Obeying Mr. Kringle

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. 

All rights reserved. The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission by the author. 

Obeying Mr. Kringle

Copyright © 2018, Yvette Hines 

Cover Artist: Wycked Ink

This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each reader. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to bookstore and purchase your own copy. It is illegal to upload books without the publisher’s permission to share sites. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author. 

DEDICATION

TO DI TOPAZ...THANKS for taking this fun adventure with me. These two brothers deserved a story and we gave it to them. You know how much we chat about Christmas stories so doing this joint series was fantastic.

To my author sisters who dared to bring Christmas to September along with me: Stephanie Morris, Aliyah Burke, Alexis Ke, Reana Malori, Pepper Pace, Serenity King and Di Topaz...Thank you so much.

SASSE Readers, you make every word I put on a piece of paper worth it!

What happens when obeying Mr. Kringle turns out to be a business matter of the heart?

KRISTOPHE KRINGLE KNEW all his life that he would run his family’s holiday business with his brother. It was the focus of his life and making his branch of the company a success was the only thing important to him. Or so he believed. Hadley was a woman too enmeshed in his passed. She was the right girl, but at the wrong time. In her eyes, he could see the happily-ever-after dreams dancing in her head. His own arrogance and selfishness kept the wall around his heart thick. When she returns to his life, he thinks a contract is all he needs to keep the relationship in check. She will work for him. She will obey him. And leave him when he tells her to go. Until he realizes he can’t release her.

Hadley Alexander decides it is time to return home. Nothing for her is going as she planned. Career-wise she hit a wall and her relationship has gone flat. When she picks up her roots and heads back to the East Coast, she never conceives that she’d end up working for, with and under Kristophe. The intense bachelor shattered her dreams years ago but being a part of his company can kick doors wide open for her. Once she decides to place herself in the lion’s den and follow his every directive there will be no refuge for her heart this time.

Chapter One

How did the preliminary meeting go?

Kristophe shoved his free hand into his pocket at his brother Nikolas’ question. You know it really drives me insane to take care of these mundane tasks. This is what an assistant should be doing.

He stood off to the side of the Epicentre. It was the early afternoon and there weren’t that many people milling around the area. Something that made him thankful about the arranged meeting time with Craig Wilson, the managing coordinator of the center. In about an hour the place would be crawling with Uptown workers and conference attendees filling the restaurants for lunch. However, it was nothing compared to the evenings in the Epicentre. Between the bars and the restaurants competing for airspace as they blared music from open doors and the rush of those coming and going to the movies and more restaurants then one area should allow, it was pure madness.

Public madness was not Kristophe’s glass of bourbon. No, he preferred evenings in more private settings, for two. But, hell, he couldn’t recall the last time he had a private moment. Not one that counted anyway.

Shit, it had been way too long. His last relationship had been short of a year, but that had been sexual and business. There weren’t any true intimate nights involved in the arrangement. Arrangements were still best in his opinion.

Whose fault is it that you don’t have an assistant?

Growling was his response to his brother.

Nikolas’ chuckle came through the phone. Don’t get pissed at me for your own choices. I have an assistant.

Then send me yours. That would save my lack of assistant problem.

The hell I will. Besides, most of my direct employees are males. Not your thing.

It was his turn to chuckle. Kristophe not only preferred a female assistant but required one. Even if he would consider a guy, which he didn’t see happening in the foreseeable future, it wouldn’t be from his brother. He’d never poach an employee from his own brother. Anyway, the holiday decorations for the place we originally mapped out will work. All though now they are requesting one of those inverted Christmas trees.

You’re kidding.

Wish I was. Kristophe could almost choke his friend in California who had presented the first large scale public tree in Hotel Del Coronado. Now, it was trending, and everyone was ordering something similar for their lobby and grand holiday parties.

Wait, in the Epicentre there’s—

No fucking ceiling. That’s right. So, we are going to have to design it to suspend from cables to the balconies.

Nikolas groaned and mumbled some words Kristophe couldn’t hear clearly but he was sure they were on par with his own thoughts on it.

I’ll talk it over with the team and see what maybe our best option and less of an eye sore.

It’s our name on the line.

Damn right. Kristophe declared agree with his brother. Well, I’m done here—

Kristophe Kringle!

The sound of his name drew his attention. He shifted away from the column before turning toward the voice. A few steps behind him, he spotted a robust older gentleman with short hair that was grayer than brown. Mr. Alexander.

