Filthy Scrooge

Parker gave a long-suffering sigh. “Let me see if I can find him.”

“I’ll go with him.” The woman behind her piped up.

“No,” Hot Elf said quickly.

Parker held up a hand. “No, you both can stay here. I’ll be faster on my own.”

“But…” Hot Elf’s eyes widened.

Assistant Candy Cane came forward. “I’m going.” She swallowed and if she were a guy, I’d say she’d just nutted up. What was the female equivalent? Tits up? No, that probably wasn’t right. Hmm.

“It’s very important. And perhaps we can get things solved while we’re downstairs.”

Parker frowned, but didn’t ask any further questions. Very much my brother. If it didn’t have to do with his department, he really didn’t want to know.

“Lincoln seems unprofessional, but I can assure you he’s generally quite helpful, Miss—I’m sorry, I didn’t catch your name.”

“Miss Kane.”

Of course, it was. I tipped my head back. The name was far too coincidental not to mean she was the proprietress in some way.

Parker cleared his throat. “Right. Miss Kane. I’ll be right back.”

“Mr. Murdock, I really—” Hot Elf, err…Miss Kane sighed as my brother and her assistant hustled off.

“Sorry about that.” I backed up. “Come on in. I won’t bite.” I grinned. “Today anyway.”

She took a step back into the hallway. “I’ll just wait for Jordan.”

“Since Jordan works for me, I think that means I get to know what the big secret is too.”

“I wouldn’t want to bother you with it. You’re getting ready to leave, right? That’s what you just mentioned.”

“Christmas parties aren’t exactly my scene.” I glanced down at her outfit. “Then again none of the elves at our previous Christmas parties looked quite like you.”

She flushed. “This is not my usual attire.” She nibbled on her lower lip, then huffed out a breath. “This sucks.”

I grinned. “It doesn’t have to. And neither do you—at least not right away.”

Her lake blue eyes widened again. I wondered if she’d make the same face while on her knees in front of me. Or would it be that slow, slumberous look from the dance floor?

“Look, I understand last night was…something else.” She tugged at her skirt. It wasn’t especially short, but her legs were ridiculously long. “That was then, and this is definitely a whole different kind of now.”

“Last night you wore those same boots, but today’s stripes on your stockings definitely make for an entirely new look.”

She stepped forward, gesturing to indicate we should go into the office. I obliged her. It made sense. She didn’t want our conversation to be overheard.

“You remember what I was wearing?” She shook her head. “Never mind. That doesn’t matter. The problem here is that I have forty kids—”

“Forty-seven.”

She pressed her bright red lips together for a moment and took a measured breath. It was quite fascinating, really. I was pretty sure she was a moment away from blowing up at me. Maybe even taking a swing. Not entirely sure I wouldn’t enjoy seeing her give it a try. How far could I push her?

Hmm.

I did like a challenge.

“So tell me, Miss Kane, is that seriously your name?”