Santa's Helper Read online

  As I asked about whether he had been good or bad, I noticed Melody move down to the next child in line.

  Melody

  At first, this gig was what nightmares were made of. I wasn’t an actress. I didn’t parade around in a red velvet dress. But I told myself to try it. I might surprise myself. Then that first look on a child’s face. The one where she was so mesmerized by seeing Santa. It changed everything. Now I can’t wait to get to work.

  The line of kids wanting to see Santa was longer than ever and I hoped Sam was ready for it. Even though he was sitting down and in good shape, it was still a lot of work to keep the wiggly ones sitting still long enough for a picture. There were also the cryers and the screams and the ones that wouldn’t let go. Every child was unique, but we learned quick how to work well as a team.

  All afternoon, I spoke to the children and walked them over to see Sam. The elves and reindeer were busy giving out gifts and candy canes. Some children wanted to leave letters for Santa while others wanted to see him for a second time.

  It was a lot of work to keep the children focused and not have a meltdown in the line because they had to wait so long. The store was fantastic about having a movie going the whole time so those who needed a break could go sit down.

  I never realized how big the store was until I started working there. A lot of kids could fit in such a small space. It wasn’t until nearly 7 o’clock before we cut the line off. I felt bad for the elf that had to announce Santa needed a rest. There were some disappointed faces and several groans, but I was thankful. So were my feet.

  After giving a wave to everyone, I went back through the door that looked like we were leaving Santa’s workshop. I took off my heels as soon as I was out of sight and rolled my ankles a few times with a satisfied groan.

  I changed and then got everything I needed out of my locker. I hung up my dress on the rack of things to be cleaned and then went to the employee exit. I couldn’t wait to get home.

  “Hey…”

  I glanced over to see Sam running up to me.

  “Hey,” I replied with my hand on the door.

  “Can I drive you home?” he asked.

  I shrugged a little. “Sure.”

  It wasn’t the first time he had offered to give me a ride, and I took him up on it a few times. At this point, it was pitch black outside and cold. The thought of riding in a warm car was much nicer than icy sidewalks.

  We walked together through the parking lot and over to Sam’s car. It was a small sedan rental car. He told me that his car was in the shop like I would judge him. A car was a car and my feet were happy when I sat down in the passenger seat.

  I looked at Sam as he pulled out of the parking lot. The man was so beautiful that it almost hurt. Every time our eyes met, my heart skipped a beat. I felt like I went back in time and this was my first crush on a boy. I thought about him at the most random times too and I had no explanation to how I was feeling. I wish I did because I could nip this feeling in the butt.

  My building was up ahead and I felt a knot form in my stomach. I didn’t want to part ways with him. At least not yet.

  He pulled up alongside the front sidewalk and put the car in park before looking at me with a big smile. My heart did a few more flip-flops, and I was hit with a bout of bravery.

  “Do you want to come in?”

  Chapter 4

  Melody

  I held my breath as I waited for him to reply. It felt like an eternity but it was only mere seconds.

  “I’d love to,” He said with a big smile.

  “Okay,” I replied, letting out the breath I had been holding. “You’ll need to park in one of the visitor spots.”

  I pointed to the small parking beside the building. The first four spots each had a sign, stating they were for visitors only. Sam parked, and I took another deep breath before I got out of the car. I suddenly prayed that I had nothing embarrassing out in the open.

  We walked quietly to the front door and used my key fob to open the door. I didn’t bother to check my mail as we passed by the boxes. If I didn’t keep moving, I would lose my nerve and resend my invitation.

  Sam was right behind me as we climbed the stairs to my floor. I might have been moving a little faster than normal and only because my nerves were about to get the best of me.

  I fumbled a little getting the key in the keyhole. It was embarrassing. I took a deep breath and then shoved the key in with a bit of force.

  “Welcome to my little corner of the world,” I said as I let Nick go inside first. “I apologize if there are any dirty dishes in the sink or embarrassing things thrown about. With everyone out of town, I didn’t plan on having company.”

  “So, this is how you always live?” Sam asked teasingly.

  “Most of the time,” I replied with a chuckle. “Can I get you something to drink?”

  “Yes, but I will be hella corny about it,” he said as he walked towards me.

  “Who says hella any more?” I asked. My eyes were on him, watching as he walked right up so we were practically nose to nose.

  I swallowed hard.

  “Me, occasionally. I’m hoping to bring it back.” He looked at me with a serious expression before a big grin spread across his face.

  I smacked his arm playfully.

  “What do you want to drink?” I asked. I gave him a bit of a glare, trying to be the serious one this time.

  “Honestly?” he asked. Sam continued before I could say a word. “You.”

  “Me?”

  He nodded.

  “Are you a serial killer?” The question left my lips before I realized it.

  Sam laughed.

  “No,” he finally said, still laughing. He took a deep breath and then looked back at my eyes. “I’m trying to say that I want to kiss you.”

  “Oh. Why didn’t you just come out and say that?” I asked.

  He gave me a shrug. “I thought I was funny.”

  “If I tell you it was, will you kiss me?”

  Sam looked at me with a surprised expression on his face. He didn’t say another word but instead; he leaned and pressed his lips against mine.

