Bad Santa (Paranormal Christmas elves Romance) (Paranormal Protection Agency Book 13)

by Mina Carter

  “It’s worse.” Joy edged forward at the sound of Nick’s voice, just enough so she could see around the pillar. He sat at the bar, his back to her, and a mug in his hand. Coffee? He was drinking coffee? Her estimation of him went up. He wasn’t drowning his sorrows as she’d expected. On the heels of that thought, though, came the awareness that the pain in his voice was not the by-product of a maudlin drunk.

  “Bullshit, can’t be that bad,” the deer-man next to him said brusquely. “Okay, if she was here, what would you say to her?”

  Nick had put the mug down and buried his face in his hands. It was obvious to see that he hadn’t been home. He was still in the same clothes he’d been wearing yesterday, and his stubble was way past five o’clock.

  “I’d tell her why I did what I did, make her understand…”

  Her lip curled at his words. Excuses, just what she should have expected. He wouldn’t take responsibility for his actions… why had she expected anything else, especially after he’d had to get his daughter with her pretty speeches involved?

  She’d turned to go when his voice pulled her up short.

  “No, that’s just shit. I’d tell her that I’m a fucking idiot. That I’m sorry… and that I love her.”

  She closed her eyes, keeping them shut as her heart ached savagely in her chest. He loved her?

  The smallest movement of air and the soft sound of bells in the air warned her a moment before Nick’s hands closed over her upper arms. He turned her gently.

  “I’d tell her that I started out looking for revenge, to take what Frost valued the most to make him pay… but I was the one who paid in the end. With my heart.”

  She lifted her eyes to his and was instantly ensnared by his gaze. The look in his eyes, hopeful and determined, stole her breath.

  “I ended up losing my heart to the most beautiful, kind-hearted and brave woman I’ve ever met. One I don’t deserve, but that I need.”

  He didn’t pull her closer, the touch of his hands on her arms the only contact between them as his voice wrapped around her.

  “I’d tell her that she means everything to me. That I can’t… don’t want to live without her. That I’ll do anything to make it right. That if she’ll just give me a chance I’ll spend the rest of my life making it up to her.”

  Silence fell, the anticipation in the bar rising to almost breaking point.

  “Joy?” Nick’s voice and expression were racked with tension. “Say something.”

  “For sleigh’s sake, gal, give the poor lad an answer before this lot break out the damn tissues,” Dolph’s gruff voice broke through the silence. “Fucking romantics the lot of them. I’ll never hear the last of this.”

  Joy’s lip curved in the hint of a smile. “The rest of your life? That sounds an awful lot like a…”

  “Oh snow. That’s done it.”

  The bar erupted into cheers, the deer bikers throwing peanuts and slamming their hands on the tables as Nick dragged her into his embrace. She wrapped her arms around his neck, burying her face into the side of his neck.

  “Thank you, darling,” he muttered roughly. “And I’m so sorry. I love you, so, so much.”

  She nodded, pulling back to look at him. Lifting up on her tiptoes, she pressed a kiss against his lips.

  “I love you too,” she admitted softly, squeaking as he scooped her up into his arms. She clung to his shoulders, even though she knew he wouldn’t drop her. “Nick! I’ll put you on the naughty list!”

  He grinned, the heat and love in his eyes taking her breath away. “I’ll happily put myself on it if you’re there. How about we get out of here and I’ll show you just how bad this Santa can be…”

  Christmas morning, one year later.

  By the snow, he hadn’t remembered the big night being so tiring. Nick sighed as he slipped his belt off and the magic of Christmas transformed him from a three-hundred-pound jolly, old man into the muscled and tattooed bad boy he was the rest of the year.

  Coiling the belt carefully, he put it back in its box and smiled as it disappeared. Times past he wouldn’t have needed the belt to turn him into the big man, but having handed over the mantle to Nix, he needed a little help these days.

  Not that he was complaining. He looked over at the bed as he stripped the rest of his clothes, his gaze caressing the curvy form half hidden under the blankets. Joy murmured a sleepy welcome when he pulled the covers back and slid in next to her.

  “How’d it go?” she asked, snuggling into his embrace. It was too early to get up yet, the light not yet creeping over the horizon, so they had a few hours to themselves before Dolph and the rest arrived for the day’s festivities. Besides, having been out all night with him, they’d all be as knackered as he was.

  “Well, I think.” He dropped a kiss on the side of her neck. “We only had one team go off course, the Bermuda triangle again… gonna have to find some way to deal with that for next year, really… some minor issues with sightings but nothing the guys couldn’t handle. One sleigh broke down in London, which was interesting.”

  “Yeah? Sounds like you had fun.” She didn’t open her eyes, instead sticking her cold feet on his bare shins, like always. How the hell her feet were so cold when she’d been in bed all night he had no clue. Probably due to her frost nature. “How’d it go with Nix?”

  He chuckled. “Pain in the ass. Waddling around, wanting to do everything. Dolph had to threaten to lock her in her room. I’ll be so glad when she drops that kid and I don’t have to cover maternity leave.”

  “Sounds like her.” Joy chuckled. “So, do you think you’ll want to go back to it. Be Santa again, full time?”

