No Mistletoe Required Read online

  No Mistletoe Required

  By Jeanette Murray

  Dan Beckins isn’t sure how he let his best friend con him into volunteering to build Santa’s Winter Wonderland at the local hospital. He’s got no problems with charity work, but anything Christmas-related is off-limits ever since he lost his parents on Christmas Day years ago. The only bright spot is working with smoking-hot Anna Smith.

  Anna Smith loves Christmas and volunteering at the hospital is one of her yearly highlights. She had leukemia as a teen and then a breast cancer scare in her mid-twenties, and is now operating under a self-imposed rule that she can’t have a relationship until the doctors give her a clean bill of health.

  A little fling might be permissible, though, and sexy lawyer-turned-carpenter Dan seems like the perfect candidate. But when chemistry flares and the two start forming a real connection, will Anna run away before like turns to love?

  24,000 words

  Dear Reader,

  Exciting things happen in November. It’s the month we first announced the creation of Carina Press, the month of my Harlequin employment anniversary and it’s the month when we in the U.S. get gorge-yourself-on-bad-carbs-and-turkey day (otherwise known as Thanksgiving). We also get Black Friday (I think they call it that because of the color of your bruises after you’ve been run over by crazy shoppers).

  This November, we’re excited to release our first Carina Press book in trade print format. The Theory of Attraction, an erotic BDSM romance collection featuring novellas from Delphine Dryden, Christine d’Abo and Jodie Griffin, is on shelves and available for order online.

  We also have fourteen new stories in digital for you to enjoy post-turkey coma, in that long, long line outside the mall on Black Friday or, if neither of those is your thing, to enjoy just because you like a good book! Try to avoid the crime and violence of some of those crazy holiday shoppers and enjoy some on-page suspense instead. Marie Force is back with her popular Fatal series and ongoing protagonists Nick and Sam, in her next romantic suspense, Fatal Attack. Also returning is author Shirley Wells with Dying Art, the next Dylan Scott mystery.

  I’m happy to introduce debut author Jax Garren’s new trilogy, which kicks off this month with How Beauty Met the Beast. This novella grabbed my attention when I read it on submission, with off-the-charts sexual tension, a wonderful, character-driven futuristic world, a smart, sassy heroine and a tortured, scarred hero who yearns for nothing more than to keep the woman he’s secretly falling in love with safe.

  Looking for something out-of-this-world to take you away from the pre-holiday madness? J.L. Hilton offers up her next cyberpunk science-fiction romance, Stellarnet Prince, continuing the adventures of futuristic blogger extraordinaire Genny. Meanwhile, Cáit Donnelly’s Now You See It gives a paranormal edge to a thrilling romantic suspense, while erotic fantasy romance Dark Dealings by Kim Knox is guaranteed to give you that “take me away” feeling.

  Joining Kim with erotic romance releases this month are Jodie Griffin with her next Bondage & Breakfast novella, Forbidden Desires, and Lynda Aicher’s first of a BDSM trilogy, Bonds of Trust. All three books in this trilogy are both smokin’ hot, while delivering a wonderful, captivating story.

  We have two authors with male/male releases this month, including L.B. Gregg’s contemporary romance Men of Smithfield: Adam and Holden. Also in the male/male niche, author Libby Drew has her first Carina Press release, paranormal male/male romance 40 Souls to Keep.

  Susanna Fraser’s An Infamous Marriage is our lone historical romance offering this month, but one that won’t disappoint. Anchoring us in the here and now are several contemporary romance titles. Jeanette Murray’s No Mistletoe Required aims to get you into a holiday mood and December Gephart bursts onto the publishing scene with her debut, the witty, fun and romantic Undercover Professor.

  And don’t miss the upcoming conclusion of Shannon Stacey’s second Kowalski family trilogy, All He Ever Dreamed.

  Wherever your reading pleasure takes you, enjoy this month’s variety of releases as we gear up for the holiday season.

  We love to hear from readers, and you can email us your thoughts, comments and questions to [email protected]. You can also interact with Carina Press staff and authors on our blog, Twitter stream and Facebook fan page.

