Chapter 3

CHAPTER THREE

Luke

With Bea as my Mrs. Claus, the nights together flew by. And every night was more fun than the last.

We both loved engaging with all the children, handing out hot cocoa and cookies, and giving lots of hugs. Hugs and more hugs.

After a few nights of working together, I couldn’t hold back any longer, and during a break, I kissed Bea.

Of course, the photographer elf, Katie, still didn’t like us not following the rules. She loved to report to Marty. Funny thing is—Marty couldn’t care less even if there were strict rules against it. He said it wasn’t his rules but the town’s, and unless someone complained, it wasn’t a big deal. If the children were happy, that was the most important. Weren’t Mr. and Mrs. Claus supposed to be happy and in love?

I didn’t take it any further than a kiss. I knew the limits. There was still the fact that this was our job. And as comfortable as I felt around Bea, I still hadn’t asked her out as I didn’t want to risk either one of us losing this gig.

But I knew there was something special about her. And I’d be damned if I let her get away. While relationships mainly fell to the bottom of my pile, I couldn’t stop thinking about Bea. I counted the seconds until I could see her again, thought about her all day and night, and couldn’t tear my eyes away from her while working together.

Did she feel as strongly as I did? I wasn’t sure. A part of me didn’t want to find out or ruin the good thing we already had going. But this job was ending quickly as the Christmas holiday approached, and I didn’t want to think about the days when I wouldn’t see her daily.

“Wow, the snow is falling hard. Do you think we’ll be busy tonight?” Bea asked as she adjusted her wig.

It was Christmas Eve, our last night working together, and the snow had been falling nonstop all day. “I doubt it, and if the snow doesn’t let up soon, I’d guess we’ll be heading home early.”

“I hope it doesn’t get too bad. I’m supposed to head over to a friend’s house later.”

“Got big Christmas plans?” I asked her as I thought about my own plans—zero, nada, zilch. My family lived a few states away and some of the guys I knew in town were all busy with their own families. Christmas hasn’t been much fun for me in a while, another reason I enjoyed playing Santa.

“No, just my friend’s house tonight. She practically begs me to go because if it were up to me, I’d be curled up on the couch in my pj’s, watching The Holiday and drinking hot cocoa. Or maybe wine. Depending on the mood.” Bea smiled, and it warmed my heart. She seemed so content with her not-so-busy life, and I admired that. She was comfortable in her own skin, and her confidence was attractive.

“Do you have any family in the area?”

Bea shook her head, and her smile faded. She looked away then back at me, her eyes now full of sadness. “No, just me. And my good friend Zoey. She’s why I moved to Apple Falls a couple of years ago. She’s all I had left.”

My heart broke for her. I wanted to ask more questions, but I didn’t want to intrude. I knew how it felt to be alone, and suddenly, I wanted to wrap her in my arms and never let go. “Bea, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize. If it makes you feel any better, I don’t have any family in the area either. I always dreamed of living in a mountain town, owning my own land and living off it, and when my city-dwelling family didn’t seem to agree, I came here myself. Fourteen years and counting.”

Bea’s eyes widened. “Fourteen years?”

I chuckled. “Yeah, I’m thirty-five. I know, I know, I don’t look it.”

Bea laughed, and the light returned in her eyes. “No, you certainly don’t. I would’ve guessed maybe late twenties.”

“Thank you. I was told never to guess a lady’s age, so I won’t, but you’re definitely at least a decade younger than me.” I grinned.

“When you say it like that, it sounds so weird.” Bea snickered as her eyes danced mischievously. “A whole-ass decade ?”

“Am I right?”

“You are, Mr. Claus. I’m twenty-three.”

“And every bit of you is all woman.”

Bea’s cheeks flamed red, and she pretended to fix her dress. I took her hands in mine to stop her fiddling but more so because I wanted to feel her skin without my gloves on. It was soft and smooth like I imagined it would be.

She gasped and looked behind me. “We shouldn’t…if Katie comes in…”

“It’s been two weeks, and all I’ve been able to do is kiss you. I want to do so much more.” My dick stirred to life as I watched her squirm in her seat. I knew she felt the same, the sexual tension was so thick.

“Luke…I…”

“Hey, you two, ready to get out there?” Marty’s voice echoed around the makeshift gingerbread house, and Bea pulled her hands away and adjusted her wig. She jumped to her feet and cast a nervous glance my way.

“Yep, we are! Is it busy out there?”

“No, only a few families moseying around. The snow is supposed to get worse. The latest forecast about a half hour ago said we’re in for a blizzard with maybe a foot or two of snow. More toward the top of the mountain. You two drive in together?”

I stood and adjusted my wig and hat, the damn thing itchy tonight. “No, but I’ll make sure Bea gets home safe. My truck handles the snow well.”

“And I just got new snow tires on my car. I should be okay,” Bea said, and damn was she adorable. But there was no way I was letting her drive home in this, especially when she lived a good thirty minutes away.

“We’ll see how the night goes. For now, let’s get out there and handle business as usual.” Marty looked between us and nodded. “Thanks for a good season, guys. I think you’ve been our best Santa and Mrs. Claus yet.”

“Don’t let Mrs. Jones hear you say that.” I smirked.

“Oh, she’ll be fine. She’s warm and cozy at home this year,” Marty said before he left.

“Mrs. Jones enjoyed being Mrs. Claus, I take it?” Bea asked, and I nodded.

“She and her husband did this for many years. When he passed on, I jumped in, but she just didn’t have it in her anymore. Not without her beloved husband.”

“Aw, that’s so sad,” Bea said as we made our way out front to start the night.

“Yeah, she managed two seasons and left. Hence, why we needed a new Mrs. Claus. And if you were to ask me, I think we found the best one.”

“Oh, really?” Bea’s eyes shone under the string lights, and I wanted to kiss her right then and there so badly. But children and families were watching so I didn’t.

But I knew it wouldn’t be much longer before I’d stop resisting and take what I wanted.