Naughty and Nice Read online

  Table Of Contents

  Welcome To Naughty and Nice

  Introduction

  Make a Wish

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Winter Promises

  Dear Reader

  A Scandalous Dare Sneak Peek

  Eternal Ever After Sneak Peek

  Before You Go…

  Other Titles By A.C. James

  About A.C. James

  Connect With A.C.

  Copyright

  Welcome To Naughty and Nice

  The book you’re reading is a little bit naughty and a whole lotta nice. If you already own ‘Make A Wish’ or ‘Winter Promises’ then this box set is simply those two stories combined. Christmas is right around the corner. Have you been naughty or have you been nice? ;)

  Introduction

  Nice

  Make A Wish

  ~A humorous and heartwarming contemporary romance Christmas novella about following your heart, living your dreams, and a second chance at finding love. Oh, and there might just be an elf.~

  Clara Parker was a small town girl from Overlook, Nebraska who followed her dreams to the Big Apple.

  On her way home for the holidays she encounters a strange man and finds herself in possession of a unique book. Unexpected news from her sister, hilarious family gossip, and running into the boy who stole her heart force Clara to acknowledge the truth.

  Successful restaurateur Luciano Ventura can't forget the passionate first love of a high school sweetheart.

  As the summer of their senior year came to a close, unforeseen events with the health of his father tore the young couple apart. A meddlesome sister helps these two former lovers discover undeniable truths about the choices that they've made. He never thought tiramisu would lead to such a searing reunion.

  But can he convince Clara that she can live her dreams and be with him too?

  Naughty

  Winter Promises

  HEAT UP YOUR CHRISTMAS WITH PASSION & LOVE (A PARANORMAL BDSM EROTICA STORY)

  Holly Ellis never liked Christmas but after being bounced around the foster care system who could blame her. At twenty-two her feelings toward the season hadn’t changed or at least that’s what she thought. Arie changes her outlook on the holiday season with a very special scavenger hunt. This winter promises sensual delights that Holly won’t soon forget.

  Merry Christmas Everyone! xoxo —A.C. James

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  Make a Wish

  Chapter 1

  I’m an Elf

  Monday, December 22nd

  Clara Parker only knew one thing as the plane began its final descent toward the tiny Nebraska airfield. She hated Christmas with a fiery passion and, more than anything, she wanted to be back in New York where at least everything in her life was predictable.

  “Are you all right?”

  Clara turned toward the passenger in the window seat next to hers, an older woman around sixty whose animated chatter about getting to see her grandbabies had filled the last thirty minutes with rapid-fire commentary that had made her gnash her teeth. Clara realized she was clawing the armrest that was the only barrier between their seats. She imagined that the woman’s excitement would be infectious to most people, but it reminded Clara of how nauseating family could be…especially at this time of year.

  “I’m fine. Thanks,” Clara said, managing a polite smile as was expected in situations of forced proximity.

  “So what are your plans for the holiday?”

  Survive. Get through the family gift exchange and get out of town before I bump into an utterly drool-worthy man who used to make me crazy.

  She looked away as she formulated a more appropriate response than the one on the tip of her tongue. “Just the usual—egg nog, gift giving, and dinner with my family.”

  “Oh, that sounds wonderful. Do you have a big family?”

  Entirely too big.

  But she couldn’t very well say that to a grandmother who obviously hadn’t seen her family in quite some time and was looking forward to spending Christmas with them.

  “There’s my parents, I have a sister, and I’ve got more cousins than I can count. They still live here, but I moved away for college.”

  And to escape.

  “I’m sure they’ll love having everyone together again. Don’t you just love this time of year? I only get to see my grandbabies around Christmas, and sometimes I come out around Easter too. If they’re not visiting with her in-laws…”

  “Egg hunts in snow,” she muttered.

  The woman laughed. Clara clutched the armrest just a little tighter when the plane jolted as the landing gear was released right beneath her seat. She bit back what she really wanted to say, which was that she’d prefer a dentist’s chair to suffering through a dinner sitting across from her oh-so-perfect sister. Lacy did everything right—high school sweetheart, college, marriage; hell, about the only thing that wasn’t in the cards for Lacy was kids. That gave her mother ammunition to question Clara about her career choice and her love life (or lack thereof) just about every chance she got. At least one of Leanna Parker’s daughters had better give her grandbabies, and who better to blame than the one who had no interest in a domestic life whatsoever.

  “Well, it was nice to meet you. Have a happy holiday,” Clara said, hoping that would cut off conversation.

  “It was nice to meet you too. Have a safe trip and enjoy the egg nog.”

  Clara nodded.

  The plane taxied around to the jet-way and the ‘Fasten Seatbelt’ sign dimmed. She unclicked her belt and was one of the first passengers standing in the aisle trying to escape the stale, recirculated air. If she had to sit next to that cheerful woman one more minute, she was sure she’d fly off with something quite Grinch-like.

