Santa’s Secret Keeper #2
Out of nowhere, he starts laughing so hard, he throws back his head, and I can see tears in the corners of his eyes.
It takes a good moment for him to calm down, and when he does, Ben leans in.
“I like your sarcasm, little Santa. I like it a lot. As a matter of fact, with a mouth like yours, I bet you’ve landed on the ‘naughty list’ more than once.
Luckily for me, that’s where all the fun people end up. ”
My cheeks burn under the stinky beard, and once again, I thank the demonic creation for hiding the reaction my traitorous body has to that smile. Shit, he’s really flirting with me?
“Yes. Yes, I am,” Ben answers before I can flat-out ask if he is.
“I’m hitting on you here, so give me a break.
I’m not stupid, I know a woman when I see one.
Plus, the fact that you’re jumping in on this trainwreck of a show and pretending to be Santa just to ensure kids aren’t let down when they come to the mall—yeah, that sort of selfless attitude is very damn sexy in my books. So, here I am, shooting my shot.”
I think I’m brain-dead. All I can do is focus on his pretty smile, those laugh lines that appear around his eyes and stare like an idiot. Am I supposed to say something, or do I just sit here and keep… well, staring?
“So, uh,” Ben grumbles and straightens up, scratching the back of his head nervously.
“Would you like to... go out with me sometime, maybe? No pressure, just a coffee date or something small like that. We can start with simple things, one step at a time. That is, if you agree, of course. No pressure.”
Alright, since when do I find men who trip over their own words so endearing and attractive? My type is the dominant “I knocked her out with my caveman bat, threw her over my shoulder and took her to my cave, so now she’s mine,” men.
I’ve never been too big about the blushing and stammering type of guys. Ben is attractive, fuck, he’s probably the most handsome man I’ve ever met, but he’s so far from my type in all the ways I’ve considered standard that I don’t know how to react.
Maybe, if I accept his offer for this date and step out of my comfort zone with dating for once, I might find myself in a relationship that lasts, not another dumpster fire infested with cats on crack.
This is the worst moment to think about dating, fuck me. I have this absolutely gorgeous golden retriever of a man asking me out while I’m posing as Santa and have a dead body in the bag of toys.
But then again, that’s how life works, right? It’s never the right moment for anything, and sometimes, you have no other choice but to take the proverbial leap.
Yes, I’ve made the decision. I’m going on a cute little coffee date with Ben Harris the moment I get to take the satanic creation of a suit off my body.
And again, because life has no goddamn chill, just as I clear my throat and look at the hopeful expression on Ben’s face, I notice out-of-place movement from the corner of my eye.
There he is, in all glory—my real target. He’s approaching another security guard, surely to ask where his brother is, because clearly he’s not sitting here as Santa.
My eyes snap back to Ben. “Hold that thought,” I say quickly and stand up.
“I-” I start and close my mouth. How do I explain why, all of a sudden, I need to get away from here?
Oh, right, I’m so brilliant—I lie. Again.
“I need to disappear for a bit. I see my ex; he’s a very abusive man.
I’d rather take a longer break to ensure he leaves before he gets to spot me here. ”
Ben glances over his shoulder and notices both men talking. When he looks back at me, there’s a frown on his face, but he doesn’t question my story. “That’s Tony’s twin brother, right? Sweetheart, didn’t you know he’s a shady drug dealer before you got involved with him?”
There’s a genuine hint of worry and disapproval lacing his words, which is as annoying as it is endearing.
Ben obviously believes me, that’s a plus, but as touched I am by his worry, I’m also a little offended.
Sure, Ben doesn’t know me, but I’d never date.
.. that. Ew, just never in a million years, ew.
But for this situation only, yeah, I’ll play the role of the very scared ex-girlfriend perfectly if I must.
“I didn’t know anything about his background,” I answer Ben, forcing my voice to sound a little shaky to sell the act better.
“I never thought I was supposed to look into that when I start dating someone. He was a great partner for the first six months, up until I found out what he’s truly like.
I barely escaped the relationship, he can’t find out I’m here. ”
Ben’s expression turns understanding and much more gentle as he steps in front of me to shield me from the target’s eyes. “How about we extend the break a little longer and hide in the staff room until he leaves? I’ll stay with you, just in case.”
“That sounds like a great idea, thank you,” I say a little too quickly, but I’m sure my eagerness to hide only makes the story more believable.
