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  Yes, nice. Not over the top, opening-presents-on-Christmas-morning-spectacular, though. Maybe she’d expected too much.

  Only the old Katarina wouldn’t have settled for nice. And the new one might be softer and gentler, but “nice” had no appeal to her, either.

  “Very nice.” She tried to smile, but experienced a weepy sensation—something unfamiliar and sad. After all the difficulties she’d had in the past year, why should she be weepy now that something nice had finally happened.

  Because it’s just nice.

  Nice would turn into over-the-rooftop flying, she knew it would. Heck, bells would be ringing now if she weren’t bone-weary exhausted. “You know what, Tripp. I’m beat.”

  “Working too hard on your tree?” His movie-star smile, for the first time ever, failed to evoke even a little fa-la-la-la-la.

  She nodded. “Yes. I didn’t realize how hard it would be to juggle a tree and a full-time job.” Not to mention the start-up of HollyGrams. Or juggling Tripp at night and Hunter during the day.

  Gads. She had to stop thinking about Hunter. So gauche.

  “So quit.”

  Quit? Did he know her at all? “Say what?”

  “Quit,” Tripp repeated. “Come on, Kat. I think it’s noble that you want to make Suzette’s business a success, but you’ve already proved you can do that. Better than she did.”

  “Thanks.” Wow. A compliment like that should go straight to her head like spiked eggnog. Instead, she felt offended on Suzette’s behalf. Hadn’t Tripp professed to love Suzette only a month earlier? Would he be so fickle where she was concerned? For all Hunter’s faults—and the man had plenty—Katarina knew in her soul he’d be loyal.

  She really had to stop thinking about Hunter.

  “You’re welcome.” He played with her hair, smiling in a way that made her twist to see if there was a camera. “And who knows, if things go well…”

  Katarina blinked. If things went well? Wait, why was she welcome? “What?”

  “You really are tired, aren’t you, pumpkin?”

  Tired of you calling me pumpkin. What woman wouldn’t love to be called by the same endearment used for a fat orange piece of fruit? Was a pumpkin a fruit?

  Holy gads. She was tired. And irritable. “I really should go home, Tripp. Rain check.”

  “You betcha.” He kissed her again. “Let me get my keys.”

  “No—that’s all right. It’s only a few blocks. Maybe some exercise and fresh air will help me sleep better.

  “Sure thing.”

  She smiled, feeling guilty. She’d blown him off and he’d been gracious. Probably because he didn’t know she’d blown him off.

  Hunter would have picked up on that in a nanosecond.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Baby, It’s Cold Outside—And Inside, Too

  When Katarina reached the shop, the door was unlocked. She started to panic since Leo had the day off, but a thief probably wouldn’t hang the OPEN sign.

  Hunter. Why had she given him a key? After working together for almost three weeks, she had no doubt she could trust him, but he’d never arrived before her. Most folks would think opening the flower shop for her was a nice thing, but she didn’t want Hunter to be nice. She already liked him a little too much.

  When she walked inside, his smile greeted her. “Morning.”

  Odd that she’d gotten so used to him. She looked down, pretending to brush the snow off her coat. “Have you moved in?”

  He laughed. “Seems like. Not my fault, though. You could have said ‘no’ when Her Highness insisted I stay for the Christmas Tree Contest.”

  Suzette had insisted Hunter should be around to answer questions about the HollyGrams that might stump her after the contest. Katarina agreed—for the company, of course. She’d become totally committed to the success of the company. Didn’t matter that she only had five percent.

  Wouldn’t do to let Hunter know she wanted him to stay. “I wanted you to stay in Merryvale—not attached to my hip.”

  His eyes went to her hips, making Katarina wish she’d been more careful with her insult. Another reason she wanted him gone. Hunter put her on edge. She really couldn’t afford to fall for a guy who’d plainly stated he didn’t want a relationship. Of any kind.

  “How’d your date with Wonder Boy go?” Tripp asked.

  Katarina frowned. “Wow, if that’s how you talk about your friends…”

  “Consider me chastised. So how did your date go?”

