Holiday Sparks

He cupped her cheek, drawing her gaze to his face. “Well, you know that silly thing about condoms.”

She smiled because she knew she was supposed to. Now she felt weird again. He was so easy with himself and her and she felt as if every nerve inside her was jangling. She stood, slipping her clothes back on while he was in the bathroom.

He’d hiked his jeans back up but left them unbuttoned. He was smooth muscle and ink topped with that half grin. She sat on the couch. “Can you grab my shirt?”

He detoured into the kitchen, coming back with a fresh beer and a soda for her as well as her shirt. “Need some fluids?”

She huffed out a halfhearted laugh. “Thanks.” She opened it and took a long drink.

He did the same and sat back, his feet sprawled out as he laced his fingers over his bottle. “How’d things go after I left?”

She tugged her shirt over her head and tucked her feet under herself as she nestled into the corner of his couch. “Really well.” She relaxed. The store she understood. “That was why I came over here. I didn’t mean to…”

“Use me for sex?”

“Ben!”

He laughed and tipped his beer up to his mouth. “You should see your face. Believe me, I don’t mind. Use me and abuse me at will, darlin’.”

“I came over here to tell you how impressed the Blackstones are with you.”

“I kinda got that since they want me to do the new place.”

“Yes, but what they didn’t tell you is Max Blackstone is definitely talking about your light show. He’ll be talking it up until you’re chock full of new customers.”

He sat up. “Yeah? That’s great.” He set his beer on the coffee table and turned toward her. “I’m glad I could help.”

She frowned. “You don’t seem too excited about it.”

“Of course I am.” He patted her knee. “I’ve been working on this for a long time. This was an awesome opportunity to try out my designs.”

“Didn’t you hear me? This could be a legitimate business.”

His grin slowly faded. “I have a legitimate business.”

“Oh, I know. But this could be huge.”

He crossed his arms. “What exactly do you think I do?”

“You said you have a tattoo shop.”

“Yeah, I have a business I run with my best friend, Cesar Luna. It’s not a little hobby shop, Darcy.”

“I didn’t say that.” She leaned forward. “I just mean you could make great money with this and have your designs in tons of homes.”

“Money isn’t everything. My art, that’s what’s important to me. I love Christmas so I wanted to make it fun and enchanting for families. Sure, it’s a nice side benefit that I could use it for businesses, but that’s not why I do this.”

She tucked her hands in each opposite sleeve and put her feet down. This was good news. Important news that could help him succeed. “I didn’t mean anything by it, Ben. I only—”

“I know. And for me I’m just glad to help someone out. Knowing that there will be kids sitting on Santa’s lap and looking up at the dancing lights? That’s the important part for me. The wonder is everything, Darcy. Do you even remember what it’s like to just sit and enjoy something for the pure joy of it?”

She clutched both her wrists inside the tubes of her sleeves. “That’s not fair.”

“I’m asking a legitimate question. I know I don’t know you very well—”

“No, you don’t. I take pride in my work, in making that store as successful as I possibly can.”

“That’s wonderful, Darcy.” His voice gentled. “But what do you love to do?”