Page 114 of North Bound

‘I hear you, Santa.’

He grins, his eyes turning white as he kisses her. ‘You’re a real brat you know that?’

Scarlett grabs Nick’s coat, pulling him between her legs. ‘Now that is entirely your fault, Santa. You’ve released my inner brat. I hope you have what it takes to keep her in line.’

Nick’s thumb brushes against her bottom lip. When Nick kisses her again, he leaves her with no doubt he can absolutely keep her in line.

He releases her, his hand moving down to rest between her legs again. ‘I’m absolutely confident I can keep her in line. And I get the impression I’m going to enjoy every single minute of it.’

She slides off the edge of the sink and attempts to fix her hair in the mirror. ‘So I should bring more tights with me next time?’

He wraps his arms around her and kisses the side of her neck. ‘Sacks of them.’

Nick groans and glares into his bedroom, when someone beats on the door again.

‘I think that’s your final call, Santa. Zip up your trousers and get that ass of yours on the sleigh.’

She laughs at the look on his face. For some reason, talking about all the Santa stuff around her, makes him embarrassed. And she loves it.

He slaps her on the ass, then disappears into the bedroom. ‘Get some fucking underwear on. No way you’re leaving here with your pussy on show.’

Five minutes later, they’re both presentable, underwear in place and hair fixed. Scarlett hands him his gloves, and steps back to admire him. ‘Definitely the sexiest Santa I’ve ever seen.’

‘And you are stunning.’

‘Santa!’ This time Eve thumps the door so hard the whole thing shakes. ‘Presents. Kids. Now!’

‘I’m coming!’

Nick holds out his hand and Scarlett takes it. ‘We’d better go, or she’ll break the damn door down.’ When he opens the door, Eve is leaning against the wall a little further down the corridor. She grins widely and places her hand over her heart. ‘Would you look at the two of you. So cute!’

‘I’m seriously close to firing you.’

She smirks at him. ‘Of course you are, Boss. So, are you ready to do your job, or do you need another few minutes to—’

‘Eve...’

‘Shutting up. Shall we?’ She walks down the corridor, whistling to herself.

‘I think she enjoys irritating you.’

Nick laughs, following after Eve. ‘Yeah. A little too much. So, you going to be okay for the next day?’

‘I think I could probably do with getting some sleep. Someone has kept me up for the last twenty-four hours.’

He winks at her. ‘That’s all your fault.’

‘Of course it is.’ They step on to the main floor of the workshop and walk over to the far end, where the sleigh is waiting for him. Unlike the first time she came here, this time she’s not aware of as many whispers, or confused looks in her direction. Arriving back with Nick the first time had clearly rubbed some of the workers up the wrong way. Perhaps now, after making his feelings for her clear, she will be accepted. A lot will depend on what happens over the next week or two when he’s asleep.

Scarlett smiles when the sleigh comes into view. She knows Nick is Santa, but when she sees things like his sleigh, it hits her again just who he is. She leaves him alone to speak to Eve, as they run through some last minute details. She’s also relieved to see Kane checking every single inch of the sleigh - twice. No one wants a replay of last year.

About ten minutes later, with all the checks done, and rechecked again, Nick is ready to leave. ‘Eve can track me the whole time.’ He holds out his wrist, showing her the band fastened around it. ‘It’s securely fastened. No one is taking this from me again, without losing their head.’

‘What beautiful imagery!’

‘I’ll be back as soon as I can. Make yourself at home while I’m gone, and don't take any shit from anyone. You’re with me. I expect you to be treated like fucking royalty.’ He raises his voice for the last part and she has no doubt it was meant to be heard by everyone within earshot.

Nick kisses her, then climbs into the sleigh and takes hold of the reins.

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