Naughty Godmother (8 page)
“Enough. You were born into a legacy, that’s the way it goes. Many of us would have killed for an opportunity like you had.” Mila’s voice was hard. “I get it, it’s not for you. But you love your job and your father’s absolute adoration for you more than makes up for your mother’s reserved nature. Some of us don’t even have that.”
It stung, but she was right. She’d spent so much time trying to please her mother and prove herself, she hadn’t even realized she was already a success. She was a standout Tooth Fairy, she was a good, caring person and she had her dad. Her sweet, lovable, human dad who lavished her with hugs and support.
Lucienne needed to be powerful and surrounded in her castle with adoration and fealty. But Holly? Maybe it was time for Holly just to let herself be happy.
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“You know, I’m glad I did it. I needed to try. Not just for her, but because if I didn’t, it would have always bothered me. I didn’t want to miss out, but now I know I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.”
She paused, allowing herself to think about
him
.
“And even with Alex, maybe that was meant to happen too. To help me grow up and lose the over-the-top optimism and get a reality check.”
Her face grew hot. God, she’d been such an idiot. “It’s pretty embarrassing to think of how naïve I was.”
“Don’t be so quick to turn your back on that part of you. Hope is magic in itself.
And trust is a priceless gift. Both to the person receiving it
and
the person bestowing it,”
Mila said, her wistful tone so out of character, it seemed to come from someone else.
Holly opened her mouth to question her about it, but the cool mask of indifference had already slid back into place.
“So, it’s back to work tomorrow for you. Get a good night’s rest and I’ll see you in a few weeks for the quarterly meeting.”
“Wait! I-I left something behind. I’m sorry, but I can’t go back there to get it.” Her voice broke and she bit her lip hard.
Holly waited for the condemnation but Mila’s expression remained inscrutable.
“It’s been taken care of.” With a wave of a hand she was gone, leaving Holly behind in her quiet little house by herself.
Maybe she’d go stay with her dad for a few days. She’d been alone for most of her life and it never bothered her before. But since Alex, alone felt very…lonely.
Even days later, as she stood at the foot of the bed of little Stevie Thompson, she had to bite her shaking lip.
Don’t think about it. It’s over.
Holly reached down to her belt and unhooked the silken silver bag. Trying to conjure up happy thoughts, she extracted a pinch of fairy dust from the sack. It would soften the edges of the child’s memory. Give him a sprinkle in case he woke up when 61
Chloe Cole
she was trying to get the tooth that had lured her there from under his pillow. If he woke up, she’d dazzle him with a little fairy sleight of hand and their interaction would seem like it had been a lovely dream when he awoke the next morning.
She eyed the lump on the bed appraisingly and went back for a larger pinch. Stevie was a big fella
.
Pulling back the cover gently, she sprinkled the dust onto the head of the child, who promptly sneezed in her face.
“Achoo!”
“Bless you,” she said reflexively, then paused, confused. That wasn’t a child’s sneeze.
“Thank you,” Alex said as he sat up in the bed.
Holly’s heart skidded to a stop as she squinted in the dim light to make out his features.
“What are you doing here? And where is Stevie?” she demanded.
“Stevie is my nephew, and he and his parents are having a luxurious mini-vacation in Martha’s Vineyard on me.”
Holly turned to go, but he took her arm, stilling her.
“Please. Don’t go.”
His sounded so raw, she halted.
“I thought I’d never smell that again,” he said softly.
She tamped down the urge to put a hand to her pounding heart. “Why are you doing this to me?”
“I don’t want to hurt you. I just want a chance to explain.”
“What more is there to say? If it makes you feel better, I don’t hold any ill will toward you. But you humiliated me and it makes it worse facing you. There’s part of you probably still laughing inside about what a sucker I was. If you’re truly sorry, you’ll do as I ask and leave me alone.”
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Her voice cracked on the end and she tensed her jaw, pursing her mouth shut tight to keep her lip from trembling.
“I want you.”
Ah, so he wanted a repeat performance. She both cringed and ached at the thought.
Anger replaced sadness in a flash. “I think you’ve had as much as you’re going to get of me, and far more than you deserved.”
“I don’t mean it that way. I want…
you
. All of it, the whole package. The clumsy, cute, neurotic mess who won’t utter a curse word. The wild, sexy, femme fatale who, no matter what you say now, I know only comes out for me. I want it all.”
He gazed at her intently.
“I’m sorry I deceived you but I’m not the kind of guy who believes in fairy tales. I thought it was all a prank. And even then, deep down, I knew better, I knew I was seeing the real you. This may sound crazy but I don’t care. I’m head over heels in love with you and the thought of never seeing you again makes me feel sick and hollow inside. Please, Holly. Please just give me a chance.”
Love.
He loved her. Dizzy with elation, she gave up on controlling the lip and let out an involuntary snuffle.
He stood and pulled her into the warm circle of his arms. She pressed her forehead against his shoulder and tried to keep from sobbing. She could forgive him and he would be hers if she wanted. That was good. Really good.
“It wasn’t pretend, you know,” he muttered into her hair. “At first, maybe. But the things we did together… I never allowed myself to go there with anyone else. It was never about making them shiver, it was just about making them come. You made me realize what I was missing. And what I was missing was you. If you never did another spell again, you’d still be pure magic.”
Joy coursed through her at his words. Maybe she was just being stupid, naïve Holly, but she had faith in her heart he was telling the truth.
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She chuckled against his chest. “I still can’t believe you stole your nephew’s tooth for this. That’s a little coldhearted. Did you at least give him a dollar for it?”
The nightstand lamp clicked and the room was bathed in warm light.
Alex looked down at her, a gap-toothed smile wreathing his face. “Who said anything about stealing a tooth?”
Her stomach did a little flip. “Oh my gosh, what did you do?”
“Mila said the only way to summon a Tooth Fairy is to be in her territory, hide a tooth under your pillow and yearn for her. The first part worked out great since my sister lives here, and the last part was a piece of cake. The middle bit, not so much,” he said with a rueful smile. It faded quickly as his hazel eyes gazed into hers. “It was worth it though. I was a little worried that you wouldn’t think I was sexy anymore, but Mila said you can fix it.”
“I can. The question is, will I? You look kind of cute like that.”
“Whatever you want, Holly Tucket. As long as you’ll be my very own Naughty Godmother.”
“Yes.”
She pressed her lips to his, the thrill of it sending a tingle down her spine.
Now
that’s
magic
.
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About the Author
Chloe Cole is happily married and lives in Pennsylvania with her wonderful husband and a pack of teenage boys. She loves to play poker and fantasy football. If she weren’t a writer, she would definitely be a cat burglar. Or a ninja. She also writes steamy paranormal and steampunk romance novels under the pen name Christine Bell.
Someday she hopes to publish something her dad can read without wanting to poke his eyes out with sharp sticks. She
loves
to hear from her readers!
Chloe welcomes comments from readers. You can find her website and email address on her
author bio page
at
www.ellorascave.com.
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