12 Naughty Days of Christmas 2018
Isabella Kole
Sheri Lynn
Celeste Jones
Abby Aaron
Misty Malone
Paige Parsons
Victoria Phelps
Sue Lyndon
Stella Grace
Mary Auclair
Courage Knight
Megan McCoy
Susann Oriel
Blushing Books
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Isabella Kole, Sheri Lynn, Celeste Jones, Abby Aaron, Misty Malone, Paige Parsons, Victoria Phelps, Sue Lyndon, Stella Grace, Mary Auclair, Courage Knight, Megan McCoy and Susann Oriel
12 Naughty Days of Christmas 2018
EBook ISBN: 978-1-61258-925-1
Cover Art by ABCD Graphics & Design
This book contains fantasy themes appropriate for mature readers only. Nothing in this book should be interpreted as Blushing Books' or the author's advocating any non-consensual sexual activity.
Contents
Isabella Kole
Her Yuletide Dom
Sheri Lynn
Fireworks at Christmas
Celeste Jones
His Yuletide Bride
Abby Aaron
Who’s Been a Naughty Girl?
Misty Malone
Mrs. Santa
Paige Parsons
Tokyo Express
Victoria Phelps
A Wyld Christmas
Sue Lyndon
Strict Santa
Stella Grace
Decking His Halls
Mary Auclair
Dragons Under the Mistletoe
Courage Knight
Once Upon a Christmas Time
Megan McCoy
His Christmas Elf
Susann Oriel
Lord Leaping’s Christmas Ball
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Her Yuletide Dom
12 Naughty Days of Christmas 2018
Isabella Kole
Chapter 1
Holly Evans rushed down the steps of the courthouse, taking them two at a time. Glancing at her watch, she saw that she had exactly fifteen minutes to get back to the office if she was going to make the meeting. The meeting that would reveal if she had been chosen as partner in the law firm she worked for, Blair and Klingle. Would the name now become Blair, Klingle, and Evans or Blair, Klingle, and Winters? Christopher Winters was a fierce competitor. He was also an arrogant ass. If he got the partnership instead of her, she’d never hear the end of it.
As she rushed into the conference room and slid into a chair, the calm, cool and collected Christopher smiled at her. Leaning over, he whispered, “Running late, as usual, Miss Evans?”
“I was in court all morning, Mr. Winters,” she replied icily, in full defense mode.
“Ah, yes, always out to impress, aren’t you?” he asked, giving her a crooked grin.
She glared at him. Damn, but he was good looking, and that damn crooked smile of his got her every time. Too bad his personality didn’t match his looks. But it wouldn’t have mattered if it did. Holly had made a decision when she joined the firm never to date a co-worker. Blair and Klingle had no rule about their attorneys dating each other. They couldn’t. Nick and Carol, the lawyers who owned the firm, were married to each other. Her decision was her own and had earned her the nickname of the “Ice Princess” around the office. Many of the male attorneys had attempted to be the one to break her resolution, but none had succeeded. Christopher Winters would be the last person she would ever go out with, should she ever decide to break her own rule, or would he? She couldn’t quite seem to get him out of her dreams, which irritated her to no end. Now, they were competing for the same partnership in the firm. And, in just a few minutes, the new partner’s name would be announced to the entire staff.
Nick Blair and Carol Klingle walked into the room and took their seats at the head of the long conference table. Carol smiled and greeted everyone. Nick nodded.
“I’m sure you’re all anxious to hear who we’ve chosen as the new partner, so we won’t keep you waiting any longer. This was a difficult decision for us to make. Both of the attorneys being considered are well qualified. And in no way is our decision a reflection on the person who wasn’t chosen today. There will be other opportunities,” Nick began.
“We’ve taken into consideration the background, former cases, and several other factors in coming to this decision. We feel that Holly Evans is the obvious choice for the partnership. Congratulations, Holly,” Carol announced.
Holly gasped. She stood, looked around the table and then back at her new partners. “Thank you, I’ll do my very best to fulfill my obligations as partner.”
“Christopher, talk to me after the meeting. I have a proposition for you,” Nick said, glancing at the handsome man seated next to Holly.
When Holly looked at Christopher, she could tell he was furious, but he covered it well. He congratulated her with a handshake, and looking at Nick, he said, “Certainly, Nick.”
When the meeting was adjourned, Holly returned to her office. As she sat behind the desk, she slipped off her heels for the first time that morning and sighed. Leaning her head back, she allowed herself to relax. After a strenuous morning in court and the tension of the meeting, she needed a few minutes to unwind. There was a knock on the door. “Come in,” she called as she slipped her feet back into her shoes and sat up straight. So much for relaxing.