  The line of bodies filling the aisle began to edge toward the blast of cold air that swept through the open plane door, trudging with their carry-on bags and purses past a flight attendant who wished them all a happy holiday. Her tired smile reflected how Clara already felt, and she hadn’t even been home yet.

  She waited at the baggage claim for her suitcase for what seemed like an eternity. The only ones left standing around the conveyor belt were a man wearing a blue dress shirt and Clara.

  Clara sighed.

  “It’s lovely this time of year.”

  By now her patience had worn rather thin. In fact, it was like a shoe string that had just snapped. She turned toward the handsome man in the blue button-down, and instead of acknowledging him with customary politeness, she let him have the truth of how she really felt about being home for the holidays, and in no uncertain terms.

  “Actually, no, it’s really not a lovely time of year. Not everyone loves Christmas and caroling and family and presents and commercialism and, and…I don’t like ‘Jingle Bells’ either. I just want my suitcase. And I want to get through it. Okay? Is that all right with you?”

  Now, most reasonable people would’ve been taken back. They’d look at you like you were crazy, turn to find their own suitcase, and leave you the hell alone. At least that’s what Clara had hoped her little outburst would accomplish, but instead the man had a truly puzzled look on his face.

  “Did it ever occur to you that you might actually enjoy it?”

  Clara gave a snort of derision. “Right, I’ll believe that when Santa shows up in a sleigh and plops what I’ve always wanted underneath the tree wrapped in a big red bow.”
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  She flinched inwardly almost as soon as she heard the words fall out of her mouth. Clara didn’t mean to sound quite so sarcastic or cynical, but the man smiled and his caramel eyes crinkled. Under different circumstances Clara would have been just as cordial as she always was. She had no idea why she didn’t have the tolerance to deal with a truly nice man who probably had a wife and kids to get home to. It wasn’t that she hated flying. Only the going up and coming down part really bothered her. Maybe she was on edge since she hadn’t been home in forever. Or maybe it was her BWB, or ‘boss with benefits,’ arrangement that was getting the best of her. Their argument right before she left had her so worked up. Deep down Clara knew this guy didn’t deserve it, and she felt a little bad about lashing out.

  The man’s smile widened. “It doesn’t work like that.”

  “Work like what?”

  “Some gifts don’t come wrapped in shiny paper, tucked under your tree. They’re much more obvious, but only if you’re paying attention and you’re willing to sacrifice for them.”

  Clara coughed.

  Oh, Lordy.

  She’d found herself a bible thumper who was about to start spouting off nonsense about miracles and baby Jesus. Just her luck to be stuck waiting for her suitcase with a fanatic. It was time to tamp down her impatience—nod and smile before he quoted scripture at her or something. Clara couldn’t even remember the last time she’d been to church. Maybe Aunt Tilly’s funeral? That sounded about right.

  “You’re absolutely right. I’m sorry. Can we just agree to disagree on this one? I’ll be happy this year to get another scarf and go back to the city.” Clara tried to change the subject.

  Her response didn’t seem to faze the man, who kept on smiling. She wished she had an ounce of his enthusiasm.

  “This time of year is filled with endless possibilities, Clara.”

  Clara couldn’t help smiling even though she still thought his enthusiasm was a little over the top. He could’ve just been really excited to get home to his family. “You really like Christmas?”

  Wait. He called me Clara. Did I tell him my name?

  Her smiled faltered.

  “It’s my job. I’m an elf.”

  Crazy alert.

  “Then you must live at the North Pole,” Clara said with an arched eyebrow.

  The man in the blue dress shirt laughed. “Not during the off season.”

  Okay, so maybe he’s not crazy. He’s just trying to cheer me up. But still…

  She didn’t remember telling him her name, but she was so tired after the week she had that maybe she just forgot that part of the conversation. And she was half-tempted to ask him why he didn’t have pointy ears. Cripes, Orlando Bloom as Legolas Greenleaf was the hottest freaking elf she’d ever seen. This guy came pretty darn close, but not quite.

  Clara laughed too. “You must take your job very seriously.”

  “I couldn’t imagine a better job in the whole world than giving people something to believe in.”

  Finally, Clara’s bag crept along the conveyor belt. She regretted snapping at such a nice guy, but she hadn’t had anything to believe in for a really long time.

  “If you had one wish this Christmas, Clara, what would it be?”

  “Only one?”

  “Okay, I’ll give you four.”

  She gave him a distracted look as she hoisted her bag off the belt. Clara couldn’t remember the last time she’d thought about her own hopes and dreams. As an agent at Mills & Parker Literary Agency she was always helping others live their dreams.

  Be happy. Do what I’ve always wanted.

  It filtered through her thoughts, if only for a fraction of a second. Then something clanked onto the tile floor as she shifted her weight to one hip and propped the wheeled suitcase on an angle to take off.

  “My family together for the holidays is enough for me. Have a good one,” Clara said, as she began to make a beeline for the bathroom before her bladder burst.

  “Wait, Clara, you dropped this.”

  A green leather book had fallen onto the tiles. It must have been under her suitcase on the conveyor belt, but it certainly wasn’t hers.

