The Billionaire's Christmas Castle by Sadira Stone

Author:Sadira Stone [Sadira Stone]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sadira Stone
Published: 2023-10-04T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

Glaring at his reflection in the baroque-framed bedroom mirror, Michael fumbled with the world’s slipperiest bow tie, a scarlet number purchased at Annie’s shop for tonight’s Sons of Italy Christmas Ball. He figured his boring, standard-issue Armani tux could use a little color. Okay, it was a flimsy excuse, but he’d stalled out on his presentation for the board and craved a few minutes of her presence. It had worked, too. Upon returning to the castle, his ideas flowed.

But since Annie had picked this tricky tie, he damn well had to wear it.

“Should’ve bought a clip-on,” he grumbled as it slipped through his fingers again. Already, Christmas music drifted up from the ballroom, along with the heady scent of garlic and cheese. The Italian feast Annie had promised him had been streaming through his front door since four o’clock, and splotches of red, white, and green sauces spattered his kitchen counters. His rumbling stomach urged haste, but he’d never get a taste if he didn’t master this cursed tie.

“The things we do for love,” he muttered.

His jaw dropped.

“Holy shit! Love?” He goggled at his reflection. “Where the hell did that come from?”

Sure, he liked Annie a lot. Admired her. Enjoyed her company, and her style, her spunk and resourcefulness and intoxicating kisses—but love? Way too soon for that.

All this sudden change had scrambled his brain.

On the dresser, his phone tootled. A text from Annie:

I’m here. How’s the tie?

He tapped out a reply, erased it, then sent her an angry-face emoji.

She responded with a winky-face emoji and On my way.

A moment later, a knock sounded on his bedroom door.

“Come,” he hollered.

She stepped into the room, and his breath hitched. “Mamma Mia, you look—wow.”

She dimpled and pirouetted to display her party dress, a snug, scarlet sheath that sparkled all over with tiny glass beads. High-heeled pumps lifted her a good three inches, bringing the top of her head level with his eyes as she sauntered toward him, tsking as she swayed those mesmerizing hips.

“Don’t tell me a man with your accomplishments has been defeated by a bow tie. Here, let me help.” Her teasing smile sent his heart skittering in giddy directions.

Her gentle fingers brushed the sensitive underside of his jaw as she coaxed the tie into a perfect bow. Her rose and spice perfume filled his nose with delight and his head with wicked thoughts of peeling off that beautiful dress and forgetting the party entirely.

“See?” She gave his lapel a pat. “Elegant and festive. Told you it’s possible to be both.”

“Annie.” He stroked his fingertips down her bare arm. “You’re stunning.”

A flush bloomed across her cheekbones. When she sidestepped to examine her reflection, he immediately missed her heady warmth.

“I don’t often get the chance to pull out all the stops.” She adjusted the jeweled clip in her upswept hair.

His fingers itched to stroke the delicate curls at the nape of her neck. “Stick with me, doll,” he said in his best Humphrey Bogart voice, “and you’ll get lots of chances to pull out the stops.

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