thought you’d appreciate it.” I tugged her hips closer and watched her expression falter when she felt the hard evidence of my appreciation against her.
The twinkle in her eyes fizzled into something that burned deeper and steadier. And hungrier.
“Why did you send it?” Her lips remained parted after the question, as though she was finally eager to swallow the truth I’d been giving her for weeks.
“Because I wanted to see you tonight. I wanted you to be a part of this—to have something special, something memorable for this holiday.”
Her gaze flicked over to where Noelle was standing with a few other members of the staff, and I caught the small smile that lifted her face.
“Even if it meant letting me be the Grinch?” She swayed instinctively closer, her body having a mind of its own while her thoughts focused on how I was going to respond.
“You’re no Grinch, Holly.” I could promise her that.
A squeal of laughter caught me off guard and suddenly, Noelle came crashing into us, pulling Holly from my arms and into her own. “It’s my turn!”
There was a flash of longing in Holly’s eyes before she sent me an apologetic look and began to dance with her friend. It was for the best—I needed a drink and a minute to cool my jets.
I couldn’t remember the last time I’d wanted anything or anyone for myself. I was used to being amiable and flirtatious. I was used to making things happen and working miracles—but all for my job. It was my job to make people happy. But Holly? I needed to make her happy like I needed to breathe.
My heart slammed in heavy thuds against my chest as I walked back to the bar, nodding my thanks to the bartender, Jimmy, as he handed me a fresh glass of eggnog.
“This is one helluva party, Mr. Nicholsen.” One of the bellman Noelle had left behind, Jake, raised his glass in cheers to me.
“With a couple hundred Santas, how could it not be?” I returned, clanking my cup to his.
For the next few minutes, I let myself be drawn into his and Drew’s conversation, but my eyes never left Holly. She was a spark of green in a sea of red. And she was happy.
“She fits right in here,” Drew mused, nudging my elbow, I realized he’d caught me staring.
“She does.”
Because she belongs here.
The thought punched me in the gut. I wanted her. I wanted her to be happy. I wanted to give her the magic she’d been denied—and not just for the holiday. The magic of Christmas was being loved and cherished beyond the point of belief. And fuck, if Holly didn’t deserve that.
And to do that, I’d have to find a way to get her to stay after the house was done. I would find a way.
Already wound tight with want, a jolt ran through my body when a group of guys approached Noelle and Holly, their jackets half-open to reveal naked chests and their sloppy smiles a dead-giveaway that they’d thoroughly enjoyed every previous stop on the Santacon barhop. They’d hardly opened their mouths before bodies and hands invaded the girls’ space, grabbing and touching things like it all belonged to them.
“Excuse me,” I practically growled to the two other men and shoved away from the bar.
They caught my drift and followed me to the floor; Noelle looked just as uncomfortable as Holly and just as relieved to see us approach.
“Gentlemen, there are several, special complimentary drinks waiting for you at the bar. Tell the bartender Mr. Nicholsen sent you over.” My smile was hard and harshly encouraging. Their special drinks would be alcohol-free since it looked like they had had enough.
Honey was enough to tempt a few of the bees away from Noelle, but the one dancing with Holly gave me a hard look and slung his arm around her shoulder. “Thanks, but I think I’m going to finish my dance here with this sweet little Grinch—”
I reached out and clamped a hand on his shoulder, my fingers digging firmly into points that made him wince and his neck crunch up in pain. Pulling him to me, he was forced to release Holly as I told him calmly, “It wasn’t a question. You can either drink or you can leave.”
When he stood unmoving even when Drew and Jake came up behind me, I leaned in and bit out, “Or I can shove that hat so far up your ass, Santa’s elves will find it at