by Peggy Hunter
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Whiskey Creek Press
www.whiskeycreekpress.com
Copyright ©2009 by WHISKEY CREEK PRESS
First published in 2009
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NOTICE: This work is copyrighted. It is licensed only for use by the original purchaser. Making copies of this work or distributing it to any unauthorized person by any means, including without limit email, floppy disk, file transfer, paper print out, or any other method constitutes a violation of International copyright law and subjects the violator to severe fines or imprisonment.
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CONTENTS
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DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER BOOK 3:
A DIAMOND FOR CHRISTMAS
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by
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Peggy Hunter
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WHISKEY CREEK PRESS
www.whiskeycreekpress.com
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Published by
WHISKEY CREEK PRESS
Whiskey Creek Press
PO Box 51052
Casper, WY 82605-1052
www.whiskeycreekpress.com
Copyright (C) 2009 by Peggy Hunter
Warning: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 (five) years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.
Names, characters and incidents depicted in this book are products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of the author or the publisher.
No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
ISBN 978-1-60313-666-2
Credits
Cover Artist: Vinessa Riley
Editor: Chere Gruver
Printed in the United States of America
Dedication
For R.J.
Thanks for the memories!
Chapter 1
Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way!
The music, piped through the intercom all over the Diamond Industries building, was driving Maxwell Diamond around the bend. He hated Christmas. He hated the decorations that went up right after Thanksgiving. He hated how the streets were crowded with shoppers. He hated the spirited employees who cheerfully wished him a Merry Christmas. But most of all, he hated Christmas songs. Jingle Bells was right on top of his most-hated Christmas tunes list. And, if he heard Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer one more time, he'd puke in the red velvet pants pooled on the floor at his feet.
Edward Diamond walked into his son's massive office. His elderly face crinkled as he frowned. “Haven't you got that damn suit on yet?"
Max glared at the jacket and hat on his desk before he looked at his father. “No,” he said through clenched teeth. He'd just recently chased off his secretary who'd attempted to help him into the suit, hence the bright red pants at his feet. “I don't know why someone else can't do it."
Edward's frown deepened. “I wore that getup for more years than I care to remember. But in the last few years, Zachary played Santa,” he said, referring to his second oldest son.
Max grimaced at the wad of red fabric on his desk. “So what's that got to do with me?"
"Because Zach took Brianna to the Bahamas for a week."
Max snorted, certain his half-brother timed his vacation on purpose. “Yeah. It just had to be this week."
Edward's grey brows furrowed and his nostrils flared. “Zach has earned it. It's the second week of December and this is the first time he's taken time off all year.” The old man hesitated before he added, “Unlike you."
Max rolled his eyes. If he had a dime for every time his father chastised him for not pulling his weight at Diamond Industries, he'd...well, he'd have almost as much in his bank account as he had now. Being vice president of Diamond Industries meant nothing. It was just a title bestowed on him when his father retired. Zachary, as president, pulled all the strings. So what if Max took a lot of time off work? It wasn't like he was expected to do anything.
Edward wagged a finger at his youngest son. “It's time you got off your ass and did something to earn all the money I give you every month."
"What has that got to do with me dressing up like Santa Claus?” Max asked.
"It's a start,” Edward said. “It'll show our employees that every Diamond involved in this outfit has spirit. So shut up and put the damn suit on. The party starts in half an hour and,” the old man's bushy eyebrows rose as he glared at Max, “you better be there."
Max sighed heavily as his father turned to the door. Before he walked out, Edward turned to him. “And, by the way, I fully expect you to attend my wedding on Boxing Day."
Max winced. Is he serious? It wasn't like his old man took marriage seriously. Max was born to Edward's third wife who he walked away from soon after. His father was too busy bagging his next conquest to have time for his third wife and son.
Like the first two Diamond brides, Max's mother seemed okay with Edward's wandering as long as he kept the money flowing. Edward was virtually a stranger to Max until he was in his early teens. Then his father put him through college, where Max earned his Masters in Business.
Max watched as his father's fourth marriage failed as badly as his first three. The only saving grace in that marriage was that a child had not been produced. Well, none that they knew of anyway.
And no one was surprised when Edward's fifth marriage, to the young and very horny Samantha, ended within months.
When would the old man finally get a clue?
Max offered a labored grin. “I'll be there."
When the door closed, Max looked down at the bright red pants with white faux-fur cuffs at his feet. He took a deep breath and stepped into them.
* * * *
"Hey, young lady."
Julie Thornton looked from side to side before she finally rested her eyes on the man, dressed as Santa, sitting in a massive armchair. “Are you talking to me?"
"Of course I'm talking to you,” the sorry excuse for a Santa replied and then offered a very weak, “Ho, ho, ho!"
