Chapter 5
I probably couldn’t speak if I wanted to, and I definitely don’t want to. Thank god for the heavy layer of blush I put on, because my cheeks are on fire. Other parts of me are pretty hot, too.
Good lord. It’s not the kind of thing I’ll be able to get out of my mind anytime soon, and I can’t help but wonder if Jasper is as gifted as his brother.
Thankfully, Nick chooses to ignore how flustered I am and asks me a couple of questions about the Santa pictures that help me get my brain back online. In no time at all, Lisa is back, telling us we’re about to open for business.
Christmas music starts to play from an unseen speaker, and Rudy arrives in his red costume, greeting everyone with a hearty, “Ho ho ho!”
A line of people has already formed, which I hadn’t noticed with three sexy elves distracting me.
Santa Rudy settles into his chair, and I get in position with the tablet.
Rudy is waving to children and their parents, but when he spots me, he gives me a special wave, and I can tell he’s smiling big, even though his mouth is hidden beneath a thick white beard and mustache.
It takes a little while to get into the groove, figuring out the best spot to stand, and the right time to capture the best images, but soon, things are running smoothly, and we do a pretty good job of keeping up with the line.
Nick greets people, I take the pictures, and Felix and Jasper man the printer, frame the pictures, and collect donations.
Lisa hovers nearby at first, but once she sees that we have the hang of things, she tells us she needs to get over to the shelter, and that she’ll come back to shut the picture line down at four o’clock.
“There are snacks for you hidden under the table. Call me if you need anything,” she says right before making her exit.
Lisa was right in predicting that people would bring their pets as well as children for the pictures, and it’s hard to decide who’s cuter. There are little girls and boys dressed in their holiday best, and dogs and even cats in holiday sweaters and Santa hats.
“Hey, look at us. We match,” Nick calls to me as he crouches to pose next to a cat who’s surprisingly chill about wearing an elf hat that is very similar to Nick’s.
“Is that you, Dr. Frost?” the cat’s owner asks.
“It’s me,” Nick says, sounding delighted, then lowering his voice to a whisper. “And don’t tell Sprinkles, but Santa is the other Dr. Frost.”
As the day goes on, several more people recognize Nick, and all of them sound like they like and respect him and Rudy, which doesn’t surprise me.
After a visit from an enthusiastic pair of golden retrievers, I notice that Rudy’s fake beard is askew. Nick asks the people who are next in line to wait, and I approach the chair, gesturing with my hands, as I whisper, “Your beard, Santa.”
He tries to fix it, but when he doesn’t quite get it right, I help, my fingers brushing the sides of his cheeks as I put things straight. His beautiful smiling eyes are on mine the entire time, and I have the wild urge to climb into his lap myself, despite all the kids and pets who are waiting.
“Thank you kindly, Mrs. Claus.” His voice is so ruggedly male, and there’s a twinkle in his eye that’s much more flirtatious than the one described in “'Twas the Night Before Christmas.”
I hold the ends of my apron and give him a curtsy. “You’re welcome, Santa.”
When I turn back to face the line, Nick gives me a wink, and my heart flutters. “I can take pictures for a while,” he says. “Do you want to go have a snack?”
Food isn’t what I’m hungry for, but I nod, grateful for a chance to take a break and get my hormones in check. Am I seriously getting turned on by Santa and his helper?
I am when they look like these men.
Unfortunately for my hormones, Jasper and Felix are stationed at the table where the snacks are hidden. I haven’t seen much of them since things got rolling, but here they are, looking like snacks themselves.
“How are things going with the pictures?” I ask.
“Good,” Felix says. “Not really a two-person job, but time is going by quickly.”
Before I have a chance to search for the snacks, an attractive woman approaches carrying a chihuahua in a plaid holiday sweater. The woman’s eyes widen when she spots the Winters, and she gives them each a long appraising look, making it clear she likes what she sees.
I move out of the way, fully prepared for the men to lay on their rough brand of charm, the way they did when they met me. They seem like the type to come on to everyone, especially considering the line of work they’re in. To my surprise, they’re all business.
They give the woman her photos and accept her donation, but the closest they come to flirting is telling her that her dog is cute.
As soon as she walks off, they both turn toward me.
“Want some chips?” I offer them the bag I was about to open.
Jasper shakes his head. “No thanks.” It’s so odd for a voice that deep to come from someone dressed like an elf.
Felix is still fiddling with his costume. “This thing is so itchy. Does yours itch?” he asks me.
“A little bit. The lining is kind of scratchy.”
Felix’s expression shifts instantly from irritation to mischief. “Maybe we should both take our clothes off.” He cocks his head and studies me, and I’m pretty sure he’s picturing me naked.
Jasper’s looking at me much the same way, and I decide to stop being intimidated by their wicked good looks, and give a little of it back to them. When I arch a brow and let my eyes do some roaming, both men smirk at me.
“You ever been to Club Red?” Felix asks. When I shake my head, he says, “You should come tonight. We wear all sorts of costumes there. And sometimes, nothing at all.”
Nothing at all? Suddenly, my costume is very hot and scratchy.
I can’t take these men seriously. They’re definitely not my type, but my god, are they tempting.
A family comes over to get their pictures, and I hurriedly eat the chips, trying hard not to picture Felix and Jasper naked. When my eyes keep wandering to their thighs, I take a walk over to the other side of the pavilion and try to cool off.
The rest of my volunteer shift passes quickly. When Rudy needs a break, he and his brother go to the community center, and a few minutes later, Nick comes back wearing the Santa costume.
Ten minutes later, Rudy returns to help me with the line. He’s now dressed as an elf, and just as full of merriment as Nick had been, but in his own quiet way. He passes out candy canes to the kids, and makes all the dogs’ tails wag.
These two men are much more my style. They’re boyfriend material, through and through.
Later, as soon as Lisa dismisses us, the Winter brothers make a beeline to the community center, no doubt eager to get out of their elf costumes, so I don’t get to say goodbye to them.
While Lisa and a small crew of volunteers start to break everything down, Nick and Rudy are at my side, ready to walk me to my car.
“We made a good team today,” Rudy says. “I’ll bet we took in a lot of donations for the shelter.”
“For sure. The line was steady all day long,” I say. “I wonder if it’ll be that way all month.”
“Let’s hope so.” At my car, Nick opens my door for me after I unlock it. “Would you like to come over to our house for dinner tomorrow night, Holly? We promise not to serve you turkey leftovers.”
“Dinner at your house?” It sounds like they live together.
He nods. “Around six? Do you like beef stroganoff? We have a great family recipe.”
I can’t believe they’re offering to cook for me. I can count on no hands the number of times a man has offered before. “That sounds lovely. I’ll see you both tomorrow night.”