“Theo, not so fast,” I shout as I jog to keep up.
He turns the corner around a large stand of soft toys. I run in my boots and crash into a wall of muscle. I’m already panting from the little exertion, but Nick has just taken my breath away. That and the fall when I landed on my back.
Nick hovers above me. “Joy, are you all right?” He turns to the kid, pointing with his finger. “Teddy, you know you shouldn’t be scooting around on the shop floor.”
I take hold of Nick’s large, rough hand like a giant mitt and pull myself up. “I’m fine.”
Nick presses his lips together. “You sure?” He takes the scooter from Theo and leans it against a stand of jigsaws. “Right. Upstairs in my office. I’m not having you running around the shop floor. The last thing I need is a customer putting a claim in.”
“It’s boring in your office. Can we just go home?” Theo pouts, a crease in his forehead. His arms cross over his chest.
Nick looks at his watch, then back at me like he wants to say something, but hesitates. He turns around and takes Theo’s hand. “I have some orders to make. If you’re good and let me get on with my work, I’ll take you to Jimmy’s for a burger and fries.”
Theo fist pumps the air.
I rub the pain in my bottom. “Wow, Jimmy’s sounds good.”
Theo tugs on Nick’s hand. “Can Joy come and eat with us?”
Nick freezes. “Er…” He runs a hand over his short brown hair. “I’m sure Joy has stuff to do, Teddy bear.”
I actually have nothing to do except go back to my flat alone while Sara’s out with her boyfriend. It’s a toss-up between watching Christmas movies or scrolling through social media at everyone else living their best life. “Yeah, I’m busy tonight.” I put on my brightest smile. My boss doesn’t need to know what a saddo I am. Although it sounds like he’s in the same boat. We’re both doing our best to stay afloat, but slowly sinking.
6
NICK
“What’s wrong?” Joy hangs her coat up on the wooden stand in the corner of the office.
I slam the phone down with a clenched jaw. “Molly’s called in sick.” I let out a long breath. “We have Santa visits booked all day and no elf.” It’s like one step forward and two steps back at this place. I had Steve down for the sweet counter today.
My eyes track Joy up and down. “You’re about the same size as Molly.”
“Oh, no. You don’t pay me enough to dress up as an elf.”
“Fine, if we’re still here in January, I’ll give you a raise.” I fold my arms over my chest.
“What do you mean if we’re still here in January? Where would we go?”
“Nowhere. I was just kidding. Now, will you dress up for me, please?” Fuck, that came out wrong. I scratch the back of my neck. “I mean, will you get your elf on?” A smile spreads across my face. “Embrace your inner elf.”
She bites her lip as a smile tugs at the corner of her mouth. “Okay, but you owe me something big.”
My eyes flash to hers. Blood rushes to my groin. Her breath halts, seeming to sense my desire. My cock twitches against my zipper as if he’s been summoned. I can definitely give her something big. Something I’ve wanted to give her for a long time.
“I mean like a bonus.” She spins on her heel, flaring her skirt. “A raise. Whatever.” Her adorable, stubby legs and dimpled knees carry her down the hall, but I didn’t miss the flush in her cheeks or the way she looked at me.
Fuck, I’m hard as a log and burning up as if someone’s thrown me into a roaring fire. I adjust myself and sit behind my desk. She doesn't know my dick gives a raise every time she’s close.
Ever since my wife died six years ago, I hadn’t looked at another woman. Until Joy. Only Joy. Her cheery personality always lifts my moods and this last year, I’ve loved having her around. But she’s my best employee. The staff love her and she keeps me in check. Not to mention keeping me organised. I can’t risk losing her for a romp in the office.
She has the rest of her life ahead of her. No twenty-three-year-old is gonna want to take on a thirty-five-year-old single dad.
Fifteen minutes later,bells tinkle outside my office. I look over my computer as Joy jingles through the door in full elf attire. My jaw drops. The green boots curl over at her toes with bells hanging from the ends. Striped candy cane tights cling to her thick thighs and disappear under a green dress. In my mind, my hand’s already up there, stroking the spot where her legs meet.
She digs a fist into her wide hip. “I look ridiculous.” Her head bobs, jingling the bell at the end of her hat, and I imagine what she would look like wearing nipple tassels with bells on, jingling up and down on my dick.
“You look like…” I want to say Santa’s good little girl, but I bite my tongue, then my fist. “You look adora-bell.” I’d taken little interest in the costumes before. Even the ears look real. I want to stand and walk over to her for a better look, but the jingling woke my cock up again. There’s no way I can stand now with a raging hard-on.
