Seducing Santa by Dahlia Rose Read Free Book Online Page A

Her emotions were again hidden behind that wall she had built so strong. She tried to smile, but even he could see it was a poor attempt. “It’s okay. I knew you’d have to leave . It’s been fun. See ya!”
     
    Nicholas grabbed her shoulders and turned her back to him as she turned to leave. “Neeva, stop this.”
     
    “There’s nothing left to say. Your tourist jaunt is over. Go home.” Her laugh was short. “Oh, I forgot. You’re Santa Claus. You have your Christmas Eve trip coming up.”
     
    “Do you trust me?”
     
    “I don’t know if I can trust anyone or anything, Nicholas.”
     
    “Well, I tell you this, trust your instinct about me,” Nicholas implored. “I’ll be back, I promise. Last night, you said you loved me.”
     
    “That could have been the heat of the moment,” Neeva answered in all honesty.
     
    “Your heart got mixed up with other things?” Nicholas teased but got serious in an instant. “Do you love me?”
     
    “I . . . I think I do,” Neeva whispered.
     
    He framed her face with his hands and kissed her hard on the lips. “I love you too, my love, so much.” He kissed her again. “I’ll be back, my darling Neeva. On Christmas day, I’ll be back.”
     
    She nodded, and he could see tears begin to form in her eyes.
     
    “Say, ‘I love you, Nicholas,’ ” he coaxed.
     
    She obeyed. “I love you, Nicholas.”
     
    “Now go inside and rest because when I come back. I am coming back with a surprise.”
     
    “Okay,” Neeva replied and walked up her wooden steps.
     
    Nicholas wondered if she believed him for just a moment as he walked back through the stand of palm trees. As he faded from the island to go take care of business, he knew when he came back to Trinidad he would be taking her back with him.
     
    * * * *
     
    Neeva prattled around the house while people were getting ready for the holiday. She was restless with no family, no one to celebrate with. She was alone. All she had was a promise from a man who said he was Santa Claus and a claim that he loved her. By God, she had fallen in love with that man, and now she felt like she was sitting on pins and needles. She cooked everything she could find, from steamed fish to pepperpot with three different kinds of meat. She made a batch of rum punch and took one or two sips, which turned into a whole glass. All the while, she wondered about where Nicholas was, about where he was from even, since she never really asked.
     
    Finally out of desperation, she took a walk down the beach and ended up in front of the hotel where Nicholas was staying. On impulse, she walked inside. She would wait for him up in his room and maybe take advantage of that big tub he had in the huge bathroom. She would light candles and make herself pretty for him. I’m just going to make sure it’s okay with the person at the desk. Then I’ll run home, get some stuff, and leave him a note. Spending Christmas in a luxury hotel couldn’t be all that bad. Feeling renewed and excited for the first time in a long time waiting for the man she loved, Neeva walked up to the front desk. It was the same woman from last night.
     
    The reservation clerk looked at her. “Can I help you, miss?”
     
    “Um, yes, you saw me pass last night with one of your guests. He said I could go up to his room and wait for him until he gets back.” Neeva smiled.
     
    I don’t remember you, ma’am,” the clerk said with an apologetic tone.
     
    “It was last night around eleven thirty or so,” Neeva explained. “Tall guy, blond, really nice blue eyes.”
     
    “Sorry, miss,” the clerk said. “Maybe you can give me his name, and I’ll look up his room.”
     
    “His name is Nicholas.” Neeva gave a small laugh. I can’t tell her he told me Kringle was his last name . “I really don’t know his last name, but he was staying in the last suite in the west wing facing the beach.”
     
    “That can’t be possible, ma’am. Those suites have been