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  As she moved across the room, with Nick tight on her heels, his nearness made her breathless and rattled her beleaguered brain. She could feel his questioning eyes on her, as though waiting for her to greet him personally, or at least acknowledge their professional relationship.

  Nick took a seat at the head of the rectangular table, stretched his long legs out in front of himself, and cataloged the room. Rachel reclaimed her chair to his right and, needing a distraction, took a big gulp of her hot chocolate and swallowed loudly. Mason must have noticed the speculative way Nick was staring at her. He opened his mouth, as if he were about to make an introduction, then his eyes widened, like the sight of Rachel had triggered something in his brain. He angled his head and smoothed down his chestnut hair as he questioned, “Oh hey, Rachel maybe you already know Nick. Didn’t your firm do a campaign for Hilltop Gear?”

  Rachel arched a brow. “What makes you think that?”

  “Because I’m working at Hilltop now.”

  Surprised at that announcement, her mind raced. So that’s how they knew each other. Wait! Maybe they were simply business partners. It wasn’t uncommon for any one of the siblings to bring home a friend during the holidays. Honestly, Rachel couldn’t remember a Thanksgiving without a room full of people. She felt a moment of hope, but it was quickly squashed when it occurred to her that Nick had come home with Mason for two long weeks. Obviously, there had to be more going on between the two for them to want to spend such an extended period of time together, and share in such an intimate, family-oriented holiday.

  Mason pulled off his gloves and scarf and shook away the snowflakes as his glance went from Rachel, to Nick, back to Rachel again. “I know I’ve only been with the store a short time, but I vaguely remember seeing an invoice. . . .”

  Rachel caught the curious look on her mother’s face, and could almost hear the wheels turn as she put two and two together. Damn it, the last thing she wanted was for her mother to figure out that Nick—her brother’s boyfriend—and the guy she’d been swooning over were one in the same. And she sure as hell didn’t want Mason to know.

  Flustered, Rachel shook her head. “No,” she bit out, sounding a little too throaty, especially since she was trying to present a calm and cool demeanor.

  Nick was Mason’s boyfriend . . . ?

  She’d been so busy the last few months, finishing up Hilltop’s account and then clearing her desk before the holidays that she hadn’t had a moment to speak with Mason. Of course, it wasn’t like she kept track of her brother’s employment situation anyway. Especially since he went through jobs quicker than he went through boyfriends. If that was possible. Mason was brilliant in his own right and with his masters degree in business he was a valuable commodity in the professional world. But due to his intelligence, boredom came easily, leading him from one job to the next in search of fulfillment.

  Mason shrugged and reached for a cookie. “I just thought you two might know each other.”

  Once again, Rachel shook her head adamantly, and Nick gifted her with a confused, yet somewhat amused look.

  “No, we’ve never met,” she vowed.

  “Well, then let me properly introduce you.” She watched Mason’s eyes light up when he glanced at Nick, and was pretty certain she reflected that amorous look. “Nick, this is my big sister, Rachel. Rachel this is Nick, my new par—”

  Just then, a knock came on the door and their neighbor Buzzy came rushing in. “Mason,” she squealed. “I thought that was your car. I just wanted to pop in for a quick second to say hello.”

  “Buzzy,” Mason said, and stood to give her a hug.

  Thankful for the distraction—because Rachel so did not want to hear Mason reinforce the fact that the man she was crazy about was his newest partner—Rachel slunk back in her chair and prayed the ground would open up and swallow her whole.

  Never met? What the hell?

  As Mason chatted with Buzzy, Nick watched Rachel, studying her body language from where he sat at the head of the table. She must have felt the intensity of his gaze on her because she fidgeted restlessly, looking at everyone and everything except him.

  He shot her a suspicious look and tried to sort through the turn of events. Now why on earth would Rachel blatantly lie about knowing him? What kind of game was she playing? He considered her odd behavior for a long moment then decided to play along for the time being. But he sure as hell planned on getting to the bottom of it before he went back to New York.