  “None of your business,” she countered. Her date with Tripp was the last thing she wanted to think about. She certainly wouldn’t discuss it with the bane of her existence.

  “I’ll take that as a ‘not well.’”

  “And you’d be wrong,” she said, wishing Hunter would just drop it. “As usual.”

  Besides, the date with Tripp had gone well. So well, he’d made her pancakes, which she’d had to force down. Too bad the sex had been average. At best. Tripp did all the right things, he just didn’t ring any of the right bells.

  No matter. He could learn. At least they communicated well. After the quickie sex, they’d cuddled on the couch and watched a movie. Things had been perfect—well, almost—until Tripp insisted on putting melted butter on the popcorn.

  Things might not be good yet, but they were headed in that direction. So why did she feel so out of sorts?

  She glared at Hunter and had an epiphany of sorts. Hunter Montgomery was the problem. She’d always wanted what she couldn’t have, which was obviously the only reason she was a teensy bit attracted to Hunter. I don’t get involved flashed from his aura in red and green. Not that she could see auras, but common sense told her that’s what his would say.

  Worse, even if Hunter wanted her, the man would go running for the North Pole the minute she told him about her bout with bulimia. She’d conquered the disease, for the most part, but the urge to take the easy road to weight management hovered just beneath her resolve. One day at a time. She just hoped Tripp would be more understanding, because she wouldn’t go into a serious relationship with secrets.

  Only one more day. After the Christmas Tree Contest tomorrow, she wouldn’t have to look at Hunter again. Temptation gone. Tripp might not sizzle with passion, but he was solid. And he loved her. Didn’t he?

  Maybe her love life didn’t twinkle, but at least her tree would be fabulous. Thinking about her contest entry gave her a little thrill. For once, she cared more about the creation than winning. She couldn’t wait to show off the HollyGrams. Being a part of the start-up was magical, and with any luck, would continue to be a fairy tale. Even if dealing with Hunter would always leave her with a what-if feeling.

  She seriously needed to get Hunter out of her head. Didn’t she?

  “Want to see the finished product?” the bane of her existence asked.

  Katarina blinked. She’d been so busy wishing Hunter away she’d forgotten he was still there. “See what?”

  He grinned. “The HollyGram. I think you’ll be pleased.”

  She darn well better be. She’d been waiting on those things for over two weeks. The contest was tomorrow, for Scrooge’s sake. Hunter hadn’t even allowed her a peek so she’d had to design blind.

  Without any ado, he plugged in the strand. Not a lot of fanfare for all that work.

  Or maybe it was. Each red ball changed into a pearl, then morphed into a perfect rose. Her breath escaped in a whoosh. Each bud begged to be touch, dared you to believe the ornament wasn’t a real flower encased in a beautiful clear globe.

  The flowers spun, slow, then faster, and morphed into perfect peonies. Katarina couldn’t believe her eyes as she watched the string of balls change into all of the flowers she selected, each as beautiful as the last.

  Hunter’s HollyGram might be the most beautiful thing she’d ever seen. Could she actually regain her title as the Christmas Tree champion?

  Without thinking, she turned, throwing her arms around the decoration’s creato
r. She dropped her arms, feeling suddenly very foolish.

  “It’s, eh…beautiful. I have to leave early. Meeting Tripp for lunch.”

  She rushed out the door. What the hell had she just done?

  She paused on the street, trying to figure out where to go. The Tripp date had been a ruse, but she had to get away from Hunter. Being in his arms had seemed too right, especially after seeing the final product of their collaboration.

  He’d created a masterpiece. And she was in danger of falling in love with the creator.

  ****

  Hunter stretched his neck. He’d been at the console too long, but he’d finished. Finally.

  After Katarina bolted, he’d stared out the shop window into the winter wonderland for several minutes. Then he got to work on the final tweaks of their design. He’d hoped to get Katarina’s input, only she’d rushed out like he had reindeer breath.

  Hard to believe he’d been in Merryvale for three weeks. All Hunter knew for sure was that he had to get out, even if he’d started to love his job again.

