The Arrangement

Chapter Seventy-Five

As we meander through the bustling aisles of the Christmas market, I find myself utterly captivated by Blair. Her face is a canvas of delight, each expression painted with the vibrant hues of awe and wonder. The twinkling lights strung above reflect in her eyes, making them sparkle with a childlike enthusiasm that's both infectious and endearing.

This wasn't part of my original plan.

I had intended to take her somewhere entirely different. A place more in line with the sophisticated outings I usually embark on. But when she spotted the Christmas market from the car window, her excitement was palpable. For some reason I just couldn't resist the impulse to pull over, drawn by her enthusiasm like a moth to a flame.

Hours have slipped by unnoticed, yet here we are, still wandering amidst the enchanting chaos of the market.

Blair examines each stall with meticulous care, her fingers grazing the handcrafted ornaments and intricate trinkets. She lingers over every detail, her eyes wide with amazement, as if each discovery is a treasure unearthed. It's a look I recognize, one I've seen countless times on the faces of those experiencing luxury for the first time, be it a five-star restaurant or a private jet. Yet, there's something different about Blair's expression as she moves through the market. It's genuine, unguarded, and wholly present.

The air is crisp, biting at my fingertips and numbing my toes, a stark reminder of the early winter chill. Normally, the idea of strolling through an outdoor market in the depths of November would be met with firm resistance on my part. I'm not typically one to indulge in such things, especially when the cold seeps into my bones.

But today is different.

I haven't uttered a single word of objection, nor have I felt the urge to do so. In truth, there's no dragging involved; I'm a willing participant in this unexpected adventure.

The market is alive with the sounds of the season, carollers harmonizing sweetly in the distance, the cheerful chatter of families, and the jingling of bells from a nearby stall. The aroma of spiced cider fills the air, wrapping around us like a warm embrace. I steal a glance at Blair at the exact moment she goes to place a piece of fudge into her mouth.

My hand instinctively shoots out to grab her wrist stopping her before she makes a huge mistake. For someone that has such a deadly allergy she's very laxed with it and it has me gritting my teeth together.

"If you wanted to try it first you could have just said" She laughs holding the piece out for me but I'm already shaking my head.

"You didn't even ask if it was safe for you to eat" I inform, my voice steady but my chest tightening with unease.

Her brows furrow together, her adorably red nose scrunching up as she clearly thinks back over the conversation she just had the marketeer.

"I did," she insists but there's a hesitance in her voice that wasn't there before. She glances back toward the stall, where the marketeer is busy wrapping up pieces of fudge in colorful paper, the chatter of other customers blending into the background. "He said it's just chocolate, sugar, and butter. No nuts."

I take a deep breath, trying to remain calm even as my mind races with the possibilities. "Blair, you didn't ask him I've been listening to every word you've said today, every question you've asked."

Blair's eyes widen slightly, a flicker of realization passing over her features as my words sink in. The bustling atmosphere of the market around us fades into a dull hum, the laughter and music becoming background noise as I focus on her. I can see the gears turning in her mind, the pieces of our conversation shifting into place.

"Listening to everything I've said?" She teases a very coy smile spreading across her lips. Yet my focus is on the fucking piece of fudge still clutched in her fingers.

"Drop the fudge" I snarl not finding any amusement in any of this, especially not when her epi-pen is in the glovebox of my car that's right on the other side of the market.

I feel her attempt to tug her hand closer to her but fails as my strength overpowers hers easily.

Instead she cocks her head to one side and steps towards me. "And if I don't?"

"Don't push me right now Blair, not when it comes to your health" I warn, a hard edge to my tone this time that finally has her dropping the fucking fudge.

We both watch its descent to the floor as if it's falling in slow motion and the second it hits the ground I'm tugging her towards me until her body collides with mine. A small yelp coming from her.

I expect there to be some hesitance, a flash of fear, something to say she sees the enormity of this but no as I glare down at Blair she fucking flutters her lashes and smiles up at me like this is still the best day of her life.

"What?" I grit out, my arm encircling her and drawing her closer, "What's so amusing?"

"Is this the kind of thing that'll get me punished?" She replies with a sickly sweet tone that almost has me gaping at how eager she seems to be.

"Do you want to be?" I ask even though there's really no need to because I can tell by the look in her eyes that the answer is yes.

"Maybe" she replies coyly confirming my thoughts.

It takes a surprisingly lot more effort to keep my expression neutral. She's purposely seeing how she can push to get the reaction that she wants.

But unbeknownst to her, dealing with a brat isn't exactly anything new to me and frankly I quite enjoy it.

Dipping my head, I lower my voice, ensuring to keep the edge in it. "You don't know what you're asking for Blair," I warn although the little glint in her eyes tells me she has absolutely no intention of heading it.

She doesn't even attempt to shy away, obvious challenge written all over the face as she smirks up at me. "Please do enlighten me" she says with a pause, "Sir" she then adds and although I should be the one to be in control now, that right there almost brings me to my fucking knees right here in the middle of this market.

A feeling I'm not used to in the slightest.

Something snaps within me and before I know it I'm dragging her through the square to the closet place I can find that's out of view. In truth I'd happily make her drop to her knees right in front of everyone to humiliate that brattiness out of her. But I gather the numerous families and onlookers wouldn't be best impressed.

Blair doesn't protest or even ask where we're going as we weave through the crowd. She just willingly lets me tug her along and when I glance over my shoulder she's actually fucking smiling.

Like a child being led into a toy shop she beams up at me, with excitement glinting in her eyes. It's in this moment that I realise we are well and truly fucked because the temptation to lock her away and keep her with us hits me full force.