For the Love of a Scrooge Read online

  For The Love Of A Scrooge

  A Dating for the Gods 101 Holiday Story

  D.L. Potter

  Two Strange Chicks Publishing

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Holidays with the Romance Chicks

  Dear Reader

  About the Author

  1

  Let’s Make a Deal

  Glancing to the door, Noel smiled when her cousin Hailey sauntered into the bar. “Hailey!”

  Hailey’s five-foot-five, designer model figure caught the eyes of damn near everyone in the bar. Not a surprise, considering how her cornsilk blonde hair cascaded down her back, swishing with every sway of her hips. Her sky-blue eyes sparkled, full of happiness and warmth. But the cherry on top of it all was the fact that she was from the Goddess Love’s line, completing a jaw-dropping package. “Gods, you look incredible, as always.”

  They embraced, brushing cheeks.

  “It’s so good to see you, Noel. I can’t tell you how glad I was when you called saying you needed a girls' night.”

  Laughing, Noel rolled her eyes. “No, you aren’t. You hate this time of year more than just about anyone, me included!” The gentle squeeze Hailey gave her helped pushed away the sudden sadness that threatened to take over.

  “Grab a stool and let my friend Dante whip you up something to drink.” Noel didn’t miss how Hailey’s lips curved while her eyes filled with interest when she greeted Dante. “Let me warn you now, Hailey. Dante’s an expert at knowing and making someone the exact drink they desire.”

  Hailey let her gaze wander over Dante. “I'm sorry, but... Do we know each other?”

  Dante flashed a fanged grin. “Don’t think so, sweets, but I see a lot of faces every night. Still, I can’t imagine forgetting one so lovely as yours or any friend of Noel’s for that matter.”

  Dante was a memorable male, and even if they’d never been introduced, it wouldn’t have surprised Noel if Hailey had seen him in passing. The spiked blond hair, glacial blue eyes, built body, and cocky grin were enough to draw even a Goddess of Love’s eye, but the fangs usually caught people off guard.

  Hailey was no exception.

  A smile quirking up Noel’s Santa suit red lips at the reaction.

  Raising a brow, Hailey turned back to the bartender. “Dante, right?” He nodded and put his hands on the bar like he was about to do a standing pushup.

  “Why don’t you prove you’re as good as Noel claims? Surprise me with whatever drink you think will suit my fancy.”

  Chuckling, Dante nodded and set to work making a very fanciful looking drink. His eyes held a wicked gleam when he set a ruby red cocktail before her. Smoke like tendrils drifted out, curling down around the glass. He settled two heart-shaped strawberries pierced by an arrow across the rim as she reached for it.

  “I figure, Love Potion Your Number’s Mine should be right up your alley. Very popular ‘round Valentine's Day. Course, one from the Goddess Love’s line doesn’t need any help with love, I’m sure.” Dante smirked and wiggled his brows at her.

  Hailey’s mouth dropped open, snapping shut when Dante and Noel laughed. Taking the cocktail, she sipped. “Oh, my gods, I have to know what’s in this!”

  Shaking his head, Dante put a finger to his lips. “It’s a secret and I’d have to kill ya if I told ya. So, you’ll just have to come back to see me whenever you want another one.”

  A call from the other end of the bar had Dante giving a flourished bow before heading away. Hailey stood dumbfounded, watching as he went. “Damn, he’s hot as hell, charming, has a great sense of humor and a killer, probably literally, set of fangs to highlight his smile. Tell me he’s not taken so that I can think about it!”

  Noel shook her head, laughing. “As far as I know he’s single and you’re more than welcome to try. Everyone loves him, but no one knows much about him, other than the miracles he concocts behind the bar and that he’s a damn good singer and musician.”

  Hailey’s eyes stayed on Nik, giving Noel the chance to take advantage of her cousin’s distracted state. Her Christmas Spirit was always ebbing out, affecting others, but in this case, she directed it toward Hailey, encouraging her cousin to have one hell of a wet dream with Dante as the center-stage attraction.

