Chapter 4

CHAPTER FOUR

Bea

I couldn’t stop thinking about Luke.

The way his eyes sparkled when he looked at me. The way he kissed my mouth so gently but with an urgency he wasn’t letting out yet.

He was holding back because of our job, which I respected and admired, but like him, I was bursting at the seams for more.

I pretended I wasn’t—to him, to Zoey, to myself even. But Zoey knew something was going on from the excitement in my voice and my happy energy at work. I got into the role of Mrs. Claus for the kindergarten kids as well, and we had a day where we made gingerbread houses and then another day where we wore our pajamas, ate cookies, and drank hot cocoa while watching the movie Polar Express .

Zoey was impressed, and her class joined mine in celebrating the Christmas season together.

“I need to meet this Santa that’s kept my girl in such a good mood.”

“Hey! I’m usually in a good mood.” I stuck my tongue out at her, and she laughed. It was the last day before Christmas break. The kids had been dismissed, and we were cleaning our classrooms together.

“Yes, you’re far from a bitch, but this…this Bea…I’d bet a good amount that you’re totally falling for this guy.”

I scoffed. “What? That’s crazy talk. I haven’t even been on a date with this guy.”

“Um, you’re pretty much on a date every night.”

“No, we’re working together,” I said, but I failed miserably at hiding my smile. Zoey side-eyed me, and we both dissolved into a fit of uncontrollable laughter.

“Sure, you are.” Zoey winked a few times, and more laughter ensued.

“He’s a lot older than me, Z, and we haven’t even talked much, so I don’t know a lot about him. We mainly just flirt, a couple of kisses here and there to piss off the prudish camera woman Katie, and that’s it.”

Zoey tilted her head to the side and placed her hands on her hips. “What I just heard was a bunch of excuses.”

I laughed and threw a bunched-up piece of paper at her. It hit her square on the forehead, and we both burst into another round of laughter.

Now, it was Christmas Eve, my last night working with Luke, and I couldn’t shake the gray cloud dampening my mood. I didn’t want to think about the nights returning to how they were before—lonely and boring.

As the night wore on, the snow fell harder, and fewer and fewer families showed up. About halfway through, when it was our usual break time, Marty came in to tell us we were closing early. “The snow’s only getting worse. The news station said it’s best to stay off the roads, so please take your time getting home. If anyone needs to stay at the Inn, I have some room. Merry Christmas, everyone.”

Everyone scattered quickly, leaving only Luke and me. We took turns changing out of our costumes before heading out to our cars.

“I don’t think you should drive in this, Bea. I’ll give you a lift home.”

As nervous as I was, I didn’t want to impose. “Thank you, but that’s okay. I’m going to my friend’s house, remember?”

“I don’t think that’s a wise idea,” Luke said. A crease appeared on his forehead, and I could tell he was worried.

“I’ll stay there for the night. Besides, I got new snow tires.”

“Fine, I’ll drive you to your friend’s, then.”

Damn, he’s stubborn.

“Why are you insisting you drive? I told you I’m fine. I’ve driven in the snow lots of times.”

“Bea, please, just let me?—”

“Hey, you two!” Marty interrupted Luke as he walked over to us. “I just got word they closed the roads. No one’s going anywhere. You can spend the night at the Inn.”

“Wait, what? No, I need to get to my friend’s house. I promised her,” I insisted.

“Sorry, Hun.” Marty tipped his hat toward both of us. “I won’t charge you for the night, but there’s no driving anywhere. I’ll be back in a second with my plow truck. Wait right here.”

“Thanks, Marty,” Luke said. “Bea, we’ll call your friend. She’ll understand. Nothing we can do when the roads get shut down.”

I shivered, the cold seeping into my bones, the snow falling heavy and wet. “I know, I know. I’d rather go home than stay at the Inn, though.”

“We can share a room if it makes you feel better.” He held up his hands. “Of course, up to you, just offering so you’re not alone.”

I looked up at him, the dark night sky all around us, inky black against the white falling snow, the snowflakes drifting slowly to the ground. He smiled, a gorgeous, handsome, perfect smile, and my knees buckled. My disappointment at how the night turned out slowly morphed into joy at the prospect of spending the night with him.

Handsome, sexy as all hell, and utterly kissable in every way…

No longer working together, we finally had the chance to do whatever we wanted, alone in a room…only him and me…

I blinked as snowflakes landed on my eyelashes. “I’d like that.”

“Good. Is it okay to ask for a hug?”

I giggled. “We’ve kissed and flirted for the past two weeks, and now you’re asking if it’s okay to ask for a hug? Since when have you ever asked anything?”

“Luke is more of a gentleman than Santa. What can I say?”

I reached up and slid my arms around his neck. “I’d love a hug. And maybe a kiss, too. From Luke, not Santa. This time…don’t hold back,” I said, and Luke growled.

He legit growled, and I almost lost my balance as a wave of heat crashed over me, my blood like hot lava through my veins, the dancing snow around us forgotten about.

Luke wrapped his muscular arms around my waist and dipped his head low.

Our breath mixed as he slowly moved closer, our lips so close they were practically touching. He was killing me, killing me softly, as my heart pounded in my chest and my blood roared in my ears.

“You two lovebirds ready?” Marty yelled as he pulled up in his huge plow truck, the headlights bright and the engine loud.

Luke chuckled. “Interrupted yet again. Soon, we won’t be. All night long.” He grinned, took my hand, and led me to the truck.

Every part of me buzzed with excitement and anticipation.

I couldn’t remember the last time I looked forward to something as much as I did about spending the night with Luke.

Who knew Santa could be so damn sexy?

Certainly not me.