Read Nick (The Kringle Boys Book 1) for Free Online Page B

about it. He could have taken advantage of her six ways to Sunday last night, and she would have encouraged him to do exactly that, but instead she had a memory of him settling her on the bed and backing away.
    She flashed hot again.
    It was very possible she’d started stripping before he left the room.
    Why didn’t he fuck me?
    Was it possible she’d horrified the attraction right out of him? She should count herself lucky. She had more important things to worry about, like the factory. And sabotage. But she couldn’t shake the suspicion that she’d misjudged Jack Frost’s middle son. Maybe…just maybe…Nick Kringle wasn’t the complete bastard the world assumed he was.
    It was too much to consider right now. If she hurried through her list, she’d have time for a much-needed nap before it was time to get ready. Grabbing her phone, she made a quick call, pleased when an elf answered Nick’s office phone – he’d taken her advice to have someone sort out the nightmare that was his desk. Leaving a message to have Nick stop by her apartment after work, she hung up, relieved that he hadn’t answered himself. She wasn’t ready to talk to him again just yet.
    Phoebe smoothed the dress over her hips, adjusting the tiny straps, pleased with the way the full skirt swished as she twisted to see the back. She still had to hunt up a tuxedo for Nick, and probably wrestle him into it, but at least she could assure herself that they would make Santa proud.
    Ten minutes later, Phoebe left the dress department, the red frock carefully wrapped in plastic, and headed toward Men’s Formalwear. She still needed shoes, but Nick’s tuxedo was an imperative. He’d probably forgotten all about the event tonight, and she had a feeling he was not going to go willingly. She’d ambush him when he got to her place tonight.
    Phoebe stepped off the escalator and ran smack into Arthur Canning.
    “Oh my God, I’m so sorry,” she exclaimed as her dress and his boxes went flying.
    “Ms. Winters! What a pleasant surprise. No, no. Stay there. Allow me.”
    He quickly retrieved her dress and collected his parcels.
    “Did I break anything?”
    Arthur grinned, all easy charm.
    “It’s mostly sweaters, so I doubt it. Just a little Christmas shopping.”
    “How nice. I haven’t started.”
    Phoebe realized with a start that this would be her first Christmas alone away from the North Pole – there was no way she could abandon the factory during the most important time of the year. Elves all felt like extended family, of course, but Phoebe felt a sudden pang of homesickness for her goofy, noisy blood relations.
    Arthur handed her the dress bag with a little bow.
    “Thank you.”
    “A dress for the Confectionary Ball?” he asked.
    “How did you know?”
    “I doubt you’d miss the event of the season.”
    “We’ll be there.”
    Arthur’s eyebrow raised, his gray eyes lighting with interest.
    “You and Mr. Kringle?”
    Phoebe nodded.
    “Impressive. He’s turned down every one of my invitations to lunch. I was beginning to think he was a hermit.”
    “He’s just…adjusting…to city life. He comes from a pretty isolated location.”
    “Well, if you can convince him to attend, I’d be extremely grateful. I make it a point to meet regularly with the competition.”
    “Competition?
    “We’ve just opened our first artisan candy department in the store, and I’m hoping to expand nationwide within the year. Nothing on your level, of course. I doubt Santa would consider me a threat.”
    Aside from Jack Frost, Santa never felt threatened by anyone.
    “I’ll see what I can do,” said Phoebe.
    Arthur took her hand.
    “I very much hope you’ll save me a dance this evening.”
    Phoebe had no idea why his closeness made her so uneasy, but she swallowed it down.
    “Of course, I look forward to it.”
    “Wonderful. I’ll see you tonight.”
    With a pleased smile, he turned to go, but suddenly turned back.
    “Phoebe, I think we