Page 36 of Sleighing You
I rolled my eyes. “It’smyred sweater. Why would I pack something I didn’t like or didn’t want to wear?”
“Well… you keepstaringat me. Like I said.”
I leaned in and brushed her hair off her neck, lowering my lips to brush along the curve of her shoulder. “I keep staring at you because you’re beautiful.” I glided my mouth lower to her jaw and pressed a kiss there. “And sexy.”
Outside the window, snow started falling. Big, fluffy flakes floated like movie snow down to the ground. “You know… we have a little over an hour before the store opens—”
She pressed her palm into my chest and pushed me away from her. “I’m not having sex with you dressed like this. And if a pregnant-looking Mrs. Claus is what turns you on, then I have serious concerns.”
My face screwed into a frown. “God, no, that’s not what I was going to say.” My mother wore that dress, for God’s sake. “I was going to suggest that we go ice skating.” I pointed out the window to the pond in the center of town that had frozen over and been converted to a skating rink for the winter. “Since there won’t be time for an official date, just the two of us before the board meeting, maybe we can have a mini-date now.”
“With me dressed like this?”
I shrugged. “Why not? It’ll be plenty warm.” I touched the velvet fabric, lifting the bell of her skirt and letting it fall heavily against her legs.
“It’s not the warmth I’m worried about. It’s the kids that will see Mrs. Claus ice skating with the very handsome, very eligible Christmas Shop owner.” Her brows arched suggestively.
“Are you implying that Mrs. Claus would cheat on Santa? Blasphemy.”
“I’m implying that skeptical children might stop believing in Santa if they see us out together like this.But…”
Oh, God. No. My stomach dropped. “Don’t say it…”
She ignored me and continued talking. “Wecouldgo skating like this if you dressed up as Santa.”
“Oryoucould take off the costume.”
“This thing has a million layers and took me forever to put on.” She tucked her hair into the wig and glanced quickly in the mirror to adjust it. “Come on… it’ll be fun.”
I groaned. “Fine. On one condition. We are never, ever, ever having sex in these costumes.”
She scrunched her nose in disgust. “Ugh, deal.”
I pointed at her, poking her nose with my index finger. “Don’t youugh, dealme. You love all things Christmas. How do I know this wasn’t your plan all along… seduce me and get me to dress up as your number one fetish…Santa.”
“That’s pretty twisted… even for you,” she teased. Then, she pushed onto her toes and pressed a kiss to my lips.
