Page 9 of Holiday Flame

I don’t know how “sexy elf” translated into wearing something from a pilgrim’s wardrobe. I also don’t know how it’s going to get Remington to sweep me off my feet and have his way with me.

But, considering how well my friends’ advice went on the first day of Project: Seduce Remington, who am I to question their methods now?

Especially when I stopped by the Firth Mountain Smokejumpers office with some donuts yesterday and Remington couldn’t keep his eyes off me. Of course, it didn’t hurt that I was wearing a sweater with a V deep enough to have my brother scowling.

I also might have “accidentally” brushed my breasts against his arm a handful of times while I reached for things. But that happens when you need to refill your copy. Or you need to grab a napkin. Or another napkin.

The point is, while I may have wondered whether or not I had any clue to go after a guy like Remington, considering my lack of experience, so far, I seem to be doing okay.

“Okay.” I take a deep breath and nod at my elfin reflection in the mirror. “If you’re sure about this?—”

“I’m positive,” Mabel insists.

I release my breath. “Then I suppose we better head to the party.”

Mabel only has to give me three more pep talks on our drive to the Firth Mountain Smokejumpers training center. Today’s the day of the holiday party they host for the community. While it’s mostly geared toward children, all of the activities and treats give grown-ups a chance to be children at heart.

On our walk to the training center, I catch more than a few stares. Not that I blame people. It’s not every day you see an elf.But as we enter the party, I lock eyes on the man dressed in a red crushed velvet suit of his own.

Remington’s jaw, which has been sprayed white to cover the natural dark color of his beard, falls slack. Then his gaze roves down my body and his ears grow pink.

“See.” Mabel nudges me in the ribs. “I told you. Now go play Santa’s little helper and see if you can’t get him to help you out later. Preferably in your bedroom after the party.”

FOUR

REMINGTON

The door to the Firth Mountain Smokejumper crew room opens, and a wind-blown Jade strides through it. She shouldn’t look so boner-inducingly gorgeous looking like that, but she does.

She’s wearing a wool green dress, red-striped tights, and a hat and pair of shoes that are unmistakingly elf-like.

While the dress itself is perfectly innocent, the way it clings to her chest is anything but. I instinctively rub my fingers together imagining how it would feel to peel that dress off of her.

As for her bow-shaped lips… She’s wearing a shade of red on them that should be illegal.

I don’t know whether to fall down at her feet and beg her to take me to bed or ask her to please stop torturing me like this. If she keeps it up, I’m going to lose the circulation in my dick. Never mind losing my bet with the guys.

“What is she doing here?” I ask.

My boss, Calloway, follows my gaze and grins. “Mav’s sister volunteered to be your elf this year.”

“Fuck,” I mutter to myself and turn to the kitchen. I’m going to need a moment to collect myself. And maybe another minute to stand in front of our industrial-sized freezer to kill the boner that’s already threatening to form.

“Are you trying to kill me?” I mumble to myself.

“What was that?” Maverick asks, appearing out of nowhere.

“Nothing.”

I shake my head. So much for standing in the freezer. If I do that now, he’ll ask questions. Instead, I detour to the counter and grab another bag of cups. We probably already have enough in the hanger, but I need a moment. Otherwise, I’ll risk scaring one of the children running around outside with the boner I’m now packing.

One week. I’m not even going to make it one whole week into this bet if Jade keeps tempting me like this. Part of me wonders if Maverick put her up to this.

The other part knows better. The part that once saw him put the fear of God into the kid who showed up to take her to the prom when she was in high school.

He’d never risk the possibility of me successfully seducing his sister. He’d rather do my paperwork for a full year than put her in my bed.

That’s why I can’t give in to this urge to make her mine. I’d be ruining a friendship that is practically like family.

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