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pry a little more into her life. Nick was of the to each his own variety, and didn’t like shoving his nose in anyone’s business. But this wasn’t just anyone. It was Vixen. And it seemed to Nick that the time had come to press harder, to get her to open up to him.
    Maybe, too, it was time to stop pining and instead make a grand gesture. Do something, anything, to help Vixen see he wasn’t just the bad-boy sleigh mechanic everyone made him out to be. Well, he’d been the number one contributing factor to that reputation, but still.
    Sometimes a guy had to step up his game and leave in the past the boy who’d just wanted to be naughty—in order to be the man who wanted to, once again, do some good.
     
    * * *
     
    Nick was deeply engrossed in various projects to get his ass out of every doghouse he’d been relegated to. He also currently channeled his need to get Vixen to trust him—and his need for her, in general—into the sleigh. Not to mention, he had two more fixer-uppers scheduled for delivery by tow truck tomorrow. He’d agreed to tune them up before the Big Day, now just right around the corner. He figured he could squeeze them in before Christmas Eve.
    The lights around North Pole had almost all been resuscitated, with the exception of those on the pines lining the perimeter of the town square, which he had to strategically work on late at night, when no one was around to see him. As he revived them, though, he kept their glimmering rays under wraps...for now.
    Then there was the matter of the star that went atop the mammoth spruce in the center of the square. It was old, and simply replacing burned out bulbs wouldn’t solve the problem. It needed all-new wiring. Hell, it needed to be brought into the new millennium. And he committed to doing just that, since replacing the damn thing wouldn’t sit right with anyone, including him. It held historical, sentimental value for them all.
    He considered options for saving the star while he tested some additional enhancements to the sleigh that he thought Santa would get a kick out of, including the defroster on the runners. He was nearly done, just needed some tweaks here and there. Then he could finish his other tasks.
    “Wow.”
    The sultry voice never far from his mind—the one that starred in all of his fantasies—suddenly seeped through his veins, turning his blood to liquid fire. His head snapped up from the runner he crouched before and inspected.
    In the middle of his backyard stood Vixen. Looking astonished—and so damn kissable, it took all the willpower he possessed not to scrounge around for more mistletoe so he’d have an excuse to lay one on her again.
    Though, Nick didn’t want to need an excuse. He wanted to be able to kiss her any time he pleased.
    Standing, he eyed her from head to toe, taking in the long-sleeved, crimson-colored shirt she wore, that clung to her full breasts, dipped into the curve of her waist and then flared slightly over her jean-clad hips. The temperature had actually dropped a few degrees, so he surmised she’d finally packed away the cooler apparel.
    She really was too pretty for words, with her plump, shiny black curls that fell over her shoulders. She was all made up, as usual, dazzling him, especially with those glossy lips that tempted him beyond all belief.
    His groin tightened and he bit back a groan. She revved his engine too damn quick. Made him want to drop everything, sweep her up in his arms and carry her off to his bed.
    But Vixen would have a thing or two to say about that—and the earful she’d give him would be painful to hear.
    Gesturing toward the sleigh he worked on, she said, “That is the most unbelievable thing I’ve ever seen. It’s gorgeous, Nick. My God, you’re talented.”
    He grinned. “Yeah, it’s something else. But not my design. I’m just tinkering with it. You know, helping out—uh—a friend.”
    “Nice of you.” She eyed him curiously, as though seeing something she