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goddess" He turned to the other men "She is a vision of beauty, no?"

"Ye’re e her, Jack," a second Santa said with a Scottish accent He extended a hand "Welcoation I’m Robby MacKay" Toni shook his hand "You’re related to Angus?" "Aye, but he’s rin "How do you do?" The third Varoup held out his hand His eyes were almond-shaped,

and his accent was thicker "I am Zoltan Czakvar from Budapest" "Oh" She shook his hand "I’hed "Will you dance withfor soht now" "Ah" Jack nodded his head "Amore I’m afraid her heart is already taken, Zoltan" Zoltan bowed "Then ill hope he is worthy of you" "Okay" Toni s definitely appealing about

Varoup of men, but none of them looked fanize He was the only black Santa in the roo with another Santa "Phineas" She lifted a hand "Hey, sweetness" He gave her a high five and a knuckle pound "What’s up?" She recognized the second Santa as Dougal "Hey, Dougal Have you seen Ian anywhere? I can’t

find hial said, "he was at the refresh a Bleer"

Phineas eyed Toni’s costume "Girl, what are you supposed to be? You look like the Jolly Green Giant’s little ho" Toni gritted her teeth "I’ood elf" "Thanks," Toni muttered Phineas snorted "So do you live in a tree and bake cookies? Whatcha got for me in your oven?"

He winked She swatted his arm "I’ll sic the Jolly Green Giant on you" Sheeven more ridiculous in her costule bells on her green slippers that made noise with every step If anyone else

ht have to stake him into oblivion She circled the dance floor The ed to a slow,with a Santa, probably her husband, Jean-Luc And Shanna was dancing with another Santa, probably Roman As she neared the Vamp refreshment table, she saw the two questionable Rockette ladies talking with another Santa

One of theernails were painted a bright red "Oh rown up!"

Toni winced The Rockette’s voice was definitely male "Our sweet little boy," the second rown up and so handsome" He waved a hand in front of his face "I’ to cry"

"Don’t you dare, Tootsie," the first Rockette warned "If you start crying, I’ll completely lose it,

and I just hate runny rowled He spotted Toni, and relief flooded his face "Toni, I’ve been looking for you"

"Oh my!" The Rockette named Tootsie looked Toni over "Has our little Ian found a sweetheart?"

Ian pulled her to his side "Toni, let me introduce you to Tootsie and Scarlett They teleported here from New Orleans" Toni smiled politely "How do you do?" Scarlett pressed a hand to his chest "Oh ?" Tootsie’s red-painted lips treether I--I can’t help it I’etToni with him "Excuse us, but I prohed "That’s so sweet"

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"And romantic" Tootsie dabbed at his eyes with a lacy handkerchief Ian led Toni farther away She glanced back, and the twothem with tears in their eyes

"They seem very fond of you" "They’re verra friendly" Ian put his hands around her waist "Thank you for rescuing me" She rested her hands on his shoulders and matched his steps as he swayed to and fro "Where did

youan investigation for a Vamp with amnesia" "Really? Did you find out who he was?" Ian nodded "He was a coith a secret baby" Toni laughed "I’rinned, and it made his white beard twitch "And what are ye supposed to be?" "An elf, and don’t you dareainst his fake belly that stuck out above his belt "Is that padding in there, or are

you happy to see ered the wooden stakes in her belt "Are

ye intending to use theive me what I want for Christmas"

"And what do ye want?"

She almost said, You, but she hesitated "It’s a secret"

"Another secret?" His blue eyes twinkled "Are ye ever going to tell ed "Maybe never"

"But I need to know I’hed

"Tell hty or nice?"

A warh her She wanted this man so much She curled her hands around the

back of his neck He tightened his hold on her

She glanced at his eyes, and suddenly felt the waret a little naughty" A red tint flared in his eyes "We could go somewhere private No one would notice one less Santa

in the rooht of ripping his beard off to kiss hi red" "Your heart is beating faster" He leaned close, his white beard tickling her cheek "I’d like to peel those red tights down yer legs"

"I ive lowed a deeper red "Sweetheart, I have what you need" She grinned "What I need is a feers I have soreen Like yer eyes" "Not that question" She smoothed her hands down his chest "I could make it worth your while If

you answer, I’lltake sohty" "Of course you have to agree to the same terms If I answer one of your questions, you have to

take solanced around the room "We’ll leave separately Meether alone on the dance floor She wandered back to the refresh in her ears