark jeans. A nude scarf wrapped around his neck, matching a nude face cap pulled low, and his boots. Everything coordinated effortlessly, stylishly.

He was quite a fashionista.

“You look amazing,” I found myself saying

efore I could stop.

“Thanks,” he smirked, trying not to stare. “Ready?”

I nodded, suddenly aware of how tight my chest felt as I looked him, how warm my pulse was under the scarf and sweater I’d thrown on. I hated how easy it was to notice the little things about him-like how his shoulders moved, how the light caught his hair, how every movement seemed effortless.

We went outside into the cold. Snow crunched under our boots,

“You didn’t call Carlos?” Dante frowned, glancing toward the empty parking area.

“No.” I started walking toward town. “It’s time you actually saw the place you want to invest in, instead of just looking at it on paper and screens.”

“So we’re just… walking around town.”

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09:54 Sat, Feb 28

Chapter 23

“Exactly.”

“This better be a great idea.”

It was..

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Dante’s face changed as we walked through Meadowbrook. The hard edges gone. His eyes widened at the decorated storefronts, the twinkling lights strung between buildings, the way every house seemed to glow from within. I caught a flash of disappointment there, the same that showed on one’s face when they were about to lose something.

“It’s peaceful,” he said, almost to himself. “Beautiful. There’s a real sense of community here.”

“There is.”

He stopped in front of a small park, watching kids build a snowman under their parents’ supervision. “What a shame it won’t be around much longer.”

That caught my attention immediately. “What do you mean?”

“Nothing important.”

“Dante.”

He glanced at me, an almost imperceptible sadness in his eyes. Just that when I take over, there’ll be changes. Development. Progress.”

Oh. Right. That.

I didn’t want to think about it. I was certain it was for the best, but everything I knew since childhood about this town would also be gone. A pang of protectiveness tightened in my chest. Nah. I wasn’t going to spend the night imagining Meadowbrook transformed into something unrecognizable.

“Come on. I’m taking you to the best diner you’ve ever been to.

I caught him glancing at me, the shadow of a smile on his face, but I could see sadness in his eyes. I wondered if he ever felt guilty for the life he might overwrite here, for the beauty he might erase, even if it was progress. Or, was it just business as usual?

For some reason, I felt the need to reach out and reassure him. But my fingers curled around his hand instead.

Maggie’s Place sat on Main Street, a tiny building with a hand-painted sign and windows fogged from the warmth inside.

We grabbed a corner booth. Dante ordered the prime rib. I got the lasagna.

When the food arrived, his expression shifted from skeptical to amazed after the first bite.

“This is incredible. I have never tasted anything this delicious.” He cut another piece, chewing slowly, moaning out of pure bliss. “How is this not a chain? This should be everywhere.”

“It takes a lot of finances to achieve that.”

“Not if you have sponsors and partners. You can build your business with other people’s resources if you know your way.”

Ah, yes. The smart CEO of DreamHaven, speaking. No wonder he was successful. Brains. Pure, unshakable brains.

I laughed, watching him eat with an enthusiasm I’d never seen from him before.

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09:54 Sat, Feb 28

Chapter 23

m M.

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We talked about nothing important. The food. The weather. Stupid things that had happened during past Christmases. He told me about the time his father accidentally set the tree on fire trying to fix the lights. I told him about the year Khole ate an entire gingerbread house and got so sick she swore off sugar for three months. We didn’t go too personal. Just kept it light.

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It felt… normal. Easy.

We were just two people enjoying dinner together, instead of business partners trapped in a fake engagement.

When we finished, Dante insisted on paying. He left a tip that was worth more than the entire meal cost, and a sweet note for Maggie herself.

“One more thing,” I said, grabbing his hand. “The main event.”,

I pulled him through town, weaving between groups of people until we reached the town square.

A crowd had gathered, everyone facing the massive Christmas tree at the center.

“What’s happening?” Dante asked.

“Just wait.”

All the lights went out. Every streetlamp, storefront, and house light. The place became completely dark.

Then, slowly, the tree began to glow.

White lights first, spiraling up from the base. Then red. Green. Gold. Blue. Colors layered on top of each other until the entire tree blazed like something out of a dream.

Music played from hidden speakers. Not a recording. Live voices harmonizing, singing “Silent Night” in perfect four-part harmony.

The lights spread. From the tree to the buildings. From the buildings to the lampposts. Until the entire square glowed with warmth, color, and magic.

I glanced at Dante, seeing his eyes were wet.

“It’s beautiful,” he whispered, mesmerized.

“It is.”

His arm slipped around my waist, and I flinched at the sudden closeness. But I didn’t pull away. I let myself lean into him,

feeling the solid warmth of his body against e,

noticing how much my heart had been racing, how aware I was of every

inch of him.

The crowd, music, and cold faded, leaving only us and this moment suspended in time.

I felt his breathing change. Dark, intense eyes fixed on mine. Pupils blown wide. His gaze drifted to my lips.

Heat rushed through me. Electric. Intoxicating. Every nerve on fire.

His hand tightened on my waist. The other brushed my jaw.

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