Naughty St. Nick by Calista Fox Read Free Book Online

disturbed.
    “Hey, wait.” He lunged forward and grabbed her arm. “My, what?”
    She stared up at him. “Your...momentary friendships .”
    “What? Jesus, Vix. I’m—”
    “You don’t have to explain,” she was quick to say. “You’re young, single, good-looking, whatever. I’m not judging. I’m just telling you that we have nothing to talk about because we’re two very different people with very different lifestyles and very different priorities.” She jerked her arm from his hand and started to stalk off.
    He figured it’d be wise to let her go this time. But before she rounded the corner of the house, he called out, “Why don’t you date, Vix?”
    She drew up short. Over her shoulder, she said, “That doesn’t have anything to do with...anything.”
    Propping a hip against the side of the sleigh, he told her, “Actually, it does. I can’t really figure you out. You seem to put a lot of effort into avoiding me, but then you also know a lot about my personal business. And you’re not seeing anyone around town, so—”
    “I’ve gone on a few dates in Bangor.” Facing him once more, she added, “I’ve just got a lot of other stuff on my plate. And I’m not into the whole one-night stand thing the way you are, so—”
    “Are you a virgin, Vix?”
    She gaped. The audacity ! flashed in her sky-blue irises.
    Nick shoved away from the sleigh and took wide strides to close the gap between them. “It’d be okay if you said yes. In fact, I’m sort of hoping that’s what you’ll say.”
    “Why?” she demanded in her provocative tone, her eyes wide. “I am, for the record. But...why does it matter to you ?”
    His jaw clenched briefly, then he confessed, “Because I’ve always wanted to be your first. And your only.”
     

Chapter Six
     
     
    She continued to stare at him. Still gaped. He’d pretty much shocked her to the core, he guessed.
    He stuffed his hands in the front pockets of his jeans and leaned a shoulder against the side of the house. Once again, trying to be casual, non-threatening. Though the urge to press her burned through him.
    “Nick...” She shook her head, clearly bewildered. “Where is all of this coming from? The kiss in the square—and Jenny said you were talking about me when you were drunk last week... What is going on?”
    “Come on, Vix,” he said in a subtly coaxing tone. “I’ve always liked you. I’ve always been attracted to you. And there have been plenty of times over the years that we’ve busted each other stealing glimpses. So...I stole a kiss. Maybe to get things moving in the right— different —direction.”
    Now, her gaze narrowed.
    Nick added, “Your granddad didn’t want me hitting on you. He made that evident when we were in high school. But that was a long time ago, Vix, and even though I haven’t exactly been the model citizen the last several years, I have been making changes. One of those changes started when I realized who I really wanted to be with.”
    She seemed to fight to latch onto what he said—and struggled hopelessly.
    Nick groaned. “What do you want, Vix? I mean...what are you looking for?”
    Her brow shot up. “Looking for?”
    He sucked it up—went straight for the gold. “Yeah. In a man.”
    A slightly strangled laugh fell from the glossy, parted lips he longed to kiss. Really kiss. Not the careful one he’d given her under mistletoe, but a full-on, passionate lip lock.
    “This is all so—”
    “Answer the question, Vix,” he gently urged.
    “Nick.”
    He gazed unwaveringly at her.
    She sighed again. “I don’t know. I guess...” She gave a small shrug. “Someone who makes my toes curl. Who leaves me breathless.” Her eyes glowed warmly. “Someone sweet, yet...” Her teeth caught her lower lip a moment as her gaze moved over him. “Sexy. Naughty, but...nice.”
    Pink tinged her cheeks. Yet, she didn’t turn away. Instead, she brazenly lifted her gaze to his and held it.
    “I want someone who