Her Secret Santa: A Short Holiday Romance

by Zetta Hunt

  Her Secret Santa

  Holiday Wishes

  By

  Zetta Hunt

  Copyright © 2020 by Zetta Hunt

  All rights reserved worldwide. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, events, locations, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any persons, living or dead, events or locals is entirely coincidental. This book is for entertainment purposes only.

  This book contains mature content and is solely for adults. It’s fiction, it’s not real, because in the real world we all practice safe sex!

  To keep up to date on new releases and other information please visit my website at: zettahunt.com

  Special thanks to Sally Spinster – I miss driving around looking at Christmas light with you!

  Table of Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  About the Author

  Chapter 1

  Brianna

  “What do you mean you won’t be here for Christmas?” I asked as I tried to hold my cell on my shoulder while I stuck my key in my mailbox that sat inside the apartment building lobby. “Not you too? Come on, you were my only hope.”

  “Sorry,” Sandra said. “But Steve’s parents insisted I come home with him for Christmas.”

  I retrieved my mail out of the box and closed it. “Sandra, it’s fine. You know I’m happy for you and Steve’s a great guy.” I flipped through my mail.

  “Yes, but you’re my best friend and I feel bad leaving you alone at Christmas. I can’t believe your parents are going to your deadbeat brother’s in Texas.”

  “Honestly, it’s better than him coming here.”

  I turned around and towering over me was my neighbor. I smiled, “Hi Marcus, how are you?”

  He bore down at me with his dark gaze. He nodded, gave a slight grunt and moved in to the mailboxes as I moved away. I climbed the few steps to my apartment floor.

  “Mr. Hot-n-Grumpy still won’t talk to you, huh?” Sandra asked.

  “Like that’ll happen.”

  Sandra laughed. “One of these days that man will surprise you.”

  “I doubt it.” I entered my apartment and shut the door. “I just don’t understand why all the hot guys are such a waste. This is why I’m eternally single.”

  “Honey, hang in there, he’s out there, and he’s going to be just around the corner. I can feel it.”

  “You didn’t feel it when Steve came around the corner. As I recall, you’d given up men completely.”

  “Brie, we’re not talking about me, let’s focus on you.”

  “Let’s not,” I said.

  “Listen, I have to go. Christmas is still a couple weeks away. We’ll get together before I leave, have a night out, exchange gifts and such.”

  “Sounds good.” We said our goodbyes and ended the call.

  This was just great. I didn’t care that my parents were going to my brother’s this year. I figured Sandra and I would do something like we had in the past. Now, I’d be all alone for Christmas. I couldn’t fault Sandra though. She’d found a great guy, and I knew Steve was crazy about her.

  A pang of loneliness shot through me. I sighed. I’d think of something. I kept telling myself the glass is half full. Maybe I’d just spend the day watching movies or something. I went about my evening until I heard my neighbor across the hall leave his apartment.

  I tip-toed into my darkened bedroom, where I stood just far enough from the window as not to be seen. I watched as Mr. Grumpy-butt Marcus walked to his car.

  I’m pathetic, I know.

  I can’t help it. If ever there was a man to drool over, it was Marcus. He definitely fit the tall, dark and handsome category. He wore a close-trimmed beard that matched his dark brown, almost black, hair that grazed the top of his shoulders. It hung in nice soft waves and I wondered what it would be like to run my fingers through it as I lay beneath him shuddering in pleasure.

  Then there was his muscular body. In summer I salivated over him in t-shirts that stretched across his hard chest and revealed his chiseled biceps. It always left me breathless.

  Even now, in winter, I stood enamored over his smooth stride as he walked to his black SUV. He was definitely man candy, even if he didn’t have the personality of the year.

  Sandra was wrong. Marcus would never come around, and he would never surprise me. He made it quite plain he didn’t want to be neighborly. But I’d keep on smiling and say hi to him all the same. He moved in over a year ago, and I figured he’d lighten up after a while. That never happened. A nod and a grunt was all he gave me. Occasionally, I might get a one-word answer out of him.

  After the taillights of his SUV disappeared, I neared my bedroom window. Fat snowflakes floated down from above. This Christmas was going to suck. As I watched the snow fall, I wished I had a hot guy like Marcus to spend Christmas with.

  A single snowflake landed on my window and melted on the glass surface. I tore my gaze from the snow and sighed. Glass is half full. That had been my mantra all year. But right now it was definitely half empty.

  Marcus

  I arrived at my night club at my usual time. Todd was chatting up a couple of ladies at the bar as he mixed their drinks. The place wasn’t busy. I knew by midnight we’d be hopping, despite being a weeknight. We always piled them in during the holidays.

  Todd served the women their drinks. Then he spied me and came over. “Dude, you need laid,” he said.

  “And good evening to you too.”

  He waved at Brandon, the other bartender, and ushered me to into the back. Once we were away from the loud music he said, “Seriously, when was the last time you got some? I can hook you up.”

  We entered my office. “I know you could.”

  “It’s the best way to get over a bitch of an ex-wife. Believe me, I know.” He flashed a bright smile.

