Title: Sugar Nookie
Author: Marika Ray
Genre/Tropes: Christmas Rom/Com; Small Town; Nanny; Single Dad; Snowed-In; Age Gap
Release Date: October 29, 2024
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I have one job as a nanny—watch the kiddos while their parents attend a fancy celebrity wedding at a remote ski lodge. What I don’t expect is to go on a candy finding mission and run smack into famous country singer Hutton Calder—a scorching hot single dad. And my old hall pass.When an early snowstorm strands us together, I find myself playing hostess to America's most eligible bachelor and his adorable five-year-old son. I try to play it cool, but there’s no ignoring the smokin’ hot chemistry between us as we bake dozens of sugar cookies to make his son’s holiday memorable. Hutton proves to be more than just his public persona—kind, thoughtful, and surprisingly down-to-earth. As we dig out from the snow, Hutton not only stays with me longer, he boosts my confidence and encourages my artistic dreams, all while charming the entire town of Snowhaven with his impromptu Santa appearances and involvement in the local Christmas festivities.
But as Hutton's presence in town draws unwanted attention, including from my nosy ex-husband, I have to navigate small-town gossip, growing feelings, and the fear of losing my heart to the man who has no plans on staying past Christmas. With Christmas approaching, I face my biggest challenge yet: convincing Hutton that the magic of small-town life is exactly what he and his son need.
Of course I run into my celebrity crush when I look my worst…
I let the kids I’m babysitting put makeup on my face…including fake lashes and clownish lipstick.
“Looks like you dropped something, sugar,” he drawls.
His current T-shirt stretches across his chest and biceps just the perfect amount to make a woman’s mouth water but not look like he’s trying too hard. Don’t get me started on the soft jeans that mold to his impossibly muscled thighs.
“You’re my hall pass,” I think, still stunned at running into him.
Except it’s not in my head. The words are out loud and Hutton Calder’s gaze is back on my face and that smirk is getting smirkier.
“Pardon?” he leans in a little closer and my lungs spasm with the scent of him.
I can form one coherent sentence that won’t embarrass myself, right?
“I mean, I love your music.” Is that my voice? I sound like I swallowed helium.
Hutton squats down and my mouth drops open at the sight of those thighs flexing. He picks up two of the bags of M&M’s I must have dropped to the floor on impact.
When he stands, he hesitates, probably wondering just how crazy I am and how likely he is to die because of a rabid fan, before he plops the candy in my arms.
“I may have a few more gray hairs these days, but I know what a hall pass is, sugar.” He winks. Hutton Calder fucking winks at me.
And I die.
I must because my cheeks have taken on a fever that can’t be conducive to life.
Hutton’s eyebrow wings up as he once again gazes at the plethora of candy in my arms.
“These aren’t for me,” I gush, tongue suddenly free from the tight grip it was in previously. “I’m a nanny and the restaurant staff has gone home and the kids are hungry and I forgot dinner so I might have some, but certainly not all. I mean, how could one person eat all this? It’s probably not great for the kids, but they don’t have this every day. It’s just a treat. A one time thing, you know?”
Hutton holds up his hand. I have to bite my lip to stop the flow of words. “Let’s get you back to your room, sugar.”
If he keeps calling me sugar I might drop to the floor and propose marriage. Or a one night stand. Either would kill me, but what a way to die.
Before I can embarrass myself with either offer, he puts his warm calloused hand on my elbow…
and I drop every single candy to the floor once again.
I let the kids I’m babysitting put makeup on my face…including fake lashes and clownish lipstick.
“Looks like you dropped something, sugar,” he drawls.
His current T-shirt stretches across his chest and biceps just the perfect amount to make a woman’s mouth water but not look like he’s trying too hard. Don’t get me started on the soft jeans that mold to his impossibly muscled thighs.
“You’re my hall pass,” I think, still stunned at running into him.
Except it’s not in my head. The words are out loud and Hutton Calder’s gaze is back on my face and that smirk is getting smirkier.
“Pardon?” he leans in a little closer and my lungs spasm with the scent of him.
I can form one coherent sentence that won’t embarrass myself, right?
“I mean, I love your music.” Is that my voice? I sound like I swallowed helium.
Hutton squats down and my mouth drops open at the sight of those thighs flexing. He picks up two of the bags of M&M’s I must have dropped to the floor on impact.
When he stands, he hesitates, probably wondering just how crazy I am and how likely he is to die because of a rabid fan, before he plops the candy in my arms.
“I may have a few more gray hairs these days, but I know what a hall pass is, sugar.” He winks. Hutton Calder fucking winks at me.
And I die.
I must because my cheeks have taken on a fever that can’t be conducive to life.
Hutton’s eyebrow wings up as he once again gazes at the plethora of candy in my arms.
“These aren’t for me,” I gush, tongue suddenly free from the tight grip it was in previously. “I’m a nanny and the restaurant staff has gone home and the kids are hungry and I forgot dinner so I might have some, but certainly not all. I mean, how could one person eat all this? It’s probably not great for the kids, but they don’t have this every day. It’s just a treat. A one time thing, you know?”
Hutton holds up his hand. I have to bite my lip to stop the flow of words. “Let’s get you back to your room, sugar.”
If he keeps calling me sugar I might drop to the floor and propose marriage. Or a one night stand. Either would kill me, but what a way to die.
Before I can embarrass myself with either offer, he puts his warm calloused hand on my elbow…
and I drop every single candy to the floor once again.
Marika Ray is a USA Today bestselling author of steamy and sweet RomComs, spending her time behind a computer crafting stories, walking any beach she can find, and making healthy food for her kids and husband whether they like it or not. Prior to writing novels, Marika held various jobs in the finance industry, with private start-up companies, and then in health & fitness. Cats may have nine lives, but Marika believes everyone should have nine careers to keep things spicy. All her books come with a money-back guarantee that you’ll smile at least once with every book.
More information can be found at www.marikaray.com
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