When Nils visits the remote village of Seelie Green, only he knows it’s for an expose about a greedy hotel owner, and he isn’t the itinerant worker he pretends to be.
However, his idea of going undercover is flipped on its head when he meets Manny, a preter, who owns and runs The Sanctuary in the woods beside the lake.
For all his efforts otherwise, Nils falls for Manny, or rather, Dallin. But he feels it’s all going too fast, and he still has his story to complete.
Nils is set up to look as if he’s betrayed Dallin. But when danger strikes, will there be a Christmas miracle.
A plate of loaded wedges, some garlic bread, and a beer later, Nils ambled back out onto the street. Now he could see a tree-shaped formation at the end of the street, around a slight bend. The decorations were sparce, but he imagined the town wouldn’t have much to spend on Christmas ornaments for it, and guessed that no one wanted to be cutting down trees. He strolled toward it, checking out the shop fronts as he passed them. He crossed the road, making his way back to where Manu would collect him.
A large, bright red sports car pulled up, and Nils stared as the female driver sinuously exited the vehicle, smiling at him as if they’d know each other for years.
Nils had seen trailers for TV shows like Real Beverley Hills Wives, or whatever the fuck it was, but it was the first time he’d seen someone who epitomised the programme.
Her long blond hair was pinned in a high ponytail, but even at that distance, Nils recognised fake hair extensions. Her eyelashes were overly long, and equally fake, just as her talon-like, intricately designed fingernails. She was a copper shade of fake tan, and her make up expertly applied.
If all of the fake tan and other cosmetic stuff were removed, I wouldn’t recognise her. Whoever she is.
The woman sashayed closer, her dress skimmed the tops of her thighs, and was so tightly moulded to her body it could have been sprayed on. It also offered an eyeful of decolletage. Nils wasn’t impressed.
I bet those are as phoney as the rest of her. How the fuck does she walk in heels like those? She’d lose six inches in height of she was barefoot.
“Well, hello, handsome.” The woman smiled, showing overly white, perfectly even teeth.
“Ma’am.” Nils nodded, taking a step back.
“You’re new around here. I’m Tamesis.” She cocked her head, her gazed travelling the length of Nils’ body, hovering at his groin. “I’m from the hotel. If you’re looking for seasonal work, I can make sure you get a job there.”
“Ah, well ...” Nils muttered, unsure how to react. He was meant to get a job there, but with the woman in front of him, he suddenly felt it would be the worse idea ever.
“Ah, there you are.” Manu approached them along with a gorgeous Goth.
The newcomer was slim, and dressed in black. His dark hair was flicked up at the front into two curves. His pale face was in stark contrast, and plump lips silently begged to be kissed. But it was his eyes that mesmerised Nils. Large, dark, and framed with long, eyelashes.
He smiled at Nils, cocking his head to the side, and Nils thought him breathtaking. Then he realised he was staring, and quickly focused on Manu.
“Yep. Ready to go?” he asked, still trying to work out how he could work at the hotel and avoid Tamesis.
“Manny here needs an extra pair of hands around The Sanctuary.” Manu jerked his head in the Goth’s direction. “I can see you two working very well together.” He winked at Nils.
Nils wasn’t entirely sure what Manu was hinting at, but the idea of working at The Sanctuary suddenly seemed the best ever.
“That’s great.” He glanced quickly at Tamesis. Her expression was twisted into one of hate and disgust, and her gaze was fixed on Manny.
“Creatures like you shouldn’t be allowed where normal people go. Surely you’d rather work at the hotel.” Tamesis smiled, stuck out her chest, and angled her body toward Nils.
He caught a glimpse of Manny, whose shoulders had drooped, and if he hadn’t already decided, that would have done it. He took another couple of steps away from Tamesis.
“Actually, ma’am, I asked Manu to check if The Sanctuary would take me on. Thanks, Manu, and yes,” Nils smiled at Manny. “I’m ready to start immediately.”
Manny’s smile lit up his beautiful face and enveloped Nils in warmth that counteracted the sudden icy chill from Tamesis.
