1123 Candy Cane Lane (Cherry Falls)

“So, I’ll see you in a few hours?” I graze her earlobe with my breath.

I feel her shiver and it zaps me with a spike of awareness. She’s too good for me, she’s been hurt, I can see the broken past shimmering in the way her emotion-filled eyes gaze up at me. I would never hurt her, never leave her wondering about how I’m feeling about her—about us.

“The festival.” I slide a hand along her hip and relish her soft sigh at my ear. “Have you forgotten already? You’re the best elf in town. I need your magic to hypnotize the kids.”

“Keep them tame, you mean?” She laughs and I feel it down to my damn toes. She hypnotized me the moment we met, I won’t tell her that though, not yet.

“Trixie and I will be there with jingle bells on!” She punches me in the arm and I pretend to wince at her brute strength and I pretend not to feel it. She giggles and I live for the sound. “It’s easy being with you.” She hums softly.

“Good.” I peck her on the cheek chastely. “Because you’re stuck with me.”

I let my fingers linger laced with hers for long moments, letting her know I mean every word. She’s stuck with me forever, I’ll make sure of it. A shy grin is pulling at the corners of Holly’s lips before she sinks her teeth into that plush bottom lip and blinks. Before she can say a word, I plant one quick but feverish kiss on her lips and then grin, “Bring your extra candy canes, baby, you’re gonna need them.”

I can hear her laughing at my back as I walk out of her tiny fucking door. I love the noise, it rings clear like a bell in my ears the entire trip home. I’ve never heard a laugh like Holly’s, and I plan on making her do it as much as I can.

8

Eight - Holly

“Ho, ho, ho, baby.”

I turn, a silly grin already lighting my face, to find Charlie standing before me, only he's not dressed in a Santa suit like he’s supposed to be, he’s dressed up. Every tall, broad inch of his form is polished and sleek in a crisp navy suit jacket and dark pants. I drag my eyes up his form slowly, relishing every bit of this man that’s fallen into my life.

“Hey, aren’t we working today?”

“I hired replacement elves for the job.”

“I’m replaced?!” I giggle. “Are you canning me Santa Claus?”

He surprises me when his hands circle my waist. When he brushes against my skirt all the tiny jingle bells that decorate the ruffles chime. “You’re irreplaceable.” It feels like my limbs turn to butter when his throaty voice rolls through me. My nerves zip and zing with the chemistry that’s always pulsing between us. “Come to dinner with me.”

“And leave all of this fun?” I turn and sweep my hand in the direction of a dozen little kids waiting impatiently in line for Santa. Just in time, a new, jollier Claus toddles down the makeshift red carpet to his throne. A few of the kids cheer, some gasp, and some look downright terrified.

“Just wait til they’re buzzed on candy.”

I grin up at him, loving the way the bright blue sky reflects in his eyes. “I should go home and change.”

“I’ll drop you off, but I kinda like the elf getup.”

I arch an eyebrow. “Is there an elf fetish you want to tell me about?”

He shakes his head, catching my chin with his fingers. “It’s a Holly fetish.”

Then, both of his hands are in my hair and pulling my lips to his in a dominant kiss. I groan audibly when he pulls away quickly and shoots me a reckless grin. “Let’s get merry, baby.”

“Your puns are on point tonight.” I laugh, loving when he laces our fingers together and walks us toward the parking lot.

“You haven’t heard anything yet.” He pauses when we reach the door of his truck and opens it.

“I can’t wait.” He helps me into the cab, pausing to buckle me in.

“Ready for the time of your life?”

“Is that a guarantee?” I tease.

“With you and me it is.” He squeezes my bare knee, eyes darting down my form. “Even your socks have bells.” He jingles one along the top ruffle. “So fucking cute.”

By the time we’re leaving the parking lot the butterflies have set in, my tummy churning as I think about how good and wholesome Charlie is in comparison to my darker version of reality. When Charlie speaks about his family his face lights up, the joy on his features nearly brings up feelings of jealousy in me because when I think of my family, the predominant feeling is pain. We come from different sides of the tracks, and he really doesn’t know it. Does it matter? Would he care? We are who we are now, but then why does it feel like the past keeps edging it’s way into my present?