Betrayed by a lover, Jamie rents an isolated cabin on Lake Huron, wanting only to be left alone. Instead, he is pulled from his solitary existence as an artist and tumbles headlong into the legend of Saint Nicolas.<br><br>As a young man, Nicolas accidentally killed a man intent on murdering three children, only to have the man's malicious spirit rise up against him. Fleeing through the centuries from the Krampus, the evil troll-like creature that dogs his steps, Nico finds refuge with the young artist who takes him into his home and bed. But Jamie has questions. Who is Nicolas, and why does the Krampus want to destroy him?<br><br>When the Krampus begins to torment and torture anyone Nico comes in contact with to punish him, Jamie's life is put in danger. And Jamie isn't sure whether he can help Nico defeat his nemesis or if he's merely a pawn in the Krampus's game.

Nicolas

“Hungry, angelo mio? I did pull you from the bed early this morning,” Nico teased, a wicked glint in his eyes when Jamie flushed with embarrassment. Nico’s gaze softened, and he pulled his stool closer to Jamie’s, leaning his head on his shoulder to share a menu. “What are you hungry for, amore?”


Jamie turned his head and tried not to hope it was love he saw in Nico’s eyes. It was too soon for love between them, wasn’t it? His heart shouted otherwise, thumping when Nico brushed fingers over his thigh under the countertop. His cock woke up and he quickly nudged Nico away, loving his playfulness but too self-conscious to reciprocate. God, he wished they were alone! He wanted his lover’s hands and mouth on him. He could still feel that naughty tongue licking his nipples…


Heat flared in Nico’s gaze and Jamie tore his attention back to the menu in his hand, trembling slightly. “I could use an omelet,” he murmured, and Nico’s soft laugh sent a delicious shiver along his nerves.


Chapter 27