Chapter 2

Two

Wynter

I cupped my coffee mug with two white reindeer painted around a background of red as I sat at a tiny bistro table in the employee lounge. Everyone I saw today had those brown, bland disposable paper cups but I preferred my more festive one. I found my smiles where I could these days.

I gripped it tighter, trying to warm up my near-frozen fingers The latest snowstorm chilled me through and through. Though I loved living in a town where the running theme was Christmas and Santa, the California girl in me sometimes misses the sunshine and sand. But I wanted adventure, damn it. And snow. I got both. Trying to turn my car on this morning proved pointless when snow engulfed it, leaving only the antenna sticking out like a periscope. Comical really. If I wasn't half frozen.

I ran my gaze over the room and shook my head ruefully. The Luna was the finest hotel this side of the country, but you couldn't tell that from the employee lounge. It looked like where bargain basement decorations went to die a horrible holiday death. Someone had tacked up globs of silver and green tinsel, deep green garland and purple twinkle lights along the windowless walls in the shape of a tree on one side of the room and a big fat Santa on the other. Random cardboard Santas and Rudolphs were taped at odd angles to cupboard doors and I really didn't know which was worse to look at. It was a long way from the evergreens and holly decking out the rest of the hotel.

"Hey, Wynter, sweetie. Love the mug." My boss's assistant slid into a seat at the table behind me. I've always found him to be cute with his raven black hair and blue eyes, but in a boyish brotherly kind of way. I never went for the bowtie loafer-wearing types.

West, another of the head honchos, joined him, giving me a polite smile as he settled into the chair across from Porter. Between the two I would definitely lean toward the clean shave and well-built physique of West.

West had no idea who I was even though we crossed paths often enough. I had that effect on people. Against my desire, I am the invisible woman no one really takes into account. I held in a sigh as my heart gave a tight squeeze in my chest. Nothing like being alone and totally forgettable to the people around you, especially this time of year.

I wiggled my toes in my boots. They were made to keep my feet warm and dry, not make a fashion statement, but somehow the boots failed their purpose. I needed dry socks.

This time I allowed a slight sigh to escape me. Not like anyone would be paying attention. How sad was it that I spent my days in the most exciting city in the world given how many people flock here each year, and the most I had to look forward to was toasty warm toes? I scowled into my coffee. Aren't I a real Christmas case of the blues.

"Have you checked Jolly Nights? Did Mateo get any takers?" West asked.

"Hold on, I'm signing into his account now." Porter lowered his voice. "Why'd he have to specify a virgin? He'd be swamped with responses otherwise."

I leaned back in my chair a bit.

West snorted. "That's not his only problem. Using Scrooge as his screen name isn't going to help him get laid."

I sat up a bit straighter in my chair, ears growing warm. Jolly Nights? Scrooge?

"Keep your voice down, man," Porter whispered roughly.

The room was dead silent with only the gurgle of the coffeepot in the corner going off before West spoke up.

"Relax. Nobody's going to hear us."

"Wynter is sitting right behind you, man. Shut the fuck up."

West finally lowered his voice, but in a room this silent it didn't make a difference.

"Come on. She's sweet, but in a Church potluck kind of way. I hardly think she's on Jolly Nights."

Burn. Damn.

"Good point," Porter agreed.

I brought my cup to my lips, barely tasting the now-cooled coffee. My brain buzzed and it had nothing to do with the caffeine. And forget the dis these two guys just layered on me. They weren't my cup of tea either. Hell, I might not be Mateo's. Really, honestly, I know I'm not, but still. What if, right?

Not only was Mateo on Jolly Nights, he was using Scrooge as a screen name. And he was looking for a virgin.

The cards were all stacked in my favor.

Holy shit. My luck just turned around. Or, I suffered from having a really bad idea making my face flame red. I felt like my wicked sins were shining bright for all to see. I quickly ducked my head.

I could really have a chance with Mateo. The man I've secretly lusted for since arriving in North Pole. I never thought I'd find a man like him in a town this size. Commanding. Handsome in ways that have me aching to have him between my legs, and kissing me so hard I lose track of the days. Forget being dry around him. Just the idea of having him go down on me in the middle of his office has me creaming my panties. And when the stars align with the moon and he graces the accounting department, leaving behind the scent of his cologne, my fantasies run wild for days.

