Connie snorted and set up Rina with a plate of pancakes and sausage. Rina’s stomach rumbled, and she blushed. “Why would I get you glass slippers? They’d just pinch your feet and then you’d break them somehow and end up with bloody feet. Never made any sense to me why that girl had them. It must've been lost in the translation at some point.”
Rina just shook her head and bit into the fluffy pancake. Oh, goodness, she was going to have to jog or something or she was going to gain a lot of weight. Like all people from the North Pole, she could have a lot of sugar and her waistline would still be okay, but this was getting ridiculous.
Rina finished up her breakfast just as her cell phone rang. Connie left the room with the dishes, giving Rina some privacy. Without bothering to look at the caller ID, she answered.
“Hello?”
“Rina?” a deep happy voice answered.
Oh. God. It was Santa. The Santa. Not that there was more than one or anything.
“Yes, Santa, it's me.” God, she was going to be fired and lose everything she'd ever known. Why had she been so impulsive?
“I'm glad you recognize my voice. You know why I'm calling you, don't you, dear?”
She nodded, swallowing the fear down, and then remembered he couldn't actually see her. “Yes, I know. I'm sorry, Santa. I didn't mean to do something so impulsive. This is so unlike me. I don't know why I didn't, I mean… I'm sorry.”
“I know you are, dear. We’re going to talk about that in a minute, but first, let's talk about Justin as an executive. I didn't realize he didn't know anything. Everything in his paperwork said he knew. I don’t know who wrote in that they told him, but I'm gonna find out that for sure. Justin is going to need you. I can't afford to let anyone else go down there and help him out, and I know you can do it. Don't think I haven't noticed the fact that you’ve been keeping up on what the assistants do. I know you are quite capable.”
Then why haven't I been allowed to be an actual assistant
? She bit her tongue before she actually said that aloud. It wasn't the time; it might never
be
the time.
“Rina, you shouldn't have run off. It wasn't very responsible of you, and we’re going to have to talk about it when you get back, but now is not the time. I know you’ve been unhappy, Rina. Some things are going to have to change around here. I don't know what, but we'll figure it out. Just take care of Justin, and I’ll take care of the rest later.”
Was Santa really saying everything would be okay? Hope filled her, but she didn't say anything. She wasn’t willing to break the mood and ruin it.
“Rina, the reason I'm calling you personally is because I wanted to let you know you are valued.”
“Really?”
“Yes, I wish you’d known that. It's just that, for some reason, Jack wanted to keep you where you were. I know that man as if he was my own, but I don’t understand why he would do that. It's something to think about, but not for you to worry about, dear. Do what you can with Justin, and then we'll figure out what to do about you and your happiness. Because you will have to be reprimanded in some fashion. I promise, though, it won't be too bad. You broke the rules, but without you, Justin would have been lost on the most important date of the year.”
“I understand.” But hope filled her anyway. Maybe she could be an assistant. Maybe even Justin’s assistant. That meant she would be able to be near him…and there weren’t any rules about romance…
Enough of that. It was so not the time.
“We need you to help Justin spread the goodwill of man and bring the idea of Christmas to the children who won't hear otherwise. Oh, they know the idea, but it’s the executives that enhance it. The executives help keep the magic alive, and I'm going to need you to help Justin realize that.”
“Oh, yes, I understand.”
“Good, Rina. I have faith in you.”
“Thank you, Santa,” she whispered into the phone. They said their goodbyes and hung up.
Santa believed in her. Rina could do this. She could.
She quickly said goodbye to Connie then headed to Justin’s place. Today would be their first day of training. Not just his, but hers as well. She wasn’t hiding from the North Pole anymore. She was actually going to be acting like an assistant in the open. They would be going to an orphanage a couple hours from town, and she and Justin would be playing board games and helping them with lunch. All the while, she’d be helping Justin spread Christmas cheer. An assistant wasn’t just someone who helped with the paperwork. No, she would actually be helping him harness his magic and learn control. That is, once he learns to actually use it, but that would come with her help.
