Secret Santa (novella) (2 page)

As the letters came into focus, her breath stalled, then rushed over her teeth as she sucked in a lungful of air.
Oh no.
The last person she wanted to buy a Christmas gift for was Morgan. She didn’t want — didn’t need — to think about him at all. To contemplate what he’d find pleasure in. A shiver skipped from her scalp to her toes as her mind conjured up ways she could please Morgan. X-rated ways. Jenn closed her eyes and let out a burst of air. He invaded enough of her mind without this.

She crumpled the paper in her fist before shoving it and the envelope back in her pocket. She’d deal with it later. Right now she’d forget all about it. In fact, she’d forget about it until the week before Christmas when everyone was supposed to place their wrapped gifts under the tree.

Jenn slipped into the dimly lit dining area just after nine in the morning. The rear of the restaurant was shrouded in darkness and she paused to listen, making sure she was the only one in the building. As she hoped, the place was empty and she’d have no trouble dropping off her Secret Santa gift without being seen. She’d be gone in less than ten minutes.

Satisfied she was the only one here, she made her way to the exquisitely decorated tree in the far corner. The lights were switched off now, but when the restaurant was open hundreds of fairy lights twinkled and sparkled along the branches, their brilliance highlighting the silver and red balls evenly placed around the tree. Jenn opened her bag and pulled out the neatly wrapped box.

Contrary to her initial intention, she’d thought long and hard before deciding what to give Morgan. In the end she’d gone with a framed mint-copy of the magazine article featuring him and the restaurant that bore his name in a nationwide women’s magazine a couple of months ago. She was sure it wouldn’t be the best present he’d ever received, but she knew it would mean a lot to him because he took such pride in the business he’d built from scratch.

Placing it beneath the tree, she noticed a small card sized present with her name on it. That hadn’t been there last night. Curiosity had her curling her fingers into her palms to stop from reaching out to grab the gift. Everyone — whether rostered to work or not — would be collecting their gifts this afternoon and it looked like she was the last to place her contribution under the tree.

Backing away to avoid further temptation, she bumped into the table behind her, drawing a squeal from her throat and causing the tablecloth to spin sideways. Laughing at herself, Jenn straightened the cloth and headed for the door. She had things to do today before she started her shift at four. Not that she was in a rush to spend the next two days by herself in her quiet — empty — apartment, but she did need to stock up on food and drinks to see her through the holidays.

In her weaker moments she regretted not accepting Morgan’s invitation to spend Christmas with him and his family. But Jenn knew that was a selfish thought. She’d be the worst kind of company over the next few days and wouldn’t wish her certain-to-be-miserable self on anyone, never mind the man who paid her wages.

She left the building through the side entrance, resetting the alarm and double-checking the door was locked before she headed for her car. It was shaping up to be a hot day. The forecaster had said low thirties, but it was already hitting that midmorning and Jenn hadn’t even made it across the parking lot before a light coating of sweat covered her skin. She unlocked her car and opened the door as a motorbike roared into the car park and pulled up beside her.

Morgan.

She’d know his distinctive bike and helmet anywhere. Sucking in a breath she waited to see if he wanted her or if he just happened to be arriving at the restaurant when she was leaving.

He snapped up the visor on his helmet as he shut off the engine. ‘Just the person I wanted to see.’ His voice was muffled by the headgear, but it still had the power to send a shiver down her spine.

Jenn couldn’t help but watch as he kicked the stand down then slung his leg over the back of the seat. Decked out in skin-tight faded denim and his leather biker jacket, he was mouth-wateringly delicious and she couldn’t stop her body’s instinctive response. Her stomach dipped, her breasts grew heavy, and her sex clenched as moisture pooled in her undies.

‘Oh?’ It was more sigh than word and she cleared her throat to try again. ‘You were looking for me?’ The squeaky tone wasn’t much better.

‘Yep. I need some help and thought you might be up for it.’ His words vibrated through the mouth piece of his helmet, deepening his usual timbre. It skipped over her nerves like a troupe of tap-dancers.

‘I’d love to help. When?’ She didn’t even bother to ask what he wanted help with.

She’d pretty much do anything he asked. And wasn’t that a pathetic thought.

‘Around noon. I’m serving lunch and playing Santa at the Barstow home down in Bondi.’

