by Rhian Cahill
A Touch of Frost
Rhian Cahill
www.escapepublishing.com.au
A Touch of Frost
Rhian Cahill
International bestselling author Rhian Cahill kicks off a steamy new holiday series about a very Christmassy company and the three directors who need more than a little mistletoe.
Jack had a great reason to be over Christmas: it’s not seasonal blues, it’s his family business, and there’s only so much tinsel you can have in your life without feeling bah humbug about it. But this year is different. He’s home after a long absence, with fences to mend, bridges to build and a commitment to change he intends to keep.
Elle loves Christmas, and she is not about to let an arrogant Scrooge like Jack Frost ruin it for her. He might have her libido flashing like fairy lights, but she’s been burned by a guy on the rebound before and she doesn’t need a Boxing Day-bargain boyfriend.
But there’s more than a little magic in mistletoe, and it may just see Elle and Jack ringing in a very happy new year.
About the Author
Rhian Cahill is the alter ego of a stay-at-home mother of four. With motherly duties rapidly dwindling Rhian is able to make use of the fertile imagination she used to keep herself sane for all those years of slavery. Having spent some years living overseas and visiting tropical climates has helped inspire some steamy stories. Multi-published in erotic romance and contemporary romance, Rhian, with the help of Mr. Muse, spends her days and nights writing.
When not glued to the keyboard you’ll find her book in hand avoiding any and all housework as much as possible. For more on Rhian visit her website rhiancahill.com or you can email her at [email protected] or connect on Twitter - @RhianCahill or Facebook - RhianCahillAuthor or you can download Rhian’s free app from the iTunes or Google Play stores.
Acknowledgements
I have to give a big thank you to Kate. Without fail you put a smile on my face and make the struggle to put fingers to keyboard easier. Your support and encouragement keep me at the computer when the darkest clouds of doubt roll in.
For Ainslie Paton. You’re a true friend (writing and real life) and I’m thankful every day for having met you. There’s no one else who talks me off the ledge quicker. Or shoves me off. Whichever I need.
And as always, for Mr.C.
Contents
About the Author
Acknowledgements
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Bestselling Titles by Escape Publishing…
Chapter 1
“Uh oh. Here comes Mr Frosty himself,” Kandy murmured, looking over Elle’s shoulder.
Elle turned to see a large man bearing down on them. The scowl on his face was menacing enough, add in the over-six-foot-tall-possibly-three-foot-wide frame and the guy was downright alarming. Not someone she wanted around the growing crowd of children. “Who’s that?” Elle asked, returning her gaze to Kandy.
“Jack Frost.” Kandy shook her head. “I wish he’d at least attempt a smile. He’s going to scare the kids at this rate.”
“My thoughts exactly,” Elle said. “Wait. Jack Frost? Isn’t Mr Frost in his sixties?” She glanced over her shoulder once more. This guy definitely was not.
She’d guess late forties. But it could be the winkled forehead, crinkled skin fanning out from his eyes, and the deep grooves running beside his drawn-thin mouth that made him look older. The closer he got, the more Elle was inclined to think late thirties.
“Hey, Jack,” Kandy said, smiling as the frowning Jack stopped next to them. “You found us.”
“Where’s Chris?” he asked, without a hello to Kandy or acknowledging Elle’s presence.
That was fine with her. Now that he was closer — and not paying her any attention — she had a chance to study him. He had deep blue eyes, the kind she was sure would change with his moods, the kind a woman could lose hours staring into. His mouth, while still drawn into that tight thin line, was appealing in a way Elle found a little disconcerting. And his body — best not to go there or she’d be a quivering mass of hormonal goo.
He was hot.
She couldn’t remember the last time a guy made her girl-parts perk up and take heed. This one did. Shame he appeared to be an arrogant jerk.
“He’s out back. They’re running a last minute check of the slide,” Kandy explained.
Elle didn’t think it was even possible, but Jack’s scowl grew darker. “Why wasn’t that checked before now?” He snapped his watch into view with a quick bend and twist of his arm. “The doors open in ten minutes.”
Kandy sighed. “Yes, Jack. It’s just a precaution. There isn’t really —”
Jack strode past them, his long legs carrying him towards the arena doors where security held them closed and would do until the sound of Santa’s bell rang through the complex.
“Oh shit.” Kandy muttered and took off after him. “Jack. Honestly. Everything is fine. Chris has it under control.”
Elle glanced at the lines of parents and children waiting to enter the arena as she raced to catch up with Kandy. Opening day was a full house again this year. Following a grumbling Jack through the door one of the security men held open they breached the thick wall of cold air that rushed down from the vent mounted above the entrance. She shivered as her lungs sucked a freezing breath through her teeth, setting them on edge.
Shit. She didn’t have her jacket.
It didn’t matter how many times they put on Santa’s Village, Elle would never get used to how cold Frosty’s Snowmen managed to make the cavernous space.
She wasn’t an idiot. She knew it needed to be cold to keep all the snow and ice from melting, but when the rest of the year the arena was filled with screaming fans, rock bands, and a breath-stealing heat only a concert could produce, the three weeks Santa’s Village came to visit were a mind-blowing — if pleasant — change of pace.
