Step-Santa - A Stepbrother Forbidden Romance

“Why?”

“You’re full of questions.”

He chuckles. “I just think you shouldn’t discount your dreams because it sounds too hard for you to accomplish.”

“I never said it was my dream.” I’m getting a little frustrated with him for thinking life is so easy.

“Oh, sorry.” He backs off from the interrogation, and I stare out the window.

Is it my dream?

Have I been working at Tory Burch all this time just to hide from my own dreams? Do I really want to write and illustrate children’s books?

I have to admit, I’ve thought of some ideas. Sparkly Figgybottoms has a lot to teach kids.

Kane drives in silence, opting to turn on the radio after a few more miles of neither of us talking. I continue contemplating my life, wondering if I could really make a go of it. My attention drifts to Kane, wondering what type of dreams he has for his life. Is he living them? Is he happy?

If I hadn’t snapped at him, I’d probably ask, but instead, I watch the passing trees and mountains.

“I think we should address the elephant in the room. Well, truck,” Kane says.

I swivel in my seat to face him. “What do you mean?”

“It’s obvious we’re both attracted to each other, and…” he doesn’t finish his sentence because I’m too busy laughing.

“Are you serious?” I ask through a snort.

It’s true I’m attracted to this man, but what kind of guy just blurts it out and thinks they know it all? Have I been that obvious with my ogling? Or is he just cocky and thinks every woman likes him because they’re in the same vicinity?

Probably all of that.

“Yes, I’m serious.”

“What makes you think there’s an attraction here?”

“I’m attracted to you, Winter. And if we weren’t somewhat related, I’d pull this truck over and show you just how into you I am.”

It’s like he threw a match on gasoline. The flame simmering low in my belly spreads like wildfire.

I blink. “Oh.”

I mean, what does someone say to those words?

I’d like to tell him to pull over right now. I’m half-tempted to yank the steering wheel to get us to the side of the road quicker.

But I don’t.

Because I can’t.

And won’t.

Four

KANE

Am I coming on too strong? Probably. But I know what I want. And what I want is here in this truck, gaping at me.

I continue driving as Winter absorbs the words I’ve said to her, not really verifying anything. Did I read her all wrong?

Is she not into me like I am her?

Am I really misreading the vibe between us?

I don’t think so.

“Ok, maybe I’m a little attracted to you,” she finally says after a few minutes of silence.

I grin. “I knew it.”

“You’re kind of arrogant, aren’t you?”

I shrug. “I know what I know.”

“Please, stop. You sound like our parents. ‘When you know you just know,’” she quotes them.

“Piddly Dimplesticks,” I say, creating an elf name just like she likes to do.

She laughs. “What was that?”

“I’m doing what you do.”

“Yeah, but, Piddly Dimplesticks isn’t a real name.”

“Sure, it is.”

She shakes her head. “No, it’s really not.”

“Is there some comprehensive book of elf names you take from? I don’t know the rules.”

Her laughter fades away. “No, there’s no book. I just make them up, but they have to be elf-like names.”

“Mine’s completely elf-like.”

We laugh, and I like the vibe that fills the truck cabin. I could talk to this woman all day long.

“As you were saying before you ruined the elf name… It would be wrong of us to start anything. We’re now sort of related,” she says, turning her attention back to the passing trees lining the interstate.

“I agree.” Even though I really don’t. But I’ll try my hardest to stay away from Winter while we’re at this resort.

We ride in silence until I pull into the picturesque Mountain Goat Resort high on the mountaintops. It’s like a Christmas village surrounding a mammoth log building that’s strung with Christmas lights.

The property is beautiful, and I remember Crystal said her family owns the place.

“You probably came here a lot growing up.”

“Every year for Christmas,” Winter says, staring at the sign reading, ‘Mountain Goat Cabins.’ “There’s a ski section too.”

“That sounds like fun.”

While she gathers her things, I exit the truck and round the hood to open Winter’s door.

Her mouth forms an o. She looks taken aback by my chivalry, before she hops out and rambles, “My cousin, Graham Steele, has been running the place for the past few years. He just got married, and we attended his wedding. Zoe’s awesome.”

“I bet.” I stride to the back and drop the tailgate to grab Winter’s luggage. “Can’t wait to meet them.”

As we walk toward the resort lobby, Crystal rushes out the front doors. “There you two are. I’ve got your costumes.” She hands Winter a red and green garment and me a Santa suit.