Falling for the Grinch ✔️

Twenty Five | Nutcracker

Holly

The look the man gives me is a mix of uncomfortable and embarrassment. Yeah, me too kiosk man. Me too. Rhett loves nothing more than to get a rise out of me and I'd love to do the same to him. How about I shove a cupcake in his face just to dirty him up? What about licking it off him right after?

"Miss?"

I blink suddenly as if that will get rid of the image in my steamy brain. Since when have I ever wanted to lick food off someone's body? Since Rhett came into your life, you horn dog. Quickly, I plaster on an apologetic smile and thank him for the new cupcake he hands me.

"Sorry about... my friend- he's definitely more than that- he likes to joke sometimes." He only nods which I'm thankful for. I wouldn't want to drag on this awkward conversation any more than I'm doing right now. Unwrapping the paper and throwing it in the bin in front of me, I take a small bite and relish in the vanilla bean frosting that instantly hits my tastebuds. "This is a vanilla cupcake, right? I feel like I'm getting a hint of something else."

This time the kiosk man speaks. "Ah, yes. It's a secret recipe from my grandmother when I was a kid. You might be tasting the cream cheese and a dash of coconut extract."

"Mmm," I let out after I took another bite and finished chewing. "I'll have to remember that. You see, I also like to bake. Preferably cookies, but—

Oh, God.

Did he just say...?

I quickly whip my head around in search of Rhett where I last left him. The man says something when I dash through a small crowd of shoppers, but my mind is too focused on Rhett with the bitten cupcake in his hand. As I approach him, he's staring at me with wide eyes and his empty hand around his throat.

"Rhett," I mumble urgently, making a few people look our way. "Do you have your EpiPen?"

He struggles to find his words as I stare at him, looking between both frightened eyes. I quickly reach my hand down and search through both front pockets of his jeans. When I'm met with a plastic syringe, I take it out just when Rhett's knees give out.

"Oh no," my voice breaks as I hear him fall onto the concrete. He mouths something to me, but with a tight grip around his throat he's not able to speak. "Don't try to say anything... it will be okay."

The kiosk man is suddenly kneeling beside me, but I'm too concerned about Rhett than what he is mumbling a foot away. I believe I hear an apology which I should respond to, but I simply can't. It's not his fault. I know that. I also notice in the corner of my eye him whipping out his cell phone and dialing 911.

A gasp for air leaves Rhett's mouth right before I lean down to him and say urgently, "This will be over soon, hold on." And I quickly jab the device firmly into his outer thigh at a right angle. I'm keeping my hold for a few seconds after I push the plunger and hear a clicking sound when his chest slows down and his breathing remains calm. After discarding his EpiPen on the concrete beside me, I lean over his body and stare into those hazel eyes that I've grown to love so much.

Honestly... this man himself is who I've grown to love.

"Rhett," my voice breaks again as I try to keep my tears at bay. I hear sirens in the distance and shoppers all around, but I never look away from him. The yellow in his eyes pulls me in before I move closer and brush my lips against his. He kisses me back with enough energy he has left. "You'll be okay. God, you scared me. I didn't know it had coconut or I wouldn't have given it to you... I'm so sorry." Tears now fall down my cheeks as my bottom lip quivers. "I lo—