Jingle Spells (25 page)

“Not really. I was getting tired of it, but I'd worked too hard to quit.” Nick tossed handful after handful of clothes into the large duffel bag Dash gave him. No matter how much he put in there, the bag still had room for more. “What's with this bag you gave me? It won't fill up.”

“Yeah,” Dash chuckled, coming down the hallway to peek into the bedroom. “It won't. It's the same kind of thing you'll use at Christmas. How do you think we get toys for every child into one little bag?”

It would take Nick a while to get used to having magick as a part of his daily life, but it certainly was handy. He moved faster, not being as discriminating about what he put in now. For his own amusement, he grabbed a lamp off the dresser and watched it disappear into the bag. “Amazing.”

“What are you going to tell your family?”

Honestly, he hadn't given a lot of thought to it. “I'm not very close with my family. We don't get together much. I think the snow globe knew what it was doing when it chose me. No one is going to miss me.”

“No one? Were you dating anyone?”

Nick eyed Dash to see if he was fishing for information about Belle, but he seemed genuinely curious. “No.”

“Okay. That sucks for you, but it's fewer loose ends for us to deal with. I'm sure you'll find some attractive and willing witches interested in you before too long.”

Nick tossed the last of his shoes into the bag and lifted it up. It was ten pounds at the most, and it had nearly all of his clothes, shoes, suits, belts and toiletries in it. And the lamp. “Speaking of willing witches, can I ask you something just between the two of us?”

“Sure,” Dash said. “Shoot.”

“It's about your sister.”

At that, a grin spread across Dash's face. “Good luck with that, man. Belle is probably the least willing of them all.”

“What do you mean?”

“My sister doesn't date. She says it's because Cole, Ethan and I chase all her suitors off. I think we just have high standards for our little sister. I haven't seen her so much as flirt with anyone for months.”

If nothing else, that made Nick feel good. They made no promises of exclusivity, but in that moment, the thought of her being with someone else while they were involved made him want to punch his fist through the drywall. “I asked her to dinner tonight. She said yes, but I feel a hesitation. Do you know why she's so—” he searched his mind for the term at least one woman had flung at him in anger “—emotionally unavailable?”

Dash reached out to pick up the duffel bag and gave Nick a pat on the back. “My sister is like a tiny drill sergeant. She's a lot like our mother that way. She could probably run Evergreen single-handedly if she tried. But don't let the suits and tight ponytails fool you. I think if you get to know her, you'll find she's a marshmallow on the inside. For a while, Ethan and I thought she might actually be in love and keeping the relationship a secret. We could never figure out who the lucky guy might be, but we might be wrong. You might stand a chance with her.”

Dash's words haunted Nick all the way to the lodge. There was a nervous excitement in his stomach as they made their way up the mountain. He couldn't tell if it was because he was getting to see their home at the top of Mistletoe Mountain for the first time, or realizing that Belle might be harboring secret feelings for him.

Both thoughts vanished from his head as they approached a dead end. The road ended at a sheer rock face that stretched up a hundred feet in front of them. Hikers typically pulled over and parked around here. But instead of slowing down, Dash turned to him with a wicked grin and slammed his foot on the gas. Nick clutched the armrest of the SUV and braced himself for the impact, but it never came.

When he opened his eyes, they were in a dark tunnel that ran through the mountain itself. “You scared the crap out of me, man.”

“I know,” Dash said with an evil laugh. “I love doing that to people.”

Reaching the end of the tunnel, the road curved to the right and revealed a small cabin, similar in size to the bungalows he built in town. He expected Dash to drive past it to the lodge, but instead, he parked at the house.

“Home sweet home,” Dash said, getting out of his SUV to unload Nick's bag.

“This is the lodge? Where all the Winter clan live? Are there more than three of you?” Nick had expected something massive and grand like a resort in Aspen.

“The thing about magick is that you can't always trust what you see.”

Nick eyed the house with suspicion. It looked just as real as that wall of rock they drove through earlier. He followed Dash through the front door and froze dead in his tracks. He'd stepped into a small cabin, yet he found himself in a massive five-story open atrium. Dark wood beams arched across the ceiling, framing a stone fireplace that roared on the far wall. It was large enough that he could stand inside it without hitting his head. There were people everywhere, sitting at leather couches talking, having drinks in what looked like a lounge. It was incredible.

“Now this is more like I was expecting. Although in my mind, it was made of gingerbread with candy cane beams and gumdrop roof tiles. How does all of this fit into a tiny little cabin?”

Dash smiled. “Magick. Your room is on the third floor now, but that's temporary. Santa's suite is on the sixth floor with the other Evergreen suites. We've got to track down Kris and ship the rest of his things to him before we can move you there.”

