Blurb:
Christmas—a time for Santa, elves, and angels. But
they don't exist. Or do they? Alex is about to find out.
Alex loves making Christmas special for the
customers who visit his shop, despite his own sadness and loneliness. He
employs Michael as his store Santa, and when a young would-be shoplifter,
Jackson, is caught, he's persuaded by Michael to give him a chance. To Alex's
surprise, he's attracted to Jackson, but he really has no idea how to deal with
it.
Will Alex get a touch of the heart from an angel to
help him find the love he deserves?
Excerpt:
Heading
downstairs on Michael's heels, Alex ignored the curious glances of the gathered
crowd. The guard had taken the young man over to Jayne, his senior till
operator. The pinched and sour look on Jayne's face told Alex she, too, had
become judge, juror, and executer in regards to the would-be shoplifter. She
met Alex's gaze squarely as he approached.
"It's
all right. Everything's under control. I've told security to call the police.
He probably wanted to sell the scarf to get money for drink or drugs."
An inner
voice told Alex that wasn't the case. Yes, the man had piercings, and tattoos,
but that was no reason to make such a sweeping judgment. Especially in front of
onlookers. The guilt and sadness in the young man's eyes were unmissable. This
was no seasoned thief. His skin was pale, but blemish-free, and he didn't
strike Alex as someone who did drugs.
Stepping
between the guard and Jayne, Alex held up his hand. "Don't call the police
just yet. I haven't decided whether I need them or not. What's the story here,
Max?"
"Seems
this feller thought he didn't need to pay like everyone else." The guard
shook the young man's arm. "Spotted him slipping a scarf inside his
jacket. Are you sure you don't want me to call the police? This lady did."
Max indicated Jayne, who glowered at the young man.
"It
would teach him a good lesson to be locked up." Jayne sniffed loudly.
Instinctively,
Alex felt certain that was far from the truth. He shook his head. "Not
now. Thank you for spotting what happened, Max, but I'd like to speak to him in
my office."
"I'll
hang around." Max glared at the man as Michael and the would-be shoplifter
headed toward the stairs.
"Don't
let him fool you with some sob story," Jayne called out.
"That
won't be necessary. I can call the police if needed." Alex glanced over
his shoulder and wasn't surprised to see Jayne, the guard, and a few customers
huddled around the till. He shook his head.
Once in his
office, Alex sat at his desk with Michael and the stranger opposite him, seated
next to each other. He steepled his fingers and leaned forward. "Why don't
you tell us your name to start with?"
"Look,
I did it. Just call the cops and get this over, okay? I knew my luck would run
out eventually. Don't drag it out." The young man's green-eyed gaze was
filled with defeat, and his voice was world-weary. Alex's heart ached at the
despondent tone.
Author Bio:
Living
in clean, green New Zealand, Pelaam is a best-selling, multipublished author of
gay romance and erotic books. When not busy writing, she can be found indulging
in her other passions of cookery and wine appreciation.
Pelaam’s
book Breath of the Feathered Serpent
is a finalist for the 2014 Rainbow Awards in Gay Futuristic/Sci-fi and has been
given an Honorable Mention. Bedazzled
and Firebird were a combined finalist
for the Rainbow Awards in Gay Futuristic/sci-fi 2013.
Facebook:
Pamela Pelaam-One
E-mail:
pelaam@hotmail.com
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