  Happy reading!

  ~Angela James

  Executive Editor, Carina Press

  www.carinapress.com

  www.twitter.com/carinapress

  www.facebook.com/carinapress

  Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  About the Author

  Copyright

  Chapter One

  “Stop staring at the jailbait.”

  Dan Beckins’s best friend, Geoff, knocked him in the gut with an elbow. “I’m disappointed in you. You’re a lawyer. You know jailbait implies they’re under eighteen. These are sorority girls. They’re all at least eighteen.” His eyes drifted back to the curve of some undergrad’s butt as she bent over to tie her shoe. “God bless the Greek system.”

  “Uh-huh. We’re divorce attorneys, not defense. Spare me your excuses.” Dan picked up another two-by-four and angled it until it rested on top of the others. “Get your ass over here, Greek Lightning, and hold this steady before I drop it on your head. Don’t think I’m going to forgive you for roping me into this project by conveniently forgetting to mention the Christmas angle.” He was tempted to drop it anyway, just to exact a little revenge.

  Geoff walked over and then pretended to be helpful by holding the board while Dan hammered. His eyes, though, stayed on the other side of the room where a dozen college girls stood around a table, chattering so loudly Dan thought his head was going to explode. The table itself was a glitter-bomb of red and green craft projects. They were setting up the Santa’s Workshop in the rec hall of the children’s hospital as their philanthropic event of the semester. And honestly, while he could do with a little less high-pitched chatter, they weren’t doing a bad job. What he remembered of sorority girls from his own time in school had left the impression of flighty, shallow females caring only about the next chance to snag the head frat boy of the week. But these ladies seemed focused on both fun and functionality, wanting to do a good job. The high-pitched squealing, he could do without. But at least they were dedicated workers. Unlike some people... He shot a glance at his friend. But with the Kappas’ help, maybe he’d escape the Winter Hell Land earlier than expected.

  Dan grunted and swung the board around, only sighing a little as Geoff ducked easily and escaped the path of the two-by-four.

  “Watch it, man.” Geoff rubbed a hand over his hair. “I only have one head.”

  “You must have lost your mind to think I’d want in on this.”

  “It’s charity.” Geoff grinned at him.

  “It’s Christmas charity,” Dan corrected. “You know it’s not the same thing to me. I never would have volunteered if you’d told me the full project. You knew that and you withheld information. And like a complete idiot, I agreed without extracting the facts.”

  “‘Withheld information.’ ‘Extracting facts,’” Geoff scoffed as he grabbed a piece of sandpaper. “This isn’t a divorce deposition, dude.”

  “But much like a bastard cheating husband,” Dan said, pointing the claw of his hammer at his friend, “you will pay. Big time. I have gutters that need attention.”

  At least he could put his skills from his manual-labor-to-pay-for-law-school days to good use again.

  “You
know, the great thing about southern California...short-shorts are never inappropriate.” Geoff’s eyes followed a brunette with a tight ass as she walked over to grab some paper and walk back to join her sisters.

  Dan slapped him on the back of the head. “Concentrate. I almost cut your thumb off.” Not really, since he was hammering. But his friend wasn’t paying enough attention either way.

  Geoff ripped his hands away from the wood so fast it might have been on fire and then the structure clattered to the ground. The sound of wood banging against concrete flooring echoed in the room, and all the girls turned to stare at them.

  Including her.

  Big brown eyes stared at him, though he couldn’t tell if she was annoyed or surprised. The obvious leader of the sorority sisters, Anna Smith had been taking charge and kicking ass since the early morning roll call. And nobody’s ass was safe around Sergeant Anna. Even his. The girls listened to her like they were her little boot camp recruits, even though most stood nearly a foot taller than her. If the Sarge was anything over five feet, he’d be shocked. But her presence demanded attention.

  And he couldn’t help but give it to her, though he did his best to hide it. She wasn’t willowy or slender. More like athletic, like she could kick ass on the flag football field. She wore shorts too, but they weren’t nearly as short as those of her friends. They still showcased tight legs, with thighs that flexed as she walked, and toned calves.

