Page 6 of The Naughty List

There was nothing. Not only were there no rooms, but whatever transport she thought she might use to take her to an alternative location for the night had either closed for the night or was booked solid. She’d left her number with three different taxi firms on the off chance they had a cancellation before they all finished for the night. But a glance at her phone showed the battery was on two percent, so even if one did call back, her handset would probably be dead before that happened. The way her luck was going, Holly didn’t expect anything less.

It was late now. The cafe was closed, so Holly was sitting on a damp, frosty bench near the coach terminal, with cold and exhaustion beginning to seep into her bones. She was generally an upbeat person, but damn it, even Mary and Joseph had a donkey and a stable when there was no room at the inn. Holly was beginning to think this bench was going to be her bed for the night. Or maybe some sheltered doorway since it was already starting to snow again.

She dropped her head into her hands and willed down the panic that was now bubbling close to the surface. She needed to think, and getting hysterical wasn’t going to engender that.

A restaurant, perhaps. Should she find somewhere she could stay and keep warm for a few hours and get a hot meal inside her? Or should she continue her search?

“Excuse me, ma’am?” Holly was startled to find a man with the most striking blue eyes standing a few feet away. “I couldn't help but notice you've been sitting there for quite a while. You look cold. Is there something I can help you with?"

Holly took in his warm smile and the genuine concern in his eyes. Despite her situation, she couldn't help noticing how his sharp jawline and stubble complemented his blue eyes and messy blonde hair. Holly felt a flutter of appreciation in her chest. Dayum, were all the guys in this place so hot?

Holly sighed. She shook her head, trying to clear the fog that was beginning to settle around her tired brain. She couldn't believe that she had been so lost in her thoughts that she hadn't noticed someone approaching her. "Not unless you've got a magic wand," she murmured under her breath. To the stranger, she attempted to dredge up a bright smile. "Thanks, but I'm just trying to work out my next move."

The man looked down and shuffled his feet. "At the risk of being out of line, might I suggest your next move involves moving somewhere warmer?"

Holly let out a dry laugh. "That was one of the options I was considering."

"Well, as it happens, I'm just on my way to the restaurant where I work. Most establishments are pretty full at this time of year, what with Christmas parties, and holiday dinners, and the like. It's not quite magic, but I'm sure I could swing a table for you if you come with me."

Shit. It had never occurred to Holly that all the restaurants might be full as well, which was incredibly short-sighted, since she knew from first-hand experience how far diners needed to book in advance over the festive period. And he'd heard her comment.

Figured.

Still, she hesitated.

"Look, I realize you don't know me," the man said, holding out his gloved hand. "But I'm Jaxon. Jaxon Frost. Pretty much all the locals around here will vouch for me not being an ax murderer."

She appreciated that he'd accurately pinpointed the cause of her apprehension, and that went a long way toward easing her concern.

Holly took a deep breath, weighing her options. It wasn't like she had many other choices. She'd been freezing her butt off out here for hours, and if she was honest, the man in front of her looked perfectly harmless. Plus, he was offering her a coveted table and a place to keep warm. Holly decided to take a chance and took Jaxon's outstretched hand and shook it. "Thank you. I'm Holly Evergreen."

Jaxon's touch sent a jolt through her that she hadn't been prepared for. She quickly pushed the thought away, telling herself it was just the warmth of his fingers against her frozen ones.

Jaxon grinned, and Holly felt her stomach flip.

Liar! Her inner voice screamed.

It was true; there was something about his easy smile that made her feel warm and safe.

Because you're freezing, desperate, and he showed you a moment of kindness. Well, that's what she tried to tell herself, anyway.

Liar, liar, pants on fire!

Jeez, she hated that voice sometimes.

"Well then, Holly, let me take you to the best damn restaurant in town. You won't regret it." Jaxon grinned, mercifully oblivious to her internal monologue.

Holly smiled back, and followed Jaxon down the colorful, twinkling streets. The snow crunched beneath their shoes as they walked, the sound muffled by the thick layer of white that was beginning to cover everything. Jaxon pointed out various landmarks as they walked, chatting amiably about the town and its history, reminding her of the man she'd met that afternoon. Was everyone in this Christmas village equally charitable and friendly?

Holly found herself enjoying Jaxon's company, and her earlier panic started to fade away. "So... your parents really called you Jaxon, when you have a surname like Frost? Do you get called Jack for short?"

She might not have known him long, but she felt comfortable teasing him, which was unusual. Holly was a sociable woman. She had to be, working for a large hotel chain, but she wasn't normally so forward.

Jaxon laughed, and Holly felt a warmth spread across her chest at the sound.

"My parents thought since we lived in Leavenworth, they might as well embrace the spirit of the place. But they stopped short of calling me Jack, and no one else dares, although those closest to me get away with Jax."

Holly looked at him, surprised. "You're from here?"

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