Ivan Tykovsky is a security guard at Hinkleman’s Department store and has come to despise the shopping element of Christmas. The holiday season means his workload of apprehending shoplifters and breaking up fights over merchandise increases.<br><br>When the Santa the store has booked shows up drunk, the six foot six, 240 pound, red-bearded Jewish giant is forced to stand in. Ivan isn’t happy about the idea, but there’s one compensation -- the diminutive Skip Mueller, an out-of-work actor who’s been hired as one of Santa’s elves. Skip comes to Ivan’s rescue, coaching the big man through his dealings with the children.<br><br>Ivan becomes an instant celebrity, and when a permanent replacement Santa is found, the store’s customers demand Ivan’s return. Will there be a special Christmas gift this year for a certain Jewish Santa and his special elf?

Santa? Seriously?

“What?” he asked as he zipped his fly.


“Just enjoy looking at a beautiful man,” Skip said as he lay on his side, head propped on his hand. “Especially one who makes love the way you do.”


Ivan felt his face grow hot. Is that what they had done last night? Made love?


“I hope you don’t expect me to go skipping around the gingerbread house today. I’m not sure I can even walk.”


Ivan blushed even more intensely. He waved a hand toward Skip dismissively, but felt a rush of emotion as well as arousal as he thought of the night they’d shared.


“That is if you need to play Santa again,” Skip added looking away from Ivan.


Hearing Skip say that brought a pang of sadness. Why, Ivan couldn’t say.


Skip got out of bed and pulled on his briefs. “I’ll make us breakfast while you walk Tootsie. You have any eggs? Sausage? Cheese? I make a mean omelet.”


Ivan smiled and once again thoughts of a domestic life filled his mind.


Chapter 8