Page 88 of Santa's Girl
We lay there, his arms wrapped around me, his heartbeat slowing against my back. The snow kept falling outside, a soft hush beyond the window, and the house was quiet, the others none the wiser. For now, it was just us—warm, wild, and perfectly, dangerously alive.
Early morning lightfiltered between the blinds… The air was cold but I was tucked under a blanket with Bear’s arm heavy around my waist. My phone buzzed.
Caroline:
Okay. I’ve been stalking your feed and you’re glowing. What’s going on??
I smiled and typed back.Long story. Short version? Might be falling for a mountain man with a beard and a gun.
Falling?? Babe. Already?
Too soon, right?
I mean... not if it feels right. Snow and danger are aphrodisiacs. I’m coming to visit. I need to see this guy for myself.
Before I could answer, my mom called. Bear opened one eye… laced his fingers through mine.
“Becca! Finally. Stanley is depressed. He misses you.”
I blinked. “Stanley is a dog, Mom.”
“Well, he’s very sensitive.”
“And?”
“So, we’re coming out. Early. Me and Stanley to Margie’s.”
“Wait, what?”
“Oh, and FYI—your ex has been stalking my socials. Liking random posts. I think he’s looking for pictures of you.”
My stomach sank. But I glanced at Bear, his hot eyes already on me… his lips next.
“Gotta go, bye, mom.”
Let Huntley look. I wasn’t his anymore. “Babe?” Bear drew me back into his arms… the smell of percolating coffee was already wafting up the stairs.
“We can’t” I giggled, slipping out of bed. Tonight is the big fundraiser. I need to start getting ready.
“I hate the holidays,” he muttered.
“I’ll make it up to you later,”I winked before shutting the door to the bathroom so I could shower.
“Bear!” I shrieked as he surprised me ten minutes later with a hard smack on my ass and a steamy kiss.
“I’m out. See you later, babe.”
My body was still thrumming hours later as I replayed the last few days. I didn’t know what Christmas Day held for me this year, but I knew I was definitely on the naughty list.
The Jingle Jamstarted as a last-ditch effort to save the community center’s winter programming. Now, it was turning into the event of the season, and somehow, I’d become the unofficial ringleader. I was neck-deep in last-minute decorations, vendor check-ins, and a hundred questions from volunteers when the entertainment for the evening fell through.
Two of the band members had Covid. A sweet apology text and a shrug emoji. I stared at my phone like it had personally betrayed me.
Margie stood nearby, arms crossed, tapping her foot. “Well?”
“I’m calling in reinforcements,” I muttered.
I dialed Jinx.
