Thrill Seeker (Sinful in Seattle)

“Contingencies always need to be made, Miss Kane.”

“Yes, well this is my final party of the season. And I’ve had two parties a day for the last ten days. I’m all out of Santas and contingencies. Not to mention I normally don’t have to worry about this particular Santa.”

“Had him in your pocket?” When she blanched, I laughed. “I’ll take that as a yes.”

“No,” she said stiffly. “He was simply my most requested Santa. He’s very good with children, as well as adults.”

“And now, really good with elves. Just how good?”

“Mr. Murdock, I don’t believe that’s an appropriate question.”

“Maybe. But the question’s already out there.”

“I do not fraternize with my employees. He was simply very good at his job. I chose him because I thought I could count on him. And now…”

“Now, no Santa and you’re filling in as the elf.”

She curled her fingers into a fist. “Yes.”

This conversation was so ridiculous, I couldn’t help but laugh. “And you think my assistant is going to find you a Santa?”

“I was hoping he might have an idea of who to ask. You’re a department store. Perhaps you have a Santa?”

“We do. From the first of the month through the twentieth. After that, the store is simply too busy to support a Santa. People are rushing around to find gifts, not taking snapshots with babies and puppies.”

“You do pictures with puppies?” She waved her hand. “Never mind. Not the point.” She swallowed thickly. “I’ve called every contact I have. I offered double their normal salary. Even triple. Because I know that part of my contract was to supply food and entertainment—aka Santa—for the party.”

“And if you default your contract, we don’t have to pay you.”

Her other hand curled into a fist. “Yes.”

I grinned again. All my teeth must have been out like a shark by the way she paled. “Works for me.”

She lifted her chin. “This contract will see that all my employees will be paid through the summer, Mr. Murdock.”

“Guess you should have had a contingency plan for that Santa, huh?”

“Believe me, I won’t make the same mistake again.”

“Doesn’t help me or my employees, now does it?”

“And yet, you’re smiling like a—”

I closed the door and leaned against it, crossing my arms. “Don’t censor yourself on my account.”

Her eyes darted to the door, then to me.

“My brother will return momentarily. Perhaps there will be a Hail Mary in there for you. Except I know my brother and my assistant. Jordan shudders at the idea of sticky kid fingers. Pretty sure you’re not going to find a Santa in him.”

“He just has to pass out gifts. Surely he could do that. If not him, perhaps you—I mean we…” She growled. “Me. I could speak with a few of your employees to see who would like to earn a nice bonus for an hour’s work?”

“My employees are here to have a good time, Miss Kane. They are not here to work.”

She twisted her fingers. “I would wear the Santa suit if I could get away with it.” She scrubbed her palm against her skirt. “You know what? I could probably do it. I’ll just send Mel back to my headquarters for one of the smaller suits. I can make this work.” She pulled out her phone and paced the length of my brother’s office.

There was no way I should be attracted to a woman dressed like she was a cross between an elf and a man’s wet dream. I was going to fantasize about her endless legs wrapped around my damn neck for days.

Just what I needed when I went to my cabin.