Page 109 of Scarred Ruin

“Miss Dayne. I heard you’d been very naughty this year.”

I slowly turned around to face Santa. It took me all of three seconds to recognize both his voice, although he tried to disguise the husky tone with the dangerous accent, and his dazzling eyes. Even from behind his thick white beard, I caught a glimpse of cheeks that were undisguisable.

“Me, naughty? Never. And where’s my ho, ho, ho? Santa.” He still had presents in his big red sack.

He stepped further into my office, closing and even locking the door behind him. When he dared take the time to flick the blinds covering the windows highlighting the outer office closed, I knew this Santa was one bad man.

“Ho, ho, ho. I’m never wrong. I have a naughty or nice book, remember?”

When Maxsim spoke, his voice wrapped around me like a warm fire on a freezing night. It was a rich, rumbling baritone that sent an unexpected shiver straight down my spine, making me forget all about the holiday chill.

And everything else.

“Oh, that book. Then I guess I’m one filthy girl.”

He moved to one of my chairs, sitting down and patting his lap. “Why don’t you tell Santa what you want for Christmas this year.”

In the weeks of being with him, I’d never thought he would even consider being playful. For him to go to the trouble of dressing up like Santa Claus created a warm and very deep throb between my legs.

When I sauntered over, I could feel the extreme heat spreading between us. “Did you provide gifts for everyone?”

He reached for me, but I refused to offer him any satisfaction just yet. He needed to work for it. “Santa is very generous this time of year.”

“He is, huh? What does he have in his big red sack?”

The way he was looking at me was less than subtle, hunger evident in the sweep of his eyes. As he reached into the bag, I could tell he had every intention of being mischievous. His playful side was as sexy as it was confusing.

“Every bad girl needs to be shackled from time to time.” When he held up a fuzzy pair of handcuffs, I pressed both hands over my mouth to mute my laughter. “And this.” Next was a leather tawse. “Because all bad girls need stern discipline.”

“Is there more?”

“Oh, there’s much more, but that’s for later.”

“And what about the rest of the year?”

“Then his generosity is more limited to the one woman he cares about.”

“I wonder who that might be.” I acted as if I planned on refusing his command and of course he yanked me onto his lap. I immediately shifted my bottom back and forth.

There was no controlling the man. He couldn’t care less where we were or how many people would talk later. He slipped his gloved hand around my cheek and pulled our lips within centimeters.

“Someone who managed to inspire me into wearing a Santa suit.”

I brushed my lips across his. “I’ll let you in on a little secret. You’re one sexy Santa.”

The air was entirely consumed by the sudden, intense heat of his mouth on mine. His kiss was slow and deliberate, a sweet reassurance that chased away all my doubts. With his hands gently cupping my face, I felt completely cherished.

But as with all things involving the passionate, unforgiving man, the kiss became more of a firestorm, a near desperate need shared between us that transcended everything else. There were no people celebrating the holiday only yards away, no worries about anything else.

Just the two of us and our crazed desires.

Although I had to admit when he picked me up, cradling me in his arms, I was even more lightheaded than before. Or perhaps that was from the way his tongue was tormenting mine, completely dominating as always. The taste of him, of course, was of peppermint. Perfect for the season and I couldn’t wait to use the goodies he’d brought for me.

When he eased me across my desk, I quickly glanced toward the door. “You cannot do this.”

“I can and will do any damn thing I want. I am the Pakhan.” Just as he reached for my skirt, his phone rang.

Noticing him bristling wasn’t new, but every time he did, I was reminded that the darkness he controlled was pitch-black and highly dangerous.