Chapter One

 

 

“Ho. Ho. Ho.”

The cheerful sound bounced its way toward Noel Green’s office, prompting the dreary reminder that it was once again time to host the annual hospital Christmas party.

A sudden chill robbed Noel of breath as she remembered the way the freezing snow pressed down upon her flesh, biting into her with its fierce claws. Trapped. She‘d been cocooned within the frozen tundra, unable to move or even scream. Her own thundering heartbeat was no match for Claire’s guttural whimper. Her gut-wrenching cries seemed like memories from a long ago dream—a horrible nightmare. It didn’t feel real. It felt like something that had happened to someone else.

The pain in Noel’s chest was excruciating and unbearable. She couldn’t breathe. Over and over again, Claire screamed, “Help me!” The repetitive words were like scraping nails across a chalkboard. Noel wanted it to stop. Cried night after night, pleading for the nightmare to end. Exhausted beyond measure, she knew that death was only moments away.

“How’s the party planning coming along?”

Her assistant’s jovial voice startled her from her thoughts, forcing a quick intake of air to her lungs as her entire body tensed. She hadn’t realized she had been holding her breath as the horrifying memory from her past resurfaced. She couldn’t fight the cringing reactions of her muscles each time the holiday season drew near. She preferred it had never existed.

“What?” she finally asked, clearing her throat with the hope of clearing her raging thoughts.

His smile faded and his dark brow drew tight to the bridge of his nose. “The party,” he replied. “Do you need any help?”

She shook her head, doing her best to keep from showing the displeasure she had over anything Christmas. “No thanks. Everything’s all set.”

Noel busied herself as her assistant turned back toward his desk. She could feel his burning curiosity as he glanced back at her even as he walked away. Sweat covered the palms of her hands. Closing her eyes, she fought the troublesome sensations wracking her body. Her pulse pounded in her ears and her breathing labored as if she had run a marathon at full speed. The memory had lasted only a few seconds, but it had taken her back as if it had never ended.

Five years had passed since she had asked Claire to go with her on a last minute holiday ski trip to Colorado. That had been the first and only time Noel had decided to do her own thing during the festive season. Claire, her best friend, couldn’t stand the idea of her traveling alone at Christmas. They had spent the holidays together for the last twenty-five years, growing up like sisters had made them practically inseparable.

Holiday traditions were big in Noel’s family. The fresh smells of baked banana breads, apple pies and assorted cookies filled the Green home from top to bottom. Decorative lights would set the entire neighborhood aglow in the warmth of its multitude of colors. Animated Santa’s, snowmen, gingerbread men and reindeer sat displayed in the front yard. The fireplace roared with a delightful heat that welcomed everyone from out of the cold. Her mother made the best hot cocoa, something she hadn’t enjoyed since the day she destroyed Claire’s life.

Nothing in the world would ever remove the guilt she felt. Nothing could ever erase the damage she had caused.

“Ms. Green, your mother is holding on line two,” her assistant told her through the intercom.

She pushed the speaker button to respond. “Thank you,” she replied, feeling tension lock her jaw.

For a long moment, her finger hovered over the flashing red button. Briefly, she closed her eyes and blew out all traces of air from her lungs. Then, she inhaled a slow breath to cleanse away the unsettling memories.

She knew exactly why her mother was calling and it wasn’t to check in. This call was a reminder. Something she couldn’t forget even though she desperately wished she could.

Her finger fell heavy. “Hi, Mom.”

“Hi, Honey,” her mother said cheerfully. “I’m calling to remind you about dinner tonight.”

Leaning back in her chair, she stared up at the ceiling and wished it wasn’t the week before Christmas and that somehow she’d been lucky enough to sleep through the entire month of December. “I remember, Mom,” she said regrettably, but her mother didn’t seem to take note of her tone. Either that or she was getting used to hearing it and didn’t care to bring light to it.

“Will you be bringing anyone this year?”

The most anticipated question always forced a spine chilling jolt to her core. She inwardly groaned. Her mother meant well, that much was clear, but dating was the furthest thing from her mind. “No. I’m coming alone.”

“Well, we’ll set an additional place setting just in case you change your mind.”

What? Was a date going to magically show up at her door in the next few hours and somehow convince her that she wouldn’t survive the evening if he didn’t go with her? Not likely.