As I live and breathe, Kristophe, it is good to see you. The man, not as tall as his own six-foot three frame, pulled him into a hearty hug and pat on the back.

Mr. Wallace Alexander, grandpa’s friend? Nikolas questioned.

The one and only. Kristophe answered, before his brother could ask any further questions, he rushed on, Look, I’ll call you later, Nik.

Ending the call, Kristophe slid his phone into the inside pocket of his suit.

That was Nikolas. I think it has been almost as long since I saw your brother, too. The older man’s smile was wide and there was honest joy in his gaze. Your grandfather and I still get together every Saturday for a round of golf.

Yes, grandpa tells me as much. I guess Florida is agreeing with you both. You look well.

Thanks. These old joints can’t take the cold weather of my home state. Wallace rubbed his hands together even though it was just early September and the weather was still extremely warm in Charlotte.

So, what brings you to town? Kristophe avoided the one major question that sat in the back of his mind, pressing him to ask. He refused. He hadn’t asked it in eight years and he wouldn’t start now.

Ah, my granddaughter recently moved back. Her grandmother and I came to help her get settled in. We were on a lunch break.

Marcella? Say yes.

Here they are now. He waved two women on the other side of the courtyard over. Their sweet tooth had them in the candy shop.

Kristophe forced himself to turn. Every fiber of his being warred with his mind, telling him it was her even before he could see her close-up. Hadley.

He drank in her beauty. Loving how the sunlight made her soft brown skin shimmery gold. Her body had more curves now than when he’d last seen her. Graduation day at college. Her hair had been shorter then too. She’d kept it in a chic bob that was short and high in the back and longer in the front as it framed her face. Now, it was piled high on top of her head, artistically disarrayed. It was made to appear as if she’d pulled it up haphazardly, but he was sure it took a lot more skill to keep those heavy strands in place.

Unable to stop himself, his gaze traveled along her form again as they crossed the center and closed the distance between them. Every moment he’d spent with her during those years in college came flooding into his mind. His body went on full alert. There were memories that rushed in that weren’t appropriate for him to even recall while standing less than an arms-length from her grandfather.

The carefree smile on her full lips slowly vanished as she shifted her eyes in his direction where he stood beside her grandfather.

His heart sank as he saw her reaction to him, but he shoved down the emotion as he’d done for too many years to count when it came to Hadley Alexander.

Kristophe. There was a bite to his name as she only gave him a brief look before directing her gaze to her grandfather.

Even with the coolness, his gut clenched, and his body responded. She’d always had that effect on him. Hadley. So, I hear you’ve left Colorado for a return to the sweet south.

Evidently, I didn’t really consider all the factors of this move. Her tone was sharp, and her features set.

He wanted to see her smile again, and watch her eyes light up. There had been a time when he could make her smile easily. That time had assuredly passed.

Apparently. He had to drag his eyes away from her. Looking at Hadley was evoking feelings and emotions he had not dealt with for years. He especially didn’t want to resurrect them now. Well, Mr. Alexander, it has been great seeing you and your lovely wife again. He offered a genuine smile to the older black woman. I don’t want to hold you all up any longer.

It’s no problem. Wallace slipped his arm around his wife’s shoulder. Matter fact, it is a good thing that we ran into you. Maybe you can assist Hadley in her search for—

Grandfather. Hadley took a step forward as if she were going to step between him and Wallace, she seemed to catch herself at the last moment, before moving too close to him. I’m sure we are keeping Kristophe from his work.

With a less than two feet gap between them, Kristophe was arrested by the scent of Hadley. She wore something floral, delicate and sweet that caught on the light breeze of Fall and sailed directly to him. It was a reminder of how feminine she’d always been. The urge to pull her toward him and bury his nose against her skin tightened his gut. Hadley may be the same in some ways as she had been in college, but he wasn’t. There was an edge about him that she wouldn’t understand, let alone know how to deal with.

Wallace’s voice dragged Kristophe out of the fog of thoughts as he waved his granddaughters objections away like a pesky gnat. Hadley...Kristophe is practically family. I’m sure he would be glad to help.

Help? Was Hadley in trouble? Someone harassing her? Maybe there was more to her moving back besides just wanting to come home.

What’s going on? He looked from Wallace to Hadley.

Hadley needs a job. It was her grandmother, Carin, who spoke up. The jerk she worked for in Denver never completed her transfer. She shook her head. It wasn’t bad enough that he was handsy, he couldn’t even follow through on his supervisory responsibility.