She’d also tell him the truth. Though Santa had told her she could stay, she didn’t want to lie to Justin anymore; she couldn’t.
The snow was just starting to fall as she pulled into Justin’s driveway. She’d checked the weather earlier and known it might be a small storm or something bigger; it just depended on how fast the wind moved it through town. Hopefully, it wouldn’t stick for longer than normal. Though her SUV could handle it, she wasn’t in the mood to drive in a blizzard.
She tugged her hat down on her head, made sure her glamour was working, and got out of the car. The wind howled, and the cold bit at her. She hugged herself and made her way to the front door, which opened as soon as she hit the front step.
“Hey, get inside. It’s got to be cold as hell out there,” Justin called out as he gripped her elbow, leading her in. She tried to ignore the heat that spread from his touch.
It would be totally inappropriate to want him.
But, in reality, the connection between an assistant and their executive could be an intimate one if they let it. They were sharing magic, and sometimes a connection would hold. She hadn’t thought about that when she’d come down here. Honestly, she hadn’t thought much of anything. But, she couldn’t think of any of that now. No, she had work to do.
Plus, the object of her thoughts was staring at her with an intensity that threatened to send shivers of need down her body.
“Rina?” Justin’s deep voice caught her attention, and she wanted to moan. Fruitcake, she had to get off that track. “What’s wrong? Are you still cold?”
He pulled her closer and ran his hands up and down her arms. She almost closed her eyes and leaned into his touch but resisted. Barely.
“I’m fine, just warming up.” She pulled back from his arms and tried to ignore the sudden loss. “Are you ready to go?”
Justin smiled, though she could see the tension on his face. “Sure. I’ve been to this orphanage before. I love working with kids, hence the reason I became a principal.” His eyes widened, and his lips thinned. “Wait, did that happen because of what Santa did to me?”
“I don’t know,” she whispered. “It could have been because of the magic running through you, but honestly, I just think you’re that good of a person.”
He nodded, but she didn’t know if he believed her. “Okay, are you ready to go?”
She watched as his jaw firmed, and she felt the urge to trace her fingers down his stubble. He hadn't shaved that morning, and it only made him look sexier. This was going to be a long day.
“Wait, before we go, I need to tell you something.” She took a deep breath and steadied herself. She really didn't want to lose Justin right when she’d found him. Not that he wanted her or anything; it was just a job. Right.
Justin furrowed his brow and looked to her. “What is it? You look so serious. Are you okay?”
Oh great, he even looked all caring and compassionate.
“So… I didn't tell you the full truth before.”
His lips thinned, but he didn't say anything merely nodded for her to continue.
“I'm actually not a real assistant.” She bit her lip and rubbed her hands together then stopped. She needed to look cool and professional. That was the only way she could get through this. “I'm actually the list organizer.”
“The list organizer. Like the ‘naughty and nice’ one?”
“Yes, I take the old lists and organize them, so that way, we’ll always have a database backup. I work in the basement of the workshop. I don't really get to see anyone. My job is also to call the executives about a month before just to check-in. But, even then, it's more of a hello and goodbye phone call, not really anything of substance. But, when you reacted the way you did, I saw a way to help you. I'm so sorry I lied to you. I feel terrible. I want you to know I know what to do. You can trust me about that. I know you probably can't trust me with anything else because I lied, but I will help you get through this. I even talked to Santa today, and he wants me to stay and help you. Please, I’m so sorry.”
Justin was silent for so long that she didn't know what to do. Was she just supposed to leave because he was angry? Or, maybe stay and let him yell at her?
Please talk
.
“I knew something was off.”
She blinked. What did that mean?
He came up to her, and she held back a flinch. Justin was a good guy. He wouldn’t hit her or anything, right?
He wrapped his arms around her and held her close. She stiffened for a second then let her body do what it wanted to do. It relaxed into him. She inhaled a crisp scent that was just him and held back a sigh. He was so strong, so manly. Was it wrong that she just wanted to stay in his arms for just a little while longer? Like maybe twenty to thirty more years?
