That evening they pulled into the parking lot of Redemption Elementary School. Nathan’s mood had picked up all day with each task they performed for the kids, but now he was fairly beaming. “What are we doing here?” he asked.
“Playing Santa, Mr. Snow. Think you can handle it?” She arched a brow and tried not to smirk. He was making it really hard to stay mad at him when he lit up like a Christmas tree over the idea of helping kids. He was such an enigma. It would take a lot longer than the time she had left to figure him out.
“In my sleep, Darling.” A slight grin tipped the corners of his lips as he climbed out of the car with a spring in his step and grabbed the bag of presents from the trunk. “You coming Mrs. Claus?”
“I wouldn’t miss this for the world.” She hurried after him, grabbing their costumes along the way. She’d called ahead so the school knew they were coming. They were instructed to sneak in the back door and surprise the kids who were just finishing up school and getting ready for their after school holiday party.
An hour later, Samantha watched Nathan sit patiently with child after child on his knee as he listened to their long lists of things they were wishing for this Christmas. She could tell he was struggling not to let his eyes well up with tears. Redemption wasn’t a ritzy town. Everyone cared about each other here. Their wishes ranged from simple toys to helping others who were down on their luck to the occasional puppy. Nothing grandiose.
It was heartbreaking and endearing and life-changing to watch his reaction.
He managed to say all the right things and touch Samantha in ways she knew she would never get over. Dammit. It wasn’t supposed to be like this. She was supposed to endure her punishment as painlessly as possible and then get out. Leave and never look back. Not fall for the guy. What the hell? This wasn’t about paying Mark back at all. This was about falling in love and being helpless to do anything about it. She made up her mind. She might be in for the biggest heartache of her life, but she’d be damned if she’d leave without as many memories as she could gather...starting tonight.
They finished handing out presents and then made their way back to the store. He headed straight for the storefront window and set down the empty bag that had held the toys. Then he unbuttoned his Santa jacket and pulled out the fake belly. When he turned around, she was right behind him. He jerked to a stop as he bumped up against her.
“I should probably go home. It’s getting late. I won’t be needing--”
“Hmmm, but I will.” She bit her bottom lip and placed her hands on his chest which was barely covered with a white undershirt.
“Samantha, what are you doing?”
“Oh, nothing. Just admiring your clothes, Mr. Claus. And who’s Samantha? Just call me Mrs. C.” She slid her hands under his T-shirt and raked her nails up his bare skin.
He sucked in a sharp breath and clenched his jaw. “That’s probably not a good idea.”
She ran her fingertips down his six-pack, tracing the fine line of hair that disappeared beneath the waistband of his pants. “Why?” she asked breathlessly. “I think it’s the best idea I’ve had all week.”
“Do you now? And why’s that?” he growled.
She boldly reached down and cupped him with her palm. “Because you want me as badly as I want you. You can’t deny it.” She squeezed, and he nearly came undone.
“Sam...”
“Why fight it?” She looked into his eyes, stood on her tip-toes, and kissed his lips. “We’re both adults. We know exactly what this is”—she hesitated to make sure he understood that she knew exactly what she was doing and that she was fine with no strings attached—“and what it isn’t.”
He hesitated. “But your friends said--”
“I knew it!” She stepped back and began pacing. “I knew there had to be a reason you pulled away from me last night. I can’t believe they did that. When I see them, I am going to--”
He caught her from behind, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her to him tightly. He covered her breast with one hand and slid his other hand down to cup her intimately. This time she was the one to suck in a breath. “It doesn’t matter, love,” he whispered in her ear. “I’m here now, and you’re right. I want you as badly as you do me.” He turned her around and cradled her face in his large palms. “Right or wrong, I want you. More importantly...I need you.”
And that was all she needed to hear.
She threw her arms around him, stood on his feet, and plastered her body to his as she kissed him deeply. He stumbled back a step, recovered with a growl that came from deep in his throat, and then slid his hands over her behind as he thrust his tongue within her mouth to stroke and mate with hers. After he’d thoroughly robbed her of breath and sent chills soaring through every cell in her body, she whimpered.
He retreated, stroking her face and murmuring words of endearment and encouragement. He slipped his hands beneath her thighs and lifted her high and hard against him. Carrying her to a plush throw rug in the center of the window display, he gently laid her on her back. Shrugging out of his jacket and T-shirt, he whipped off his Santa pants and boxers and stood before her in all his naked glory, giving her a moment to stare unabashedly.
He was a god!
Exquisite male perfection at its best. Tall height, mouth-watering muscles, creamy tanned skin and a gaze that would make the devil himself jealous. He kneeled beside her and slowly pulled off Mrs. C’s clothes. Sam had a moment of second thoughts. It was still too light out. Mark had been the first to point out her flaws. Said she was a little too curvy for his tastes. What could she say? She liked to eat. It had never bothered her before, but suddenly she was insecure.
“Wait,” she blurted.
“Why?” Nathan asked, his breathing already heavier and his gaze heavy-lidded.
“It’s too light,” she said shyly, not quite meeting his eyes.
