Page 11 of Naughty Santa

“Jaden…” Joe felt like he should reprimand his nephew, but the truth was, the dog did look like he was desperate to appease the call of nature.

Paris looked grateful for the interruption. “Oh, I bet you’re right! It’s been all day. He doesn’t know what to do in the snow.”

“Let’s go,” Joe said, skipping his coat. He’d come back for it when he got the bags. He could use a little fresh air because he was doing it, doing the same fucking thing he always did—looking at a pair of pretty eyes and getting sucked in.

He was annoyed with himself. She was flirting with him a little, sure, but she probably flirted without even knowing she was doing it. Joe needed to not be a dumbass.

Jaden took Louis’s leash and led the dog out the front door. At first, the little fluffball seemed startled and sniffed cautiously, bouncing on his paws. Then he stuck his nose into some new-fallen snow and tossed it up into the air. It was at that moment he became a real dog, not some California pampered purse pooch. He started to jump around, flinging snow, and Jaden encouraged him by jogging alongside him.

The dog didn’t even look back as they took off down the sidewalk.

“At least he likes the snow,” Joe said as he closed the front door to the store.

“Just leave Mommy in the dust, Louis, it’s fine,” she called after her dog, sounding amused. “And after all I’ve done for you.” Paris took a few tentative steps and glanced at Joe. “Aren’t you going to lock the door?”

“Nah. I’m coming right back.”

Or would be eventually. Paris walked with a speed that would make a snail look like a sprinter. She was staring at her feet, arms splayed out for balance, and making noises with each step she took.

“Oh!” Step. “Oh my God.” Another tiny step. “Ack!” A step that turned into a slight slide. “Shit!” Her head popped up to look for Jaden. “I mean shoot. He didn’t hear me, did he?”

“I don’t think so.” Joe was having a hard time walking as slow as Paris. He had long legs, and it was challenging not to charge ten feet ahead. “He’s going to be in the next county by the time you catch up with him at the pace you’re going.”

She shot him a look of irritation and took another wobbly step. “You try walking in heels.”

“Uh, no, thanks. Not my style.”

“What is your style?” Paris swiped at her hair, which had blown into her face. “Ugh. It’s so cold. I can’t see. My eyelashes are covered in snow.”

Joe’s style? Taking charge. That was him. Not a whole lot of talking but a whole lot of doing. Which was why he couldn’t walk this slow anymore. It was physically impossible.

“Paris.”

“What?” She grabbed on to his arm when she slipped again.

“Come here.” Joe wrapped his arm around her ass and hauled her up, tossing her over his shoulder while she screamed.

“What are you doing? Put me down!”

“Showing you my styleandgetting you home before midnight.”

“Oh.” Her squirming instantly stopped. “I see.” Her voice changed, grew husky, curious. Ah hell, that wasn’t good.

Paris weighed almost nothing, so carrying her down the sidewalk took no effort whatsoever. But with each step, Joe became more and more aware of how her breasts were pressed against him, her hair dangling over his shoulder, and her pert little ass inches above his forearm.

She was really fucking hot, and he was regretting his inability to be the guy who just took a woman he didn’t know home to bang her brains out. Even if he was that guy, Joe had Jaden with him, so there was no point in getting turned on when he couldn’t do a damn thing about it.

Paris wiggled a little, and the only thing that saved him from spontaneously combusting was the biting wind and fat snowflakes hitting him in the face.

They were nearly to Lydia’s house when he spotted his mom, pulled up to the curb, talking to Jaden.

She rolled her eyes as Joe walked up to the truck with Paris slung over his shoulder.

“Hey, Mom.”

“Put Paris down, Joe.”

Paris twisted, attempting to see his mom, but he didn’t let her down.

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