“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 lo
oking 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.
Rina didn't know how she felt about that. On one hand, she loved it. Loved the way that she could feel him, the way she knew he must be able to feel her. On the other hand, it was like getting one touch of something you knew you wanted but probably could never have.
She was helping these children, and that meant she could be a true assistant. Could she be just an assistant? Not all assistants and executives were in romantic relationships, but in those cases, they weren’t attracted to one another. Considering all assistants were male, and there weren't many female executives, the likelihood of a relationship forming was minimal, but from the way she and Justin kept looking at each other, she might be in for a world of heartache.
They stayed for a couple more hours and then left, leaving happier children than when they'd first arrived.
“That was amazing,” Justin said as they got in the car and started on the way back to Holiday.
She smiled right back at him and bounced in her seat. “I know. I'm so happy just watching those kids. You did it, Justin. It was you and your magic.”
He shook his head and took his hand off the steering wheel long enough to pat her knee. The tingles shot right up her body, and she bit her lip.
“You did most of it I think. All I did was release that tension, but you took care of it, and you made sure it didn't hurt anyone or go wrong. You are the amazing one, Rina.”
She blushed and shook her head. “Let's just say it was a team effort.”
“Deal. Now, I am hungry. I know we fed the kids there, but I didn't feel comfortable eating their food since I wasn’t starving. Want to go to the diner and get some lunch?”
She looked at him, surprised. “Really? You want to spend more time together? I'd have thought you would've grown tired of me.”
“I don't think I could ever get tired of you, Rina. Let's go get some food.”
She warmed at his comment but didn't say anything back. She wanted him, really wanted him. This couldn't end well.
Chapter 5
Justin walked the halls of his school, smiling down at the kids as they shuffled toward their classrooms. Some of the kids looked happy, enjoying their day and loving school. While the others looked like they'd rather be anywhere else, including playing out in the snow. His magic pulled within him and beat against his skin. He could feel it —like a magnet —reaching, longing to help the kids who weren't happy. When he’d used it for the first time with Rina at the orphanage, it was as if his body had decided it was time to stop being sluggish and instead be a full-time executive. He still wasn't sure if he was up to the job, or even wanted it, but, apparently, his magic—or whatever the hell they called it—was ready.
The school bell rang. The last of the kids shuffled to their classes, and the teachers closed their doors. He walked the empty hall, content that all was okay. He loved his job.
But, thinking about the fact that it might not have been his decision to go down this path made him pause and feel uneasy. Rina had told him that it might not have been Santa’s interference that made him choose to be a teacher, and then later a principal, but he wasn't sure. He didn't remember the exact moment he’d decided to go into the teaching field, but he knew it was soon after the ice incident.
Did that mean, because of someone else's interference, everything he had done from that point on wasn't by his own choice? He didn't know how he felt about that. It was as if his life was out of his hands and someone else was taking control.
There was nothing he could do about it now. He loved what he did, even if it was a product of an accident. And, now, thanks to Rina, he had another outlet to help children and figure out who he was.
Rina.
He'd felt the way her pulse increased every time he touched her. He’d known then it wasn't just him. Thank God. He loved the way her smile brightened every time something good happened.
Had he just said love in connection with a woman?
He needed to slow the hell down. He hadn't even kissed her yet. Oh, he had been thinking about it. A lot. Like every thirty seconds or so. And not just kissing. No, he wanted to know what her skin tasted like. She smelled of sugar cookies and cinnamon, and he wanted to see if her skin tasted the same. Now he knew why he’d been craving sugar cookies like a maniac. Because, apparently, he was Santa’s minion. Well, whatever the happy equivalent of that was. But, damn, he really wanted to know what Rina tasted like.
He knew she was his assistant, and he probably shouldn't be thinking those types of thoughts about her, but he couldn't help himself. She just fit so right against him. He hadn't meant to hold her so close the day before, but he was glad he had. She had tucked close to him and held on tight. He had only wanted to comfort her so she knew that everything would be okay. She’d looked so distraught at doing something so impulsive.
For some reason, he couldn't fault her for it. He knew there was more to the story than her being stuck in the basement of the workshop, and he needed to figure out what it was. Maybe in time she would trust him enough to tell him, and then maybe more
More what?
More of her? To be with her? To taste her?
He didn’t know, but he wanted to find out.
He walked to the end of the hall to his office and closed the door behind him. He was at work, and it wasn't the greatest time to be thinking about a sexy little elf he wanted to get to know a little bit more. Okay, a lot more. He worked on more of the budget and all the messages that had accumulated from parents and city officials until the bell rang again and it was time for the students’ lunch break. He would take his later.
He walked to the lunchroom and watched the kids file through the lines and sit down at their appropriate tables. Most were happy and energetic as they ate and talked with their friends, but some were little more laid-back and even sad. The urge to help them and shore them up overrode everything else, and he let out a bit of magic.
What could it hurt?
Without Rina by his side helping him to control it, it burst from his body with no control. Some of the children's eyes widened, and their smiles brightened. They started talking faster and grew perkier, and others looked like they had so much energy they couldn't sit still.
Then the first piece of Jell-O flew across the room.
“Food fight!” a fifth grader yelled from his table.
It was chaos with food flying in every direction. Teachers yelled at them to quit, getting hit in the face and arms with food for their efforts. Every single kid joined in, their lunches forgotten in terms of food and now thought of as weapons. They pelted each other, laughing and giggling, their energy increasing so much they gave him a headache.
He quickly damped down his energy, closing it off before he did any more real damage. Some of the kids immediately sat back down, their excess energy depleted, and their behavior returned to normal. For others, it took a little bit longer until they sat down.
Santa's Executive Page 5
