Mason's Winter Read online

  Mason’s Winter

  A Steele Christmas Novella

  C.M. Steele

  Merry Christmas to all my readers!!

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Epilogue

  Acknowledgments:

  To my husband and best friend who tries to help me stay off the internet but fails miserably. I love you to pieces.

  My betas and proofers:

  Thank you for all that you do. Audrey, Evelyn, Mary, Morgan, and Yvette—you all rock.

  And to my readers…without you all I wouldn’t be living the dream.

  Can you fall in love with someone you only can steal a glance or two at?

  As soon as Mason Hunt slid his hands around the lovely Winter Snow, he knew that she was special. Weeks of wonder and dreams lead him to finally take his chance when she accidentally crosses his path again.

  Can you fall in love with someone when they belong to someone else?

  Crashing into Mason nearly sent her to the ground if it wasn’t for his strong hands catching her. She could still feel his touch even weeks later. Winter knows it's not meant to be and does her best to stay away, but he has other plans.

  Winter and Mason fall hard and fast in this holiday romance full of heat.

  Copyrighted © 2018

  All Rights Reserved

  No part of this book may be reproduced, copied or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage or retrieval system without written expressed permission from the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination and are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or locales is purely coincidental.

  Cover design: C.M. Steele

  Cover Image: Deposit Photos

  The use of actors, artists, movies, TV shows and song titles/lyrics throughout this book are done so for storytelling purposes and should in no way be seen as advertisement. Trademark names are used in an editorial fashion with no intention of infringement of the respective owner’s trademark.

  This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment. 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 recipient. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or if it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return it to the seller and please purchase your own copy.

  Chapter 1

  Winter

  “I need you to go pick up my dry-cleaning,” Carissa informs me while reapplying her makeup in the large living room mirror as if I’m just another member of the staff. Technically, I’m her step-sister, but I’ve been tasked to help Carissa as a sort of personal assistant, or I can find a new place to stay as they have so eloquently put it. At almost twenty-one, I’m living in their home, and since I’m not blood, I’m treated as an interloper by both her father and her. Granted, I should be on my own two feet and long gone, but life has its ways of holding you back.

  My mother married John Grable about six years ago. It started off fantastic between them, but I was well aware that it wasn’t hearts and flowers, it was money and jewels—at least on her end.

  I think his resentment comes from the fact that he and my mother are in the middle of a contentious divorce. Their marriage lasted about four years, and she played her cards right like always. It’s what she’s good at, playing the damsel in distress then she takes you for all you have. He’s husband number three, and he fell for I’m not interested in your money bit she perfected over the years.

  “I’ll get it tonight,” I tell her, reading my textbook for my finals. I’m finishing up my degree while working for her highness. I have less than two weeks until I graduate. By January, I have to find a job and move out. My mother forced me into this terrible position and left me high and dry, but that’s just the kind of person she is.

  Carissa clicks her heels on the marble floors and stands directly in front of the sofa where I’m studying. She snatches my book from me. “No, I need it in two hours, so you have to go right now.”

  I get off my feet in a flash. I’m a foot smaller than her, but she takes a step back anyway. “Give me my book back,” I exclaim, lunging for it, but she lifts it over her head to be a total bitch.

  “Not until you promise to go pick up my dry-cleaning,” she challenges me.

  “Why? It’s not like you’re going anywhere.” Damn this woman. I hate her lazy ass. She doesn’t do anything to deserve the company, but it’s hers because she’s the heiress. My skills would be put to better use in the company. Not that I want to be tied to them for long, but a real job that pays more than fifty bucks a week would be good.

  “I don’t want you around when my boyfriend gets here.” This new boyfriend probably knows that she’s the heiress to her father’s business and wants to get a piece of that action. He can’t be attracted to her personality.

  “Are you serious? I live here, too,” I remind her.

  “You keep that up, and you won’t be living here for long. If my dad didn’t feel sorry for you, he’d dump your ass on the street. You’re lucky that I find you useful,” she scoffs, tilting her chin up at me.

  I cave because I’m likely to say something that will get me in hot water. “Give me my damn book, and I’ll get your stupid dry-cleaning.” One more month and I’m out of here. I need to chant that to myself repeatedly.

  “Good. Here you go.” I grab the book from her with more force than necessary, but she knows how to work my nerves. “Now, go before he comes. I don’t want you to meet Mason.” I’ve never heard of this new love interest, but he must be important enough that she wants to hide me from him. The last boyfriend said I was pretty and that was enough for them to break up.

  I stomp out of the room, tossing my book on my bed. I look over myself, seeing my hair is in a messy bun. I pull it out and let it hang down and put on my winter hat. I look disheveled but screw it, I don’t care. I’m not looking for a man. With my mother’s history, I could stand to stay away from all men.