  I melted.

  It took a second before I started to kiss him back. His lips felt amazing as did his arms that wrapped around me tight. He pulled me against his firm, muscular body. My arms wrapped around his waist to keep me on my feet. It felt like my knees were growing weaker by the minute.

  The kiss deepened, and I groaned softly against his lips. Sam pulled away and looked down into my eyes with a smile on his lips. He reached up and gently tucked some hair behind my ear.

  “You have no idea how crazy I am about you,” he whispered. Each word he said sent shivers down my spine. I held onto him a little tighter.

  “I’ve wanted to kiss you since the first moment I saw you,” he added.

  “You mean in the break room?”

  He nodded.

  Images of him standing there shirtless flooded my mind, and I started to smile. His body had looked so perfect. I wanted to reach out and touch him so bad.

  “Hey…” His voice brought me out of my thoughts. I looked at his face and he smiled.

  “You’re thinking about something,” he said.

  A blush hit my cheeks.

  “Tell me.”

  “I was remembering the thoughts I had when I saw you standing there shirtless,” I confessed.

  “Share those thoughts with me.”

  It was more of a request but the way he said it sent shivers down my spine.

  “I wanted to touch you.” I bit my lower lip after speaking and Sam’s smile grew.

  “You know you can touch me.” He barely finished his sentence before his fingers were undoing the buttons of his shirt. When the last one was undone, his shirt opened up, and I saw a small sliver of his body that I had seen days before.

  I lifted my hand to touch him and Sam’s lips were back on mine. When he moved towards me, it forced my hand to press ag
ainst his chest. He felt so hard and smooth. I wanted to feel more.

  Pushing his shirt away, I put both hands on his body and ran them up his chest and over his shoulders. His hands went to my shirt and started to pull it away. Our kiss broke momentarily so he could pull my shirt up over my head. It tossed aside.

  His lips were back on mine and it took my breath away. He kissed me like I was the last woman in the world and he held me against me as if he would protect me from anything. I had never felt more safe and loved in my entire life.

  I wrapped my arms around his neck and tried to get closer. I needed him closer. Reaching down, I grabbed the waistband of his pants and tugged on it so he would come towards me. I took a step back and continued to pull on his pants.

  Our kiss heated up and the passion between us grew thicker. Sam’s arms were around my waist as I kept my fingers tucked just inside his waistband. My other arm was around his neck. I wasn’t letting him go. I would not let our kiss die either.

  We slowly made it to my bedroom and then to the bed. As Sam eased me onto the mattress, I brought him with me. The weight of his body pressed against mine felt amazing. I was even more protected, and I finally had to pull away from the kiss.

  I took a deep breath and smiled up at him. He looked as out of breath as I was and it made me smile even more.

  “You’re incredible,” he said before leaning in and catching my lips again.

  Sam’s kiss was all-consuming. I felt electricity straight down to my toes. It was the stuff romance novels wrote about. The ones with Fabio on the cover that my grandma used to read. I was lost in him.

  Everything became a blur as the passion deepened in our kiss. My pants were removed and so were Sam’s. It didn’t take more than a minute before we were both naked and under the covers of my bed.

  “I want you so bad,” I said between kisses.

  “I want you too,” Sam replied.

  His eyes locked onto mine as he moved my legs around his waist. I could feel him press against me and I moaned softly.

  “Please,” I whimpered.

  Sam pushed himself inside of me with such ease my toes curled. He was going slow, taking great care of me and pulling out every moan I had.

  “Oh god,” I groaned softly.

  He was doing this on purpose. I know he was, and I loved it. I wanted more. I needed him.

  Nick

  This girl was something special. Not only was she the most beautiful woman in the world but she was sweet and caring. It was hard to have a bad day with her around. She lit up the room.

  I looked into her eyes for another time as I slowly started to move my hips. Her expression changed. It went from that of pure need to something else. It looked like adoration. I felt like the only man in her world and that was where I wanted to stay.

  Fueled by my desire to make her feel nothing but pure pleasure, I continued to move my hips back and forth at the rate that seemed to push her arousal through the roof. Her moans were getting louder and her fingers were grabbing at me, trying to pull me closer.

  She was perfection.

  Leaning down, I kissed her lips and then her neck. I wanted to cherish every inch of her but that would come in time. My focus was her.

  I kissed up to her ear and whispered, “you’re beautiful” before kissing back down and going to the other. The taste of her skin, the sound of her moans and the feel of her body underneath me was pushing my desire to levels I had never experienced before.

  She was the one. The one I’m meant to be with for the rest of my life.

  With that thought in mind, I moved my hips a little faster and a little deeper. I wanted her to feel cherished in every way possible. Even if I could say the words, I wanted Melody to know that I loved her.

  “Oh, Sam!” She called out as her pleasure continued to build. It pained me to hear the name that wasn’t my own but I ignored it. Soon enough, she’d know everything about me and we’d be together.

  “You feel so good,” I muttered before kissing her lips.

  She replied by moaning against my lips and pulling on my hair. There was some urgency in her movements, a quiver that rippled across her body and I knew that she would reach her peak soon.

