Christmas Joy: Christmas Romance Novella

By Regina Morris

Jake needs to clear out his father’s old cabin and sell it. He’s prepared to deal with the freezing cold weather and the remote location, but not with the sexy woman, who was once his late father’s nurse, still living in the place.

Suspicions. Enemies to Lovers. True Love. HEA

• Language: English
• Publisher: Regina Morris
• Release date: Nov 1, 2018
• ISBN: 9781948997195

Regina Morris

I am the author of the sensual romances that keep my fans reading past midnight.I write paranormal sexy romances, steamy contemporary romances, and sweet romantic short stories.I live in Austin, Texas with my husband and two children. I enjoy meeting with my monthly critique writing groups and meeting other writers in my area.I graduated high school in Germany and I attended the University of Texas at Austin where I received a degree in Computer Science with a minor in math.Besides writing, I am an amateur portrait and sports photographer. After enjoying a career in the software engineering business, I discovered that writing is in my blood, and had to put pen to paper!Please connect with me through various social media. My personal website has a list of my social media accounts.I would love to connect with the fans of my books, so please contact me.

Book preview

1

Joy got out of the tub and wrapped a fluffy, green towel around her body. The MP3 player shuffled from one of her favorite heavy–metal ballads and began another, so she turned it off. She needed to get her day started. Sure, it was beginning with lunch since it was past eleven in the morning, but she was up and ready to tackle this Monday. Or was it Tuesday?

A matching green towel in a smaller size hung nearby, and she used it to rub her freshly washed hair, squishing most of the moisture out. She didn't see her comb on the counter, and she knew exactly where it was.

Dang.

She had left it on the nightstand.

The warm bathroom air escaped when she opened the door. She tiptoed into the bedroom with the cold air hitting her skin and the wood floor icing her feet with each step.

Did the front entrance door just creak?

Her heart pounded and echoed in her ears. She was sure the door had been locked.

Her head spun toward the open bedroom door and the short hallway outside leading to the living room, but just as quickly, her feet slipped from under her, and she landed on her back.

Big, icy paws pounced; big, long teeth snarled; a heavy weight on her chest.

Her heart raced, the beats heavy and loud, seemingly rattling her ribs. The shrill scream splitting the air came from her.

Bear! I'm going to die.

Brownie! Here, girl.

The deep voice sounded masculine, and it came from within her house. As strange—and unsettling—as that was, he, whoever he was, could save her from the bear.

Her heart pounded even faster, and it became hard for her to breathe. Her arms flailed, and she scrambled to escape the beast, but the vicious animal lay on top of her…and then started licking her face.

The warm tongue stroked from her chin to her forehead repeatedly.

Dog breath.

Nasty dog breath.

Heavy boots echoed down the hallway.

Brownie, get back—

A tall man entered the room and gained control of the dog. He pulled it off her by its collar.

Down, Brownie! The stranger took several steps back, and the dog immediately stopped barking and stood obediently beside him.

A man. A strange, unknown male stood in her bedroom.

Her lungs grew heavy, and she couldn't breathe, couldn't scream, couldn't yell for help.

She was going to die.

The towel loosened from her body, and she lay frozen and embarrassed, mostly naked on the floor. With all her might, she forced her muscles to move and darted from the center of the room to beside the bed.

I've got a gun. Her shaky voice sounded high, without a shred of threat.

One of his hands shot straight up, and the other grasped tightly around the brown mutt's collar. I'm not going to hurt you.

Didn't all murderers and rapists say that? I'm warning you. My boyfriend is right outside. He's getting firewood. Her voice trembled and gave the lie away.

She clenched the towel in her hands and slid her body more securely behind the bed so only her head peeked out for him to see. She found only her tennis shoes when she glanced around for any weapon.

Get out! She threw one shoe pathetically and missed him by several feet. The dog didn't even care enough to fetch it. Her hand trembled, and she grabbed the next shoe.

I own this house. Who the hell are you? His gaze moved from her and circled the room, eyeing her clothes on the bed, her boxes in the corner, and her computer on the desk. Do you live here?

She could see the headline now: Unidentified Caucasian male kills dumb blonde in secluded cabin.

My purse is on the chair. Take it. Just, please, don't hurt me.

He