“Aw, don’t be like that,” said Dario. He hopped down from the carriage and loomed over her. She wasn’t intimidated at all, not like he was trying to be intimidating. He just wanted to call her bluff. “You’re the only elf for me. But if you play your cards right, you could be sitting beside me next Christmas.”
Kimber pressed her hand against his chest, in part to stop him from leaning forward for a kiss, which he was known to steal from her. A few she gave up, especially when she purposely stood under the mistletoe in her apartment.
“I doubt that as well,” said Kimber, “but I will take you up on the offer for a ride back to the apartment.”
“Great.” Dario reached down to wrap his arms around her waist. Before she had the chance to protest, he’d placed her on the red cushions of the sleigh.
Having your story read out loud as a teen by your brother in Julia Child’s voice might scare some folks from ever sharing their work. But Carolyn Hector rose above her fear. She currently resides in Tallahassee, Florida, where there is never a dull moment. School functions, politics, football, Southern charm and sizzling heat help fuel her knack for putting a romantic spin on everything she comes across. Find out what she’s up to on Twitter, @WriteOnCarolyn.
Books by Carolyn Hector
Harlequin Kimani Romance
The Magic of Mistletoe
The Bachelor and the Beauty Queen
His Southern Sweetheart
The Beauty and the CEO
A Tiara Under the Tree
Tempting the Beauty Queen
Southern Seduction
A Tiara for Christmas
Visit the Author Profile page at Harlequin.com for more titles.
I would very much like to dedicate this book to one of my dearest friends, the badass cancer-kicking middle-school teacher Mrs. Larina “Mickey” Cornelius.
Acknowledgments
To my friend Kaia Alderson-Tyson, my #DestinDiva, who thought of me in a tiara-making video a long time ago, which sparked Dario’s hobby. Thanks, girl!
And I would like to thank the fabulous authors who came before me like Beverly Jenkins, Brenda Jackson and Kristan Higgins. Their constant kind words and actions of support have meant the world to me.
Dear Reader,
It’s time for the final crowning!
A Tiara for Christmas is the last book in the Once Upon a Tiara series with the closing of the Kimani line. It’s been a wonderful ride and I thought I’d end it with the girl—now grown-up—who stole our hearts (and a dress) in the first book of this series: Miss Kimber Reyes. I love a good friends-to-lovers trope. I thought it would be great to give Dario Crowne, bachelor party-boy heartthrob, a taste of his own medicine by sending him to friend-zone hell.
A Tiara for Christmas is my tenth book with Harlequin Kimani. It has been such a wonderful journey. I thank you all for taking the time to step into my world by reading and supporting my books.
Best,
Carolyn
Contents
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Epilogue
Prologue
Was it a crime to find Santa sexy? Kimber Reyes picked up the pep in her step down the cobblestone streets of downtown Southwood, Georgia. In her defense, this Santa in particular wore a red jacket with the sleeves ripped off and the buttons undone. One could imagine the bulging muscles of Santa’s biceps hadn’t fit in the velvety material. Kimber wrapped her green vest a little tighter and buttoned it just under her breasts for the perky effect. Instead of wearing the felt flats with brass bells and the curved tips at the toes for holiday spirit, Kimber had switched into her black heeled sandals to better show off her Santa-inspired pedicure.
Dario Crowne’s back was turned as he fiddled with whatever was in the giant red Santa sack in the back of the custom-designed sleigh. Twin cream-colored horses stood in front of the sleigh with their heads bobbing up and down at the sight of Kimber rounding the corner. She guessed they were on edge after spending the early part of the evening being fawned over by the hundreds of children excited about a visit from the North Pole.
“Whoa, whoa, whoa,” Santa Dario called out, turning to grab the black leather reins.
