A Proposal to Remember

‘I’ll help you wash up.’

‘No need; I’ve got a dishwasher.’ She walked into the kitchen and opened a cupboard. ‘This flat may be small but it’s very well equipped. Can I ask you something?’

‘Of course.’ Carlo braced himself. Now what? More questions about his family that he was going to have to dodge?

She hesitated slightly. ‘The children’s ward is looking for someone to be Father Christmas. Usually the Chief Exec does it, because he’s tall and broad and looks good in the outfit, but he’s off sick with flu at the moment and…’ She broke off and looked at him hopefully.

He grinned. She was so sweet. ‘You want me to dress as Father Christmas?’

Her cheeks dimpled wickedly. ‘I’ve always fancied men in uniform.’

‘You have a fetish for men with white beards?’

They were both laughing and Carlo had to stop himself grabbing her. ‘And where and when does all this take place?’

‘The day after next. Christmas Eve. The children’s ward opens onto a huge lawn so you arrive that way.’

‘In my sledge?’

‘Nothing so fancy, I’m afraid. This is the NHS. No sledges.’ She closed the door of the dishwasher and pressed the button. ‘You get to walk with a few elves as helpers to give out presents.’

Carlo looked at her thoughtfully, an idea forming in his mind.

‘I’ll do it,’ he said immediately, and she gave him a wide smile that hit him straight in the solar plexus.

‘That’s great. You’ll get to see my elf costume.’

If her elf costume was anywhere near as attractive as her tight jeans then the Father Christmas outfit had better be baggy.

Deciding that he’d stretched his self-control to the limits for one night, he glanced at his watch and gave her a rueful smile.

‘I’d better be going. Thanks for supper.’

‘Thanks for helping with the tree.’ She looked at him wistfully and then looked away quickly, but not before he’d caught the blush on her cheek.

He knew exactly what she wanted because he wanted the same thing and it was starting to drive him crazy.

‘Zan…’ His voice low, he reached out a hand and turned her face towards him, sliding his fingers around the back of her neck, feeling the softness of her dark hair teasing the back of his hand. ‘So, after I’ve been Father Christmas, what happens then? Do the elves invite me home?’

She laughed. ‘I think you spend the rest of the night squeezing yourself down chimneys.’ Her laughter died and she looked at him warily. ‘Alternatively, you could spend Christmas Eve here.’ She gave a hesitant smile. ‘But you didn’t seem too wild about that idea when I mentioned it last night.’

Carlo stuck his hands in his pockets to stop himself grabbing her.

‘Trust me, I’m wild about it.’

‘Really?’ She looked at him doubtfully and then smiled. ‘In that case, we can come back here after our visit to the children’s ward and then open presents on Christmas morning before we go to the hospital.’

Which meant that she was inviting him to stay the night.

His eyes gleamed in anticipation. ‘Does that mean I get to hang my stocking next to yours?’

‘That depends.’ Zan gave a shy grin. ‘Will it behave itself?’

‘Probably not.’ Carlo bent his head and brushed his mouth against hers in a kiss designed to tease and frustrate them both.

He had absolutely no intention of behaving himself.

Which meant that he had forty-eight hours to make sure she felt the same way.