All I Want For Christmas (Only Us Billionaire Romance Book 0.5) Read online

  All I Want for Christmas

  An Only Us Sweet Billionaire Romance Series Novella

  by

  Ellie Hall

  All I Want for Christmas

  Copyright© 2018 Ellie Hall

  All Rights Reserved

  No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any informational storage and retrieval system, without the written permission of the author/publisher except where permitted by law.

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

  Cover Design: Nova Bookish https://www.etsy.com/shop/Novabookish

  Website: http://www.elliehallauthor.com

  Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/elliehallauthor

  Newsletter: http://bit.ly/EllieHallNL

  Dedicated to dog lovers everywhere. May the tails in your lives wag joyfully.

  Woof! Woof!

  (Translated, that means Merry Christmas!)

  Portions of the proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated to my local animal shelter.

  Do you love sweet, swoony romance?

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  Falling in love?

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  Table of Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 1

  Acknowledgments

  About the Author

  Let's Connect

  Also by Ellie Hall

  Chapter 1

  Clara

  A woman with a pointy face and wearing a paisley scarf gave Clara a long, appraising look as she pressed through the bustling flow of people on the sidewalk. A man in a puffer coat did a double take while she waited on the corner for the walk signal. A little girl tugged on her mom's sleeve and then pointed. When Clara met her eyes, the little girl giggled. Clara winked.

  The bells on the door to the Grind Coffee Shop jingled as she entered. Clara rubbed her hands together to warm up.

  Her best friend, Penny, nodded apologetically at a guy with eyeglasses chatting with her over the screen of his laptop and excused herself. Penny's mouth fell open when she saw her friend's outfit as she wound through the last minute holiday shoppers loading up on caffeine. "Clara Covington, what are you wearing?"

  "Do you mean Bubbles Sugarplum?"

  Penny inclined her head.

  "That's my elf name. Let's see. Yours is Flirty McSprinkles. Who was that you were talking to?" Clara eyed the guy in glasses meaningfully.

  Penny waved her hand dismissively. "He just got his law degree and is lonely. Too young. Not interested. Not my type." At their last coffee date, Penny had made it clear she was focusing on her career and not men. Clara felt the same, but her career really wasn't really taking off just yet.

  "How do you know he's lonely?" Clara nudged her shoulder against Penny's.

  "He's working on Christmas Eve."

  "So am I. Well, volunteering, but still." Clara smoothed her hand along one of her long, brown braids.

  "Does that explain the elf costume?"

  "I have to be at Angel Ears at one." Clara smiled because working with the dogs at the shelter was one of the few things that made her feel the holly, jolly joy of the season.

  The pair waited in the long line, chatting and singing along to the Christmas carols, trying to remember the words. Clara no longer let her laughter and grin make her feel bad despite the fact that so many people were harried and scowling. Not everyone celebrated Christmas and some people were lonely, sad, or grieving—pain she knew all too well, but she liked to think the people she'd lost would want her to be happy, at least she hoped so.

  "Oh, I love this one," Penny said, turning her ear toward the speaker in the loud coffee shop. "Have you heard L Ryder's version of All I want for Christmas is You yet? It's a definite instant classic."

  Clara listened. "He has a really good voice." He crooned, the words a masterpiece in his mouth. In her imagination, she envisioned a handsome man seated at a piano while she leaned beside it, both of them singing along with their guests. A fire blazed in the hearth and the house smelled of delicious food. She was such a romantic even though there wasn't anyone special in her life.

  "Yeah, well, it seems like he's lost the lyrics," Penny said.

  Clara's brow rippled into furrows. "What do you mean?"

  "He's a great musician, but have you heard about him lately? The typical good boy went bad story." She clicked on her phone and scrolled to a few social media stories about him trashing a hotel room, walking out on a concert, and the allegations that he tried to block the broadcast of his Christmas hit.

  "That's too bad. I wonder what made him so upset." Especially at this time of year, she found herself wanting to help people, especially when they were struggling.

  "Clara, you always see the best in people and want to fix things. He's a rock star. I'm sure the Christmas song was just his manager trying to get him back in the good graces of his fans and the rest is a publicity stunt." She shrugged as the line moved forward.

  Penny's words hit a tender spot. They both knew why she wanted to help people, especially before it was too late. "Still, it seems like something would be going on in his life to make him throw away all of those opportunities."

  As Penny scrolled through her feed, Clara had a flash of inspiration. She gripped her friend's arm, startling her.

  "Take it easy, Bubbles."

  "I've got it. I'll use social media to find homes for the dogs. Twelve puppies arrived at the shelter this morning. I guess another shelter didn't have room, lack of funds and staff."

  Penny tapped her chin. "And you've made it your personal mission to find them homes. That definitely explains the elf costume. But if I have to bail you out of jail for trying to sneak through people's chimneys to deliver…"

  Clara laughed. "I'll post pictures and videos; I'll try to have everyone I know share the post. Surely, someone wants a dog for Christmas."

