A Yowling Yuletide Read Free Page B

skills.
His bosses knew that and would look critically upon any sign of
weakness in him. If he ever wanted to make full partner, he'd have
to figure out this Miranda situation quickly and discretely.
    She was seated at the front desk when he
arrived at the office and immediately flashed him a huge smile, as
if he hadn't half devoured her and then left her to make all the
excuses to his boss just a few days earlier.
    The girl not only looked like an angel, she
had the heart of one too. For a moment he was filled with guilt,
but he shook it off, along with a thick layer of snow that had
settled over his new coat and hair.
    “ The postal service made
it through today,” she informed him, ignoring the cold shoulder he
was offering. “There is some mail here for you. Also, Brian left me
a stack of papers related to the file you took home on
Friday.”
    Matt’s eyes cut towards the desk, seeking
the paperwork, but instead found themselves glued to the girl. She
was wearing a dark green dress that perfectly hugged her figure and
dipped dangerously low in the front. From her ears hung little
green Christmas ornaments in the same shade of green, with gold
glitter highlights.
    The colors amplified her exquisite hair and
the gold of her eyes, rendering him speechless in admiration.
    She tilted her head slightly and smiled,
drawing his gaze straight down to her mouth.
    He could still remember how she tasted. It
was all he’d been able to think about all weekend, no matter how
busy he’d kept himself around the farm. That, and the way that
she’d felt in his arms, so soft and eager.
    She’d claimed that she loved him, but that
was impossible. People didn’t have soul mates and there was no such
thing as instant love. Instant lust, yes. He could admit that he
had an undeniably fierce desire for her. But he would not accept
the possibility that it could be anything more.
    Dragging his eyes away from her took
herculean strength.
    “ Leave it on your desk,
I’ll grab it later,” he told her. Preferably at some point when she
wasn’t sitting nearby, which meant he’d probably be working late
tonight, waiting for her to go home for the evening.
    “ Alright,” she agreed
before he could escape down the hallway. “But I do have a couple
more questions for you.”
    He hesitated, but kept his back to her.
    “ Yeah?”
    "What time will you be picking me up on
Friday?"
    He tensed, realizing that she had not
forgotten Rachel's invitation to come to Christmas dinner with his
family. Even after all that he'd said and done to chase her away,
she still wanted to spend time with him.
    He knew that he shouldn't feel flattered or
glad that she was being so stubborn, but he was. Still, he'd have
to firmly turn her down. It was hard enough being around her at
work. There was no telling what trouble his libido might get them
into if they were left alone together at the farm.
    "Rachel was wrong," he lied boldly. "We
don't actually have room for any more at our table this year."
    For a long moment Miranda remained quiet. He
started to fear that she might be crying but when he turned she was
standing directly behind him.
    How the heck had she moved so quietly? This
was the second time she'd managed to creep up on him this way. She
moved like a predatory cat, silent and graceful. But her eyes were
flashing golden flames as she confronted him.
    "Have you ever read A Christmas Carol by
Charles Dickens?"
    He blinked, confused by the question.
    "No, but I've seen a few movie
adaptations."
    "So you understand the concept of the
Christmas ghosts and embracing the spirit of the season?"
    "Sure, whatever." He was having a hard time
thinking clearly with her this close.
    "You love me, Matt. And I love you. Don't
throw it away like Scrooge did."
    Love . She'd said it again. He just wished it didn't sound so good
when she said it. She made him want to believe in love at first
sight, even if it was impossible.
    He cast a condescending scowl over