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An Excerpt From: CHRISTMAS TO REMEMBER
Copyright © ANNIE WINDSOR, 2005.
All Rights Reserved, Ellora's Cave Publishing,
Inc.
Nick moved before Grenchler
even opened his mouth.
By the time the CEO started to shout for security, Nick
had stepped in front of Meg and blocked Grenchler’s
view of her. Nick had never been one to use his powerful build to
intimidate, but in this case, looming over the sniveling worm had the
desired effect. Grenchler snapped his mouth shut
and backed toward the door.
“I’ll take care of Ms. Caulfield,” Nick offered with as
much professional courtesy as he could muster, but he let his tone
communicate his true feelings. One more word and I’ll give you a bird’s
eye view of Central Park.
Grenchler nodded. His lips
smacked as he swallowed repeatedly. “Well, then,” he managed between
conspicuous gulps. “See that you do. I’ll have her things taken to the
front desk.”
From behind Nick, Meg said a few harsh words under her
breath.
Grenchler whirled and stalked
out of the conference room. The door slammed behind him.
Nick turned back to Meg, half-expecting her to attack
him next. If she wanted to, he’d let her. He’d do anything to soften this
blow.
Instead, she just stood there with her arms wrapped
around herself, looking so fragile he wanted to hold her. Her rich brown
eyes misted and her mouth trembled.
Nick couldn’t stand it. How could any woman be so
perfect and not know it? She hid herself behind thick sweaters and an even
thicker silence, lost herself in her work, but Nick sensed the fire in her
heart. She was locked inside herself, and he wanted to set her free. He
wanted to claim her. What wasn’t to adore? Brilliant thinker, chestnut hair
pulled back so tightly her eyes slanted, that lush, curved figure like a Rossetti painting come to life—and those eyes. Those
unbelievable eyes.
If she started to cry, Nick thought his heart would tear
in half.
Before he could stop himself, he strode forward and put
his hands on her shoulders. She didn’t resist as he pulled her close, even
leaned into him and rested her face on his chest. The soft press of her
body against his, and her whisper-soft scent of warm vanilla captured his
senses completely. He thought about icebergs and the north wind and his
ugly aunt Gertrude—anything to make his cock behave. Everything
about Meg Caulfield threatened Nick’s self-control, but he couldn’t take
advantage of her now, not when she’d been wounded by that prick Grenchler.
I tried to give him a chance, spirit of the season
and all. But he’ll get his, very, very soon.
“I’m sorry,” Nick murmured, resisting the urge to press
his face into Meg’s hair, tug it loose, and stroke the soft waves as they
cascaded down her back. “I had no idea until he ordered me to bring your
file up here. I would have warned you.”
Meg sighed as she pulled back. Tears glistened on her
cheeks. “Thanks. But the Children’s Fund. Grenchler’s
a monster to strand all those kids.”
“I
know.” Nick wanted run his lips across her cheeks and brush away her tears.
He wanted to tell her not to worry, that he’d make everything okay, but how
could she believe that? She didn’t know him, except for the six months
they’d worked at Sweet Dreams. She didn’t know who he was, or anything
about his unusual family and friends.
Damn
it, he should have asked Meg out after the takeover meeting last week. He’d
thought she might be ready, maybe even willing to consider some alone time
with him—but again, she’d been vulnerable. Afraid about her future.
Meg
reached up and touched his cheek. “Let’s go over my benefits and get this
over with. I think I need some alone time.”
God,
he wanted to kiss her.
But
how?
When?
This
woman deserved perfection. He had to show her how he felt at just the right
time, just the right place, in just the right way. Maybe then she’d trust
him enough to relax, to turn loose, let down her hair—in every way—and let
go all that trapped passion he sensed in her fascinating depths. And maybe
she’d believe him when it came time to tell her the truth about a few
little secrets, like why he’d left home and come to New York in the first place.
Yes.
Maybe he could salvage some good from Grenchler’s
debacle.
I
have to do it right. I have to win this woman’s heart. After all, she took
mine the day I met her.
CLOSE WINDOW
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