Read Online Twas The Knight Before Christmas (Something Great Series) by M. Clarke - Free Book Online

and the whole room went silent.
    “Good evening, everyone,” Max started to say. “Welcome to our Christmas party and end-of-year gathering. We’ve had a successful year and it’s because all of you. We’ve expanded Knight Fashion to other endeavors and it has been exploding. M. Knights men’s and women’s clothing lines have reached international consumers.”
    Clapping and wolf whistles echoed. Max raised his hand and the room went quiet again.
    “Thank you,” he said, and continued, “The success doesn’t belong to just Matthew and I. It belongs to all of you, the Knight family. So”—Max turned to his left to gaze at Matthew— “Matthew will share some good news with you.”
    Matthew stood beside Max and leaned closer to the mic. “Sorry, Max. I don’t have any good news to share.” He paused. The room went dead silent. “I have something awesome to share! Everyone is important at Knight Fashion. We all have a role to play and no one role is better than the other. On behalf of Knight Fashion, Max and I have increased your bonuses this year. We want to share the benefits with you for working long hours, meeting deadlines, and even having to spend time away from your families. We appreciate each and every one of you . So let’s raise our glasses and toast. Let’s celebrate. Congratulations on the success of this year and we look forward to an outstanding and prosperous future. We are proud of the Knight family. Let the party begin.”
    The clapping and cheers became louder and then died down as Matthew and Max left the stage. The band began to play again and the party noises were back on.
    “That was a great speech,” I said to Max and Matthew.
    Everyone at our table chimed in with compliments. The two brothers played it off like it was no big deal, but I could see the proud looks on their faces. They were confident and they sure knew how to run a business, a place where you felt like you were at home. That was the feeling they tried to project for their employees. It was that feeling that had made me want to work for their company.
    After the delicious dinner was over, we moved to another room where there was a dance floor, a sitting area with sofas and tables, and many bars to cater to all the guests.
    “May I have this dance, my beautiful lady in red?” Max asked, extending his hand.
    I lit up a huge smile and gave him my hand as my answer. Max guided me to the dance floor and held me close to him as we swayed to the soft music.
    “Did I tell you how beautiful you look tonight?” Max whispered, giving me a soft kiss on my cheek.
    Quivering and taking in his intoxicating scent, I murmured, “I think so.”
    Max spun me around, making me giggle softly. When he brought me into his arms, I spotted Becky and Matthew and Rachel and Jax on the dance floor.
    Max’s eyes grew heated and darkened, and then he leaned in closer. “Why don’t we go home early? The kids are in bed. All is quiet at home. Let me show you how much I’ve missed my wife.” His hot breath brushed against my ear. Oh God! How he could just make me weak all over by just his words, I had no idea.
    My arms tightened around his. “You can’t just leave. This is your party.”
    Max gingerly, without making it obvious, traced his finger down my bare back as we continued to sway to the music. “It’s not my party. It’s not for me. It’s for everyone else. They’re having fun. They don’t care if their boss is around. In fact, they might even enjoy themselves more if I wasn’t around.”
    What Max had said made sense. “What about Becky and Matthew? We came with them.”
    “Babe.” Max lifted my chin with his finger to meet my eyes. “If you really want to stay longer, we can. I’d just rather spend this time with you. It’s been crazy at work and home with the kids. We have the limo all night and we live thirty minutes from here. The limo can take us home and come back for Becky and Matthew.”
    “Okay,” I said.