Page 36 of Hiding for the Holidays
Ihum Winter Wonderland to myself as I go through my checklist for the Christmas event. I’d arranged for food and drinks. I’ve got a Christmas playlist ready to go, and the decorations are already up.
Next, I needed to work on the flyers and get the word out.
“You look like you need a break,” Leo says, startling me. I look up and see him leaning against the office door frame.
He looks good in his new t-shirt, his large biceps pushing at the seams as he grins at me.
I had suggested all staff, which was comprised of the three of them and me, wear matching branded t-shirts to help push our new brand identity, and help them be seen as the owners and not customers.
They are army green with the logo on the left breast and staff written in thick bold letters across the back. I didn’t realize t-shirts were so sexy until the new uniforms arrived and they put them on. I may have ordered them slightly too small as well. I underestimated the size of their broad chests.
“I’m just working on the flyer for the Christmas OpenHouse,” I tell him as I subtly wipe my mouth to check for drool.
“You’ve been in here for hours. Why don’t you come out and we’ll practice some self-defense?”
I switch the monitor off and nod, moving around the desk, but he doesn’t move from blocking the door. Instead, he pushes off the doorframe and pulls out a bag I hadn’t seen hanging at his side.
He holds it out towards me.
“What’s this?” I ask, biting my lip as I take it from him.
“It’s for you.”
I peek into the bag and see some white fur. Curious, I place the bag on the ground between us and reach in, pulling out the beautiful white snow boots.
“Leo!” I gasp, turning them in my hands. “They’re gorgeous!” They are almost entirely white with gray laces up the front and white fur lining the top. They look like they’ll go to my mid-calf and look far nicer than something I’d choose for myself. “I can’t?—”
“Yes, you can,” he says, cutting me off. “They’re a gift, and you obviously like them.”
“I love them,” I say quietly as I look back down at them. I don’t think I deserve them, but the thought of finally having warm feet outside makes me hold my tongue. Besides, if he was anything like the other two, he would not take no for an answer.
I place them back in the bag and look back up at him. I feel a little emotional about the gift. All three of them had seen me struggling, seen something I needed and taken action to help me.
In all the time I’d been with Scott, he never bought me anything as thoughtful as this, not even for my birthday.
“Thank you, Leo. I really appreciate it.” My emotions get the best of me as I step forward and wrap my arms around hiswaist in a hug. After two seconds, I realize I’m hugging my boss and have totally crossed over the line of professionalism. I push back, noticing he’s hugging me back as I shake my head and apologize. “I’m sorry, I don’t know why I did that.”
He laughs, and I glance up at him. “Clara, you don’t have to apologize for hugging me. I love hugs.”
“I’ve never seen you hug anyone,” I say with a frown.
“Let me clarify; I love hugs fromyou.”
Did he really just say that? What does he mean by it?
“Come on, Asher’s waiting to show you some new stuff.”
I quickly put my boots in my locker in the staff room then follow him out to the mats where Asher and Grant are chatting.
“Are all three of you doing it, too?” I ask.
“Yeah, it helps if you have different opponents. No two people will try to move the same way.” I shiver at the memory of Scott touching me. I hope I never have to feel that again.
He moves to the side with Grant as Asher comes to stand in front of me.
“Instead of trying to get out of holds, I’m going to show you how to block a punch,” Asher tells me, and I nod. If I could avoid getting hit, I’d have a better chance of getting away.
He steps in close, his voice low but firm. “First thing, Clara. Don’t freeze. The easiest way to get hit is standing still.”
