Scrooge and the Single Girl

Scrooge and the Single Girl
Christine Rimmer

All I want for Christmas:1) A good bottle of champagne2) A free-range turkey3) A cozy snow-covered cabinWith that list, lifestyle columnist Jillian Diamond was making a statement about what she didn't want for Christmas–a man. Of course, one happened to come along with said cozy snow-covered cabin–and he was a sight for sore eyes, even if Christmas wasn't exactly his favorite holiday.Will "Scrooge" Bravo was well-known for his antipathy toward that most wonderful time of year. And all he wanted for Christmas was to be alone. Then into his den of solitude walked beautiful, miniskirt-clad Jilly. She hadn't been on his Christmas list, so why was he so tempted to gift-wrap her, put her under his tree…and join her there…?

“Cold?”

“A little.” Jilly was already scooting down, reaching for the afghan.

Will helped her, tucking it in around her. “Better?”

“Mmm-hmm.” She was thinking that she could feel his body’s warmth. Then he rolled away from her and stood.

“You’re leaving?” Jilly hoped she didn’t sound as forlorn as she felt.

“I was just going to get another blanket. But if you want to be left alone…” Will trailed off.

“I’d rather have company, actually.”

Pure self-indulgence, Bravo, Will was thinking as he got the spare afghan. She was fine. So what was he doing, lying on her bed with her, rambling on about himself? Just what she needed, after having the misfortune to be snowed in with him—a chance to hear his long, sad story: Nightmare Christmases I Have Known.

He should go, he thought, as he returned to the bed and stretched out next to her.

But he didn’t….

Scrooge and the Single Girl

Christine Rimmer

www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)

In loving memory of

the house my mother was born in, a house

we filled with our family memories,

the house we always called the

Old House.

CHRISTINE RIMMER

came to her profession the long way around. Before settling down to write about the magic of romance, she’d been an actress, a salesclerk, a janitor, a model, a phone sales representative, a teacher, a waitress, a playwright and an office manager. She insists she never had a problem keeping a job—she was merely gaining “life experience” for her future as a novelist. Christine is grateful not only for the joy she finds in writing, but for what waits when the day’s work is through: a man she loves, who loves her right back, and the privilege of watching their children grow and change day to day. She lives with her family in Oklahoma.

THE BRAVOS:

HEROES, HEROINES AND THEIR STORIES

THE NINE-MONTH MARRIAGE (SSE#1148)

—Cash Bravo and Abby Heller

MARRIAGE BY NECESSITY (SSE #1161)

—Nate Bravo and Megan Kane

PRACTICALLY MARRIED (SSE #1174)

—Zach Bravo and Tess DeMarley

MARRIED BY ACCIDENT (SSE #1250)

—Melinda Bravo and Cole Yuma

THE MILLIONAIRE SHE MARRIED (SSE #1322)

—Jenna Bravo and Mack McGarrity

THE M.D. SHE HAD TO MARRY (SSE #1345)

—Lacey Bravo and Logan Severance

THE MARRIAGE AGREEMENT (SSE #1412)

—Marsh Bravo and Tory Winningham

THE BRAVO BILLIONAIRE (single title)

—Jonas Bravo and Emma Hewitt

MARRIAGE: OVERBOARD

—Gwen Bravo McMillan and Rafe McMillan

(Weekly Serial at www.eHarlequin.com)

THE MARRIAGE CONSPIRACY (SSE #1423)

—Dekker (Smith) Bravo and Joleen Tilly

HIS EXECUTIVE SWEETHEART (SSE #1485)

—Aaron Bravo and Celia Tuttle

MERCURY RISING (SSE #1496)

—Cade Bravo and Jane Elliott

SCROOGE AND THE SINGLE GIRL (SSE #1509)