  A man in line in front of them hollered for the couple ahead of him to hurry up. The teen girl, wearing a hat with a pom-pom glared at him and then ordered. "I would like a peppermint stick latte with almond milk, a splash of vanilla, whipped cream, and chocolate shavings on top."

  The man tossed up his hands and stormed out.

  "Sounds like he's going to get coal in his stocking," Clara muttered.

  They placed their orders and waited off to the side.

  "I can't believe I didn’t tell you. Emma is staying with me. She arrived last night." Penny wrung her hands.

  "Well, now you can bake together," Clara said, trying to look on the sunny side.

  "I just can't believe what happened. I feel so bad. Also, she needs a job." Penny went on to fill Clara in on the latest from the breakup saga.

  "She'd love the shelter, but they're only taking volunteers right now. I don't think she'd like the dentist office." Clara recalled when they were teens and Emma had to get braces. It
was a nightmare. Then again, she wasn't a fan either, but working there meant a steady paycheck. "Probably not the nursing home either." The subject hit close to home for all three friends who grew up together: Penny, her sister, and Clara. "I wonder if they're hiring here." When Clara got her cocoa, she asked the barista.

  He shook his head. "Sorry, not at the moment."

  "I can see if they have any open positions at the gym, but I think I got the last spot they needed to fill."

  "Thanks. She'll appreciate it. Right now she's probably polishing off a carton of ice cream, watching Hallmark movies, and balling her eyes out."

  "It's been months and—"

  "And he was a toad."

  Clara pictured Emma's ex with a green, scaly face and wrinkled her nose. "We should try to cheer her up."

  "She needs to get out, but will you come over tomorrow?" Penny asked.

  Clara nodded and pulled out her phone and sent a quick text to the manager of the gym where she worked part-time. She wished her a Merry Christmas and asked if they were still hiring. With New Year's and everyone motivated with fitness resolutions, they were sure to need some extra help.

  Her phone beeped with a long message from one of her good friends, Isabella, about her upcoming New Year's party—the details included the who, the what, the where, and a bit more about her love life—one her mother was always interfering with. She'd respond later.

  "Penny read over her shoulder. "Where do you find time to have three jobs, volunteer, and a side hustle?"

  Clara started to tell her about how her knitting business was going when she spotted an empty table. They both hurried over to it, but a tall figure shoved his way past Clara and sat down on the wooden chair.

  "Excuse me," Penny said. One hand flew to her hip.

  Wearing a glower, a familiar face looked up at them. "Clara, I'm surprised to see you here today of all days."

  Chapter 2

  Logan

  L Ryder pulled his knit hat lower on his head. He came into the Grind for a much-needed coffee and to warm up after roaming around the city all day. A flood of texts from his manager demanded his attention. Apparently, she wasn't pleased with his latest antics. She didn't understand. The exes, fans, groupies, and wild nights: all of that was part of the rock star lifestyle. Although, it wasn't necessarily what he was thinking about when he started playing piano at seven, guitar at ten, and joined his first band at thirteen. But what he really wasn't expecting was the untethered, hollow feeling that threatened to thrust him into the void.

  Being back in New York City at this time of year certainly didn't help. Staying in the apartment was unbearable but so was this time of year. He couldn't wait to get back on the road.

  He pressed send on his last response when two women, one dressed as an elf, hovered over the table next to him where a guy with sharp features and a smug smile sat.

  Ryder shifted away, but the coffee shop was small so the tables and people were packed close like a can of sardines.

  The one dressed as an elf blinked a few times. "Cole, what are you doing here? I thought you were in Chicago."

  Cole shrugged. "Visiting family. Can't a guy go to his favorite coffee shop?" His voice was oily, slick. For better or worse, as a musician, the sound of people's voices was something Ryder noticed.

  The way Cole said the word family made the woman dressed as an elf flinch. "The fact that it was—" She stumbled over her words. "It was my favorite coffee shop first…" She swallowed hard.

  "Clara, let's find another table." Her friend prodded her away.

  Clara was cute with brown hair, a heart-shaped face, and pouty lips, but the sadness and alarm tugging at her eyes made something inside Ryder's chest tighten.

  Cole leaned back in the chair. "No, why don't you join me. We can catch up. How are things?" His tone suggested menace as if he'd like to hear how difficult this day was for Clara, despite her costume.

  Ryder knew the difficulties of the holidays all too well. It was as if this dude wanted to poke at a wound and the tightness in Ryder's chest turned rock hard.

  Clara shook her head as a tall woman joined Cole at the table. She wore bright pink lipstick and her perfume overpowered the rich scent of coffee in the air. She glanced at Ryder and smiled. He turned away. He didn't come in here to witness a soap opera. He had enough problems of his own, particularly the song he couldn't seem to avoid. Throwing his phone across the room didn't seem like a terrible idea. Or hopping on a plane and escaping this mess inside.

