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I can’t help but laugh.
We join the end of the line and chat with a few other women waiting near us while we make our way toward the big double doors.
When we arrive, I tune out the conversation to take in the room. Wow, my parents went all out for this photo op. They’ve decorated the room Dickens-style, making it cozy and inviting with the scents of pine and cinnamon.
The conference table is against one wall and covered with a white linen cloth decorated with candy canes and snowflakes. A giant punch bowl and holiday treats of all sorts are ready for staff to indulge.
At the far end of the room a red carpet leads to a platform holding Santa's throne, a fake fireplace, and a decorated Christmas tree. Jingle Bell Rock is playing on somebody’s phone. The women ahead of me are giggling about the Christmas wishes they plan to whisper into Santa’s ear. And boy, does that Santa look legit. He’s wearing a red leather outfit with fur trim on the collar and cuffs.
As we make our way toward the big man himself, I can’t help but think about Kris. While he may not be here for the party, I’ll at least spend Christmas with him.
Finally, it’s Suzie’s turn to visit with Santa, but she suddenly spins around, jumps to the side, and pushes me in front of her. “You go first.”
“Wait, what?” I squirm out of her hold and step back in line. “No. It’s your turn. This was your idea. You go.”
“No. I mean, yes, it was my idea, but I insist you go first.” She crosses her legs. “I need to pee. And I don’t want to pee on Santa. You go first. I’ll run to the bathroom and get back in line.”
I just stare at her. “Seriously? You need to go that bad?”
She rocks back and forth on her heels and widens her eyes. “Yup. I do.”
I roll my own eyes. I’m not sure what she’s up to, but I want to get this over with so I can head home and try to reach Kris. “Fine.
I walk up to the platform and step up next to the big guy.
He glances up, smiles, and pats his thigh.
I’m going to do this, I guess. I sit on his right leg, trying not to put too much weight on it. He makes a noise, and I twist to look at him. I’m irresistibly drawn to his scent. Why does that scent seem so familiar? Cinnamon. A wave of dizziness hits, and I lift my eyes, peering at the warm brown ones behind the tiny silver-rimmed spectacles.
Oh my God. Those are Kris’s eyes, and they are sparkling with humor. I tug lightly at the fake white beard and slap at his arm, almost hissing my words. “Why didn’t you tell me you were already in the city?”
He shifts his leg, causing me to tumble closer to him, and slips his arm around my waist, holding me close.
My whole body is on fire from my pent-up desire for this man. This is my chance to confess my feelings for him, but I’m afraid of ruining the moment, so instead, I stay in character.
“Ho. Ho. Ho. What’s your wish this year, young lady?”
I also lower my voice so the other women nearby don’t hear. I give him a wide grin and pretend to ponder his question. “Well, Santa, my wish this year is just to spend Christmas with someone special.”
“Is that so? Who?”
“My boyfriend. We've never actually been on a date or in the same room together during our relationship.”
“Well, that doesn’t seem right.”
“I agree. Plus, we never got to play with the handcuffs he got me last year.”
Kris shifts causing me to tumble into his side. My knee nudges his crotch where there’s a very hard budge.
“And I bought him a special gift this year. You might say it’s a matching set. I'm eager to see how naughty Santa can get.”
The electricity between us is palpable. Santa has lost his ability to speak. He’s nodding, his head bobbing up and down. His fingers are digging into my waist.
I hear him swallow. “H-H-Ho-Ho-Ho. I think that’s something I can make happen.” He brushes a stray strand of hair away from my face before leaning in and capturing my lips in a delicious kiss that says more than words ever could.
7
Kris