Their eyes met. Kimber smiled past the butterflies in the pit of her stomach. It wasn’t like this was the first time she’d laid eyes on Dario. For heaven’s sake, she saw him less than half an hour ago. The faux white beard now hung around his neck, revealing the dark five-o’clock shadow across the tawny hue of his chiseled jawline. The fact he’d worn no shirt under the Santa jacket drove her insane with wanton ideas. Flat dark hair covered his navel and abs, disappearing down into the black belt of the suit.
“What did you say?” Kimber asked with a raised brow. She stopped at the side of the sleigh.
Dario leaned over and offered Kimber a lopsided hundred-kilowatt smile. “I said whoa, not ho.”
“You’re funny,” Kimber said, rolling her eyes.
“And you’re the sexiest elf I’ve seen all day.”
“Considering there were elves from the seniors center as well as the high school football team,” she said, “I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“You should.” Dario extended his hand for her to take. “C’mon up. I’ll take you back to your place. I left my car at the farm. You can ride back with me.”
Every time Kimber came back home to Southwood, Dario took it upon himself to escort her wherever she needed to go. Kimber didn’t mind. She liked driving around in the classic muscle cars he and his brothers restored. Truth be told, she hated driving down some of the streets in town, especially the one where her parents had died over six years ago. At least when someone else drove, she could close her eyes for a moment.
“In the sleigh?” She cocked her head to the side. Dario had been a busy man today, passing out presents at the children’s wing at the hospital on top of everything else. The kids had all received gifts—in green wrapping for boys and red for girls, but a red-and-white-striped box with a big white bow on it appeared to have been left behind.
It was on the tip of her tongue to inquire about it, but then Dario’s grin deepened, revealing an undeniable dimple that peeked through the dark mask of facial hair as he answered her question. “That’s up to you.”
Kimber licked her lips in response while she came up with a verbal challenge. “Only if you think Mrs. Claus wouldn’t mind.”
“This Santa is single.” To prove it, Dario lifted his left hand and bared his naked ring finger. “Are you up for the position?”
“Highly unlikely that’s going to happen,” Kimber said. “This elf doesn’t compete with the helpers in Santa’s village.”
“Aw, don’t be like that,” said Dario. He hopped down from the sleigh and loomed over her. She wasn’t intimidated at all. He just wanted to call her bluff. “You’re the only elf for me. And if you play your cards right, you could be sitting beside me next Christmas.”
Kimber pressed her hand against his chest, in part to stop him from leaning forward for a kiss, which he’d been known to steal from her. Although she’d given a few up, like when she purposely stood under the mistletoe in her apartment.
“I doubt that, as well,” said Kimber, “but I will take you up on the ride.”
“Great.” Dario reached down to wrap his arms around her waist, lifting her onto the red cushions of the sleigh.
Kimber clapped her hands together with excitement. In response, Dario raised a brow.
“What?” Kimber felt the heat of he
r blush touch her cheeks. “Can’t a gal be interested in a horse-drawn carriage?”
“Sure. Okay, it may take a minute to get out there.”
Kimber shrugged her shoulders. “Cool with me. You know Charlotte and Richard just got engaged.”
Dario nodded and took hold of the reins again. “I heard. Good for them.”
“True, good for them, but those two have been celebrating every chance they get. And don’t get me wrong, I love that they’re together, but I did come back to the apartment so I could study for exams. Instead, I feel like I’m back in my dorm room.”
“Well, you know me,” said Dario. “Whatever it takes to spend time with you, I’m down.”
Even though his eyes were on the road, Kimber rolled her own again. Dario wasn’t known as a playboy for nothing. Bold women in the street now waved and called out Dario’s name. Some even extended their pinky and thumb up by their ears to tell him to call. If Dario noticed, he didn’t let on. He kept his eyes on the road in front of him and guided the sleigh through the town.
There weren’t a lot of people on Main Street. Probably a good thing, Kimber thought, considering his open jacket flapped in the wind. She sidled closer to Dario for warmth.
“I have a blanket back there if you’d like,” he offered.
