A Mistletoe Kiss with the Boss

Dean’s gaze slowly meandered to Kristen, then back to Winslow. When in doubt, go with the truth. If he and Kristen were alone, that would be lesson five.

“Kristen would like me to consider relocating my company there. Unfortunately, I’m not in a position to even consider it.”

“Why not?”

Dean sort of laughed. “We are in a bit of a hurry to get that series of games ironed out. As I told you in our phone call today, I will be beta testing the new version by mid-January. I’m not going to disrupt people who are already stalled.”

Winslow glanced at his glass of whiskey, then back at Dean. “You’ve never considered that a change of scenery might do them good?”

When Dean frowned, Winslow said, “Maybe their creativity would return if you sent them to a country that’s known for fresh air and fresh snow. Somewhere they can get outside and do something physical that will revitalize them. Grennady sounds like the perfect choice to me.”

“Where are your offices?” Julia asked.

“Manhattan,” Winslow answered for Dean. “His employees fight to get into the city, then they’re in a high pressure situation trying to fix or finish a product that’s obviously in trouble, then they fight to get back home.” He caught Dean’s gaze. “No rest for these guys and gals.”

Dean recognized a criticism when he got one, but he smiled at Winslow. “That’s certainly an interesting observation.”

“That’s not an observation. It’s a fact.” Winslow clasped Dean’s shoulder. “You know what? A few of my associates and I are having lunch tomorrow. It’s our little Christmas celebration. I’d love to have you and Kristen join us.”

“Oh, well...” Dean fumbled for an excuse, but his mind went blank. He couldn’t ask Kristen to stay another day, could he?

“Oh, come on. You want to miss the chance to talk to CEOs for some of the biggest companies in the city?” Winslow winked at Kristen. “If nothing else, you should want to show Kristen off.”

Kristen laughed. “It sounds fun.”

Considering Kristen’s response approval of a sort and not wanting to miss the opportunity, Dean said, “Have your staff send me the restaurant name and time.”

Osmond slapped him on the back. “You bet.”

As he and his wife walked away, Dean turned to Kristen. “If you only answered that way to be polite, I can show up alone. It’s not a big deal.”

But Kristen glanced behind her, watching Winslow and his wife mingle into the crowd. “He’s pretty influential?”

“He is the definition of influential. If you look in the dictionary, his picture would be beside the word influential.”

“Then we should go.”

“Seriously? You don’t mind staying in New York another day?”

She laughed lightly. “Tomorrow’s Saturday. It’s fine.” She frowned. “Except.” She looked up and into his eyes again. “Will I be able to wear the black pants and white blouse I flew over in?”

Regret surged through him that he’d put her in an uncomfortable position. Luckily, he could fix it. “We’ll get you new clothes.”

“Stella?”

“No, this time I’ll take you. We’ll have breakfast, then go back to the boutique where you got this gown.”

“Okay.”

She was such a good sport that he almost felt guilty taking advantage of her. Except he needed her. And she was a good sport. “I swear tomorrow at three you’ll be on your way to the airport, and in the air headed for Grennady by five.”

But the assurance that he’d get her home the next day didn’t stop the nagging feeling in the pit of his stomach.

Their deal wasn’t balanced now, and he hated owing someone.

CHAPTER FIVE

THE NEXT MORNING, Kristen woke, showered and dressed in her simple white blouse and black pants. She’d carefully hung them the day before so they weren’t wrinkled, but this was day two of wearing the same clothes, and she had to wear these home. She might have to rinse out her blouse when she returned.

As she stepped into the sitting room of her suite, her hotel phone rang.