Stuffed with Cole

Chapter One

“I’ve been ghosted.”

“What?!” My best friend Holly cries, falling into step beside me with her fresh mall pretzel. Its buttery smell makes my mouth water and my stomach turn at the same time.

“Yep. The third time this week.”

“Fuck, Vix, I’m so sorry. I know you liked Chris.”

“Josh.”

“What?”

“This one was Josh. Chris was the last one that ghosted.”

“Jesus. What is it with men these days?”

“Hell if I know. Even when you just want a night of fun they still ghost. I don’t understand it.”

Holly sighs. “Do you want my pretzel?” She holds the massive thing in front of my face as we walk through the busy mall, past a gingerbread-scented candle store. “It’s not a big dick but it is salty.”

My cheeks turn pink, and I glare at my friend. “Say that a little louder, would you?” I hiss. “And no, I don’t want your pretzel.”

It’s Christmas Eve and the mall is surprisingly busy with people—especially since it’s almost closing time. For all the shoppers milling around us, I’m surprised nobody heard her.

She cackles. “Lighten up,” she takes a bite of her pretzel and moans. “Damn, I forgot how good these things are. So buttery.”

As my friend enjoys her pretzel and we walk past another few stores, I glance at my phone. It’s open to the dating app I was on, one meant for both hookups and long-term relationships. Unfortunately for me, I haven’t had luck with either.

When I first started looking, it was for a boyfriend. But after many failed dates and ghostings, I decided it was time to at least have some fun. I haven’t had sex in far too long, two years to be exact, and I want—no need—the release.

I thought it would be easy to find a decent man to “dick me down” as Holly put it, especially so close to Christmas when people are in town visiting family or feeling lonely like I am over the holidays, but no such luck. I guess it’s going to be me and my hand on Christmas Eve.

I sigh and fight back tears. I shouldn’t be this sad about not meeting up with a random guy from a dating app on one of the holiest nights of the year. But I am.

“Vixen.” My friend pulls me to a stop near a sign for Santa’s Village. She brushes off the remaining crumbs of pretzel from her hand, and before I can question what she’s doing, she takes me into a hug and squeezes me tight.

“Holls—”

“Shhh,” she says, rubbing my back. “Just let me comfort my best friend.”

Despite everything, I smile and hug her back.

“It’s going to be fine. You’ll find someone, I just know it.”

“I appreciate your optimism. But it’s also easy for you to say since you have a hot Swedish boyfriend who treats you like a queen.”

Holly laughs. “Maybe so, but it’s Christmas Eve,” she pats my back and pulls away so I can see her brown eyes and diamond-shaped face framed with long auburn hair. “Plus, you’re scorching hot, and look sexy as sin in that dress—so I’d say there’s still time for a miracle dicking.”

I bark a laugh and shake my head at my friend again, she’s ridiculous.

I did dress up for the date that ghosted me, choosing a deep green V-neck velvet dress, black tights and black ankle boots.

The color makes my wavy ice blond bob and the red lipstick I chose to wear pop. She’s right, I do look hot.

I blow out a long breath. “If we’re going for miracles, I should probably hope for a real relationship instead of a one-night stand. One like you and Elias have.”

Her grin widens as if she’s thinking of him and all the nice things he does. They’ve been together for nine months now, but he’s currently in Sweden for Christmas, visiting family.

Holly pats my biceps. “I want that for you, but let’s start with something easier and work up to the big time commitment, okay killer?”

“Right. That’s probably for the best.”

Holly starts to walk again and I move to follow, but I slam into her back when she stops abruptly a second later.

“Holly, what?”

She turns around, her hair smacking me in the face. She grabs my arms and shakes me back and forth with excitement. “Vixen! Oh my god.”

“What is it?” I babble through the jostling.

She stops her shaking and points to Santa’s Village in front of us, like she just discovered the real North Pole.

“I know just the person to ask for your Christmas miracle!”

I look from her to Santa’s Village. The center of the Grove City Mall has been turned into a kitschy North Pole.

There’s a couple of little tents that have hot chocolate and crafts, even a little fake ice rink with animatronic elves skating on it.

At the end of the village is a cute, tiny cabin they put up each year that houses the mall's Santa Claus—who just happens to be played by Holly’s dad.

Holly’s very hot, single dad, Mr. Saint. Aka Cole.

“You’re joking.”

She tugs on my hand to lead me toward the entrance, but I pull back in protest.

