The Millionaire's Christmas Wife

“Temporarily. It’s a good place for me to branch out, because I’ve already made inroads there. Los Angeles after that, probably.” She rinsed the last pan and passed it to Gideon, then wiped down the counter as he finished putting things away.

“And the real Gideon? Do you want children?”

“Definitely. I need a few years’ cushion to get the business going. How about you?”

“Also definitely. Just not yet. Not in the schedule.”

“Exactly. Mine, either.”

“So. I’d like to see your scale model,” she said, deciding to change the subject, which had gotten too personal.

“It’s in my office.”

They walked past a large bathroom on the left and an even larger bedroom on the right. She caught a glimpse of masculine decor, including a huge pine bed covered with a green-and-black quilt. At the back of the house was a room that stretched across the whole width. An office took up one side, exercise equipment the other. One wall was bookcases, filled top to bottom. The view through the large windows went on forever, the lake a shimmering gem, the forest beyond thick and luxuriant.

“Welcome to my library and gym,” he said, his eyes sparkling. “All the necessary amenities.”

“So I see. I’m surprised you don’t have a dog. You seem like a dog person.”

“I’m gone too much. It’s in my plans, though.”

“A teacup poodle, I suppose.”

“Fifi. You got me all figured out.”

She wandered to a large table on which sat his scale model. She took her time studying it. He waited silently, letting her review it on her own. “You built this model, too?” she asked.

“Yep.”

“How long have you been working on the project?”

“A year on this site specifically. It took some time to get environmental impact studies done and to analyze the economics of other sites similar to this. I’ve seen plenty of family resorts around the country and a few in Europe. I took the best of what I saw, then created what I consider is the perfect environment. But technically I’ve been studying this business for nine years. I believe I know what will work and what won’t. Except that I’m not an expert in hotel design like you, obviously,” he added.

“I don’t know that I’m an expert, either, but I know what I like, what I’ve always thought I would build if I had the chance. I got my bachelor’s degree in hotel management, but I started working in the Watson Hotels Los Angeles when I was fourteen. I was like a sponge.”

“Why aren’t you working for your father?”

“Long story.” She turned back to the model and traced a trail with her finger from top to bottom.

“Sore subject?” he asked, putting a hand on her back.

She wanted to turn into him and lay her head on his shoulder. Be held. Even after seven years the wound was raw. “Yeah. But dead and buried.”

“I don’t think so. Looks like we both have father issues. Do you see your dad?”

“We’re not estranged, but we’re not close.” She’d dogged his footsteps her whole childhood, adoring him, putting him on a sky-high pedestal, then he’d crushed her. Denise took a few steps away from the temptation of confiding in and accepting comfort from Gideon. “I’m ready to see the site in person, if you are. We can talk business as we go.”

“There’s an issue we need to address before we head out,” he said.

“What’s that?”

“The attraction between us.”

Just the thought kick-started her heart into a powerful rhythm. “You have ideas?” she asked.

He moved a little closer. “As much as I’d like to say we should ignore it and see if it goes away, I’m more realistic than that. We have to pretend we’re married. That alone will require that we look comfortable together, that we seem intimate. It’s easy to recognize people who are lovers, because they move into each other’s space easily.”

His words added fuel to her already burning fire. “Are you suggesting we become lovers as part of this deal?”

His smile was slow and sexy. “I wouldn’t turn it down. But no, that’s not what I’m saying. I’m saying you shouldn’t take a step back when I get close.” He moved within touching range.

She stood her ground. “In public.”

He didn’t speak, but he picked up her left hand and kissed her palm, his thumb pressing into the ring.

“Have you always been a romantic?” she asked.

“Yes.” He kept her hand in his.

“You’re a rarity.”

“Am I?”

“Everyone is so straightforward these days. And self-focused. Dates are more like negotiations.”

“You haven’t met the right men, I think.” He pulled her into his arms and started dancing with her without music. “We fit. That can’t be ignored. I noticed it right away.”

“You didn’t call me this whole month.” She hadn’t meant to say that, as if she’d been waiting by the phone for his call. She’d actually stopped doing that after two weeks…

“Not because I didn’t want to see you, Mrs. Falcon.”

She wondered when—or if—she would stop reacting to him calling her that. “That makes no sense.”

“This project has consumed me and will continue to if I manage to find a partner. You wouldn’t like my lack of attention. It would kill any hope of a relationship.”

“You see me as high maintenance?”

He stopped dancing but didn’t let her go. “I see you as a beautiful woman who deserves someone’s complete attention.”

“I’m busy, too. Maybe I would be happy taking what I could get.”

He ran his fingers across her lips until she parted them, then he kissed her. “If that’s true,” he said, brushing his lips back and forth against hers, “you’ve got the chance now to test your theory.”

He settled his mouth on hers, wrapped his arms around her. She couldn’t stop a needy moan from escaping, which made him deepen the kiss even more. He slipped his tongue inside her mouth and moved his hands to her waist, sliding up her rib cage, his thumbs resting just under breasts. She moved against him, pressing her hips flush with his, enjoying his powerful body, the feel of his broad hands, the taste and heat of his mouth. She went up on tiptoe, wrapping her arms around his neck, wanting more. Now.

He nipped at her mouth then pulled away. “I’ll bet you’re very demanding in bed,” he said when she finally opened her eyes. He looked as aroused as she, as needy as she.

“Are you up to it?” she asked.