Page 28 of Tee the Season
“You did it,” I say, as my oversized red-velvet coat catches the twinkling lights. “People showed up because you invited them. Because you’ve built this into a Starlight Bay holiday tradition.”
“If not for you, it wouldn’t have happened,” she says, glancing over at me, eyes bright. “And you were incredible,Santa. And you have a plethora of fans based on the comments.”
“Oh, yeah?”
“Yeah,” she says, her gaze sweeping over me as I close the laptop. “And I can’t say I’m hating this look on you either.”
My cock twitches at her tone and the desire in her eyes. “Santa's doing it for you, is he?”
“What’s not to love?” she says, trailing a finger down the fur lining of the jacket. “Authority figure who’s generous, knows if you’ve been naughty or nice, delivers exactly what you want…”
Heat floods through me as I catch her hand, pressing a kiss to her open palm. “Careful. Santa might get ideas.”
Her voice drops lower as she holds my gaze. “Too late. I’ve already got one.”
I pull her closer by the hips, gratified when her breath catches. “Oh yeah, what’s that?”
But she bites her lip and lifts a shoulder. Tease.
Well, two can play this game. I pretend to glance around. “We should probably clean up. You know, put the equipment away.”
“Probably,” she agrees, her tone mock serious. But then her hand slides down to toy with the wide black belt cinched over the pillow under the jacket at my waist. “Or we could celebrate first.”
“Celebrate?” I like the sound of that.
“We just pulled off a miracle.” Her eyes are dark, pupils dilated. She steps even closer, tugging at the buckle. “That deserves a reward, don’t you think?”
My heart is hammering. “What kind of reward do you have in mind?”
“Well—” She leads me toward the reading chair. “I had plans last night. Beforesomeoneput onDie Hardand I fell asleep twenty minutes in.”
“I noticed.” The memory of her curled against my side on the couch, completely out, makes my chest tight. “You were snoring.”
“I don’t snore—”
I hold up a hand to stop her.
“Little ones. Very cute,” I assure her then drop my voice. “But you definitely missed your chance for round four.”
Her eyebrows pinch together. “Round four? I think we’re only on round three.”
“What about the hotel?”
“That was pre-storm.” Mischief dances in her eyes, and the air between us crackles. “Doesn’t count.”
And these times do?Why are they different?
I can’t say why she thinks so, but for me, it’s because I’ve gotten to know Tabitha. Seen how this woman builds community and creates magic and takes care of everyone around her. Watched her make pour-over coffee and run a business and take care of her aunt with such thoughtfulness. Seen her stay up making promotional posts and trusting me to help with a holiday tradition that matters so much to her.
I’ve fallen for her. Maybe even the night of the reception when I watched her laughing, completely unaware she was the most captivating person on that boat.
I’m glad I texted Hays yesterday. That I have an interview tomorrow afternoon. That I pushed my flight back.
I’m debating whether to tell Tabitha any of this, but before I can form the words, Tabitha’s low voice drags me back to the moment and pushes all thoughts of my best friend and the golf pro interview from my head.
Her gaze slides over me as if she’s sizing me up. “You look…really hot in this costume.”
Heat floods through me, desire cutting through the new emotions I’m still getting a sense of. This I can handle.