Not surprisingly, he didn't have a clue of my existence. Which might be to my benefit, come to think of it. My employment in the lower levels of the hotel kept me from crossing his path too often. He spends most of his time locked away in his tower—the penthouse suite of Luna hotel where he lived and worked. The place sprawls across a ten-acre spread of lush greenery in the summer and a winter wonderland come winter like now. Everywhere you look there's a sea of white with the castle turned posh hotel sitting dead center. It's a postcard I never grow tired of.

At twenty-two and another December already well on its way, I thought for sure I would be long past the virgin part of my life.

Err… I'm embarrassed to say no dice. Nerdy accountants don't get the sexy guys chasing after them, I'm sad to report. I don't even have dirty stories to share of backseat groping or picking up a guy at the bar. I just can't seem to bring myself to engage in a casual fling. The idea of letting some strange guy inside my body has me shuddering with dread.

That said, I pant at the idea of finally getting beneath the sheets with someone a little hotter and more experienced than my vibrator. I mean, I'm not exactly saving myself for someone special or some Mr. Forever. But someone I have respect for and I know will make me love every minute of the deed would be nice.

And that is where Mateo comes in. Latin, dreamy eyes and damn, I just knew without a doubt he would sound sexy as sin telling me to come all over his cock with that Spanish accent.

The minute I saw him, I knew exactly who I'd been saving myself for—Mateo Caldera aka off-limits billionaire mousy me doesn't stand a chance with.

Out of my league, possibly universe. And even if by some miracle he noticed me, he held a strict policy about upper management not dating employees. What were the chances he'd be willing to bend those rules for someone like me?

My sour thoughts matched my wet feet—cold and miserable. A tiny tear escaped the corner of one eye and slid down my cheek. I swiped it away with the back of my hand, hoping no one noticed.

They didn't . Naturally .

West and Porter still snickered like horny schoolboys behind me over their boss's Jolly Nights ads.

My phone vibrated with a message from Pepper, my BFF, who ran the hotel salon.

Guess what, next 2 apps bailed. Gotta love December! Dudes were too hung over to get out of bed. Come by for some pampering and love XOXO

I stared at her message through blurry eyes, instantly back on track with my slutty idea I had no right to be considering.

I shouldn't.

It's crazy.

Could I?

I shrug to myself, loving the devil whispering in my ear… but, Wynter what do you have to lose ?

Right. Fuck it.

I can forever be the mousy invisible woman waiting for someone to see me and my life to begin. Or I could make my own damn Christmas miracle.

One that landed a certain Latin lover between my legs.

Merry Christmas to me!

" F uck me!" Pepper's jaw dropped, exposing the giant wad of pink bubblegum in her mouth. Pepper hailed from Staten Island. We'd met on the job and became instant besties. True to her Staten Island roots, Pepper embraced big hair, fluorescent nails and a flamboyant wardrobe. But for her position as the head stylist at the Luna , she adopted a posh East Coast accent, nude nails, and tamed her black curls into a sleek knot at the base of her neck. She sold beauty without even trying.

I swing through the doors and sigh with relief to see it's just the two of us. Pepper greeted me with a smile and whirled me across polished marble floors post large black and white photos of stunning supermodels covering the walls. Each one we passed caused me to question my plan. Everything in this place oozed glitzy glamour. Just like everything else in the hotel. Luckily, this morning's snowstorm kept the customers snuggled down in their beds so nobody witnessed my hopeful transformation from duck to swan, if Pepper's reputation is anything to go on.

Pepper slid me into an empty chair and leaned me back, my thick long hair in her hands. "I'd ask what brought on this change of attitude, but I know you. If you think about this for three more minutes, you'll chicken out and I'll have to chase you down." She glared at me in the mirror as if daring me to even try.

Ten minutes later I'm stripped of my clothing. Boots, socks, pants, panties…it's all off.

"What? I couldn't if I tried." I hold my hands up to show off my new heated terrycloth robe and thick fleece socks. "I would have to shuffle in these things and we both know you move like a momma with a list on Black Friday."

Pepper snorted. "I tell you one story from my vacation with my sisters and you forever hold it against me."

We both smile.

My best asset is currently freshly shampooed and combed out. It might be pin-straight, but the thick silky locks made up for the lack of bounce and curl. Pepper whips out a black apron and pins it into place.

Behind me, Pepper rubbed her hands together in anticipation. "What are we doing?"

"Cut it all off."

"Fuck me!" Pepper's gum dropped out of her mouth this time, landing on her pristine white lab coat. She plucked it off her boob and popped it back in her mouth.

Okay then.

"Really?" She reached for her scissors with what I swear is an evil grin plastered on her face.

