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My lips part, but he cuts me off, “Come on now, we don’t have time to waste and The Gateway Grill has a dress code. No tracksuits allowed.” To the girl behind the counter, he adds, “Ring up the outfit she has on now, the green tracksuit, and the rest of the things I mentioned. I’ll bring everything else up to the checkout while she changes.”
“Everything else?” I squeak as he props his crutches under his arms and starts past me toward the register. “Like what?”
On his way by, he pauses, bending his head closer to mine. I think he was going for a cheek kiss, but I shift my head at the last second and our lips connect.
Instantly, the room is filled with skin-prickling electricity. With awareness of this big, strong, delicious-smelling man who kisses me gently, but thoroughly, before whispering against my lips, “Let me play Santa. It makes me happy.”
He pulls back, gazing down at me with such care, such gentleness and affection I can’t do anything but stammer, “Okay, th-thank you.”
Then, I flee back into the changing room, needing a second to pull myself together before I do something really stupid like climb him like a tree and rake my teeth over his strong, sexy jaw. Not only would climbing him like a tree potentially do damage to his injured leg, it would also prove I’m a weak-willed loser who can’t stick to my guns.
I suck in oxygen and mutter beneath my breath, “Stay focused. Your career is your top priority. You don’t have time for anything else, and if you try to make time, you’ll only end up doing a lot of things badly. Better to miss out on some opportunities so you can make the most of others. You can’t have it all. No one can.”
When I’ve talked myself down from my state of tingle-induced longing, I stick my head out and grab the satin jeans Bear mentioned. He’s on the other side of the store, near the small selection of pajamas, making my pulse race all over again.
A man who understands the importance of a nice pair of pajamas…be still my heart.
“Seriously, be still,” I hiss at the ridiculous organ as I quickly change into the all-black outfit, which looks as striking as Bear no-doubt knew it would. The loose weave of the sweater and the hint of silver in the black thread makes the top look like it’s made of something metallic, an edgier style that’s softened by the satin camisole beneath and matching pants.
Once I’m dressed, I open the curtain again, prepared to pad barefoot over to the boots and collect a pair of socks. But a shoebox is already waiting outside the changing room, complete with a pair of silky black knee-highs on top.
“Size six?” Bear asks from the register.
I nod, gaze fixed on the boots. “How did you know?”
“I’ve got a pretty good eye for sizes,” he says, adding with laughter in his voice, “And I held up your elf shoes to see if I was getting close. I hope you don’t mind, but I had Krissy wrap those in a spare shoe bag and put them in the suitcase. I didn’t figure you’d have any need for elf shoes in the near future.”
“If I never jingle when I walk again, it will be too soon,” I say, glancing up to catch his grinning gaze across the room, my heart swooping like a skydiver who’s just stepped off a ledge, giddy and free. “Thank you. You’re a force of nature.”
“He’s also a very generous man,” Krissy says, handing him a receipt over the counter along with a small bag. “Thank you, Mr. Hanson for making my Christmas Eve. That commission is going to pay for at least three credits at my junior college.” She glances my way, “I’m studying business so I can become a hedge fund manager and dismantle the finance bros’ chokehold from the inside.”
“Good for you,” I say. “Someone needs to teach those finance bros a lesson.”
“Right?” she agrees, her smile widening as I come to stand beside Bear and the suitcase he’s filled for me. When I grip the handle, I can feel that there are more than two outfits inside, but before I can insist that he let me pay him back for at least part of this, Krissy adds, “You look amazing, girl. Stick with this one. He’s got great taste. And you two are so cute together! Like if Gaston from Beauty and the Beast jumped stories to date Ariel from The Little Mermaid. Except, like, Gaston was a super nice guy and Ariel had legs and more freckles.” She props her chin on her fist. “I love your freckles, by the way. They are so in right now. Don’t you dare cover them up with foundation.”
