Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 92809 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 464(@200wpm)___ 371(@250wpm)___ 309(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92809 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 464(@200wpm)___ 371(@250wpm)___ 309(@300wpm)
The Naughty List will be calling Tiffany with every passing minute. Her inbox of proposals is full to bursting. I’ve checked, and she’s been ignoring them, just as I’ve been ignoring the founders’ thread. But it’s there for both of us. We can’t ignore it for ever.
My dirty elf is making sure her dress is back in position when Jen walks in. My heart thumps at the realisation of just how close we were to getting caught. A minute, tops. If we’re going to play this filthy game every day, it’s going to get risky. Really fucking risky.
But as Tiff winks on the way out, I know I won’t be able to resist. I never will. I could never turn down my elf princess.
“You alright, Reuben?” Jen asks, and pulls a sandwich from a bag. “Grabbed you a tuna mayo baguette.”
Tiff is still in the doorway, smiling at me.
“Enjoy your baguette, Reuben,” she says. “If you’re back now, Jen, I’ll go grab myself some lunch. Might do a bit of shopping, too.”
“Go for it,” Jen says. “Head up to Janie’s Bakes on the top floor. Plonk your tired butt down and have one of their cappuccinos and carrot cakes. Bloody delicious.”
“Might just do that,” Tiff says.
“Don’t miss out. Trust me, you’ll be a regular!”
I don’t think Tiffany has been to the top floor of the mall before. It’s a shame I’m not taking her myself, as I’d love to treat her to a cappuccino and carrot cake. I’d be focused on her hungry mouth as she ate it. Her groan of appreciation at the taste.
I have to eat my tuna baguette quickly, and hit the bathroom like lightning before the grotto line opens up again. It’s going to be a busy afternoon.
I ho, ho, ho non-stop from the off, adding to the mountain of Christmas lists and cards the kids have written for me, and hearing how much they want to see Rudolph in the sky.
I’ve just finished hearing how a young pair of twins want matching kittens under the Christmas tree when Evelyn arrives in the grotto. She has a look of confusion on her face. Her eyebrows are creased, and she points over her shoulder towards the grotto door.
“There are some people here to see you. They say it’s urgent.”
“Urgent? What people?”
She nods. “One of them said his name is Bry, and the other guy… I think I’ve seen him before. People are talking to him. Mayor of somewhere.”
I sit bolt upright in my sleigh seat and pull my stupid beard from my face, my heart fucking racing.
“What shall I say?” Evelyn asks. “The queue is massive. Shall I tell them to come back later?”
Fucking hell, this can’t be happening. Please, God, fucking no. I don’t have time to think, time to act, time to collect myself together. Not with Bryson and Charles outside.
“Shut the grotto,” I tell Evelyn. “It’s closed, as of right now.”
“Shut the grotto? For real?!”
“Yes. Shut the grotto. Disperse the queue. Head off now, Toby, the day is done.” I suck in a breath as everyone jumps into action, cursing myself for ignoring the chat thread. I should have seen this fucking coming.
Bry pokes his head around the grotto doorway a few seconds later. He’s hardly smiling with festive cheer.
“Gooday, Santa. Thought we’d drop by for a quick hello.”
Fuck!
25
TIFFANY
Ican’t hold back the grin on my face as I wander through the mall and it blows my mind to see how so many people grin back at me, especially young kids – waving at the happy elf in the bobble hat. I could get used to this. For real.
I get the charity work thing now, and why Reuben spends so much time as benefactor for other people. I’m used to serving humanity by getting people off to their wildest fantasies, which is cool, but putting effort into charity from the goodness of your own heart gives me a different kind of glow. I’m beginning to love my elf garb. I’m also loving the mall, too. This place is magnificent.
To think this whole complex belongs to Reuben is beyond impressive. The whole bloody mall is owned by the man who owns my heart. I’m buzzing, alive. Me. And it’s all because of him.
The memory of first walking into Santa’s grotto and seeing him on his sleigh is burnt into my soul – Reuben’s stunning grey eyes staring at me in instant recognition. And now, here I am, having just fucked him in that same sleigh. What a crazy fucking ride.
I sit down and chill at Janie’s Bakes, and Jen’s recommendation was spot on. Their cappuccino and carrot cake are fucking yummy. I’ll be a regular customer, that’s for sure. I’ll be trying everything on their menu.
I survey the surroundings, no longer intimidated by the love in people’s eyes as they share snacks with their young families. I’d usually be glued to my phone, busying myself with social media, or browsing through my proposals, but I’m not interested. I replied to yet another message from Josh earlier, giving lame excuses about taking some time out. Busy with friends.