  “Sorry, it’s not mine.”

  “But it was with your bag,” the man insisted.

  Rather than stand there and debate with him, Clara smiled, took the book, and then turned away.

  “Have a happy holiday, Clara. I hope it gives you the chance to do what you’ve always wanted and that it’s everything you’ve always dreamed...”

  Clara stopped in her tracks. Strange that the man had said pretty much what she’d been thinking only moments ago. She spun around. The baggage claim was empty except for a woman hugging a man much farther down by a set of glass doors and a man behind a rental car counter who looked half asleep.

  Where did he go?

  It was like he’d simply vanished into thin air. Clara blinked. Obviously she’d been hallucinating, or maybe he had to take a piss nearly as bad as she did and he’d made a mad dash for the men’s room.

  Either way, Clara was much too tired to think about holiday elves and their lack of pointy ears. Instead she made her way to the bathroom, washed her hands, and smoothed back her blonde hair, which had loosened from its ponytail during the flight. Chock it up to working long hours, exhaustion, and dreading the long drive to Overlook, but Clara didn’t believe in much of anything unless it involved getting out of her uncomfortable dress shoes. Just as Clara started for the rental car counter, her worst nightmare bounced across the tile floor in the form of blonde curls and brown eyes that resembled her own.

  Oh, no.

  They’d sent Lacy to pick her up.

  Chapter 2

  One Heck of a Story

  (Crazy Family Gossip)

  Lacy Larson bounced across the gray tile and wrapped her sister in a fierce hug. If she’d been choking on something, it would have gone flying across the baggage claim, but thankfully the place was pretty much empty except for the attendant at the rental car counter.

  “Oh, my god. I missed you,” Lacy said as she squeezed her sister.

  Clara blinked. “I missed you too.”

  “I’m so glad you’re here. Boy, do I have a story for you.”

  “Do I even want to know?”

  Lacy laughed. “Yes. It’s the funniest thing you’ve heard as far as family gossip is concerned.”

  “I’m not sure I really do want to know.”

  “Trust me. You want to know. You’re going to die when you hear it.”

  Lacy’s enthusiasm seemed to waver, and her expression darkened, but only for a moment. Then her eyes were as clear as the winter sky, lit by stars Clara hadn’t seen since she’d left home. But Clara knew her sister like the back of her hand, and she searched Lacy’s expression, trying to discover what her sister was hiding. Lacy had a habit of people-pleasing, and it was far easier for her to be positive on the outside while keeping all her heartache inside.

  “Well, we have two hours until we hit Overlook. Tell me on the way.”

  Lacy nodded. “You’re right.”

  “You didn’t have to drive all the way out here just to pick me up,” Clara said. “I was planning on renting a car.”

  So I can leave before things get more up close and personal than I can handle. Or once I’ve listened to mom’s baby-making spiel for about the hundredth time.

  But Clara didn’t say any of that. It would make Lacy feel bad about the fact that she and Greg didn’t have any. Lacy had always wanted kids. Besides, then Clara would be stuck making up to her for the next two hours, and that would be way worse.

  Lacy smiled. “Of course I did. You’re my sister. You don’t need to rent a car.”

  Her eyes were teary, and for a moment Clara wondered what her sister was really thinking.

  Clara laughed nervously.

  “Stop. Don’t say anything. We’re family,” Lacy reiterated and gave her one last squeeze.

  Leave it to her sister
to completely misinterpret why she wanted to rent a car. It wasn’t just a matter of not inconveniencing anyone. This trip combined her very large, very loud family, holiday gift giving, and her mother ragging on her about not coming home more often or for not living the life that she’d always imagined for her. If that wasn’t a surefire recipe for disaster, then Clara didn’t know what was.

  “That’s what I’m afraid of,” Clara said.

  Lacy tried hard not to laugh, but it wasn’t working. She let out a snort. “You have to stop, and you’ve got about two hours to figure out how to deal with our family because you’re stuck with us.”

  It was going to be a long holiday break, but at least she’d have some time to cool off. Mark Mills, her BWB, had her so stinking mad that at least part of her was glad to get away.

  * * *

  Lacy put the suitcase in the trunk and the lid slammed when she released it. Clara felt the car shake as she sat in the passenger seat. She pulled out her cell phone and took it off airplane mode. There were two missed calls from Mark, but she didn’t feel like calling him back. At least not yet…

  Let him stew for a while.

  He’d known she was planning this trip for months. Then he’d turned around and dumped a new client in her lap. It was just like him to saddle her with another book that didn’t interest him. But she’d loved it from the moment she’d read it and had been shopping it around for months. Despite it being from a debut author, she’d be surprised if they didn’t have an offer by Christmas. What didn’t surprise her was Mark’s reaction to romance, and she should know by now that extended to more than his particular dislike for the genre.

  After all, their relationship was only about one thing and it had absolutely nothing to do with flowers or dinner or anything people did when they were dating. You couldn’t even call what they were doing dating. That was fine by her, because Clara didn’t want anything that would complicate her life.