Series: Kisses Under the Mistletoe #1
Publication date: November 1st, 2020
Synopsis:
When a chance meeting under the mistletoe ignites a hidden attraction, Tess is forced to choose between fighting her desire or surrendering to love.
Christmas in the snow sounded like a brilliant idea when Kaitlyn pitched the idea of spending their annual sister holiday at a working ranch. However, mid-flight, Tess discovers Kaitlyn's underlying motive is to spend the next seven days ogling the male owners of Dove Ranch.
Stuck in the snow with no electricity and a cowboy-crazy sister, Tess finds solace with the eldest brother, Weston, who deplores the suggestive misdirection of the ranch's new advertising scheme. Agreeing to buffer Weston from the advances of the ranch's eager guests, Tess finds herself falling for the man she offered to protect.
However, when Weston makes the ultimate sacrifice, Tess must decide if she's willing to risk her heart on a cowboy.
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Excerpt
"This is the stupidest idea Graham has ever come up with," the deeper voice rumbled. "I look like a stripper."
"You don't look that bad."
"How many Santas do you know who walk around in red suspenders, tight pants, and nothing else?"
"You have boots on, too." There was a long pause. "These women paid to see Santa."
"I already told you, I'm not screwing any of them. I don't care how much money this ranch needs," the deeper voice replied.
"And I explained to you, we're selling a fantasy, Christmas in the country, complete with cowboys."
"Yeah, tell that to the redhead who pounced on me earlier this afternoon."
Tess snickered, clamped over her mouth. That had to be Weston. Iris was quite tenacious, and judging by the giggling sounds coming from Iris' room, she and Kaitlyn were planning an all-out assault against the men of Dove Ranch.
"Scarlet?" The other man snickered. "Fine, we'll steer the eager ones in Graham's direction."
"Does Jax share my concerns?" Weston asked. Snow crunched under his boots as he paced.
"Nope, you're the only prude. Weston,"--a warning floated in the word--"whether or not you want to admit it, this ranch is in trouble. You can't sell cattle in the winter."
"But you can sell sex." Weston's voice was strained.
"Again, that's not what we're selling."
"Then explain why every picture in the brochure features a shirtless male."
An audible groan reached Tess' ears.
"Weston, if this venture is successful, we can postpone the auction of the ranch. I don't want to lose my home. I will do whatever it takes to keep it, even if that means becoming a 'calendar cowboy.' Now, man up, stop complaining, and pretend to be happy."
A defeated sigh escaped Weston's lips. "Just give me a few moments before I wow them with my charm."
"That's the spirit." A set of boots approached Tess' hiding place.
"Ethan--"
The footsteps paused. "Yes."
"I hate you."
"I know," Ethan replied. As he passed Tess' hiding place, he tipped his hat. "Evening, Just Tess."
"Tess?" Weston's bright eyes popped around the hay bale. "What are you doing out here?"
"I was taking a walk," Tess said, her stomach flipping over. "Jax told me there was a gazebo this dir--"
Weston stepped around the hay bale, and Tess' brain stopped working. Her eyes traveled over his broad chest, tanned, muscled, and completely exposed under bright red suspenders. She swallowed.
"That picture doesn't do you justice."
"What did you say?" he asked.
"Nothing." Tess' eyes widened as she realized she spoke aloud.
"Do you think my outfit is missing anything?" He spun around, holding out his arms.
"Doesn't Santa need a hat?"
"Better?" He plucked the hat from his back pocket, cramming it on top of his head. and sat on the hay bale. He patted the straw next to him. Blushing, Tess sat on the bale, careful not to brush against him. "I'd like to further discuss our earlier conversation."
"The one where you ask me to run interference from all the horny women in there?" She jerked her head toward the lodge.
"Yup, that one."
She stroked her chin. "What's it worth to you?"
"Here, drink this." He produced a silver thermos and handed it to her.
"Do you keep those hidden all over the place?" Tess laughed.
"Yes," he replied with a wink.
"I'm not sure getting me drunk will help your plan."
"Just keeping you warm," he smiled, his green eyes twinkling. "I can't have my buffer freezing to death."
"Of the two of us, I'd think you're colder, seeing as you're half-naked."
"You notice."
"How could I not?" She handed him the thermos.
"You didn't say anything."
"I figured you were aware of your lack of clothing."
"Tess?" Kaitlyn ventured onto the veranda, rubbing her arms for warmth. "Are you out here? I went to your room, but you weren't there. We only have an hour before dinner, and I refuse to let you wear jeans to our first meal."
"I'll be right there, Kaitlyn." Tess rose from the hay bale and gestured toward the lodge. "I have to go."
"Duty calls," Weston said, standing as well. He walked her across the veranda, and held open the front door, allowing her to pass under his arm.
"Hurry up T--hey, you're under the mistletoe." Kaitlyn, halfway up the staircase, pointed at Tess. "You have to kiss."
Tess' jaw dropped, her gaze traveled to the doorway, sliding up the frame. Hanging above them, wrapped in bright red ribbon, a sprig of mistletoe swung. She turned to Weston, her eyes apologetic.
"I am so sorry," she mouthed. "You don't have to."
"It's tradition," he replied, his face a mask.
Weston leaned down, and his lips brushed softly across her mouth, sending an imperceptible shiver rolling through her body. A low rumble grew in his throat as the tip of his tongue teased her lips and thrust into her mouth, drawing a moan from Tess. Her head spinning, she clung to his arms, her fingers digging into his muscles.
"First victim!" Ethan's joyful voice rolled through the main room, emanating from beside the fireplace. "Wait until Graham finds out."
Weston jerked his head up and stepped backward through the doorway, his green eyes blazing darkly. "I'll see you at dinner."
USA Today Bestselling Author Alyssa Drake has been creating stories since she could hold a crayon, preferring to construct her own bedtime tales instead of reading the titles in her bookshelves. A multi-genre author, Alyssa currently writes Historical romance, Paranormal romance, Contemporary romance, and Romantic suspense. She thoroughly enjoys strong heroines and often laughs aloud when imagining conversations between her characters.
She believes everyone is motivated by love of someone to something. One of her favorite diversions is fabricating stories about strangers surrounding her on public transportation. When she's not whipping up chocolate treats in the kitchen, Alyssa can often be found madly scribbling notes on a train or daydreaming out the window as the scenery whips past.
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