Julie grinned. Whoever he was, playing Santa was not his forte. The crowd in the cafeteria of Diamond Industries was almost oppressive. In the two years since Julie had taken a job in the mail room, she'd avoided the Christmas party. And she'd have avoided it again if her coworkers hadn't insisted she come with them. She'd long since lost sight of them and, being left on her own, she moved to the closest wall in an effort to gain a bit of space.
"Sit on my lap and tell me what you want for Christmas,” Santa said.
Julie looked down at him. When a passerby brushed her hand, her empty wineglass fell to the floor. When she would have picked it up, another passerby kicked it out of sight.
"I've got a direct line to the bar,” Santa said. “Sit on my lap, tell me your wishes and you'll get a fresh drink."
Julie grinned. “Trust me,” she said, “you don't want to know what I wish for."
Santa reached out and pulled her down on his lap. Strong arms held her in place and there was no mistaking the fact he had muscular legs under the baggy red pants he wore. “I want to know,” he said. “In fact,
I insist you tell me."
Julie peered at the man. About all she could see were rich brown eyes peeking out from under bushy wads of cotton meant to be eyebrows. But the muscles she felt beneath her, not to mention the strength of his arms when he pulled her down, made her body sizzle with awareness. “Who are you?"
"Why, I'm Santa, of course."
Even though Julie had never attended a Diamond Christmas party before, she'd heard that Zachary Diamond had taken over the role when the old man gave it up. But she knew Zachary wasn't around this year. He and his new love, Brianna O'Ryan, had taken off for the Bahamas. The gossipmongers could tell all the tales they wanted but Julie had an inside track...she had befriended Brianna some time ago.
So who is playing the part of Santa this year? Judging by the muscles rippling beneath her, she guessed it had to be one of the few bicycle messengers Diamond Industries employed. And, while the voice didn't quite fit the one messenger who'd always hit on her, there was a good chance he'd disguise it to keep her in the dark.
"Scott, is that you?"
Santa chuckled lightly but did not reply.
Julie grinned and relaxed against him. She'd always hated how Scott hit on her in the mail room. After all, she'd set her sights on someone else. Now, sitting on his lap and having had a few glasses of wine, feeling his steely strength beneath her, she couldn't help but feel a ripple of desire.
"All right, Santa,” Julie said. “How many Christmas wishes do I get?"
Dark brown eyes twinkled as he looked at her. “Have you been naughty or nice?"
Julie grinned. “Mostly naughty."
Santa's eyes darkened. “In that case, you get two wishes, maybe three."
Julie nodded as she cuddled closer to him. “Okay. My first Christmas wish is for another glass of wine."
Santa raised his arm and waved. When a waitress showed up, he ordered a glass of wine. It arrived almost before Julie could take a breath. He placed it on the small table by the armchair.
"What's your second wish?"
Julie sighed. “I want a Diamond for Christmas."
Santa frowned. “A diamond?"
"Not the stone,” she said.
"What other kind of diamond is there?"
Julie wiggled on Santa's lap. “Don't tease,” she chided. “You work here too so you know the kind of Diamond I'm talking about."
"I know four Diamond men; three are spoken for,” Santa said.
Julie reached for her glass and took a long sip. The wine gave her the courage to say more. “Yes, but I'm talking about Maxwell Diamond,” she said. “Unfotunately, he doesn't know I exist."
Santa lowered his head for a moment and then looked at her again. “What makes you think Maxwell Diamond is the man you want?"
Julie reached for her glass and took a sip of wine. When she looked at Santa, his brown eyes sent a ripple of desire through her. “I don't know,” she replied honestly. “I've only ever seen him from a distance. But there's something about him,” she said.
"Explain,” Santa urged.
"I can't describe it,” she said.
"Try."
Julie took a deep breath and gave herself a mental shake. Did she really want to confide in Scott? It was only a matter of time before it would be spread around, not just in the office but over the city. Julie shook her head. “I think I've said too much already."
Santa nodded knowingly. “Well,” he said, “I might not be able to make good on your second wish. Better tell me your third wish."
His hand slid from her back to her hip, his touch gentle, soothing and yet so damn erotic. Her body relaxed, enjoying his sensual touch. The words tumbled from her mouth before she could stop them. “It's been almost six months since I've had sex."
"That's a statement, not a wish."
"All right,” Julie said. She took another long sip of her wine and took a deep breath. “I wish to have sex tonight."
Santa's cotton beard scratched her neck when he whispered in her ear, “That's a wish I'm looking forward to granting you.” He grabbed her hand and she felt something cool pressed into her palm.
"That's the key to the executive restroom,” he said against her ear. “Meet me there when the party's over."
Executive restroom? Just how could someone like Scott get a key to the executive restroom?