Soft rubber cushioned her feet as they made their way along the fake street complete with white picket fences, snow covered bushes, and cobblestone paths leading to houses that looked like gingerbread.
Elle loved Santa’s Village. Loved the whimsy. The joy. The laughter. And the cold. In spite of the shiver that rattled her bones, she loved the cold too.
“Jack.” Kandy took two steps to his one. “For God’s sake, Jack.”
They rounded the bend in the road and the huge ice slide came into view. Elle smiled. Chris and the men and women who’d spent the last two days working around the clock to get Santa’s Village up and ready for today’s opening were racing down the thirty metre slope of ice.
“Chris!” Jack’s booming voice echoed through the arena, drowning out the hum and whir of machinery, and the shouts of the men and women enjoying a well-earned moment of fun.
“Uh oh.” Kandy stopped. “I don’t think I wanna see this. I can’t stand the sight of blood.”
Elle wasn’t sure she’d be climbing to her feet and smiling the way Chris was, not with the glowering Jack charging the last few feet to the bottom of the slide like a raging bull.
“Hey, J-man.” Chris tossed his hessian mat onto the pile near the stairs. “You made it.”
“What the hell are you doing?” Jack yelled.
Chris glanced past Jack at Kandy. “Hey Kan, ready to go out front?”
Kandy nodded.
“Good.” Chris faced Jack once more. “Did you want a tour of the village before we open the doors?”
“Are you going to answer my question?” Jack was no longer yelling, but it was clear his ang
er hadn’t abated.
“No.”
Everything around them seemed to freeze, and it had nothing to do with the ice and snow. Every person standing within hearing distance, and that probably included those out in the foyer, remained perfectly still as if waiting for the explosion and fallout — for the moment they would need to run.
“Our insurance does not cover staff goofing off,” Jack growled.
“You know, J-man, it’s a shame Annabelle didn’t take that stick she shoved up your arse along with your money when she divorced you.” Chris folded his arms over his chest.
Elle pulled in a deep breath. The look on Jack’s face — puckered mouth, scrunched up eyes, taut jawline — could only be described as constipated. She struggled not to laugh. Kandy wasn’t successful in holding back her humour though. A snort of laughter left her friend’s mouth before she covered it with her hands.
Jack’s head turned. “You think this is funny? What would the manager of this place think if he knew you were being reckless just minutes before opening?”
Elle opened her mouth, but Jack’s cutting glare stopped any words from leaving her throat.
“What are you all hanging around for?” Jack directed at the gathered staff. “Get back to work.”
The corner of Elle’s mouth kicked up when everyone except Chris and Kandy scrambled to do Jack’s bidding.
She knew his type. Large and in charge. Shame she didn’t go for overbearing alpha males, not that you’d know it by the way her body was responding to this man’s authority and arrogance. It certainly was mind boggling to be turned on and off in the same instant.
“Well, what are you waiting for?” Jack turned his penetrating gaze on Elle.
“An introduction.”
“Oh, shit. Sorry.” Kandy moved between them. “Elle, this is Jack Frost. Jack, Elle Roland. Arena manager.”
His mouth dropped open for a split second before he recovered and Elle took pleasure in his shock. “You’re Mr Roland?”
She smiled. “Well clearly I’m a Miss. But yes, I’m the centre manager.” Elle extended her hand.
Jack gripped her offered hand and held. “You’re not what I expected.”
Elle laughed. “I rarely am.” She had to tug her hand from his.
“But you’re so…”
If he said small, she’d knee him in the balls. “So…what?”
“You’re…”
Wow. The man was really stuck for words. But Elle wasn’t going to let him off the hook even if he did look cute all tongue-tied and flustered. “Yes?”
“Careful, J-man. Don’t leave us open for a lawsuit,” Chris said, sending her a wink.
“Young,” Jack blurted. “You’re so young.”
“Oh, nice save J-man.” Chris thumped Jack on the back causing him to take a half step forward.
Elle’s mouth twitched as she held back a grin. “Hasn’t life taught you looks can be deceiving?” Her blackberry vibrated at her hip and she pulled it from the holder to silence the alarm. “Alright, that’s time. Everyone ready?”
“Yep. Just waiting for the doors to open,” Chris said.
“We’re all set out front,” Kandy added.
“Okay. Showtime.” Elle glanced over to Santa’s house and called out, “Ring the bell, Santa.”
* * *
Jack watched everyone move seamlessly into their positions as Santa’s bell echoed through the huge arena. It was like the precision of a Swiss watch. Each elf slipped smoothly into the right spot, while Santa and Mrs Claus stood on their front porch waiting for the children to arrive.
“Miss Angelle. Miss Angelle.” An elf in bright red rushed over to where Elle stood talking to Kandy. “Your coat.” She held out a bundle of white fur.
“Oh, thank you, Sharon. You saved me.” Elle took the bunch of material and shook it out.
It sparkled and shimmered in the light and Jack found himself mesmerised as she twirled it up and around her before settling it on her shoulders and tying the thick silver ribbon at her slender throat. Slipping her hands under her hair, she pulled the luminous white strands from beneath the collar of her cloak and let them fall around her like a shower of light.
