Page 147 of Sinning for Santa

What would I have done if I wanted to please myself?

I have no idea. I have no interests besides Cloud 9.

Okay, so that isn’t true. I love shoes. Like a lot. And fine clothes. Suits that make a woman look powerful, yet exude femininity and tease onlookers, with sexy frills and high split skirts, or a blouse that ties up at the neckline with the satin of a ribbon, but hints to the cleavage underneath through the lace that finishes at the top of the bustline.

Shopping isn’t something I can make a living from.

I have no friends.Presley is the closest thing I have to a friend, but I don’t get to see her often even though we live in the same city.

Eddie prefers it that way. No friends. No anyone.

People bring their drama, and we don’t need it.

That’s what Eddie says, but now, I think it’s more than that.

I think it’s just another way to control me. To keep me naive and dependent on him as my only person.

I miss the boy he was, because the man he is sucks.

Pushing away all thoughts of Eddie and my lack of a life, I decide that for now, I have one, so I quickly shower and dress just as my devil requested, and then I make my way out into the bustling street.

It takes me a minute, but I eventually spot Devon, helping to carry some boxes to the stalls that are being set up along the road.

I grin.

He’s wearing the Santa hat again, and he’s clearly not happy about it.

Not able to wipe my smile from my face, I walk over to him, and when he looks up, he glares, although it holds no real fire.

“Don’t start,” he grunts, dusting his hands off before wiping them on his jeans.

“Don’t start what? I didn’t say anything,” I say, innocently batting my lashes.

“You don’t have to, it’s written all over your face.” He lifts an accusing brow and I beam, turning my sights on Allegra who is unpacking homemade Christmas snow globes and placing them on the stall table.

“Hey Allegra.” I grin, getting her attention, which is always mischievous. “He looks good in the Santa hat, doesn’t he?”

“He does.” She nods enthusiastically. “Wait until you see him tonight.”

“What’s he doing tonight?” Now she really has piqued my interest.

“Tonight is the night all the men in town dress up as Santa, and not the kind with round bellies and wrinkly eyes. These Santas are as sexy as sin.”

“What do you know about sexy?” Devon mutters, opening another box for Allegra to start unpacking. “You’re twelve.”

She gasps, nearly dropping one of the snow globes, but manages to catch it in time and place it safely on the table. “You know damn well I’m sixteen.”

He scoffs. “Barely. And sixteen year olds shouldn’t be looking at older men and thinking they’re sexy.”

“Then perhaps you need to hire uglier guards.” She sneers, although playfully.

“Perhaps I should just lock you and Eden up for the night to make sure you can’t get into any trouble.”

Her mouth drops open as she jerks her head back like he just slapped her with an invisible hand. “You wouldn’t dare.”

“Try me.” Devon smirks, leaning in and getting in her face.

“You know I’d escape. I can break into anything. And I can break out of anything as well.”

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