Page 46 of Texting My Secret Santa

Holly:Okay, deal, but you have to stick to it.

CHAPTER 17

HOLLY

Ilay both elf outfits out on my bed. One of them is super sexy—not something I’d ever thought about wearing before Asher showed me what being attractive feels like. The other one is long, baggy, suitable.

I take the shirt from the second and match it with the stockings from the first.Thiscould be appropriate because the shirt is long and will cover the top of the stockings, giving it a dress effect. I’ve fixated on the stockings because that’s what Asher mentioned on Saturday when we discussed the outfit.

I shouldn’t be playing games. We agreed to be good, but being naughty feels so much nicer.

Tomorrow morning, he’s finally going to reveal the truth. Maybe that’s why I feel so—What did he call me, electrified? I didn’t expect my Secret Santa to reply when he left me on read for so long. Then, toward the end of the day, he texted.

My Secret Santa:I can’t do this anymore. Eight a.m., the park near work, by the Christmas tree. I’ll be waiting there for you. Texting you has made mefeel so emotional, invested, and charmed. You’re a remarkable, unique woman. You’re everything any lucky man could ever want.

I was shocked Asher would speak like this. It made me wonder, again, if thisisAsher or somebody else. There have been too many coincidences.

Tomorrow, I’ll know for sure.

I walk into the kitchen to grab some coffee before we leave. Dan grins at me. “Lookin’ festive, Holly. Just don’t drain my main man too much.”

I smile, hating how forced it feels. I called my Secret Santa Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, but that applies to me just as accurately. “What do you mean?”

“He’s on wingman duties tomorrow. I’ve finally found a time for Marcella and me to go on a date, but she was adamant about bringing a buddy. Guess who came in clutch as the wingman?”

It’s good I’ve got my back to Dan. He can’t see the look of pain on my face.

Asher’s going on a date with another woman.

“Don’t worry. I’ll have him home at a reasonable hour.”

Dan chuckles.

Soon, Asher walks in.

“Where’s your Santa outfit?” Dan demands.

“I’m changing when I get there.” Asher’s eyes roam over my body, then fixate on the stockings. He quickly stares anywhere else. The clear effort this takes sends my confidence soaring.

“Damn, you’ve stolen my chance to bust your balls.”

Asher laughs. I wonder if Dan can hear how forced it is. Or, if, like so much else between me and Asher, that’s a private secret just for us.

After finishing my coffee, Asher and I ride the elevator to the underground parking lot. He stands close to me, almost touching. His breath comes quickly.

“Are you okay, Asher?” I ask, looking up at him innocently.

It’s petty, sure, but I bet he won’t look at hisdatelike this.

“Is the outfit okay?” I go on when he stares at me. “Are the stockings okay?”

“I thought we were being good.”

I bat my eyelashes at him. “I’m just asking a question.”

He grabs me and pushes me against the wall. His kiss makes me sparkle, and I can’t even think about telling him to stop. Our lips were made for each other. It’s an irrational thought, but it doesn’t seem impossible when we press closer together.

His hand moves to my leg. I push him away.

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