Nick followed him to the elevators and down the hallway to his room. His badge from Evergreen opened the door, and Dash sat his bag just inside the doorway.

“There's a red button on the phone. If you need anything, press it, and the front desk will help you out. I'm sure Belle will be by shortly to continue your orientation.”

Nick noticed a thick notebook sitting on the kitchen counter with a yellow note that said “Read this” stuck to it. “I think she's already left me my homework.”

“Good. Read up. Tomorrow we're going to do some work with the reindeer and check out your skills driving a sleigh.”

What skills? Until that moment, Nick hadn't really, truly, considered that he would be flying the sleigh. Being Santa was still a nebulous concept to him, but reality got clearer with every day. Flying. He hated airplanes, but wouldn't admit that to Dash. Hopefully, there wouldn't be turbulence. “Thanks, Dash. I'll see you later.”

“Good luck with dinner tonight,” Dash added, his voice heavy with doubt, before slipping out the door.

Left alone, Nick roamed through the two-bedroom apartment. It was nice. Well furnished. It had a massive plasma television mounted on the wall, so he couldn't complain about that. He walked to the sliding glass door that opened to a small balcony. From there, he had a view of the entire Winter clan settlement. In the distance, he could see the chimney smoke and rooftops of the elf village. Several small buildings and businesses lined the tiny streets with wizard-owned shops and specialty stores. Elves and witches mingled in the streets below. In a clearing to the right, there were reindeer grazing on fresh hay. They were a lot bigger than he imagined, even from a distance.

It was amazing. He wanted to blink his eyes and make sure it was real. But it was. And now it was home. He had signed on the dotted line and was officially
Saint
Nick now.

But his agreement came with a price, and he intended to hold Belle to her end of the bargain. Tonight they were going to the Crystal Snowflake for dinner. It was the nicest restaurant in Gingerbread and
the
place to go for a romantic evening. He hoped it would be just the thing to melt Belle's resolve. If Dash was right, and she was hiding her feelings for Nick, she might warm up to the idea of seeing him again. He'd never taken a woman there before, but if he was only going to get one date with Belle, it was going to be a good one.

Fifty-Four Hours until Takeoff

B
elle was falling fast and hard.

She'd agreed to this dinner because it was a small price to pay to have a Santa for Christmas this year. But she would be lying to herself if she didn't admit that at least a small part of her wanted to go on the date with Nick. Belle just hoped she would be strong enough to resist him while she did what had to be done.

That wasn't happening. It was impossible in a restaurant like the Crystal Snowflake. It was dark and romantic with candles and a roaring fireplace. Tiny LED lights in the ceiling glittered overhead like twinkling snowflakes falling over them. The booths were small and intimate, the dinner designed to be shared by two. Once the wine started flowing, Belle was lost.

Dessert was done, the check was paid, and she found herself watching Nick intently as he told her a story about college. He had been right when he'd said dating was different. There were so many things she didn't know about him because they didn't share much more than idle pillow talk. Nick was smart, funny, ambitious, passionate and lonely.

Belle hadn't anticipated the last. She knew he was a workaholic like she was. It was easy for family and friends to fall to the wayside when every moment went to being successful. That had become painfully evident to Belle the last few weeks as she watched each of her brothers find love. Maybe that was why she'd been so resistant to losing Nick to the red suit. When Christmas was over and the family gathered together to celebrate another successful year, she didn't want to be the only one that was alone.

Nick seemed to be growing weary of his breakneck pace, as well. As he spoke about his family and his time alone in Gingerbread, she sensed a sadness. Their coffee breaks had become more important to both of them than they had planned.
Nick
had become more important than she had planned.

“What?”

Belle refocused on Nick with raised brows. He finished his story, and she'd missed something by getting lost in her own thoughts. “I'm sorry?”

“You were staring at me with an odd look on your face. Do I have chocolate soufflé on my face?”

“No, I think this wine has finally hit me.” She smiled, hoping he wouldn't question it.

“So, after a great meal, decadent sweets and plenty of wine, are you feeling relaxed and content?”

Not exactly. She was well fed, but her mind was swirling with thoughts, desires and doubts. After tonight, Nick would put on the suit and become Santa. What happened between them after that was uncertain. But for now, he was just her Nick. He was a bit more educated about her life, but still just Nick St. John, the guy that captured her attention at a Cup of Cheer by holding the door for her and flashing his charming smile.

There were a lot of reasons why she should thank him for a lovely night and return to her room alone. But she wouldn't. This was her last night with Nick, and she wanted to make the most of it, even if it would just make it hurt more to lose him later.

