Page 21 of Dad Bod Snow Job

"Less distracting." He catches my wrist before I can touch him. "I mean it, Holly. That mountain road is dangerous enough without you sitting next to me in this outfit."

"Fine." I press a quick kiss to his jaw, darting away before he can grab me. "I'll change. But only because you're helping with the van."

"And Holly?" His voice stops me at the door. "If this van checks out... I know a guy who specializes in custom vehicle modifications. Could help with the refrigeration unit setup."

Warmth blooms in my chest. He's not just supporting my dream—he's investing in it. Planning for it. For me.

"Thank you." I mean for more than just the van help, and from his soft smile, he knows it.

"Go change," he growls, but there's tenderness beneath the gruff tone. "Before I forget why we shouldn't finish what we started in here."

I practically skip to the break room, holiday bells jingling with each step. Phase two of Operation Seduce the Mountain Man is officially in progress.

Behind me, I hear him mutter something that sounds suspiciously like "that damn costume will be the death of me."

I grin, already planning our mountain drive.

Nico’s words feel like a promise. Like a future opening up before us, bright as Christmas morning.

Outside, storm clouds gather over the mountain, dark and heavy with snow. But I'm not worried. I practically skip to the break room, holiday bells jingling with each step.

“Ready to go?” Nico's voice startles me out of my thoughts. He's changed into a clean flannel shirt, dark blue bringing out his eyes. Not that I'm noticing. Much.

“I'll grab my coat!” I race toward the office, nearly colliding with a stack of wreaths. Behind me, one of the workers is asking Nico about delivery schedules.

I'm a walking disaster with anything mechanical, but I know how to work what God gave me. Using my assets to make a grumpy man lose his carefully maintained control? My superpower.

I smooth down my costume, tweaking the neckline until it's just this side of “Oops, did I do that?”

“Carter.” Nico's at the door, filling the frame with those ridiculous shoulders. “Van's not getting any newer.”

“Coming!” I grab my coat, fumbling with the buttons in my haste.

He holds the door, and I slip past him. His truck gleams in the weak winter sunlight, a beast of a machine that matches its owner. As I climb in, the scent of pine and leather surrounds me, all masculine and overwhelming. Just like him.

Nico slides behind the wheel, his thick thigh brushing mine. The truck roars to life, the vibrations thrumming through me like his growled commands from this morning. My body remembers every single one.

I glance at his hands on the steering wheel, remembering how easily they spanned my waist. The memory sends heat curling low in my belly. I want to feel his hands on me again.

Twenty-four years of complete inexperience with men means I've been saving all my natural talent for the right lumberjack. And judging by how his jaw clenches every time I “accidentally” brush against him—like right now, as I “adjust” my seatbelt—I'd say Nico Bennett is the one.

Chapter 9

Nico

The first snowflakes spiral down just as I finish inspecting the van's undercarriage. Rust spots on the frame. Leaky transmission. Shoddy brake lines. No way in hell I'm letting Holly buy this death trap, no matter how perfect the interior setup might be.

"Well?" Holly leans against the van's side, arms crossed. She changed out of the elf costume before we left, but somehow her cheeks are still flushed pink, her eyes bright with hope. "What's the verdict?"

The seller, Ray, hovers nearby, pretending to take a phone call. He quoted Holly triple what this heap is worth. My jaw clenches as I watch him pace, phone pressed to his ear, performing for an audience that doesn't exist.

"Let me handle this." I wipe my hands on a shop rag, keeping my voice low. Professional and not like I'm fantasizing about throwing her over my shoulder and getting her off this mountain before the weather turns. "Guy's trying to rip you off."

Her chin lifts with that determined look I'm learning to love and fear. "I can negotiate."

She squeezes my arm, then saunters toward Ray with a bright smile, and twenty minutes later we're heading down the mountain in my truck with Holly practically vibrating with satisfaction.

"Did you see his face when I pointed out the transmission fluid leak?" She bounces in her seat, reminding me of Bear when he's excited. "He couldn't backpedal fast enough."

---