Page 18 of Bought By Santa

“Nicklas.” I taste his name on my tongue, paying close attention to the way the organ rolls to speak it. Then an unbidden giggle slips out as I eye the discarded costume. “You’ve got to be kidding me. Nicklas… Nick… Saint Nick… Santa.”

The glint in his eyes is a mixture of dark amusement and a predator. “Ho, ho, fucking ho,” he deadpans, flashing me a smile that’s all teeth.

This is it—the turning point of my life. I’ve struck a deal with the devil himself. Ten million dollars. One child. A future secured for me and Willow. Questions whirl through my mind. Can I really go through with this? What does it make me? Am I a victim or a willing participant? The answers elude me, lost in the depth of Nicklas’ dark eyes.

“Come over here,” he commands huskily, holding his hand out to me.

Before I can fully process his words, my body obeys, moving closer to him. As soon as I take his hand, he pulls me flush against him. “Wait,” I squeak, surprised by his nearness. Nicklas’ body is as hard as mine is soft, and he smells incredible. Without meaning to, I sag against him.

“Look at me.” I tilt my head back and look up at him. “Normally, I seal business deals with a handshake. But I think a kiss is more fitting for our arrangement.”

I open my mouth to protest, but before I can utter a word, he bends and fuses his lips to mine in a hard kiss that leaves me breathless. Our lips move together, and when his tongue licks along the seams of my lips, I immediately open up to him, unable to resist.

As he kisses me like he’s trying to possess me, I mewl into his mouth. I slide my hands up his strong arms, winding themaround his neck. Every part of me is pressed against him, and it feels… amazing.

Chapter 8

The Santa

The glow of my phone barely cuts through the darkness in the bedroom. I’ve been awake for hours, but enjoyed Carolina’s nearness too much to get out of bed. Her soft breathing is a steady rhythm in the silence. I tap out a text to Dr. Carmichael, one of the Knight family doctors.

Me: Dr. Carmichael, I need you at the penthouse this afternoon.

She’s used to receiving communication from us at all hours, so I’m not surprised when she replies to my message almost immediately.

Doc C: Of course. What’s it regarding?

Me: I need a full health and fertility check on someone.

Doc C: Is mid-afternoon okay?

After confirming that’s fine, I untangle Carolina, who has her leg thrown across mine, and get out of bed. After wearing the Santa beard and hat around her for a couple of days, I almost feel naked without it. I can’t stop smirking as I shower and shave.

The woman agreed to my proposal without ever seeing me. Not that my looks should matter, yet there’s a primal satisfaction to be found in her positive reaction. There was no way to mistake the way her pupils dilated and the flaring of her nostrils. Oh yes, she liked what she saw.

As usual, I dress in one of my custom-tailored suits, and as I pull my belt through the loops on the pants, I wonder what it would be like to use the leather on her round ass. Just because our agreement is about producing my heir, doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy ourselves while doing it.

Leaving the bathroom, I head straight for the kitchen, where I run into Marco. “Good morning, sir,” he greets me.

“Marco,” I rumble as a way of greeting. “I have a few errands to run this morning, so I need you to look after Carolina.”

He nods. “Understood.” Clearing his throat, he looks toward my bedroom door. “Is she still asleep?”

“She is,” I confirm. “There’s no need to wake her up. But if she gets up, please make sure she gets breakfast as quick as possible. Let the kitchen staff know.”

If Carolina wakes up, she won’t be alone. There are constantly people in my apartment. Marco and at least one other from my security team, cleaners, and my chefs. At any given time, there are at least five people in here, and that’s not counting the ones in the lobby of the building or outside.

“I’ll make sure to keep an eye on her. Would you like an hourly update?” This is why Marco’s my favorite. He’s always proactive and thorough in his tasks.

Running a hand down my face, I nod. “Yeah.”

He turns back to his coffee, quietly giving me the space he knows I prefer. I pull my phone out and read the most recent text from Jack.

Jack: Dude, what the hell are you up to? Why aren’t you answering?

I roll my eyes and read through the ten texts he’s sent me since I took Carolina home. I decide to answer one of the other ones, one that asks about her.

Me: She’s fine, and yes, she’s still here.

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