  Her lips fell from my mind and her head landed on the pillow. Her eyes were closed but yet, she looked like an angel.

  I thrusted my hips forward, and she moaned. Over and over, I moved, and she got louder until she couldn’t take it anymore.

  Melody called out Sam’s name as her orgasm took over and it was seconds later when I had my release. My body all but collapsed down on top of her as I tried to catch my breath.

  A minute later, I pulled away and moved to curl up beside her with my arm around her body. She smiled at me and it warmed my heart more than words could say.

  “That was…” Melody paused as she tried to find the words. “I don’t even know how to describe it.”

  “I know what you mean,” I replied with a smile. I leaned over and kissed her sweetly before resting my head on her chest.

  Melody’s fingers slid into my hair and brushed it back. I listened to her heart beat as we both came down from the high we were feeling.

  “I don’t want you to leave,” she whispered after several minutes of quiet.

  “I’m not going anywhere,” I promised.

  Chapter 5

  Monday

  Nick

  I couldn’t stop thinking about Melody and the night we shared. I wish I could have turned it into a weekend but with family obligations; I had to make an appearance. It was hard to sit there and not tell them all the good I had been doing. The project I had set up was in full swing. Not everyone in my family would like my methods but they would understand my need for doing them. They would see the good that came from it and that was all that mattered.

  Melody was on my mind as I walked out of my bedroom and to the kitchen. I started some coffee and then went to the front door. I retrieved the paper on my doorstep and went back to the kitchen. I tossed it onto the island counter as I walked towards the pantry.

  With my bowl of cereal and a fresh cup of coffee, I sat down to see what was happening in the world. I took a bite of cereal before flipping open the paper. I nearly choked when I saw my face on the front page.

  I looked at the headline and couldn’t believe it.

  Nicholas Clark, heir to Clark Industries, posing as Santa

  “Fuck…” I groaned. This was the city’s largest newsletter and known to be part of my family’s business. Everyone would see this. The people who brought their kids to visit Santa, those who stood on the sidewalk to watch Santa with his friends, Margie and most importantly, Melody.

  I had to talk to her. I had to explain. I didn’t care what the article said. I could deal with the public but I had to find her. I had to make her understand that this wasn’t some gimmick.

  After throwing on some clothes, I looked at myself in the mirror. My hair was a little flat and there was a five o’clock shadow appearing, but it didn’t matter. At least not right then. I had to get to the store and hopefully catch Melody.

  I slipped on some shoes, grabbed my keys and jumped into my car. It wasn’t until I was halfway there that I realized I had taken my BMW instead of my rental car. An honest mistake and one that I didn’t need to worry about now. My cover was blown. I was no longer Sam with the car in the shop. I was back to being Nick, the rich kid who got caught.

  There were a few people in the parking lot when I pulled in. They watched me as I found a place to park and I wondered if I would be able to handle all the questions. Maybe I can ward off everyone from hounding me with a look that screamed ‘don’t talk to me’.

  I got out of my car and made my way to the back door used by employees. I glanced around and the few people were still standing by their cars watching me. I tugged on the bottom of my button shirt before I went inside.

  There were eyes on me as I headed to Margie’s office. I scanned over everyone, hoping to see M
elody but I didn’t see her.

  I knocked on Margie’s open door and she looked up from her computer.

  “Come in,” she said as she motioned for me to come forward. “Close the door.”

  After shutting the door, I moved to take a seat in front of her desk. I had to say something. Explain myself. Apologize. Something.

  “I’m sure you saw the paper…” I started and Margie nodded her head.

  “I can explain but first, I need to talk to Melody. Do you know if she’s come in yet?” I asked.

  Margie shook her head. “She called in and said that something has come up. She won’t be able to do the last week of the event. I have Susie filling in. I’m not sure at this point, it’d be wise to keep using you. We’d draw too many lookie loos than actual costumers. We can’t take away from the experience.”

  I nodded my head, understanding why she was dismissing me.

  “I’m really sorry and I promise to explain everything after this week is over. I hope it will make sense and if anyone has any questions, I’ll be happy to answer them. I have a reason for doing what I did.” I tried to explain the best I could, but I could tell by the look on Margie’s face that she wasn’t buying it. I know I should explain everything right then, but my heart needed to see Melody.

  I stood up from my chair and gave Margie a polite nod before leaving her office. As I walked back down the hallway, I ignored everyone’s looks. Someone shouted that I was a fraud, but I didn’t comment. I took a deep breath and pushed through the door.

  Melody

  I know it was a bit extreme to quit the department store gig with only a week left but there was no way I could face Sam…Nick… whatever his name was. He tricked us all, but I was the only one who invited him into their bed. At least, I hope I’m the only one.

  I was falling for him. In fact, I think I loved him, but I didn’t even know who he was.

  I felt like such a fool.

  Thankfully Margie understood. I don’t think she or any of the other girls would really blame me if they knew the whole story.

  Now I just had to wait for the new school year to start and I can forget all about this Christmas vacation fling. That’s all it was. We were attracted to one another; we hooked up, and it was over with. He’s going back to his mansion and his Rolls-Royce. He probably had butlers and servants and women in French maid outfits.