Unwrapping Holly: Read Online Free PDF

prove he was the only man who could.
    Yanking off her hat, she surveyed the bar, shaking free her long, silky blond hair a moment before her gaze caught on Cole. Instant awareness coiled low in his stomach. Jacob let out a low whistle. “I think I just found my Christmas present.”
    As if she could hear his words across the distance, over the sound of Elvis’s “White Christmas” on the jukebox, her gaze snapped to the left, to Jacob. She remained still, perfectly still, and Cole sensed her unease.
    “Oh yeah,” Jacob said, studying her too intently for Cole. “I am definitely going to need an introduction.”
    “Not a chance in hell,” Cole ground out between clenched teeth. “This one is off-limits, so back off.”
    He would have said more, but, without warning, Holly launched herself into motion as she darted in the direction of the ladies’ room. Clearly, she was not happy he wasn’t alone.
    “Damn,” Cole muttered under his breath, fearful she would change her mind about seeing him again. And he was aware there was a back door by the restrooms. If she bolted, he might not find her again. For reasons he didn’t try to understand, that didn’t sit well.
    Cole pushed off the bar, ready for the pursuit, but paused to cast his brother a warning. “Ryder can only beat you and take your money if you keep playing.”
    He didn’t wait for an answer, though Jacob replied with some sort of defensive mumbling that Cole decisively tuned out. He was already walking toward the restrooms, ready to move to Plan B. Jacob wasn’t going anywhere soon, and he wanted Holly all to himself. Now, he just had to convince her that was a good idea.
    His pulse kicked up a beat as he entered the narrow hallway leading to the restrooms and scrubbed his jaw, contemplating how Holly might react to finding him standing outside the door. And contemplated some more. Minutes passed and Holly didn’t appear. Had she left? Damn it to hell. This was not how he had this night planned.
    Voices sounded in the hallway—one of which was Jacob’s, and—holy hell—Abe! Great. Jacob loved fucking with his head. Add his other brother to the mix, and it became ball-busting brotherly love. The kind he could do without tonight.
    Suddenly, the doorknob to the restroom jiggled and Holly appeared in the doorway, her long silky hair cascading down her shoulders, a single stall and sink as her backdrop. Desire twisted in his gut, just as it had the night before.
    “Cole?” Shock registered on her face at the sight of him there, waiting for her.
    If she was shocked now, she’d be ten times more so when his two brothers invaded the tiny hallway. Cole’s mind raced; the voices were growing louder. He stepped forward, his hands sliding under her coat, the warmth of her body seeping through the long sweater dress she wore.
    Her lush pink lips parted in a gasp as he shuffled her into the restroom. “What are you doing?”
    “Saving you from a family reunion with my brothers,” he told her, kicking the door shut behind him.
    She was flustered by his unexpected behavior. Her pretty, pale cheeks were flushed. Her hands rested on his chest, ready to shove him, yet she attacked with words, not actions. “Whatever the reason, it’s not okay. You bullied me into a restroom without asking permission. And you’re in the women’s restroom!”
    He arched a brow, amused, turned on. That damned prim quality she exuded was downright hot. “Without asking permission?” he inquired, watching her flush deepen. “I’ll ask next time.”
    She pursed her pretty lips, not at all pleased with his rebuttal. “There won’t be a next time!” she countered. “I’m leaving.” She dropped her hands, tried to sidestep him.
    Voices sounded—his brothers. Then the sound of the back door.
    “His truck’s still here,” Jacob said clearly. “Maybe he left with that woman.”
    Cole tightened his hands on her waist. “That’s them,” he told her. “Do you really