But that question would go unanswered as Santa pushed her off his lap. It wasn't until she stood up that she noticed several women waiting for a chance to take her place. When she turned to retrieve her glass of wine, she realized she'd have to fight a crowd of women to get to it. She couldn't be bothered...in fact, she was sure she'd already had too much to drink. Julie placed the key in her pocket, unsure if she'd actually follow through with it. Santa may well have been toying with her. How many more keys would he hand out tonight?
As Julie walked away, she glanced over her shoulder. Santa had a buxom blond sitting on his lap. Yet his eyes were focused on her. Julie smiled and Santa's eyes twinkled in response. He nodded lightly before he turned his attention back to the woman on his lap.
For the rest of the evening, Julie sauntered around the cafeteria. When her friends from the mail room were ready to leave, she hesitated. “Think I'll stick around for a little longer."
Nina, the mail room supervisor, frowned. “Why?” she asked. “The only time you looked remotely interested in the party was when you were sitting on Santa's lap."
Julie felt her face flush. Did Nina know? She wondered if her supervisor knew the executive bathroom key was burning against her hip as it lay in her pocket. She attempted a nonchalant shrug. “The party's almost over,” she said. “I might stick around to help clean up."
Nina's eyes narrowed but she didn't comment. “Okay then,” she said. “Even though you only live a few blocks from here, I want you to take a taxi home."
Julie nodded.
Nina continued. “Walking home in the middle of the night isn't safe. This is downtown Toronto, you know."
"I know."
"Promise me you'll take a taxi."
"I promise."
When Nina finally left, Julie breathed a sigh of relief. Sometimes she got a little tired of her boss’ overprotective nature. Sure, she'd grown up in Pencil, Ontario, a small town several miles north of Toronto, but that didn't mean she was a country bumpkin. When Julie moved to Toronto, she quickly embraced all the city had to offer.
That said, Julie knew she didn't have enough money to take a taxi home. She'd have to hoof it and, if she actually followed through with going to the executive restroom, she just might be walking home in the middle of the night.
Julie's hand went into her pocket and clasped the key. She'd worry about getting home later. Right now her head was doing battle with her heart...should she go to the executive restroom or not?
As people filtered out of the cafeteria, Julie's eyes fell on Santa's chair. It was empty. She peered around, seeing the cleaning crew picking up empty glasses and Styrofoam plates. No bright red suit in sight. Had Santa left the building or...Julie's body tightened in anticipation...had he escaped to the executive restroom to wait for her?
Driven by a force she did not recognize as her own will, Julie walked out of the cafeteria and headed for the elevators. The executive suites were on the top floor so, when she stepped inside the elevator, she touched her finger to the eleventh floor button. Her heart pounded as the door slid closed and carried her up...light years away from her job in the basement as a mail room clerk.
When the door slid open, Julie stepped out. As she walked down a long corridor, she passed huge double doors with large gold letters that read Edward Diamond. As the founder and former president of Diamond Industries, the old man still kept an office, keeping an eye on his two sons while they ran the family business.
Directly across the hall, large gold letters spelled out Zachary Diamond, President. The lord and master, the chosen one...the most powerful man in Toronto and perhaps all of the country. Zachary Diamond
was the supreme ruler of Diamond Industries and their subsidiaries.
A few steps further down the hall and Julie stopped when she saw Maxwell Diamond, Vice President, spelled out on another door. She ran her fingers over the gold embossed letters. Her body began to quiver; just the idea of being this close to him made her shiver with excitement.
Julie whirled around and pressed her back to Maxwell's office door. As much as she wanted him, that wasn't why she was here tonight. Santa had promised to fuck her and oh, she needed it so much. So what if she gave in and had a little fun with a bicycle messenger? It wasn't like she was going to marry the guy. And it certainly wasn't like Maxwell Diamond would be jealous. The youngest Diamond son didn't even know she existed. Hell, none of the Diamond clan did. But it was Maxwell who'd filled her dreams every night. She wanted him, needed him.
Julie pushed off the door and peered down the hall. Where exactly is the executive restroom anyway?
She didn't have to venture far before she found it. Every instinct in her body told her to run. Yet she stood there, staring at the door. The key in her hand felt cool against her overheated skin.
She had to know. Was Santa toying with her or was he there, waiting for her? With a shaky hand, she pushed the key into the lock.
Chapter 2
Julie stepped inside the dark restroom and blinked. Dim lights shone over a row of mirrors. As her eyes adjusted to the meager light, her heart sank. She'd been misled. Santa really had been teasing her. He had no intention of meeting her here at all.
Julie chastised herself for being an idiot. She'd surely become fodder for jokes in the mail room come Monday. Maybe she really was the country bumpkin Nina thought she was. She sighed heavily and pulled the door open.
"What took you so long?"
Julie froze in place. Santa's voice sounded much deeper than it had in the noisy cafeteria. His silky voice echoed off the walls of the restroom. Her body quivered.
"Close the door,” he said.
Julie let the door close and whirled around, pressing her back against it.
