A Curvy Coldwater Christmas (2 page)

“Of course not,” she promised, wondering exactly what was in the script.

Flynn took a deep breath. “Mrs. Claus, it’s time for me to jump in the sled and deliver all the good boys’ and girls’ presents.” He slid the paper across to her, his tanned finger pointing to a place halfway down the page. “This is your line.”

She kept her eyes fastened on the script, wondering what would happen if she reached out and touched his hand.
Don’t think about it.

“Take care, Mr. Claus,” she spoke the line hesitantly, unused to play-acting. “Christmas dinner will be waiting for you when you come home.” She passed the piece of paper back to Flynn.

“I also have a gift for
you,
Mrs. Claus. Ho, ho, ho.” Flynn looked directly into her eyes. “It says we kiss.”

“It does?” Her cheeks felt white-hot. “Where?”

“Right here.” He turned the script upside-down and indicated a typewritten line.

Mr. and Mrs. Claus embrace and kiss on the lips
was emblazoned on the white sheet of paper. Kate had concentrated on saying her line correctly, and hadn’t looked further down the page to see what came next.

“Oh.” She didn’t know what else to say. She looked up at him, unable to take her eyes off his face.

“I think we should practice,” he said, his eyes darkening as he held her gaze.

“We have to kiss in front of everyone at the parade?” She couldn’t help the slight squeak in her voice.

“Yeah.” A sexy smile edged his lips. “That’s why we should practice first. To make sure we get it right.” A dimple flashed in his cheek, belying his serious tone.

Kate certainly couldn’t imagine Mr. and Mrs. James kissing as Mr. and Mrs. Claus, even if they had been married a long time. Was this Sarah’s idea? Or was she just being paranoid?

“Okay,” she replied, butterflies jitterbugging in her stomach. She’d dreamed about kissing Flynn. Who was she to argue with the script directions?

He stood, brandishing the piece of paper. “We should do it exactly like we will on the float.”

Kate nodded, rising from the table. She could
certainly
do
this. But what would Flynn think after he kissed her? That he preferred petite skinny girls? Or sky-high glamazons who were just as tall as him but had a figure to die for? As he took a few steps toward her, she gave thanks that she’d diligently applied lip balm all winter. At least her lips would be soft and smooth.

She held her breath when he stood before her. Gazing up into his gold-flecked brown eyes, she felt a rush of awareness run down her spine. They were really going to kiss.

“Ready?” he asked huskily, gathering her into his arms.

Nodding, she allowed herself to relax in his embrace, her hands tentatively touching his trim waist. His strong, muscular arms, honed by ranch work, held her securely - not too tight, and not too loose. In fact, just right.

It had been so long since she’d been held by a man.
Too long.
Even if she’d had the inclination to date over the last few years, she’d been too busy with her cooking career. She’d barely had enough time to sleep, let alone steam up the sheets with a boyfriend. Although she’d had a few boyfriends in the dim, distant past, she wasn’t exactly beating off eligible men with a stick.

Until now.

Telling herself not to be silly, she tilted up her face. It was a stage kiss. Nothing to get excited about.

But when Flynn’s lips hovered above hers, her heart hammered. His mouth touched hers, oh so slowly, his lips caressing, seeking, tasting. She closed her eyes, giving herself up to the incredible sensations swirling through her.

This wasn’t a stage kiss. It was so much more.

She blinked when he eventually released her lips. Somehow, she didn’t think Santa had
ever
kissed Mrs. Claus like that.

“I think that was a good start,” he said a little hoarsely, banked heat in his eyes.

A good start?
It had been incredible.

“Yes,” she murmured, surprised she could even speak. His arms were still around her, and she realized that during the kiss, her hands had grasped his waist more firmly.

“Maybe we should practice some more tomorrow.” He seemed reluctant to let her go as he loosened his arms around her. “I can stop by the shop in the afternoon.”

“Okay,” she said, trying to control her wobbly breathing.

“I’ll make sure I bring the script.”

***

The next day Kate couldn’t stop thinking about Flynn’s kiss. He’d gone home shortly after, repeating that he’d see her tomorrow. And now, it was just after two o’clock.

She’d had to concentrate during the rush hour at lunch, but all too soon, she’d been free to let her mind drift back to the subject of Flynn Winters.

Did Santa really kiss Mrs. Claus in the parade every year, or was Sarah responsible for adding that stage direction? Somehow, that seemed more like something Sarah’s cousin Libby would do. When she saw Sarah again, she would definitely ask her.

And maybe she would even thank her.

The bell tinkled and Flynn strode into the shop. Kate clutched the counter, telling herself to act natural.

“Hi.” He smiled at her, pulling the script
out of his jacket pocket.

“Hi.” She couldn’t help feeling a little shy as she greeted him.

“Is now a good time to run lines?” He looked around the small space, devoid of customers.

“Perfect.” Just after lunch was usually a quiet time.

He cleared his throat and repeated the line from last night, before handing the pages to Kate.

With growing confidence she recited her own line, then gave the script back to him. He didn’t even look at the text as he delivered his line about giving her a gift, although she was sure there was a gleam in his eye when he said, “Ho, ho, ho.”

There was a pause, and Flynn looked at her expectantly.

“What?” She felt her face grow warm.

“It’ll be easier to put my arms around you if you come out from behind the counter.” He grinned.

Flustered, Kate left the safety of the wooden counter top and walked around to the other side. Her breath skipped when his heated gaze traveled over her face. He wrapped his arms around her and drew her close, before lowering his head and kissing her.

This time, her arms stole around his neck as she melted into the kiss. He captured her lips, as if determined to learn everything about her. She pressed her body closer, suddenly wishing that he was kissing her because it would drive him absolutely crazy if he didn’t, not because the parade script told him to.

