Page 160 of Santa Daddies

I nod, because I can't think of anything to do other than bend her over this countertop, slap her ass, and fuck her.

“How did you find me?”

That's her question? She's not freaked out? Then I don’t have to lead with being her brother’s best friend. “I asked around after the parade and got lucky. I wanted to make sure you were okay.”

She shrinks away. Not what I was going for. Waving her hands, she says, “Why wouldn’t I be okay? That’s the most… fun I’ve had in a long time. Sorry about my brother. I hope he didn't get you in trouble.”

“No trouble at all.” At least not until he finds out I tracked his sister down. I can’t help it if he doesn’t realize she’s perfection.

Why couldn’t I have met her before I met him? She’s the first woman I’ve had a connection to in a long time. It also helps that she doesn’t know that I’m wealthy.

She takes her perfection to the next level when she cocks her head to the side. “Why did you buy me clothes?”

“Would you go out with me?” I’m totally out of control. How do I take that back?

“What?”

Very good question. I attempt to save the situation. “In theory. If you met me like this instead of as Krampus?”

“That’s why you bought me clothes?”

I rake a hand through my hair as if that will untangle my brain, then point at the clothes, hitting all-time high levels of nervousness. “You wouldn’t be able to say you don't have anything to wear. But those are just a thank you for helping me win the other night.”

But she looks more nervous than me. “I can't.”

“I should have just given you the gift. Sorry, I’ve made this completely awkward.”

“It’s not you.”

“Theoretically… Pretend the other night never happened. Would you…” I’m still being a selfish jerk for not telling her that I know her brother.

She rolls her eyes. “You mean because my brother got all bossy? Definitely not.”

Have I misread everything? Is this a one-way attraction–payback for all of the dates I ended immediately after dinner because I felt nothing for the woman.

I step away, sullen, but she reaches out. “Wait… I mean it’s not because of my brother.”

She has no idea he is involved.

“It's complicated.” She shakes her head as if it's not worth explaining.

Except I have to know. “‘It's complicated’ isn't the answer I expected from a woman who told her brother off so soundly. So let's start with this… if it wasn't complicated, would you go on a date with me?”

“Yeah, but I have a thing next Friday and…” She looks away. “I can't commit to anyone right now.”

That doesn’t make much sense, but I can work with it. “Okay, so if there was no commitment… We could simply show up at the outdoor ice rink at six tomorrow, grab food from one of the foodtrucks, then ice skate afterward.”

“That sounds a lot like a date.”

“Would it help if you knew I didn’t live here and I’m only here for two more days?” I really didn't want to say that to her, but maybe it will get her to a theoreticalyes.

She laughs. “Actually, in theory, it does.”

“Great.” I smile, nod, and can’t figure out what else to say so I head to the door. How far did I step over the line? Guess I’ll find out tomorrow at six.

Chapter Six

Bellamie