  Honestly, when his brand-new business partner had invited him home for the holidays, Nick had no idea that Rachel Reddy from R&R Advertising was Mason’s sister. Nick had only recently brought Mason on board as his account manager and clothing buyer, but the two had never really moved beyond a professional relationship, never shared personal information. It was only when Nick had mentioned in passing that he’d be spending the holidays alone, that Mason had opened his family home to him.

  Growing up an only child with parents who fought constantly and only spared him a glance when they were angry, Nick had always longed for a big happy family during the holidays. Although he wasn’t much of a drinker he knew he could always turn to his good buddy Jack Daniels for a bit of comfort this holiday season. But even that left him feeling a little raw and a whole lot hollow come Christmas morning.

  Sure, he could call on one of his many female acquaintances, but that only took the edge of loneliness off for so long. Besides, most of the women from his social circle would be off with their families, gathered around a huge tree exchanging gifts, love, and laughter. So when Mason dropped the invitation into his lap like a neatly packaged Christmas present, Nick jumped at the chance.

  Although, at first he had been reluctant to go for the full two weeks. After all, Mason and the rest of his family would want time together. But Mason had insisted that the old homestead was always open to friends, and that the only true way to experience a Reddy holiday was by taking in every festivity, which started with a skating party at the town hall later that night. So in the end, he agreed and with the warm welcome Margaret had given him at the door, he knew he’d made a sound decision.

  Nick couldn’t deny that he was looking forward to being part of the big family, to soak up every functional and dysfunctional moment, and to bask in their quirks and eccentricities, if only for a couple of weeks.

  And finding Rachel in the big old Reddy home was like the icing on a cake, or rather, the angel on top of the tree.

  Speaking of angels . . .

  In the office, Rachel was all businesslike, creative, proficient, and downright brilliant. Although he respected her unwavering professionalism, he couldn’t help but noticing she was all woman. Even so, she’d always maintained a reserved demeanor with him, and showed no signs of an attraction, physical or otherwise.

  Until now.

  Nick was quickly learning that Rachel Reddy was a whole lot of contradictions, because something about the way her hungry gaze had just drunk him in when he darkened her doorway, told a different story altogether. It told him her needs and desires matched his and that the carnal attraction between them was mutual, powerful, and all consuming.

  Those soft chocolate eyes of hers had roamed over him with heated interest, and the pretty pink blush coloring her cheeks alerted him to her womanly interests. Interests he’d be more than happy to ignite, explore, and sate, if given the chance.

  Sure, she was attractive in the workplace, even with her hair tied back in a severe bun, and her sexy curves kept tamed beneath her no-nonsense, buttoned-to-the-neck business suits, but the difference in her appearance outside the office totally blew his mind. She was sexy yes, but he had no idea just how breathtaking beautiful she really was.

  Seeing her kicking back in her loose-fitting white sweatpants, tightly knotted at the waist and rolled at the cuffs, had him feeling all peculiar inside. The damned pants were big enough for the two of them, but the way they rode low on her voluptuous hips somehow made them sexier than la
cy lingerie. When dressed for comfort, Rachel oozed sensuality like no one else and that nearly shut down his mind.

  Nick bit back a low growl of longing as his cock throbbed with interest. Christ, what he’d do to crawl into those oversize pants with her, tie an impenetrable knot and fasten them together so he could do wickedly delicious things to her for the remainder of the holidays.

  Her white turtleneck sweater framed her beautiful face and hugged her sensuous body, accentuating her curvy breasts, feminine shoulders, and slim waist. Nick’s throat dried, and his fingers itched to pull her close and shape the pattern of her body. Dark curly hair tumbled in loose waves down her back, and a few wispy strands brushing over her breasts made her look warm, cozy, rumpled, and inviting.

  Sexy as hell.

  Her full lush lips were damp and slightly parted. As his body beckoned hers, all he could think about was dragging her into his arms and kissing the hell out of her. Then he’d abandon her mouth, and with exquisite gentleness he’d kiss a path down her silky flesh and with the soft blade of his tongue, he’d tease open her other set of damp lips. He’d spend a long time between her legs, licking and sucking her pussy until she came all over him. Then he’d lap up every drop, and rehydrate himself with her cream.