  “No. I have everything I want and need, right here in this room. In this bed.” Smiling, he turned her around and kissed her softly.

  “I’m all yours, Joy. For forever and eternity.”

  The End

  She can't be his, but she won't survive without his help...

  A sexy dhampir looking for vengeance, a powerful king absolutely not looking for a mate. Will fate give them what they want… or what they need?

  FIND OUT IN BLOOD VOW

  If you enjoyed the book, please consider leaving a review, even if its only a line or two; it would make all the difference and would be very much appreciated.

  Thank you!

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  Also by Mina Carter

  In Debt To The King

  Hard as nails fight club manager Zara cares about two things in life: her club and her brother.

  The problem is, technically the club belongs to her asshat of a father. Who is missing, along with last quarters takings… and the money the club owes to Reese, the guy who controls all the shifter fight clubs in the city. He’s a dangerous man and now Zara owes him money. A lot of money. The sort of money that would normally get her and her brother taken outside the city limits and buried in a shallow grave. But Logan Reese isn’t the monster he should be. He’s as hot as hades, and way too intelligent by half. She’s screwed six ways to sunday…

  He’s a fighter through and through… The King of the Ring.

  Logan Reese can’t abide thieves, so when one of his club managers runs off with money that belongs to him, he’s all for breaking bones and asking questions later. Until he see’s her. Zara Hunter is a delectably curvy little bundle, strength and delicate femininity wrapped up in one irresistible package.

  Logan is anything but a saint, and he has a few ideas about how she can pay off her debt to him…

  Fair Warning: This is a raunchy little shortie that contains one hot as hell werelion using any excuse to get his hands on the sexy, curvy woman he wants. It does not end in a HEA (at the moment) but does have hot sex (on a desk)

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  For Shift’s Sake

  Bobbi Bradbury has man trouble. Local bully boy, Conrad Jackson, ha
s decided she’s his Miss. Right but as far as she’s concerned, he couldn’t be more Mr.Wrong. Unfortunately, he’s not taking no for an answer. The charm offensive is over and it seems he’s looking to take what he wants, no matter her thoughts on the matter.

  Reese Connor is out of the army and on his way to Vegas. The open road, no bullets flying past his head…it’s all this scarred and weary werebear wants. Until his old buddy calls in a favor. Operation: protection. His buddy’s little sister is in some kind of trouble. Fine. He’ll check in and bust a few heads then carry on his merry way…

  But the path to Vegas never runs smoothly and Reese finds himself between the devil and the deep blue sea. His buddy’s little sister is less sweet and innocent and more sexy and seriously curved. And his mate.

  The kicker? She doesn’t know about werebears. The second kicker? His buddy’ll kill him for touching his little sister. And if that wasn’t enough, someone out there is determined that he won’t have Bobbi…ever. And they’ll put her six feet under to stop him.

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  One Night With The Demon Prince

  She’s too good for him…that doesn’t mean he won’t do anything to make her his, if only for the night.

  Half pixie, half demon, Raterrenh is the man every mother warns her daughter about. Treat ’em mean, keep ’em keen… like most demons, his sex drive is high and bedpost carved away under the weight of the notches. Until he met Baby… Everything male in him wants to claim her, everything demon in him demands her submission and surrender.

  But a dragon queen and a demon prince? The world might end if the two of them get together. Ah, screw it…

  Finally awake after eons of sleep, dragon shifter Babylonia–Baby–is struggling to find her place in the world. Her throne is gone, her people reduced to single figures, so there’s nothing left for her to be queen of. All she knows is that the half demon Rat stirs feelings within her she can’t explain…and wants to explore further.

  One night is all they have…will it be enough?

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  Hungry As A Wolf by Alma Black

  What happens when two shifters meet? They're ravenous for love.

  Luke knows how to get what he wants. A lone wolf at heart, he has no problem filling his bed with willing partners. But love? It's not in the cards. But when he matches with his best friend's little sister on the dating app, Shifter, everything changes. Jasmine is a fiery lioness and totally off limits--but that makes her all the more alluring.

  Jasmine has had a crush on Luke as long as she can remember. He's sexy, powerful, and alpha. But as his best friend's little sister, Jasmine knows she doesn't stand a chance.

  When Luke swipes right on her Shifter profile, Jasmine is shocked. Could this be the start of something more?

  But Power Shift is out for blood. They hate any interspecies dating, and will stop at nothing to keep the shifter lines pure. When they attack, can Jasmine and Luke protect each other? Can their newfound love survive?

  Warning: this book contains crazy chemistry, lots of sex, and a little violence to keep things spicy. If those things don't appeal to you, this book is not for you!

  Carry on to read a snippet from HUNGRY AS A WOLF…

  Chapter One

  Luke

  The bar was dimly lit and packed to capacity. Private booths and lounges were scattered about in the dark, affording a sense of privacy for those who needed it. Lighted globes descended from the ceiling like little moons, casting an amber glow throughout. The DJ was on point this evening and more than half the patrons were dancing, and not just on the dance floor. Luke had been jostled and bumped more than a few times, although he wasn’t complaining. He preferred this than the solitude of his apartment.