  It wasn’t hard, yet anyway, to set the stage. A thought of Dante, naked but for a single ribbon, beneath the Christmas tree, just waiting to be unwrapped… pushed out toward Hailey. The power wrapped her up, nestling in close as it wove a vision of what Christmas could be.

  Noel let the daydream come to an end and found herself meeting Hailey’s heated glare. “Oh no, you don’t! You keep your feelings of Christmas spirit and romance to yourself cuz.”

  Sighing, Noel eased her focus off Hailey. “What? You seemed to like him, and I just wanted to help you get in the Christmas spirit in ways you might enjoy. Besides, if either of us should have hang-ups over Christmas, it’s me. And yet, I’m full of Christmas spirit three hundred sixty-five days a year. So, it wouldn’t kill you to at least try to let a little joy and happiness into your heart.”

  Hailey’s shoulders slumped at the mention of Noel’s Christmas hang-ups. “You’re right. It’s just that Christmas feels so commercialized and there’s more anger than love usually in the air.”

  Sipping her cocktail, Noel’s Christmas spirit failed her for a moment, leaving her feeling terribly alone and miserable.

  “Oh Noel, I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have gone there.”

  The comforting touch of Hailey’s hand upon her shoulder gave Noel the courage to blink away the unshed tears glistening in her emerald green eyes and push away the unwanted and tragic memories of a Christmas long past.

  Noel tipped her head, chestnut brown tresses hiding her face and allowing her to unobtrusively wipe away the single tear that had escaped and was trickling down her cheek. She took her time composing herself, her gaze focusing on a couple at a nearby table.

  Needing a lift and seeing the couple needing one too, she built up a wave of Christmas Spirit, feeling its joy and hope fill her, before sending it rolling out toward the couple. The moment the power hit them, Noel could see the harsh words they’d been about to speak die upon their tongues. Desire and need coupled with joy and happiness and as one, the two came together, colliding in a heated kiss.

  “Hailey, are you ok? You seem, preoccupied.”

  Noel’s cousin turned and smiled at her widely. “I’m good. Actually, I’m better than good.” And she was because she’d taken from what she’d given to the couple at the table, boosting herself with a dose of her own Christmas Spirit.

  A suspicious look crept into Noel’s eyes making Hailey laugh. “Let’s make a deal. You want me to embrace the Christmas spirit, right?”

  Noel nodded, skepticism pouring off her.

  “How about this. I’ll let you flood me with your Christmas spirit in exchange for me setting you up with your perfect love.”

  Noel sat, unblinking, trying to comprehend what Hailey had just said. “You want to what? Hailey, have you lost your mind?”

  Reaching out, Hailey turned Noel around, so she was facing the other end of the bar. Leaning in close she whispered, “That’s him right down there. Mr. tall, dark and sexy as sin. The one standing at the table to the left of the bar. The one looking right at you. The one…”

  Hailey stopped her verbal appreciation of the male when his attention focused back on the female he was with. The sound of her hand cracking across his face plunged the bar into an uneasy silence.

  “Oh shit, trouble in paradise. The timing couldn’t be better though. He wou
ld’ve had to ditch the other woman anyway. I mean, he can’t be your mate if he’s with someone else. I know you don't swing that way.” Hailey winked suggestively.

  Noel turned to Hailey, eyes wide as saucers and started shaking her head. “Oh, hell NO! Are you nuts? Gods, how could you even think he could be my perfect love? No, no, no! Did I say no? Here, let me spell it out for you H-E-L-L F-U-C-K-I-N-G N-O.”

  "Why the hell not? Well, other than he just got slapped by a gorgeous woman. But I'm pretty sure that was because he looked bored to death with her and was eyeing you. What woman wouldn't be put off by a male that was there with her, but not really 'there' with her?"

  Horror filled Noel’s eyes as Mr. Tall, Dark and sexy made his way over, leaving Noel with no time to try and run away.

  "Miss Marney, I require a moment of your time if you'd please."

  His deep, baritone voice sounded slightly smoky and all too alluring, effectively freezing Noel in place. Her cousin started to step in between them only to be stopped when he turned, brow arched and pinned Hailey with a look that would have made the strongest willed man cringe and stay put.

