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She laughs when he grimaces. ‘Nick. Please. Just Nick.’
‘Whatever you say, Santa.’
He kisses her, then gives her a wicked look. ‘You just like pushing my buttons, don’t you?’
‘There’s a strong chance I do. I like when you punish me.’
‘You say all this to me when I’m about to shut off for a week?’
‘Just giving you motivation to wake up as fast as you can.’
‘I already have that. I’ve got you. Now, I’m beat. I need you to tuck me into bed.’
‘Oh would you two please lay off!’ Eve says, as she walks around the back of the sleigh. ‘There’s a strong chance I’m going to throw up.’
He puts Scarlett back on her feet and shrugs off his coat, passing it to Eve. ‘Get used to it.’
Eve grimaces and takes the coat from him. ‘I was afraid you’d say that.’
Nick takes Scarlett’s hand and walks away from the sleigh, followed by Eve. ‘Everything ready as I asked?’
‘Yes, Boss. Just like you wanted.’
‘Thanks, Eve.’
He stops at the top of the stairs and turns to address the rest of his workers. ‘Good job everyone. Eve is in charge while I'm out of it.’
Nick walks around the corner, stopping to hold Scarlett back against the wall so he can kiss her. ‘I missed you.’
‘It was only a day.’
‘Mmm,’ he grumbles against her neck. ‘Too long.’ He grabs her hand and smiles widely. ‘I’ve got something to show you.’
He may still be grinning like a child as he hurries through the building to his suite, but Scarlett knows he’s flagging. Every few steps he braces himself against the wall, but tries to hide it from her.
Nick stops in front of his bedroom door and turns to face her. ‘No peeking yet.’ He covers her eyes with his hand and guides her into the room. After a brief wait, he removes his hands.
‘Oh my God! Nick! This is amazing!’
It looks like Nick went to town with the decorations. An enormous tree sits in the corner, the fire is lit in the huge fireplace which is also decorated. But it’s the banquet that’s laid out on the table that catches her attention.
‘What’s all this?’
‘Christmas dinner. I was thinking that it’s a bit shitty of me to drag you back here then leave you without any of this on Christmas Day. So I figured I can stay up for a bit and have Christmas with you.’
‘Nick! I love it! Thank you.’
He shrugs, suddenly coming across a little self conscious which is strange to see. He’s usually so confident. ‘Bit early for a full turkey dinner, but I wanted to share this with you. I’m game, if you are.’
‘Oh I’m always on for food - you know me.’
He pulls out her seat and she sits, her mouth watering as she breathes in the incredible aroma. Nick does the honours, piling her plate full of food then pours her a glass of wine. He lifts up his glass to her. ‘Merry Christmas, Scarlett.’
She clinks glasses with him. ‘Merry Christmas, Nick.’
Even though he’s visibly exhausted, the next hour is spent tucking into an incredible Christmas dinner in the company of Santa. The conversation flows easily as it always does with him. He’s incredibly easy to talk to, his mischievous sense of humour continuously making her laugh out loud.
She finishes her meal with a large portion of pudding and brandy butter, then settles on his knee by the fire, just enjoying each other’s company. ‘Oh I nearly forgot. I have a present for you.’