  “Trust me when I say I’m over her. Have been for a long time now.”

  “Uh, huh?”

  “I am.”

  “Then what happened? When you split from Rachelle you were back out there getting it from a different woman every weekend. Past several months you’ve been keeping a low profile with the ladies.”

  “Maybe I’m tired of one-night stands.”

  “Then make it a two-night stand, or you know, get a girlfriend already.”

  “Did you need to talk to me about something other than getting laid?”

  “Oh, yeah, that guy from the local small business thing stopped in before we opened looking for you. Wanted me to give you an invitation to some Christmas party he’s throwing.” He handed me a gold-colored square envelope. “If you need a date, let me know, I’ll find you one.”

  I shook my head. “You’re not giving up, are you?”

  “Dude, you’re my best friend, so no, I’m not giving up on you.” He picked up a small box sitting on the corner of my desk. “What’s this? A penguin snow globe. Someone give this to you?”

  “No. I like penguins.”

  He raised an eyebrow and set it back down. “That’s a first.” He studied me for a second. “So there is someone, isn’t there? That’s why you’ve been ignoring the ladies.”

  “No, there isn’t.”

  “What’s her name?”

  “Don’t you have a bar to tend to?” />
  “I suppose I do, but this isn’t over. I’m going to find out who this new woman is.” I let out a sigh when he left my office.

  I opened the gold envelope. It was from the Local Small Business Association. They were throwing a Christmas ball for all the local business owners. Formal attire required. A brief image of my neighbor Brianna flashed in my head. One of her wearing a red evening gown that would show off her slight curves. Her honey blonde hair piled up on her head and how it’d look when I let it down.

  I threw the invite on the desk and turned my attention to the box with the snow-globe. Why did I buy that damn thing? A little smiling penguin with a Santa hat stood next to a Christmas tree and a pile of snowballs next to him.

  The penguin’s smile reminded me of Brianna’s, and I knew that’s why I’d bought the damn thing. I still remembered the first time I saw her. I’d been in a pissed off mood about my divorce. I’d come out of my apartment when Brianna was coming out of hers. She smiled and in a cheery voice asked, “Are you my new neighbor?”

  Me, I was an asshole. I simply glared at her and walked away. Didn’t say a word, didn’t even acknowledge she’d said anything. Yet, her bright smile stayed with me the rest of that day. And I’ll be damned if it hadn’t brighten my spirits ever since.

  I’d been in no mood to make friends. I figured if I didn’t speak to her, she’d give up. That apartment was supposed to be temporary. Over a year later, I was still there. With no intentions of moving out.

  I looked back to the invite on my desk. I’d have to go to the ball. I’d told Charles, the head of the Association, that my wife cheated on me and I was afraid of losing everything. He got to work instantly.

  Charles put me in touch with the best divorce lawyer in the city. All I lost was the house. Which I didn’t want anymore after what I’d saw my ex doing in there. The place was tainted now. Charles had also put me in touch with a property manager who found me an apartment.

  If not for the Association, I might have lost my club, my life savings and who knows what else. This club was my passion, my life.

  I’d gone to the Christmas balls in the past, but this year I didn’t want to go alone.

  Alone.

  That’s what Brianna was going to at Christmas. I’d overheard her phone conversation with her friend tonight. She didn’t deserve to be alone at Christmas. That woman was the bright spot that kept me from falling into despair after my divorce.

  Even though I’ve never talked to her, she always, always, smiles and says hi to me without fail. I could take her to the ball. But, how the fuck was I going to ask her out? I couldn’t knock on her door after ignoring her all this time and ask her. I’m sure that would get me a definite no.

  Gazing back at the penguin, I wondered again what she’d look like in a red Christmas evening gown. What jewelry would look right for it. Ten minutes later, a plan formed. A smile spread on my face. I’m going to take Brianna to the ball, she just wouldn’t know it till it was time to go.

  Chapter 2

  Brianna

  Glass is half full, I told myself as I entered my apartment building. I checked my mailbox inside the door. Work was stressing me out. I knew part of it was because I’d be spending Christmas alone.

  Stay positive, Brie.

  I sighed. Some days it was too hard to stay positive. I’d tried all year and now look where it had gotten me? All alone.

  I climbed the few stairs to my floor and saw a bag hanging from my doorknob. That was odd, I didn’t order anything. Sometimes the mailman left packages hanging from my door. I picked it up and looked inside. There was a box wrapped in Christmas paper. I looked up and down the hall before going inside my apartment.

  Sandra must have left something. I wish she wouldn’t feel bad about going to Steve’s for Christmas. Once I shed my coat, I pulled the gift from the bag. A folded note attached to it said, “From Your Secret Santa.”

  I unwrapped the present. On the outside of the box was a picture of a cute penguin snow-globe. There was another note on the box. “The penguin’s smile reminds me of yours.” My heart fluttered. Wasn’t this sweet? I opened the box and removed the globe. I shook it and watched the snow crystals fall around the cute penguin.

  I grabbed my phone and called Sandra. When she answered, I said, “I love it.”

