Naughty St. Nick Read Online Free PDF

him was about the most wanton thing she’d ever done. A truly sad thought, really. It was just wine for God’s sake. But still...
    It wasn’t just Nick.
    They sipped in silence and she searched for something clever to say. Came up distressingly empty handed.
    Eventually, Nick drained his glass and set it on the coffee table. He said, “Thanks for the hospitality.” Then he headed toward the door.
    Vixen’s heart sank. “You’re leaving?”
    Already ?
    Okay, it was better that way, true. Yet...she’d enjoyed their brief time together. And she liked looking at him full-on, not just with veiled glances.
    But that was probably all bad and wrong, so she backtracked.
    “I just meant that it was nice to speak with you for a little while,” she added, hoping to cover her disappointment, which lingered in the air between them.
    He flashed a sigh-worthy grin. “I’ve got more lights to fix.”
    “Right.” Suddenly, she smiled back at him. St. Nick had returned? “The lights. You’re into spreading holiday cheer these days.”
    “Something like that. Hey,” he quickly said. “Let’s keep the fixer-upper stuff just between us, remember?”
    Vixen’s brow dipped. “Why the big mystery?”
    He shrugged. “I don’t know. I just don’t want anyone making a big deal out of it.”
    Always the reluctant hero. The Secret Santa. Some things never changed.
    Nodding her head, Vixen said, “Okay, it’s our secret.”
    Knowing another little something about Nick no one else knew thrilled her.
    After he left, she settled on the couch to enjoy the crackling flames and the warmth that flowed through her veins not because of the fire, but because of her secret crush...and his secret good deeds.

Chapter Five
     
     
    The buzz around North Pole the next day had Vixen bypassing Sugar Plums and instead strolling down the long walkway on the east side of the town square. When she reached Main Street, the northern most point of the square where Always Christmas department store stood sentinel, she drew up short and gasped. True to the rumors roaring through town, there sat a picture-perfect Santa Claus in the huge chair once reserved for her grandfather.
    That joy she’d felt last night over the possibility of carolers, along with Nick’s visit and the Christmas ambience he’d created, returned full force. Vixen’s hands clapped together in delight at the sight before her. The line of kids waiting to sit on the new Santa’s lap was a long one and such a pleasure to see.
    She had no idea who’d stepped up to fill her granddad’s shoes and play Santa, but it was quite clear he did a bang-up job. For a moment, she wondered if the jovial volunteer was Nick, but then he joined her on the street corner and she knew he wasn’t the only Secret Santa in town.
    “What’s going on?” she whispered, amazed and excited.
    “Looks like the ban on Christmas has been lifted.”
    A comforting thought. “I haven’t seen the kids in town so euphoric this time of year since my grandfather died.” Emotion welled within her. “This is so wonderful.”
    He nodded. “Gotta say, it’s nice to see people finally enjoying the holiday.”
    “With your help.”
    He modestly stuffed his hands into the front pockets of his Levi’s and said, “Apparently, I’m not the only one willing to bring Christmas back to North Pole.”
    She eyed him curiously, a thought burning in the back of her brain. “You know who that is, don’t you? Our new Santa?”
    He merely grinned at her, making her insides sizzle and snap from the sexy lifting of the corners of his extremely kissable mouth.
    “Fine,” she said in a breathless tone, feeling the effects of his smile all the way to her toes. “Keep your secrets.” Crossing her arms over her chest, she added, “Just don’t forget the most important tradition this town has.”
    “Mistletoe?” He yanked a sprig from his pocket. Held it over her head.
    Vixen gaped. Her heart nearly stopped.
    Nick’s