Page 8 of Merry Cris Moose

Cris’s expression shifted slightly, a flicker of relief passing through his features. “I need your help. Your designs—they’re incredible, Keely. They have a kind of magic to them that’s more than just craftsmanship. And right now, I’m facing a situation that I believe your ideas could solve. I want to offer you a consulting contract. I’d offer just to hire you, but I’m worried you’d turn me down.”

“What makes you think I won’t?”

“Because I’ll make it worth your while. And if you’re going to go out on your own, having a client like North Star Toys would help. And if you decide you like it, you could pretty much dictate your terms.”

Keely frowned, skepticism rising in her. “I thought you already had a team of designers. I don’t want to get anyone fired or demoted.”

“That’s the furthest thing from my mind,” Cris said, his voice growing more urgent, “This is bigger than just toys. I need someone with your unique perspective—someone who can think outside the box. You’ve got an eye for innovation that we don’t see every day, and I believe you could make a real difference.”

She blinked, her heart pounding as she tried to process what he was saying. This was unexpected—more than just a simple apology or an attempt to explain away their night together. This was business. Real business.

But something about the way he said it, the intensity in his voice, made her feel like there was more to it than just work.

“And what exactly are you asking me to do?” she asked, narrowing her gaze slightly. “Because I’m not interested in being strung along, Cris—personally or professionally. If this is just some way to?—”

“It’s not,” he interrupted quickly. “This is serious. And it’s not just some remote job. I want to bring you to the North Pole.”

Keely blinked in surprise, her mouth opening but no words coming out.The North Pole?He couldn’t be serious.

Cris continued, sensing her shock. “I know how it sounds, but I’m not joking. This isn’t a game, Keely. I’m not going to lie to you. We’re facing a crisis—a real one—and your designs, your ideas, might be the key to fixing it. I don’t want to sound too dramatic, but I think we need you to save Christmas.”

Keely felt her heart skip a beat at the absurdity of it. Christmas?Saving Christmas?It sounded like something straight out of a children’s book, but the gravity in his voice told her he wasn’t playing around. He believed what he was saying.

“And you think my toy designs are going to fix this crisis?” she asked, her voice laced with disbelief, but curiosity tugged at her.

“I do. And so does Tinker.” Tinker was a legend in the toy design business. “We can discuss the specifics once you get here,” Cris said, leaning closer to the screen, his dark eyes as intense ever. “All I’m asking is that you give me a few days and trust me. I can explain everything once you’re here, and I promise—it’ll be worth it. I’ll pay you upfront for thirty days, and you only have to agree to come. Once you step off the plane, you can leave any time you like.”

She stared at him, torn between disbelief and the strange pull he had over her. Going to the North Pole? Consulting on some mysterious project that involved saving Christmas? It was ludicrous—and yet, the way he was looking at her, the urgency in his voice... something said this was more than just a job offer.

Before she knew what she was doing, the words slipped out. “When do I leave?”

Cris’s eyes softened, and a small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. “Tomorrow. Pack warm.”

Keely hung up the call, staring at her phone in stunned silence. What had she just agreed to? Going to the North Pole, towork with Cris on some secret project? The rational part of her screamed that this was a terrible idea, but deep down, something else simmered. Something that had been building ever since their night together.

Whatever was happening, it felt bigger than her—and she wasn’t about to back down from it.

Later, Keely sat cross-legged on her couch, twirling the edge of her blanket in her fingers as she stared at her phone. The video call with Cris earlier in the day had left her buzzing with so many conflicting emotions. The idea of going to the North Pole? It was absurd. Ridiculous, even. And yet… she couldn’t stop the thrill that coursed through her at the thought of being near him again. His dark eyes had drawn her in even through the screen, full of intensity and something more—something she couldn’t quite put her finger on.

She groaned and buried her face in her hands. Slowly she picked up the phone and called Sienna Grayson, the sheriff’s mate. She briefly explained everything that had happened, finishing with, “What am I even thinking?”

“It sounds to me like you’re thinking about a hunky CEO and forging a new path for yourself.”

“But that’s crazy, isn’t it?”

“Well, there’s crazy, and then there’s crazy. This sounds like the good kind of crazy.”

Keely felt her cheeks flush as she remembered the heat of their night together. The way his touch had set her skin on fire, the way his lips had moved against hers with a raw hunger that still left her breathless. “It was just… one night.”

“Oneverypassionate night, and sometimes all it takes is one night. Don’t even try to tell me you don’t want more of Mr. Cris Sutton. Push comes to shove, you go up there, fuck his brains out, take his money, and leavehima note.”

Keely sighed, burying her face in the blanket again. “There’s something about him… something that pulls me in, and I can’t explain it. It’s like I’m being drawn to him, even though I know I should be more cautious. It almost makes me nauseous to think about it… him.”

“Nauseous? Dizzy? Disoriented?”

“Yeah. That’s not good, right?”

“Depends on how you feel about finding your fated mate.”

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