Page 1 of Rescued By Santa

CHAPTER1

JASPER

I hearthe bells before the person is standing in front of my desk. Specifically, the tinkle of jingle bells that are on my assistant’s outfit. She’s worn the same outfit every casual Friday from December 1 on. A cranberry red sweater with a light-up Christmas tree, black jeans, and these green boots that have a line of tiny bells around the top edge are Fallon’s festive attire.

And I thought I loved the holiday. She puts my efforts to celebrate the season to shame.

But I also know that smirk on her face.

I see the sticky note in her hand, folded in this certain way and my heart leaps in my chest.

It’s another chance to show someone the spirit of the season. This is a highlight of my year.

My business isn’t my passion, it’s a way to pay the bills. And it does that and more. Much more. I enjoy my job, but what I’m about to do is something that gives back ten-fold, and I’m not exactly sure why.

Better not to question it…

Fallon slips the paper into my hand. “You know, you wouldn’t be missed at the party… just sayin’.”

I consider skipping the holiday shindig. She’s probably right, but there’s a sense of duty to holiday merriment built into me. It’s DNA level.

I shove the paper in my jeans pocket. “I’ll do a round and then head out.”

She rolls her eyes. “Do you ever take a day off?”

Rhetorical question. She knows what my commitment level is to projects, big or small, never wavers and vacations alone just don’t interest me.

I hit the office floor and “Santa, Baby” chimes through the intercom system, drinks in hands of my associates and employees, and I can see several will be using our company pays for a ride-share program. It’s offered on or off the clock and Fallon will help those who need one to get one. She’s like my inner business voice.

Hmmm. Maybe she needs a raise and title change.

I’ll investigate that after the holidays.

Women come from every edge of the room to make small talk, but I don’t dip my pen in the company ink.

“Well, well, look who’s making a rare appearance. Ho-ho-ho, boss man.” My partner Kieler offers my normal office hermit behavior to my face.

It’s not that I want to be a hermit. It’s a self-protective measure, built from years of—

“Hi, Jasper, happy holidays,” a brunette who works in accounting says as she passes by, her hand grabbing my forearm and squeezing. I instinctively pull away.

“Hi, Raquel, happy holidays.”

Kieler rolls his eyes and makes himself conveniently absent. He knows what’s coming. I know what’s coming.

She leans in close. “Love to giveyoua present.”

No one here knows what I do on the side, so she’s not talking about my passion project. And it’s not all women, but I’m a magnet for both crazy and wanting something more than my time and heart.

Just my wallet.

I’m tired of having to recover once again when I find out that their intentions are different than what I hoped for. If I could just find a woman who’s more into me than my investment portfolio. But thus far, I’ve only found superficial connections and not someone who I can trust.

Another woman grabs my arm and I stiffen.

“It’s just me,” Fallon’s voice soothes me. She’s had to pick up the pieces a few times when I went down a dark rabbit hole after another relationship evaporated in front of my face.

She hands me a bag. “You better head to the gym.” She winks. “Your sled, I mean car, is waiting out front with Jerome.”

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