Page 35 of Unwrapped

“Told ya’. This Santa’s stacked. Smile,” I order as the camera flashes capturing her trying to pull away like the cat in the old Looney Toons show when the skunkPepe Le’something tries to hold the object of his affection.

“This is sexual harassment,” she hisses, wiggling in my lap.

“This is Christmas in small town America sweetheart. I saw you. Looking for trouble.” I nod over to a steam-faced Federico.

“He’s definitely trouble.”

“Stay away.”

“Maybe that’s my secret Christmas wish… to find sometrouble.”

She moves off my lap and I blow out a breath, yanking her back down. “Not so fast.”

“What are you doing?”

“The fuck if I know,” I mutter. She smells so damn good, like a cookie my mouth waters for before biting into.

“If I tell you my real wish will you let me go?”

I nod still high on sugar and vanilla extract.

She bites her pinkalicious lips, a bloom of red stains each her cheeks, “I really to be seen. For me. Not this,” she gestures to her luscious curves and beautiful surface but in here, “she presses her index finger into her heart.”

Well shit. She is full of surprises.

“He won’t see you.” I motion to Federico.

“I know. There’s nothing wrong with finding a little trouble while waiting on Mr. Right.”

“Mr. Right is a fairytale,” I snort.

“Thanks Santa. I knew it was dumb to believe.”

When she moves off my lap this time, I let her go.

“What in the hell was that?” Rog smirks.

“Damned if I know. Can I get out of this suit now? I need a cold shower.”

“Yeah, I reckon you do,” he whistles jingle bells and gets lost in the milling crowd. Federico can have fur baby. I don’t give two shits about it. I just better warn him woman like her aren’t worth the trouble. “But you can’t. Santa is scheduled to show at the luncheon at the Senior Center than he’s having afternoon tea with the book club followed by—”

Santa flips him the bird white gloved hand and all and walks away. “I’ll never forgive you for this Rog. I swear to God, I’m going to get even for this.”

“Ho Ho!” He laughs like a bastard and shakes hands with more people wanting to wish the mayor Happy Holidays.

9

Shiloh

“HUNGRY?”

“A bit.”

“There’s a luncheon at the Woman’s Club catered by the Mayor himself.”

“Lead the way.”

“I saw you talking with Federico.”

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