I don't care if she's my best friend's little sister or if this will put me on the naughty list… Come Christmas, I'll have her tied up with a bow under my Christmas tree.

Sheriff Hudson

Mundane—that's what my life was before Kindred Cane came bursting into it, full of sweetness and a whole lot of glitter. I'd taken the job as sheriff of New Hope, retiring from being a ranger to be near her. I needed her warmth in ways I couldn't begin to fathom.

I lived in a world full of darkness for so long; now it's like seeing light every time I lay eyes on her. I wake up and go to bed thinking about a future with her. She drives me nuts but in the best possible way.

Too bad I don't know anything about the opposite sex. I went from military school straight into the Army. Now I'm the sheriff of a small town she all but runs. My words come out in grunts and growls, always ticking her off in one way or another. But I find that I rather enjoy riling her up.

Kindred may think her antics deter me, but I only see it as foreplay.

Kindred

Growing up in a town full of love, I've been waiting for the day when I'd find mine. Lucky for me, my big brother brought him right to my doorstep. As soon as I saw him, all of me lit up like a Christmas tree, and I knew the giant, surly man was mine. But when he opened his mouth, only grunts and growls tumbled out. I seem to be the only one on the receiving end of them.

He chats up the librarians and all the ladies in the knitting club just fine. Women almost slip on the ice, turning to check him out when he walks by. Trust me, I've seen it with my own eyes; how could I not when every time I turn around, he's always there? If I didn't know better, I would think he was stalking me. Unfortunately, that's not the case. I know he's only looking out for me out of duty.

But when a real stalker or maybe two show up, Hudson turns into more than my shadow. He's demanding I sleep in his bed, and those grunts and growls have turned into dirty talk. This man's filthy mouth is the best hidden treasure I have ever found in my life.

Now I'm not sure which one of us is going to end up on the naughty list, but I'm going to enjoy finding out.

Tropes: small town holiday romance; stoic billionaire sheriff; enemies-to-lovers; hidden true identity; brother's best friend; double virgins; hero in pursuit; smart mouth sunshine heroine.