Seducing Santa by Dahlia Rose Read Free Book Online Page B

closed for renovations. There’s no furniture in them,” the clerk explained.
     
    Neeva felt like someone had doused her with ice cold water. “Are you sure?” When the clerk nodded, Neeva gave a small nod. “Thank you. I’ll leave you to your work.”
     
    “Merry Christmas!” the clerk called out as she walked away.
     
    Neeva raised her hand in response. She couldn’t wish anyone a merry anything at that point even if she tried. It seemed that all the while Nicholas had been lying to her, and she had fallen in love with a figment of her imagination. No one was that perfect, and she had made herself believe, and for that she looked like a fool. Nicholas was not coming back. She was waiting in her home for a love that was not real. This second heartbreak shattered what was left of her heart. Neeva’s tears fell as she walked across the sand to her home.
     
    * * * *
     
    The doors of the Santa Inc. boardroom were blown open by an invisible force. It was very rare for Nicholas to use his magic with such force, but he wanted to make a point as he strode down the long hallway. Santa Claus was his job, a form he took to bring happiness to children. But more than that, he was an immortal who was as old as time. He was the son of a Viking god and someone not to be trifled with.
     
    As he walked into the boardroom, he went from cut-off jeans and a T-shirt to a black pin-stripped suit and black loafers. His hair that was tousled by the Caribbean winds was now combed with every blond strand in place. When he sat at the head of the long mahogany table, all eyes were on him. Nicholas said nothing. He let his gaze settle on each of the vice presidents. At his side, his mother stood with her hand on the back of his smooth leather chair. Nicholas couldn’t help but think that soon it would be Neeva standing at his side.
     
    “Gentlemen, what seems to be the problem with our production agreement?” Nicholas asked, his voice cool and calm.
     
    One man stood. To Nicholas, it was obvious that he would be the one who would speak for the entire group. From across the room, Nicholas could smell the greed rolling off him. “As we see it, Claus, you have given us a small piece of the pie, and we think a few slices should be added.”
     
    “How so?” Nicholas laced his fingers together and stared at the man. He never shifted his eyes or blinked. Nicholas saw that the intensity of his stare made the VP so uncomfortable he began to straighten his tie in a nervous gesture.
     
    The vice president cleared his throat. “You and your family are powerful, immortal to be precise. I think you could give us more than one wish a year to compensate us for our manufacturing costs and giving you our toys.”
     
    “Which would sit in your warehouses because of low sales every year?” Nicholas pointed out.
     
    Another man spoke up. “But if we reveal your secret . . .”
     
    Nicholas leveled a cold stare on him and then passed it along to every man who sat around that table. “Go ahead.”
     
    “Wh-What?” the spokesman stuttered.
     
    “Go ahead and tell the world. What do you think will happen?” Nicholas rose and spread his hands wide. “Every child will start writing letters to me again. Every parent will stop going to malls and toy stores, and production will cease for your companies. But the North Pole will be busy, and I might have to hire you to work for me. So go ahead. Reveal it all.”
     
    “All we’re asking is for—”
     
    Nicholas slammed his hands down on the table. His power set a long crack along the smooth shiny surface, and he cut off the man’s words. “Is for what? More money to amass on your already bulging bank accounts? The answer is no, and if you don’t have anything else other than a pathetic excuse to tell the world we’re immortal and Santa exists, then get out of my boardroom and follow the contract you signed with me or else.”
     
    The vice president bristled, and his face grew red. “Or