  “For the love! I’m sure you may make the strongest men cower but I’m not someone that cowers. So back the hell off Mr. King!” Noel’s un-Christmas spirit like growl drew his gaze back to her. "As for speaking with you, now really isn't a good time. For either of us, from the looks of your reddened cheek and monkey suit, you’re dressed in." Monkey suit it was but Noel took her time admiring his fine figure in it, even as her temper remained hot.

  A little late to the party, Hailey gaped at her cousin. "Noel, you know this guy?"

  Sighing, Noel grimaced. "Yes, Mr. King and I are acquainted. Hailey, this is Dick King, my landlord.” With a whispered grumble, she added, “And a royal pain in the ass.”

  Hailey coughed to cover her laugh. Mr. King's frown turned into a scowl.

  Noel hardly cared that he must have heard the last part.

  Sticking her hand out, Hailey gave him her warmest smile meant to dazzle. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. King, I'm Noel's cousin, Hailey Wilcox.” The male’s scowl stayed firmly in place as he ignored her outstretched hand, his dark as hot chocolate eyes focused completely on Noel.

  "A pleasure I'm sure, Miss Wilcox."

  His icy tone had Noel stepping into his personal space, muscles tight and jaw set at his rudeness. “How dare you ignore my cousin’s kind attempt that was clearly wasted on the likes of you!”

  Dick flicked a glance back to Hailey, giving a tight nod before dismissing her once more. "Miss Marney, you are once again late with your rent. Since we're both here, I see no reason not to settle this matter immediately. I prefer cash, but a check will do as well."

  Noel couldn't believe what was happening here. One minute, she and Hailey had been flirting with Dante and enjoying a drink and the next, Hailey went off on some tangent about finding her perfect mate, then put her directly in the crosshairs of the greediest, rudest, uncaring male on the planet.

  Resigned to the fact that fate wasn't on her side this night, Noel squared her shoulders and prepared for battle. "Mr. King, it's apparent from your attire that you have plans for the evening, so I'll keep this short and to the point. I've already spoken with your rental agent and set an appointment for tomorrow afternoon to discuss my payment of rent, including the late fees I'm incurring. So, if there's nothing else, I'll say goodnight and let you be on your way."

  Noel watched anger tighten Dick King's face, turning him from extremely handsome into something that could leave a person shaking in their boots. She’d seen this side of him before and she knew better than to dismiss his anger.

  Noel felt more than saw Hailey move in, but it was Dante's commanding voice that drew Mr. King’s attention away from her.

  “Mr. King, this kind of conversation isn't very good for business. How about I make you all a fresh drink? The other patrons are getting quite the show their drink prices can’t begin to pay for."

  "I care not if they get a show as long as they do indeed pay for their drinks, Mr. Cannon."

  Shaking her head, Noel smiled at Dante in gratitude. Then she met the steely gaze of Mr. King, forcing her smile to stay in place. "Dante is right Mr. King. We are making quite the spectacles out of ourselves and I'm sure neither of us truly wants that."

  Noel let her power of Christmas Spirit flow out, waiting for some sign of joy and happiness to overcome the cold man standing before her. All her efforts gained her was the barest glimmer of annoyance buoyed by a strong dose of arrogance in his piercingly cold gaze.

  Gritting his teeth, Dick said, "Miss Marney, time is money and I’m currently losing both. Out of respect for your late uncle and my former partner, I’ve overlooked your prior late payments, but this cannot continue."

  Dick's cell phone buzzed with a text. Without missing a beat, he pulled it from his inner pocket, glanced at the screen and sighed.

  "However, I find myself in a bit of a dilemma. As you saw, my date and I had a disagreement and she left. She was to accompany me to a party tonight. My PA, Bob Cravatt made it very clear how crucial it was that I arrive with a date. I believe his exact words were, “Coming tonight without a date will be disastrous for you in the eyes of your employees.” His eyes flicked over Noel’s curvy body, making her feel like a piece of meat in a butcher shop window. “That being said, I have a proposal for you."