"No!" I stared at her in the mirror, wide-eyed. "Lord no, woman! Just kidding," I laughed. "I seriously just want something different but not crazy drastic. Stylish, not like I'm shipping off to basic training next week."

Pepper crossed herself. "Thank you, Sweet Jesus. I would have gone straight to hell for cutting something so pretty!"

As she set to work, the other stylist, Lana, arrived. Her clients had canceled, too, so Lana set to work on my manicure and pedicure.

I closed my eyes, enjoying the citrus scents of the salon and all the pampering I usually deny myself. If this was queen status, I never wanted to leave.

"How'd you get out of work?"

I peeled an eye open and grinned ruefully. "I'm going on the naughty list for this one, but I told my office I wasn't feeling well and heading home to work."

Pepper tsked and laughed softly. "Wish I could do that every once in a while. Only thing is in a town this small, step outside once and everyone knows your business."

I held up my hand, fingers crossed. "Yeah, um, let's hope not."

Normally even thinking of doing something like that would wrack me with guilt, but the idea of Mateo placing an ad on Jolly Nights gave me some new motivation. Could it be he felt the same disconnect from the world as I did? Just the thought that he might be lonely meant I had a new mission this year: rock Scrooge's world!

And my own.

"What do you think?" Pepper swung me around to face the mirror after she spent a very long session with the blow dryer.

Wispy bangs framed my face and my long hair hit my nipples instead of my ass where I had it half an hour ago. Lana had waxed my brows so they drew attention to my hazel eyes.

I blinked at myself in the mirror.

"Wow," I managed, not recognizing the woman staring back at me.

Pepper and Lana smiled, both of them looking a little smug. "I know, right? You're gorgeous. Inside and out."

Leaping out of my chair, I gave them each a hug. "You two are the best, seriously."

"Why the sudden change of heart, if you don't mind me asking?" Pepper asked. Lana stopped sweeping up my hair to catch my response.

"Uh, no reason," I shrugged nonchalantly. "Just the holidays coming up, you know. All the visitors due to arrive for the town's festivities soon so I wanted to look my best." I felt heat hit my cheeks. Lying sat at the top of my shit-I-can ' t-do-well list along with ice skating.

Maybe a good trait to have and one that made me a good accountant but not so helpful in other areas of life.

"Oooh, girl! You're ready to pop your cherry!" Pepper grabbed me and pulled me in tight.

Now I could feel the heat turn into flames of hell. Not a detail Lana or anyone else needed to know about me.

"Who's the lucky guy?" Lana asked, ears perky.

"Um, no one, really," I squeaked out. "He's not from around here." Oh God, why couldn't I tell even a decent white lie?

Pepper cleared her throat. "Let's never mind. It's Wynter's business. She'll tell us when she's ready." Pepper arched an eyebrow my way that was best friend code for tell me all the deets later .

"You ladies are fab at what you do. Thanks again for everything. I really mean it."

Pepper and Lana exchanged a look.

"Sweeties, you aren't done yet. We still have the waxing." Lana set aside the broom and left the main salon.

Pepper put her arm around my shoulders, marching me back to the private treatment rooms. Dim lighting and soothing mood music washed over us. Maybe I could just lie down and take a nap. It sounded tempting now that I'd managed to thaw my feet a little.

"We have a whole new makeup line in, so I'm going to pick out some colors for you, and Lana is going take care of one last little wax," Pepper said.

"Not that's okay. Yeah, let's skip that. It's not necessary," I protested. Pepper had wanted to update my makeup scheme ever since we first met. "You both have done so much already. I promise I'll shave my legs before the date."

We stopped before the treatment room door. "You go right ahead and do that because Lana isn't waxing your legs ," Pepper said meaningfully.

I grabbed my robe tighter, knowing exactly what she meant.

Pepper opened the door, gently pushing me inside. "Trust me, you'll thank us later. Besides, that miser who runs this place can afford a little employee appreciation."

I stumbled into the treatment room and over to the table covered with a long strip of paper. The looks I was getting told me I wasn't leaving here until they'd tidied me up everywhere.

I sighed as I stretched out and Lana spread my robe open. I squeezed my eyes tightly as warm wax was slathered in my most sensitive spot. To distract myself, I kept my eyes closed and mentally composed the message I'd send in response to Mateo's ad.

Dear Mr. Scrooge, I have the perfect present for you to unwrap this Christmas—ME! Untouched, inexperienced, and ready and willing to submit to your control.

XOXO, Your Winter Angel