And there it was. The come on. Ugh.
Stephanie stepped away from the beautiful sleigh and exhaled slowly. This was not the first time she’d been propositioned. Probably wouldn’t be the last. But she had to admit, she was disappointed.
Stephanie took in a deep breath of wintry air and stepped away from Nick. All thoughts of riding in the beautiful antique sleigh fled from her mind the second she understood there was a catch.
“No, Steph—”
Anger coursed through her veins. Imagine using her love for all things Christmas against her. It was a nice sleigh, but she wasn’t going to sleep with him to get it.
The dog!
“Of all the lowdown dirty rotten things! To suggest I would sleep with you just for a sleigh! What do you have a bet with someone? Watch me get a lay for a sleigh or some crap? I swear all Wolves are dogs!” She fumed.
Embarrassment and humiliation warred within her. How could she even think he was different than the rest? At her age! She should really know better. All any Wolf had ever wanted from her was to bend over.
Ugh.
Stephanie hated the way she felt. Wanted to scream, cry, and rage at the man who’d made her dream about feelings she’d given up a long time ago. How dare he do this to her.
“Whoa! Hey, wait a second,” Nick said, and she could tell from his face he was genuinely surprised.
“Easy now, Steph. That is not what I meant—”
“Really, and just what did you mean then, huh?”
“Stephanie, I would never, I mean, I only wanted to—”
Nick opened and closed his mouth like a fish out of water. She felt his anxiety, tasted it on the air. Damn it. She was too pissed to give him a chance to explain. Of all the idiotic inclinations! How could she allow herself to weave fantasies about him? She barely knew the man.
Man. Ha. Pup is more like.
“You are not the first Wolf in sheep’s clothing to have a go at me, buddy. I’ve been here before, and I will tell you the same thing I have been telling every randy ass Wolf from Hoboken to Timbuktu. My answer is no!”
She pushed against his chest for emphasis and spun on her heel, attempting to stalk off, leaving him there to stew. But for a big man, he was quick, stopping her dead in her tracks.
“You about done telling me off?” He growled near to her ear.
Stephanie didn’t know what felt better, the warmth of his breath tickling her neck and earlobe, or Nicholas’ firm hand on her body. Even through her long-sleeved t-shirt, his big, long-fingered hand felt good wrapped around her elbow.
He was firm, but not bruising. Still, she really should refuse to give into the tingling sensations rushing through her at the slightest touch. She reached within herself, trying to rouse an objection. Something, anything, other than awareness.
Tension spiked between them. She could feel it dancing in the air. Sending spikes of electricity zipping through her blood from the spot where his blunt-tipped fingers were now making circles on her skin through her cotton top.
Men never got this close to Stephanie. Not anymore, not for a long, long time. Speaking of, where the hell was her Wolf’s anger? Her fury? Her inner animal normally could not stand it when a man got all grabby, but apparently that sentiment did not apply to him. Even her she-Wolf was infatuated with the redheaded giant.
“Alright, you had your say. Now, it’s my turn,” he said between gritted teeth.
“What are you talking about?” She growled back, trying for a nonchalance she didn’t quite feel.
People were starting to arrive, families with younger kids, despite it being a school day. The older employees, including teens out of high school, were milling about and Stephanie suddenly felt as if she were on display.
“We can’t do this here,” she mumbled.
“You’re right. Which is what I was trying to say to begin with, but you got me so tongue-tied I can hardly think, much less speak.”
His words flooded her brain, and her Wolf whined at his exasperation even as her heart soared with joy. Maybe Nicholas didn’t realize it, but he actually sounded vulnerable. Stephanie bit her lip. And didn’t he also say she made him tongue-tied? That was actually kinda sweet.
“Let’s talk in the car,” he continued, as if he hadn’t just dropped a bomb on her.
Tugging her hand gently, he propelled her forward to the back of his SUV and opened the door, offering his hand while she climbed into the back seat.
He moved in close to her on the smooth leather bench. His enormous body ate up most of the space in the otherwise large automobile, and she shivered but not with cold. There was just something about being in the backseat of a truck that gave her all sorts of ideas. Ones she hadn’t had in a while.
“Look, I’m new in town. I know nothing about your past, Stephanie. And I’m not asking you for an autobiography, but if there is something you want to tell me, I am all ears. But I need you to judge me for myself, not based on the actions of anyone else.”
He had a point. She acknowledged it with a nod of her head, but her feelings were too raw to speak aloud just yet. She was content to listen for now. It would simply have to be enough.
Nicholas paused a moment, as if gauging her response before he continued. His voice was deep and smooth. Confident, but not cocky, and if her ears weren’t deceiving her, she swore she heard notes of possessiveness, anxiety, and a hint of desire in the pleasantly deep tones.
“I understand men coming on to you must be tiresome. Hell, it’s probably as natural as breathing looking the way you do. I’m a Wolf same as you, Stephanie. I was born in the city, I’ve been a soldier and a cop, and you already know I am a father too. Lying to women, even to one as beautiful as you, and cheap come ons is not my style.”