A solid knock came from her opened door and she looked up to see a tall, broad shouldered man staring at her with the sexiest grin she had ever seen. Noel narrowed her eyes, her body stirring from just the sight of him. She moistened her dried lips. “Mom, I’m going to have to let you go.”

“Okay, Honey. We’ll see you tonight. Don’t forget to bring a date.”

She rolled her eyes, embarrassment flooding her face as she wished she’d had sense enough to pick up the receiver ten seconds faster. “I’ll see you tonight.” She pressed the button and disconnected the line.

She refocused her attention on the golden-haired stranger in her doorway, just the sight of him did funny things to her pulse and body temperature. Swallowing the newly formed lump in her throat, she asked, “May I help you?”

His smile got even sexier as he stepped forward with his hand extended—a giant, red sack slung over his shoulder like a toned, yummy version of Santa Claus. “I’m Luke Winters,” he said, with a deep voice that was as yummy as he looked.

As she stood to shake his hand, the backs of her legs hit the chair, throwing her off balance and making her appear anything but graceful. With a smile, she tried to shake off the awkwardness. “Noel Green.” Then her brain stopped drooling over the grey-eyed warrior god and reran his name a dozen times through her memory. She finally recalled that Luke Winters was a pro hockey player for the Dallas Riders. “What can I do for you, Mr. Winters?”

He effortlessly lowered the large red sack onto the floor beside him. “I brought the toys for the Christmas party.”

She arched a brow. “I thought the teams assistants were bringing those by later this afternoon.”

“That was the plan,” he confirmed. “But my teammate’s wife had a baby last night and I came up to see them. I figured that since I was already going to be here, I’d deliver the toys myself.”

She sighed at the heart warming gesture and once again found her mouth and lips going dry. Every word that moved from his supple lips left her skin tingling and her heart beating like a piston in her chest. She wiped her damp brow and wondered if she was coming down with the flu or if the central air in her office was broken.

She sucked in a breath to calm herself, releasing it slowly. “I’ll have my assistant help you with those.”

“That’s okay. I’ll do it.” He chuckled, snapping his fingers as if to remember something. “I never asked where exactly the gifts were to be delivered. I’m afraid I don’t have good follow through.”

Her love of hockey jumped to the forefront of the conversation. “That’s not what I know of you,” she told him and immediately her face heated.

His smile turned into a crooked grin. “I take it that you watch hockey?”

She nodded. “Guilty.”

She pressed the button on her phone for her assistant. “Yes, Ms. Green?”

“Would you show Mr. Winters to the banquet rooms? He brought in the toys from the Dallas Riders.”

“Yes, Ma’am.”

Within a second, her assistant was standing behind Luke and he seemed to disappear in his shadow. She reached her hand out. “Thank you for stopping by Mr. Winters. We truly appreciate your team’s generosity.”

“It’s our pleasure,” he said, eyeing her in a way that had her feeling warm all over.

She gave him one final smile and returned to her chair. As he did, he stepped back into her office. His mouth quirked to the side in a knowing grin.

“Before I go, I wanted to ask if you’d like a date for tonight.”

Her eyes widened. “Excuse me?”

“I overheard your conversation with your mother. I’d be more than happy to be your plus one. It’s Christmas after all and I’m great with families.”

She laughed at his charming pitch and as she studied him his grey eyes brightened to almost a crystal blue. “You make yourself sound like a well-trained puppy.”

He arched a brow, his grin becoming even sexier. “I am cute and cuddly.”

I can’t argue with that. “I don’t think that would be a good idea.”

He lowered the sack and closed the distance, so only the desk separated them. He pressed his knuckles against the hard wood and leaned in. His delicious masculine scent robbed her brain of coherent thought. “Are you afraid that you might have a good time?”

Her mouth formed a small O and her mind slipped into a fantasy that had the yummy Luke Winters crawling over top of the desk like a savaged beast, shoving everything out of his path to lay claim to her in a wild frenzy of passion. She shook away the desires that suddenly charged through her. “Mr. Winters, I don’t need a date to have a good time.”

“That could be true, but it sure would make things more interesting. What time should I pick you up? Are you leaving from here or should I take you home to change first?”

