Read Online Texas Tycoon's Christmas Fiancée by Sara Orwig - Free Book Online Page A

he said, the gleam in his brown eyes causing a gush of warmth. “Busy day?” he asked.
    â€œVery. Hopefully the afternoon will be quieter. Thanks again for a Friday night that was relaxing and memorable. It was great to get away a few hours.”
    He flashed another smile. “For a moment there I hoped the reason was personal, not merely to get out for a few hours. We proved we don’t have to battle constantly. I want to find some common ground.”
    â€œCommon ground where Michael’s future is concerned is entirely different. You can’t undo the damage your brother did. Your family had every chance. We’ve been over that,” she said, resentment curling sourly.
    He drove to a popular place, where they hurried in thebrisk, cool wind from his car into a restaurant that had grown quiet when the noon crowd had thinned. Near a fireplace that contained the last glowing embers from a fire, Nick sat across from her. Today he was in a brown sweater over a white shirt, looking casual, handsome and exciting.
    After ordering, he smiled at her. “You look great. Very efficient, very businesslike, so desirable.”
    â€œThank you, but the latter is not on our agenda.”
    â€œFor now, forget the argument between us. You know what I did Sunday and yesterday?”
    â€œHow could I possibly have any idea?” she asked, amused by his question.
    â€œI spent far too much time thinking about you and Saturday night. And wanting another night out.”
    â€œNick, we can’t pursue a relationship,” she said, clinging to caution while another part of her wanted to smile and agree. “Of course, I know you’re trying to get me to cooperate one way or another.”
    â€œI’ll admit I’m trying to win you over, but not exactly for the purpose you’re thinking now. There are some personal, ulterior motives here that do not involve my father,” Nick said, his voice deepening and the expression in his eyes conveying unmistakable desire.
    Her breath was erratic. “Stop flirting, Nick. We have no future—with family or without family.”
    â€œThat doesn’t have to be. I know you enjoyed Saturday night. I want to go out again. And once more, it has nothing to do with the future or my nephew or my father. Grace, you kept me at arm’s length on Saturday night. I intend to change that.”
    Spellbinding words, yet was it a ploy to get his way? If he seduced her, she would succumb to everything he wanted. Now was the time to resist him, to ignore her tingling, breathless reaction, turn a blind eye to his handsome looks, hold fast torejection even though everything in her screamed to accept, flirt with him and go with the moment.
    â€œYou’re a dirty fighter, Nick. You know there’s a chemistry and you’ve emphasized the attraction.”
    â€œWhat man wouldn’t?” he asked in a low voice. “You’re beautiful, Grace. I’m a warm-blooded man and I like being with you.”
    His words heightened her reaction, melting animosity and caution. “Wisdom tells me to avoid a wide-eyed, heart-thumping acceptance of your offers,” she whispered.
    â€œMaybe wisdom, but nothing else.”
    â€œYou know I react physically to you. We react to each other, although I suspect you have this response from a lot of women. But with me, you have a strong ulterior motive.”
    With his gaze locked on her he raised her hand, brushing a kiss on her palm while his thumb was on the vein in her wrist. He watched her intently. “See there,” he said in a husky voice. “Your pulse is rushing. Far faster than normal. As is mine. If we were alone now, you’d be in my arms.”
    â€œNick, stop this,” she said, hearing words spoken in a tone that sounded more like an invitation than a denial.
    â€œI want to take you out tonight, including eating together,” he said. “Say yes, Grace. Your assistant