  The trip to the dry cleaning took longer than expected with the morning traffic. How I hated this life. It’s moments like these that I despise my mother. This is all her fault. I tried to get a job at sixteen, but she and John refused because it would look terrible on them. Now I have nothing to fall back on. I’m at the mercy of the Grables since my mother filed for divorce and moved away. My mother declined to take me with her. My step-father used it to his advantage and didn’t let me go because I served a better purpose as an indentured servant.

  Granted, I’m old enough to leave, but where would I go? I have no money, and I don’t get my actual degree for another month. One of my professor’s wife secretly offered me a job after I graduate at her law firm as a mail clerk. They both have even offered me a place to stay if I need it. I’ll take it as soon as I can, but I’ll pay them as much as I can for it until I can become independent and move.

  I step into the dry-cleaning shop. “Hello, here for Ms. Grable’s garments?”

  “Yes, Mrs. Gee.” She smiles and nods, walking to the back. I look at the calendar on
the wall as I wait. It’s only the first of the month, the semester ends in less than two weeks. It feels like forever, but I have to hang in there.

  “Hello, Winter, here is Ms. Grable’s dry-cleaning.” I sign for it, but Carissa prepays for it because they refuse to give me more than fifty bucks a week to get anywhere. I save twenty-five of it, using the rest for gas. So far, I have over a thousand dollars for my move.

  “Thank you, Mrs. Gee.”

  “Thank you, Ms. Winter.” I take the large load to the car, hoping not to drop it. Mrs. Gee’s son comes dashing out of the backroom and lends me a hand, opening the door for me. He’s about twelve and a total gentleman. “Thank you, Sam.”

  “You’re welcome, Ms. Winter. Drive safe.” He smiles then goes into the store. The drive back seems almost as bad as the first, but I get back to the house and see a sleek Mercedes parked in the driveway. Shaking my head, I walk inside and drop off her clothes into her room. I don’t hear anyone, so they must be in the study. I’m almost ready to sit down and study again when I realize I left my phone in the car. Damn it, I get up from my perch on the sofa and head back out to my car.

  Chapter 2

  Mason

  I enter the Grable Mansion driveway, feeling annoyed that Mr. Grable insisted the meeting being held at his home. It’s too personal for the first encounter, but that’s probably how he thinks he can schmooze me into purchasing his company.

  The Grable Textile empire has been going strong for forty years until now. Mr. Grable’s only child Carissa Grable has taken over, but she doesn’t want the business. And as if to prove her disdain for work, she’s sent the company hovering just above the red. He’s eager to sell the company because of it, but I wonder how eager. I don’t want it if I can’t get it for a reasonable if not beneficial price. My prosperity comes from making smart deals.

  An older butler answers the door just as my hand comes up to knock. “Mr. Hunt, please come inside. Mr. Grable and Ms. Grable are waiting for you in his study.”

  “Thank you,” I remark and step into the opulent foyer. I follow him down a long hallway into another corridor until we stop in front of a large wooden door.

  He knocks, and the sound of clicking heels rapidly race toward us.

  Ms. Grable opens the door. “Oh, Mason. I can call you Mason, right?” she continues without missing a beat. “We’re so glad to have you make the trip.” The butler disappears, but she barely moves enough for me to enter, intentionally creating a little physical contact. I hope my face didn’t give away my disgust with those antics.

  “Please have a seat, both of you,” Mr. Grable orders, glaring at his obviously flirtatious daughter. She couldn’t have been any more brazen if she sat in my lap. “I’m sorry about having the meeting here, but I just had a doctor’s appointment, and I’m to be resting as much as possible.”

  “It’s a little unorthodox for me, but it’s on my way into the office anyway. So please give me a rundown of the company atmosphere. I have the sales figures, but I want to know about your employees.” I’m well informed about the employee dynamic, but I want to hear it from them. I know they are trying to lull me into a false sense of security. The company needs an influx of cash, or it’ll go belly up in a year. I’m one of the few buyers able to do so.

  Mr. Grable waxes on about his staff and how amazing they are, but I can see the look on his daughter’s face when he mentioned the female employees. She doesn’t like them very much, and I’m getting a distinct impression that it’s a territorial thing. For now, I’ll ignore her judgment on these people.

  Since I had to be back at my office for a meeting with my chief financial officer, I ended the session before they could con me into coming to dinner. “Thank you for taking the time with us,” Mr. Grable says, standing to walk me out.

  “Yes, I agree with my father. Thank you for coming all the way here for me,” she coos, giving me a put-on smile.

  “I’m interested in the possible purchase of the company,” I reiterate. I know she’s hoping for more, but that’s a snowball’s chance in hell. I nod and step outside, only to bump into a beauty who I catch before she falls on her ass. With just my hands around her, I feel a change come over me. I straighten her out and apologize, “I’m sorry. Please forgive me.” She looks up at me, and I itch to stake my claim right here on the spot. I take her in as much as I can without being considered fucked up. She’s about a foot shorter than me with her light hair laying over her shoulders. A sudden need to run my fingers through her soft waves comes over me, but I know I won’t be able to stop. Her eyes were a brownish green color, but I’ve only gotten a brief glimpse of them, and that isn’t enough. I have to get more, but that’s not going to happen because I have an audience. Would it be considered kidnapping if I can see the longing in her eyes too? The thought passes through my mind in the short seconds I have in her presence.