‘The orphanage?’ Jenn had helped out twice before when Morgan had visited this particular establishment — one of many charities he donated time and money to around Sydney.

‘That’s the one. I’ll pick you up and drop you off. Save both of us trying to find parking.’

‘Oh, okay. Sure.’

‘Great. See you at about eleven thirty.’

A thought occurred to her. ‘How’d you know I was here?’

He grinned. ‘The alarm.’

Jenn glanced back at the building. ‘But I didn’t set it off.’

‘No, but the system records every deactivation and reactivation as well as the person entering or leaving.’

‘Oh.’ She hadn’t known the security was that elaborate.

‘It’s more than I need, but Wade and Brent hooked it up and you know how they’re always testing some new fandangled option.’ He shrugged. ‘I’m happy for them to use the place as a testing ground.’

She smiled. Morgan’s two best friends owned one of the largest security firms in Australia and Jenn knew all about their constant testing of new systems. She’d let Wade’s wife, Emily, talk her into letting them install an alarm on her apartment. Not that Jenn ever remembered to turn it on. Good thing she didn’t have anything worth stealing. ‘They are a little intense when it comes to security.’

Morgan laughed. ‘They just like playing with gadgets. Toys for grown up boys.’ He shook his head.

‘Uh-huh, ‘cause that isn’t a toy for a grown up boy at all.’ She tipped her head in the direction of his bike.

‘This’ — he patted the seat — ‘Is no toy. It’s a serious machine.’

Jenn laughed. She wasn’t about to get into this argument with him. ‘Whatever you say.’

He scowled at her. ‘Mmm…you’ll keep. Anyway, got to go. See you in a few hours.’

Jenn couldn’t tear her gaze away as Morgan flipped his visor down and straddled the bike once more. The man was poetry in motion and had parts of her moving along with him. Giving herself a mental shake she tried to break the trance he had her in, but it was useless. She was mesmerised by the man.

The bike roared to life and with a tip of his head, Morgan took off. He looped around the parking lot and out into the morning traffic. Jenn stared until he disappeared from view. She really needed to get over her fixation with him.

Morgan revved the bike and zipped around a slow moving truck, backing off as soon as he’d overtaken. The last thing he needed was a speeding ticket even though he was a little antsy about getting to Jenn’s place. He wanted nothing to derail the next couple of hours — or tomorrow — with her.

He hoped today’s little trip would lift Jenn’s spirits. He’d noticed in the last few weeks her mood had taken on a sombre edge and put it down to the first year without her parents. Morgan would do everything he could to ensure she found some joy in this first Christmas since their deaths. She’d come a long way from the dark first days after the accident and it would kill him to see her go into that pit of despair again.

Her building came into view and he slowed the bike, gave himself time to shake off the black cloud that had settled over his thoughts before he pulled into the drive and parked. He unsnapped his helmet as he kicked the stand down then climbed off. He’d barely taken two steps when Jenn came through the front door of her block.

‘You brought your bike?’ Her steps slowed as she walked towards him.

Morgan slipped one strap of his backpack off and swung it around in front of him. ‘Problem?’ he asked as he unzipped the bag and pulled out an extra helmet.

‘Um, I’ve never been on a bike before.’ Jenn’s teeth sank into her bottom lip.

‘Well you’re in for a treat, then.’ He stepped forward. ‘Here, let me get this on you and then we can go.’

She backed up a couple of steps. ‘Um, I’m not sure…’

‘Jennifer, you have to know I’d never ask you to do anything that would put you in danger, right?’ Morgan chanced a step closer.

‘Oh, of course, but…’

‘I promise to take extra care.’ Morgan didn’t want her to back out of helping him, so added, ‘But if you’re really against getting on the bike with me, you can drive your car.’

She eyed the bike behind him, then the helmets in his arms, back to the bike before finally meeting his gaze. ‘Could we have some sort of signal that I can use if I freak out?’

‘Definitely.’ Morgan thought about it for a second. ‘What if you tap three times?’

‘Tap? Tap how? Where?’ Jenn arched one eyebrow. ‘I’ll be too busy holding on for dear life to tap anything.’

Morgan laughed. ‘Who do you think I am? Evel Knievel?’

‘Who?’