  He’d picked one of the most popular spots in the city for a reason. If he was going to do his friend a favor and test out his latest invention, he’d do it in a place he’d had successful matchmaking abilities of his own. Without the aid of a phone app.

  Luke shifted in the bar stool and looked up from his phone. He’d been attempting to find interest in the app his best friend Max had created, with no luck. Known as Shifterdate.com, it marketed love matches to both humans and shifters, even matching them together. It was an interesting concept which had gained considerable popularity. Or so he’d been told, several times in fact, by Max.

  He couldn’t understand why his friend was so hell bent on him using the app. Luke was perfectly happy to meet females the old fashioned way. Besides, it seemed to be more of a hookup aide than anything else. That hadn’t gone over well when he’d said as much to Max.

  Luke sat down his phone and reached for his beer, taking a healthy drink. His eyes scanned the bar and landed appreciatively on a few feminine prospects. He didn’t linger, however. Although their looks were pleasing enough, big smiles and tight clothes, it didn’t seem to be what he was looking for tonight. His conversation earlier with Max had put him in a strange mood.

  It was a rare thing for Luke not to go after what he wanted. Tonight shouldn’t have been any different. But with Max’s words ringing in his ear ‘Don’t you want to find love?’ he couldn’t shake the sensation that maybe he did.

  That was enough to have him signaling the bartender for another round.

  Him and love? That wasn’t in the cards. It hadn’t been something he imagined would happen to him. Granted, he wasn’t a young pup anymore and his two best friends had just settled down themselves. But him? Why ruin a good thing? And Luke, he definitely had a good thing going. He had no problems finding companionship or filling his bed with willing partners. It wasn’t until his friends had gone and gotten themselves hitched that he started feeling like something was missing.

  Luke shook his head and glanced back at the app. Swiping across the screen he quickly viewed a few more profiles. Unfortunately, nothing jumped out at him. Was he using this thing properly?

  Luke pressed a few icons, haphazardly maneuvering through the program, flashes of pearly whites and fake boobs zooming past on the screen. His thumb pressed another icon and a profile popped up, a woman with frizzy red hair giving him a pouting look. He blinked. That wasn’t what he wanted to be looking at. Luke sighed.

  Well, he tried.

  He’d have to let Max know he gave it his best shot. But this app? It wasn’t for him.

  “She looks pretty,” a sultry voice said over his shoulder. Luke turned and his eyes landed on his best friend’s baby sister, Jasmine. His heart skipped a beat, her scent washing over him, a mixture of spices that always reminded him of fall. He’d always had a thing for her. He couldn’t deny she was gorgeous, even if she was off limits. She looked especially good tonight in a tight red dress, three-inch heels and her golden blonde hair in messy disarray down her shoulders and back. She had a pert nose, strong chin and come-hither lips. He’d had plenty of fantasies about her mouth.

  She was tall for a woman and with those heels, damn; her legs looked a mile long. He couldn’t stop the grin of appreciation, even if he’d tried.

  “Oh yeah?” Luke looked back at his phone, deigning not to reply. His heart felt like it was running a marathon in his chest. She was standing close, her breasts almost brushing his shoulder. Hell, she had a way of distracting him. Ever since they’d both hit puberty, she’d been the dirty little secret he’d longed for, and he had never grown out of it.

  It was completely out of reach, however, this wanting of her. The things he’d thought about doing to her, with her, were a sure fire way to getting his ass kicked by Theo. Not that he hadn’t considered risking it a time or two. His eyes ran down her body, appreciating every swell and curve.

  “Since when did you begin resorting to matchmaking apps?” she said with a smile. He watched her scoot up onto the stool next to him, h
er short dress riding high on her thighs. He licked his suddenly dry lips and focused his attention on her face. Green eyes sparkled out from beneath fringed bangs, her painted red lips lifted at the corners. She was teasing him, obviously enjoying his embarrassment at getting caught using a matchmaking app. Luke wondered, did she know about Max’s new app? Did she use it?

  “I don’t.” Luke turned to face her more fully, his knees brushing against hers. The music was loud enough, making him lean closer towards her to be heard. He breathed her in, that special scent that was just Jasmine. The wolf inside him howled, recognizing it. He resisted the pull to close his eyes and savor. Tamping down his beast, he continued.

  “I told Max I’d take a look. I don’t see what the big deal is.” He looked at her questioningly, noting her eyes had left his, only to slowly roam down his body. His stomach clenched when her eyes wavered at his groin. He wouldn’t hide what she did to him, couldn’t if he tried. He cleared his throat and her eyes snapped back. If he wasn’t mistaken, and he was pretty sure he wasn’t, he’d think she was checking him out.

  Wasn’t she still dating that human banker? The thought was like a splash of cold water.

  She wasn’t his.

  “Do you use the app?” Luke inquired. He watched her eyes shift right and her lips purse in thought. Was she stalling? He took the moment to admire the curve of her cheek, her slender neck and the subtle curve of her breasts. His vantage point, a few inches taller than her, gave him a beneficial view of her cleavage.