Total pages in book: 52
Estimated words: 49005 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 245(@200wpm)___ 196(@250wpm)___ 163(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 49005 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 245(@200wpm)___ 196(@250wpm)___ 163(@300wpm)
Food isn’t what I’m hungry for, but I nod, grateful for a chance to take a break and get my hormones in check. Am I seriously getting turned on by Santa and his helper?
I am when they look like these men.
Unfortunately for my hormones, Jasper and Felix are stationed at the table where the snacks are hidden. I haven’t seen much of them since things got rolling, but here they are, looking like snacks themselves.
“How are things going with the pictures?” I ask.
“Good,” Felix says. “Not really a two-person job, but time is going by quickly.”
Before I have a chance to search for the snacks, an attractive woman approaches carrying a chihuahua in a plaid holiday sweater. The woman’s eyes widen when she spots the Winters, and she gives them each a long appraising look, making it clear she likes what she sees.
I move out of the way, fully prepared for the men to lay on their rough brand of charm, the way they did when they met me. They seem like the type to come on to everyone, especially considering the line of work they’re in. To my surprise, they’re all business.
They give the woman her photos and accept her donation, but the closest they come to flirting is telling her that her dog is cute.
As soon as she walks off, they both turn toward me.
“Want some chips?” I offer them the bag I was about to open.
Jasper shakes his head. “No thanks.” It’s so odd for a voice that deep to come from someone dressed like an elf.
Felix is still fiddling with his costume. “This thing is so itchy. Does yours itch?” he asks me.
“A little bit. The lining is kind of scratchy.”
Felix’s expression shifts instantly from irritation to mischief. “Maybe we should both take our clothes off.” He cocks his head and studies me, and I’m pretty sure he’s picturing me naked.
Jasper’s looking at me much the same way, and I decide to stop being intimidated by their wicked good looks, and give a little of it back to them. When I arch a brow and let my eyes do some roaming, both men smirk at me.
“You ever been to Club Red?” Felix asks. When I shake my head, he says, “You should come tonight. We wear all sorts of costumes there. And sometimes, nothing at all.”
Nothing at all? Suddenly, my costume is very hot and scratchy.
I can’t take these men seriously. They’re definitely not my type, but my god, are they tempting.
A family comes over to get their pictures, and I hurriedly eat the chips, trying hard not to picture Felix and Jasper naked. When my eyes keep wandering to their thighs, I take a walk over to the other side of the pavilion and try to cool off.
The rest of my volunteer shift passes quickly. When Rudy needs a break, he and his brother go to the community center, and a few minutes later, Nick comes back wearing the Santa costume.
Ten minutes later, Rudy returns to help me with the line. He’s now dressed as an elf, and just as full of merriment as Nick had been, but in his own quiet way. He passes out candy canes to the kids, and makes all the dogs’ tails wag.
These two men are much more my style. They’re boyfriend material, through and through.
Later, as soon as Lisa dismisses us, the Winter brothers make a beeline to the community center, no doubt eager to get out of their elf costumes, so I don’t get to say goodbye to them.
While Lisa and a small crew of volunteers start to break everything down, Nick and Rudy are at my side, ready to walk me to my car.
“We made a good team today,” Rudy says. “I’ll bet we took in a lot of donations for the shelter.”
“For sure. The line was steady all day long,” I say. “I wonder if it’ll be that way all month.”
“Let’s hope so.” At my car, Nick opens my door for me after I unlock it. “Would you like to come over to our house for dinner tomorrow night, Holly? We promise not to serve you turkey leftovers.”
“Dinner at your house?” It sounds like they live together.
He nods. “Around six? Do you like beef stroganoff? We have a great family recipe.”
I can’t believe they’re offering to cook for me. I can count on no hands the number of times a man has offered before. “That sounds lovely. I’ll see you both tomorrow night.”
Chapter 6
I’m planning to spend a quiet evening at home, reading or maybe watching TV while I catch up on laundry. But when I check the pockets of my hoodie to prepare it for the wash, I find the Club Red card Felix gave me the day we met.
We wear all sorts of costumes there. And sometimes, nothing at all.