From the bestselling author of the Untwisted series comes a sexy seasonal short story. Fans of Sylvia Day, Jodi Ellen Malpas, and Fifty Shades of Grey will become hooked on Alice Raine's enticing and addictive series. Devilishly dark Nicholas Jackson is sexy, intense, and domineering but since meeting timid bookshop owner Rebecca, he discovers his softer side. Determined to give Rebecca the best Christmas of her life, Nicholas sets out to find the perfect gift. Only problem - he has absolutely no idea what to get her! Can Nicholas give Rebecca a Christmas she'll never forget?
Release date:
February 16, 2015
Publisher:
Accent Press
Print pages:
73
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Shoving my hands roughly into the pockets of my suit trousers I muttered my annoyance, threw a filthy look at the apologetic saleswoman, and then strode from the department store empty-handed, back out into the main walkway of Westfield shopping centre.
Huffing out a long breath, I walked across to the balustrades and leaned forwards so I could take a moment to clear my head. All around me happy Christmas shoppers were chatting jovially as they shuffled past me laden with bags of goodies and gift-wrapped presents. Christmas decorations hung from every available surface in sight. It was quite sickly, really; icicle lights twinkling from the banisters, huge Christmas trees lining the open shopping area overloaded with garish baubles and tinsel, and the annoying strains of ‘Jingle Bell Rock’ filling the air for the fifth bloody time since I’d arrived three hours ago.
Pushing my hair from my face I turned and leant back on the railing as I considered what to try next. My entire purpose for this trip had been to get a Christmas present for my girlfriend Rebecca; but after traipsing around every suitable outlet in the godforsaken place I still had nothing. I’d seen clothes that would suit her, jewellery she would no doubt like, and even handbags that would have been OK, but they weren’t wow presents, and seeing as this was the first time in my screwed-up life that I was buying a Christmas present for a woman – not just any woman, but the woman that I loved – I wanted it to be perfect. Shaking my head I chewed on the inside of my lip; at this rate Rebecca would have a big fat nothing under the bloody tree on Christmas morning.
Pushing off from the railing I turned in search of a coffee. Perhaps a java hit would kick my brain into gear, but as I took my first few steps towards Starbucks my eyes caught on a shop window to my left. Pausing, an idea began to form in my mind. Walking up to the glass I scanned the contents as a smile formed on my lips. I couldn’t believe I hadn’t thought of this earlier – it was perfect.
Half an hour later I left the shop with my wallet considerably lighter – well, to be specific my American Express Platinum account was lighter – but I didn’t care. Money was inconsequential in this matter. Striding off I knew I now needed one last shop before I could get out of here, and as I marched along I even found myself humming along with the The Pogues’ ‘Fairytale of New York’ with a satisfied grin on my face. I felt more in the Christmas spirit already.
Rebecca
Two weeks later
I enjoyed the cold crispness of the early evening air as I walked to Nicholas’ for the evening. It made a refreshing change from the snug, overly warm interior of my little bookshop, which often got quite stifling if we had more than six customers in at once. During our time together Nicholas had often tried to insist that I let him buy me a car, or worse still, provide me with my own personal driver, but I had well and truly put my foot down. I might be dating a famous and stupidly well-off pianist, but I didn’t need pampering like that. I grimaced as I tried to imagine just how much money he had, but then pushed the thought away as it was quite overwhelming and always made me feel a bit uncomfortable. Besides, I liked walking. It was good exercise and London was the most amazing city to explore by foot.
The shops, boutiques, and roadside cafes of Primrose Hill were brightly lit and decorated with Christmas lights and displays as I wandered along. For a change practically every person I passed on the street was jovial and wished me a Christmas greeting of one kind or another.
By the time I’d arrived at Nicholas’ road I was smiling broadly and in a rather good mood from all the festive cheer. I’d barely stepped inside the front door when I was met by the man himself practically jogging down the stairs to greet me, his dark hair a wild mess on his head and his blue eyes twinkling mischievously in his handsome face.
‘I want to give you your Christmas present early,’ he stated as soon as I had both feet inside the hallway. Smiling at just how excited he looked I peeled my scarf from around my neck, hung it up, and stepped into his open arms for a hug. Given how padded my winter coat was, our embrace was a bit difficult, but in his arms was still my favourite place to be, regardless of how many layers of fleece might separate us, and I sighed contentedly.
‘But it’s only the twenty-second,’ I mumbled into his strong chest, his warmth bringing some life back into the cold tip of my nose.
Chuckling, Nicholas held my shoulders and moved me backwards so he could gaze down at me. ‘I know, but this present has a time expiry.’ Checking his watch he frowned. ‘Shit, talking of time, we need to get a move on. Don’t worry about taking off your coat, we’re heading straight out.’
‘Where are we going?’ I asked, eyeing Nicholas’ almost childlike enthusiasm curiously. He’d noticeably changed during our time together; relaxing with me, smiling frequently, and even changing some of his old domineering habits, but he could still be quite closed off emotionally at times so his obvious excitement grabbed my attention.
‘You’ll find out soon enough,’ he replied mysteriously, and then grabbing his own coat from the rack, Nicholas took hold of my hand and dragged me back out into the cold evening without even letting me get my scarf again.
‘My scarf!’ I protested, but by this point Nicholas was bundling me into the back of his car, which already had the engine running. Mr Burrett, his personal assistant, sat behind the wheel watching us both with amusement.
‘Don’t worry, I have several ways I can keep you warm,’ Nicholas murmured as he leaned in close to my ear so only I could hear. The tone of his voice was suddenly low and silky and made me blush instantly. Turning to him I found him plugging in his seatbelt whilst smirking across at me with a wicked glint in his eye.
Swivelling in his seat Mr Burrett smiled at us both jovially. ‘Good evening, Miss Langley. Are you warm enough back there?’ What with Nicholas’ salacious comments and Mr Burrett’s impeccably timed question I was now boiling hot with embarrassment. ‘Hi, Mr Burrett. I’m good, thank you,’ I mumbled, pretending to struggle with my seatbelt as a distraction.
‘Are we heading straight off, sir?’ Mr Burrett enquired mildly, annoyingly giving no hint of our intended destination, but his use of the title ‘sir’ made me smile; even now it made me laugh to think that my boyfriend had personal staff. Mind you, being a world-famous pianist I suppose he could probably afford the luxury, and Mr Burrett certainly seemed to love his job.
‘Yes, please, James, and be swift about it, I didn’t realise how late it was.’ Taking hold of my hand Nicholas pulled his phone out of his pocket and checked something on the screen, so I took the chance to question Mr Burrett.
‘Where are we going Mr B?’ Even though I knew his name was James, I had for months now,. . .
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