Mistletoe Bachelors Read Free Page B

up
straight, pushing the pillow aside. Samantha . She smiled. Thank God for her friend . Madison
yawned as she made her way to the bathroom. She smiled when she saw her favorite red sweater
and charcoal dress pants lying over her chaise in the corner of the room. What would she do
without her friend? She climbed into the shower, and as the hot water trickled down her back,
she forced herself to think of the next three weeks as a stepping stone in her career and not an
experience that might kill her. Her long awaited opportunity to prove herself in the world of
journalism. Sure, it was just for the holiday edition, but she was confident once Damian saw her
potential, writing assignments would be a regular thing. With the new changes occurring in the
New Year, she hoped to move away from the editing department for good.
    As she finished flat ironing her long dark hair, the doorbell rang. Her landlord coming to
collect her rent check? Grabbing her purse, she opened the door.
Cole Harris stood on the other side.
Her mouth fell open as her gaze met his. “What are you doing here?” Annoyance filled her
voice.
“I thought we could drive to the ferry together.” He smiled. “And good morning to you too.”
He handed her a cup of coffee.
“How did you get in here?” Madison scanned the hallways. This was a secure building.
Someone must have broken the rule set by the strata committee against allowing unregistered
guests into the building.
“Moving guys outside let me in. I helped them carry a couch.” Cole said with a shrug.
Madison shook her head. “That’s fantastic.” She took a deep breath and cleared her throat.
“Anyway, I was planning to take a taxi…” She explained, accepting the coffee cup with
reluctance. It smelled too wonderful to resist, even if it would be cup number four so far that
morning.
“Now you don’t have to.” Cole said. “Are you ready to go or can I come in?” He tucked a
hand into his jeans pocket.
“I’ll just be a minute.” Madison stepped back to let him in. “Wait a second, how did you get
my address?” She blocked the entrance to her apartment.
“I stopped by reception at the magazine office yesterday afternoon, and they gave it to me.”
He sipped his own coffee and peered at her over the rim.
“What? We have a policy against giving out personal private information. Who did you talk
to?” She could guess.
“Alisha? Petite blonde at reception.” He shrugged.
Figures . Ashley . She didn’t bother to correct him. “That explains it.” No doubt his charm
hadn’t gone unnoticed or unappreciated by the young blonde receptionist. “I’m sure she sang like
a canary the moment you flashed that sexy…” She stopped and turned away, grabbing her jacket
from the hook behind the door.
Cole grinned and cocked his head to the side. “You think I have a sexy something? What is
it?” He reached to help her with her coat.
She moved away. “Nothing.” She pushed him through the open door and closed it behind
them.
“I bet it’s my butt.” He grinned, leaning against the wall in the hallway.
She locked her apartment door.
“Am I right? I saw you checking me out in your office yesterday.” He took a sip of his
coffee.
“I definitely was not.” Madison let out a deep breath. “I just meant, some people might give
in to your charm, that’s all.” She struggled with the large suitcase, dragging it down the hall.
He took it from her. “But, not you?”
“Not me.” She shook her head.
“Are you sure?” He paused.
“Without a doubt.” She snatched back the handle of the suitcase and continued down the
hall.
His laughter followed her. “This is going to be fun.”
She didn’t dare question what he meant.
* * * *
    Madison closed her eyes and sunk deeper into the bubbles in her whirlpool tub in her hotel
room later that evening. Ahhh . The scent of Jasmine invigorated her senses, and the tension in
her shoulders melted away. The late night and early