Holly Garland on Santa's Lap [COMPLETE]

Chapter 25 ~The incredible truth~

I lock eyes with the woman staring back at me.

And I don't recognize her.

It's strange because it's definitely the same person I saw just ten days ago in the entryway mirror of my little brownstone. Almost the same.

With my hair perfectly sleeked to one side, my foundation hiding nearly all my freckles and giving my skin a porcelain-like glow, I look like a stranger.

But there's no denying it. The reflection in Nick's bathroom mirror is incredibly flattering.

For the first time, I see myself in a good light. My eyes really are striking; maybe my mom was right...

And honestly? The rest of my face is pretty interesting too. High, defined cheekbones, a straight and delicate nose, full lips with a perfect outline, and a long, graceful neck.

As for my body? Perfectly proportioned. Sure, I don't have a wasp waist or an hourglass figure. Mine is more balanced, more of an "8-shape." My waist is slim but not too slim, and my curves are soft, not sharp, with just the right fullness at the chest, hips, and thighs.

I used to think I was just as average as anyone else. But now, looking at my reflection differently, I actually think I'm beautiful. I feel sexy.

And it's not because of this emerald-green strapless dress that hugs my chest and hips like a second skin before flaring out gracefully around my legs.

No.

Is it because of the way Nick's looking at me, all lust and desire?

Or maybe it's because I've finally realized the real reason why guys used to avoid me like the plague. Let's think about it. If my dumb brothers scared them off with their big-bad-wolf routine instead of them being put off by me, then maybe—just maybe—I've got what it takes to attract someone.

Maybe I'm not so average after all. And if I've got as much sex appeal as brains, then I might actually have what it takes to keep Nick around for more than just a few nights of crazy-hot sex.

This time, things don't have to go the way they always have with guys in my life.

First comes the kiss-kiss bang-bang, and then way too quickly, it's kiss-kiss bye-bye...

Not this time.

I step out of the bathroom and into the bedroom with a confident, deliberate sway.

Nick's standing in the middle of his massive walk-in closet. When he notices me, his head snaps up.

"Good god, Ginger, are you trying to kill me?"

I grin shamelessly as I walk over to him, reaching to button up the last few fasteners on his crisp white shirt. The buttons are black and tiny, making me focus a little harder to get it done—especially when his freshly-applied woodsy cologne invades my senses. His tux perfectly highlights his broad shoulders, and the bright white shirt sets off his tan skin.

"You're not looking too bad yourself," I purr in a low, sultry voice.

I'm feeling cheeky, but the timing sucks—we're almost late. Nick wraps his arms around my waist.

"You look like Jessica Rabbit in that dress... and I look like that poor Tex Avery wolf, banging my head with a hammer 'cause I'm losing my mind over you! Don't tell me you didn't plan this..."

He leans in and plants a kiss on my neck, his lips tracing a slow, teasing line up to my jaw with his tongue. I groan instantly; it's like my libido just hit the turbo button.