“We kissed because there was all this manly testosterone just dripping off of you. You know, taking charge, making sure I was okay, cooking with my sister. I bet if we were in caveman times you could spear a woolly mammoth, providing for the village for months.”
That was a very specific analogy, but I could rock with it. “And that turns you on?”
“Yes, the whole hunter gatherer thing is a real panty dropper.” She winked.
Even though I was outfitted in a plush Santa suit, a chill overtook me. “I was in the Boy Scouts, got all the badges.”
“So you know how to start a fire?”
“Just call me Billy Joel.”
Belen’s face took on a weird expression. I don’t know if she was amused or turned off by the realization that I was a bit of a nerd.
“He had that song years ago—” I tried to explain.
“Yeah, I know. I love Billy Joel.”
My face lit up at her words, leaning in, I allowed myself to fanguy over the great Mr. Joel. “He’s really good right?”
“Yeah, I mean he’s the piano man.”
“Exactly, exactly that. His catalog is deep.”
“Favorite Billy Joel’s song, we’ll both say it on three.” She counted down on her fingers. “One, two, three. ‘Don’t Ask Me Why.’”
“‘The Longest Time.’” I yelled out my song choice in unison with hers.
“Okay, you’re wrong, but thanks for playing,” she teased.
“I also know how to tie knots, all kinds of knots.” I felt the need to outline all of my positive attributes like I was in a job interview.
Belen frowned. “I don’t know if that is going to be useful. Who are you tying up? Me?”
I pulled my face. Shit, she thought I was some type of sexual deviant. “No. No, I would never tie you up. Unless … you wanted me to.” Because real talk, Belen being tied to my bedpost and watching her squirm while I pleasured her was my idea of a good time.
She released a shuttery breath. “Ask me out on a date,” she politely ordered.
“What?”
“You heard me.”
The reason I didn’t work a traditional job was because I didn’t like being told what to do. But this woman could boss me around any day.
“Dinner, my place, tomorrow night.”Do you know how hard it is to be sexy in a Santa suit?
“Okay.” Grabbing a pen from her purse, she tattooed her number on the back of my hand.
Standing, I smoothed down my ridiculous red pants. “I’ll text you the address.” I went to walk away but stopped short, turning on my heels. “And bring an overnight bag.” Did I wait for her to respond … no. I hightailed it out of there, hoping I hadn’t done too much.
Belen
While heading in to work, I promised myself I wouldn’t bring up the kiss unless Kris did. Partly because I was certain the kissing was just a delicious hallucination, and I didn’t want to make things awkward between us. But when Kris mentioned it, I figured I was in the clear to speak freely.
Normally I wasn’t this candid, but the Christmas season was counting down and if I was going to get a chance to deck the halls with Kris, I needed to gently nudge us toward that inevitability. Plus Kris was safe. His stint in my life would be temporary since the Santa gig ended after December twenty-fourth. We had good conversations which I was hoping would lead to explosive sexual chemistry. I would even take chemistry that was more of a flicker than a fire so long as I could feel the weight of a warm body pressed against mine.
In the administrative offices, Chloe clocked my goofy grin the minute I exited the elevator. “What’s with the smile?”
“What do you mean?” I immediately tried to mute my expression.
