Page 43 of Knot My Secret Santa

I sent the text, and then messaged my parents to let them know I was okay and that I was doing the spa thing. My mom immediately responded saying she was glad I was okay, and that she wanted to see pictures of me all dressed up for The Nutcracker tonight.

Guilt stabbed at me, but I couldn’t tell anyone I was nesting in my boss’ office. Also, since Kris wasn’t in town, I had to find someone else to go to the theater with me.

The bathroom door opened and Nathaniel stepped out with only a towel wrapped around his middle. Steam puffed out around him and gave his body a glistening sheen. Fucking hell, the man was so hot.

“I love the way you look at me,” he purred and teased taking off the towel.

I giggled. “I love looking at you.”

“You know you’re allowed to do more than just look.” Nathaniel took off the towel and spread his hands in an invitation. The man was drop dead gorgeous, and he knew it, but I lov—

I squeezed my cell in my hands. There was no going there. We couldn’t. “So, about tonight….”

His mouth flattened into a thin line and his muscles tensed. “Yes?”

“Kris’ flight got canceled due to bad weather. I wondered if maybe you’d like to see The Nutcracker with me. I understand if it isn’t your thing or if you don’t want to be seen with me—”

“I’d love to go with you.” He swept over and kissed me. I melted into the couch with a happy sigh. “I suppose that means I’ll have to put some clothes on.”

“Maybe just a tie.” I laughed and glanced at my phone as it vibrated with Noelle’s response.

Hi hon! Thanks for letting me know. Enjoy your day. Kris isn’t your Secret Santa? Hmm. Let me ask around. Denise might know. 5 DAYS UNTIL XMAS!

“I suppose that means I’ll just have to bury myself in you to keep warm then.” He brushed several tickling kisses along my neck, and it was all I could do not to pull him down on top of me and let him knot me again.

I was feeling fine at the moment. My body needed to recover. “I told my family that I was having a spa day with a friend, so I don’t have to leave the nest this afternoon. Though I will have to drive out to my house and pick up some clothes, including my dress for tonight.”

“A spa day sounds good.” Nathaniel returned to the bathroom to get dressed. He dropped his towel and, oh God, his tight sexy ass.

“You’ve been to the spa?” I couldn’t stop ogling his rear as he bent and pulled on his boxers.

“Of course. Massages, exfoliation, pedicures, and the sauna. Landon and I used to go all the time.”

“That’s why you’re such a pretty man then.” I teased, and he turned to wink at me.

Once he had his pants on, he stepped out of the bathroom and grinned at me. “We’re going to the spa today. It’s been a hard last few days on you. I’m sure they know all the tricks to ease an Omega’s sore muscles. They do hair and makeup too, right? I’ll get you a dress, so you don’t have to run back home.”

“Whoa there.” I held up my hands. “We’ll never get into a spa on a Saturday this close to Christmas. You’ve already bought me lingerie and let me do this to your office. I have a dress. I borrowed it fr—”

Nathaniel shook his head. “I’ll be able to get us into my spa. I’m a private member. I will—” He shut his mouth and exhaled a long breath. “May I buy you a dress? You’ll be supplying the tickets tonight, after all. This is something I want to do for you.”

I fiddled with my phone. I felt that I had stretched his financial good will way too far, especially if he was going to take us to his spa. Yet he had stopped himself from being bossy about it and asked. That I greatly appreciated. Part of me was also curious to see what he wanted to dress me up in.

“Alright.” As soon as I agreed, he smirked that devilish smile. “Nothing too expensive. I still need to go home for accessories, underwear, and another change of clothes.”

“I will supply it all.” Nathaniel fetched his phone from the docking station on his desk. “Today you will relax, be pampered and entertained. You will be the queen of nutcrackers.”

I laughed at that for so many reasons and settled back down into my pile of cushions on the couch. I was cozy, safe, and well cared for, and momentarily sated. The holidays always filled me with a joyful warmth, but the happiness bubbling in me now was bigger than anything else before. And I knew it was because of Nathaniel.

No amount of wishes from the sugar plum fairy would save me from the heartbreak when this was over.

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT – Nathaniel

Side by side massages, manicures and pedicures, and facials. I’d never done such a thing with a woman before, and I never wanted to do it with anyone else other than Avery again. She chatted away merrily with the attendants about the holidays and blushed a deep shade of rose when one of them said we made a gorgeous couple.

She was whisked away to get her hair and makeup done while I headed to the sauna. Since no one here knew us, we didn’t have to pretend we were only professional associates. Not that anyone would believe someone’s boss would take them for a spa day. Even with the massages and relaxing treatments, nothing was more therapeutic than not having to pretend I didn’t adore Avery. I gave her appreciative smiles, winks, and caressed her, letting these people know she was mine.

Fuck, it felt good. All of this hiding away from the world was crap. I wanted to howl to the moon that Avery was mine, but I didn’t know if she truly wanted it.

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