He didn't say anything for another few minutes; he just held her. Reluctantly, she pulled back so she could stare up at him.
“Justin, not that I don't like it, and that’s not to say I
do
like it, but why are you hugging me?”
He looked down at her and smiled. “I just felt like doing it. Everything will be okay. I knew something was off when you looked so guilty yesterday. But, for some reason, I trust you. So, let's start off fresh, and you can tell me all about what I need to do today. Because I'm just a little bit nervous.” He squeezed her, and she squeezed back. She could get used to this. Not that she would.
He pulled back and got his coat, looking embarrassed. Well, he could join her in the embarrassment category. She didn't think long hugs were a job requirement, but it sure was nice.
“I'll drive if that's okay,” Justin said as he tugged her hat over her head. She didn't know why he did that, but she was starting to crave his touch. Not a good thing. “I know you live up at the North Pole, and all but I know these roads a little bit better.”
“Okay, that's fine with me.”
They shuffled out to the car, and he even opened the door for her, closing it after he made sure she'd settled in. As they drove toward the orphanage, Justin kept his eyes on the road, but kept the conversation up. They talked about their childhoods and his job as a principal. She could tell from the way he smiled and grew animated how much he loved his job, even if she knew that he somehow doubted his reasons for accepting the job in the first place.
When they got to the orphanage, all the kids stared at them, their eyes wide. Some looked as if they were happy to see new people while others shielded themselves, not wanting to get their hopes up. Luckily, the administrators had explained to the kids that Rina and Justin were just volunteers, not a couple looking to adopt. It broke her heart just thinking about these kids being alone on Christmas. Maybe through Justin, and even her help, they could experience a little more Christmas cheer. Christmas wasn't about having presents and getting material things. It was about finding happiness in the smallest of ways. That was Justin's job as the executive—to make sure that they could feel that special holiday joy.
“Okay,” Justin whispered and leaned down to her. She could feel his warm breath on her neck, and she held back a shudder. This was neither the time nor the place to be thinking those thoughts, but what delicious thoughts they would be. “What do I need to do?”
She leaned closer to him so others couldn't hear. Yes, that was the only reason. “All you need to do is use the energy I know you're feeling at the edge of your fingertips and brushing along your skin and funnel it out. The magic knows what to do. You just need to be here.”
“That's it?”
“You don't know how to control it yet, so that's what I'm here for.” She took his hand and tangled their fingers, ignoring the way her pulse leapt at the touch. “Since I'm your assistant, I'll be your funnel. So just release what you can, and because I'm an elf, I can help you manage it. And it will feel weird, but I won't let you hurt anyone.”
He pulled her back to a corner, his face grim. “I could hurt someone? Why didn't we practice before?”
She put her free hand on his chest and patted above his heart. “Because you need a large group of people who need cheer in order to start. I'll help you. And, you can never hurt anyone. It's more of the fact that you could spread too much happiness or energy, and things could go a little haywire, but that's why I'm here. I won't let anything happen to you or these children.”
He looked down at her, and their gazes connected. Her heartbeat was so loud she could hear it drumming in her ears. “I trust you.”
She let out a relieved sigh and pulled him toward the group of kids in the playroom. “Let's get started.”
They kept their hands entwined as they listened to the kids talk, and they watched them play games. She could feel Justin's energy building within him, and she tugged on his hands. When his gaze met hers, she raised her brow, and he gave a little side smile that did annoying things to her insides.
With that, he released his energy, and she tightened her grip.
He was powerful.
Magic poured through her, and she funneled it toward the children. She could see the kids starting to pick up their shoulders, smile a bit, giggle, and play games with more interest. She turned her gaze to Justin and smiled. He looked so happy watching the children cheer up.
This was why an executive and his assistant were so important. This was why they were needed.
He continued to pour energy through her, and she could feel the connection taking root. It wasn't sexual, but heated, intimate, close.