A future almost shattered. A strange new friend. And a holiday party that does more than raise a glass to good cheer.

Now, normally I don't go around asking strange women personal questions, you know, owning a bar and all, it's usually the other way around. But this girl, Venus, who's helping her sister, catering at my brother Liam's wedding, gives me an odd feeling. It's not what you're thinking, and shame on you for thinking that when it's Christmas. Dang, I almost tripped over a reindeer as I went over and talked to her, behind the food table. She's beautiful, no doubt about it at all, but she's got that look in her eye, man, there's no denying it. There's trouble, and in no small way, neither. And when she blurts out the truth, well gosh, you could hear a pin drop, and this is a wedding attended by more than a hundred people, ladies and gentlemen.

***

Raine, my sister, points out the guy standing next to Liam, his brother, who's staring at me like I'm his next meal. His name is Darryl, and he owns a local bar, and somehow I figure he's caught wind of why I'm here. It's impossible, of course, because nobody knows except for Raine, but the feeling I get in my gut tells me that he knows I'm not just serving lasagna as a favor to my sister. But he's adamant, despite my claws coming out, amongst all the holly and mistletoe, and I ignore the fact that he's the most gorgeous man I've ever seen, no ma'am, but that's also because he's the last thing I need. But I soon find out that in the few days that I've been here I've learned to ignore my needs and stick to my wants. God strike me dead, but as much as I hate him the moment we exchange pleasantries, I'm also unapologetically attracted to the sumbitch.

...but can we get past this tug of war between us? Then again, it doesn't really matter, since the very reason why I'm hiding out here in Huttonville comes back...with a gun in hand...dressed up as, guess who...

Holiday romance

Christmas romance

Second chance romance

Happily ever after romance

Steamy romance

Medium heat

Mild foul language

Cliffhanger ending