The vast majority of the crowd raised their hands.
“Development approved. You all still have to abide by all applicable ordinances,” the mayor reminded us.
“Yes, ma’am,” I said.
Eli saluted.
By this point, Merrie, eyes very wide and face flushed, was leaning against the stage.
“I need a nap,” she slurred.
“Next order of business…” Meg looked down at us. “You can leave.”
I picked up Merrie and carried her outside. She snuggled against my chest.
“I need a cheese straw.”
“You need water,” I told her as the cold winter wind whipped around us. “I’m taking you back to my condo.”
“No thanks,” she said, eyes closed. “It’s not decorated. I have standards, you know.” She smiled.
“I’ll decorate it for you,” I promised
“Then yes.” She reached up to trace a finger on my mouth. “I guess I’ll stay.”
She seemed to sober up a little bit on the drive back to my condo, messing with the radio and singing along with the Christmas carols.
She was also quite handsy.
“Did anyone ever tell you that you look just like the nutcracker?” she asked, running her hands up my jacket when we were in the elevator riding up to my condo.
“Wait,” she said in a stage whisper, “are you actually the nutcracker?”
Definitely still drunk. Which was a problem because she was flirting with me hard.
Her hands ran over my tight pants dangerously close to the crotch area. I grabbed her wrists.
“Did I ever tell you I had a thing for the Nutcracker?” she told me, rocking back and forth, her weight pulling against the grip I had on her wrists. “I always wanted my toys to turn into hot guys, and here you are.”
She maneuvered my hands up and ran her fingers over my jaw and chin and cheekbones.
“Don’t tell Brody,” she whispered conspiratorially, “but I think you’re hotter than him.”
I grinned at her, closing the distance between us, knowing I shouldn’t. My lips were an inch from hers.
“I think that’s the best news I’ve heard all day.”
Fuck, I wanted to kiss her.
“It’s funny,” she said, her eyes staring into mine, my hands settling on her waist, my thumbs caressing the bare skin under her cropped jacket.
“I don’t even like you, but I’d totally let you fuck me right now.”
And there’s the problem.
I wanted her. My cock ached in my pants.
But the last thing I needed was for her to wake up naked in my bed tomorrow and freak out.
