Page 13 of The Naughty Elf

Would Ginger want to plan that as well? If her homemade treats are anything to go by, there would certainly be great food.

I wasn’t the first to go back for a second helping—Brenda was—but I did get the last one.

Slowly, I make my way to the boxes beside her as she inspects everything. “Should we just take that all down to your office?”

“Not yet.” She’s up to her elbows in gold garlands, and they reflect sparkles of light onto her face.

“Afraid you’ll have to create an inventory of all of this?”

The way her eyes lift to meet mine sends so many chills down my spine. I have a feeling I will enjoy every second with her.

Turning away, I dig into another box, looking for the costume we spoke about until I remember having put it in a garment bag, for my ex-wife. It’s hanging on the wall in a dark shadow. I reach for it and present it to Ginger like a prize.

“Lookie what I found.” I swear her eyes narrow in suppressed delight. “I’ll just bring this downstairs for when you’re ready to try it on.”

Winking, I slink back and watch her dig into a new box before I descend the ladder. I bring the costume to my office and hang it on the back of the door. Now, I’ll play the waiting game. When she’s done with the boxes up there, she’ll make her way down here.

It doesn’t take long for me to hear the snap of the attic door closing. I finish up a few emails to advertisers before Brenda ambles in. “Are you staying late?”

“A little. I have a few finishing touches to put on, and a challenge to win.”

Her eyebrows lift. “A challenge? What are you and those boys up to now?”

I grin at her because, of course, she wouldn’t think of Ginger as the mischievous one. Not yet anyway. “Nothing for you to worry about, Brenda.”

She plants her hands on her hips. “You just leave that nice new girl out of it. Don’t think I don’t see all your tongues hanging out of your mouths.”

I hold my hands up placatingly. “She got nine proposals today, but none of them were from me.”

“Mm-hmm. Be sure you watch her get in her car. She stays later than I like.”

“Exactly. Girls should be out having fun with their friends. Not working themselves to an early grave.” Brenda’s huff is adorable, and she waves a hand at me. “Don’t linger too long. I’ll see you bright and early.”

“With bells on.”

She guffaws and leaves me to my waiting game.

It’s only another fifteen minutes before Ginger appears in my doorway. Her bright blue eyes are sparkling, and her cheeks are a little flushed as she crosses her arms.

I turn in my chair and lean back, folding my hands in my lap. “Yes?”

Those vibrant eyes narrow at me, like she’s about to drop a bomb on me. “Where is it?”

“Where is what?”

Ginger stalks forward and plants her hands on the arms of my chair. Fuck, she’s close. Sweet citrus and musk fill my nostrils, and I force myself to maintain her gaze. “Are you playing with me, Jackson Hayes?”

Fuck, I like how she says my full name. “What if I am?”

Her features harden, and she closes another few inches between us. “You’re going to get burned.”

Ginger’s breath fans my mouth, and the temptation to kiss her is hard to curb. I’m only able to keep this stalemate for another few seconds before I break. “It’s behind the door.”

After a short pause, she abruptly pulls away, and I feel a tug in my center that I don’t expect.

Taking the garment bag off the hook, she peers back at me before disappearing out the door. I take a few deep breaths before I follow, setting myself up at the kitchen counter as she changes in the downstairs half bath.

The door cracks, warm light spilling out before Ginger appears. She’s swathed in green. The furry white ruffle around the collar plunges just enough to show the expanse of her chest and the very tops of her breasts. It cinches together at her waist, accenting the red bottom of the tight, velvety dress.

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