Christmas Grump

  Christmas Grump

  MINK

  Christmas Grump

  MINK © 2021

  All rights reserved. This copy is intended for the original purchaser of this e-book only. No part of this e-book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without prior written permission from MINK.

  This e-book is a work of fiction. While reference may be made to actual historical events or existing locations, the names, characters, places and incidents are products of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Contents

  Christmas Grump

  Chapter 1

  Sebastian

  Chapter 2

  Merry

  Chapter 3

  Sebastian

  Chapter 4

  Merry

  Chapter 5

  Sebastian

  Chapter 6

  Merry

  Chapter 7

  Sebastian

  Chapter 8

  Merry

  Chapter 9

  Sebastian

  Chapter 10

  Merry

  Chapter 11

  Sebastian

  Chapter 12

  Merry

  Chapter 13

  Sebastian

  Chapter 14

  Merry

  Chapter 15

  Sebastian

  Chapter 16

  Merry

  Chapter 17

  Sebastian

  Chapter 18

  Merry

  Chapter 19

  Sebastian

  Chapter 20

  Merry

  Chapter 21

  Sebastian

  Epilogue

  Also by MINK

  About the Author

  Christmas Grump

  MINK

  Reindeer Valley is a beautiful town of holiday happiness and Christmas cheer.

  I hate it.

  In fact, I have a plan to destroy the whole thing, reducing this place to a pile of ashes. But I’ll need an assistant, someone devious and cruel who can help me do all the dirty work. Merry is neither of those. In fact, she’s the warmest, kindest person I’ve ever met. Despite this fact, I hire her. She needs my guidance and protection, after all.

  As her employer, I’ll help her become the best employee she can be as she performs each of my underhanded tasks to wreck Reindeer Valley. Once I discover she isn’t following my instructions to the letter, I realize she’s in need of punishment. Lucky for her, I’m a very involved employer, and I’m more than happy to give her the discipline she is so sorely lacking. She takes my instruction quite well, and her desire to please me only reinforces how wise I was to hire her.

  But what happens when I have to choose between my revenge on Reindeer Valley and my sweet darling Merry?

  MINK’s Note: Merry makes certain parts of this Christmas Grump grow three sizes bigger, but it remains to be seen if it’s his heart or his …

  1

  Sebastian

  Reindeer Valley. A perfect Christmas town. The main street is lit up with green and red, a huge Christmas tree is alight in the town square, and a friendly, fluffy snow shower falls from the sky.

  It’s like a beautiful hand-painted Christmas card has come to life.

  It’s beautiful.

  I fucking hate it.

  My bitter coffee sticks in my throat as I look across the street at the town bakery, an old woman inside filling orders with a pleasant smile on her face. She’s happy. Too happy. Everyone here is. But not for long.

  I smile and finish my cup. This coffee shop sells swill with a smile, which I loathe, but I had to come into town for the day. Interviewing candidates to work for me isn’t an easy task. So many fools looking for good pay and benefits. If that’s what they want, they never should’ve answered my ad. I made it clear I needed a ‘detail-oriented hard worker and self-starter’ which everyone knows means I’m going to run this employee ragged while throwing peanuts at them and expecting a thank you from them for my magnanimity at the end of each day. It says it right there in the ad.

  Honestly, it’s so hard to find good help these days.

  Still, I wait for the next applicant. Her name is already laughable. ‘Merry’? What nincompoop lives in this picture-perfect Christmas town and then has the audacity to name their child Merry? That’s fucked up.

  I tap my fingers on the table as the slow barista finally brings me a fresh cup of garbage brew. I give her a stern glare, and she retreats quickly behind the bar. Good. I don’t want any questions or small talk with anyone in this town. In fact, I want nothing more than its absolute destruction. But I suppose I need to start small.

  So the first step is to get an assistant to help me with all the legwork. After all, I’m the brains of the operation; I certainly don’t intend to get my hands dirty.

  I wait until the interviewee is five minutes late, then ten, then fifteen. My ire grows with each passing moment until I take her paltry resume and rip it to shreds, leaving it in a nice pile on the table.

  Right as I stand, the door opens, and a wide-eyed beauty rushes in, her cheeks pink from the wintery wind.

  “Mr. Franklin?” She hurries over to me, and I catch the scent of apple spice and perhaps cinnamon. “I’m so sorry. I was really trying to get here on time, but you see there was this cookie accident at the bakery, and I was helping to, um, clean it up—Oh!”

  I wipe a smudge of red icing from the corner of her mouth with my thumb.

  She swallows hard and stares up at me.

  “You were saying?” I press the tip of my thumb in my mouth and taste the sweetness this little thing has just brought into my life.

  “I, um—” She wipes her mouth. “I was at the bakery …”

  “Mmhmm.” I like the way she’s breathless and blinking as if I’m somehow hard for her to look at for too long. Sweet, like I said. But I don’t need sweetness. Not for this job. No, I need someone who can do my dirty deeds without the slightest shred of guilt. Not this angelic little woman with the innocent eyes. “Well, it would seem you’ve missed your appointment. I’m a very busy man. Excuse me.” I move to step past her.