  With his blood pulsing hot, Nick worked to rein in his lust before he acted on his impulses. Still feeling slightly off kilter, he drew a shaky breath and smiled when Margaret brought him a mug of coffee.

  Christ, what the hell was he doing? Now was so not the time to be fantasizing about Rachel. Censoring his thoughts, he exchanged a few words with Margaret, then inconspicuously shot Rachel a sidelong glance. As he studied her, she tucked her legs beneath her on the chair and it was then that he noticed her bare feet. His body thrummed and her sexy toes once again prompted his dick into action. As his cock stood half-mast, he shifted in his chair to alleviate the discomfort. Oh fuck. There was something about those bare feet of hers. He’d never had a foot fetish before, but then again he’d never set his eyes on Rachel’s pretty painted toes before either. He briefly closed his eyes against the flood of southern heat.

  As Mason, his mother, and their neighbor delved into animated conversation, getting caught up in one anothers’ lives, Rachel dipped her head and cast him a sideways glance. She blinked quickly and shadowed her emotions, and he suspected she was completely unaware of her allure. When their gazes met and locked, a flash of passion raced through him and turned his entire world upside down. As her long dark hair fell forward it camouflaged her flushed cheeks, but did little to hide the interest in her eyes. By God, she was, undeniably, the most enticing combination of sweet and sexy that he’d ever had the pleasure of viewing. Lust and want, no . . . need sang through his veins.

  He shifted, and the delicious scent of gingerbread, cloves, and cinnamon wafted before his face. He sifted through the different aromas until he found Rachel’s. Inhaling deeply, Nick pulled her alluring scent into his lungs. The familiar, enticing mix of jasmine and vanilla seeped under his skin and bombarded his senses, wreaking havoc on his already overstimulated libido and making it harder and harder to regain his composure.

  He took a sip of his coffee to drown out the moan crawling out of the depths of his throat. All dressed in white, Rachel might look like a treetop angel, but she sure as hell brought out the devil in him.

  Truthfully, under the circumstances, Nick couldn’t see that as a good thing. He’d hardly think Mason would find humor in Nick ravishing his sister and engaging in a frivolous holiday fling. Not only that, Nick’s company, Hilltop Gear, had recently used her professional services, and because she did such a bang-up job, likely would again.

  Which once again brought him back to the question, why the hell was she was pretending she didn’t know him?

  2

  Well, hell!

  So much for relaxing at the homestead while visions of Saint Nick danced in her head. Now it would be two weeks of pure torture, with a libido that was ready to go off like a supernova every time Nick came near. Cripes, who was she kidding? He didn’t even have to be near. Here she was in her bedroom—having excused herself from the joyous reunion—on a completely different level of the house and the distance did little to help diminish her desire for him.

  Him, as in her brother’s boyfriend! Bloody hell!

  What the heck did those two see in each other anyway? Okay, okay, so she couldn’t deny that Mason was a great guy, and Nick, well, Nick was everything a woman—or a man, apparently—would ever want in a partner. But seriously, they were completely different. Through their business dealings she’d come to learn that Nick was a lover of the great outdoors, like her, whereas Mason didn’t have a “taste for it” as he always so poetically put it, and preferred to sit by the fireside sipping hot cocoa. Nick was determined, focused, and dedicated, choosing to spend his time and energy building a successful business. Mason on the other hand, changed jobs like he changed his underwear. Honestly, Nick had more in common with her than her brother. But far be it for her to tell Mason, or even Nick, how to pick their partners.

  A low groan sounded in Rachel’s throat as she tossed her frilly purple accent pillow onto her bed and scrambled to her feet. She padded barefoot across the hardwood floor to her wide sill. After plunking herself down on her window seat, she looked out over the vast expanse of ice-and snow-covered land. Off in the distance she could see smoke coming from Grandma Reddy’s cottage.

  Perched on the cushioned nook, Rachel’s thoughts raced to her big sister, Holly, who was currently huddled up in the quaint cabin completing her novel. Even though Rachel would love the company, something to distract her oversexed body from Nick, she didn’t dare break Holly’s focus.

