Santa Baby Read online

  A Total-E-Bound Publication

  www.total-e-bound.com

  Santa Baby

  ISBN # 978-1-907280-57-3

  ©Copyright Lexie Davis 2009

  Cover Art by April Martinez ©Copyright December 2009

  Edited by Jess Bimberg

  Total-E-Bound Publishing

  This is a work of fiction. All characters, places and events are from the author’s imagination and should not be confused with fact. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or places is purely coincidental.

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form, whether by printing, photocopying, scanning or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher, Total-E-Bound Publishing.

  Applications should be addressed in the first instance, in writing, to Total-E-Bound Publishing. Unauthorised or restricted acts in relation to this publication may result in civil proceedings and/or criminal prosecution.

  The author and illustrator have asserted their respective rights under the Copyright Designs and Patents Acts 1988 (as amended) to be identified as the author of this book and illustrator of the artwork.

  Published in 2009 by Total-E-Bound Publishing 1 The Corner, Faldingworth Road, Spridlington, Market Rasen, Lincolnshire, LN8 2DE, UK.

  Warning: This book contains sexually explicit content which is only suitable for mature readers. This story has been rated Total-e-burning.

  Christmas Crackers

  SANTA BABY

  Lexie Davis

  Dedication

  To Darcy

  Trademarks Acknowledgement

  The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the following wordmarks mentioned in this work of fiction:

  Toys ‘R’ Us: Geoffrey, LLC

  Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mirage Studios

  Volvo XC 90: Volvo Cars of North America, LLC

  BMW: BMW of North America, LLC

  Wii: Nintendo

  Montblanc pen: Montblanc

  Louis Vuitton: Louis Vuitton Malletier S.A.

  Chapter One

  She wanted his touch.

  He knew it, and knew she knew he knew it. But she had her reservations. After all, she was his boss. A thousand and one things could go wrong with the scenario, if he didn’t play his cards right. Luke McGraw studied Lani Mitchell as she gave the board her presentation. She tried not to look at him during her speech, but he caught her gaze roaming in his direction.

  He wondered what kind of panties she wore beneath that tight, expensive suit she favoured. Would they be a bold, sexy colour like red or black? Or something in the pastel family that was dainty and feminine? She wore thigh high stockings that made his mouth water. He loved women who wore stockings. Especially if those stockings were accompanied by a garter belt. His cock hardened at that image playing through his head.

  Maybe he should forget the whole boss-employee circumstance and just fuck her on the boardroom table? That would definitely shock a lot of the stiff old men in the room, and probably even a few of the ladies as well. He tapped his pen against his paper and raised his hand, like a good little boy, to interrupt her speech.

  Now she has to look at me.

  “Luke?” Lani said, a bit breathless.

  “I know you said that Mitchell Cosmetics chose the orphanage for this year’s annual charity, but what exactly are you planning on doing for them?”

  “We’re hosting a Christmas event. Mitchell Cosmetics will buy Potter Children’s Home gifts for each child. We will also deliver a full Christmas meal for them to enjoy.”

  Lani’s eyes met his. He licked his lips. A moment passed between them and Luke could have sworn her eyes screamed ‘fuck me’ at him. He grinned. He wanted to, if his cock had anything to say about it.

  “Are there anymore questions before I continue?” she asked, averting her attention from Luke.

  Luke raised his hand. He almost laughed when her eyes met his for a second time. “When you say ‘we’ you actually mean us as a company, right? Not ‘we’ as in we have to be there to hand deliver the presents and feed the kids.”

  He thought it was a decent question. Granted, he felt bad that the kids didn’t have parents or a place to call their own. But he, like most everyone else, had family events to attend. He held her gaze. He knew Lani didn’t have family, and what friends she did have had their own families. He understood why she’d want to do something like that—she was an orphan herself—but did she have reason to drag them along with her?

  “I was hoping a few people would volunteer. I’ll be there, of course. I’ve learnt over the years these kids really don’t care that much about the gifts. They simply want someone’s attention, even if it’s only for a night.”

  The room fell silent. Luke watched as his co-workers debated their options, and shook their heads in disapproval.

  “I’m not asking for you to be there the entire time. Just an hour.” She looked so pitiful, how could they not give in?

  Excuses started flying from people’s mouths. He wished it was any other time but Christmas Day. Maybe if he switched his family dinner to the day before, he and Lani could take care of it. It didn’t look like anyone else would bother volunteering.

  “Don’t worry about it,” Luke spoke up over the commotion. “Lani and I can handle it.”

  Her shock was evident. He didn’t comment anymore and wrote a note to himself on his legal pad before him.

  Lani so owes me for this.

  * * * *

  “Luke?” Lani called when the meeting had been dismissed. “Can I speak with you for a moment?”

  She waited until most of the people cleared the boardroom, busying herself with cleaning up her presentation materials. Luke stood beside her, waiting. Where did she even begin?

  “Thank you for volunteering,” she started, still avoiding his eyes. “I know you have family events to attend, but I appreciate you committing to spending an hour or two with the orphans on Christmas.”

