Page 39 of The Twelve Knots of Christmas
I did the silly voices for each story and accepted a gingerbread man decorated with way too much icing that one of the children created at the cookie decoration table.
Lucian sang with the kids as they did a dance to Frosty the Snowman. Since when did Frosty have his own line dance? Lucian’s long legs, so hot, and the way his body moved, incredibly sinuous…
Story. Focus on Rudolph and the reindeer bullies. Nothing sexy about that.
Jasper smiled as he clinked glasses with a pair of men. He had taken off his suit jacket and slung it over his shoulder. The red of his shirt brought out the color in his dark auburn locks making me want to run my fingers through it as he ate me out again.
Pain lanced through me as my heat suddenly cranked up to level ten. I shuddered and fumbled through the end of the story. Putting the book down, I stood and excused myself, letting the children know I’d be back shortly. No one seemed to notice as perspiration dotted my forehead and my skin flushed.
Except one girl who gazed at me with her big sky blue eyes.
“Are you okay, Mrs. Claus?”
My legs trembled as another wave of pain hit and I swallowed it, hoping it didn’t show. “Yes, Trinity. I’m all right. I think I need some winter air to cool off and have a drink of water.”
Trinity walked beside me, her steps as slow as mine. “I bet you’re not used to how hot it is here compared to the North Pole.”
“That’s right.” I didn’t know where the nearest exit led me, but I reached for the door and had to pause to steady myself as everything seemed to clench in me at once and the world shimmered with how hot I was feeling.
“Also, you did eat the whole cookie that Donnie made for you, and that had so much sugar. Eating too much sugar isn’t good and can make you feel sick. With my diabetes, I’ve got to be really careful, but I’ve got a new kidney now and hopefully that will help. You should be really careful too, so you don’t get sick, because you’re the best Mrs. Claus that I ever met.” Trinity gave me a smile wise beyond her years and patted my hand when I was about to protest that the Claus family never got sick. “It’s okay. I know that Santa isn’t real, but it’s fun to pretend. You’re the prettiest Mrs. Claus I’ve ever seen and the nicest. I mean, you even ate Donnie’s cookie and I bet you he sneezed on it.”
I held onto the door handle for support and bent so I could give her a hug. Tears threatened to spill, but I somehow held them back. “Thank you so much for worrying about me, Trinity. It shows how strong and compassionate you are. You’re sick, but you’re thinking of others. That makes you the most beautiful person here.”
She blinked, mouth slightly parted. “Really?”
“Really.” I nodded and straightened so I could open the door. “Being selfless and compassionate are the two best gifts you could give anyone. Now I need to hurry, because I think you’re right. I ate too much sugar and it isn’t sitting well with me. Have a very merry Christmas, sweetie.”
“Merry Christmas to you too, Mrs. Claus.” Trinity waved as I exited, her little mouth still agape.
I stumbled into the hallway and shut the door fast behind me. Another heat pain surged through me, and I couldn’t contain my whimper. I needed to find a bathroom and douse myself with cold water. Fuck. No, I needed my Alphas. Their arms around me, their vehement kisses, their thick knots.
But there was no way I could go back into the auditorium and my phone was in Lucian’s truck because this dress didn’t have any pockets!
Wrapping my arms around me, I forced myself to walk. To my right, the sign said it led to pathology and lab services. To the left was close to where we came in. Administrative offices.
That way. Since it was nearly five on a Wednesday, most people would be gone, going home, or possibly at the charity event. Any bathroom should be empty.
Rounding a corner, the restroom sign was clear halfway down the corridor. I just had to make it. With every step, it felt like I was getting blasted by an erupting volcano. Sweat trickled down my back and slick soaked my leggings.
I’d been doing so good since Jasper had spread me on the hood of his car. There had been steamy dreams and moments where I fanned myself, but nothing of this intensity. It’s like my body waited until the most inopportune moment to release this hell upon me.
My heart beat thudded in my ears. My vision pulsed with it and blurred with tears. Two doors to reach the bathroom. Two more and I wasn’t going to make it.
Someone was going to find Mrs. Claus curled up in the hall, shaking with her Omega heat. And all my fried brain could think of was, of course, Santa was an Alpha. He took care of all the children in the world. Only an Alpha would have the balls to run the whole operation and travel the world in one night.
I sobbed as I slid to the floor. Hot Alpha Santa. Dumb thoughts.
His scent hit me before his arms wrapped around me. Smokey pine and warm cocoa, thick and masculine. I immediately leaned into it, to him, rubbing myself on his hard chest as if I could cover myself in that delicious smell forever.
“I’ve got you, Mariska. I’m here.” Balthazar’s rumbling baritone made me gasp as it vibrated me at my very core. Nothing had ever sounded so fucking sexy in my life.
“It hurts so much. I need you.” My whining voice wasn’t sexy at all, but all I could think about was yanking his coat open to get my hands on his bare chest and having him fill me with his knot. I quaked as I trembled with how close he was and yet how far away.
“I’ll take care of you, baby.” Balthazar tried opening one door, but it was locked. A second door. Locked.
I pushed his fake beard to one side and kissed up the side of his neck. Kisses were good, but not enough. I needed skin on skin everywhere.
The third door opened. Lights turned on as he hurried inside. I caught a glimpse of the sign: Medical Records A - E.