  Legs like that made him think of pushing her up against a wall, hitching her up and letting those strong thighs squeeze his waist while he thrust up into that wet heat and...

  And this was absolutely not where his mind should be going to with a college kid.

  Her face just seemed more mature, along with her attitude. A sense of seriousness wrapped around her, compared to the more carefree, giggly females surrounding her. Not that the other girls weren’t working hard, because they were. But the Sarge seemed to make it her personal mission that the entire group would be on time, if not early. And he liked that. A woman who understood the importance of a deadline.

  Anna laughed at something one of her girls said, and his mouth twitched in response. He fought it back before the twitch turned into a full smile. The fact that he had to fight it was saying something, given he didn’t usually have much to smile about in the month of December.

  “Ready to head to Grandma’s? I’m pretty sure there are a few gifts under her tree with your name on them.”

  His smiling mother leaned over him, kissed him on the top of his head. The scent of lemon surrounded him, and he breathed deep.

  Dan shook his head. Where the hell had that come from? And why did he—Dan sniffed. Was he going crazy or did he smell lemon still?

  A quick glance around revealed a Kappa behind them, wiping down one of the shelves with lemon-scented spray. Damn.

  Geoff nudged him, and he gratefully accepted the distraction with his special brand of good cheer. “What?”

  “Like you haven’t been looking a certain someone’s way all day?”

  “Hell, no,” he lied easily. Even if she was something like twenty-two, it was way too young for him. He was thirty-freaking-one. He’d outgrown college girls when he graduated law school.

  “Probably some fifth year senior,” he muttered, mostly to make himself feel better after looking like a jackass with clumsy fingers. “Help me pick this thing back up. And either pay attention and get your eyes off the scenery or I’m leaving. This was your project to start with. You lured me here under false pretenses.”

  “Yeah, yeah, yeah.” Geoff gave him a lopsided grin and tugged on his own ear. “Come on. How the hell can you be so grouchy doing something so good? It’s for the kids, man.”

  He didn’t care for Christmas, and he didn’t much care for kids either. His ideal Christmas vacation was spent on an adults-only beach somewhere, with the only decoration being a little peppermint garnish in his cocktail. Too bad he’d chosen this year to stay home for the holidays in order to save up for a bigger trip over the following summer.

  But he knew a good project when he saw one, and despite his apathy toward the under-twelve set, he knew the kids at the hospital could use some cheer. They didn’t choose to be sick. He just didn’t have to admit that out loud.

  He put his entire concentration into finishing the platform where they would place Santa’s big chair—the next project on the list. The sooner he got this done, the sooner the Kappa Kappa Whatevers could sprinkle their glitter-glued snowflakes around and call it done.

  And the sooner it was done, the sooner he could stop trying to avoid looking over at Sorority Sergeant every five minutes to check her out, only to feel guilty and weird about it seconds later.

  * * *

  Anna finished the list and taped it up to the side wall, next to all the other lists. “Okay, so Mandy is going to finish constructing all the snowflakes we’ll hang from the ceiling beams, and then she and Georgiana are going to grab the ladders and get to that. That only leaves...” She scanned her lists. “Tam. Can you and Beth head over to the rental store and bring back the costumes we’re supposed to have so we can pass those out to the volunteers tonight before they go home?”

  “Got it, boss.” Tam gave her a little fake salute and grabbed Beth’s hand, laughing as they made a break for it.

  Anna knew what the girls called her behind her back—Sergeant. That was fine with her. One person had to be in charge, or else nobody was and nothing got done. Lesson learned early in life. And this project mattered to her too much to let anyone slack off.

  Including those not actually a part of her alma mater’s sorority. She glanced quickly toward the borrowed muscle for the day. The one who’d walked in that morning carrying the fake sprig of mistletoe—Geoff—seemed to be more interested in what her girls were up to than his own assignment. But his friend, Dan, was hard at work. Almost too hard. As if the three ghosts from Dickens’s A Christmas Carol were going to haunt him if he didn’t finish up.