  He squeezed the back of the leather chair in front of him. “No problem.”

  “Uh, I sort of have another favour to ask of you.” She took a deep breath. “I was planning on hiring a Santa Claus to hand out the presents, and well, I was thinking since you volunteered to help me and you’re a guy that maybe you could dress up in the red suit?”

  “Hell no.”

  Her gaze finally met his. “Why not?”

  “I don’t play dress up, unless I’m getting sex. That’s why.”

  Lani stared at him. She didn’t even want to go there. Okay, maybe she did, but it was highly inappropriate no matter how great he’d look dressed as a fireman or cop. Santa really didn’t turn her on in that sense, but she couldn’t help the smile creeping across her face.

  “You think that’s funny?”

  She chuckled. “Amusing, yes. What’s your preference? Fireman? Cop? Soldier coming home from war?”

  To her surprise, his cheeks tinted pink. She’d embarrassed him. For the first time since she hired him, she had one up on him. It was a good feeling.

  “Anything but a damn Santa costume.”

  She tried to regain her composure. “Please, Luke. I don’t ask for much from you. It would be a great help and the kids would love it so much. At that age, Santa is like a hero to them.”

  He huffed a breath and ran a hand over his face. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

  She reached out to touch his arm. “All you have to do is deliver the presents. Maybe let them sit on your lap.”

  He frowned at her, narrowing his eyes. He couldn’t be more adorable. Lani rubbed his arm and smiled, hoping to ease his reservations. She could picture him wearing the costume, and a million others, but it was inappropriate to let h
er thoughts go there. He was her employee and any chance of a relationship between the two had gone out the window the day she had hired him.

  “Really? Are you going to sit on my lap too?” To her surprise, Luke pulled her to him and pressed her body between his and the leather chair he’d been leaning on. His heat surrounded her, his scent nearly making her moan. She bit her lower lip to keep her reaction to herself, but the fire in his eyes revealed that he saw. He was nothing but a walking wet dream and every woman knew it.

  “Is that what it’ll take to get you to wear the Santa suit?” She should push away from him. Being that close, surrounded by him, was dangerous territory.

  “That and much more. You owe me for this. And I mean big time.” His warmth wrapped around her like a snug cocoon. She wanted to move a bit closer. Wanted to press her lips against his and taste him.

  “Name your price.”

  He laughed. “I’m pretty sure you don’t want me to voice it out loud.”

  “Am I going to regret it in the morning?”

  His hand came up to brush a knuckle against her cheek. “Not if I do everything right.”

  She could imagine him doing many things the right way. Everything the right way. Lani swallowed, frozen in her place while he touched her, his finger lingering along her cheek. God, what was wrong with her? If she didn’t move away soon, she might actually voice a few things running through her mind, like where she’d rather have him touch her.

  “Is that confidence or arrogance shining through?” she asked.

  He smiled and withdrew his hand. “Isn’t that the same?”

  “Depends.” She moved away from him and busied herself with stacking her presentation papers. “Are you all talk? Or can you actually follow through?”

  He laughed. “I guess if you make me wear the damn Santa suit, you’ll find out, won’t you?”

  “We’ll see.” She picked up the papers and her coffee mug. She had no doubts about him, and the more she thought about it, the more her need to remain professional lessened. Her body still tingled from his touch, every nerve ending awakened.

  She headed to the door, needing to put some space between them. His scent alone was intoxicating enough.

  “Lani?” She stopped, keeping her back to him as he continued. “You won’t be disappointed this Christmas. I am confident of that.”

  She turned around slowly. His smile had faded and a more serious expression crossed his face. He knew her, possibly better than anyone else. A whole array of emotions came over her when she realised how true she wanted his statement to be. For once, she didn’t want to be disappointed during one of the biggest family holidays celebrated.

  All she could do was nod in response.

  * * * *

  Lani dragged two shopping carts through Toys’R’Us, selecting toys from the orphan kids’ wish lists. In her heart, she knew picking the orphanage for the annual charity was the right thing to do. She didn’t even want to think about what those kids went through every day, though she sympathised. She’d lived that life many years ago and had longed for the day the social worker said she was adopted.

  But it never came for her.

  Her cell phone rang in the middle of the boys’ toys aisle and she paused in her shopping to glance at the read-out. She smiled and answered. “Hello?”

  “We’ve got a little situation.” Luke huffed a breath. “I got a call from David, the head developer in the lab, and it seems the product line for the new teen cosmetics won't be ready by Christmas.”

  Lani groaned. “You’ve got to be kidding me. We’ve already filmed commercials. The ad campaign is set for the next couple of weeks. What date did he give?”

  “February at the earliest, but even that is sketchy.”

  “February!” she shrieked. Several women stared at her. She grabbed the carts and pushed them towards the book section. “We can’t do that, Luke. February is too late. We’re set to make the commercials live the week before Christmas. Why on earth is production holding out on us now?”

