Free Mr. 365 by Ruth Clampett Page B

“Anything else?”
    “And ride his sleigh.”
    “Really?” He grins like a Cheshire cat as he leans against my car and pulls me into his arms.
    I press my body against him and glide my hands up his chest, while he runs his fingers up and down my back.
    “So if I’m Mr. Christmas, who are you?” he asks.
    I moan as he kisses my neck. “Who do you want me to be? And don’t say an elf.”
    “No,” he says as he gently bites my earlobe and whispers in my ear. “How about my girl… Ms. Christmas?”
    I lean back and look him in the eyes. “Yeah?” I say, my heart fluttering. “I’d like that.”
    He smiles and gets a playful look in his eyes. “And one day I’ll take you for that hot ride on my sleigh.”
    “Are you flirting back, Mr. Christmas? ’Cause that was saucy. You’ve got mad skills.”
    He leans down to kiss me good-bye. “Oh beautiful, when it comes to my mad skills—you haven’t seen anything yet.”

Chapter Nine
    T he next morning the production truck from True Blue Entertainment pulls in front of Will’s house. The sun’s still so low in the sky that it shimmers over the wet grass and casts long shadows from the production team as they unload equipment. Will watches from the front window with an apprehensive look on his face.
    The studio group gathers on his front sidewalk, and I lead them up the walkway. Almost everyone has a steaming travel mug of coffee and a backpack.
    Will steps away from the window and opens the front door. He looks at me first with a small smile, then scans the group. “Good morning.”
    “Hi, Will. It’s the big day! We’re all here and raring to go. Are you ready?” I ask.
    He shrugs. “I guess so.”
    I’m impressed with his polite and neutral countenance. You’d never know that he had me pressed against my car last night.
    He notices Paul, who’s studying him intently. “We haven’t met. You must be Paul.”
    Paul shakes Will’s hand. “Yes. Good to meet you and thanks for participating on our show. From the stills Aaron showed me, you’re really going to wow our audience with your amazing Christmas house.”
    “Thanks.” Will steps back so everyone can enter.
    Aaron and the equipment guys swarm in like it’s their place. Tarps are spread across the floor and one of the smaller guys starts moving things to the edge of the room.
    “So they won’t get damaged,” he says when Will’s eyes get wide.
    Lindsey grabs his arm. “Hey, Will, while they set up let’s go to the kitchen and go over the schedule and some details.”
    He seems a bit dazed as he leads us down the hall. “I’ve got coffee going,” he says when we’re all gathered around the island.
    “So can we walk Will through what’s going to happen today?” I say to the group.
    Lindsey sets her pad of notes and scheduling on the counter. “Sure. Right now the guys are getting long shots and details in the foyer and living room.” She turns to Paul. “We may have some budget kickbacks ’cause we had to do some supplemental lighting I hadn’t budgeted for.”
    Paul groans and rolls his eyes back. “You can bet we’ll get shit for that.”
    “Anyway.” I push them to get back on track.
    Lindsey shakes her head and looks at her watch. “Will, we should be ready to do some shots with you by eleven. Why don’t you sit for makeup at ten-thirty?”
    She turns to Gia sitting at the end of the counter. “This is a good spot, don’t you think?”
    “Yeah, good light.” Gia turns to Will. “I’m Gia, by the way. And don’t worry. I’ll make you look great.” She gives him a wink.
    Turning back to Lindsey, Gia asks, “What about wardrobe?”
    “Right. Look what I found. It’s perfect.” Lindsey lifts up a shopping bag and pulls out two T-shirts. She holds up a green one with a large cartoony reindeer on the front. “We were going to do this, but then I found this one.” She holds up a deep red T-shirt.
    “Mr. Christmas!” Paul exclaims, reading the caption on the