The Nook Santa Barbara Novels & Stories

As Natasha and I step into the sunlight, a warm breeze tousling my auburn curls, I can't help but feel invigorated by the vibrant streets of Santa Barbara. The city's opulent charm seems to cast a spell on me, momentarily dulling the tumultuous storm brewing within. Noland stands in the doorway behind us, his imposing frame casting a long shadow onto the cobblestone path.

The anger that he accumulated over a day was gradually starting to disappear. They arrived at a cafe in the blink of an eye. There was a bell hanging on the door. Summer pushed the door open, and it made a crispy jingling sound. Nokocola Bay was different from Santabaca. It was not as happening as Santabaca, but it had a different appeal. There were small streets and tiny alleyways, making the place antique and historical. The cafe was empty at that time. Faint yellow lights were shining down from above, creating a warm and twilighty touch to the cafe’s ambiance.

Sebastian closed his eyes. “No,” he muttered. “Absolutely not.” The door creaked open. Noelle padded in wearing reindeer pajamas that blinked. Literally blinked. Red lights flashed on her chest like a distress signal. “I’m hungry,” she announced. “It’s before sunrise.” “So?” She shrugged. “Santa eats cookies at night.” Sebastian rubbed his face. “We are not Santa.” “No, but we’re close,” she said confidently. “He lives in cold places too.” Sebastian gave up.

“Well, apparently, she isn’t one for money because she hasn’t exposed your ass.” “Or she is dead.” I thought back to the last memory I had. If that was her, was her blood, and her body I held, it was quite possible she had died in my arms. “No. She is still alive.” Jason spun his computer around. Stacy and Derek leaned in. “She owns a cafe slash bakery slash bookstore in Los Angeles called the Book Nook. It’s cute.” Stacy started to click through the webpage as I started to walk over to the computer. Leaning in, I looked at the laptop.

“Come to Grandma, little man!” Rowan went willingly, waving a chubby fist like a king dismissing his subjects. We made it halfway to the barn before Cassie yelled, “I see you two! Five minutes means five minutes, not twenty!” Rhett flipped her off behind his back. I laughed so hard I had to lean on him to stay upright. **** Santa Ynez Valley – December 23, two days before Christmas “Why does the Christmas tree look like that?” Nina asked, eyes wide at the absolute chaos that was our twelve-foot noble fir Christmas tree.

But he didn't know what to do. Because even if he suspected me, he couldn't risk something happening to me. Not if they had instructions. I used that. I made another gagging sound. The three men looked disgusted. "God." One of them rubbed his face. "This is ridiculous." Barry lowered the gun slightly. Then he sighed. "Enough." He grabbed my arm. "When we get to Santa Barbara, you can go to whatever hospital you want." My eyes widened. Santa Barbara. They really were taking me there.

~Friday, February 14, 2025 - Valentine's Day in Santa Barbara Isabella Max and I reached Santa Barbara last night, opting to reserve a penthouse suite for a private Valentine's Day weekend. Yesterday involved exploring the city where our paths first crossed, but tonight promises an entirely different level of intimacy. The evening kicks off with the comical Valentine's Day cards we exchange... "Why am I not surprised?" I chuckle at Max's card, shaking my head at his cheeky sense of humor.

He said it was personal, and I respected that. Lyon’s office was downtown Santa Barbara, in a historic Adobe residence which was recently converted into an office. I parked near the entrance, and Joel and I strolled inside, where the icy blast of the air conditioning greeted us. A tall, dark-skinned woman sat behind a rounded counter, busy filing away at her red painted nails. Her eyes sparked with interest when we approached her. From her scent, I established she was human. I gave her one of my charming smiles, which I knew would make most females melt. “May I help you?” She had one of those seductive voices which held a promise of naughty things with a face to match. But that did not inter

“What’s the matter? Cat got your tongue?” I force myself to shake my head, heat creeping up my cheeks. “No, I just…” I stammer, suddenly forgetting how words work. “What do you mean, ask Santa? Who is Santa?” He chuckles, the sound deep “Santa,” he says, his grin widening, “is an Alpha who can get you anything you want. You know… just like this dress you’re wearing.”

“It’s a known fact even if I don’t want to admit it.” Nolan poked her cheek, lowered his head, and kissed her. “No matter how charming I am, I‘m all yours now.” Maisie was very satisfied with his answer. A beautiful silhouette of the two kissing was reflected on the glass window. The next day… Barbara went to the bookstore to buy a cookbook, and she saw several best-selling magazines on the shelf when she was walking toward the cashier. A series of photos that had Helios and Nolan in them was printed on the covers of those magazines. They were all photos that had been taken for their endorsement of Soul Jewelry.