Page 18 of Stalked By Santa

Christ. What the hell is wrong with me? This entire tour is a casual cruelty that my angel doesn’t deserve. Why the hell am I showing her things that will soon be taken away?

Because I’m a goddamn coward—that’s why. A coward who is hopelessly, stupidly in love with a girl who adores Christmas and has worshipedSantaher entire life.

If I were a better man, anethicalman, I’d come clean now. I’d tell her about the Christmas Contract and the complications it presents. I’d let her make a fully informed decision…

But when we reach the far bank and Maddie pauses to dip a finger into the rushing torrent of liquid chocolate, I’m reminded of exactly how much of a bastard I truly am. Because any urge I had to do the right thing evaporates as she sucks the chocolate off her finger.

I watch, transfixed, as she closes her eyes and lets out a little moan that makes me strain against my zipper. God. Thisgirl. This fucking girl. She’s a goddamn fantasy come to life.

“Thank you for bringing me here,” she says, voice soft. “This is like a dream.”

“Not a dream, Maddie. This is the rest of your life,” I murmur, hating how easily the lie slips off my tongue.

“What are you saying, Nick?” she asks, looking up at me with eyes so innocent that I immediately feel like the worst kind of asshole.

Because whileImight be the rest of her life, the North Pole sure as hell isn’t. But I’m not ready to find out how she reacts once she learns the full truth—that I’m throwing away the career she admires so much so that I can be withher. And I can’t wait another goddamn second.

“You’re everything, Maddie. My angel, my obsession, the love of my goddamn life. And you have been—for years.”

Christ. I’m blowing this. First by beginning with a lie. Then by forgetting the speech I lay awake all night mentally rehearsing. But fucking hell, in for a penny, in for a pound.

Removing the ring box from my pocket, I drop down on one knee. “What I’m saying is that I love you, Maddie. Although in truth, love doesn’t even come close to describing how I feel. And the thought of ever spending another night apart—”

“Yes,” she says, cutting me off. “The answer isyes, Nick. Maybe we’re moving too fast, but I’m obsessed with you, too. Iloveyou, too. So, yes, I’ll marry you. I don’t ever want to be separated from you or spend a single night not in your bed.”

At her words, something loosens in me. “You’ll never have to, angel. You’re mine, and I’m yours. Always. Will you be my wife?”

Laughing, she shakes her head. “I already said yes, but fine, I’ll say it again. A thousand times if necessary. Whatever this is between us, it’s magnetic. Inescapable. You’re like a drug, one I never want to break my addiction to.”

“And no one will ever ask you to, baby girl,” I say, taking the ring out of the box and sliding it onto her finger.

Maddie gasps. “How did you know that emeralds were my—”

“I know everything about you, Madelyn Marsden. Remember, I’ve literally been stalking you for years.” Standing, I claim her mouth in a soft, lingering kiss that leaves her lips swollen.

Breathless, she says, “Surely you don’t knoweverythingabout me…”

“I know that your favorite fruit is strawberries and that you adore cranberry scones. And I made certain that both will be served at breakfast. Shall we?”

Smiling, Maddie takes my hand once more, but we never make it to the orangery.

It’s the reindeer’s fault.

We’ve only gone a few steps when I spot Rudolph striding toward us. The reindeer’s expression is so sour that if I didn’t already suspect the reason for his approach, I’d be tempted to ask him if he’d been banned yet again from the reindeer games for cheating.

“Ms. Marsden,” he says, inclining his head. “Nick.”

“What can I do for you?” I ask, voice stony.

“Not me, Nick. I’m just the messenger.” The reindeer shakes his head. “The board of directors has requested your presence in New York. Immediately. I’ve already prepared the sleigh.”

ELEVEN

MADELYN

The viewfrom Nick’s office is impressive. In truth, the entire office is impressive. It’s strange, but the full extent of my fiancé’s power and influence didn’t really register until we entered the headquarters of Polar Enterprises.

Yes, I know that he’s Santa Claus. And you’d think that the sleigh, the magical polar compound, or the fact that Nick can seemingly defy at least some of the laws of physics would have clued me in to the fact that my new boyfriend is a powerful man.

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