Ho Ho Hennessy

He was fighting a losing battle. “Just don’t bend over.”

Arin shook her head at him, handing him the beard that was on his dresser. “You’re spoiling my image of Santa. He’s supposed to be jolly.”

“I’m not feeling jolly. That dress is making me horny, and I won’t be the only one.”

Arin helped him put on his beard. “I’m supposed to be the naughty Santa, not you. Behave. The kids are adorable. Try to have some fun,” she admonished him.

“Lock the door, and I’ll show you how this Santa likes to have fun.”

Ignoring him, she opened the door and waved him through. “That would be against the rules … unless I’m your Santa. Are you asking?” she taunted as they walked down the hallway.

Even though he was down to one in his coal, he didn’t want to add one back if he guessed wrong. He wanted to be over 80 percent sure before he guessed. He had been over 90 percent until he saw Ember walking down the hallway when he had come upstairs earlier and had found the sweatshirt.

As he headed down the stairs, his mouth dropped open when the room below erupted in joyous shouts.

“Santa! Santa! Santa!” childish voices screamed up at him.

“I thought there was only going to be the brothers’ kids.”

“What made you think that? They’re here, but so are the factory workers and their children. Willa and Lucky also invited the children from their church,” she explained.

“How many children are there?”

“At least forty, the last time I counted.”

It was going to be a long fucking night.

“Do me a favor?” he said, going to the chair that the other two elves were waiting beside.

“Sure. What do you need?”

“Ask Moon if I can borrow his new flask and fill it for me.”

“No.” Arin pushed him down into the chair, motioning for a brown-eyed, little girl with black hair who couldn’t be older than three to climb onto his lap.

Starstruck, the enchanting child stuck her thumb in her mouth.

“Ask her what she wants for Christmas,” Arin prompted. “And don’t forget to be jolly.”

Chapter 14

Arin set down a cup of hot chocolate as she glanced out the window. Then she moved over to the closet, taking out two coats. Siding hers on then carrying the other one and the hot chocolate, she stepped outside. Giving Jewell her coat, Arin waited until she had put it on before handing her the cocoa.

Staring below, Arin smiled. The Last Riders were giving the children rides on their motorcycles.

“Thank you for inviting me. I’ve enjoyed myself.” Leaning against the porch pillar, Arin shoved her hands into her pockets, looking for her gloves.

“You’re welcome.” Jewell didn’t move her eyes away from the parking lot.

Sad for her, Arin moved behind Jewell to wrap her arms around her and rest her chin on the woman’s shoulder. “Even if I won the bet, you were never going to leave The Last Riders, were you?”

“No,” she admitted softly.

“Jewell …”

“Don’t tell me what I’ve already told myself a million times. I love him, Arin. I love him. I always will.”

Arin felt a tear slip out of the corner of her eye at the pain she heard in her best friend’s voice.

“Does he know?”

“No, and he never will. It wouldn’t make a difference anyway. If anything was going to happen between us, it would have happened long before now.”

“I’m sorry.” Arin held her tighter. “If I can ever do anything to help, I will.”

“Just you being here helps. I’ve missed you.”

“Me, too.”

“Has Hennessy figured out you’re his Santa yet.”

“No.” Her chin shook on Jewell’s shoulder in laughter. “I think he’s getting close, though.”

Jewell sighed. “Moon said that he didn’t know he was supposed to search for his presents.”

“He’s definitely not in the Christmas spirit, but I’ve been warming him up to the idea.”

“It would take a blowtorch to get through Hennessy.”

“I prefer my Hennessy hot anyway.”

Jewell laughed, sipping her cocoa. “You’re a nut. I can’t wait until Hennessy figures that out more than him finding out you’re his Santa.”

“I’ve been behaving, but tonight, I think I’m going to give him a little clue.”

“About you being his Santa or being a nut?”

“Both.”

Arin organized steaming hot drinks for The Last Riders for when they returned from giving the children rides.

Moon sighed appreciatively. “I need another one of these.”

“What’s in it?”

“A little of this. A little of that.” Refilling Jack’s cup, Arin moved to Moon.

“And a fucking lot of rum,” Hennessy said, putting his cup down to start taking off the Santa suit.

“You can’t take it off; the night’s not over,” Ember stopped him.

Hennessy frowned, scratching his face where the beard had been. “I thought all the kids left?”

“They have, but now it’s our turn.” Pushing him down, Ember sat on his lap and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. “Santa, I’ve been a very, very good girl this year. I really want a brand new Saint Laurent purse.” From between her breasts, Ember took out a piece of paper and gave it to Hennessy.