I was over working for Legends’ Designs anyway. I was only going to stay with them here until I found something else. Hadley appeared uncomfortable as she looked everywhere, but at him. I have a nice saving that will keep me for a while.

If you let your grandmother and I give you your inheritance. Wallace placed a hand on Hadley’s elbow.

No. I’ve been taking care of myself for years and I’m not going to become dependent on you like some child. Hadley’s chin notched up.

Kristophe admired her strength. Hadley had always been independent even when they were kids.

It won’t hurt anything for him to keep an ear to the ground. Will it, Kristophe? Wallace tossed the conversation back at him.

Hadley’s eyes were stretched wide as if pleading with him not to agree.

His mind told him to heed Hadley’s imploration. There was another part of him, somewhere deep that he’d thought was long lost that wanted to challenge her, get a rise out of Hadley and see if he’d resurrect the woman he once knew. Before...

No, Wallace. He was speaking to her grandfather, but never took his eyes away from Hadley. I may even make a few calls. I have connections in the industry.

It wouldn’t be that difficult to help Hadley. It was something he did for his personal assistants at the end of the holiday season. Another one wouldn’t matter.

Didn’t I hear you mention you were looking for an assistant?

The man just didn’t give up. Shit.

Hadley’s lips were pressed tight before she rolled them inward as if fighting to contain whatever words she wanted to say.

I’m considering... It would be a bad idea. An extremely bad idea. However, the look on Hadley’s face that clearly showed he was the last person she wanted to work with goaded him to consider it. He didn’t even attempt to hold back the smile that graced his mouth. As much as I enjoy seeing old friends, I must get going. I have a meeting I’m late for. He glanced at his watch for effect. As the boss, he controlled the time of the meeting and no one would dare speak up. However, I’ll keep her in mind, Wallace—

Please don’t let us keep you, Kristophe. Hadley cut him off, possibly afraid he’d made a commitment to hire her right there. She folded her arms below her breasts and gave him a sardonic smile. It’s been real.

Cocking a brow, he let her know he wasn’t fooled.

Let’s plan for dinner next week before we go. Come by the house. I’ll make you a proper meal. Carin offered the warm invite.

My grandmother would skin me alive if I didn’t take you up on the offer. He stepped forward and kissed Carin on the cheek, before shaking Wallace’s hand. I’ll be in touch.

With a final nod at Hadley, Kristophe strolled away. This day had been more of a surprise than an upside Christmas tree. Hadley Alexander was back. Soon, he’d have to analyze what that meant for his life.

~YH~

HAUNTED BY A PAIR OF evergreen eyes, Hadley paced her new town home. She wanted to scream or tear apart her clothes and go streaking through the streets. Now that her grandparents had returned to their house, a house she and her sister had grown up in, she wasn’t sure she could hold herself back from doing either. Kristophe Kringle was the last person she wanted to see when she’d barely been in Charlotte for a week. Even though, she knew they would run in the same design circles, she’d hoped they would be like two ships passing in the night, and never actually come face to face.

Face to gorgeous face. Damn why did that man have to look so good after all this time. He’d aged into a distinguished, sophisticated hunk. Better than the teen boy she knew and ten times better than the young man he’d been in college.

College. When they’d given into their attraction and dated briefly.

Kristophe had hurt her deep. Not even her grandparents knew. She was close very close to them since they had raised her after her parent’s car crash when she was in elementary school. She’d been in the same accident but had not had more than a scratch or two. Her sister, Marcella, had been out with their grandparents for her birthday lunch. Hadley’s relationship with Kristophe had been short lived, barely lasting their sophomore year. He had been more into his fraternity brothers and making their frat house the most popular on campus. She had been more serious about them than he was.

When she caught him in bed with a Greek bunny that had been the last straw. She’d broken it off for good and made sure to avoid him. The following year she’d started dating the first guy that asked her. Jacobe Mertz had been in her statistics class. He had been sweet and quiet. After Kristophe, Mr. Popular, Jacobe had been just what she needed. For a while.

Now, she was back home with her grandfather offering her up like a virgin sacrifice to work with the Kringle Brothers. Correction, just to Kristophe.

Really! Even the thought seemed preposterous. She stormed to her office and booted up her laptop. She had a few hours before she would meet her grandparents for dinner. They would leave in the morning, going back to Florida. She loved being around them, but with her grandfather pressuring Kristophe to help her, she was looking forward to them leaving.

Once her computer was up, she went to the search engine and typed in the job title she was looking for. At her last job, she’d been a design lead, but given smaller