Page 69 of My Favorite Holidate

“It’s nice. That’s all. He’s nice,” I insist.

Josie snorts. “That’s not nice, Fable. That’s above and beyond.”

So is giving me two orgasms on his desk. I roll my eyes,mostly so it masks the way my stomach flips once again. “Hush. Let’s go paint and sip.”

We do and it’s the best class I’ve ever taken.

Dinner at Gabriel’s is the most mouthwatering meal I’ve ever eaten.

And the penthouse suite is the most decadent place I’ve ever stayed. I let myself enjoy every second of this night, especially since I know they’re ending when the year ends.

Like we planned.

22

THE DATING HANDBOOK, PLEASE

Fable

Is there a handbook somewhere for fake dating? If so, I could use it right now as I slide on red-and-white-striped tights under my little green elf dress on Thursday afternoon. I’m in the ladies’ room on my floor, getting ready to hand out the corporate Christmas gifts with Wilder.

It’s the first time I’ll have seen him since I learned exactly how good he is with his hands. A blast of heat rushes through me. I could barely get that first office kiss out of my head, not to mention the mistletoe kiss, and now the session on his desk has claimed a permanent spot in my brain.

But I’ve got a job to do before the Blaine Enterprises holiday break begins tomorrow. I cinch the black belt at my waist, smooth a hand over the flouncy green skirt, then adjust my elf hat. No elf ears for me though. A woman has her limits.

I fluff out my red strands of hair, slick on some lipstick, then take a deep, fueling breath. I’m ready to elf it.

I head to Wilder’s office, where Shay is thrusting his arm in the air in a rocker salute behind his desk. “We won!”

I tilt my head, a tad concerned. “The door-decorating contest?” It seems kind of unfair for the CEO to win, even though Santa’s butt is so cute.

“Yes, Lucia and I! We decorated the door in ops with cat drawings for a Meowy Christmas,” he says, then shows me a picture.

Oh, thatwe—Shay and his wife, not Shay and the boss.

“And you deserve it,” I say.

“We get three free nights at The Resort hotel in the honeymoon suite.”

“Can confirm that hotel is amazing. And I hope you have a great cat-mas,” I say, and I’m about to knock on Wilder’s half-open door when I stop.Just because his fingers were inside you doesn’t mean you can walk in like you own the place. Check with his assistant.

“Is Wilder here? We’re doing the stockings,” I explain, and oh…is my voice squeaking with nerves? Yes, yes, it is.

“I am,” Wilder says in that rich, brandy voice, emerging from his suite in a charcoal black suit, with a cheap drugstore Santa hat atop his thick hair.

I huff. “Wilder, are you Scrooge?”

“How am I Scrooge?”

I flap a hand his way. “You’re wearing a regular suit and a hat, and we’re handing out gifts.”

Shay rolls his eyes. “Total Scrooge.”

Wilder lifts a challenging brow to me, then Shay. “Does Scrooge deliver stockings full of gifts for every employee?”

I park my hands on my hips. “No, but Scrooge also does not have an elf. This elf works for Santa.”

“Ah, but you look good in an elf costume,” he says, and his gaze lingers on me for a good long time. So long that chills erupt along my skin.

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