  "Cole, are these your friends?" the woman asked, batting her eyelashes at him.

  "This is Clara. I've told you about her."

  The woman looked at Clara as if she was a monster who'd kick a puppy. However, everything about Clara was petite; if he was in a better mood or wanted anything to do with Christmas, he'd think she was adorable and ask for her number, but he was feeling grouchy and mean.

  Out of the corner of his eye, Clara straightened to stand a little taller, not easy at barely over five feet. "No, we're not friends. Not at all. Come on, Penny." She stomped away toward a vacant table on the other side of Ryder. Great, he was literally stuck in the middle.

  Penny sat across from her. "He's such a jerk."

  "I know. Why was I ever mixed up with him? Wait. Don't answer. He was my brother's best friend, and I had a crush on him forever. Look where that got me."

  Ryder was thankful she was silent after that comment. He did not need to be listening to this drama, but he didn't want to get in line until he was done doing text battle with his manager. Thanks to his grandmother, he couldn't help practicing good manners—most of the time. If she could, she'd scold him for ordering while texting.

  "We should warn Pinky Festive Fingers about how nasty Cole is." Penny's tone was snarky when she spoke again.

  "Who's that?" Clara asked. She warmed her delicate hands around a cup of cocoa filled to the top with marshmallows. Her red nails contrasted with the white mug. It didn't look like she'd taken a sip.

  On his other side, the woman stroked Cole's arm and they had a vapid conversation about some club they'd been to.

  Penny and Clara shook their table and chairs, stifling laughter—likely at Cole's expense. Then Penny went on to tell Clara about her baking plans for the rest of the day and made her best friend promise to go to her apartment tomorrow to help her eat what was sure to be a delicious spread of sweets.

  Ryder's stomach growled.

  "The Jones sisters always eat dessert first."

  "That, I cannot say no to." Clara checked her watch. "I should probably leave soon though."

  "But you haven't touched your cocoa."

  "It's too hot. I'll get it to go." Clara's voice was sweet, but not fake. Cheerful, but underscored with a kind of sadness he recognized. He found himself wanting to listen to her talk. Curious about why she was dressed in the ridiculous elf costume and whether she preferred chocolate chip cookies or gingerbread suddenly consumed him. Then his phone's beeping knocked him back to reality.

  "It'll keep me warm on my walk to the shelter."

  They hugged goodbye and Clara made Penny promise to share her puppy posts with everyone she knew. They lingered, as friends do, continuing to chat about dogs for another moment.

  Cole started talking loudly and rudely, directly veiled insults at the two women.

  Sandwiched between the two tables, Ryder had enough. He had his own problems. With a glower, Ryder pushed the chair out roughly and stomped off to the bathroom.

  He waited in the hallway outside the bathroom door, reading flyers tacked to the wall for Christmas events until the restroom was available.

  After washing his hands, he regretted glancing in the mirror. Shadows under his eyes revealed fatigue and a kind of emptiness that startled him but he knew nothing about the holiday would fill him up. He didn't look like the British heartthrob that usually had people begging for photos and autographs. He hadn't shaved in days and the hat and scarf provided a bit of a disg
uise. For once he didn't want to be recognized. Then again, he hardly recognized himself. He splashed water on his face and couldn't quite take the deep breath he so desperately needed.

  From the other side of the door, he heard Cole's oily voice. "You're just so jolly with your elf costume; you don't even care anymore, do you?"

  "Of course I do. I feel terrible." He heard Clara's voice through the door.

  Ryder turned off the faucet.

  "You should."

  "But Cole, you don't understand. He wouldn't want us to suffer too. He'd want us to move on." Her tone was a mixture of certainty and pleading.

  "Just like that. So easily forgotten," Cole said.

  Ryder heard Clara squeak.

  "Get your hands off me," she said.

  Ryder threw the door open.

  Cole clamped her arm. She tried to shift away, but he only held it more firmly, more aggressively. "You know nothing—"

  "Excuse me, is there a problem here?" Ryder asked. He couldn't just stand by or walk away.

  Clara's wide eyes landed on him. He didn't allow himself to linger in those brown pools.

  Cole turned to face off with Ryder. Dark circles lined the space under his eyes as well, but he was thinner than the broad-shouldered musician was. It was if the cold winter weather already beat Cole up.

  "I do have a problem actually. It's when arrogant guys like you, with your fancy accent, interrupt a conversation I was having."

  "Looked like more than conversation, mate." Ryder flexed his fists. "It's worth noting a conversation is a consensual event between two people. In fact, I think the definition doesn't involve you holding someone forcibly—"

  "I know what a conversation is and I wasn't—" Cole let go of Clara's sleeve.

  Penny appeared in the doorway next and Clara slipped past the two guys and toward her friend. "What is going on?" Penny asked.