  As she watched the billowy gray cloud hover over the cottage, Rachel reflected on Grandma Reddy, with all her milk and cookies, crazy anecdotes and her precious ruby—a stone Grandpa had given her—that she’d always kept close. Rachel crossed her arms over her chest and hugged herself. Oh how she wished Grandma were still here with them all. She never failed to bring a smile to Rachel´s face and lift her spirits. And speaking of spirits, even though Grandma wasn’t with them this Christmas season, Rachel knew she’d be here in spirit, filling the house with all her warmth and love.

  The sound of heavy footsteps climbing the stairs drew her attention and heralded someone’s arrival. She sucked in a breath and sat up straight, waiting and listening. From the way the old floor moaned and groaned she could only surmise that it was Nick in all his muscular glory making his way to his room. Heck, she could only imagine how much she, too, would moan and groan if Nick was climbing over her.

  The steps slowed outside her closed door, then picked up again, carrying Nick to the bedroom adjacent to hers—Mason’s old bedroom. Rachel let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding, then tiptoed quietly to her bed, threw herself onto her mattress, and sprawled out her limbs.

  Her mind drifted, and the sudden image of Nick’s rock-hard body on top of hers flashed through her mind. Visions of his hands pinning hers above her head while she handed her pleasures over to him had her body writhing and mewling in pure sensual bliss. His hot, wet lips on her skin, indulging in her body and doing the most delicious things to her mouth, her breasts, between her legs . . .

  Her lids slipped shut, and before she even realized what she was doing, she dipped one hand inside the band of her sweats to stroke her throbbing sex. She brushed her index finger over her engorged clit, bringing it out to play. Imagining it was Nick’s hands caressing her sensitive nub, she slowly began to pick up the pace until her body practically vibrated. In no time at all, passion began at her core and moved onward and outward building a powerful, mind-numbing climax.

  She wet her lips. “Mmmm, so good.”

  The sound of her own voice snapped her back to reality and had her lids flying open. As she sobered, her brain skidded to a halt and she berated herself for masturbating while fantasizing about her brother’s partner.


  Nick is Mason’s partner. . . .

  Annoyed and beyond sexually frustrated, she pulled her hand from her pants, jumped from the bed, and marched to her closet. It was time to put Nick Grant out of her mind once and for all. And there was only one surefire way to accomplish such a challenging mission.

  She rifled through her clothes and searched for something appropriate to wear. Despite the cold weather, she planned to attend the annual skating party at the town hall, after all. Hadn’t she said she needed more activity in her life? And, since maybe it really was time to give up on finding herself a good man, a man she could spend the rest of her life with, the party would be the perfect spot to find someone to help work out all her frustrations, sexual and otherwise. She wasn’t into one-night stands, but under the circumstances, desperate times called for desperate measures.

  After deciding on a pair of skinny jeans and warm Lopi sweater that Grandma Reddy had knitted for her a few years back, she dressed quickly and headed for the stairs.

  She sauntered through the living room, taking a moment to rub her hands in front of the fire, and glance at the sparkling Christmas tree before heading to the kitchen. As she approached, she heard her mother and Buzzy chatting at the table.

  “So he’s Mason’s boyfriend then?” Buzzy asked.

  “At first I just assumed he was Mason’s business partner, but I wonder if there is more between them. He’s never brought a man home to stay with the family before, which makes me wonder if Nick is the ‘one.’”

  Rachel pulled a face, her mother’s words simply confirming her own theory.

  “You could always ask him, just to confirm.”

  “If I ever get him alone, I just might do that. And honestly it doesn’t matter, he’s welcome to spend the holidays here.”

  Buzzy lowered her voice. “Did you see the way Rachel was looking at him?”

  On that note, Rachel cleared her throat to announce her arrival and walked toward the kitchen. She suspected her mother knew exactly who Nick was, and why Rachel had been ogling him. But she also knew her mother would never come right out and say it, especially after Rachel had blatantly lied about knowing him. Sure, her mother was curious and astute but she also had tact and consideration and would wait for Rachel to broach the subject.