Read Online Santa's Executive by Carrie Ann Ryan - Free Book Online Page A

parents picked them up.
    He was a failure, an epic failure. He would have to tell Rina what he’d done; it was only fair. She had told him her mistake, and he would have to tell her his.
    He waved and said goodbye to some of the students as he made his way to his car.
    “Oh, Justin, I mean Mr. Cooper,” a voice purred behind him and then giggled. He resisted the urge to vomit. He hated to hear giggling, except for when Rina did it. For some reason he didn't mind Rina’s giggle, but the woman behind him made him want to tear off his ears then gouge out his eyes with  a wooden spoon so it would leave splinters.
    He turned as he put his fake smile on. He was in public and couldn't actually slap the woman, not that he would.
    “Hello, Mrs. Booth, I see you’re here to pick up Dustin.”
    She waved her fingers and let out another giggle, and he clenched his jaw at the pain of the sound. “Oh, what do I keep telling you, Mr. Cooper? Call me Cindy, please.” She batted eyelashes that had way too much clunky mascara on them and came up to him with her arms outstretched. “I heard about what Dustin participated in today at lunch, and believe you me; I will take care of it when I get home. I just wanted to let you know that I do take care of everything in my possession.” She winked then reached around and grabbed his ass.
    Seriously?
    Justin pulled back, anger running through his veins. “Make sure you get Dustin home okay in this weather, Mrs. Booth.” He narrowed his eyes, and she stepped back, her face losing a little bit of that blush. Good. “The weatherman said it's going to start snowing a little bit heavier tonight, so I would just make sure you get home ahead of that.” He leaned closer to her so her son, who looked embarrassed, wouldn't be able to hear. “And, if you ever touch me like that again, I'll make sure that your husband gets Dustin in the divorce.” 
    He turned away, got in his car, and drove off before she could utter a word. He was so pissed off that the woman had the audacity to grab his ass in public. Not to mention the fact that she was fucking married and her son was standing right by her. He did not understand some of the moms at his school. They were ridiculous and scornful. He might be one of the youngest principals around, but that didn't make him an open meat market for them. He took a deep breath trying to calm himself and drove directly to the inn. He didn't even bother going home to change out of his clothes. He just needed to see Rina. He tried to tell himself it was for work, but even he didn’t believe that. Justin wanted to see her because he knew as soon as he was in her presence she would lighten up his day.
    He pulled up to the inn, got out, and walked in without knocking. He knew Connie liked to think of it as a home rather than a public place to the town residents, but he needed to see Rina now.
    He walked directly to her room, knowing she was the only guest at the inn, and knocked. When he heard her soft voice saying come in, his tension eased just a little bit. It was amazing that just her voice could do that.
    Her eyes widened, and she smiled when she saw it was him. “Hi. I didn't know you were getting off work so early. It's good to see you.”
    Without thinking, he pulled her into a hug and rested his cheek on her head. She stiffened for only a moment then wrapped her arms around his waist. He inhaled her sweet, sugary scent and let out a breath. 
    Her soft laugh tickled his chest, even through the layers he wore, and he squeezed a little harder. “Did you have a bad day at work?”
    For some reason he could imagine her saying that on a daily basis when he walked into his home and she would stand there, asking him how his day went like a real couple.
    He pulled back and brushed a curl behind her ear. “Yeah, I guess you could say that.”
    “Is there anything you want to talk about?”
    He loosened his tie, took off his jacket, and made himself at home in her