Page 4 of Father Christmas

"Short for Cinnamon. Our parents went overboard with the Christmas themes."

"Your parents?"

"I'm Noel's sister."

Cin handed her one of the costumes and then indicated one of the changing rooms. Once behind the partition, Mindy noted there wasn't much to the outfit. But what was there was breathtaking. She marveled at the detail—the embroidered snowflakes, the jingling bells on the cuffs, and the snug fit that made her feel like she was stepping straight into a fairy tale.

"You look good enough to eat," Cin said as Mindy came out. "You won't make a friend of Micah's wife."

"Who’s Micah?"

"The Santa you'll be working with tonight."

"I'm working with Noel."

Cin's eyes went wide. Then her grin spread to match. "Noel's donning a suit? Hmmm…"

"He doesn't normally perform as Santa?"

"Not in a while."

"Maybe he just wants to show the new girl the ropes?"

"Yeah, I'll bet it’s something like that."

Mindy stood in front of a full-length mirror, the elf costume fitting her snugly but with enough room for Cin to make the necessary adjustments. Cin bustled around her with a pincushion on her wrist and a measuring tape draped around her neck. Soft Christmas music played in the background, setting a cheerful yet calming atmosphere.

Cin knelt to adjust the hem of Mindy's costume, pinning it up carefully. "We want this to be just right. You need to be able to move around easily tonight."

Mindy watched in the mirror as Cin worked her magic. The rich green velvet with red and gold accents sparkled under the soft lighting. Cin adjusted the waistline, tucking and pinning the fabric to create a more flattering silhouette.

She wondered what Noel would think. Then immediately quashed those thoughts. She had to remind herself to stay professional. This job was perfect for her—working in a place that celebrated Christmas so wholeheartedly was a dream come true. She couldn't let her crush on Noel jeopardize that.

CHAPTER FOUR

Noel's finger hovered over the photo on Mindy's resume, tracing the curve of her cheek. She was beautiful, no doubt about it, with sparkling green eyes and a smile that could light up a room. His Santa pants suddenly felt a little tighter.

This was dangerous territory. Hiring an elf he was attracted to could get messy—fast. But Mindy had the perfect look and attitude for this adult Christmas party.

His chest tightened as vivid images filled his mind—her rosy cheeks flushed with passion, soft lips parted in ecstasy. He shifted in his seat, crossing his legs uncomfortably.Down, boy, he told himself.She's too young. There's no way she'd be interested in an old-timer like you.

He had to have twenty years on her. He'd celebrated his fortieth birthday just a year ago. And though he felt like he was in his prime, it was a different prime than a twenty-something.

Yup, he confirmed as his index finger skimmed down Mindy's resume. She was twenty-two. So not quite twenty. But close enough.

Noel took a deep breath as he set down the documentation, his heart racing. He couldn't deny his growing attraction toMindy, even though he knew it was likely inappropriate given their age difference.

Running a hand through his beard, he pictured her enthusiasm, those bright green eyes and rosy cheeks. She seemed genuinely excited for this job, not deterred in the least by the adult nature of the party. In fact, her eagerness only added fuel to the fire burning inside him.

He shifted in his seat as arousal stirred again. It was too late now—the decision was made. She would be his elf tonight. The thought sent a spike of heat through his body.

Standing, Noel adjusted his pants and jacket. He had to get control of himself before the party. This job was first and foremost about bringing joy and Christmas magic, not indulging his own desires.

Still, as he glanced at the clock counting down the hours until the event, he couldn't deny the thrill that ran through him at the thought of seeing Mindy again. He only hoped his Santa suit would be enough to conceal the effect she seemed to have on him. It was going to be a long night.

Noel headed to the fitting room to retrieve his own Santa suit. He might need his sister to let it out just a bit, as he hadn't worn it in at least a year. His attention was on his phone, scrolling through emails, when the door creaked open. He looked up, ready to greet Cin. But it wasn't his sister.

Mindy emerged from the fitting room, a vision of holiday enchantment. The elf costume hugged her curves perfectly, accentuating her slim waist and flaring out just enough at the hips to create a playful yet flattering silhouette. The rich green velvet glistened under the soft lights, the red and gold accents catching his eye and drawing him in. The bodice was fitted, emphasizing her figure without being too revealing, and the sleeves ended in delicate cuffs adorned with small jingling bells.

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