Total pages in book: 39
Estimated words: 36118 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 181(@200wpm)___ 144(@250wpm)___ 120(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36118 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 181(@200wpm)___ 144(@250wpm)___ 120(@300wpm)
“No problem.” He kept the easy grin on his face when the last thing he wanted to do was stand here and mingle. He had a brother to find and a woman to woo.
Nicholas coughed and held up a hand when Ryker took a step closer to him in concern.
“Just gettin’ old son, nothing to worry about.”
He wasn’t so sure about there, however, he simply nodded. Eyes casting around once more, he found her, still organizing the wrapping paper, something he wouldn’t have thought important before now. She talked to a leggy brunette whose gaze continually shifted back to him all the while an invitation lingered on her features.
Beautiful? Yes.
Did he want her? Unequivocally no.
The woman she spoke to? Hell yes!
“We start in two hours. I know you saw the line when you walked up, there will be utter chaos in here once we open the doors. It will be loud because trust me, the snow machine, air conditioning, parents, children. You’ll have a few elves helping you out as you sit in place for me.”
“Sounds like you have a well-oiled machine here, sir. I’m pretty sure everyone will take great care of me.” He pushed his hands in his pockets and rocked back on his heels. “Who’s the woman over there, by the wrapping paper in the black and white pants? She didn’t come introduce herself.”
Silence.
Ryker glanced over to Nicholas and waited for him to stop hesitating. The man stared across the room at her then back to him, did it twice then gave a small shrug.
“Rayla. She’s new here too, working as one of the gophers. If you need anything she would be one of the one’s to send for it. We meet back here for a final briefing in an hour and a half. You’ll need to be in costume by then, everyone will.” Another cough. “Excuse me.”
Left alone, Ryker, took a deep breath then made his way across the large floor to where the women stood talking with over animated gestures. He didn’t head directly there, no he walked the long way around, denying himself as well as making it look like he didn’t have a specific target.
I most definitely have one.
“…I’m just saying, Rayla, you don’t need to be a gopher. You could be one of the elves. Maybe even sit on Santa’s lap.”
“Krissy Mae.” Warning laced the tone.
His cock stirred, both at the voice and the thought of her being on his lap. Yeah, he’d be okay with that. On so many levels.
He’d take her, anyway, facing him so he could suck on those large breasts he knew would overflow his hands. With her back to his chest, using his dick to get off, hands on his thighs as he watched her ass jiggle. Either way worked. Both was better.
“He’s a big man—”
“Stop Krissy Mae. Just, stop. I’m not climbing on Santa’s lap, I’m not one of the elves. I’m not cut out to be in the public eye. Gophering works fine for me. I’m sure he’d be more than happy to have you on his lap.”
Yeah, he didn’t think so.
He pushed his hands into his pockets as he walked up on the two women. Krissy Mae noticed him first and gave him a smile he knew without a doubt held a welcome in it. One he wouldn’t be taking her up on it.
“I don’t believe we’ve met.” He gave a small nod to Krissy Mae before turning his attention to Rayla. “I’m Ryker.”
Pale brown eyes flashed to him before she glanced away. “Rayla.”
A small sound of distress came from his left, but he didn’t look over to Krissy Mae. Instead, he kept his attention on the woman before him. Her easy dismissal of him, tweaked something in him.
Typically, he wasn’t a vain man but damnit, he knew he was good looking, and she acted like she didn’t care. Krissy Mae continued to watch him, but Rayla had put her focus back on the far more boring stack of rolls of wrapping paper.
Despite his wanting to push her and see what reaction he could drag out of her curvaceous form, he merely stepped back. “Nice to meet you.” One of the hardest things he’d ever had to do was walk away from the woman he knew down to the marrow of his bones was his.
That’s exactly what Ryker did. While he could be a caveman and demanding he knew when to push and when to step back. Willing his body to calm down, he continued moving through the room of well-organized chaos, notating the layout and getting a better idea of how things were going to be run.
He had to give it to Hallelujah Crossing, they went all out for this Christmas in July stuff. His phone buzzed and he glanced down to avoid stepping on a little person who zipped by, their arms overloaded with greenery.