“I’m good, unless I’m making you uncomfortable.”
Dario shook his head quickly. “Nah, I like this. Your little girly hands around my biceps.”
“If you bend over to kiss your muscles, I’m hopping out.”
Tightening his arm so those muscles flexed under her hands, Dario bellowed a deep laugh that caused the horses to take quick steps forward. “You’re the only woman offended by my hard work.”
“This—” she dug her nails into his skin “—is hard work?”
“Ouch, and yes.”
“I am sure your fans love your dedication.” Kimber sighed.
“Again, the only person I’m concerned about impressing is you.”
They fell into a lull of silence when the horse’s hooves stopped clicking on the streets and thumped against the clay road through the forest, heading toward the farm. A full moon tried to peek out from behind the pine trees and the bit of cloud cover in the lavender sky. A cool wind crept through the air. Somewhere in the distance, someone had a fire going.
Thankful they could avoid County Road Seventeen, the road most traveled by everyone, Kimber cuddled closer to Dario. “Thanks for being a good sport today and dressing up as Santa. Even if you did it without a shirt on.”
“Hey, I kept my jacket buttoned until the end,” Dario defended himself.
“And the sleeves? I suppose they ripped off when Miss Britney and one of the mothers were fighting over you.” Miss Britney was notorious for hitting on every hot man, single or not. It wouldn’t be so bad if she wasn’t an elementary teacher.
Dario looked down to face her. “Miss Britney and Andrew to be exact.”
Kimber couldn’t help but laugh. “Okay that doesn’t surprise me.” Andrew, her aunt’s right-hand man at Grits and Glam Studios, had very good taste, after all.
“Does this mean you’re giving me the benefit of the doubt?” Dario bumped his shoulder against hers.
“No, there was another coat you could have put on,” said Kimber, pushing back.
“I was already getting ready to leave,” he replied, “so I didn’t see the point.”
While it made perfect sense, Kimber could imagine if the incident had happened earlier in the afternoon, Dario would still have finished the day wearing the sleeveless coat. In the last two years before she left, she’d given up trying to keep it at the friendship level and dabbled in the occasional kisses here and there. A man like him did not settle down—which was perfect, since she was the type with no relationship goals.
As she reflected on their months of uninhabited flirting, Kimber realized the wheels of the carriage had stopped moving. When she glanced up at Dario, she half expected him to be looking at her. Instead his gaze was focused ahead on the opening in the parallel oak trees in the distance, adorned with twinkling white lights strung up to warn motorists about nearby deer. Without need for an explanation, she knew exactly what had caught his eye.
Instead of the usual spectacular Southwood golden sunset, the sky had turned bright red. Strips of thick white clouds floated against the crimson background.
“It’s a candy cane sky,” Kimber announced. “Let’s take a selfie.” She pulled her phone out of her elf costume’s pocket.
Dario covered her hand with his. “I’m not taking a selfie. Let’s just enjoy the sky.”
“You’re such a fuddy-duddy,” she argued. “I’m taking one with or without you.” She turned for the perfect pose. After finding the right angle she snapped the photo with Dario’s back. “You’re dressed as Santa but you’re truly the Grinch.”
“Yet you wouldn’t have it any other way.” Dario leaned back and kissed Kimber’s shoulder. She happened to capture that on camera also.
“Whatever.” Kimber shrugged. She glanced at the time in the upper right-hand corner of her phone.
Dario nudged Kimber’s side. “You still haven’t heard about that internship?”
She shook her head and tried to ignore the disappointment rising in her chest. If she got the call, she’d be working down in Miami at the headquarters of MET, Multi-Ethnic Television, as a junior correspondent. She could work anywhere, but this was the dream. “No. Today was the last day for them to call.”
“They’ll call.”
“It’s after five. I doubt it.”
Dario reached around and lifted Kimber back until she leaned into his lap. Kimber let out a squeal but let her body be moved. “I’ve got something to help you celebrate the call.”