Nicholas looked right into her eyes before continuing, and she knew he meant every word he said. The truth was right there in his face and voice. She hated her unreasonable reaction to what was, apparently, an honest gift. And now she doubted herself, and that was never fun for a woman like her.
“Stephanie, I wasn’t trying to suggest you jump in my bed in exchange for the sleigh. Pleas believe me.”
“Yeah? I gathered that,” she said in a rushed voice laced with humiliation. “Look, Nick, I am sorry. I read you all wrong. You have been nothing but polite and courteous. A real upstanding guy. The kids love you, I mean, I haven’t run this place for very long, but I grew up here, and you’re the best Santa we’ve ever had. I sure hope you won’t leave.”
“Leave?” he asked, and his eyebrows disappeared into his hairline. “I have no intentions of going anywhere.”
“And I want to apologize if I made you uncomfortable with my assumptions. I guess it’s true,” she snorted the words derisively.
“You really make an ass of yourself when you assume things. Please accept my apologies and thank you. I would very much like to use that sleigh. If that is okay with you?”
“Of course,” he said. “In fact, I’m delighted. Me and Clara are renting a small apartment in town, I wouldn’t have anywhere to put it.”
He shrugged and managed to look rugged and boyish at the same time. The combination was devastating to her nerves. She wondered for a moment how she would react if the big sexy Santa really did want to take her to bed.
Would he be sweet and gentle or passionate and rough? Curiosity burned inside her, but she averted her gaze lest he read her thoughts.
Grrr.
“I can’t wait to see how the kids like it once it is all decorated and ready to go,” he said, lifting a finger to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear.
“They’ll love it. I’ll call Jackson to bring over some gentle horses to pull it.”
“Jackson?”
His red brows furrowed, and she noted the slight growl in his voice. Was he jealous? Maybe she wasn’t mistaken after all about his interest. Hmm. Interesting.
“He is my neighbor,” she replied, letting him stew a moment before adding. “And he’s Pack. Also, he was my father’s best friend. Ninety-three, if he’s a day and married for over sixty years.”
“Good for Jackson Leigh.”
Stephanie swallowed as Nicholas leaned closer to her. He had one hand against the back of the seat in front of her, the other somewhere near her head. His whole body seemed to loom, but she wasn’t afraid of him. Oh no. Quite the opposite.
She was intrigued. His whispered words seemed loud in the vehicle, and Stephanie swallowed gently, willing him to continue.
“Yeah, married his high school sweetheart,” she said, continuing the conversation just to prolong the little intimate session.
“Did he now?”
“Uh huh.”
The interior of the vehicle was thick with tension. Only the sounds of their breathing could be heard, along with the rustle of fabric, as Nicholas edged closer. He smelled so good. Like peppermint and dark chocolate. Her favorite combination of flavors.
Would he taste as good, she wondered. Mouth salivating for just a hint of a kiss. It had been so long since she’d felt his way. Years even, since desire had slithered up her spine, making her body throb and swell with need.
She’d loved her husband, and their sex life had been fine, satisfying. But this need went deeper. It was as if every cell in her body was aware of him. Every inch of her seemed to beckon him closer. Yes, she was through denying it, even if only to herself. Stephanie wanted his kiss. And she wanted it now.
Looking up, she noted the sprig of mistletoe hanging above the car door. Mind made up, she tugged his arm until they were pressed beneath it.
“What are you—”
“Mistletoe,” she growled.
Then she closed the space between them, pressing her mouth against his. She gasped, a soft sounding cry in the darkness of the backseat, moaning at the delicious crush of his firm lips. Nick pounced, taking the opening she gave him to slide his tongue against hers.
She could not recall the last time a kiss had ever made her heart pound and panties wet. Not like this. Not ever.
Chemistry was one thing, this was off the charts. Her Wolf growled, the animal recognizing something she was not ready to acknowledge just yet. He pulled her against him, and Stephanie reveled in the feel of his hardened muscles and powerful physique. Even the tickle of his beard and mustache against her face and neck felt good.
The kiss went on and on, until the sudden slap of a hand against the window made them both jump. Eyes wide, she recognized the sound of Tabitha, one of her employee’s voices on the outside of the car.
“Mrs. DeMarco, phone call!”
Damn interruptions. She wanted to cry, but she realized it was only the start of the day. Besides, she was well beyond the age of making out in cars.
For Pete’s sake. Get control of yourself, Stephanie!
“Um, yeah, I’ll be there in a minute, Tab,” she said, but Nicholas’ hold tightened for a minute.
“Stephanie?” He breathed her name dropping a hard kiss on her lips that she returned with enthusiasm.
“Mmm?”
“The sleigh is yours, no strings, but I think I should tell you something.”
She froze, trying for nonchalant when her heart was just about beating her to death. Was he about to quit? To laugh at her easy acquiescence? What?
“Okay, Nick. What is it?”
He turned her face up to his with one large finger beneath her chin.
“I have every intention of getting you in my bed.”
“Oh.”
She swallowed. Stephanie turned from him and opened the door, sliding out of the vehicle without saying a thing. She was at a loss for words for once in her life.
And wasn’t that amazing?