Page 164 of Santa Daddies

A few more laps well up my anxiety that somehow I’m going to ruin the auction; I’m just not sure if I’ll ruin it by being in it ornot being in it. I run wild with the idea that if he asks about sex, I can delay by saying I have a three date rule.

The cold evening air must be numbing my brain because I embrace a heightened level of wildness and consider that if this theoretical date continues to go well, I’ll ask Jolene and Starla to help me get out of the auction contract. Tomorrow. Before Kace leaves town. And ditch the three-date rule.

“What the fuck?!” The sound of my brother's voice kills the mood. He’s pacing along beside us but on the outside of the rink. In full Santa gear, he rushes to the entrance and steps in our path.

Kace tightens his grip on my hand. “Let it go, man.”

Skaters navigate around us and the few who were about to step onto the ice stop and watch Santa chastise us. “I said to leave her alone.”

What the hell is wrong with my brother? When he's not being a jerk, he's really attractive. I’m one of those girls whose friends are jealous because I have the hot, older, muscular, successful, dreamboat, handsome stepbrother.They don't understand what it's like for your brother to control you.

“Loren, go do your Santa thing. Leave me alone.”

He steps closer to Krampus. “I made it clear the other night that you need to leave her alone.”

Wait. The other night Krampus had his mask on. Maybe they met before or after the parade.

“She’s not yours.” Krampus guides me to the exit, keeping himself between Loren and me.

Loren fires back, “Yes, she is.”

I hate that my traitorous body wishes I was his… both of theirs. Krampus and Santa, a natural pair. In my fantasy world, it would be okay to have two super hot guys arguing over me, except that's not what this is. And despite living in the epicenterof Why Choose relationships, that’s not in the cards for me until Friday.

I suppose a girl could have worse problems.

On solid ground, I stomp toward my brother. “Stay out of my business.” The mood is dead. I hate arguments. I hate giving my brother a win. But I take the sign from the universe that my situation is too complicated. I smile weakly at Krampus. “I’m going home.”

Storming off to the rental booth, I regret leaving Krampus to deal with my brother, but it’s my cowardly way of buying time.

“Hey.” Krampus catches me, holds both of my shoulders, then rubs a finger over my cheek.

Dammit, I’m crying. I wipe his hand and the rest of my tears away. I want to stay in his arms. His touch feels so safe, like I can be myself and tell him anything. That’s a lot given the short time I’ve known him, but I can’t shake the feeling we’re meant to be together.

Chapter Seven

Kace

How am I supposed to choose between honoring bro code and going with my heart? Bellamie must sense that something’s not right. I point to a seating area at the back of the venue, away from the lights. “We need to talk.”

She looks around us.

“It’s just us. Your brother went to do his Santa thing.” He can’t see us from where he’s working.

My heart races when she complies, and instead of giving her a chance to sit, I pull her close. It’s a risky move, but I need to feel her reaction when I tell her who I am. Embracing her into my chest, I lift, straddle her legs around me, and sit.

“I thought you said talk.” Confusion laces her words.

I have to come clean. “It’s about Santa.”

She puts a finger on my lips. “Shhh. I don't want to talk about him.”

Her bright eyes hold so much agony, yet she allows me to keep her close. I don’t want to ruin the moment with facts thatshe might already know. Maybe he already told her. Maybe she's known who I was the whole time.

But when her lips part, I can't stop myself from slowly lowering my face to cover the inches between us. I pause, a breath before touching her lips and watch her eyes.

There’s a confidence that wasn’t there before. I tighten my grip around her hips as I pull her into me, closing the gap between our bodies. She stretches the tiny bit upward and her plump lips press against mine. I’m ravenous for her.

The cost of making her mine could be huge, but I’ve never come across a better deal.