“Damn,” I muttered to myself, fidgeting with the condensation on my glass. My leg bounced restlessly as I watched him, my mind spinning with possibilities. That was one Santa I wouldn’t mind seeing coming down my chimney.

I watched as Santa had a short conversation with Jesse, who looked…disappointed? Had he expected someone else? I had no clue, but I was not complaining about this Santa.

Before I could overthink it, I set my drink down and wove through the crowd, my heart pounding with each step. I felt giddy, almost lightheaded, with anticipation as I approached him.

Santa turned, those sharp blue eyes meeting mine once more. Up close, I could see the hint of a smirk beneath his beard, which only fueled my determination.

“Well, hello there.” I flashed him my most dazzling smile. “I’ve got to say, Santa, you’re looking pretty fit this year. What’s your secret? Crossfit? Pilates? Or is it all the up and down the chimneys?”

Santa’s eyes crinkled with amusement. “It’s all about balance.” His voice was a low rumble that sent tingles through my body. “Milk, cookies, and plenty of…physical activity.”

“Oh, I bet.” I grinned, leaning closer to him. My heart was racing, but I pressed on. “So, Santa, I’ve been wondering, do you take requests for lap-sitting? Because I’ve got a few things I’d like to ask for this year.”

I held my breath, waiting for his response. Would he play along, or had I pushed too far? I had no idea if the man was even queer, but then he took me in, letting his eyes roam over my body without any hurry.

So, not straight.

Halle-fucking-lujah.

Santa chuckled, his eyes twinkling with amusement as he gestured to a chair next to the Christmas tree. “Well, aren’t you a naughty one? Come on then, let’s hear what you’ve got on your list.”

I didn’t need to be told twice. As soon as he sat down, I settled on his lap, aware of the warmth and strength beneath me. His thighs were firm, muscular—not your typical mall Santa. I shifted slightly, getting comfortable, and felt a jolt of excitement when I realized how close we were.

Leaning in, I lowered my voice to a teasing whisper. “You know, Santa, I’ve always had a thing for men in uniform. But I’ve got to say, the red suit is doing it for me.”

Santa’s arm wrapped around my waist, steadying me. His touch, even through the fabric of his gloves and my shirt, sent shivers down my spine. “Is that so?” he murmured, his breath warm against my ear. “And here I thought the beard was my best feature.”

I laughed, the sound bubbling up from somewhere deep inside me. It felt good to flirt like this, to let loose and enjoy the moment. “Oh, don’t sell yourself short. The whole package is pretty impressive. But I have to wonder. What’s Santa packing under that suit?”

My mind was racing a mile a minute, thoughts tumbling over each other like excited puppies. Santa’s gaze locked on mine, intense and unwavering. It felt like he was peering straight into my soul, seeing past all my usual deflections and witty comebacks.

“Wouldn’t you like to find out?” Santa rumbled. Everything about him turned me on, including his voice.

“God, why are you so freaking hot? It should be illegal to be this sexy in a Santa suit. I mean, seriously, how am I supposed to concentrate on anything else when you’re sitting here looking like a snack? A whole damn meal, actually. I just?—”

Santa’s low chuckle cut off my rambling. “Breathe, sweetheart,” he murmured, his thumb tracing small circles on my hip. “You always this chatty?”

I felt my cheeks flush. “Sorry, I tend to talk a lot when I’m nervous. Or excited. Or, well, breathing, I guess. It’s kind of my thing. My ex used to say I could talk the ear off a statue. Which is ridiculous because statues don’t have ears, right? Unless it’s, like, a statue of a person, I suppose, but then?—”

“What’s your name?”

I swallowed. “Boaz.”

“Mmm, that’s a pretty name.”

“Wanna find out how pretty the rest of me is?”

“Careful now,” Santa warned, but his tone was playful. “You wouldn’t want to end up on the naughty list.”

I bit my lip, my cheeks warming from a mix of embarrassment and arousal. “Maybe that’s exactly where I want to be.”

I felt more than heard Santa’s sharp intake of breath. His grip on my hip tightened, and when he spoke, his voice was low and full of promise. “Careful what you wish for, little boy. Santa’s got a big sack full of…presents for boys who misbehave.”

A jolt of arousal shot through me, making me squirm. “Is that a threat or a promise?”

Santa’s eyes darkened. “Keep pushing your luck, and you might find out. I’ve got a firm knee and a fast hand that are perfect for naughty boys who can’t control their mouths.”

The bustling party faded into the background, becoming nothing more than a dull roar in my ears. My entire world had narrowed to this moment, to the feeling of Santa’s strong thighs beneath me and the intensity of his gaze. My heart raced, and I couldn’t seem to catch my breath.