A Madaris Bride for Christmas

He stood as well and she wished her gaze hadn’t been drawn to the way his pants stretched across masculine thighs when he did so. “Well, I’m glad we got that all cleared up,” he said.

In a way, she was too. She hoped that was his way of letting her know she could keep her job. “I’m glad too. We can both admit it was a mistake.”

He lifted a brow. “What was?”

“That night. On the balcony.” The kiss, she thought.

“On the contrary, Carly. That night. On the balcony. Was not a mistake.” He’d emphasized each statement.

And then he stunned her even more when he said, “In fact, I think we should pick up where we left off.”

* * *

Lee saw the shocked look on Carly’s face and wished he could kiss her. He drew in a long, deep breath. She smelled good. She looked good. Gone were the toque and chef jacket, replaced by a cute purple blouse and a pair of snug-fitting jeans. He knew just how snug they were since he’d walked behind her a minute or two without being detected when she was heading for the elevator. She had some serious curves and the best-looking backside he’d ever seen.

“We can’t pick up where we left off,” she said.

“I don’t see why not,” he countered, finishing off his beer and placing the empty bottle on the table. “I’d like to get to know you.”

She actually looked stunned. “Why?”

He could give her several reasons, but he stated the one that made the most sense. “Because I’m a man and you are a woman. A very beautiful and desirable woman.”

Lee fathomed from her expression that she didn’t believe him. Surely she was aware of just how striking she was. High cheekbones, skin a perfect shade of brown, an exquisite pair of lips; he could go on...so he did. She had a gorgeous pair of legs that looked damn good in stilettos, and he liked the way her firm breasts pressed against her blouse, showing the tips of her nipples.

He was getting aroused just looking at her. Surely some man, probably several, had told her how heart-stoppingly attractive she was.

“Mr. Madaris.”

He lifted a brow. Mr. Madaris? “I’m Lee, remember.”

She lifted her chin. “That was before I found out you were my boss.”

He smiled. “Chef Blanchard is your boss. I just happen to be one of the guys who owns the hotel.”

She took a deep breath and then exhaled slowly. He figured she was trying to regroup. “Lee. Remember the one thing I told you about me? The reason I was celebrating my birthday alone?”

Yes, he remembered, and he had an idea where she was going with this. But he refused to go there with her. There was a strong attraction between them, and it was just as resilient now as it had been that night. It was sexual, hot, and something he refused to put a lid on or walk away from. Maybe his cousin Justin was right about fate; there was a reason Lee’s path had crossed with Carly’s again.

“I remember what you told me, Carly,” he said. “You’re a loner.”

And just as he had that night, he couldn’t help wondering why. Women who looked like her usually dated often, so what was up with this “loner” story? Had some man broken her heart and she was trying to protect herself from future heartache?

“So you know what that means, right?” she asked.

He moved around the hassock to stand in front of her. “Yes, that means you were a loner because you hadn’t met me.”

* * *

Carly blinked. She’d met arrogant men before, but Lee Madaris’s arrogance felt more like confidence. Too bad it was a wasted effort as far as she was concerned.

Her decision to be a loner had nothing to do with him being a man and her being a woman. It had everything to do with protecting herself from ever being hurt again by anyone—family, friend or boyfriend. Aunt Ruthie was all the family she needed...all the family she had; Heather was the epitome of what a best friend should be and she didn’t need another. And as far as a boyfriend was concerned—been there, done that. She’d decided that having another boyfriend at this stage in her life was too much work. She could do badly all by herself.

“Excuse me for saying so, Lee, but meeting you does not make a difference.”

“I believe otherwise.”

“Trust me, it doesn’t,” she said.

“I beg to differ.”

The man was too much, and he looked too damn good. He was temptation a-plenty but regardless, like she told him, whether he accepted it or not, meeting him did not make a difference.

“It won’t work.”

“How do you know?” he countered.

“Because I know me,” she said.

He took her hand in his and immediately felt a response. The same heat stirring inside of him stirred inside of her. Holding her gaze, he said, “Then let me get to know you, Carly.”

“Why? We have nothing in common. You’re a man of the world. You’re wealthy. You dine with sheikhs and movie stars. You own the hotel I work for. You—”

Firming his grip, he gently tugged her closer. The corners of his lips curved into a challenging smile when he whispered, “I am totally and utterly attracted to you.” He moved even closer. “So tell me, after this kiss, that we don’t have anything in common.”

And then he closed his mouth over hers.

Carly’s heart pounded in her chest the moment Lee’s lips touched hers. She thought of pulling back but instead let out a breathless moan. That was when he slid his tongue inside her mouth.

She instantly became lost.

He claimed her mouth with a hunger that sent sensuous chills through her body. The kiss two nights ago had shattered her relatively calm world, but this kiss was sending that same world into a tailspin.

Never had a man kissed her so thoroughly. A surge of unadulterated pleasure ripped through her. She felt inflamed everywhere his tongue touched. The way her body was plastered against him, she felt every one of his hard muscles.

Every lick of his tongue made it hard to remember her concern about getting to know him, made it hard to remember what they didn’t have in common. Instead, all she felt was the burning desire and aching need he stirred within her. All she could do was savor the moment.

“I don’t think I’m asking for too much, Carly,” he whispered in a husky tone, while plying her lips with a series of slow, feathery kisses.

She drew in a deep breath, bringing his scent into her nostrils. She needed to think and couldn’t, not while he was still kissing her. Carly knew she had to get a grip on her senses. “I need to think about this, Lee.”

He touched his finger to her moist lips. “Why think about it? You want me and I want you.”

She took a step back, frustrated that she’d weakened with him. “You have no idea what I want, Lee.”

He stared at her with a look of determination on his face. She found the sensuality of his features unnerving; he had the ability to weaken her defenses if she allowed him to.

He cupped her chin. “Then tell me what you want, Carly.”