Will they forget the barriers between them and discover that love, passion and the bonds of family are enough?
As Cooper began poking about in the entrails of her heating system, Merlin decided it was as good a time as any to move himself out of range of her missiles, and edged his way through the door, closing it behind him. Leaving her alone with the man.
For a minute or two, she watched him as he worked, admiring, in spite of herself, the fluid ease with which he moved. But her territorial instinct got the better of her and she found herself profoundly wishing he’d “git-’er-done” as repairman types would say. And then “git” out.
Through a gap in the desk drawer she could see the cover of the book. It was calling her name like a box of Godiva chocolates, and, as with a box of chocolates, she longed to be alone with it. She scowled at him again, trying not to notice how his hair, which was, in her opinion, a little too long for the office, curled at the top of his collar.
“Is there a problem?” she asked, which was code for, Why aren’t you finished yet?
Several long seconds later, the hazel eyes swept from the task at hand to her face. “Just a few more minutes. Sorry for the inconvenience.” But he didn’t seem sorry at all.
Jenessa examined her nails, clicked open an e-mail, didn’t read it, swayed in her chair, and gazed out the window. Snow-laden clouds hung low in the sky like steel wool stuck onto a preschooler’s collage. Patterns of frost decorated the plate glass like something out of a Currier and Ives print. And to think she hadn’t noticed that the inside of her office had morphed into a sauna!
She clacked about on her desk for a few more minutes, lost interest, and zoned out, returning to the here-and-now only to realize she was staring him down again. This time, because he was bending over, she was treated to an object lesson in just how well a pair of jeans could fit a man. And, to make things even more special, there wasn’t an inch of plumber’s crack in sight, thanks to a snug-fitting leather belt.
The damn man chose exactly that moment to stand up and spin around, catching her ogling his neat rear end. There was that smile again. “All finished,” he informed her, and began putting away his tools.
Maybe he was all finished. Maybe the thermostat was fixed now, but she was still hot under the collar. She swallowed. “Thank you.”
At this point, he should have excused himself and left her alone with her thoughts, but no such luck. He stood easily near her desk, regarding her with frank impertinence. “So, Miss Emery, how’s Christmas shaping up for you?”
“Pardon?” Her tone could have turned milk into ice cream.
“Just asking how your holidays are going so far. Less than two weeks to go. You staying in Abyssinia, or are you going out of town to visit family?”
She didn’t know why she answered. “My family’s too far away to visit this year, so I guess I’ll be spending the holidays right here in town.”
Those dark brows went up again. “Alone?”
“Looks like it,” she answered shortly. She didn’t add, Not that that’s any of your business, but then, her mama had brought her up to be a lady.
He looked so genuinely sorry for her she wanted to slap him. “Pity. Christmas is no time to be on your own.”
There was a crackling silence, and in it, she felt the temperature in her office begin to inch its way back to normal. He took this as a sign, collected himself, and before she could put him decisively in his place, lifted his toolbox, gave her a gallant nod, and walked that easy walk of his, right on out her door.
(253 pages including bonus chapters.)
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More Praise for Irresistible You
**Spoiler Alert**
“I love that the author doesn’t let us see how the characters work out the issue since the issue is pretty deep and isn’t something that can just be compromised. Oh and the spat between Jenessa and her boss is only one of my favourite parts. That VP had that coming from day 1!”
Anonymous Amazon reader
A great read!
“I absolutely loved this novel. So proud of you, Roslyn. I’ll be reading it again in a few weeks.”
Vaughnette, Amazon reader