  “Wait.” She holds up her hands, and they’re only inches from my chest. I wonder what it would feel like if she touched me. Just pressed her palms to me. Am I suffering some sort of brain malady? I must be, because a thought like that has never crossed my mind.

  “I know I’m late and that makes a bad impression, but I promise I’m a hard worker and I can do whatever you need me to do to get this job.”

  Such innocent words from those sweet pink lips. I can think of plenty of things she could do for me. Damn, my mind is racing with images of her on her knees or bent over one of these trendy, godforsaken tables. Yes, I must be having some sort of a stroke, because all of these thoughts have no place here. My mind is centered on destruction, not bending this little darling over a coffee-stained table while I fill her with my whipped cream.

  “I’m good at lots of stuff. You know, jack of all trades, master of none.” She gives me a winning smile.

  “I’m sure you are, but you seem to be failing mightily at being on time. That’s important to me, Ms. Harper.” I clear my throat, but I don’t try to leave again. In fact, my feet are firmly planted on this kitschy wooden plank floor.

  “Okay, I won’t be late again. If I am, you can fire me.”

  “But I haven’t hired you,” I point out.

  “Give me a try, Mr. Franklin.” She shows me that lovely smile again.

  I step closer to her, bearing down on her as Christmas music tinkles along in the background and the barista nervously froths a drink at the b
ar. “Are you certain you’re up for the tasks I have in mind? This isn’t for the faint of heart. I have requirements. All of them must be met. Every. Single. One.”

  “I can do it. Just give me a chance.” She kicks her chin up with confidence.

  “Are you certain you want to work for me, Ms. Harper? The pay is tolerable, no benefits, and the work isn’t steady. You must be available when I call at all times, and you must be prepared to do everything I say.” I bet she tastes sweet, and not just from the icing I already licked. She’s a confection all on her own.

  She lets another small smile breakthrough. “It’s Merry. And yes. Just tell me what you need me to do.”

  I consider her for a few more minutes, then take my place at the table again and gesture for her to sit across from me. Maybe this sweet little morsel will make the perfect helper.

  After all, the morons in this town will never see me coming if I have her doing my dirty work.

  “First assignment.” I motion her to lean closer across the table, then whisper my instructions in her ear.

  When I’m done, her eyes are wide, but she gives me a firm nod.

  Good. This is going to work out perfectly.

  Merry Christmas, Reindeer Valley. I hope you’re ready for your fucking reckoning.

  2

  Merry

  This has to be some kind of test. Why else would he want me to steal Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer from the Christmas display in the center of town? It makes no sense. He’s by far all the little kids' favorites. Everyone takes pictures with him. It’s said if you whisper into his ear what you want for Christmas he’ll make sure that Santa gets the message. I think a lot of little kids are going to be heartbroken at his sudden disappearance.

  “Are you sure that’s what you want me to do?” I ask, leaning back to stare up at Sebastian.

  He stands out in this place and not because of the fancy suit he’s wearing or how handsome he is. He’s a rather large man. I’m not sure why I answered his ad to begin with, but something about it called to me, and I’ve always believed in signs. I’ve followed them my whole life, and they’ve yet to steer me in the wrong direction. Not to mention I could use some quick cash for holiday shopping.

  “I don’t say things I don’t mean, and I also don’t care to repeat myself.” His eyes drop to my mouth.

  I lick my lips, wondering if there is more icing lingering there. Heat pools between my thighs at the memory of how he’d licked the icing from the tip of his thumb. It had surprised me. In a really, really, really good way, if you feel me. God, this man is dark and brooding and hot, and what the hell is he doing in Reindeer Valley? What sort of plans could he have for that unassuming Rudolph?

  “Don’t do that.” He breaks me from my thoughts as he stares at my lips.

  He takes a deep breath, his giant, hard, muscular looking chest rising. From the looks of it, I don’t think he eats any cookies at all. He probably considered that little taste of frosting he cleaned from my mouth a treat. Maybe that’s why he’s so grumpy.

  “Do what?” I ask, glancing down at my hands that sit neatly in my lap. I’m not sure what the heck he’s talking about; I’m not doing anything but sitting here. I’m actually rather still at the moment. Something that’s usually hard for me to do.

  “Never mind. I need your phone number. I want to be able to get a hold of you whenever I need to. Day or night.”

  “Okay, let me get it.” I reach into my bag to grab my phone. I dig around for a minute. I swear my purse is like a black hole sometimes. “Got it,” I say when I finally find it.

  “You don’t know your own phone number?” He gives me a perplexed look. It’s better than the grumpy, annoyed one he was sporting a few seconds ago.

  “I can never remember it. I know I should, but it’s not like I call myself.” The second I pull my phone out, he snatches it from me and begins entering stuff into it.

  “You don't have a passcode on it. What if someone were to steal it?”

