Page 4 of The Naughty List Agreement

“And you thought you’d stop by and personally give me the update?” he asked, leaning against the counter.

Her eyes traveled down his long legs to take in the battered leather boots and then back up, up, up… His muscly physique was more defined than she remembered. His skin was tattooed, heavily, and she caught herself following the dark lines as they disappeared beneath the rolled-up cuffs of his shirt that pulled taut against his biceps. She tore her eyes away and tried not to think of how polished Nick looked when he made an effort. Damn him!

“You got me. I’m driving around town with marshmallow mochas and spreading the news like it’s the 1900s instead of using social media like everyone else.” Double damn! She wasn’t going to be sarcastic.

He stood there watching her with his judgy stare. Her gaze dropped. “Sorry. You bring out the worst in me.”

“I’m sure I’m not the only one,” he said in a neutral voice.

“Are you going to stop?”

He shrugged.

“What is that? Is that supposed to be a response? Whatever. I’m going to get straight to the point. I have an amazing offer to make you. We’d like you to be our preeminent toymaker.”

“Oh, ho, ho. How the tables have turned. What’s changed? Five years ago, you couldn’t wait to get rid of me.”

“Time’s passed. That’s all water under the bridge. We’re going in a new direction,” she said breezily. He wasn’t buying it, but she wasn’t about to admit that he was her only hope for saving Christmas this year.

“What is this new direction exactly? I thought my toys were too old-fashioned for your Winter Wonderland,” he said. “Convince me.”

Convince him?

What an asshole!

How about, you could earn a fortune and it looks like your traditional little shop could use an update?

Breathe. Think before you speak.

It took four deep breaths.

“Convince you? You’re a toymaker. You know how important this time of year is to families. They’re all scrambling to plan a holiday and create memories and traditions their children will cherish for years to come. I’m offering you, Nick, a chance to be part of that. Even you won’t say no to that.”

The fate of Winter Wonderland hung in the balance. Time seemed to stand still as he considered her words.

One last try.

“I need you to be my featured toymaker. And I need an answer today.”

She swallowed audibly.

“Please.”

CHAPTER 2

The last thing Nick wanted was to agree with Cora but … damn it all. Christmas was for the children. The fact she understood that was a bit harder to grasp.

She must be desperate to come to him. He didn’t like her, but he had to admire her courage. It’d taken some solid chestnuts to come here and ask him for help.

“My entire ethos revolves around creating exactly that kind of experience for families and children. I’m surprised to hear you say it’s also yours.”

“That’s just mean,” she said, closing in on him with a clack-clack of her heels on the hardwood floor. “I love Christmas.”

Her festive plaid game was on point. The red, green, and gold tartan weave was cut to fit her like a glove, showing off her curves but in a tasteful way. She carried a handbag of crushed red velvet with a black leather handle and a large white pompom dangling from the side.

He adjusted some toys on a shelf to give himself time to think. She certainly looked like Christmas. That was a point in her favor. She’d echoed his own sentiments on the importance of the holiday. Another point. She’d even said please. But was it all for show? Was it just so she could get her own way?

She was on the Naughty List not because she fired him, although that didn’t exactly help her cause. Reports from elves around the world revealed her commercialized version of Christmas inspired unhealthy competition between families and children to have the most sought-after items. She didn’t spread joy, she spread anxiety.