by Rebecca York
Holy shit.
He forced a swallow and cleared his throat. Deb jabbed a bony elbow into his gut while Sheila rolled her eyes. The guys stifled laughter at his expense. Nobody would dream of laughing at Serenity, who made a cheap costume look like silk and velvet.
He had himself under control by the time she turned back around.
“When are you putting on your costume?” she asked haughtily.
“Right now,” Ryker said. He’d be the fat jolly old elf to her sexy one.
Was there any wonder she’d never left his fantasies?
Serenity fanned her face, which had a sheen of perspiration. Even that didn’t detract from her beauty. “It was this or the children’s costume, which didn’t fit much better,” she explained to the room, not looking at Ryker.
The chief grinned. “You’ll be the best ventilated of us all. It gets hot out there.”
Deb snickered.
Sheila rubbed her hands together. “It’s fine—we appreciate you stepping in last minute for Tiffany.”
Everybody nodded at that. Ryker brought the Santa outfit to the dressing room, then returned in the lightweight, made for the tropics jacket, pants, and boots. He was hoping to get Sheila’s help with the adhesive for the beard and brows, but it was just Serenity and the dogs in the breakroom.
“Where did everybody go?” He tried not to focus on her cleavage in the red and green outfit, but her long hair fell forward, drawing his eye. She sat at the oval table covered with candy canes and half-empty coffee mugs. Glitz and Glamour sprawled either side of her chair.
“They’re getting the truck ready out in the side parking lot.” She gestured with her thumb to the exit and lowered a brochure she was reading on Lauderdale by the Sea.
He bit his tongue before asking for her help. He’d been rude regarding her lashes, but when he’d seen her standing in the breakroom and he’d realized that she would be on the fire truck with him, all afternoon, and then later for pictures, he’d lost his mind for a minute. How was he supposed to act like Santa when Serenity would be at his side? He didn’t mind pretending for the community to be Santa Claus, but Serenity? He didn’t want to be a fat elf around her, just himself.
She saw his dilemma with the beard and brows and offered with her palm outstretched. “I have a steady hand.” She fluttered her mink lashes.
Reluctantly, he handed the accessories to her, and the tube of face glue. She was wearing the lashes for a good cause and he felt like a jerk. Even if she wore them just because she liked them, it wasn’t his business.
“Sit,” she said, patting the chair next to her.
He did, and she stood next to him, which put her cleavage at his eye-level. Soft skin, the curve of her breasts. This was heaven and hell. What on earth had he done wrong to deserve this torture? Maybe this was his payment for breaking her heart. He couldn’t act on his desire for her—he didn’t even want her to know about it. She would go back to LA, and he had to get a grip.
He clenched his hands into fists, smelling her floral perfume. Sandalwood oil would have been wrong for her, he realized that now. He’d built this life for her in his head that was all wrong. He’d been wrong.
“Stop squirming,” she said.
“Sorry.”
The dogs lay down at their feet, relaxed. Deb raced through from outside to get water bottles from the fridge. “Hey Santa,” she said, laughing at his predicament—his face to Serenity’s boobs— before running back out again, tossing over her shoulder at the door, “Ten minutes, and we’ll need the dogs ready too.”
Serenity squeezed a thin layer of adhesive along the inside of the right bushy white brow, then held it to the bare skin just above his own. She repeated the action on the left brow, her fingers soft and gentle even when firm.
What would she do if he told her why he’d broken up with her? Would she listen, or laugh and tell him it was ancient history?
“I’ve never ridden on a fire truck before,” she said.
“We go very slowly on the parade route,” he assured her. “Watch for kids—they get excited and dart forward.”
She brushed her hair over her shoulder and scowled. “I was thinking happy thoughts, not danger. Some jolly Santa you make.”
He wanted to defend himself, but his words just came out defensive. “Danger is part of it. What do you think a fire truck is used for?”
Serenity’s pink mouth tightened.
He tapped his finger to his knee to make his point. He didn’t like how he was acting and knew he should shut the hell up. Nope. “Saving lives.” Why not dig the hole a little deeper?