  He wasn’t sure what he’d do when he returned to New York. Strange that a person never planned for the time when the work would be complete. HollyGrams might actually be the major success he and Spence envisioned, in no small part thanks to Katarina. The woman’s marketing skills might actually be even better than Suzette had touted—and she’d touted big.

  At least he’d be done with the contest after tomorrow. So what should he do now? The marketing plan he and Katarina labored over had been set into motion, which meant he had a long night ahead of him.

  With nothing to do except think about Katarina with Tripp.

  Holy elf balls. He was jealous. Katrina Snodgrass had gotten under his skin.

  He walked to his hotel room, the festive decorations hanging from every streetlight making him feel Grinchy to the max. Worse, he couldn’t escape the feeling he’d missed something.

  The damned alarm. He’d forgotten. He had no choice, but to reverse directions and make the fifteen minute walk back to the store.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Joy to the World—Three Times

  The bell jingled.

  Katarina swiped at her eyes, too startled to be truly afraid. Not that anything in Merryvale was cause for alarm. Except the phone call she’d just taken from her father. After speaking to him, she’d darted for the nearest refuge, which just happened to be her closed store. Thank God Hunter had already gone.

  She grabbed another tissue. Someone had come into the store and she couldn’t let anyone see her cry. Even if the store was closed. “Be out in a second.”

  “Katarina?”

  Hunter’s voice almost didn’t register in Katarina’s scrambled brain. Then his form materialized in her office

  “What are you doing back here? And why are you sitting in the dark?”

  “Eh, my store,” she said, hoping her sarcasm disguised her shaking voice. She had to talk to Hunter soon, only she couldn’t right now. She had to fall apart and would rather do so in private. “Go away. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  The office light flooded the room. Damn.

  “Are you crying?” Hunter asked.

  Well, duh. She couldn’t look at him, knowing her face had gone all snow-cloud puffy. “No,” she lied, not successful at hiding a sniffle.

  “Sweetie, what’s wrong?” He walked toward her, grabbing her hand.

  He called her sweetie? That did her in.

  Katarina sat, fearing she’d topple over otherwise. So how did she respond? Say she’d been run over by Grandma and the reindeer, and then kicked in the teeth? Just when she thought her life might be kinda-sorta on track again?

  She lifted her head, intent on doing what she always did, keeping up the happy façade. The concern in Hunter’s expression halted her words. The professionalism she’d managed to maintain for days wilted like a Christmas tree in January. “My dad.” Her breath hitched, making it almost impossible to speak. “He…”

  Somehow, Hunter had pulled the other chair near and his arm had encircled her shoulder. His touch felt good. Without a thought, she nestled her head into his shoulders. She didn’t even care about the tears trickling down her cheeks. That spoke volumes about her state of mind.

  “It’s okay,” Hunter whispered.

  If only she could believe him. The whole sordid story tumbled out.

  Her father, former mayor and paragon of family values, had been thrown out of a Vegas casino for counting cards. Instead of going quietly, the man who’d served Merryvale with pride had taken a punch at a security guard and ended up in a Nevada jail. Worse, he expected her to bail him out.

  Even worse. She’d go.

  “I have to fly to Vegas,” she said, being careful to keep her head down and working hard not to sniffle. “Which means I won’t be here for the contest. All the free publicity we’d get from a final in the contest is gone.” Gone the way of her trust fund. Down the drain, courtesy of bad luck. And her father.

  “Maybe not,” he replied.

  She risked a glance at him, no longer worried about her swollen eyes and embarrassingly girlish breakdown. “What do you mean?”

  “I have a brother who’s stationed at Nellis. Why don’t I wire him the money? I’m sure he’ll be more than happy to go pay the bail, and you can stay here and finish the tree.”

  “You’d do that?” she said, amazed Hunter would offer. Or maybe she wasn’t. Despite her initial impression and his overall aloofness, she’d already come to the conclusion that under the façade, Hunter Montgomery was a really nice guy.

  He stared at her, a weird expression on his face. “Of course.”

  She nodded, unable to look away. The gaze-lock continued.

  A little voice in her head screamed, this can’t be good. Still, she didn’t look away.