  “Winter, get in here,” the jealous woman behind me vehemently barks. This woman is ridiculously spoiled. I loosen my tight hold on Winter just a little. Winter? What a name? It’s different, but it’s now become my favorite season. She pulls away, and I’m forced to reluctantly let go.

  “Please drive safe, Mason,” the green-eyed monster says, trying to rush me away from the house when I was sure just a minute ago, she wanted me to stay. I nod and walk away. I don’t know who the woman is, but I’m going to find out. And next time, I won’t leave without getting her promise to be mine.

  As I get into my car, my heart’s pounding and my cock is throbbing against my pants. I hesitate for a minute, hoping to catch a glimpse of Winter before I pull out, but the view is blocked by the sunshine beaming into my car.

  I drive away, thinking about her pretty eyes. They were opened wide because she was shocked, but then they softened as our gazes locked. That was until Ms. Grable called her name. Damn, I wish I made introductions. It’s not over.

  Once I’m at the office, I attempt to work on my emails, but all I can think about is how her lips parted ever so slightly. Groaning, I slip my hand under my desk and stroke my shaft over my pants. A knock at my door stops me from whipping out my dick and getting out of control.

  “Come in,” I grunt out.

  My assistant Madison comes in and gets straight to the point. “Sir, Mr. Grable’s assistant called and would like to schedule another meeting.” My ears perk up at the possibility of seeing Winter again. I wonder if she’s his assistant.

  “When?” I ask her, sounding a little too eager.

  She gives me a slight twist of her mouth, then remarks, “Tomorrow, if possible, but your calendar is full.”

  “Let me see.” I have no interest in seeing Grable or talking about the purchase. All I can think of is Winter and being in her presence again. I open my calendar and see what can be done. “Did he say where and when?”

  “At his office at ten.”

  “I can make that happen if I move my finance meeting to twelve.”

  “That can be done, sir,” Madison says, making a note. She looks up and adds, “Your mother also called.”

  “Damn, the usual?” I question already knowing the answer. My mother is relentless in her pursuit of grandchildren. As an only child, I’m the only one to give her grandbabies.

  “Yes, but I told her you were out and wouldn’t be in for another hour.” Damn, that woman won’t give me a break. It’s always: find a good girl, get married, and have tons of babies.

  I roll my eyes and mouth a “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome. Do you want anything from the deli down the street?”

  “Yes, I forgot to eat today.” I pull out two twenties and give them to her. “Get us both something. The usual for me.” She knows what I order because she likes the same thing. It’s one of the reasons my mom wanted us to get together for the past three years. I like Madison, but not in a sexual way. She’s a great employee and a sweet person, but she’s not for me.

  “Okay. I’ll be back in twenty.” Once she’s gone,
my thoughts are on Winter again. Fuck, maybe it’s just a fluke. Perhaps I just need to get some.

  Chapter 3

  Mason

  I step into Mr. Grable’s lobby, hoping to see the lovely Winter again. It’s only been one night, and I’m dying to bury my cock to the hilt in her sweet, warm pussy. My dick throbs against my zipper, begging for release. What the fuck has she done to me?

  “Mason. I didn’t expect to see you here,” Ms. Grable exclaims; her face brightens and her eyes widen. I’m not sure if she really didn’t know I was coming or she’s a superb actress.

  “Your father asked for another meeting,” I inform her, biting my tongue because if I keep her close maybe her assistant will appear or maybe she’s her father’s assistant. I’m not sure who she works for, but it really doesn’t matter because if I have my way, the only thing she’s going to be working is my cock.

  “Actually, my father’s not here at the moment. He’s running late.” This is bullshit. “Since he retired, he rarely ever comes in. I think he forgot how unpredictable traffic can be,” she sighs, stepping in closer. “Please follow me. You can wait in my office.” I follow her into a large office right off the reception area. The rush of heat hits me full force. It’s hot as fuck in here. What the hell? It’s cold outside, but it’s an inferno in here. I take off my suit jacket and loosen my tie immediately.

  “Sorry, there’s something wrong with my thermostat. They are working on it right now,” she explains, taking off her suit jacket as well to reveal a strapless dress. She better be telling me the damn truth and not attempting to seduce me. I wasn’t interested in her before I saw Winter, and I’m most definitely not interested now. “I can take your coat,” she says. I hand it to her, avoiding the intentionally extended fingers reaching for mine.

  “When will your father be here? I already didn’t have time for this meeting as it is.”