Jack’s breath caught. “Jesus. She’s the Christmas Angel.”
“If she’s got your attention now, wait ‘til you see her with the kids,” Chris spoke beside him.
“Huh?”
“Elle. The woman you can’t take your eyes off.” Chris waved a hand in front of Jack’s face.
Jack gave his head a shake and turned towards his childhood friend. “Sorry. What were you saying?”
Chris laughed. “Nothing. I was commenting on our Christmas Angel.”
“Elle Roland’s our Christmas Angel?”
“First and last days. Always.” Chris shrugged. “Wish I could convince her to play the part every day. The kids love her.”
Jack didn’t doubt it but… “Why is she doing it at all? She’s not an employee of Frosty’s Snowmen.” He couldn’t stop his lawyer’s mind from calculating every possible suing angle that could arise from having a non-employee take part in running Santa’s Village.
“No. But… You know what? I think it’ll be better if you see. Just watch.” Chris nodded in Elle and Kandy’s direction.
The muted stampede of little feet running over cushioning rubber and the delighted squeals as the children rushed into the arena filled the air. Elle and Kandy turned towards the noise and were soon surrounded.
“God. She glows,” Jack murmured.
“I know.”
“She’s almost too beautiful to look at. Like spun glass you’re afraid to touch.”
“Don’t misjudge her. She’s tougher than she looks,” Chris said.
“You seem to know a lot about her.” A hot, heavy sensation settled in Jack’s chest. He didn’t want to examine the emotion behind it. “You two got something going on?”
“Problem if we do?”
Jack snarled. An honest to God snarl.
Chris held his hands up and stepped back. “Whoa. Down, boy. I thought you’d sworn off women.”
“I did.” But Jack couldn’t deny he would be throwing that vow out the window in the next few hours. Hell, he’d already tossed it. His gaze was drawn back to where Elle now led a group of children along the path to Santa’s house. “Things change.”
Chris chuckled. “And quickly.”
Jack shot him a dirty look before turning back to where Elle was talking to Mrs Claus.
“Sorry about earlier,” Chris said.
“Mmm…” Jack wasn’t really listening. He was too busy watching Elle. She wasn’t his usual type. Not that he knew what that was anymore. Not after Annabelle.
“The crack about the stick up your arse.”
Ah, right. “No worries. Besides, it’s true.” Jack sighed. “Just wish I could blame the ex for it. Unfortunately I shoved that stick there all by myself.”
When Annabelle had walked he’d taken a good hard look at where his ambition had gotten him — who he’d become — and he hadn’t liked what he’d discovered. Hence returning to his home state and the company his father had built with Chris and Kandy’s fathers.
Jack still wasn’t comfortable in his new skin. Old habits were hard to break and he was finding that wanting to change didn’t make a damn bit of difference to the ease of transition, but he was determined to become someone he could be happy with.
“So is she seeing anyone?” Jack asked as he continued to observe Elle with the children.
“Not that I’m aware of. Kandy would know for sure. They’re close,” Chris offered. “C’mon. Let’s take that tour before you start drooling all over the floor.”
Jack let Chris steer him away from Santa’s house and through the village. Pride swelled inside him as they made their way along the frozen streets. He hadn’t seen the village since he left for Canberra and his position at one of the country’s top law firms. Of course it had been easy to stay away with
Annabelle’s undisguised shock and disgust at his family’s business.
He’d been such an arse. It was a wonder his father hadn’t disowned him.
They wandered the rubber-paved streets and paths. Chris rambled about what Jack had missed over the years within the company’s structure. He’d kept himself so in the dark he didn’t know they’d branched out into other ventures, giving Frosty’s Snowmen a year-round schedule. Ducking into the miniature toy workshop, they chatted with the gathered crowd as well as the elves hammering away at wooden trains.
Finally, they made their way back to where they started. Santa’s house. Jack glanced around, but couldn’t see Elle anywhere.
“She’s over at the reindeer stables.”
Jack hadn’t seen Kandy move next to him. “Who?” He wasn’t about to give himself away.
Kandy laughed. “Really? You’re going with that?”
He shrugged, but held his tongue.
She sighed and leaned against him. “I’d warn you away, Jack, but I know Elle can take care of herself.”
“And I’m dangerous?”
Kandy gave his chest a pat. “The old Jack, yes. The new one? I’m not so sure. The jury’s still out on that one.”
Jack wrapped his arm around Kandy’s shoulders and gave her a squeeze. “You used to love me.”
“Ha! I was eight and in love with you and Chris. In my innocence, I thought the three of us would get married and live happily ever after right here in Santa’s Village.”
Jack chuckled. “That’s one hell of an innocence.”
She grinned up at him. “Wasn’t it?”
“You always did believe in the unbelievable.” He nodded his head to indicate their surroundings.
“Why not? It doesn’t hurt to believe in a little magic and the joy it brings. The pleasure stamped all over the kids’ faces is incomparable.”
Jack looked around them. He used to think that, once upon a time. But then the teasing had started. Some time around the eighth grade his view of life and his family had changed. He’d gone from loving them and the business to hating it — wanting no part of it.