“It’s not light enough.” He tipped her face in his direction so she was forced to look at him. “You’re beautiful, Samantha. Let me worship you...please.”
The please was her undoing. “Okay,” she said in barely more than a whisper.
He peeled away the rest of her clothes and, after what seemed like forever, she finally looked at him. Truly looked at him. What she saw took her breath away. He stared at her as though in awe, his gaze roaming over every ounce of her flesh. Her nipples tightened, her breathing quickened, and her lips parted. His eyes finally met hers.
“I stand corrected. You’re not just beautiful, you’re an angel, and I am the luckiest man alive.” He reached out a hand and stroked her nipple, watching her reaction the whole time.
She arched her back, giving herself to him openly, fully. His smile was so tender and sweet and appreciative. “Nathan, now, please.”
“Not yet, sweetheart.” He lowered his head and took her nipple in his mouth, sucking hard.
She nearly came undone, crying out his name.
“Easy, baby. Easy,” he murmured softly, kissing his way down her abdomen. “You’re so damn beautiful.” He kissed her belly button and then trailed a line of kisses down to her knee and up her inner thigh, finally landing home in the heart of her womanhood.
“Nathan!” she shouted his name and came undone, convulsing in his arms on a wave of pleasure and tears.
He raised above her and slipped inside before her last shutter rippled through her, only to ignite a series of new ones. He thrust harder, holding her hips and pulling her tighter to him as he drove home, murmuring terms of endearment until he stiffened and shouted her name as he came completely undone himself. He collapsed on top of her and rolled to the side, pulling her close to him and cuddling her tenderly. He kept stroking her hair and kissing the top of her head. “What have you done to me, woman,” he whispered just before he drifted off to sleep.
When his heartbeat slowed and his breathing dipped to that of someone deep asleep, she finally answered with tears in her eyes, “Just loved you, that’s all. Even though you’re inc
apable of loving me back.”
***
Friday morning Nathan awoke in his store front window with Samantha gloriously naked and sprawled across his chest. They lay on a thick throw rug in front of the real tree they’d cut down and decorated with traditional, old-fashioned, homemade ornaments. He glanced around and took in the cozy fireplace and vintage Santa and Mrs. Claus. The suits Nathan and Samantha had worn to hand out presents at the orphanage were contemporary knockoffs that served their purpose. He glanced at them and remembered tossing them helter-skelter in his haste to disrobe himself as well as Ms. Darling who was truly more darling than she realized.
It was hard to believe in such a short time, they’d come full circle. Surrounded by elves hard at work, but in appropriate clothing and positions this time. He couldn’t say the same for himself and Samantha, he thought on a silent chuckle, careful not to wake the sleeping beauty. She was incredible. She’d truly succeeded in taking his mind off the worst time of year for him. She’d done so much more than restore the window display that she’d ruined. She brought new life into his store, himself, hell, the whole damn town. Everyone loved her.
He frowned over the word love.
What the hell had he been thinking, inviting her to his place? His private sanctuary. He never let anyone get that close. He was terrified that she wasn’t just anyone, and that wasn’t part of his plan. Her friends were right. No matter what Samantha said, he knew she wasn’t an affair kind of woman. He’d been a fool to give in.
Dammit, why’d she have to be so irresistible?
“What’s wrong? Why are you frowning?” she asked quietly, startling him.
He looked down at her at a loss for words. “I—I--”
A knock on the window had them both jumping this time. There was a gap in the curtain covering the window, and once again, half the town stood there watching. Only, this time, they were all smiling and giving him the thumbs-up sign instead of staring at him in shock and disapproval.
They really had come full circle, and he didn’t have a clue what to do about it.
Chapter Seven
Samantha didn’t get Nathan. They’d just experienced an unforgettable, earth-shattering night, and he was acting like they were nothing more than business partners. Granted, she’d known what she was setting herself up for from the get-go. She’d just secretly hoped that she’d had some profound effect on the guy. That maybe, just maybe, he’d discovered the spirit of Christmas and that he had opened his heart to change...to her.
Instead, he’d pretty much whisked them out of the store and took off, saying he had preparations to make for a surprise Christmas party for his employees. Because he owned so many stores, he usually just gave them all a Christmas bonus. He stilled planned on doing exactly that, he’d just added a party for this particular store in preparation for the big event the next day.
The window display contest.
Her punishment had been spelled out as he wouldn’t press charges if she came up with a winning display. What if he didn’t win? That meant he could still have her arrested for what she’d done. But if he did win, then she was free to go home on Christmas Eve. If she hurried, she just might make it home in time to put the star on top of the tree. Her heart squeezed painfully over the thought of leaving. Funny how what had seemed so important to her at the start now paled in comparison to the desire to see him look at her in a different way. Oh, she knew he wanted her, but she wanted him to love her. Truly love her and put her above himself. He really had come so far, but something told her he was incapable of giving her what she needed.
When had her desire to get Mark out of her system turned into a need for Nathan’s love?
