Page 33 of The Goalie and Santa's Little Helper

After nearly an hour of waiting, my phone finally buzzes with a message from Noah. I sit up excitedly, pushing away my comforter and fuzzy blanket as if I’m really going to spring out of bed and hit the town with him. I feel better, but my body feels like it’s been run over by a garbage truck. Which is convenient, I guess, since Noah’s text says he forgot about plans he made with my brother and a few of their friends to go to the bar and watch the Bulls game.

I pout but send him back a thumbs-up emoji. My phone buzzes again when he quickly sends a heart.

It’s such a small, insignificant gesture, but it somehow has my pulse racing in that excited, girl-with-a-crush way. I sink back into my covers and turn off the lamp next to my bed so I can obsess over Noah’s social media even more, a thing I’ve spent most of the day doing. Not that he’s ever posted a ton, but there used to be pictures of him with girls on his page. Now, it’s just him and the team, or with my brother. And then the shot of us that Norris took. Not all the comments are exactly nice—like the one from Kassie123Me that says the elf looks like a skanky ho. What does she know? I’m not even an elf. But there are a lot of nice ones, too, from both guys and girls. A lot of people sayingcute couple. And then one from his mom that simply reads:I told you so.

I screenshot the photo and a few of my favorite comments. Noah left it captionless, which makes my stomach bubble with curiosity. Is that what we are? Is that our status? Captionless.

I fall asleep, mulling over the thought. When I feel a warm body press against my back hours later in the middle of the night, it takes me a full minute to realize it’s not a dream. Noah is here. In my bed. Holding me.

“Hey,” I whisper, stretching out my arms and shifting in his embrace so I’m facing him. “Did Anthony let you in?”

His chest vibrates with silent laughter.

“Not exactly. I drove him home. And he left the door wide open, so I figured?—”

“You’d let yourself in.” I bring a fist to my eyes to rub away the sleepiness.

“I mean, it’s not like I could lock up from the outside.”

“Very fair,” I hum.

“Hey, how’s my favorite patient?” He kisses the tip of my nose.

“Careful, I’m probably still contagious.” I cover my mouth, but he pulls my hand away and pecks my lips.

“I’m pretty sure I’m well over the contagion line with you.”

I breathe out a soft laugh.

“Yeah, I guess you’re right.”

I nuzzle against his chest, my hand snaking up his shirt to feel his bare skin. His stomach is so warm, and I swear running my palm over those abs will never get old.

“I brought the deposit over. It was a good day. Double yesterday’s amount. And we got a ton of food.”

“Mmm, that’s because Mazy is a much sexier elf than I am.” I tease.

He pushes back and quirks a brow.

“You aren’t an elf,” he protests. I tighten my lips to hold in my heavy laughter. He has no idea how amusing that comment is right now.

I nod.

“You’re right. I know better. North Pole employee.”

He smooths my wild hair from my face, his gaze scanning every inch of it. His own is wearing the most adoring expression. Just like in the photo Norris took. It must be a full moon tonight because his profile is lit up.

“No way Mazy is a hotter helper, either. Nobody’s hotter. You’re the hottest,” he says, nipping at my upper lip. The sweet taste of beer lingers on his mouth.

“I hope you’re not drunk right now because I like to think you mean it when you say I’m the hottest.”

He shakes his head and pushes his hand through my hair, holding the back of my head as our eyes lock.

“I had two beers all night. And I mean it. You are the hottest,” he says before leaning in and suckling my bottom lip.

“In fact . . .” His mouth moves against mine, tickling me with his words. “Can I show you how hot?”

I squirm under his spell and let my hand roam lower until I cup his cock.

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