style="font-size:15px;"> When it came to Lucas’s turn, he took one look at the white-haired, overstuffed man and ran in the opposite direction. As the little boy took refuge behind Holly’s legs, Santa glanced her way for the first time.
Holly barely kept an astounded gasp from escaping as she looked into Clay Forrester’s unmistakable blue eyes.
Chapter Two
Stunned, her heart pounding, Holly could only stare. With Clay decked out in full Santa regalia and surrounded by children, the scene looked like a Christmas card come to life.
As long as no one looked too closely at the flirtatious gleam in his eyes or the sexy smile the fake beard and mustache failed to hide.
“Come on, Lucas,” Eleanor Hopewell encouraged. “Come meet Santa. You’ve been so excited all week.”
Lucas tightened his arms on Holly’s legs, and Holly felt just as reluctant to approach the man in the red velvet suit. Unfortunately, she had no one to hide behind, and both Eleanor and Clay were waiting. Eleanor, with her hands clasped together in excited anticipation; Clay, with one bushy white eyebrow arched in challenge.
Taking a deep breath, Holly reached for the boy’s hand and squeezed reassuringly. “Let’s go, Lucas.”
Lucas stayed mostly hidden behind one of her legs, but she coaxed him out long enough for him to mouth a silent “Hi.”
Then, as if Holly were one of the children, Eleanor said, “Santa, this is Holly.”
“Well, hello, Holly.” Clay’s eyes sparkled. “Come give Santa a hug.”
With all eyes focused on them, she had no choice but to step forward. Clay immediately wrapped his arms around her in an exaggerated embrace. She stumbled against him, but thanks to the pillow stuffed inside the velvet jacket, she was saved the body contact that had robbed her breath in the elevator.
Even so, his hands found the thin strip of bare skin where her sweater pulled away from her waistband. Had she really thought of him as being cold? Heat emanated from his touch, and a small shiver raced through her. His fake beard tickled her nose, and the enticing hint of his aftershave made Holly desperate to create some space between them. Or bury her nose deeper to search out more of the scent on his skin.
“Mr.…Claus, please!” she protested.
“Tell me, Holly—” his deep murmur sent another shiver down her spine “—have you been naughty or nice?” With that rakish lift of one eyebrow, he flashed a very naughty grin.
She managed a flustered smile and said, “I’ve been good.”
“Thought so.” He winked. “I can always tell.”
He let her go, and Holly took a grateful step back, wondering how the parlor fireplace managed to give off so much heat in the foyer.
“Santa Claus, do you want to hear me play ‘Frosty the Snowman’?” Mary Jane asked.
“In a minute, my dear. Wait while my little helper—” he grabbed Holly’s hand “—and I bring in a surprise for all of you.”
“Don’t forget your coat.” Sylvia draped the jacket around Holly’s shoulders, and before Holly knew what had happened, she found herself outside, alone, with Clay Forrester.
The scent of snow tinged the air, along with a hint of chimney smoke drifting in the night sky. The street was silent and still, breathless with anticipation. It was only as she had to suck in a quick breath that Holly realized she was the one who’d forgotten to breathe. “What…How—”
Ignoring her stumbling words, Clay pushed the hat back far enough for his dark hair to fall over his forehead. He blew a cloud of air upward, ruffling his bangs. “You wouldn’t believe how hot this costume is.”
Gathering her wits and the edges of her jacket together, she asked, “How did you know where to find me?”
“You told me you were coming to Hopewell House.” He gestured to the brass placard near the front door.
Holly stepped back and took in the sight of the successful businessman in his full St. Nick glory. She still couldn’t believe her eyes. “Where on earth did you get that costume? I called all over and couldn’t find one.”
Looking uncomfortable, he confessed, “I already had it.”
Holly frowned. “If you had the costume, why’d you need Charlie?”
“I had the costume. I didn’t have anyone to wear it. No way was I going to make a fool of myself dressing like Santa at my company party.”
“But you’re here.” She waved a hand, gesturing to the costume and Hopewell House, glowing brightly behind them.
“Yeah, I am.”
Holly told herself not to read too much into his words, but how could she miss what his actions were saying? He’d been willing to make a fool of himself to do her a favor….
Swallowing, she tried to lighten the moment with a nod to the black limo waiting by the curb. “What happened to the sleigh and reindeer?” she asked as the two of them walked toward the car.
“Traded them in for four hundred horses.” He waved at the driver, who was hidden behind the tinted windows, and the trunk popped open.
The uniformed driver climbed from the limo. “Need any help with that, sir?”
“We’ve got it, Roger. Thanks.” Clay pushed the trunk open all the way.
If his arrival had shocked her speechless, the sight of the overloaded bags of toys sent words spilling from her mouth. “Look at all…Where did you…How did you have time to buy all this?”
“I had some help,” he confessed.
With a laugh shaky enough to reveal the tears she was trying not to cry, she asked, “Elves?”
“Close. Personal shopper.” His knowing gaze caught hers as he pulled out the first bag and passed it to her. “I thought about what you said and decided you were right. There are problems money can’t solve, but there are times when it works miracles.”
Heated embarrassment rushed to her face. “Mr. Forrester—”
“I think you can call me Clay.” He grabbed the other two bags of toys and closed the trunk.
“I’m sorry about what I said back at your office,” she told him as they walked back toward the house.
“You were right.” He slanted her a glance. “Don’t apologize.”
But she’d been wrong. Had anyone asked that morning, Holly would have sworn the successful businessman cared only about profit margins and saw people in terms of black and red: what they contributed in comparison to what they cost.
After their elevator mishap, she had thought perhaps she’d misjudged