  Then their lips touched, as if neither had the power to prevent the intimacy. Katarina swore sparks shot out the moment of contact. Two positively charged people who somehow connected in an ethereal matter, despite all obstacles. The kiss unleashed a turret of passion that demanded release. The kiss deepened. Katarina’s knees weakened.

  Then their tongues joined, a heavenly choir in perfect harmony. The touch made her tingle in every part of her body. Still the kiss continued, the perfection grew more perfect.

  When she feared she could no longer breathe, Hunter pulled back, staring at her with fire in his green eyes that surely mirrored the heat in hers. Neither spoke. Not that anything could be heard above the hum their chemistry created.

  Without a word, she reached for his buttons. At the same time he reached for hers. Clothing came off in a rushed, jumbled mess—shirts, pants, undies. Katarina couldn’t even take a moment to admire his body, she was too eager to have him against her, touching her. Everywhere. Looking would only intensify the flame that already threatened to burn her to a crisp.

  He pushed her against the desk.

  “Wait!” She swallowed, not sure where she’d found the moment of sanity. Even then, it took a moment to remember why she’d halted the inevitable. “The HollyGram.”

  Hunter looked confused. She didn’t need him to understand, she only had to fix the problem. She picked up the box containing one of the HollyGram strings and then bent over to place the invaluable ornaments on the chair beside the desk.

  “Nice ass,” he said.

  Katarina turned to face him. “Nice ass,” she repeated, gesturing toward his entire body.

  He flashed the briefest grin before all joking left his expression. He looked at her, really looked at her. She might have been a gingerbread cookie, because he clearly intended to devour her.

  And she clearly intended to let him.

  He kissed her again, this time letting his lips hover and entice. Desire spread through her like frosting on hot cookies as his mouth claimed hers. A gentle lick over her bottom lip took the air right out of her lungs. He pushed her toward the desk, lifting her so she was sitting on the edge.

/>   Papers and ribbon samples flew off her desk and crashed to the tile floor. Whether from her arm or Hunter’s, Katarina had no idea and didn’t care. She tried to pull him against her, but he pulled back.

  “Patience,” he whispered.

  “Little late for that, Romeo.”

  He spread her legs, gently stroking her inner thighs, his touch tantalizing and teasing at the same time. She reached for his shoulders, desperate to have him against her, in her.

  Take me already.

  His expression said he intended to do exactly that. Thus the shock when he reached for her office chair, rolled it over and sat down. What the ho-ho?

  “What’s wrong?” she asked, not sure why she whispered since they were the only people in the office.

  “Not a damn thing,” he whispered back, sounding sexier than she’d ever heard any man sound. Then he put his face between her legs.

  Great Marley’s ghost. His tongue sent spirals of pleasure racing up her spine. He seemed to know exactly what to do and exactly how to do it, licking soft, then hard, fast, then slow. The pressure he applied and released sent her to dizzying heights. Her legs wrapped around his neck and Katarina leaned back on her elbows, determined not to scream.

  The man had skills. Serious skills.

  He continued his exquisite torture as the delicious pleasure grew in her core. The sensations surpassed anything she’d ever experienced. Only she wanted more. And more.

  Then it happened. He used his thumb and touched her clitoris. At the perfect time. The earth splintered as time stood still. The hallelujah chorus reached a new high note as she soared to the moon and beyond.

  The most intense orgasm she’d ever had continued to reverberate in all the right places.

  Chapter Fifteen

  O, Come All Ye Unfaithful

  Hunter stared at Katarina’s body, truly one of nature’s most beautiful creations. Even lying with her back on the desk and her long legs dangling over the edge. Naked, she was even more exquisite than he’d imagined. He admitted to himself, for the first time, he’d indeed imagined plenty.

  The sex boggled his mind. After he satisfied her the first time, a smart man would have just walked away. He’d gotten more pleasure from pleasing her than from any physical release of his own. Ever. That couldn’t be good. Even in his sex-hyped state, he’d recognized their coupling equated to more than casual sex—a lot more. He had no time for serious.