‘Indeed.’ Max raises his eyebrows and Holly’s cheeks redden further.
‘Obviously, I said no…’ Holly reassures me.
It would gut me like a knife to see the woman I care about take on a role like that, but it’s none of my business. It’s not like we’re in a relationship.
‘Just think about it.’ Max wrings his hands, twisting the chunky gold rings on his fingers as he turns to leave. ‘It’s an opportunity to turn your life around.’
His intonation gives the impression he’s talking about something so much more than making money, or becoming famous, but right this second, I don’t have time to ponder.
One by one, the crew depart the castle, leaving Holly and me alone, finally. Placing a hand on her spine, I steer her towards the drawing-room door. ‘Wait outside this door for two minutes, and don’t come in until I call you, okay?’
She glances up at me, craning her neck to meet my eyes. ‘What? I thought we were going home? Tootsie will pee all over the floor if I don’t get back soon.’
‘Tootsie can wait a few more minutes. I have a surprise for you.’ I bite back a smile.
‘You already gave me too much. That Advent calendar, bringing me for dinner, you’re overly generous. Nate, I…’
‘Two minutes.’ I hold my fingers up to reinforce my point.
The second I’m in the drawing room, I discard my clothes and pull on the Santa suit. The trousers fit surprisingly well, but the top stops halfway up my midriff. And Santa is supposed to have a belly? Not in this outfit, he doesn’t.
Fuck it. I throw the shirt on the ground. This will have to be a sexy Santa outfit.
Placing the stupid hat on my head, I stuff my clothes behind one of the leather armchairs before folding myself into it, spreading my red velvet-clad thighs into a position which will accommodate Holly’s fine ass on my lap.
‘Can I come in yet?’ Holly calls from outside the door. Her voice is jittery with curiosity and impatience.
‘Yeah.’ It’s a battle to keep my lips straight at the absurdness of this entire scenario as she struts in, hips swaying before stopping at an abrupt standstill. Her pretty red mouth pops open to form the perfect little O.
‘So Holly, have you been a good girl this year?’ I pat my lap invitingly.
She hesitates for a split second, takes one quick glance over her shoulder to make sure we really are alone, before diving across the room onto my lap. The way she shimmies herself against my cock reminds me she’s a very naughty girl.
But I have a feeling she’s still going to get a big present this year.
‘I’ve been mostly good.’ She wriggles those hips again. ‘But I’d like to do something really bad.’ She bites her lower lip and straddles me.
‘Tell Santa everything.’
If Jayden Cooper could see me now, he’d laugh his fucking ass off.
The things we do for the people we love… Yep, it’s official.
I’m rapidly falling for the woman who won’t even tell me her last name.
ChapterTwenty-Three
HOLLY
10th December
I’m in the makeshift studio, admiring my latest piece, and I’m actually showered and dressed for once.
A certain hot actor in a Santa hat stares back from the creation in front of me. It’s unbelievably good, even if I do say so myself. Practice really does make perfect. I have Nate’s poster-worthy bone structure down to a fine art, pun intended.
‘Does Nate know you’re making a shrine to him?’ Savannah asks. I’m showing her and Ashley my work over FaceTime.
‘No. But in fairness, he hasn’t asked what I’m painting either.’ Is it a bit weird that his is the only portrait I’ve captured, over and over again, since I got here?
