Page 28 of Naughty Santa

“When I look at the Pacific Ocean, I’m always amazed at how huge the world is, and I have that feeling here too.” Paris was looking around, taking in the woods and the stream that ran under the bridge. “I think this is the first time I’ve actually enjoyed the cold. It feels kind of refreshing.”

“Wow. Who are you? And what did you do with Paris?” Joe asked with a wink.

She gave him a good-natured slap on the arm. “Smartass.”

“From beach babe to snow bunny overnight. I like it.” Joe liked a lot of things about her. The way she laughed. The way she took care of her little dog and was being sweet to Roscoe. Theway she was so comfortable with her sexuality and gave those soft little moans when he touched her.

“It almost feels like we’re the only two people on the planet.”

Joe sighed happily. “Yeah, it does. I guess you never get that same feeling in L.A.”

She laughed softly. “That’s an understatement. L.A. feels like a giant anthill, millions of people crammed into a tiny space, always in constant motion. I consider myself pretty chill, but I’m not sure I knew what it meant to slow down and relax until here.”

“Careful, Paris. Touting the benefits of life in North Pole is my job. Feels like you’re stepping on my turf here.”

She turned toward him, dropping his hand and wrapping her arms around his waist. He wasn’t sure if she was aiming for warmth or...something better, but Joe didn’t care. It really was cold, and he liked having Paris in his personal space. He tightened his arms around her, and the two of them stood there for a few minutes, listening to the night sounds of the woods around them while keeping each other warm.

Paris was the first to step away. “I can’t feel my nose anymore.”

Joe laughed. “Come on. We better get back to the car before it falls off.”

He took her hand and led her back to the truck. Turning it on, he cranked the heat on high.

Then, it hit him. The lie he’d been telling himself. He didn’t do casual because he couldn’t do casual.

He didn’t want her to leave.

Maybe she didn’t want to leave either.

Maybe he just needed to use all his powers of persuasion to convince her that life in North Pole had its merits.

Turning to Paris, Joe reached out and cupped her soft cheek with his rough, calloused hand. He loved how small and feminine she was compared to him. Her eyes widened a little.

“What?” she asked.

“I’m just thinking about all the ways I can get you hot. I owe it to you after taking you tromping through the snow.”

“Oh,” she said, the corner of her mouth turning up. “That does seem fair. I can’t wait to see what you come up with.”

Joe brushed his lips over hers. “I’m going to warn you. It’s going to take all night. If you want a job done right, you can’t rush it.”

“I strongly support quality craftsmanship.”

She sounded breathless and excited.

He put the truck in reverse and drove back to her house as fast as he could without spinning out in the freshly fallen snow.

All night in Paris.

Joe was one fucking lucky guy.

She had a situation.

And Paris didn’t mean like the time her boob tape decided to give way at her friend Asher’s wedding, and she came perilously close to a nip slip. The fact that it was her father who had pointed it out to her was still mortifying.

That had been bad.

This.

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