When Amber is temporarily forced from her apartment,
her only option is to stay at her boss’s private lodge, where she's the
housekeeper. A stormy family reunion leaves Michael seeking the solitude of his
lodge, where he finds Amber in residence—and in trouble. Attempting to save her
from her matchmaking family, he announces they’re a couple. His good deed
backfires when they’re instantly included in every holiday event in town. So
much for solitude.
First Kiss Excerpt
While Michael put the SUV
away in the garage, Amber settled Penny in the playpen. Though it was nearly
ten o’clock after a long day, the baby was still wide-eyed and excited.
Like mother, like daughter.
Smiling, Amber went to turn
on the tree lights. The perfect touch for the best Christmas ever. The
twinkling lights in the room matched the lights inside her. Who wouldn’t have
felt a little glow with a man like Michael by her side? So what if she had only
a week before her prince left town? By then, anything could happen.
At the sound of the kitchen
door closing, she wrapped her arms around herself. The hug did nothing to
settle her excitement. Her heart raced, but for a much different reason than
when Michael had arrived…only last night?
As he entered the living
room, he took one look at her and frowned. “Are you cold? Want me to start a
fire?”
You already have.
But who would say no to an invitation like that one? Curled up together on the
couch in front of the fireplace, who knew how hot things would get. “That would
be great. I haven’t thawed out from our walk through town.”
“You should have said
something on the ride home. I’d have cranked up the heat in the SUV.” He knelt
in front of the fireplace. “Another thing you forgot to mention—that Christmas
caroling gig. Were you afraid I’d turn down your invitation to it in front of
your entire family?”
“Try complete panic. What if
you’d insisted on auditioning for them—and not been able to carry a tune?”
“Surprised you, huh?”
“That’s an understatement.
You didn’t mention one single word about a tryout.”
He turned to scowl at her
over his shoulder. “Very funny.”
She smiled. After a pause,
she said, “Did you have a good time today?”
“Yeah, I did.”
Now who was surprised? The
trace of emotion in his tone made her hopes soar. Forget memories and dreams.
Focus on miracles. If Michael could learn to enjoy the holidays and get comfortable
being around her family, what else might he come to like? “Don’t sound so
shocked,” she told him. “We’re not that bad.” She laughed softly, not
wanting to disturb Penny.
Michael crossed the room to
her, and the laugh caught in her throat.
“Some of you aren’t bad at
all,” he said.
“I’ll take that as a
compliment.”
“You should.” He reached for
her hand. She hadn’t realized nerves had left her toying with the zipper tab of
her knitted jacket. Warmth from his fingers heated hers. “Want some help taking
off your sweater?” She’d heard that same teasing tone this morning when she’d
wondered if he meant to flirt with her.
No wondering now. And her
imagination wasn’t working overtime. The curve of his lips and the gleam in his
eyes told her he was going for the full flirt. And more. Slowly, he unzipped
her jacket. With every inch the tab lowered, the higher her excitement climbed.
Words like boss and employee,
paycheck, and independence, filled her mind. She brushed them
away like snowflakes, leaving room for words like anticipation and possibilities
and together.
Michael tugged at the final
inch of the zipper. A shiver ran down her spine.
Once he’d helped her slip
out of the jacket, he tossed it onto the couch. He moved a half step toward
her, close enough for her to feel the heat from his body. His lips curved
another few degrees.
“Beautiful,” he murmured.
His gaze held hers for a long, silent moment, then drifted to her mouth. She
could read his thoughts. They echoed hers.
The sparks inside her burst
into fireworks, consuming every caution she could give herself, every warning
she wanted to obey. For months, she had imagined what it would be like to have
Michael kiss her.
She held her breath,
watching…wanting…even willing to make the next move.
The warmth of his lips on
hers, oh so briefly, sent a rush of pure pleasure through her. With one finger,
he traced a strand of hair brushing her cheek. “As late as it is, I wasn’t sure
you’d want to come all the way back up here to stay the night.”
“Of course,” she said
softly. “I told you, I don’t have anywhere else to go. Or anywhere else I’d
rather be.” She wanted to wrap her arms around Michael, to have him wrap his
arms around her and hold her forever. But for now, she’d take another kiss.
Smiling in anticipation, she stared up at him.
He lowered his hand and
stepped back. “I’m sorry,” he said.
“One
Week to Win Her Boss” is available through:
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Bonnie - thanks so much for sharing my new book with your readers.
ReplyDeleteReaders - feel free to leave me a comment or question, and don't forget to enter the Rafflecopter! :)
You are so welcome. Thanks for sharing this tender scene between Amber and Michael.
DeleteMy pleasure, Bonnie!
Delete