With the help of a sprig of mistletoe and some snow angels, a recently single pastry chef teaches a highly successful and sexy Scrooge the true meaning of the holidays on a snowy Christmas Eve that quickly heats up.
Excerpt
He slid out of bed. “I’ll be back in a minute.”?
Which was just long enough for Ellie to start worrying.
What had just happened between them had been amazing. Unexpectedly good. But she had absolutely no idea what to do now. How was he feeling about this? Okay, so he was stuck here for tonight, but would he even want to see her again once the roads had cleared enough for him to leave?
And then there were the practical issues. His suit was soaked, and her bathrobe was never going to fit him. The best she could offer him was a bath towel. And she could hardly suggest that he spent the rest of the evening wearing nothing but a bath towel. It was ridiculous. She knew she’d laugh about it later, but right now she was feeling like the worst hostess in the world.
Quickly, she pulled some dry clothes on, and was just starting to deal with the soggy heap of clothes on the floor when Mitch walked back into the room, unashamedly naked. Obviously her worries showed on her face, because he frowned.
“What’s wrong?” She told him.
He just laughed. “I guess you have a point. I can’t put my suit back on until it’s dry. But if we were at a pool or on a beach I’d be wearing less than a towel.” He smiled at her. “Actually, I’ve had a thought. How easy is it to scandalize your neighbors?”
Ellie stared at him, horrified. She hadn’t even thought about the neighbors. “You mean, if they saw us outside in the garden…” Kissing each other stupid, and then him carrying her inside—and it would’ve been so obvious what their intentions had been.
“No. I was thinking more about collecting something from my car. But if my going outside in just a towel would upset your neighbors…”
“Just tell me what you want and I’ll fetch it,” she said hastily.
“The Santa suit’s in the back of my car.”
She sat down on the bed in relief. “So you’re telling me I’m going to have dinner with Santa? A man in a red hoodie?” He laughed. “Looks like it. But I already have a pocket full of carrots for Rudolph, so you don’t have to cater to him tonight.” He gave her his car keys.
A 'lil about the author
Kate Hardy is an award-winning author of over 50 books for Harlequin and is thrilled to be writing now for Indulgence. Her novel ‘Breakfast at Giovanni’s’ won the RNA Romance Prize in 2008 and she’s been shortlisted three more times for the award, as well as for two Romantic Times awards.
She lives in Norwich in the east of England with her husband, two children, springer spaniel, and too many books to count. She’s a bit of a nerd who loves cinema, the theatre, ballroom dancing history and cooking (which is why she has to go to the gym five times a week!), and adores anything Italian.
Reviewers say that her books are full of warmth, heart and charm – and also that you’ll learn something new and interesting from them! Kate also writes bestselling local history books under the name of Pamela Brooks.
Thanks for hosting me today! All best, Kate xxx
ReplyDeleteYour very welcome! I just love promoting Xmas stories.
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