Carol stuck her head in the door. “I thought I’d better fill you in on the conversation Nick and Christopher are having.”
“I was curious about that,” Holly replied.
“This decision was more difficult than you can imagine. Both of you are equally qualified. You were finally chosen because of the excellent work you did on the Temple case.”
“That was a tough case,” Holly agreed.
“Christopher is being given a huge case. A malpractice suit, and if he can prove himself with this case, he’ll also be offered a partnership in six months.”
“Sounds fair enough,” Holly said.
“We want you to be second chair, Holly. I know that’s a bit strange with you just being made partner, but we feel the two of you working together on this case will ensure our win. Can you do it? I know you’re not overly fond of Christopher.”
Knowing she really had no choice, with it being her first day as partner, she agreed a little too cheerily. “I’ll be happy to be second chair for Christopher on the case.”
“Now, don’t sugarcoat it for me, honey. I know how you feel about Christopher, don’t I?”
“It’s okay. I’ll deal with it.”
“I realize he can be somewhat of an ass at times, but he’s a good attorn
ey, and once you get to know him, he’s a good man.”
Holly laughed as she asked, “Somewhat of an ass?”
Carol smiled. “The Christmas party is Friday night. Now that you’re a partner, you’re required to attend.”
“I’ll be there,” Holly replied reluctantly. The annual office Christmas party was not one of her favorite functions; having to attend alone every year only fueled the rumors among the male attorneys that she truly was an ice princess. She hadn’t dated anyone since she had broken up with Ted, three years ago. She’d busied herself with work, after finding out her fiancé had been cheating on her for over a year with her neighbor. It had been enough to make her think twice before getting involved again.
She had moved to a different apartment on the other side of town. Lebanon, Tennessee wasn’t a big enough town to avoid running into him occasionally, however. The fling with her old neighbor hadn’t lasted. But when he’d suggested they try again, she’d flatly refused.
“I’ll let you finish your break. Do you have to go back to the courthouse this afternoon?” Carol asked, bringing her back to reality.
“We’re in recess until tomorrow morning. Hopefully, this thing will be wrapped up tomorrow, just in time for the holiday. I have to work on my closing argument this afternoon. But I think I’m going to run out to the mall and pick up some last minute gifts for my family and grab some lunch first.”
“Ugh, Christmas shopping, I’m not finished yet either.”
Holly smiled as Carol said goodbye and left her office. Damn, the party, she’d almost forgotten she’d have to go, now that she’d made partner.
After relaxing at her desk for a few more minutes, she grabbed her coat and her purse and walked to the elevator. Stepping out onto the street, she saw the threat of snow in the air. She hurried to the parking garage and drove to the outlet mall. She still had to pick up a gift for her brother.
The entire family was flying to Colorado for the holiday to visit with her sister-in-law’s family and for some skiing. Everyone but Holly, that is. She had begged off, telling the family she needed the time to relax after the busy schedule she’d been keeping. Her mother had tried to convince her to change her mind, but she’d stood her ground. In fact, she’d just yesterday confirmed her reservation at the Lodge at Buckberry Creek in Gatlinburg for the entire holiday week. She was going to get away from the hustle and bustle, read, relax, take long walks and sit by the fire. She would sleep when she wanted, get up when she wanted, eat when she wanted, and enjoy all the things she didn’t have time to do on a regular basis, with no one she knew around to interfere. Yes, a mountain holiday was just what she needed.
After a night of food and a gift exchange with her family on Saturday, and church on Sunday they’d be on a plane to Colorado, and she’d be in the car, headed east.
As she made her way through the crowds to the Brooks Brothers store, she began looking at ties. Just as she was choosing between two of them, a male voice whispered in her ear, “Deciding on something for someone special, I see.”
She looked around in surprise to see who was speaking. Christopher!
“Yes, for someone special,” she replied coolly. It wasn’t a lie; her brother was someone special.
“I’d go for that one,” he suggested as he pointed to the one in her right hand.
“Thank you, but I think I prefer the other one.” She put the one he’d suggested back on the rack, purely out of meanness.
“Suit yourself. I’m just glad you don’t pick out my ties,” he said with a smirk.
“I doubt you’ll ever have to worry about that,” she retorted.
“Ever the ice princess. How does your ‘someone special’ get past that icy exterior of yours?” he asked.
She smiled and said, “It takes a very special man to get past my ‘icy exterior’, Mr. Winters.”