Belle eased closer to him in the curved booth for two. “If I didn't know better, I'd think you were trying to ply me with wine and chocolate to soften me up.”

Nick scooted over and wrapped his arm around her shoulder. “Absolutely not,” he whispered in her ear. “It's a blatant attempt at seduction.”

Belle scooped her clutch up and looked at Nick through her lashes. “It worked. Take me home.”

“Absolutely. Wait inside where it's warm while I have the valet bring the car around.”

“No,” Belle said. “We can come get it later. I want you right now.”

“In the restaurant?” Nick laughed.

“Not even a witch could disguise that. But…” Belle took Nick's hand in hers and looked around the restaurant. Everyone was wrapped up in their own romance, the servers well trained to be scarce. Taking the opportunity, in an instant, they were gone.

 

Nick tightened his hand around Belle's as he adjusted to the unexpected trip. It took a moment for him to stop swaying on his feet and realize they were in Belle's suite at the lodge. They'd always gone back to his place, so there was a sudden, unexpected thrill at finally being in Belle's home.

They were in her bedroom. The large master suite had a king-size, four-poster bed in the center of the room. It was made from a dark wood with intricate etchings in the headboard and the posts. Dark green velvet curtains draped around it, held back with twisted ropes of gold thread.

“You really need to warn me when you're going to do that.”

“I'm sorry,” Belle said, unbuttoning his shirt and slipping her hands inside to roam over his bare chest. “But I couldn't wait any longer.”

Nick let his blazer and dress shirt slip off his shoulders to the floor. He bent down to caress Belle's face in his hands and capture her lips with his own. It had only been a few days, but he was desperate to taste her again. Usually, there was peppermint mocha on her lips, but tonight she tasted of crisp chardonnay and her own, natural sweetness.

Belle wrapped her arms around his neck, reaching to pull him closer. She had worn some fairly high heels to dinner, but it wasn't enough to close the gap between their heights. He slid to his knees at her feet, parting from her lips only when he had to. For once, he was looking up at her. She had worn her hair down tonight, and the lights from overhead backlit the loose golden waves making her almost glow like an angel.

Nick's eyes didn't leave hers as he untied the belt of her wool trench coat. Beneath it, his hands made contact with the sapphire-blue lace of her dress. The short sheath dress was completely layered with lace. The floral design of it was nice, but it covered too much of her. It barely exposed the skin beneath, only hinting at the swell of her breasts and shapely legs. He sought out the hem, pushing the fabric higher and exposing inch by inch of her smooth thighs.

He dipped his head to press his lips to her skin. Belle quivered as the dress moved up, and his mouth followed the trail. When he reached the sheer fabric of her panties, his fingertips hooked beneath them and drew them down her legs. She stepped out of them and shrugged her coat off.

Nick slid off each of her heels before his hands roamed over the smooth skin of her legs as they traveled back up her body. He placed a searing kiss at her hip, then the soft skin just above the cropped golden curls of her sex. Belle gripped Nick's shoulders for support as his fingers slid over the delicate skin between her thighs. She gasped softly as he probed her, stroking the wet heat that beckoned him. She was ready for him, but wasn't going to rush. If this was the last time he made love to Belle, he was going to make certain neither of them ever forgot tonight.

Nick used his thumbs to gently open her up to him. His tongue immediately sought out her swollen, sensitive flesh, wrenching a desperate cry from Belle's throat. He moved quickly to brace her hips with his hands as her knees threatened to give out beneath her.

“Nick,” she gasped, her cries growing more desperate as his mouth devoured her flesh.

She was on the edge, and he intended to push her over. Holding her steady with one hand, he used the other to dip inside her. The combination was her undoing. Belle threw her head back and cried out, her body thrashing against him with the power of her orgasm.

When it was over, Belle slid to her knees in front of him. She lay her head on his shoulder, gasping and clinging to his biceps with both hands. Nick took the moment to reach for the nape of her neck and unfastened the button at the top of her dress. She eased back and lifted her arms over her head so he could pull the lace dress off.

Belle hadn't worn a bra beneath it. Her creamy breasts were instantly exposed to him. The back of her dress was open, so he should've anticipated it, but the realization sent a surge of white-hot desire to his already aching groin. He covered one with his hand and sucked the hard pink tip of the other into his mouth.

“Yes-s-s,” Belle hissed. She buried her fingers into his hair, massaging his scalp and pulling him close. “Oh, Nick,” she panted in his ear.

He couldn't wait much longer to have her. It already felt like it had been weeks instead of days since he'd found oblivion in Belle's enticing body. “Hang on,” he instructed, wrapping his arms around her waist.

