Neala and Darcy have loved to hate each other since they were kids. Forced together, will they be naughty—or can they play nice?
There’s one must-have toy this Christmas, and Neala Clarke has told her niece Charli she’ll get it for her. Never mind that she’s got less than a week and it looks like everywhere is sold out. She’s promised Charli a Fire Princess doll—and Neala is a woman of her word.
Darcy Hart is a people-pleaser. So when his adorable six-year-old nephew, Dustin, asks for a particular doll at the last minute, he says yes. Luckily for Darcy, there’s one left in stock at the local toy store. Unluckily for Darcy, he’s not the only person who wants it—and his rival is the one woman who’s immune to his charms.
This can’t possibly end well for both of them…can it?
I snarled, “Give me the doll. Now!”
Darcy had the doll box against his chest with both hands on it. His fingers tapped against the cardboard while a smug smile stretched across his face.
He glanced to the snowmen gathered around my feet and teased, “You’ve got to watch your step, sweetheart.”
I blew out a frustrated breath. “I swear if you don’t give me that bloody doll I’ll-“
“You’ll what?” he cut me off, his smug smile still in place on his handsome face.
Damn him.
“I’ll shove me foot so far up your arse you’ll need a surgeon to remove it.”
Darcy’s eyes widened. “You’re a foot shorter than me, and at least fifty pounds lighter. You’re a tiny little thing, Neala Girl. I’m not scared of you. You can’t hurt me.”
Wrong.
He was so wrong.
“I can hurt you, and I will unless you give me the doll.”
Darcy raised an eyebrow and snorted. “How about… no.”
Bastard!
I curled my lip into a sadistic grin. “Okay, you asked for it.”
Darcy shook his head at me and moved forward so he could brush by me. “I don’t have time for – What the hell?”
When he was close enough to do so I manoeuvred my body behind his, hooked my arms around his chest and searched for his nipples with my hands. When I found them, I grabbed them between my index fingers and thumbs and pinched.
“Me nipples, let go of me nipples!” Darcy roared.
I growled and tweaked his nipples a little harder.
“Let go of the doll, and I’ll let go of your nipples.”
There was a sentence I never thought I’d hear myself say.
Neala and Darcy were once childhood friends – the very best. Then, one day, their friendship ended and their feud began.
Thorough-out the years, they have made each other lives miserable because they can’t get pass one regrettable moment where he didn’t take her side during a childhood playground fight.
Their animosity carried over into adulthood and caused tension at family events. One event in particular ended with explosive results for Darcy. I mean, shit hit the fan. 😯 I’m not gonna lie, the prank Neala pulled on him was painfully funny to read. 🙂 However, the best prank of all wasn’t pulled off by either of them. (no spoilers)
Now back to the reason why they are at each other’s throats – this time. Cue this Christmas’ must have toy, the last Fire Princess doll. I can recall the frenzy I watched unfold on tv when Tickle Me Elmo first came onto the scene. People went batshit crazy for that overpriced toy. So, I CAN absolutely envision the wrestling match/battle over who gets to claim Fire Princess as theirs.
In the end though, everything worked out. Darcy and Neala realized they truly loved each other all these years. The revelation surprised no one but them. We also saw the magic of Christmas and young love spark to life.
Heart Rating System – 1 (lowest) and 5 (highest)
Score: ❤❤❤❤1/2
L.A. Casey is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author who juggles her time between her mini-me and writing. She was born, raised and currently resides in Dublin, Ireland. She enjoys chatting with her readers, who love her humour and Irish accent as much as her books.
Casey’s first book, DOMINIC, was independently published in 2014 and became an instant success on Amazon. She is both traditionally and independently published and is represented by Mark Gottlieb from Trident Media Group.
To read more about this author, visit her website at www.lacaseyauthor.com
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