The crooked grin surfaced again. “I guess you’ve heard the latest? Are you going to be able to handle being my second chair in the new case?”
She looked him straight in the eyes. “I’ll do whatever it takes to win the case for the firm.”
“Ah, atta girl, always a team player,” he responded with a grin.
“Mr. Winters, as long as you do your job, and I do mine, I don’t foresee a problem with the two of us working together on the case.”
“Don’t you think you should call me Christopher if we’re going to be working so closely together, Holly?”
“All right, Christopher, I really need to finish my shopping and get back to the office. Some of us have things to do before the holiday.”
“Join me for lunch? We can discuss the case.”
“We don’t officially begin work on the case until after the holiday. I’m taking a salad back to the office to eat while I polish my closing argument for the case I’m hoping to finish tomorrow.”
“Another time, then, unless, of course, that ‘someone special’ would object.”
“It would be a working lunch, Christopher,” she reminded him sharply.
He held his arms up saying, “But, of course, it would be. What other kind could I expect from the ice princess?”
“Goodbye, Christopher.” She moved past him to pay for her purchase. As she walked through the mall later, she muttered, “What an ass.”
The rest of the afternoon was spent working on her closing argument. The next morning, she presented it, and by afternoon, the verdict was in. She’d won the case. When she walked back into the office after court, she was greeted with congratulations by the other attorneys, the paralegals and the secretaries.
At the end of the day, she packed what she needed in her briefcase and looked around to make sure she hadn’t forgotten anything. She was taking the next day, Friday, off to prepare for the family Christmas and her trip to the Smokies. Of course, there was that pesky little office party tomorrow night, but she planned to put in an appearance and make an excuse to leave as early as possible.
When she walked to the elevator, she was joined by Christopher, who said, “I understand congrats are in order. I heard you absolutely wowed the jury with your closing argument.”
“Thanks,” she replied as she pushed the button for the elevator.
“See you tomorrow night at the party. Are you bringing that ‘someone special’ with you? If you are, please do us all a favor and don’t pick out his tie for him.”
“I’ll be attending the party alone, so no need to worry about anyone’s tie,” she replied tersely, trying desperately to hide the smile that threatened to emerge on her lips.
“Mind if I ride down with you? I’m leaving now too,” he said as the elevator door opened.
“Suit yourself.”
“Be prepared to buckle down and work after the holiday. I intend to win our case. A partnership depends on it,” he said.
“I’ll do my best, Christopher,” she replied. This time, she was actually smiling as she looked up at him. If only he wasn’t so arrogant. A girl could easily get lost in his dark chocolate eyes.
“I wouldn’t expect less from the ice princess at Blair, Klingle and Evans.”
As she walked off the elevator, glad to get away from the all-too-evident sex appeal of the arrogant man sharing the ride with her, she turned and said, “I’ll see you at the party.”
“I can hardly wait, princess.”
The next day was spent wrapping gifts and baking for the family celebration. When it was time to get ready for the party, she sighed. Reluctantly, she forced herself to the shower for a hot, steamy cleansing. She turned on the faucet and stepped inside, letting the water wash over her tired body. Sudden thoughts of a certain manly attorney invaded her thoughts and she smiled in spite of herself. Wonder what it would be like to shower with him? she thought. She quickly scolded herself and wondered where that vision had come from. She knew, of course. She dreamed night after night of slipping into bed beside the arrogant and domineering Mr. Winters. She couldn’t help it. He was in her blood, but she would n
ever let him know it. Just like she could never let him or anyone else at the firm know of her secret desires – how she longed for someone like Christopher to throw her over his knee and give her a good what for. With all the pressures of her job, she often thought it would be so wonderful to come home to a man who took control. To be able to relinquish the mundane everyday things to him, to let him take care of her, discipline her and, most of all, love her. Hell, she didn’t want a man like Christopher Winters – she wanted him. But that could never happen. Not ever.
After rubbing herself dry with a large, fluffy towel, she walked nude to the closet to choose her attire for the evening.
“This should work just fine,” she said as she pulled her little black dress from the clothes hanging neatly in the closet. It was a simple, straight style, cut just above the knee, and she knew the perfect jacket to wear with it. A short, red, wool one she’d picked up at Dillard’s a few weeks ago when she was in the city would look festive enough. Her jewelry was simple; black pumps and a small black bag finished the look. As she swept her long, blonde hair up into a comb, her usual style for work and office functions, she looked in the mirror. A little more mascara and she’d be ready to go. She gave her head one last shake to rid her mind of the seductive thoughts of Christopher Winters. She had to face him tonight at the party, after all.
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