Well, maybe not all.
I look around at the empty shop. This is one wish Santa can’t deliver. I’ve given it my best shot with Joy and the shop. I’ll tell the staff in the new year. No point ruining everyone’s Christmas.
“Morning, Nick.” Steve shimmies inside just as the shutter reaches the top of the window.
“Morning.”
He carries the bags from the dry cleaners with the freshly laundered costumes and suits inside. “Will you be needing the suit today or is Mr Price better?”
“He’s still unwell. I spoke to Mrs Price yesterday. It’s gone into his chest now.” I walk around the shop, turning the lights on.
Steve follows. “You may as well take yours and Joy’s up.” He holds out two bags with hangers sticking out the top.
I grab both costumes. “Thanks, Steve. You might need to cover for her today.”
“I just saw her on the way in. She’s getting coffee.” Steve saunters around the shop with the remaining bags of clean costumes, singingDing Dong Merrily On High. At least someone’s happy this morning.
Stepping into the gloomy office, I stride over to the window and open the blind. I look down at the high street below, searching for any signs of Joy.
The click of the door handle makes me jump slightly.
“Everything okay?” Her voice wobbles as she gingerly steps into the office. “I got you a black coffee.”
The rich aroma from the paper cup wafts around the room. She places it on my desk before sliding hers onto her desk. Her fingers fumble with the belt on her coat and I want to swat it away and just take it off for her, but I wouldn’t be able to stop. I’d need to uncover all her layers.
I huff. Fat chance of that happening. “Thanks.” I lift the paper cup, warming my hands as I hold it up as if to say cheers. “You feeling better?”
She smiles, scooting her office chair under the desk and firing up her computer. “Yes, all good.”
“You got plenty of ‘elf care?’” I wince. I didn’t mean that. Shit, she thinks I mean the vibrator. So much for going back to how things were before.
Her cheeks turn a beautiful shade of red. She lifts her coffee and takes a sip from the small funnel. “I think we need to talk.” Her bright blue eyes shimmer under the old fluorescents above. “It’s about Friday night.”
I gulp down the hot black coffee. Shit. “Joy, I’m sorry. I’ll never touch you again. I promise.” With the bank threatening to call in my loan and putting this place up for sale, a sexual harassment charge would be the ultimate hat trick to finish me off.
I roll my shirt sleeves up. Suddenly, it’s stifling in here.
She stands and corners the desk, her hands twisting the fabric of her cardigan. “Don’t say you’ll never touch me again. I couldn’t bear it.” She steps closer, biting her lip.
My eyebrows pull together. “You want me to touch you?” I stand, leaning over the desk, my palms flat against the wood.
She’s on the other side of the computer, just out of reach. My muscles tense. Every fibre of my being wants to swipe the desk clean and lay her across it, so I can touch every part of her.
“I’ve wanted you to touch me for a long time.”
“I thought—” To hell with this wooden barrier. I step to the side, take two strides until I can bring her flush with my chest. My fingers tangle in her blonde curls, and I inhale my favourite scent. Her.
Her blue eyes sparkle up at me. “I got scared the other night.”
“You don’t need to fear me.” With one hand in her hair, my other caresses the flush on her cheek. “Seeing you with an electrical toy was a dent to my ego. I thought you preferred that to me.”
“Mr Turbo is fun, but he’s not got much of a personality.” She glances down, her cheeks heating beneath my palm.
“You named your vibrator Mr Turbo?” I can’t stop the chuckle that rumbles out of me. “Turbo time is over. You haven’t tried Mr Twist yet. He has a quick tongue.” I brush my lips against her, feeling her suck in a breath. “You won’t be needing a vibe when you’re with me, little star.”
“Toys are your friend, not your enemy.”
“Is that right? Well, you’d best get me acquainted with Mr Turbo then. I’ve a feeling we’re gonna be spending a lot of time together.”