When he’d held her so tenderly and had looked at her like she was the most precious thing on earth, giving her hope that there could be something more between them. Maybe tonight she would tell him how she felt, and he would surprise her. Anything was possible.
She spent the rest of the day finishing the final touches on the storefront window, while Nathan made the arrangements for the party. He’d only poked his head in for brief seconds here and there, but pretty much had avoided her all day. Refusing to let it get her down, Samantha got herself ready. She’d donned a silk baby blue metallic cocktail dress in the same shade as her eyes and three inch silver heels. She stood by the front door when a limo pulled up alongside the curb. Donning the sexiest smile she could muster, she walked forward and slipped inside after the chauffer opened the door.
The car was empty.
Samantha glanced around in confusion as the driver said, “Mr. Snow will meet you at the restaurant, ma’am. There’s champagne and hors d’oeuvres if you’d care for any. Please don’t hesitate to let me know if there’s anything else you need. He closed the door and climbed into the front and then drove away.
Why did she feel like she was being bought off? Nathan had given her a limo ride with fine champagne and caviar, yet he hadn’t bothered to give her himself. He’d only given her things he could buy and pay for. It somehow cheapened what they’d just shared. She only had one more night with him, and she had her work cut out for her if she was going to make any headway.
She slid out of the limo, took a deep breath, and marched inside on a mission. The first person she ran into was Roz. Samantha stiffened, expecting the pit-bull to unleash her wrath. Instead, the petite silver-haired dynamo studied Samantha for a full minute, until Sam squirmed and the woman smiled ever so slightly. She was in control, and they both knew it. Yet she didn’t rip her apart. Maybe she was in a holiday mood. Whatever the reason, Sam was grateful. She didn’t think she could take another ride on the emotional roller-coaster of all that loving Nathan entailed.
“Happy holidays,” Samantha said, when she couldn’t stand the quiet any longer.
“Same to you,” Roz responded, and then looked as though it pained her to add, “You did a great job on the storefront window.”
“Thank you. Na—Mr. Snow was a huge part in putting it all together.”
The pit-bull was back, on edge, and ready to bear its fangs if she said the wrong thing. “You’ve changed him. He’s not the same man he was before you got here.”
“Oh, well, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to--”
“Thank you.”
“Excuse me?”
“You have no idea what that poor boy’s been through.” For a moment her features softened into a look of maternal love, but just as quickly she snarled, “Hurt him, and it’ll be the last thing you do.” Then she marched away, probably to terrorize her next victim.
What the heck was that all about? Samantha wondered. She was at more risk than Nathan in getting hurt. He was the one who had avoided her all day, not the other way around. Quite frankly, she’d had enough.
It was time she and McScroogy had a talk.
Nathan finished handing out the last of the Christmas bonuses to his staff. They had more than earned it with their constant loyalty and devotion to helping him change his image and win over the Redemption community. It had touched him deeply, which disturbed him immensely. He’d never cared before. In truth, he had cared too much, and that terrified him, so he had never admitted it, even to himself. He’d gotten away with pretending he didn’t care because he knew first-hand what it was like to care and then get hurt.
Damn Samantha Darling.
It was all her fault. She’d changed him, and he was afraid he would never be able to change himself back. He didn’t want to find the spirit of Christmas. It held too many painful memories. He didn’t want to make friends. He didn’t want to care what people thought of him. He didn’t want to lose his ruthless businessman image. He didn’t want to fall in love....
But, dammit, that’s exactly what had happened.
He knew what he had to do. No matter how much it hurt, he knew it was the right thing. Give her a gift that wasn’t materialist and came straight from his heart. Give her what he knew she wanted more than anything else.
Set he
r free and let her go home to be with her family.
He didn’t need to drag her down with him into his lonely depressing world, especially during this time of year. She was light and beautiful and kind and fun. He was the total opposite. She deserved happiness with no brooding or darkness. He couldn’t promise any of that. So he would do what he always did: put up his wall and shut her out. Better to hurt her now than before she fell in love with him, too.
Nathan felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned around and inhaled sharply. Samantha stood before him looking much more stunning than any star or angel on the top of a Christmas tree could ever be. She literally sparkled. She looked a little wary and nervous, and it killed him to know that he’d put that look in her eyes. But then her stubborn determination kicked in and she stood a little straighter, causing his heart to swell with love and pride.
He frowned and cleared his throat, smoothing his black tuxedo, and then running a hand over slicked-back hair. His armor. “Ms. Darling, you look lovely this evening. I hope everything is to your liking.”
“No, actually, it isn’t. I have an issue I’d like to discuss,” she said firmly.
“I thought you might.” He pulled out a legal document from the inside of his jacket. “Happy holidays.” He handed the paper to her.
“What’s this.” She looked at him warily and a little confused.
“Your gift,” he said simply and made a valiant effort to keep his face blank.
Her delicate eyebrows drew together in confusion as she opened the paper, then her eyes sprang wide. “You’re giving me my freedom?”
“Precisely. From this moment forward I am releasing you from your punishment, and I will not press charges now or in the future over this matter. In other words, Ms. Darling, you are free to go.”
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