Here Comes Santa Paws (Christmas Falls: Season 2)

9. Elias

Chapter 9

Elias

“You’re such a good boy, aren’t you?” I rubbed Nutcracker’s belly as he squirmed on his back, tongue hanging out the side of his mouth in a wide doggy smile. Tinsel raced up the ramp against my bed and tried to squeeze between us. “I just gave you pets, you stinker.” Tinsel didn’t understand taking turns.

I loved lazy Saturday mornings with my animals. They were the rare times I got to pretend I had no adult responsibilities outside of caring for their well-being. I gave the munchkins treats while Krampus snoozed in her perch in front of the window. No rest for the wickedly cute.

After showering and fixing breakfast, I sat on the couch and pulled out my phone to start a shopping list. I needed to get some things for tomorrow’s pet photos and adoption event, so I might as well grab groceries too. My phone buzzed with a text from our volunteer photographer, Jasmyn.

Jasmyn: Hey, Elias. I’m really sick [frown emoji]. I won’t be able to take pictures tomorrow. I’m heading into urgent care soon to get some meds. I’m so sorry!

I let out a long, rough breath. Well, crap. I could take photos with my iPhone, but I wasn’t halfway as good as she was. Who else could I get on such short notice?

The dogs ran to the living room window and began barking. I heard the familiar sound of Roman’s garage door opening, then saw his silver truck pull in. Roman! His photography was amazing. If he could take those gorgeous landscape photos, surely he could do some pet photos.

I hurriedly put on shoes and a coat. By the time I got outside, his garage door was already closed. I braced myself and knocked on his door.

The front door swung open to reveal Roman still in his coat and shoes. “Yes?” He frowned.

Roman didn’t appreciate small talk, so I cut to the chase. “Do you have a few minutes to chat? I want to ask you about something.”

He let out a put-upon sigh but stood back. “Are you here to ask me about the dog again?”

“Nope, but I have a favor to ask you.”

“You ask for a lot of favors,” he grumbled as he closed the door behind us.

I’d been so frazzled the other night when I’d been inside his place the first time that I hadn’t noticed how it felt to share a room with Roman. He was a tall, broad-shouldered man, but his presence took up much more space than his body. He’d been far from chatty since we’d first met, but something about his silence intrigued me. It was like his words counted more because he used fewer of them. Even when his few chosen words were snarking at me, I took it as a challenge.

“Want coffee?”

I blinked at the offer. I expected him to demand to know my question.

“I’d love some. Thanks.”

He grunted and moved to his kitchen. I kicked off my shoes and followed. He’d hung his coat on a hook next to the door I assumed went to his garage. He wore a snug, black T-shirt that highlighted his thick biceps and broad chest. His dark hair was combed back with the sides of his head freshly shaved. As I moved closer to him, I caught the scent of woodsy body wash. I wanted to climb him like a pine tree.

Roman took three measured scoops from a stainless-steel container in his cupboard and dumped them into his matching stainless-steel coffee machine. He filled the carafe with water and added that too. His kitchen was tidy, like his living room. The only things on his counter were the microwave and coffee machine. Even his sink was clear of dishes.

After he pressed the start button, he turned toward me, crossed his arms over his chest, and leaned his hip against the counter.

“Go on.”

“Remember when I profusely complimented your photography?”

His eyes narrowed. “Why are you buttering me up?”

I let out a breath and shoved my hands in my pockets. “I’m in a massive bind. The photographer who usually takes photos at our Santa Claws Pet Pics & Adoption event is sick and can’t do it.”

His nostrils flared. “Let me guess. It’s Claus spelled C-L-A-W-S.” At my nod, he shook his head. “So many damn festive puns in this town.”

“What’s wrong with them? They totally sleigh .”

Roman groaned, but I caught his lips twitching.

“I need a photographer, and it just so happens you have that skill set.”

He began shaking his head before I’d finished speaking. “I take landscape photos, not pictures of squirming, drooling animals.”

Time to pull out the big guns. “This is the biggest event we have all year. It’s not only a time for locals to bring their pets to get pictures with Santa, but we sell our pet wall calendars. I really need them to sell well this year to help fund the shelter repairs. People tend to buy them to give us something back for the free photos.”

Roman’s jaw flexed. “You’re a thorn in my side.”

“Hopefully, you enjoy getting pricked.” My eyes widened when I realized what I’d said.

Roman licked his lips and gave me a once-over. My body heated in the wake of his attention.

I took a step toward him. “It’s four hours of your time. You’ll barely have to talk to anyone because there will be elf volunteers to run interference and take people through the photo line. We’ll deal with uploading the photos to a site where people can download them. Literally, all I need is your time and photography skills.” I found myself wanting to spend more time with him and decided to throw out a wild suggestion that he'd definitely turn down. “As payment, I’ll cook you dinner any night you’re free, and I’m a damn good cook.”

He paused. “When is it?”

“Tomorrow. Eight to noon.” I held my breath.

Roman stared at me as he sucked in a long, slow breath. It made his defined pecs rise. “Fine.”

“Seriously? You’ll do it?” I didn’t trust my ears.

“Don’t make me regret it.”

Without thinking—because if I had been, I would’ve stopped myself—I closed the distance between us and threw my arms around his neck, pressing my cheek to his shoulder. “Thank you! Thank you so much. Seriously, I’m so grateful.”

The impact pulled a grunt from his chest.

I expected him to push me away, but as I was about to release him, one of his arms clamped around my lower back like a vise. My inner hussy shamelessly melted against him. I hoped he didn’t hear my contented sigh.

“You’re welcome.” The hint of warmth in his voice was unmistakable.

I raised my head and stared into his royal-blue eyes. He didn’t look away.

“One condition.”

“Anything.” My voice was breathy. I licked my lips.

“You’re my handler. Not some random volunteer.”

He wanted me there with him? Maybe I wasn’t the only one thinking there was some chemistry here. “You got it.” I leaned in. Not intentionally, but I felt compelled, like there was a magnet between us. I needed to know what he tasted like.

The coffee machine dinged, and Roman dropped his arm and stepped back.

Now that I’d felt how my body fit against his, I wasn’t sure I’d be able to stop thinking about it. Fantasizing about my sexy neighbor from my side of the duplex was one thing, but knowing the grip of his arm around my waist was another.

I knew that taking photos for my event was likely the absolute last way he wanted to spend a Sunday morning, but he’d agreed anyway. To help me, to help the shelter animals, to mix things up on his Sunday—it didn’t matter. He was like a hedgehog with his prickly exterior and soft underbelly. I could feel my crush taking a more solid shape.

He moved to pour our coffees. Instead of hopping on the counter and inviting him to ravish me, I accepted the drink and talked him through what to expect from the event.

Kissing my neighbor probably wasn’t the best idea, but now that I’d started thinking about it, I knew I’d obsess over the prospect until it happened. If it did.