The bag of toys is still a massive issue, but between being caught red-handed with his brother’s body stuffed in there and playing the innocent party who doesn’t know anything about the bag, I choose the latter.
Before I can overthink anything, Ben’s large hand grabs mine and he pulls me away from Santa’s area, back to the staff room.
As soon as the door closes behind us, Ben locks it with a soft click and presses his back against it. “There, you’ll be safe to hide here and you don’t have to stay alone. Feeling better?”
I let out a breath of relief and nod. “Much better. Thank you.”
We stand there, just looking at each other like two idiots, until I realize how hot it is inside the room with the Santa suit still on. I rip the meatball stench-infected beard off my face, take off the hat and unzip the Santa suit.
Slowly, I remove the throw pillows and toss them back on the couch that looks like it’s been fucked, not people fucked on top of it, and then step out of the suit.
I swear, whoever manufactures these things purposely uses materials that make you feel like you’re in a sauna.
Wholesalers just hate people because it should be illegal for someone to sweat as much as I have—even my leggings are stuck to my skin with sweat.
“Wow,” Ben mutters quietly, reminding me of his presence.
I bend down and pick up the Santa suit, then toss it on the couch as I grumble, “What?”
“Pink kitty panties? Really?” Ben asks, sounding far too amused for his good.
My head snaps to the side, and I glare at him. “What are you on about?”
“Your pants... uh, leggings? They’re see-through when you bend down. Very cute.”
My jaw drops. How dare he? Just because, okay, my leggings might be a little see-through and I didn’t really overthink the choice of my panties in the morning as I was getting ready, doesn’t mean Ben—an absolute stranger, has the right to comment on them.
“Did you really want to comment on my choice of underwear, or are there more thoughts that you would like to share with me while we’re at it?” I speak through gritted teeth, suddenly losing that magical feeling of crushing on him a little bit.
“You’re insanely beautiful,” Ben blurts out, then blushes and raises his hands.
Okay, crush, you’re back then, you mad traitor.
“Shit, that’s not what I meant to say. I didn’t want to imply you’re insane in any capacity or anything of that sort.
I just wanted to say you’re beautiful, stunning.
.. fuck, you’re gorgeous. Who would’ve thought the beard was hiding such a pretty face. ”
I snort out a laugh—a sound that should never be deemed beautiful and has to belong in a pig farm.
But Ben, the helpless and the stupid little romantic he clearly is, only smiles and whispers, “and her laugh is beautiful too. Can this get any better?”
I arch an eyebrow at him and echo, “beautiful?”
His cheeks turn a brighter, deeper shade of red as Ben runs his fingers through his hair and clears his throat, “shit, you heard that too. Leave it to me to make things awkward. I’m not very good at, well, you know, holding my thoughts in.”
I can’t help but smile at his words. God damn it, I’m supposed to be a brooding, grumpy and very mysterious contract killer, but instead, I’m acting like a puppy in love with a guy I met literally minutes ago.
Ben drops his arms to his sides and takes a deep breath.
“Listen, I know I’m not giving off the vibes of the most confident guy out there, but hear me out.
Most of my life, I spent serving this country and after I retired, I might have struggled a tiny bit to adjust to civilian life, but I’m trying, alright?
I swore that I’ll remain positive no matter what and I’ve been keeping that promise to myself, so I might come across as a little too silly at times. ”
Oh no, here it comes, the moment Ben decides to say something bad about himself and I really hate it when people do it, so I raise my hand to stop him, but Ben only shakes his head.
“No, let me finish,” he insists and takes a step closer to me.
“Damn it, I don’t even know your name and I’m already making a fool out of myself.
I look like an idiot with the antlers on my head, but the corporate said we have to wear this shit,” he suddenly adds, takes off the cap and tosses it aside.
“Much better. Anyway, I’m kind of still in the process of looking for a new purpose, and maybe a date,” he whispers the last part, “but I promise, I’m not half bad as a man. ”
“I’m Dani,” I blurt out before I can stop myself and thrust my hand towards him. “Dani Elsher.”
Ben’s face almost splits with the smile he flashes me as he reaches out to grab my hand, but before he does, the moment is absolutely ruined by the pounding on the staff room door and someone shouting, “Hey, assholes, I’m looking for my brother. Is he in there?”