He shook his head. ‘He was a stunt rider…never mind. Come on.’ Morgan turned and headed back to his bike.

‘A stunt rider?’ Jenn jogged to catch up to him, her ragged words more fear than her physical exertion.

‘Yeah, he’s a famous, although obviously not that famous, motorbike daredevil.’

‘Oh.’

Morgan turned to face her. ‘I’d never do anything stupid on the bike, but I understand your reluctance to get on, so we’ll take your car.’

She looked at the bike once more, her throat working as she swallowed. Taking a deep breath that raised her breasts and drew his gaze, she straightened her shoulders and faced him once more, forcing him to quickly look up. ‘We’ll take the bike.’

Yes.
‘Here, let’s get this on then.’ Morgan hung his helmet on the handlebar then helped Jenn slip the spare one on. He made sure the strap beneath her chin was secure and snug. ‘There. Now let me get on first.’ He raised his voice so she could hear through her helmet.

‘You’ll go slow?’ she asked in a loud, obscured voice as he grabbed his helmet and straddled the bike.

‘I promise to stay at least ten kilometres under the speed limit,’ he assured her before putting on his headgear.

‘Oh, you don’t have to be overcautious. I’m just not sure I’ll be able to stay on if you go too fast.’ Jenn stood beside him, her hands twisting together at her waist. ‘And what should I do with my bag?’

Shit. He’d completely forgotten about her bag. ‘Here, stick it in my backpack. Can you wear it and hold on?’

‘Is it heavy?’

‘No. There’s nothing in it now you’re wearing the helmet.’

She smiled. ‘I think I can manage that. And my bag is only light.’

Jenn slipped her handbag into the backpack and zipped it up. She slid her arm through one strap and Morgan leaned over to help her get her other arm in. When she had the bag settled he held her hand and steadied her as she climbed on behind him.

Morgan let her get comfortable then grabbed both her hands and pulled her arms around his waist. ‘Hold on. If you’re worried at all, tug on my shirt three times and I’ll pull over.’

He tried to ignore the fact the woman he wanted was wrapped around him and concentrate on getting them both to the orphanage in one piece. But it was a tough ask. Reaching back, Morgan lowered her visor before lowering his own, then started the bike. As the engine revved she wiggled closer — if that were possible — and her arms tightened. His body responded identically. Every inch of him grew tense. It didn’t help that his mind had registered the soft breasts prodding his back or the warmth of her crotch pressing against his butt.

Taking a deep breath he focused on the bike and, making sure Jenn’s feet were on the pegs, he kicked up the stand and eased them forward. He got them out onto the road and to the end of her street before he felt her move. She remained plastered to his back, but her arms relaxed and instead of tucking her head down behind him, he felt her lean to the side to look around.

When he pulled up at a stop sign, Morgan turned and yelled over the engine, ‘All good?’

‘Yes.’ He could hear the smile in her voice.

Morgan got them on their way again and all too soon they were approaching their destination. He found a spot on the street outside the gated property and parked. Switching off the engine, he waited for Jenn to hop off, but she stayed curled around him for long seconds. Thinking something was wrong he kicked down the stand then slung his leg up and over the handlebars.

If he thought he’d find a traumatised Jenn sitting on his bike, he was dead wrong. She flipped up her visor and just about blinded him with her smile. ‘Oh my God, that was amazing. Can we do it again?’ She fumbled with the strap under her chin.

‘Ah, sure, I have to get you home when we’re done.’ He leaned over and helped her slide the strap free and lift the helmet off. ‘But I could always take you for a ride one day. Up to the mountains is a good run.’ Morgan really liked the idea of spending the day with Jenn riding behind him.

‘You could?’

He smiled. ‘Of course. How about Boxing Day? I’ve got nothing planned.’ Mentally crossing his fingers, Morgan held his breath waiting for her to answer.

‘Really?’

Morgan nodded.

‘Okay. Yes. Let’s do that.’

Air rushed out of Morgan’s lungs and a smile stretched his lips. He’d managed to convince her to spend one of their days off together without breaking a sweat. And tomorrow was already a done deal. She just didn’t know it yet.

Jenn did a double take when the taxi pulled up at the huge, wrought-iron gates. ‘This doesn’t look like a restaurant,’ she mumbled.