  “Love what?”

  “The gift you left me.”

  “What gift?”

  “You left me a gift hanging from my apartment door. A cute little penguin snow-globe.”

  “Ah, no, I didn’t.”

  “Well, it had to be you. Who else would leave me something?”

  “Wait, someone left you a gift at your apartment door? Is there a note or anything?”

  “Yeah, it said from my Secret Santa and that the penguin’s smiled reminds them of my smile. I know it had to be you.”

  “Seriously, it wasn’t me. But that sounds like a cute gift.”

  I rummaged through all the wrapping paper to see if I’d overlooked something. “I seriously don’t know who would leave me something like this,” I said.

  “Maybe you have more than a secret Santa. Sounds like you have a secret admirer.”

  “I doubt that.”

  “I’m telling you, just around the corner.”

  “I’m telling you, you’re full of shit.”

  Sandra laughed. “Honestly, it wasn’t me, and I have no idea who left it. But if I were you, I’d enjoy it.”

  “Trust me, as cute as it is, I will. I’ll send you a pic.”

  We hung up. I took a picture of it and sent it to Sandra. I also took pictures of the notes and sent them too.

  She text me back, “You so have a secret admirer.”

  I shook my head as I examined the globe. The penguin looked so happy. I admit it cheered up my gloomy spirits. I set the globe in the center of my small dining table and racked my brain about who would give me something like this. But I had nothing.

  I forgot all about it the next day. I came home from another grueling day at the office. I went inside my building and my upstairs neighbor Greg was coming down the steps. “Hey Brie, how are you?”

  “Good, how’s it going with you?”

  “Ah, you know, fighting with the ex about who gets the kids for Christmas.”

  “That sucks. Hope you win out.”

  “Yeah, me too. What about you? Hanging out with Sandra and your parents for Christmas?”

  “No, not this year. Parents are visiting my brother and Sandra is going with her hot stud to his family’s house.”

  “Well, that sucks. If I don’t get the kids, I’m planning a little soiree at my place. You know you’re invited.”

  “Thanks, Greg, that sounds like fun.”

  “I’ll keep you posted.” He left the building.

  I got my mail, climbed the steps, and there was another bag hanging from my door. I turned around, but Greg had disappeared. Was he the one leaving the presents? But I’d heard him coming down from upstairs.

  I took it into my apartment. Again, another present with a tag that said, “From Your Secret Santa.” I opened the gift, and it was a scented candle. A note attached to the box, “So you can smell the holiday cheer.”

  The next day was a repeat. Another gift from my secret Santa. This time it was a bath set. The note read, “So you can relax before the big holiday festivities.”

  Didn’t have any of those this year. The third day in a row I’d come home to find a gift. Was this person doing the twelve days of Christmas? Or was Sandra doing this to cheer me up and get a good laugh out of it?

  What about Greg from upstairs?

  A knock sounded at my door. I looked out the peephole to see Kevin, the apartment maintenance guy. I opened the door. “Hey, Kevin, come on in.”

  “How’s it going, Brianna?”

  “Pretty good, how about you?”

  “Since the cold weather set in, they’re keeping me busy. I’m here to fix your leaky facet in the kitchen. S
orry I didn’t get to it sooner.”

  “That’s fine. It wasn’t a big deal.”

  He went to the kitchen sink and examined it. “Should be an easy fix, won’t take me long and I’ll be out of your way.”

  “I have a question for you,” I asked as he got his tools out to work on the facet. “Are there security cameras in the hallway?”

  He raised an eyebrow. “Why are you having trouble?”

  “No, it’s just someone’s been leaving me presents at my door and I have no idea who it is.”

  “Well, afraid I can’t help you out. No cameras. Maybe you should get one of those doorbell camera things. A tenets in another building did that. What sort of presents are they leaving you?”

  “Well, the first day I got this cute little penguin snow-globe, then a scented candle, and today is a bath set. There’s always a tag that says from my Secret Santa.”

  “Sounds like a secret admirer.”

  I rolled my eyes. “Now you sound like Sandra.”

  “Well, I can tell you it’s not me.” He began working at the faucet. “I finally made my move with the sexy babe down on Clifton Street.”

  “And?”

  “There’s a reason there’s a spring in my step this past month.” He turned around and gave me a wink. He’d been obsessing over a tenet in an apartment building that was owned by the same company that owned this one. But this also ruled out Kevin as my Secret Santa.

  It didn’t take Kevin long to fix the faucet. When he finished he said, “I’m sure whoever is sending you the gifts will reveal themselves.”

  “Yeah, but it’s driving me crazy.”

  He smiled. “You’ll survive, I’m sure. If I don’t see you before, have a great Christmas.”

  “Thanks, you too.” He left.

  About an hour later, I heard Marcus across the hall leave. As always, I tip-toed to my darkened bedroom and watched him. I couldn’t help myself. After he left, Greg pull in. I wondered again if it was Greg leaving the gifts. Until I saw an attractive brunette get out of his car. The two of them appeared to be more than friendly. Might as well cross him off the list as possible suspects.