Christmas in the Boss's Castle
‘And you didn’t freeze to death?’
He could see her watching his reflection in the glass. ‘Not yet. There wasn’t enough snow. And I didn’t have anyone to make snow angels with. It didn’t seem like the right place, or the right time.’
‘How do I know any of this is true?’
He nodded and walked over to the kitchen counter. ‘When I phoned my mother this morning about cleaning up the castle, she threatened me with grievous bodily harm if I came back to visit without you.’
She spun around. ‘So, your mother wants you to date me?’
He smiled. ‘No, my mother wants me to marry you. But I have to beg for forgiveness first.’
She sucked in a breath and pulled her hands around herself. She rocked back and forth a little. ‘You’re going to clean up the castle?’
He nodded. ‘Starting January the sixth. Once it’s clean, I will probably need to hire an interior designer to help me redecorate.’ He raised his eyebrows. ‘Can you think of anyone I might ask?’
She took a step closer to the counter. ‘I might do. You should think about the person who thought purple was such a Christmas colour. She decorated one of the most exclusive hotels in London.’ He nodded and smiled as she added, ‘But I’ve heard she’s expensive.’
He picked up the decorations from the counter top. ‘There’s one last thing I need to do. To make this official. To make this right.’ He held out his hand towards her. ‘Will you come with me?’
She looked at his hand for a second before finally reaching out and sliding her hand into his. He walked them over to the private elevator, pressing buttons to take them to the ground floor.
It was New Year’s Eve. The hotel was busy with guests staying for the New Year’s celebrations. Finlay ignored them all. He strode across the foyer with Grace’s hand in his, only slowing down when they reached the main Christmas tree.
He took a deep breath. ‘A few weeks ago you found something and set it on my pillow.’ He pulled the ceramic angel from his pocket and lifted it, hanging it on the tree. ‘You also remembered to bring it to Scotland with us.’ He lifted his hand towards it. ‘It’s a memory. One that I will treasure and respect.’ He pulled something else from his pocket. ‘But I have another gift.’ He nodded his head and smiled. ‘This one was left in my office. It’s from a mutual friend. Discreet. Knowledgeable. With more finesse in her little finger than I can ever hope to achieve in my life.’ He lifted up the silver heart and hung it on the tree in front of them. ‘Alice gave me this before we’d ever met. She knew before I did, before we did, the potential that was in the air.’
He spun the silver heart around so Grace could see the engraving.
She read it out slowly. ‘“Memories are special in every single way, But new memories can be made every single day.”’ She gasped and put her hand to her mouth. ‘Alice gave you that?’
He nodded as he turned Grace around and slid his arms around her waist.
‘How do you feel about making some new memories, for The Armstrong, and for Drumegan Castle?’
She smiled and wound her arms around his neck. ‘I think I might have to be persuaded.’
He caught the twinkle in her eye. ‘And how might I do that?’
She laughed. ‘I can think of a few ways.’ Then stood on her tiptoes to whisper in his ear.
He picked her up and swung her around. ‘Grace Ellis, we’re in public!’ He put her feet back on the floor. ‘But we’ve got to start somewhere.’
And so he kissed her—again and again and again.
* * * * *
Keep reading for an excerpt from HER FESTIVE DOORSTEP BABY by Kate Hardy.
Get rewarded every time you buy a Harlequin ebook!
Click here to Join Harlequin My Rewards
http://www.harlequin.com/myrewards.html?mt=loyalty&cmpid=EBOOBPBPA201602010003
We hope you enjoyed this Harlequin Romance.
You adore a feel-good story! Harlequin Romance offers uplifting escapes featuring real, relatable women and strong, deeply desirable men. Experience the intensity, anticipation and sheer rush of falling in love.
Enjoy four new stories from Harlequin Romance every month!
Connect with us on Harlequin.com for info on our new releases, access to exclusive offers, free online reads and much more!
Other ways to keep in touch:
Harlequin.com/newsletters
Facebook.com/HarlequinBooks
Twitter.com/HarlequinBooks
HarlequinBlog.com
Get rewarded every time you buy a Harlequin ebook!
Do you want to earn Free Books and More?
Join Harlequin My Rewards points program and earn points every time you shop.