Total pages in book: 39
Estimated words: 36118 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 181(@200wpm)___ 144(@250wpm)___ 120(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36118 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 181(@200wpm)___ 144(@250wpm)___ 120(@300wpm)
Rayla Hunter is in Hallelujah Crossing for two reasons, escape her father’s eye and to find her friend. Embracing Christmas in this 24/7 holiday town isn’t hard and neither is falling for the man they have playing Santa.
Parajumper Jack “Ryker” Owens is used to facing danger, in fact, his job defines it. However, a stop at a small Tennessee town on the hunt for his brother thrusts him in the most dangerous mission yet, love.
One has fallen at first sight, the other is used to being only good enough when there is something to be gained. Once they succumb to the pleasure simmering on the air around them, what happens after realities crash into their bubble? His vow may have been made over Christmas in July but he means it for forever.
*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************
Chapter 1
July
Hallelujah Crossing, TN
“Oh my God, Santa is fucking hot! I want to sit on his lap. Preferably without clothing and his dick buried deep between my legs as he takes me for a ride. All across the sky. My bed. The floor. I’m not picky.”
Rayla Hunter rolled her eyes as Krissy Mae Corbin, strode into Santa’s Toy Shop wearing some frayed jean shorts and a tank top that showed far more skin than it covered. Her raven black hair fell artfully around tanned shoulders like she’d simply walked out of a salon. More like sashayed because that pageant queen didn’t simply walk. Anywhere.
She didn’t blame her, if she could get away with wearing clothing as Krissy Mae did, she would as well. Sure she could do it now but as she wasn’t about to let her less than flat belly and touching thighs show that much, she was going to be covered.
Hallelujah Crossing was a Christmas town. That’s what it was known for and while this was her first time there, she’d quickly come to love the small town nestled deep within the Smokey Mountains in Tennessee. Was it where she’d expected to end up?
Most definitely not.
But the huge change from DC was enough to keep her in place while drowning in everything Christmas related.
Besides, this is where Grant said he would meet me.
She didn’t have a lot of friends. In fact, she could count on one hand how many she had and have a few fingers left over. She had acquaintances and people who wanted to use her for her parents connection. Grant Brown had been the first person to see her.
For that alone, she would carry his secret and take it to the grave if needed, however, she wanted to see him. Alive. He was doing something dangerous and it scared her that he put himself in danger like that. However, she only had minimal information on his work. He hadn’t wanted to land her in hot water.
Therefore, she accepted the job at Santa’s Toy Shop for their huge Christmas in July celebration. Essentially, she was a gopher. She would run wherever needed, get toys, wrap them, take photos if needed. All the things. Fill in where needed without question. The pay was surprisingly decent for coming from this small rural Tennessee town.
Money wasn’t needed, she was lucky enough to have money and she wasn’t desperate for it, or have the need to live paycheck to paycheck. She knew that it was a privilege denied to most of the country.
So she was here, running errands and dressing up like a holiday decoration.
And I’m okay with that. It allows my brain to not focus on what person is setting me up for something that will, in a space of time, help them no matter the cost to me and my wellbeing. Here, it’s all about the holiday. And honestly, I could use some of that happiness and holiday spirit to calm the storm within.
Did she need to work? Not even close, but the thought of using a card and alerting the parental figures as to her location, or the men who did their work for them, didn’t sit high on her to-do list. Not in the slightest. Ergo, she got a job.
In a large building that looked a lot like many of the one’s in DC during December with the amount of decorations. Only it was July. In Tennessee. And she was sweating. Or would be if not for the AC.
Okay, I’m still sweating.
“Did you hear me?” Krissy Mae paused in front of her, one hand on her hip, eyebrows up in exasperation.
“I think even Santa heard you on that one, Krissy Mae. He’s hot and you want to fuck him. Multiple times and multiple placed.”
Her blue eyes sparkled as she waggled her eyebrows. “And I need that man to take me for a ride, bend me over and make me lose my voice. He’s yummy.”
Rayla shrugged. “Not a word I associate with Santa. Grandfatherly. Sweet. Jolly.” She shook her head wishing she’d taken the time to put her hair up today. Sitting behind a desk didn’t get her this sweaty and despite the air conditioning, she’d been hustling today. “Fuckable. That’s a new one.”
Krissy Mae waggled a finger at her. “Just you wait, hon, you’ll see, and you will think the same as I do. Unless,” she paused canting her head to the left. “Are you into women?”
She jerked back and scowled up at her friend. “What? No! How did you get there?”
“You seem dead set on not finding Santa attractive.”
Blowing a raspberry, she rolled her eyes. “I’m pragmatic. Santa is Santa. A hot man is a hot man. Doesn’t mean because I’m not as excited as you I am playing for the other team.”
Ruby lips pursed. “You’ve been burned by a man before. That’s what this is.” A firm nod which sent her shiny locks sliding over her shoulders. “Honey, all you need is to jump back on that horse.”