Santa goes completely still. For a moment, he just stares at me, frozen in place.

I can see it in his expression—the tension, the hesitation.

Desire flickers in his eyes, clashing with whatever sense of restraint he’s trying to hold on to.

His chest rises and falls beneath that ridiculous red jacket, each breath heavier than the last.

He looks torn… and that only makes the moment feel more charged.

I decide to push him just a little further.

My hands slide to the wide black belt at ...