  Luke sighed. “He gave me some bullshit about firing one of the scientists and they’re shorthanded on techs. I don’t know. He had a laundry list of things that were holding him back. Where are you?”

  She stopped in front of the books and smiled despite the stress of the holidays. “I’m shopping for the kids.”

  “Are you coming back to the office?”

  “Maybe, after I drop off all the items at my house. I still have to wrap them which will be a chore.” She pushed the carts forward with her cell propped between her shoulder and her ear. “Why? Do you need me?”

  “Probably not in the way you’re referring to.”

  Lani stopped and stared at a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle action figure. There was something about Luke’s voice that made her body tingle. Her nipples beaded beneath her shirt. She inhaled a deep breath and let it out before speaking again.

  “You should really cut back on the suggestive banter. We work together and really don’t need to converse like that.” Normally, she’d let it go. She liked his flirtatious attitude and honestly wanted him to say dirtier things to her. Not that she’d ever admit that to him. He was her employee. They needed to remain strictly professional.

  The line fell quiet. Maybe she’d offended him? God, that was the last thing she wanted to do.

  “I don’t mean to offend you, Luke. If we didn’t work together, if I wasn’t your employer…”

  “I’m not offended.” She heard his chair squeak on his side of the line. “You and I both know if we never said another word to each other again, suggestive or otherwise, it wouldn’t to change anything. I like you and you like me. There’s something between us and I want to explore it, even if you are my employer.”

  “There’s nothing between us.”

  “You can keep denying it, sweetheart, but it doesn’t make it true. I need to go. I’ll catch up with you later at your place.”

  “Wait.” She went into a sudden panic. “Why are you coming to my place? I don’t know when I’ll be home.”

  He chuckled. “Let me clarify. I’m going to figure out what to do about this ordeal. You said you had to wrap presents so I naturally assumed you’d be at your house. I’ll meet up with you later to report what I find.”

  He hung up before she could respond. What on earth was he up to? Pushing aside thoughts of Luke, she was intent on focusing on shopping. All the other stuff could wait.

  After travelling all over the city, shopping a week before the holidays, she finally pulled in her drive and hit the garage door remote. She had a carload of presents as a result of her adventure, and her feet were killing her. But she felt good. Christmas was definitely looking up this year.

  She pushed her sunglasses on top of her head and climbed out to undo the back end of her Volvo XC-90. She hadn’t even grabbed the first package before Luke pulled into the driveway and parked his BMW. Her stomach did a flip flop when she saw him, his boyish good looks enough to make any woman with a pulse swoon. He was dressed in an impeccable black suit and looked pretty damn good.

  “Okay, here’s the deal.” Luke held up a piece of paper. “I talked with production. The thing that is keeping them is the flavour craze lip gloss. Something about the colours not mixing well with the flavours. Sandra said once they put the concoction in the container it turns a mouldy colour that is obviously bad for business. Anyway, I got them to push up the products ready to go, and they’re working their asses off on fixing the other.”

  Lani took the paper and read over the items listed. Everything was set to be shipped to the stores on time. The only thing missing was the lip gloss. “You’re a saviour, Luke.”

  She smiled and, on impulse, wrapped her arms around his neck. His arms immediately went around her waist and held her close. He smelt good and she allowed herself the pleasure of holding him a bit longer than necessary. When she pulled away, she met his eyes and swallowed hard. His lips were inches from hers, and she wanted des
perately to taste him. To kiss him and lick him and suck him.

  “Did you finish your shopping?” His voice pulled her out of her daydreams.

  “Uh,” she stepped back, “yeah.”

  She turned and sorted through the bags. She tried to force herself to completely ignore her reaction to him. He was her employee but Luke McGraw was also the very type of man she dreamt of at night. He made her wet in business meetings much like he was making her wet now. He was also her knight in shining armour. He was always saving her, subtly of course, in his own way. In the short years they’d known each other, he’d come to mean so much more to her than a simple employee.

  “You need some help?” Luke’s hand lingered along her back, sending shivers down her spine.

  “If you wouldn’t mind. My car is packed.”

  He squeezed her shoulders and leant in to press a kiss to her cheek. The more she tried to ignore it, the more her body heated. It was nearly forty degrees outside and she felt warm enough to throw on a bathing suit. She swallowed hard and gathered a few bags to hand to him. She grabbed some herself and led him to the door. She had no idea where she’d put all the gifts or if they’d fit even in her car after she wrapped them. Why on earth didn’t she take them to the orphanage and wrap them there?

  “Just set them anywhere.” She dropped her bags next to the couch. She watched him while she kicked off her shoes. “Do you think these gifts will fit in my car after they’re wrapped?”

  He laughed. “I doubt it. I can take some if you need me to.”

  She bent to pick up her shoes. “Great. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

  She left him to return her shoes to her room and take a breather for a moment. She licked her lips as she stared at her reflection in the dresser mirror. Her cheeks were flushed. She pulled her sunglasses off and laid them on the top of the dresser. She quickly changed into a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt before returning to help him unload her car.