She attached the beard along his jaw, pressing harder this time. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
He could tell he’d pissed her off but that was just as well. He needed space between them, or he would forget everything and toss her back on the break table to kiss her senseless among the half-empty coffee cups.
She really wouldn’t like that.
He gently traced his finger from the hollow at her throat down, down to the center of her cleavage. Her skin broke out in goosebumps.
“What are you doing?” she asked huskily.
He leaned back in the chair to stare into her eyes—green and bold. He understood the lashes, and knew he had a lot to make up for. The air was heavy between them. Her flesh as silken as he remembered.
“Don’t,” she said.
But he knew how to kiss her until her eyes crossed. He knew how to suckle her lower lip just right, and then nip it lightly before flicking his tongue along the throb.
He knew how to make her squirm—she liked to have the undersides of her breasts caressed, the skin on her ribs, the backs of her knees.
When he’d pushed her toward LA he’d thought he’d done the right thing—if you love something, set it free, the saying went…and if it is true love, it will return. She hadn’t—and he’d been trapped by his own foolishness.
It had taken ten years, but Serenity was home. How long would she stay?
Did he have enough time to make her forgive him before she returned to her incredible life? Without him?
Chapter Six
Ryker left the breakroom at four that afternoon and followed Serenity, Glitz and Glamour to the parking lot and the red fire truck. It had been decorated for the parade in garlands of fir and evergreen. A giant golden chair was in the center of the top deck and next to it raised boxes covered with red satin for the dogs to sit on. The theme this year was a traditional Christmas. The streets had been blocked off but there were a few curious folks watching them prepare for the event.
He enjoyed playing Santa and planned to do it for as long as the team let him—maybe even until he had a snowy white beard of his own. This was his town and he would lay his life on the line for it, from at-risk residents, to furry pups, to the sea turtles in the ocean.
The chief assisted Serenity up the ladder to the top of the fire truck, then the dogs—Glitz had the red bow, and Glamour had the green. He remembered the Dalmatians from last year’s parade, and how much fun Tiffany’d had tossing out candy canes.
He envied the family she and Jonas were starting. At twenty-eight, he wasn’t in a hurry, but it was something he wanted for himself. He glanced at Serenity, engaged in vibrant conversation with the chief as she leaned over the rail. Her elf ears parted her long hair, and the elf hat was anchored at an angle on top of her head.
He climbed up to the top and sat in the big Santa’s chair. Serenity positioned the dogs on the boxes by his feet. She’d refused to look at him since she’d told him not to touch her. She’d said no, and he’d listened. Had she meant it? Her physical reaction meant that she was not immune to him.
Serenity lifted her bag of treats—Sheila and Deb, in fireman’s uniforms with red Santa hats, would also pass out sweets from the top. Chief was driving the rig, and the guys would be on the sides of the truck throwing candy along the route.
The kids in town should be nice and sugar’d up afte
r the parade.
“Where should I be?” Serenity asked stiffly, not talking to him directly as she patted Glamour’s black and white head. “I don’t want to be in the way.”
On his lap would be his first choice, considering how she looked in those red fishnets and her elf costume. He couldn’t be more of a confused mess. What did he really want from her? Sex? No. More. To be understood. He’d screwed up and couldn’t seem to stop. “By the railing there,” Ryker said. “The chief’s a decent driver, but you should hang on, just in case.”
Her pretty pink mouth twisted. “You know, they did a study on being the oldest of your siblings—makes you bossy.” Her brow arched. “The truck’s not even on yet.”
Ryker smoothed his fake white beard. “We’re both the oldest in our families—we used to laugh about it.” It was nice to be reminded of things they had in common even if she hadn’t meant the observation as a compliment. He petted the dogs. “I’m sorry your sister isn’t feeling well. What’s wrong?”
Her eyes welled but she blinked tears back. “The midwife says the pangs she’s feeling are normal.” Serenity’s shrug did nice things to her bodice. “Tiff wants me to be in the delivery room with her. Hey, have you ever had to deliver a baby?”
