Page 34 of Unwrapped

She smiles as she walk away to her man leaving me at the mercy of the kids rushing the sleigh.

“One at a time!” Rog bellows.

“Hi Santa.”

I clear my throat, “Ho! Merry Christmas. What’s your name?”

The boy stares down at his feet.

“Nate.”

I lean closer, pushing the glasses that came with the custom higher on my nose. “What’s your Christmas wish, son?”

I peer over his shoulder eyeing the boys trying to push their way to the front.

“A new Xbox.”

“Good. Okay. I’ll see what I can do.”

“Smile!” A flash blinds me as the next kid is pushed forward. It goes on and on. Some kids are sweet. Others hell on wheels. Some smell like old piss and stale cigarettes, others like new winter coats. My white-gloved fists clench as I think of Freddie. Roque better keep his word.

My head turns at the sound of a woman’s giggle jingling like bells.

What. The. Fuck.

Fur baby’s leather gloved hand is creeping up Federico’s forearm. He draws her in to his big frame. “I’ll keep you warm, sugar.”

“Is that a promise?” She bats her lashes back.

“We’re all done. Thank you, Santa.”

“Not yet.”

Devon’s brow quirks.

“You wanna get out of here?” Federico asks as they walk closer to the sleigh. My hand snakes out and grabs fur baby around the waist.

“Ho Ho! What do we have here? Come sit on Santa’s lap and tell me all your secret Christmas wish.”

Federico’s meaty fists clench but I have seniority on his ass. Besides, challenging Santa wouldn’t be a bright idea.

Her smile’s tight. Forced. “I don’t have any secret wishes.”

“Liar.” I pull her into my lap, sniffing the confection sugar clinging in her hair.

“You smell delicious, cupcake, What’s your name?”

“Unimpressed.”

“Burn.”

“…in jolly, fat men.”

“There’s nothing fat on me besides the club in between—”

Her gloved hand covers my mouth. I’m tempted to bite it. Instead my nose travels the side of her silken neck. “You smell like Christmas in Candyland.”

The flat of her hands push against my chest. Her eyes widen as I flex my pecs.

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