Page 5 of Courting the Krampus
I try to keep a clear head as I explain, “I kind of have something important to tend to, and it means I will have to take you with me. But of course, if you are uncomfortable, I’m sure he will understand and I can reschedule.”
Natalie waves the suggestion away. “Oh no, it’s cool. Where we going?”
I slouch deeper and widen my legs. “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”
Natalie tilts her head and her silky black hair sways to the side. “Try me.”
Without missing a beat, I say, “The North Pole.”
Nodding her head, and with teeth sinking into her full bottom lip, Natalie gives that some thought. “Before meeting you, I would’ve been skeptical. But you’re a krampus. You’re the other half of Christmas. So I guess, sign me up. Take me to Santa,” Natalie adds, holding her arms wide in invitation.
A boisterous laugh booms from me. Natalie is amazing. She’s easygoing, funny, sharp, sexy, and I believe a little bit naughty. Perfection.
When I’ve got myself under control, I say, “We might bump into Nick, but my plans are actually with his brother, Cole.”
Natalie uncrosses her legs and sits up straighter. She twists in her seat to face me more directly, her ice-blue eyes bright with indignation.
Eyebrows raised, she asks incredulously, “Santa has a brother named Cole? Is that just a coincidence or was he named with malicious intent?”
Something warms in my heart at the thought of her already getting defensive on Cole’s behalf. Nick’s father was cruel to give him that name, but Cole has embraced it and owns it now.
“I’ll let him tell you the story,” I say and almost reach out to pat her hand in comfort. I catch myself in time, though, and sit back in my seat, mirroring her position.
Natalie’s shoulders relax. “Okay. Can’t wait to meet him. Just one concern.”
“What is it?”
Gesturing down her enticing body, Natalie says, “I don’t have anything warm to wear.”
My fingers still and I glance down at her outfit. “That cute little skirt of yours is definitely not going to keep you warm.” In a low voice filled with appreciation for the sight before me, I add quietly, “It’s keeping me very warm, though.”
Natalie moves her upper body in a little serpentine dance in her seat. “Oh, you tease. Tell me what else this skirt is doing to you,” she says.
“I might have to show you.”
“Don’t be shy,” Natalie purrs.
I clutch my heart dramatically. I think I’ve finally met my match.
“We’re going to have a lot of fun together,” I declare, feeling the truth of my words sink into me.
“I’m counting on it.”
Chapter four
Jasper
Once everyone is done negotiating where they’ll spend the coming days as we await the bond’s dissolution, we head back to our rooms to gather our belongings. I find Jamie already in the room we shared last night.
Looking up from where he’s folding a T-shirt into his bag, my leprechaun friend says, “Wow, lad, you and that Natalie girl sure seemed to hit it off.”
I puff up my cheeks and blow out the air as I shake my head. “She’s something else. Kind of looking forward to being stuck together.”
Grabbing my toothbrush and electric shaver from the en suite bathroom, I can’t help but wonder what Cole will say when I show up at his house with Natalie. I know they’ll easily hit it off with their dry humor, so I’m sure he won’t mind.
I called him earlier to say I’m bringing a woman with me, so he can prepare himself and a spare bedroom for Natalie. He’ll also need to request access for her so she can cross the wards into the magical side of the North Pole. He sounded skeptical at first, but I promised him that I’d explain once we get there.
Cole and I have had an interesting relationship over the years. We’ve never talked about the possibility of things developing into anything serious or permanent between us, especially with him being bound to the Arctic Circle, but the thought has crossed my mind more than once. I’ve never had the guts to tell him, though. I wouldn’t want to burden him with my feelings if he doesn’t reciprocate them. It will make working together extremely awkward afterward.