She couldn’t believe how direct he was. She leaned back in her chair and folded her arms over her chest. Her overwhelming attraction to him had her actually considering accepting his offer, but she couldn’t. “I don’t think—”

“Maybe you should let me do the thinking then,” he said with a chuckle. “Come on, Noel. You know you don’t want to show up at your parents without a plus one again. I could totally see that annoyance in your eyes as you spoke with your mother. Besides, you can use the excuse that we work together. No commitments that way and you don’t have to listen to all the crap about not having a date.”

Luke had all the answers and knew exactly what buttons to push. “Who are you?” she asked, her gaze narrowing on him.

He shrugged, grinning wickedly. “I have a mother, too. She’ll be thrilled when I tell her I’m going on a date.” He waggled his brows.

She giggled and then nibbled her bottom lip as dark and decadent thoughts surfaced once more. Stop that! “I’m sorry, but you’re the center for a pro hockey team. I hardly think you have difficulty finding a date.”

His expression grew serious. “I don’t, but I do have difficulty finding a woman that I personally want to spend time with.” He held her stare, his suddenly dark gaze devouring her in a way that made her feel like she had deliberately forgotten to put on panties. “And Ms. Green...I would very much like to spend time with you.”

She swallowed hard. “Okay, Mr. Winters,” she said instantly, unable to deny herself the simple pleasure of spending the evening with an attractive and dangerously sexy man. What could it hurt? “Pick me up here at six thirty. Dinners at seven.”

 

 

* * * *

 

 

Luke’s wide grin couldn’t be helped. He was stunned that Noel had accepted his offer to join her at her parent’s for dinner. The fates were truly on his side. Suddenly, there was an added pep to his step as he strolled down the hallway toward the hospital nursery to visit with his teammate, Brendon Knox and his new baby girl.

Luke’s mind fluttered back to the moment he’d heard Noel’s voice, halting his steps before entering her office. He could feel the resentment she carried in regards to Christmas. The thought had his brow pinching tight with curiosity. There was a sadness that lingered in her words and he could almost feel her need to have an excuse to cancel.

He was more than aware of what the holidays could be like for some people. Christmas didn’t always bring a sense of joy and happiness. Sometimes it brought just the opposite.

He had battled his own demons in the past, discovering that he never had a choice about the direction of his life. He would forever be surrounded by the traditions of Christmas since he was a member of the Kringle family. Jolly Saint Nick wasn’t just a man in a sleigh. He was family. The flying reindeer was a slight exaggeration—a prank by one of his fae cousins that added to the tale of Santa Claus.

This time of year brought out so many charitable feelings inside him, but never once had he taken an opportunity like he had with Noel. For the last twenty-eight years, he’d spent Christmas with his family. Alone.

Now he had a chance to have Christmas dinner with Noel and he was more than sure that was the reason his lips tingled with the smile that warmed his face.

“What’s got you grinning like its Christmas already?” Brendon’s cheerful voice blasted him from his thoughts.

Wiping away the grin, Luke replied, “Nothing.”

“Right,” Brendon said, drawing out the word in a manner that told Luke he didn’t believe him. “Don’t tell me…you found a hot nurse to take to the charity event tomorrow night?”

“Brendon!” His wife snapped.

With a smile, his gaze fell to the bundle in Brendon’s arms. The white blanket with little pink and blue ducks shifted, giving him a quick glimpse of their beautiful baby girl.

“What?” Brendon shrugged. “You know as well as I do that he never dates.” He shook his head at Luke. “All the women you meet and you’re still single.”

“Maybe he hasn’t found the one that will make him happy.” Her eyes sparkled as she gazed up at Brendon and Luke’s heart did a funny little flip in his chest as he, not only witnessed, but felt the love they shared.

That was the type of connection he craved. Nothing in the world would make him happier than finding someone to spend his life with. Someone who would believe in the magic of his people. Someone who’s soul would reflect nothing but love and admiration as she stared back at him.

Brendon was a lucky man to have found a woman like that.

He leaned against the wall, folding his arms over his chest. “I’m dressing up as Santa, so I can’t have a date.”

“Oh, how sweet,” Brendon’s wife said.

“Will you be attending?”

Brendon nodded. “Yep, I wouldn’t miss it.” He paused, and then asked, “Where does someone get a Santa suit anyway?”

Luke hid the smile that tickled the muscles in his cheeks. Brendon was his friend, but he knew he’d never hear the end of it if Brendon found out that he owned his own suit. Every male member of the Kringle family did.

“I have connections,” he said with a wink.