Flynn dragged his lips from hers, his breathing heavier than before. “I think we should practice
a lot.
”

***

The day of the parade dawned. The snow had held off and weak sunshine struggled through the clouds. She’d seen Flynn nearly every day since that first kiss. He’d often come into the bakery, buy a loaf of sourdough, and suggest they practice the scene again.

And again.

Kate sighed. Cassie and Luke had invited her to Christmas dinner, which she was looking forward to. But only one thing marred her first Wyoming Christmas.

She doubted Flynn would kiss her after today.

Although they’d gotten to know each other over the last week, there was no reason for Flynn to stop in the shop again, unless he wanted to buy another loaf of bread. And after today, there was no excuse at all for them to kiss - ever again.

She struggled into the Mrs. Claus outfit Sarah had given her. She was going to miss Flynn’s afternoon bakery visits.
And his kisses.

Studying her reflection in the mirror, she made a face. The red velvet dress trimmed with white faux fur reached her ankles, and was too loose around her waist. Grabbing the padding Sarah had also provided, Kate unfastened the big black buttons starting at her neck and going all the way down to her knees, and added the cushioning to her not exactly flat stomach.

Now the buttons strained to meet around her middle. She grimaced, and plopped on the red velvet cap. Mrs. Claus femme fatale she was not.

Ten minutes later, after walking a couple of blocks to the center of town, she arrived at the marshaling area for the floats. After Flynn saw her in this costume, there was no way he would ever want to kiss her after today. Her shoulders sagged for a second, before she straightened them. Today wasn’t about her; it was about giving the local kids some Christmas joy.

“I’m glad you’re here, Kate.” Sarah snagged her attention and made a tick in her notebook. “Your float is the one over there that looks like Santa’s sleigh. Flynn’s already here.”

Taking a deep breath, Kate walked over to the gaily-decorated sleigh. Silver tinsel festooned the sides, while what looked suspiciously like a love seat occupied most of the interior. A big white sack inscribed with the word GIFTS tempted her. She peeked inside, presents wrapped in Christmas paper greeting her eyes. Picking one up, she shook it, but it felt and sounded empty.

“They’re just fake ones in case a kid is tempted to look inside the sack. They’d be pretty disappointed if it was stuffed with newspaper.”

Kate straightened at the sound of Flynn’s voice. “Hi,” she said, brushing back a stray lock of hair that had escaped from her red velvet cap.

“All ready for the parade?” He grinned, still looking handsome despite wearing a traditional Santa costume. The stuffing inside the costume and the white beard couldn’t detract from his rugged good looks.

“I think so,” she replied, trying to quell the shiver suddenly racing down her spine.

“Good.” He held out his hand. “We might as well be comfortable while we wait for it to start.”

He helped her up into the float, sitting beside her on the cushioned seat. His thigh touched hers, and even through the velvet fabric of her costume, his body heat made her pulse quicken.

“Maybe we should rehearse one last time.” His eyes glinted with devilment.

“No!” Although she couldn’t remember her single line right now, she knew she’d be lost if Flynn kissed her before the parade even started. Besides, what if somebody saw them? Kissing in her empty bakery was one thing, but kissing in front of the whole town … why had she said yes to playing Mrs. Claus?

Because you didn’t know you’d be acting opposite the guy you’ve got the hots for.

She was never going to take part in a parade
ever again.

“Hi, guys.” Libby Morgan bounced up to the float, her blonde curls framing her face, her curvy figure cute in black pants and a sky blue swing car coat. “Been busy practicing?”

“All week,” Flynn confirmed, a smile etching his features.

Libby looked as if she was trying not to laugh. “Good. Kids look forward to the parade all year long. You want to get it right.”

“We sure do,” Flynn answered with a wink.

Kate felt heat warm her cheeks. “Are you helping Sarah with everything?” she asked her friend.

“Yep,” the blonde replied. “And Jake’s around here too, keeping the traffic situation under control.” Jake, the sheriff of Coldwater Springs, was Libby’s husband. “Have fun, you two.” She waggled her hand and sauntered off, leaving the two of them alone.

Before Kate could think of anything to say, the driver jumped into the cab of the float and started the engine.

“Looks like this is it,” Flynn remarked, putting a steadying arm around her as the float jerked into motion.

“Yes, it does.” She couldn’t think of anything else to say. She reveled in the feel of his arm around her shoulder, and gently leaned back against him.

“When we stop in the middle of Main Street, we’ll stand up and say our lines,” Flynn murmured in her ear.

“Okay.” Kate hoped he couldn’t hear the pounding of her heart as the float crawled along the road. She’d never been interested in public speaking, and although she only had one line to say she still couldn’t remember what it was. Why hadn’t she written it on her hand?

And then there was the upcoming kiss.  She just hoped her face wouldn’t turn as red as her costume
when they locked lips.

After a few minutes of waving to the kids lining each side of the street, it was time to say their lines. The float stopped and she stood, Flynn extending a hand to her.

In a loud, booming voice, Flynn spoke. “Mrs. Claus, it’s time for me to jump in the sled and deliver all the good boys’ and girls’ presents.”

Looking up into his face, her line suddenly came to her. “Take care, Mr. Claus. Christmas dinner will be waiting for you when you come home.” Relief whooshed through her as she delivered the words loud and clear.

“I also have a gift for
you,
Mrs. Claus. Ho, ho, ho.”

Kate felt herself melt at the look in Flynn’s eyes. Surely that glint of desire couldn’t be play-acting? He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. She held her breath as his mouth descended. Although they’d been practicing all week, this would be their last kiss.

His mouth snared hers, his lips caressing her own. She relaxed into the kiss, wanting to savor every microsecond. His lips were firm and warm, delving, exploring. Distantly she could hear people cheering, and it took her a moment to realize the applause was for
them.