The Lawman's Noelle (Men of the West Book 31) by Bagwell Stella

Author:Bagwell, Stella [Bagwell, Stella]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2014-12-01T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

By the time Evan and Noelle arrived in town, the night had turned very cold, but the weather hadn’t discouraged a large crowd from gathering along the streets. Evan found a parking spot two blocks over from the parade route, and they walked the distance until they reached the sidewalks crammed with people young and old.

Eventually, they found a place to stand where both of them had a decent view of the street. As Noelle sidled close to Evan, she looked up at him with excitement.

“I can’t remember the last time I saw a parade. I’d almost forgotten the anticipation that hangs over the crowd. Can you feel it?”

Even though his arm was already wound tightly around her waist, he somehow managed to pull her even closer. Bending his head to her ear, he said, “I can feel how good it is to have you next to me.”

This man was making her feel like a vixen. Something about the touch of his hand and the warm, husky sound of his voice reminded her what it was like to flirt with a man and invite him to make love to her.

Flashing him a wicked little grin, she said, “You’re here to watch bands and floats and see Santa Claus. Remember?”

“Oh. How could I have forgotten that?” he teased her.

She was about to give him a playful reply when a siren sounded in the distance. A group of nearby kids began to jump and shout with eagerness.

“Here it comes,” Evan announced. “Can you see? Or do I need to set you on my shoulders?”

She rolled her eyes at him. “Listen, Detective Calhoun, I’ve already taken you to the emergency room once. I don’t want to have to take you again with a broken back.”

He laughed loudly and then once again lowered his mouth to her ear. “I think I’m going to have to show you that I’m not a weakling.”

The suggestive tone in his voice left no doubt where his thoughts were heading. Suddenly, after all the years, the idea of being intimate with a man seemed good and natural. Yet at the same time, she couldn’t stop herself from wondering how she would feel when everything ended and they’d gone their separate ways.

Don’t think about that tonight, Noelle. Just think about the pleasure of being with Evan and let the rest take care of itself.

“Maybe I ought to show you that I’m not an Amazon,” she murmured.

He said nothing to that, but the smile on his face was full of promises.

For the next half hour, they watched school marching bands playing Christmas songs, floats representing local businesses and charities, and a large group of horses and riders. Finally, at the end of the procession, Santa and several elves appeared riding in a sleigh pulled by four white burros.

As the sleigh passed by Evan and Noelle, the elves showered the onlookers with pieces of wrapped candy. Laughing, Evan helped her scoop some up and stuff them into her pocket.

“The horses will love the peppermints,” she told him.

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