His stomach knotted and he patted the rounded pillow tummy beneath his lightweight red coat. “No—technically I know how but thank heaven that hasn’t popped up on the job yet. Rescued quite a few kittens from trees, though.”
They shared a smile. “Well, I’m honored Tiff wants me there, you know, but I’ll be doing some research on babies, so I know what to expect.”
“There’s so much information available but you should probably talk with her doctor and midwife beforehand. Will your mom be there? You mentioned Jonas should be back from China by Christmas.”
She leaned her hip against the railing, a long leg in red fishnets extended. “Tiff says even with Jonas home, she wants me in the room.”
He could see the look of pleasure, and worry that she might mess it up somehow, on her expressive face. “You’ll be great.”
“You know we aren’t close with our mom, so, no, she won’t be around. We’re going to send pictures. They’re staying in Texas for the holiday. We were there two years for Christmas, just the day, which went on too long. Mom’s husband was drunk on the couch by four.” Serenity chose a foil chocolate from her bag and unwrapped it. “Last year everybody flew in to be with me for a few days around Christmas, but dog-walking isn’t something you can leave without making arrangements.” She offered him a piece. He shook his head, so she put in in her mouth.
Ryker scratched Glamour’s silky ears. These two were so good that it made him think it was time to get another pet, though nothing would replace his pit bull mix rescue, Foster. They’d had five great years together. Maybe when the condo was done.
The engine started with a rumble and both dogs laid their ears back. Serenity pulled her phone from her bodice and took a few pictures of him and the dogs. Deb, Sheila, and the fire station before returning for more of him. “It’s okay if you smile, you know,” she said.
“I am smiling—beneath the beard.” He gave the white fluff a tug. He didn’t mind getting his picture taken…as Santa.
Serenity tucked the phone away as they pulled onto the street shaded by oak trees and palms. Families sat on the curb, waving hello and season’s greetings. They each got into character. He ho-ho-hoed, and she tossed candy, her hand on her bodice when she leaned too far to keep it closed. Sheila and Deb refilled their tubs from the red Santa bag at his feet. Serenity snuck pictures of him when she thought he wasn’t looking, lobbing cellophane-wrapped candy canes at him to get him to laugh. Music played, all the carols he knew from when he’d been a kid. The mood was fun and teasing, and festive…she made him feel lighter about the world just by being near.
Her joy was infectious. He wanted to tell her that…but it changed nothing—she would return to LA, back to the party life, the glittering world of being a social influencer. She’d mentioned wanting to help him reach more people with his beach clean-up, but he didn’t do it for kudos. Why did he need social proof?
Chief Harding drove them around the last block of Lauderdale by the Sea just as the afternoon turned to dark gray, and they parked on a side street that had a view of town center and the lights, music blaring on the truck. Ryker stood up and thanked everyone for being good boys and girls, waving to the crowd that quickly gathered around them.
The dogs preened next to him. Glamour even dragged the Santa bag toward Ryker’s feet and the kids watching laughed.
“Did you train her?” Serenity whispered, waving at his side.
“No. The dog’s a natural.” He raised his voice to be heard over the Christmas carols. “If you’d like your picture taken with Santa, and his elf,” he gestured to Serenity who seemed surprised, “We will be at Santa’s Wonderland in thirty minutes.”
The crowd cheered, and he relaxed his shoulders—time for a needed break.
“I thought we were done after the parade?” Serenity slung her empty candy bag over her shoulder.
“Last year, Tiffany was there with the dogs and Mrs. Claus. I figured you’d do the same?”
“Oh.” Her hand went to her low-cut costume. “Maybe just the dogs?”
“Now who’s acting shy?” Ryker didn’t want her to go home. “You love getting your picture taken. Just think of all the new photos you’ll have for your followers.”
“That was snarky, Santa,” she said, chin up. “I don’t want to give the kids more than they bargained for in the family Christmas photo.”