  I almost laugh out loud. I live in Reindeer Valley, for gosh sakes. It’s not like it’s some big city full of crime. “No one would steal it. Especially with it being this near to Christmas. They’d end up on Santa’s naughty list if they did.”

  “Are you on drugs?”

  “Maybe I have a sugar high.” I laugh.

  “You know Santa’s not—”

  “Ah!” I jump up, covering his mouth with my hand so he can’t finish that sentence. “Don’t you dare,” I scold him.

  His eyes are big as saucers as he stares at me. I quickly realize I’ve plastered myself against him in my effort to be able to reach his mouth. “Little ears could be around listening.” I drop my hand and try to push back, but he’s wrapped his arm around me, keeping me in place. My body heats, and my cheeks flush at how close we actually are.

  “You need to be careful. If you’re working for me, you don’t touch other men this way.”

  “That’s an odd request but okay,” I agree.

  Maybe not too odd. He has asked me to steal the most famous reindeer of all time. I was hesitant at first, but now that I’ve made my peace with it, I’ve already started forming a plan in my head. I’ll have to do it at night. And I’ll probably have to replace it with something else so it’s not so noticeable. How the heck am I going to pull this off?

  “Do you have a boyfriend?” He goes back to glaring down at me.

  I keep a smile on my face, hoping it’s contagious. “Nope, I have a cat. They’re way better.”

  “A cat?” His nose scrunches. Okay, that might be a deal breaker. People that don’t like cats can’t be trusted.

  “Are you a dog person?” I whisper.

  “No.”

  “Oh, thank goodness.” I push off his chest. He finally releases his hold on me. I watch as he calls his own phone before giving mine back to me. I drop it into my purse before fishing out a tin of Rice Krispy treats I’d made earlier. “I made these for you. I think you could use a bit of sugar.”

  “You made sweets for your job interview?”

  “Every little bit helps.” I shrug.

  “Sugar is bad for you,” he says even as he snatches the tin right from my hand.

  “I better get to work. I’m going to need a wardrobe change.” I’m out the door before he can try to give me more orders.

  I know all the kids are into social media these days. Maybe I could make stealing Rudolph some kind of game. I could put up a wanted sign and make a hashtag. That might distract everyone for a while. I’ll just need to come up with a good place to hide him and decide on what prize the winner will get when they find him.

  Excitement bubbles up inside of me. This is going to be so much fun. I feel much better about this now that I’ve figured out a way to spin this for good. For a second there I was starting to feel like the Grinch.

  We can’t have that. There is only one Grinch in this town, and I’m sure she’s fast asleep in her kitty cat tower awaiting my return. I’d gotten her to love me with a bit of time and smothering her with my love. I think Sebastian might need a bit of that too.

  3

  Sebastian

  This is going to work out perfectly. A stolen Rudolph. Just the thought of all the crushed looks on the townspeople’s faces brings a smile to mine.

  I set up down an alleyway with a view of the town square. Now I didn’t intend on being anywhere near the scene of the first crime in my grand scheme, but that was before I hired Merry. That little bit of sugar has piqued my interest, and I’m not entirely sure if she’ll be able to carry out my plan. She’s so … pure. Then again, there was mischief in her eyes, too.

  Scrubbing a hand down my face, I replay the memory of seeing her again. For the millionth time. It’s not that I’ve never been obsessed before. I mean, I’m obviously consumed with destroying this shitty holiday town. But I’ve never been all in with a person before. But Merry—she’s got this odd little sparkle. The perfect bit of shiny to attract the attention o
f a crow like me.

  Focus. I try to blink away the images of her. The way her body felt against mine.

  I pull the tin of Rice Krispy treats from my coat pocket and munch the last one. These are so good. I wonder if she laced them with coke or something illicit. She must have, because now I’m addicted. Maybe she’s on to me. What if she’s actually trying to sabotage me and my—Wait. No. That’s not right. No one even knows I’m here. This town doesn’t remember me. But I certainly remember it. And if I’d met Merry before, I would’ve made sure she knew just who I was.

  The tin is warm in my vise grip. I let up and tuck it back into my pocket. I’ll toss it later. I’m not keeping it. Obviously. I just don’t want to … litter. Yes. That’s the reason. No need to litter on top of this garbage heap of a town.

  I check my watch. It’s almost midnight. Then I check my phone. The tracking software I installed on her phone shows me she’s moving slowly down a side street. Right when I look up, she pops into view.

  I squint. Is that a wheelbarrow? Yes, she’s pushing a red wheelbarrow into the square and heading right for the Rudolph.

  The urge to go to her pulls me down the alley, but I stop myself while I’m still in the shadows. I watch every single move she makes. From the way her too-thin coat flaps around her and how her hair seems to reflect every bit of starlight.

  She stands and stares up at Rudolph, determination on her face. Then she goes to work. It doesn’t take long until she has it precariously balanced on top of her wheelbarrow. Then she wrenches a square sign from the side of the wheelbarrow and bangs it into the ground where Rudolph stood.