“I’m not going to ask your dad for a one-night stand!”

Holly cackles, then makes a gagging noise. “You’re not going to ask my dad for a one-night stand, gross. But you are going to ask Santa Claus to bring you a man.”

“Holly!”

“What?” She crosses her arms over her chest.

“I’m not going in there.”

“Come on, Vix! I know it seems a little ridiculous, but it’s Christmas. You’ve tried the apps; you even went to that speed dating thing last month. What do you have to lose?”

“Sitting on Santa’s lap is for children. I’m twenty-five years old.”

She shrugs. “It can be for adults too. Who says people our age don’t deserve to partake in a bit of Christmas magic?”

“But it’s your dad—”

“Yeah, so? Don’t be weird about it. You’ve only met him a handful of times since we became friends in college.

And here he’s Santa Claus,” she points to some children and two teens in line waiting outside of the cabin.

“To all those kids, he’s him. Can’t you just for today feel some Christmas magic and go ask Santa for what you want?

Holly sticks her lower lip out in a pout that could rival any child's.

“You’re really being serious?”

She nods. “As serious as a kiss under the mistletoe.” I puff out a breath of air and look over at the village, then back to Holly, who’s still pouting, her eyes in full puppy dog mode.

Ever since I met her, she’s used those things on me.

They’ve gotten even harder to resist in the last seven years, especially since she’s become like a sister to me.

Not only were we roommates in college, but we still live together in a nice two bedroom in downtown Grove City.

She’s the only family I have now, my single mom who adopted and raised me having passed away a few years back.

“You’re not going to let me leave until I sit on Santa’s lap are you? ”

“Nope,” she pops the P.

“If I do this, you’re going to owe me.”

She cheers and jumps up and down, drawing the attention of a few passersby. “I’m going to owe you nothing. In fact, I think you’re going to owe me!”

“Is that so?”

“Uh-huh, because I have a feeling this is going to work!”

Holly Saint has far too much confidence over this.

But I shouldn't be surprised. She was born the day after Christmas, her mom owns a year-round Christmas store that she used to run with Cole before they split years ago, and Cole has been the mall’s Santa for the last three years.

If there was anyone in the world that would believe sitting on a fake Santa’s lap and asking for my Christmas miracle would work, it would be her.

And hell, maybe she’s right? I’ve tried everything else. My last resort was going to be standing in the middle of a bar and yelling, “Anyone here want me?”

Which probably would not have ended well.

“Okay fine. I’ll go ask Santa Claus for a man.”

“Yay!” she squeals. “That’s the Christmas spirit."

I must admit that entering Santa’s Village is magical. I know it’s just a fake place the mall builds every year, but the Christmas music is louder past the white gates, and Christmas lights decorate every surface.

“Welcome to the North Pole!” A portly man dressed as an elf greets. “Just to let you know, Santa has lots of houses to visit tonight, so we’re closing in about ten minutes to get his sleigh and the reindeer ready. So make sure to grab your last-minute hot chocolates and gifts!”

“Oh darn, guess we missed the window for Santa then!” I chirp.

I try to turn away, but Holly tugs me back, smiling at the elf. “Thank you! We’re gonna get in line for Santa.”

He looks between us, obviously not used to seeing two grown women here to see Santa.

“We know him, he’s expecting us,” Holly says, brooking no argument.

The man appears stunned, but finally dips his chin. “Okay, but you’ll be the last ones for the night. Technically the line has been cut off—like I said, Santa is a very busy man tonight.”

I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing. I’ll give it to this mall-elf. He’s committed to his craft, but I can also relate to the fact he wants to go home. It’s nearly seven o'clock on Christmas Eve. I’m sure he has a family he wants to see. Or at least a warm bed.

“Thanks so much,” Holly looks at his nametag, “Tinsel. You’re the best.”

The man laughs at her antics and directs us toward the line that’s about five kids deep in front of Santa’s cabin door. Next to it is Santa’s Workshop, where more animatronic elves are working on toys and putting them into a sleigh.

“We should just go,” I whisper to Holly after Tinsel has left. “It’s Christmas Eve, we don’t want to keep any of the workers or your dad here longer than we have to.”

She waves her hand. “My dad loves volunteering to do this, trust me, one more person is not going to bother him. And you won’t take that long anyway. You’re just one extra person.”

I press my lips together. I told Holly I would do this and I know it’s useless fighting her now. Once she has an idea, she’s like a dog with a bone.