“We can’t celebrate,” Kimber protested. “It’s bad luck or something.”
“Then how about this,” said Dario, lifting her hair off the shoulder close to his massive chest. Through her half-closed lids she understood why Dario was such a sought-after man. He had a way of making a woman feel dainty and feminine. She watched him lick his lips. “We can call this a Christmas present.”
Kimber swayed close to his face. “It’s Christmas Eve. Still too early.”
“Woman.” Dario sighed. He dropped his hand from her shoulder.
Chills ran down her spine. He leaned forward, and taking the cue, Kimber crossed the ultimate line. She pressed her lips against his. For a man who oozed masculinity, his lips were soft and succulent. When he drew his head back in surprise, panic raced through her veins as she realized this might not have been what he meant by a present. “Oh my God,” she exclaimed. “I’m so...”
Anything else she wanted to say died on her lips. Dario’s hand slid to her backside. His other hand reached around her torso and caressed her face. Their tongues touched and his minty taste filled her mouth. Liquid pools of desire soaked her to the core.
Eager, Kimber maneuvered herself to straddle his lap. Her hands caressed the hard muscles of his bare arms, the veins in his biceps under her fingertips. The red velvet pants did nothing to hide the bulge of his erection against his thigh, and Kimber’s heart raced with excitement. The green felt material of her costume tore as she spread her legs to wrap around his waist.
Dario leaned forward and feasted hungrily on Kimber’s neck. The warmth of his breath tantalized her being. Kimber locked her ankles around him when he stood up and changed positions. The seat back dropped and she found herself lying down. Dario stood long enough to rip the Santa jacket off his body. Kimber lifted herself to her elbows and cocked a sandaled foot against the edge of the seat, and a gasp left her lips when he reached for the black buckle of his belt.
A wild look filled Dario’s coppery eyes while he kept his focus on her thighs. He reached into a small pocket of his pants to extract a foil packet.
Apparently a man like Dario never traveled without protection. His hand gripped her extended leg and pulled her toward the edge of the seat. The movement caused what remained of her skirt to roll up higher, exposing red panties with a bow on each hip. In a matter of seconds, he’d torn one side of the flimsy material. The rip of the fabric didn’t even faze her. The only thing she wanted was him.
Dario slid the red pants over his narrow hips and brandished exactly what she’d felt through the fabric. The cool air of dusk filled her lungs. The anticipation while he slipped on the protection nearly killed her but when he grabbed her by the other ankle and positioned himself between her legs, it was well worth the wait.
The skittish horses shifted, causing the carriage to rock.
Dario pulled Kimber up by her lower back with his left forearm and she arched her spine for a better fit. Her inner walls hugged him like a glove. Kimber’s hands gripped his shoulder blades and pulled her mouth to his neck and he moaned against her collarbone when she nibbled his earlobe. As the sun disappeared behind the pine trees, Dario made love to every inch of her body. Her toes ached from curling so many times. They’d definitely crossed the friendship line now, and for once in Kimber’s life, she found herself imagining how perfect life could be with one man.
Satiated for the time being, they rode together in silence toward the stable. Once they came out of the forest, Kimber’s phone began to ping and ping and ping again. For a moment she was confused and irritated by the disturbance to her afterglow. Unraveling her hand from the crook of Dario’s elbow, she slid her finger to check her messages flipping it off camera mode. Three missed calls and five text messages. Best to start with the voicemails and then read the messages.
Kimber put her phone on speaker and hit Play.
“Ms. Reyes, this is Rory Montgomery calling from MET Studios in Miami. We are reaching out to see if you can get to Atlanta to cover a speech at the governor’s mansion at six. We understand this is last minute but after going through our list of intern applicants we realized this would be the perfect introduction to the MET network.”
Christmas with the Billionaire ; A Tiara for Christmas Page 16
