Down an alley of lighted angels is the Rockefeller tree with the iconic building standing grand behind it. Television doesn’t do it justice. It really is pretty incredible. I would say it stands at least seventy to seventy-five feet tall, with what looks like millions of glittering, colored lights.
“What do you think?” she asks.
I shrug. “I thought it’d be bigger.”
Her bottom lip pokes out, and I grin, showing her I’m just messing around with her. She gives me a light shove in the chest.
We make our way through the crowded concourse and around the upper ledge that looks down at the ice-skating rink below us, with families and couples spinning around the loop. Some sections are almost mob-like, so I pull our joined hands toward me, forcing her to my side in a protective stance. I don’twant to lose her, and I most certainly don’t like the way some of the men stare at her as we pass. She may have a firecracker personality, but she’s a vixen in heels, and almost everyone we pass has taken notice.
It isn’t lost on me the way she snakes a hand behind my suit jacket and clings to me as we walk to the base of the tree. When I finally release her, she still stands close to me.
“So, Vixen, are you a born and raised New Yorker?”
She looks up at me and smiles. “Both sides of my family have been here for generations. And other than my time in college, I’ve lived here my whole life, and I’ll probably die here.”
“Well, that’s kind of morbid, especially standing here in front of this beautiful Christmas tree.” I chuckle.
She smacks my stomach playfully. “I guess you’re right, but I just mean I love my city. New York is the greatest city in the world.”
“You aren’t biased or anything, right?” I laugh and put my arm around her waist. Sure, I’m a flirt, but I don’t usually feel so at ease with anyone so soon. But there is something about her that just makes me want to touch her.
“Okay, funny guy, let’s keep going. Christmas magic awaits!” She takes my hand in hers again. “Oh, wait. Let’s take a selfie. Are you good with that?”
“Totally, but I want you to send them to me too.”
“I will at the end of the night. Deal?” She releases my hand and pulls her phone out of her pocket.
“Deal,” I say.
I lean down so my head fits in the frame and wrap my arms around her waist from behind. She tilts her head toward mine, and with the tree perfectly placed behind us, she snaps a picture. We’re both smiling, and we look like a candy cane with my white outfit and her red coat. And now I want to be twisted up with her like a candy cane, in the warmth of my hotel room.
“Okay, let’s roll,” she says. We link our hands and start walking down 50th Street. “Are you cold?”
“Nah, I’m good. It’s warmer down here than it was on the rooftop. My body temperature usually runs hot. Are you good?” I ask her. “You’re in fancy clothes.”
“Yep, I’m good.” She lifts up her long coat and reveals ankle-length red pants.
“Huh, I assumed you had a dress on under that coat.”
“I’m not a fan of dresses. I’m too antsy for dresses. I like to be able to move around without worrying I’m flashing my ass at everyone, you know?” She smirks.
I chuckle and nod. “I get it. I hate it when I flash my ass at strangers. I mean, I have a nice ass—don’t get me wrong—but I’m selective on who I want ogling it.”
“I bet that happens to you a lot. I can’t see what’s under your coat, but if it looks anything like the rest of you, it must be nice.” She winks at me.
This girl.
I love that she’s not timid or shy, and she’s not trying to impress me. She’s very … real.
“I think you’re flirting with me, Vixen.”
“I just might be, Blitzen,” she teases, making us both laugh.
“Are you gonna tell me where we’re going next, or is it a surprise? I don’t know where I’m going, so pretty much everything will be unknown to me. I’ve only seen some things on TV or in movies.”
We get to 6th Avenue and make a right, crossing the street toward the lights of Radio City Music Hall. There’s a crowd of people standing outside the building.
“Is there a show tonight?”
