Page 48 of Santa Baby

I sat down behind my desk and pressed the remote that controlled the blinds on my city-facing windows. They rolled down against the glare of the sun ricocheting off an adjacent building. “Fia performed admirably.” I sounded like I’d recently undergone a lobotomy, and honestly, it didn’t sound like a terrible idea right then. “She met Heather Schuyler, who seemed taken by Fia. Heather’s assistant sent me an email yesterday afternoon asking how Heather could get in contact with Fia about the parties she throws all summer in the Hamptons, wanting to book Fia before May.”

Colin grinned. “Of course she nabbed a Schuyler connection right off the bat. I told you she was talented.”

My filthy mind went straight back to the moment Fia pressed the heel of her hand up the length of my cock, whispering desperate pleas against my lips while she begged me to take my pants off.

I gritted my teeth, closed my eyes, and exhaled deeply. “Yeah, she is.”

“So, what do you guys have next?”

I ran my fingers through my hair, shooting him a quick glance. He was looking absently down at his phone, which made me wonder if he was checking in as a protective older brother, or my best friend who was interested in how things were going on my end. I rolled my lower lip between my teeth and pulled up my calendar. “She’s coming to the Lennon dinner with me on Wednesday, and then that one charity event for kids… on Friday.” That was it. The last two events. Next week was Christmas, and then this was over.

My chest felt hollow at the thought.

“What about Christmas Eve?”

“What about it?”

“Are you doing anything with your parents?”

“Uh, yeah, actually I’m supposed to go to dinner at their city home around eight.” I typed furiously, penciling it in. I’d forgotten all about it. I’d invited Fia. Fia agreed to come. Three events, and this was over. My stomach turned. I felt like I was running out of time.

“Boring,” Colin yawned, flattening his palms on his knees. “Look, my family does a big feast on Christmas Eve. Feast of the⁠—”

“Feast of the Seven Fishes,” I said before I could stop myself. Colin arched a brow. “Fia told me about it.”

“Course she did. Anyway, you should make an appearance. It’s going to be loud and busy, your worst nightmare, but you haven’t seen my parents since we were in college and my mom has been asking about you.”

I found it hard to swallow as I nodded, giving him a gruff, silent yes. “What can I bring?”

“Nothing. Wine, if you want to impress my mom and my aunts. Dad likes scotch.” He stood, dusting off his knees like he’d been kneeling in dirt rather than sitting uninvited in my spotless office. “Thanks for doing this.”

“Doing what?”

“Helping Fia.”

I resisted the urge to look at him.

“I talked to her a few days ago and she seemed to be having a good time. She mentioned something about the library⁠—”

“The lady that runs the events at the library wants Fia to work for her. Offered her a job on the spot.”

“Did she take it?” he asked.

“She hasn’t brought it up.” I looked at Colin, held his gaze. He held mine, and for a split second I was sure he could see right through me. See the guilt now festering between us. I should have talked to him first before even thinking about pursuing Fia romantically. I should be talking to him about it now.

But I couldn’t. Not that it was his business. I just wanted her to myself, just for a while, until I figured out how to turn this scam into the real thing. How to turn three events into forever.

Colin saw himself out after a one-sided conversation about a football game he watched with his dad over the weekend. Gabby had been waiting by the door for five minutes, and once Colin was gone, she skirted into the room with her hands behind her back.

“Why are you at the office today?” I asked lightly.

“I needed a break from the kids.” She leaned on the doorframe. “Why are you here?”

“Where else would I be?” With Fia. I wanted to be with Fia. I should be with Fia right now.

“Is there anything I can do today? Any last-minute holiday well wishes you need sent out?”

“You’re really selling this settle down and have kids thing, Gabby.”