Meddling with a Millionaire Read Free Page B

a cacophony, almost drowning out cries of “Happy New Year!”
    Listening to the party on the other side of the door, Emma wondered what the coming year would offer.
    â€œHappy New Year,” she whispered.
    This was his cue to kiss her, but he didn’t. He had such sexy lips, well-shaped with a fullness that teased and a wicked quirk that enticed. Anticipation lashed at her. She couldn’t stop trembling.
    â€œHappy New Year,” he echoed, a smile in his voice. “Have you made any New Year’s resolutions?”
    â€œJust one.”
    â€œAnd that would be?”
    She shook her head to clear the sensual net he wove around her with so little effort. “I’m resolved to be less spontaneous.”
    He chuckled. “And how is that working for you so far?”
    â€œNot very well.” She kept her tone dry, determined to master her nerves. “How about you? Have you made any resolutions for the New Year?”
    â€œJust one,” he said.
    She lifted her hands to his face, sliding her fingers over his bold, masculine bone structure and sharp, well-defined jawline. Even in the darkened room he had an arresting face.
    He tugged his bow tie loose and left it dangling, drawing her attention to his impressive chest. Heat poured off his long torso, seeping into her skin and setting fire to her betterjudgment. Her fingers tingled as she traced the muscles beneath his white shirt. He radiated power and vitality. The sensation of all that caged energy weakened her knees.
    â€œWhat is it?”
    His mouth brushed against hers, lingering just long enough to blend their breath. She tried to catch his lips, to compel him to kiss her hard and deep, but he pulled away.
    â€œI’m going to spend the rest of my life making love to you.”
    Her heart fluttered against her ribs like a startled canary.
    â€œThat’s a pretty big commitment,” she said, unsure what to make of his declaration.
    â€œOn the contrary.” His breath tickled her ear, redirecting her focus. She turned her head toward the lips hovering beside her cheekbone, but he pushed back, taking away temptation. “I can’t wait to make you Mrs. Nathan Case.”

Two
    A t his words, her heart hit her toes. Mrs. Nathan Case?
    â€œWhat?” She wheezed, unable to breathe. “Have you lost your mind?”
    Her hands left his chest and settled on her temples, where a jackhammer had started drilling into her brain.
    â€œHardly.”
    â€œThis isn’t because of the other night, is it? Because I assure you, one night of sex does not require a noble gesture on your part.” She leaned forward and stage-whispered, “I wasn’t a virgin.”
    A low chuckle rumbled out of his chest. “You sure didn’t behave like one.”
    She let his comment pass unanswered while scrambling to make sense of what he’d just proposed. Unfortunately, she found it almost impossible to think rationally while the scorned sixteen-year-old inside her whooped with triumph. She smothered young Emma’s enthusiasm and concentrated on reality.
    Marry Nathan? Impossible. His ability to make any woman feel special did not make him marriage material.
    â€œMy father put you up to this, didn’t he?”
    â€œIt’s what we talked about this afternoon.” Nathan’s eyes narrowed. “He thinks it’s past time you married.”
    â€œTo someone I choose.”
    White teeth flashing in a cocky grin. “Got anyone in mind?”
    Understanding dawned. She gasped in horror. “You thought I chose you?” An unsteady laugh escaped her. Oh, the humiliation. “I don’t want to marry you,” she said, keeping her tone slow and deliberate so he wouldn’t misinterpret her meaning. “I don’t want to marry anyone. Not right now.”
    Not without love.
    â€œYour father seems pretty determined.”
    â€œYou have no idea,” she muttered. “But