Naughty or Nice? by Stephanie Bond

Author:Stephanie Bond [Bond, Stephanie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Romance
ISBN: 9780373440580
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 1998-12-01T00:00:00+00:00

"NO WAY," SHE SAID, looking at the outfit.

Joel lifted his finger. "Ah, ah, ah. You already said you would, boss."

"But you said I'd be wearing a Santa suit."

"This is a Santa suit."

"Joel, it's a long-sleeved mini-dress with fur around the edges."

"Well…it's red."

She crossed her arms.

"And look, there's a pair of black boots with it."

"They're thigh-highs!"

"And the hat—don't forget the hat," he said, dangling a red stocking cap with a white ball on the end.

"Who bought this ridiculous getup?"

A tolerant expression came over his face. "The lady who runs the gift shop came across it in a clearance catalog. I don't think she realized what she ordered. She paid for it out of her own pocket."

Cindy sighed, her shoulders dropping. "If you're trying to make me feel like a dog, it's working." Joel smiled triumphantly. "You'd better be glad I've been drinking," she declared. "And I am not wearing those boots."

"Okay, okay. The thing looks a little big for you," he said, holding up the red dress. "At least it won't be skintight."

She yanked it out of his hands and pointed toward the door. "Scram."

"I'll get the gifts ready—everyone is going to love this!"

"Ho, ho, ho," she mumbled, waving him out of the supply room. She shimmied out of her dress, then hung the black gown on a hook next to a mop. The fuzzy white hem fell just below her knees, the furry cuffs down to the tips of her fingers, and the dress bagged around the waist. Spotting a wide plastic black belt on top of the preposterous boots, she wrapped it around her middle and cinched up a couple of feet of fabric.

Feeling like a complete fool, she set the cap on her head, and flipped the white cotton tip over her shoulder. At a tap on the door, she took a deep breath and stepped outside. Joel stood holding a bulging red velvet bag, grinning ear to ear.

Cindy lifted a finger. "Not a word."

He pressed his lips together and handed her the bag.

Eric watched for Cindy's return, but he heard the roar of laughter before he actually saw her. When she came into view, he grinned and joined the ranks of those around him. She didn't look nearly as amused to be wearing the baggy red dress, obviously made for a much taller, more buxom Santa. She was a good sport, though, and made the rounds, passing out envelopes to all her employees while the DJ played "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas."

From the good-natured ribbing she received, it was apparent to him that Cindy's bubbly personality made her popular with the employees. Unfortunately, in his experience, well-liked managers were not always the most efficient, because they let personal relationships influence their decisions. He swallowed a large mouthful of his drink. Which was precisely why he had to maintain a proper distance from Cindy, at least until he finished his job at the Chandelier House.

Of course, he acknowledged wryly, if he recommended that the hotel be sold,

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.