  Indignant anger carried Noel forward, her fingers curled into fists. His look of weariness fueled her wrath but it was his look to where a bouncer stood that brought on a small feeling of vindication. Dante’s calm, penetrating voice cut through the tension, stopping Noel in her tracks. "Noel sweets, your Christmas spirit is slipping ever so slightly."

  Drawing in a breath, Noel grasped for her quickly retreating Christmas spirit while studying the frustratingly handsome, Mr. King. Gods the man was sexy as sin, but any sense of desire quickly faded when she met his cold, hard stare. "Do you ever smile, Mr. King?"

  Dick's brows shot up in surprise. Grabbing his tumbler of scotch, he took a swallow. "My dear Miss Marney, I waste little effort in all ways. That includes smiling. I do, however, smile when the occasion calls for it."

  "And that would be when?” Noel scoffed. “Oh wait, let me guess. You smile while you're gazing at your rising profit margins because you increased all your tenants' rents just in time for Christmas. What wonderful Christmas spirit you have, Mr. King!"

  Expecting him to become indignant, she was caught completely off guard when he flashed her a small smile. Gods, but the man is hot as hell when he does smile. I wonder if he even realizes it?

  "Miss Marney, I find myself intrigued by you and your waspish tongue. I’m not, however, willing to let you use said tongue on me again. Here's my proposition. You accompany me to my company's Christmas party and in return, I’ll see to it that your late fees and this month’s rent are waived. By my calculations, that's a savings of almost twelve hundred dollars that you can put towards Christmas or however you so choose."

  Noel wanted to throw his offer back in his face, but practicality had her biting her tongue. Taking his offer essentially meant she was being bought off but damn it, she'd be able to get the last of the Christmas supplies the orphanage needed to finish making the decorations and get a couple gifts for the kids.

  "All right Mr. King, I'll go with you to this Christmas party but there will be a few ground rules that Hailey and Dante will be witness to."

  Dick's lips twitched, almost as if he was going to smile again. "My dear Miss Marney, my word is as good as gold, but of course Miss Wilcox and Mr. Cannon can be witnesses."

  Noel’s voice strengthened as she outlined her terms. "First, this request is only good for tonight's party, nothing beyond that."

  He raised brow but gave a tight nod.

  "Second, I expect you to be a complete gentleman. I'm not to be treated like some piece of arm candy, easily discounted or discarded. In return, I’ll be polite and atten
tive, taking my lead from you if there are people that need to be acknowledged."

  A twist of his finger and nod implied his impatience, encouraging her to finish up. "Lastly Mr. King, I have work in the morning, so I need to leave no later than ten."

  Did he just chuckle? Was this amusing to him? What had she been thinking to agree to this ridiculous sham in the first place? "Mr. King..." Dick’s hand rose, effectively silencing her tirade.

  "Dick, if you please. For this is to work, we both must be less formal. As for your terms, I find them acceptable.”

  “Acceptable?” Hailey huffed. “Well, I’m so glad to hear that!”

  Dick seemed to ignore her sarcastic comment as he continued. “Now, I must insist that you go change clothes. This isn't a black-tie affair but something along the lines of a cocktail dress is required. If you don't have something suitable, I'll call and make arrangements for a stop along the way."

  Noel's cheeks flamed red and for the second time tonight, she wanted to throttle the male. Hailey moved in taking hold of her elbow, urging her toward the stairs that led up to the apartments above.

  “I'm sure my cousin has something suitable to wear. Give us just a few minutes for her to get changed."

  Silently fuming, Noel followed Hailey up to her apartment. As soon as the door closed, she exploded. "Oh, my gods, can you believe him? How many people do you think he insults daily? The jackass can’t possibly have any real friends!"

  Hailey let her vent all the way back to the bedroom before rounding on her. "Look, Noel, I feel for you. Really, I do but you agreed to do this and like it or not, this was the only condition he set for you and It's not an unreasonable request.”

  “Hmmph!”

  Hailey’s attempt to smother a laugh with a fake cough wasn’t missed and she found herself rolling her eyes when her cousin tried smoothing Mr. King’s faux pas over.