Forbidden Kisses with Her Millionaire Boss by Hana Sheik

Author:Hana Sheik
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2022-09-14T20:29:16+00:00

CHAPTER NINE

CHRISTMAS SNUCK UP on him.

One moment they were shoveling the first heavy snowfall right after Thanksgiving, then he was kissing Lin atop the Calgary Tower, and then December swung in with brutal weather and an equally taxing work schedule.

“Four Christmas parties should be our limit.” Miranda kicked up her feet on his desk, either ignoring or unaware of the frown he swung her direction. “Seriously, I’m exhausted just watching you all work.”

Nadine smiled benevolently. “Be thankful you weren’t born to a large family. I’m flying out to my parents’ this year, and I’m not looking forward to the possible flight delays.”

Karl could foresee it. They’d been having inclement weather even for the hardy West.

“I have a couple big family gatherings. Also, I’m meeting Darius’s parents and sisters and I told him I’m cool with it, but I’m low-key stressing at the same time.” Miranda grinned nervously. It was unlike her to be anxious about anything. But she’d been dating her boyfriend for a year now, and not only did she seem to like him but it also sounded like the relationship was serious. Otherwise she wouldn’t be meeting his family.

Karl thought of Isaiah. He’d kept his ex-boyfriend from meeting his parents. He had known that sweet and artsy Isaiah wouldn’t ever be able to hold his own against Serenity and Charles Sinclair. His parents would have burned him with their icy attitudes. No matter how much Isaiah had asked to meet them, Karl had resolutely refused. Admittedly, he’d also been ashamed of his family after having met Isaiah’s.

Of course, I shouldn’t have to worry about that now.

Though, he had been doing his own low-key stressing. For the first time in years, he’d have his parents in the same room as him. He’d also be raising the stakes by confronting them in full view of his staff.

He’d have to be careful what he said in public around them. Controlling his emotions was imperative. He wouldn’t let his parents get under his skin. Never again. Certainly not when he’d come so far without them supporting him.

Lin would get to meet them too.

His stomach did an extra, nauseating swoop at that fact, particularly as it was followed by the crystalline memory of having her in his arms, their lips touching and sliding against each other, his hands stroking her back and backside. She was a perfect fit in his arms. He’d loved holding her. Loved kissing her.

But he couldn’t love her.

He couldn’t love anyone. He’d been burned once by his parents, and then again by Isaiah. Moreover, Carrie was relying on him to come through for her during her special day with Stefon. He couldn’t let either of them down by losing his focus now or distracting Lin from her work.

He’d just box away his feelings for her and hope that they died quietly, unacknowledged and unfulfilled.

“Just be yourself,” he advised Miranda. It was all that he could tell her, as inexperienced as he was.

Nadine and Miranda eventually finished updating him. At the end, they had discussed the upcoming office Christmas party.

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