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Chapter 1

1

“ A t least you have the tits to break up with me over voice and not text."

Cinnamon Kringle looked down at the face of her phone. The picture of the smiling, rainbow-haired woman grinned back at her. The sweet image did not match the sour words coming from the phone’s receiver.

“Don’t be like that, Cin. It was fun, you and me.“

Fun . The word echoed in Cin’s mind like a mocking taunt. She scratched at her temple, barely resisting the urge to dig her nails deeper, as if clawing at her own skin might somehow erase the memory of Angelika Hargrove.

Angel. What a joke. Angelika was anything but.

Cin had always known better, but still, she had fallen into the same trap—again. A straight woman, eager for a fling, and Cin, foolish enough to believe she could change her. Her tongue might be skilled enough to talk a woman's panties off. Expert enough to get them to scream and writhe beneath its flicks. But not long enough to reach up through their pussies and into their hearts.

She had told herself this time would be different. That maybe Angelika could really see her, want her. But as always, it ended with a pat on the head and a polite dismissal, leaving Cin with nothing but the hollow ache of knowing she'd been used for a bit of fun.

Her habit of chasing straight women was a lesson she never seemed to learn, like pulling at a loose thread in one of her designs until everything unraveled. And yet, she still kept falling for them, thinking maybe this time the ending would be different. It never was.

For a homosexual woman, her gaydar truly was broken. While the girls in her dorm had been experimenting with each other in college, Cin had always known that she was a breast woman. At her California art school, she'd kept her eyes on women's chests while at the beach, completely ignoring the muscle-bound stallions with their pecs out.

"I hope we can still be friends."

That was the second mistake. Cin had a habit of trying to maintain a friendship with women that she was interested in. That nonsense stopped today.

“I was never interested in friendship with you, Angelika.“

"But we have so much in common."

Not the most important thing. Namely, their idea of the perfect life partner. Cin had enjoyed her time with Angelika. She'd thought it would turn into something more. What a fool she was.

"I really value you in my life and hope that?—"

Click. Cin hung up the phone mid-monologue. She'd heard this speech far too many times in the past. She knew the lines by heart.

Sitting back in her plush office seat, Cin thrust her head back and stared up at the ceiling. The bright lights hurt her eyes, but she didn't look away, not immediately. She wanted the harsh glare to etch this memory, this moment, into her mind. When the ache in her eyes became too much, she dipped her head forward and was greeted by a riot of color, her designs bursting to life around her.

Swathes of rich candy cane red fabric sprawled across the room, trimmed with snowy white faux fur that shimmered under the lights. Dresses with delicate sweetheart necklines and playful puffed sleeves were draped over mannequins, ready for Christmas soirees. Each one sparkled with a hint of silver thread, like fresh frost glittering in the early morning light.

To the side, a collection of women’s lingerie hung from racks, the delicate lace in deep reds and winter whites practically glowing. Soft satin ribbons threaded through corsets, while intricate embroidery danced across sheer fabrics, invoking the imagery of snowflakes melting on skin. Cin had crafted each piece to feel both festive and intimate, designed to be unwrapped, like the most tantalizing of gifts.

In another corner, elegant evening gowns shimmered, the skirts flowing like winter rivers, embellished with tiny pearls that glistened like fallen snow. Cin had ensured that every stitch, every detail, screamed holiday magic—bold yet refined, sexy yet sophisticated. It was her Christmas kingdom, all wrapped in the reds and whites of the season, her vision brought to life in silk, satin, and lace.

Her job as the head designer and seamstress of Kringle's Knotty or Nice Intimates was her dream job. The Kringle family was all about Christmas, 365 days a year. But her parents had never been accepting of Cin being more into Mrs. Claus. Luckily for her, her brother had always accepted her. Noel had brought her into the company and used her talents to reach even higher profits.

She was the most famous designer for Christmas wear, from socks to sweaters that weren't ugly. From ball gowns to cocktail dresses to costumes, Cin did it all.

She often made a play for the models brought in to showcase her designs. Many of them were sexually fluid, but they often jumped when a man snapped his fingers, their fluid turning solid when they saw the possibility for a tripod. Cin was done with all of them. She was only going to date card-carrying lesbian women from here on out. She just needed to find a way to vet those cards.

