The deep timbre of his voice sends shivers down my spine, and the urge to climb him like a tree overcomes me. I’ve never had this visceral of a reaction to anyone in my life. This can’t be a good sign.
“Yes, I have them right here. I wasn’t sure when you would arrive and wanted to make sure you knew where everything was.” My voice quivers as I head behind the register on shaky legs.
He flashes me a ten-thousand-megawatt smile as he pulls his sunglasses from his face, his bright green eyes alight with mischief. “Thanks, but I’m starving. Do you know where I can get a decent slice of pizza in this town?”
“You could have me for lunch if you like,” I mumble under my breath as I pull the keys out of the top drawer.
“What was that?’” he questions as he moves closer to lean on the counter, oozing sex appeal.
I slam the drawer shut quickly as my cheeks heat in embarrassment. “Nothing important.” Then I turn in my dad’s direction. “Do you mind if Lucas tags along with us for lunch?”
“Sure, but I don’t want to close the shop for too long. Let me make this inventory order and I’ll join you two in a few minutes.”
“Does that sound okay to you?” I ask Lucas, hoping that he doesn’t mind my dad tagging along. “After lunch, I can take you over to the Manor and make sure you have everything you need.”
“As long as I can get some food, I’m game.” Lucas steps to the sides, pulling the door open for me.
I giggle quietly to myself before stepping out. Lucas follows quickly behind me, grabbing my hand as he pulls me across the street.
“Do you even know where you’re going?” I ask, unable to remember if I told him where Brick Oven Pizza was located.
“Nope, not a clue. I’m just following my nose.”
I shake my head before pulling him to a stop. “I don’t know where your nose is leading you, but we’re here.”
I attempt to remove my hand from his grasp, but he tightens his grip. He leans forward, close enough to kiss me, but quickly veers to the right.
“Ladies first,” he whispers into my ear before grasping the door with his free hand and pulling it open.
I step through the door, pulling him along with me. I don’t know what it is about this man, but everything I thought I knew about the opposite sex has gone out the window.
“I don’t know if it’ll live up to your big city expectations, but this is the best pizza in town.”
“I don’t know. I’ve been to Chicago. There is nothing better than deep-dish pizza.”
“You’re insane! Who wants to eat pizza with a fork?” I scrunch up my nose in disgust.
Lucas lets out a boisterous laugh.
“This is the best pizza I have ever had in my life. You won’t be disappointed,” I tell him.
My good mood is interrupted by Hana’s shrill voice.
“Of course it is. You eat more than enough for everyone in town. If you ever move, I’m sure we would go out of business.”
“Order whatever you want. Everything is good here,” I mumble, unable to look either of them in the eyes.
To say Hana and I aren’t friends is an understatement. It’s more like she has been the bane of my existence for most of our lives. Her animosity toward me makes no sense. One day, we were best friends and having sleepovers together, and the next, I was the scum beneath her feet.
I assumed that as we got older and graduated, we would go our separate ways. But when her mom ran off a few years ago, she stayed to help her dad run the pizza shop. Things have only gotten worse since then. It seems like the statement “misery loves company” was made to describe Hana and I’s relationship.
“We’ll have a meat lover’s and two Cokes. Is that alright with you, love?” Lucas asks as he brushes a gentle kiss on my forehead.
Love? Has he lost his damn mind?
Unsure of how to respond, I nod and head toward the back to find us a table. I grab a booth right in front of the small television hanging from the wall, which gives me a perfect view of Hana preening for her latest conquest. I wonder how long it will take before she sinks her claws into him.
Chapter 3
Lucas
When I walked into the Santa Claus Store, I stopped dead in my tracks. The store literally looked like someone threw up Christmas in there. One wall was lined with every type of Christmas ornament you could imagine, along with different themed trees strategically placed through the room. Off to the right was a beautifully displayed Christmas village…and that was when I saw my own personal Christmas elf.
Medium height, the perfect apple bottom, and curves for days. There doesn’t seem to be anything fake about her, unlike most of the woman I have attempted to date. It also helps that she didn’t immediately throw herself at me when I walked through the door. Whether she’s playing games or doesn’t have a clue who I am, I don’t know, but I’m intrigued.
As soon as Misty flashed me a bright smile, my heart belonged to her. The more time I spend with her, the more I know I need her in my life. It’s as if everything I didn’t know I was missing is wrapped up in her.
Hana’s voice interrupts my thoughts. “When you have time to ditch the oversized elf, I can show you around town.”
She leans over the countertop, attempting to seduce me. Too bad for her, Misty is the most beautiful girl I have ever met.
“I’m not interested,” I deadpan, hoping she will get the hint. “Can I get another meat lover’s delivered to Santa’s Workshop for Misty’s dad?”
I hope the change of subject will put an end to the conversation, but it doesn’t. As Hana rings up my total, she leans over the counter.
“I know who you are, Lucas,” she whispers, as if this is a secret between the two of us.
“I’m not trying to hide, Hana. Just want some quite time for the holiday.”
I’m sure Hana knows all about the media storm that landed me in the Santa Claus, Indiana.
“A girl like that will never meet your needs.” Hana runs her fingers across my chest.
Before she can make another pass, I grip her wrist. “I’m not into ladies who know their way around town, if you know what I mean.”
Hana pulls her hand back as if I’ve burned her.
“You’ll regret this,” she snarls before spinning on her heels and heading for the kitchen.
“I highly doubt that,” I mumble as someone further down the counter calls out our order.
I grab the pizza and head for the back when I notice Misty disappearing. I quickly find her staring up at the television in the corner.
“I didn’t have enough hands. Can you grab the Cokes, please?” I ask her.
“Sure, but can you explain why you’re on the television? And why did you call me ‘love’?”
Shit. I was hoping to get through at least our first meeting without having to explain what brought me to this tiny town.
“I can explain everything over our lunch,” I say, hoping this will placate her.
She nods her head as she slides out of the booth and heads toward the counter. I take the few minutes and run through my options in my mind. I could tell her the whole tale about having a stalker and that the news has it out for me, or I could take the easy way out.