Read Online Christmas with the Boss by Annie Seaton - Free Book Online Page A

Dominic stood and walked over to the
shower and opened the lock. “All
you need now is to find the person who mowed the lawn and I’m out of trouble.”
Those sexy lips opened in a wide grin and his white teeth flashed in the
dimness that had descended as the black clouds raced in.
     “I’ll have to be more careful from now on.” Jilly stood and walked
across to the railing where he was leaning looking out to the storm. “I’m
sorry. I do seem to be blaming you for everything that goes wrong.” A low
chuckle reached her and she turned around with a frown. “What was that?”
    “What?” Dominic looked around.
    “That noise. Did you laugh?’ The hair on Jilly’s neck stood to
attention again—as did her nipples. Not that they’d ever gone down. She rubbed
her arms, making out she was cold, nothing to do with this sexual attraction
that was consuming her. As she let her gaze move up past those bare arms to his
sexy lips, she wondered how the hell she’d ever work next to him without
combusting into a haze of lust.
    He was just too damned good looking.
    “Are you scared here by yourself?” Dominic leaned in closer to her
and she got a whiff of surf, and sand, and sweaty man. She couldn’t help taking
a deep breath and inhaling the manly essence.
    “No, why would you ask that?”
    He shrugged. “It’s pretty lonely out here. For a city girl.”
    “I’m fine. I’m enjoying the quiet.” Jilly wasn’t going to let him
know how unsettled she was. It was only the storm that was bothering her. Not
him or the spooky feeling that wouldn’t go away. The old cottage took on a
sinister air as more lightning flashed in from the sea.
     “So are you still up for a surf in the morning?” Dominic
pointed to the board propped up against the wall. “I found my old kneeboard in
the shed. It’s all waxed and ready to go.”
    “Will the weather be okay?”
    “Guaranteed. This is just a summer storm.” Like the tumultuous
feelings that were coursing through her as the touch of his hand warmed her
skin. Her body was reacting to him with surprising heat. She lifted her drink
and drained the beer, welcoming the fizz that coursed through her blood.
    “For sure.”
    Another chuckle came from the dark and despite the heat of Dominic’s
body beside hers, goose bumps rose on her skin.
    “What was that?”
    “Just the wind. Don’t be nervous.” His arm went around her and he
squeezed her shoulder and Jilly put aside her jumpiness.
    Grow up , she chastised herself. He
was right; this was a very different place to her apartment in Manly where
there were people around day and night.
    She swallowed as he kept his arm there; he was flirting with her and
she didn’t mind one bit. They weren’t at work now; it was a vacation. Maybe she
could put her rules aside for a day or two.
     “I hope the weather’s okay for our surf tomorrow. I’m looking
forward to it.” She shivered as the wind whipped around the verandah. “Do you
want to come inside before this rain hits.”
    The cold breeze chilled her skin as Dominic stepped away. “It’s time
I went home.” He’d put a barrier up suddenly. And his expression was back to
that of Dominic the boss. Was she giving out vibes he didn’t like?
    Jilly shrugged as she took a step back. Literally and emotionally.
“What about the plum pudding?”
    “Let’s save it for after our surf tomorrow. You think I work you
hard in the office, you ain’t seen nothing yet. We’ll get you working those
waves.” The distance had left his voice but he moved towards the steps.
    “Thanks for the beer. Do you want to take the rest back with you?”
    “Nah.” He waved dismissively. “Put them in your fridge. New Year’s
Eve is coming up.”
    “So what time in the morning?” She kept her voice casual not wanting
him to see her disappointment.
    “Sunrise too early? Meet me on the beach.”
    Jilly nodded and with a final wave, Dominic disappeared into the
darkness and emptiness