Page 26 of The Santa of the Mountain

“I hope I wasn’t keeping you awake.” It comes out before I have time to think.

Cole turns around, a stack of pancakes in his hands, and walks toward me. I’ll never get over how each step he takes rattles my chair. My legs. My…ahem.If only he’d pace around the kitchen shirtless…

“Why would you think that?”

I clear my throat. “My sleep routine gets screwed up when I sleep in a different bed. Different pillows. Different time. I thought stealing your bed might’ve disrupted you.”

He slides the plate on the table and then sits down, the chair holding his weight against all odds and laws of physics.

“Now that you mention it,” he rasps, fork scraping against the plate as he cuts a piece. “You did keep me up.”

I nearly choke on my pancake. Thankfully, I swallow it down with a sip of coffee. “Oh?”

Another bite. Chew, chew, chew. He’s staring at me, and I’m understanding what it means to have a penetrating gaze. I feel like he’s seeing through me. Like I’m laid bare to him. Like he was last night as he stroked himself to thoughts of me.

“Couldn’t wait to show you what’s so special about this mountain. Guess I was a little excited.”

More than a little excited, but okay. “So you think the snow won’t be too deep?”

Again with the look. I’ve never been so turned on and unnerved at the same time. I don’t know what to think.

“We’ll be fine. The first spot for cell service is about a twenty-minute hike on a good day. It’ll take a bit longer. But if it gets dicey, I’ll carry you.”

If it’s not dicey, I’d still like that, hanging onto him like a monkey as he trudges through snow.

“Sounds like a plan.”

“And if you’re up for it, I’ll show you one of the spots where we grow specialty Christmas trees. Although I know your relationship with Christmas is a little complicated right now.”

“I want to go to there.”

He snorts. “Well, I’ll take you.”

Even though he’s right—things are a little complicated right now—I can’t exactly ignore my favorite holiday over one bad experience. Besides, it’s almost—wait.

“Is it Christmas Eve?”

He smiles. “It is. We can try and get you back to town if you’d like. Might be difficult though.”

I shake my head. “No. I think I could use a break from Christmas with my family.”

“Another thing we can agree on.”

“But,” say, stretching the word. “I’m not sure if I’ll be able to keep my promise. It’s my favorite holiday.Andyour birthday. We need to celebrate.”

“We can do whatever you’d like.”

“Do you have decorations?”

He mulls it over. “I think I’ve got a box or two in a closet. You thinking about decking these halls?”

“Would you mind? Maybe we could find a small Christmas tree out there…” I poke at my pancakes. I’m nervous. I’m getting flashbacks of asking my parents for a puppy for Christmas.

“If it makes you happy, I’m all for it.”

And for the first time this Christmas season, I’m feeling a little festive. A little hopeful. But what I’m really feeling is the way Cole is looking at me right now. Like I’m the one present he’s waiting to unwrap. Like he’s about to write my name on the naughty list.

And for the first time in my life, I want Cole for Christmas.

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