He chuckled. Sheila carried Glitz down the ladder, and the chief brought Glamour, then Ryker helped Serenity—a lovely vision with those long legs descending the metal steps to the pavement.
“Maybe we can find you a Christmas scarf.”
“In Florida?” She flipped her hair. “Right. I’ll just have to keep my posture perfect.”
Sheila corralled the excited kids back from the vehicle so that they could make a bathroom break before spending two hours doing pictures. Serenity snagged a section of red garland from the side of the fire truck and draped it around her shoulders like a feather boa.
“Ready,” she said.
“This way.” He preferred that bare creamy skin. Oh well. Serenity, Glitz, and Glamour followed him through the revelers at the holiday festival. Tents separated merchants and craftsmen selling holiday gifts. He smelled apple cider and cinnamon and wished they were somewhere just the two of them. Maybe he did have a Christmas wish after all. “We just need to be here for two hours,” he said. He wanted to see if she would get a drink with him later, and clear the air.
“Then I’m dismissed?” Her brow arched.
Responding to her flip tone, he shrugged. “If that’s how you want to look at it.” Why couldn’t he say anything the right way?
They arrived at Santa’s Wonderland where Judy from the Town Hall office was playing Mrs. Claus like she had last year. The outdoor venue was cooler by the water and he could smell the sea. He introduced her to Serenity, and they got the dogs situated for the pictures by having them sit on either side of the gold chair. Serenity removed herself from the pictures by offering to handle the line.
He liked to make sure that every kid received a present, so they had a stack of gifts behind Santa’s chair. It used to be dolls for girls, and balls for boys, but now everybody who sat on his lap and told him what they wanted was gifted a stuffed Christmas dolphin and a candy cane.
Serenity didn’t seem so self-conscious about her costume with the garland draping her bodice as she talked with the kids and parents waiting in line for their photo with Santa. If Ryker had one wish it would be to see Serenity less covered up rather than more.
***
Serenity hadn’t experienced such amazing holiday festivities when she’d grown up in Lauderdale by the Sea…her mom had been too tired, or broke, to venture out. Now, she totally got into the
Christmas spirit by singing carols and dancing. The kids progressed in line and whispered what they most wanted for Christmas—a video game, or a new tablet, or a bike. A surfboard, or snorkeling gear.
The way Ryker greeted everyone as Santa showed her a different side to him. More fun-loving, that was for sure. And he hadn’t once complained about getting his picture taken. The moon shone in the sky above and clouds drifted.
The adults that recognized him were all friendly and respectful. She didn’t hear a single unkind word. Instead, she heard a lot about how Ryker cared for the community.
One couple told her that they watched him from their condo on Friday mornings where he cleaned the beach. Another said that he was a familiar and welcome sight patrolling the beach on his ATV for the fire department. He taught CPR classes and went to classrooms to discuss rip tides or how to properly dispose of fishing line to not harm the sea turtles, fish, or pelicans.
Ryker was an important part of their community. This was what she’d missed in Malibu. No matter where she’d traveled, she hadn’t gotten the same sense of community she’d felt here. She understood why Tiffany loved it too.
She watched Ryker as another happy child left his Santa’s chair, holding a stuffed dolphin, giving the pups a pat. The parents had gotten pictures and walked away laughing, ruffling the kid’s blond hair. Had her mom ever done stuff like this with them? There were always excuses for why they’d stayed home.
It was obvious that Tiffany planned on being a different kind of mother and Serenity would support that however she could. She was glad that they lived in a time where you could have kids, or not, get married, or not, have a career, or not…
It was the best time in history to be yourself.
“Santa sure is hot,” one of the cute young moms said to her friend. A salty breeze whisked Serenity’s hair.
“Yeah he is. I can see his baby blues from here. Think he’s single?”
One woman’s hip bumped the other lady’s and she craned her neck to study Ryker.
Serenity knew Saint Nick was single. He’d caressed her throat earlier when she’d practically shoved her breasts in his face but had respected her wishes when she’d told him to stop. She’d only said don’t because they were in the middle of the fire station breakroom. She didn’t trust herself around him.