Five minutes later the line is already down to me and a blond boy. He’s yapping to his mom about how good he’s been, and what he wants Santa to get him for Christmas.

In no time he’s called in, leaving Holly and me in line. A pretty woman dressed up as an elf with the nametag “Santa’s Helper” comes out of the cabin and smiles at us.

“Merry Christmas.”

“Merry Christmas,” we both say back.

“What’s your child's name?” She looks around us, in search of said child, and my cheeks heat.

“No kids,” Holly says. “Just us. I’m Holly and this is Vixen.”

“Vixen?”

I’ve had my name my whole life. Since I’m adopted, and never met my birth parents, I have no idea why the name was chosen, but I love it.

It was a difficult name to go through school with as a kid, but I learned to embrace it.

It suits me and my curves. And it makes me feel powerful—or at least it did.

The dating scene has seriously killed my confidence, but hopefully Santa can work some Christmas magic for me, and change my luck.

“Yes, that’s my name.”

She clears her throat. “That’s so unique. And festive.”

I half smile at her. “That it is.”

“Ho! Ho! Ho!”

My shoulders straighten and my stomach flips at the joyful trademark expression coming from inside the cabin.

Holly claps her hands. “I think Santa’s ready to see you, Vix!”

Santa’s Helper opens the door. “That he is. You can go in now, Vixen. Just exit through the back when you’re finished.”

I take a step forward but I’m stopped by a familiar pinging noise and Holly grabbing my arm.

The moment I see her disappointed face my stomach flips. “What is it?”

“I’m so sorry, Vix. I have to run!”

“What?”

“It’s the hospital. I just got a page that there’s an emergency. Do you mind grabbing a ride share back to the apartment? I’m so sorry. I’d hoped I wouldn’t get a page tonight.”

I shake my head. Holly’s a medical resident doing her ER rotation. Like her, I was hoping she’d have Christmas off, but I guess that’s not happening.

“Of course not. Your job and the people you help are more important. But I’ll leave and drop you off, then come get you when you’re done.”

“Nope, absolutely not. You said you’d do this, and you’re going to.” She leans forward and kisses my cheek. “Now go and ask for what you want. Tell me if it worked tomorrow at Christmas brunch!” She wiggles her eyebrows.

“Holly—” but she’s already running off, the words “Merry Christmas” and happy laughter trailing in her wake.

With a sigh, I turn back to Santa’s Helper who looks more than annoyed with me. I’m the last one here, and now I’m holding her up, holding Santa up too. No matter what Holly said about her dad liking this job, I’m being rude to him and all the staff here.

“Sorry.”

“Go on in,” she forces a smile. “I’m about to clock in overtime and I’ll get in trouble if I do, so I’m gonna lock this door after you go in.”

“Oh, okay.” I tuck a piece of wavy hair behind my ear. “Sorry again, I didn’t mean to get you in trouble.”

“It’s fine. Like I said, just go out the back when you’re done, and tell Santa to lock up the rest of the place when he’s through.”

Right. I guess no more Christmas cheer is left in her body. I’m an adult, there’s no more kids in sight, the mall had steadily started to clear out as we waited in line. I’m sure she doesn’t see why she has to sugar coat anything for me.

“Okay, I’ll tell him.”

She gestures to me to go inside, saying Merry Christmas as I pass her. When I’m fully inside, standing in a short hallway that’s lined with lights and Christmas decor, the door closes behind me and I hear the lock click a second later. My stomach flips and I know I shouldn’t feel nervous, but I am.

“Is there someone out there?” Santa’s warm voice rumbles. The voice I’ve heard a handful of times but can never seem to forget. “Don’t be shy, come say hi to Santa. We don’t have much time until I have to hop on my sleigh! Ho! Ho! Ho!”

Oh god. I seriously cannot believe I’m doing this. Santa, aka Cole, aka my best friend’s sexy silver fox dad, is just around the corner. Waiting for me. Well, not me, he thinks I’m some random child, but—

“Hello?”

Fuck it. I can’t turn back now. Not to mention I’m locked in by Santa’s Helper.

I take a few steps down the hallway and turn the corner, my heart flipping in my chest when I meet the soulful eyes of Santa Claus.

Or should I say Santa Daddy.

Because holy hell. Cole Saint is hotter than I remember—and his milk chocolate eyes are staring at me like I’m a tall glass of cold milk.