  She admired his dedication. And getting the Santa’s Workshop completed on time was of the utmost importance. But he wasn’t passing out holiday cheer either. Was he in a hurry to get somewhere? Or did he just not have the spirit of Christmas down pat yet? It was still a little early, after all.

  He paused in his hammering to wipe his brow and frown once more at the work. And despite the Grinch-like expression, and his I’m-Busy attitude, he was freaking cute. All that shaggy, dark blond hair falling into his eyes, those arms straining under his polo shirt, his eyes focused with laser-beam intensity on the task at hand. Not that he’d noticed her at all. Though his friend had been all but drooling in their direction all morning, Dan hadn’t given them more than a glance all day.

  She wouldn’t mind a glance or two. That familiar secret tug of appeal had started early that morning when she’d introduced herself. A healthy dose of attraction, liberally laced with good old-fashioned lust expounded by the sad fact that it’d been, well...awhile since her last affair. The man was good-looking. And there wasn’t any point in denying that she wouldn’t mind a quick Christmas fling.

  Deciding the Kappas were busy enough for the moment, she wandered over to inspect a few other groups that were clearing out the recreation room before casually making her way over to the hammer-and-nails crew.

  “Boys. How are things going?”

  Geoff gave her a lazy grin, not at all hiding the fact that he wished he had X-ray vision to see through her bulky sweatshirt. “Going great, Sarge—I mean, Anna. I don’t suppose you ladies need help with your glue gun or anything, huh?”

  He was so ridiculously obvious and good-natured, she couldn’t help but laugh. “No, thanks. Us little ladies can manage the glue just fine on our own.” She paused, waiting for Dan to acknowledge her presence. Smile, nod, even just look at her. Nada. She cleared her throat. “Actually, Dan, could you help me with something for a minute?”

  He glanced up, a few locks of hair falling into his eyes. He pushed
at them with his wrist, hand still gripping the hammer. He looked resigned, dreading what she was about to ask of him. “What?”

  Ah, and good Yuletide to you, too... “I could use a little help carrying in the drink cooler, if you wouldn’t mind.”

  “I don’t mind!” Geoff popped up like a toy in a Whac-A-Mole game.

  “You haven’t done a quarter of the work around here.” Dan stood as well and slapped the hammer in his friend’s hand, simultaneously shoving on his shoulder until Geoff was back down on the ground. “Build something. It’s good for your character.”

  “Great.” She kept a determined smile on her face and started toward the door that led to the cafeteria. It didn’t escape her notice that he shoved his hands in his pockets and kept a good foot of distance between them at all time. Okay, fine. Quiet, surly type. She could work with that. Her particular brand of persistence would come in handy. “First time volunteering for the Workshop, right?”

  “Yup.” He stared straight ahead.

  Undeterred, she tried again. “And you signed up with your friend Geoff.”

  “He signed me up.” The words were bit off like they tasted bad.

  “You’re both lawyers?”

  “Uh-huh.” He batted at a silver star that hung too low from the ceiling.

  “It’s a great project. The kids are always so excited. So little happiness exists between these walls, and most of them can’t leave, even for the day, to go do something like this. It’s such a blessing to bring the fun to them, right?”

  “‘Blessing.’ Sure is.” His tone was about as enthusiastic as a dental patient being told they were getting a surprise two-for-one root canal.

  She just had to be attracted to the one who hated talking, didn’t she?

  Time to tactfully retreat. She could smell a losing battle when it was upon her. “Cafeteria’s in here. I warned them earlier, so they should have the cooler full with water and sodas.” She pushed through the double doors and into the busy eatery full of tired-looking doctors and nurses, parents with determined smiles on their faces and a few children who looked overjoyed to be out of their hospital rooms, even if it was just a trip down the hall. The smell of meatloaf and bland mashed potatoes clung to the air, and one sad, slightly tilting fake Christmas tree stood in the corner, forgotten and alone.