Total pages in book: 52
Estimated words: 49005 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 245(@200wpm)___ 196(@250wpm)___ 163(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 49005 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 245(@200wpm)___ 196(@250wpm)___ 163(@300wpm)
What will really be a shame is hiding these men’s handsome faces behind big white beards, and covering their bodies with bulky costumes. I have a feeling they’ll still be attractive despite the holiday disguises.
“Of course, you’re all young for your roles,” Lisa says, “but I really appreciate you offering to donate your time. These Santa pictures could bring in a lot of money for the shelter.”
“Glad to help,” Nick says.
“Absolutely,” I say. We’re only doing the pictures on the four Saturdays in December, but this year, I’m available almost anytime I’m not working.
Nick and Rudy smile at me. They’re almost always smiling, but they seem to give me a little extra.
“Fingers crossed for good weather,” Lisa is saying. “The park should be a great location for people to bring both kids and pets for pictures, and I hope we get a lot of passersby. We’ve put flyers up all around town, too.”
“People have been commenting about the flyer at our office,” Nick says with a chuckle, “and they don’t even know we’re the ones who’ll be playing Santa.”
Their office? I’m curious about where these men work, because I can’t picture them at a desk job. They look more like athletes or models.
As Lisa is handing me the stack of packages that comprise my costume, there’s a rhythmic “Shave and a Haircut” knock on her open door, and I swivel to find a man entering, immediately followed by another man who could almost be his twin.
They’re the epitome of tall, dark and handsome, with a heavy dash of dangerous thrown in, both in snug dark jeans and heavy black boots, one in a t-shirt, the other a leather jacket. Their hair is nearly black, dark stubble shades their faces, and several pieces of tattoo work show at different spots where their skin is visible, like the base of their necks, one man’s arm, the other’s hand.
If you’d asked me a few minutes ago if men who look like this were my type, I’d have easily said no. My body, however, is saying otherwise, quite loudly. I’m grateful for my thick hoodie, because my nipples have just gone hard.
“We’re here for the volunteer meeting.” The man’s voice is rough like gravel and deep as the ocean.
“We’re here to play Santa,” his almost-twin announces in a similarly sexy voice.
Chapter 2
“There must be a mixup,” Lisa says.
“We’re playing Santa.” Rudy’s hardly said anything until now, and his tone is affable like his brother’s, but there’s a territorial undertone.
Nick’s chest puffs out as his shoulders go back. “The role is filled.”
For my part, I’m just trying to figure out how four men this handsome are suddenly assembled in one place.
As I observe the new arrivals, I decide they’re definitely not identical, though they must be brothers. They have the same eyes, similarly high cheekbones, and full lips, but one is taller and their features have small differences that set them apart.
“Club Red sent us over,” one of them says.
Lisa bites her bottom lip. “Oh, right. I did put in a call for help over there. The Stantons have always been so supportive. But I never heard back, so I wasn’t expecting anyone.”
The taller brother shrugs, then turns his gaze on me and the stack of costume pieces I’m holding. “Are you playing Mrs. Claus?”
When I nod, his lips curve into a devilish grin, and he keeps his eyes on me as he tells Lisa, “We’re staying.”
“Well, I suppose you could be Santa’s helpers,” she says. “Hopefully, we’ll have long lines, and with more help, we could move people through more quickly.”
“Sounds good,” the other dark-haired brother says, distractedly. The look he’s giving me makes me feel like I’m the last gingerbread cookie on the tray, and he’s ready for a treat.
All I can think about, though, is what he said a moment ago. Club Red. That’s the male revue club here on the island. Are these men dancers there? They certainly have the looks for it. All four of these men do, but I can’t quite picture the sweet, smiling Frost brothers taking their clothes off for an audience.
“We’ll be Santa. They can be the elves,” one of the Club Red guys says, tilting his head toward the Frosts, his mouth curled back into a snarl.
Nick opens his mouth to protest, but Lisa raises her hands to cut off a potential argument. “How about you all take turns? You look to be nearly the same size—” She looks the men over, and I seize the opportunity to do more of the same, because they’re so nice to look at.
All four of them are broad and muscular. The perfect male specimens, actually, even though the two sets of brothers couldn’t be more different otherwise. Light and dark, sweet and spice. Two are the type you’d be proud to take home to your family, and two your family would warn you away from.