Page 83 of Filthy Rich Santas

But something inside me snaps, and before I even realize what I’m doing, I’ve stomped over and tugged her off his lap.

“Tristan?” Lana asks, looking startled.

I tuck her against my side and glare down at the knee-groper. “Hands to yourself,Nick.”

A flash of irritation crosses his face, but then he obviously remembers where he is—which is at work, not at a pickup joint—and gets back into character.

“That’sSaintNick to you,” he says with an exaggerated wink and anotherho ho ho. “And what do you want for Christmas, young man?”

I can’t help the smug smile when Lana melts against me. “I’ve already got it right here.”

Lana laughs breathlessly as I pull her away. “What was all that about?”

“What did you whisper to him?” I ask instead of answering her question.

She purses her lips, shaking her head. “That’s a secret between me and Santa. If I tell you my Christmas wish, it won’t come true!”

“That’s not how it works.”

“I’m pretty sure it is,” she jokes.

I grab her by both arms, swinging her around to face me. “No, freckles, it’s not. If you’re going to be sitting on someone’s lap and spilling your secrets, it’s going to be one of us.”

“But what if I want presents?” she asks with a pretty pout, like she thinks I’m kidding. “That’s Santa’s job, not yours!”

“The fuck it’s not.”

Her eyes go wide, and I look around for some privacy, then pull her into a small alcove behind a row of themed Christmas trees.

“If you want presents, you tell me, Ryder, or Beckett. If you want something for Christmas,we’llmake it happen. No sitting on anyone else’s lap. No letting other men touch you.”

“Tristan,” she says softly, resting a hand on my chest. “I, um… I don’t know what to say.”

“I’m serious,” I tell her, all the feelings that have been building up inside me today crystallizing into something I’m done denying. At least in this moment. “I know what we’re doing is only temporary, but while we’re on this road trip, you’re ours. And I’ve got no interest in sharing you with anyone else. Not even in little ways.”

“Besides Ryder and Beckett,” she murmurs, her cheeks flushing pink. “I’m, um, I’m all of yours for now.”

“That’s right.”

I don’t feel any of the sharp spikes of jealousy I just experienced when it comes to my two oldest friends. It feelsrightto share her with them. Not to mention it’s hot as hell.

“Okay,” she whispers, her eyes wide.

“Okay?” I repeat, cupping her jaw and stroking my thumb over her satiny skin.

“Yeah.” She bites her lip, then smiles at me, her adorable little dimple popping out. “I’m very okay with that.”

Something settles inside me, and I can’t help smiling back at her. “Good.”

Then I kiss her, because for right now at least, I can.

After we catch up with Ryder and Beckett and admire the leather crafts they found, Lana tries to excuse herself to “find the ladies room.”

Ryder snorts. “You know you’re not very good at being sneaky, right?”

She laughs, playfully smacking his arm. “Stop it! A girl is entitled to her secrets.”

“What kind of secrets?” Beckett asks with a frown.

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