Belle clutched his neck, wrapping her legs around his waist as he rose from the floor. He carried her to the massive bed and eased her back onto the soft coverlet. She watched him with flushed cheeks as he unbuckled his belt and slid out of the last of his clothes. He pulled a condom from his pocket before he dropped his pants to the ground and quickly sheathed himself.

She slid back toward the headboard, her green eyes dark and inviting. Nick followed suit, climbing onto the bed and covering her body with his own. Belle opened herself to him, and he slowly pressed into her welcoming heat. A surge of pleasure rushed through his body. Being with Belle was the most divine experience he'd ever had. He eased back and thrust into her again. He was tempted to close his eyes, but he couldn't. Not this time. Not if it were the last.

Nick tried to memorize every expression on Belle's face, every gasp, every sensation. No woman had ever affected him like this. She drove him to distraction, starred in his every fantasy. How could he possibly walk away from her, even if it meant leaving his whole life behind? He couldn't. Wouldn't. And he would do everything in his power to convince her not to give up on them.

Belle bent her legs and pulled them back toward her chest. The movement shifted him deeper inside her, wrenching his focus from anything but the throbbing ache of mounting desire. Nick buried his face in Belle's neck and wrapped his arms behind her back to pull her tight against him. Her cries rang out in his ears as he drove into her body with desperation.

“Yes, Nick!” Belle gasped as she found her release again.

The tightening flutter of her body wrapped around him as it climaxed, coaxing away the last of his restraint. He buried himself hard and deep one last time and he was lost. A burst of sublime pleasure surged through him, racking his body with the violence of his long-awaited orgasm.

Nick closed his eyes, hovering over Belle and savoring the moment. He didn't open them again until he felt a cold prickle along his back and legs. He turned his head to look around them and saw snow. It was snowing in Belle's bedroom.

“Are you doing that?” he asked.

“Not intentionally,” Belle admitted. “That's what tends to happen when I completely let go.”

He propped onto his elbows and arched a brow at her. “You were holding back the other times?”

“It was a struggle, believe me. More than once a few flakes fell and I had to focus so hard to make them stop before you rolled onto your back.”

“Well, let it snow,” Nick said with a laugh, shifting his weight to lie beside her on the bed. He pulled a blanket up over them and rolled onto his back. Belle curled up beside him and rested her head on his chest. They sat silently for a few minutes, watching the sparkling flakes until they finally dwindled away to nothing. “This is nice,” Nick said at last.

“What's nice?” she asked.

“You don't have to leave. You've always run out the door. And tonight I get to keep you right here.” He protectively wrapped his arm around Belle's shoulders. In his mind, he was still expecting her to run off, even though this was her place.

Belle snapped her fingers, and the lights in her bedroom went out. Now there was only the moonlight from the window, sending a silvery cast to everything in the room.

The darkness and warmth worked quickly to lure them both toward sleep. “I'm glad you chose to stay here, Nick,” Belle mumbled into his chest.

Nick held her close and lay quietly, waiting for her breathing to become soft and even. “I chose to stay here to be with you.” He whispered the words into the strands of her golden hair before finally drifting off to sleep.

 

Belle couldn't sleep, and for once in her life, it wasn't because of too much caffeine. It was guilt.

For a while, she thought she'd imagined what Nick said. She'd been teetering on the edge of sleep until the low rumble of his voice made his chest hairs tickle at her nose. Suddenly wide awake, she wasn't certain if he'd really said the words or it had been a fleeting dream.

The longer she lay there thinking, the more convinced she was that it was true. It rang true to her ears. Nick would make a great Santa, she had no doubt of that now, but if he only did it to be with her…

Nick had given up everything for her. His successful business, his home, his friends and family…all gone because some snow globe told her he was
the one
.

Her stomach ached with dread almost as badly as her chest ached with longing for him. She was torn.

A quick glance at the clock confirmed it was the early hours of December 22 now. In about forty-eight hours, they would be loading the sleigh and taking off for the kickoff of Christmas in the South Pacific. Last she heard, Kris and Merry were somewhere in Belize, and it didn't seem likely they were coming back in time. Nick was their only hope of pulling Christmas off. She knew that.

But that didn't make her feel better about it. Later, all of this would be her fault. When Nick became restless and unhappy in his role as Santa, Belle would be the recipient of his blame. Just look at Kris—he willingly signed up to be Santa, and yet he'd walked off the job a week before Christmas.

How long until Nick's white fur collar started to chafe?

Belle slipped silently out of bed, pulled on her warm, flannel robe and went down the hallway. She flipped on the kitchen light and made herself a cup of decaf with her Keurig. The warm drink helped her think, but she didn't need any help staying awake. When she opened the refrigerator door for cream, she spied the silver flask of cocoa sitting beside the carton.