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But of course, that’s just plain nonsense, just plain wishful fantasy, because there’s nothing fairytale about living in a storage closet and hunting a biker gang

Yet when I think about the way ainst mine, wrapped his arms around me, and squeezed me close, I can’t help but feel a little flutter of Christic in my chest

“Natalie”

His voice thunders throughover every inch ofI shiver as I turn, unable to repress the er that swirls through me, a potent cocktail I can’t control

His eyes are alight and his lips twist into a sht of h satisfied, and I findwith him

I can’t stop studying his body, the way it shines through the Santa costume He’s re the hat, giving me ample opportunity to study every ripped muscular inch of him

“Nick,” I murmur

He chuckles deeply, swaggering over tojust short His scent washed over ne, a just-Nick set I have ever had any problems

He nods to the ice rink “Trying to work up the courage?”

I giggle, shaking my head “No, no way I’ve never skated before I was just thinking…”

“Yeah? About what?”

Heontosensation dancesevery part ofready to throw myself at him

But then the word virgin poh any confidence I ht’ve summoned

“About… stuff,” I murmur

“About us?” He sainst his “About our future?”

“Yes,” I adainst h his Santa suit

“About how irowl in his voice

He leans down and kisses the top ofsnow

“No, not at all” I lean back and look up at him “Why do you think it’s impossible?”

“No,” he snaps forcefully, sliding his hands down to o “If I was a superstitious man, I’d think someone had cast a Christmas spell on us Because I can’t explain this I don’t even want to explain it I just want – need – to be with you The feeling is as pri”