That was easily handled.

Cin opened her laptop and pulled up her browser, her fingers quickly navigating to the HerMatch dating app. As soon as she signed in, a cascade of beautiful faces glittered across the screen. But the profiles, as always, left her feeling cold. Everyone was presenting their best selves—curated smiles, polished hobbies, and carefully crafted descriptions. No one showed the messy truth. Even dislikes were worded to sound appealing.

Cin sighed, wishing for more authenticity. Still, at least this time, she wouldn't have to worry about being left for a man. A knock at her door pulled her attention to the figure that filled the hall. Her brother Noel was in the doorway.

“She signed the paperwork,” he said with a Grinch-wide grin.

"Who?"

“Mindy.”

“The new elf?”

Her brother's grin spread impossibly wider as he held up a sheath of documents. “We are officially an item."

That was a big thing. Her brother never dated anyone that he worked with. The fact that he’d decided to date this woman who was younger and under his employment, and that she had signed the paperwork, was indeed a big deal. Cin had gotten a good look at Mindy when she'd come in for her fitting. The new elf at her brother's Santa impersonator business had been attractive, and she sure as hell filled out the elf costume. Which meant that if Cin had found her attractive, Mindy was one hundred percent straight.

Good for her brother.

"That’s great, big bro. I wish you both the best.“

Noel came into her office and shut the door behind him. "What’s wrong, Cinnabun? Bad date?”

“The worst.”

“Don’t tell me. She was straight?”

"As boxed linguini."

"I’m sorry, sis. You'll find the right woman soon.”

Cinnamon didn’t doubt it. She just had to look in the right place. She shut the dating app. Right now, she had to get back to work. They had a whole line of Christmas costumes to get ready for display, and she had to get them into production.

There was another knock at the door. After a brisk call to come in, the door opened, and a Christmas angel brightened the doorway.

"I’m sorry to interrupt, Mr. Kringle. I’m headed down to HR now. Can I take that paperwork for you?"

Her brother's assistant was the embodiment of a Christmas angel—delicate, ethereal, and glowing with an unassuming beauty. Her soft brown hair framed her face like a halo, always neatly pulled back but with a few stray strands that caught the light just right. Kristen’s eyes were warm, a deep brown that reminded Cin of rich hot chocolate on a cold night, offering comfort and quiet strength.

Her presence was gentle, yet grounding, like the first snowfall of the season, transforming everything without making a sound. Cin often found herself mesmerized by the way Kristen moved—graceful, yet unaware of the attention she drew. She wasn’t flashy; her clothes were always practical, understated, never designed to turn heads. A bit ill-fitting. Not that Cin ever voiced an offer to tailor each thread to her curves. Because she was oh-so attracted to Kristen. Which meant, of course, that the woman was straight.

"Thanks, Kristen. Guard those with your life." Noel handed his executive assistant the paperwork.

"Of course, sir." Kristen’s smile was soft and hesitant, like she didn’t quite realize how beautiful it was, and that only made Cin’s heart ache more.

To Cin, Kristen was everything she imagined a Christmas angel would be—pure, untouched by the chaos of the world, but with a quiet power that could light up even the darkest winter night.

“Is there anything I can do for you, Ms. Kringle?”

“I told you to call me Cin.”

"Yes, ma'am. Is there anything I can do for you, Cin?"

She'd done something all right. Hearing those heart-shaped lips form the word ma'am had Cin pressing her thighs together. And she'd keep them together.

Cin knew that Kristen wasn’t interested in women. She had watched the woman give goo-goo eyes to one particular junior executive. Said junior executive barely registered her existence—the idiot.

"I’m good. Thanks, Kristen."

Cin watched under lowered lashes as Kristen moved away. She wanted to take in that two sizes too big skirt and showcase the curves she just knew were hiding there. She wanted to hem the ends of the skirt to just up above that knee to show off more of those long legs. She wanted to pull in the bust line to showcase those palm-sized tits. But those were Christmas wishes that would never come true. Aside from Kristen being straight, she was also her brother's assistant. Two strikes. Cin didn't need a third to know she wasn't ever going to win that particular game.

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