New Year’s Kisses Read Free

“For?”
    “Understanding that beauty isn’t everything.” He reached for her hand and entwined their fingers. “Come on, enough of memory lane. I want to show you the rest of the place.”
    He led her around the garden to the door. Like the car, he’d left the door unlocked. Nothing could get passed the state-of-the-art security system and, if some genius managed it, there was still Brent to deal with. And his friend’s two Dobermans. They entered the foyer and Wade punched his personal code into the control panel by the door. Pulling Emily farther into the house, he bypassed the front rooms and headed for what he liked to refer to as Wade’s World. He’d changed very little since he’d moved back in, except the rooms running across the back of the house on the lower level. Here he’d put his stamp on the place.
    An archway led into the spacious kitchen, and the back of the house opened up to the yard and back patio through the full wall of glass concertina doors. The sun hadn’t fully set and the view of the harbour and foreshore was, as usual, breath taking. He let Emily’s hand go and opened the fridge to pull out the platter of finger foods he’d prepared before going to pick her up. Turning, he led the way outside.
    “Come on. The last rays of sunset beckon.”

Chapter Two
    Emily stood in place and, mouth agape, stared through the open doors. As if the gorgeous house she’d just walked through wasn’t enough, she was now faced with a multi-million dollar view. Who was this man she’d agreed to spend the evening with? There was so much about him she didn’t know. He walked across her line of vision, the tray of tempting treats he’d removed from the fridge in his hands, and headed to a table set for two. The red table cloth stirred in the gentle breeze and two thin, unlit taper candles set in chunky silver holds sat off centre with a glass bowl of floating red petals beside them. No doubt about it, he’d set the stage for romance, and Mother Nature had come to the party with a spectacular sunset.
    She wasn’t sure what she’d expected, really, but it certainly wasn’t this. Wade had gone to a lot of trouble to make the evening special and she couldn’t deny the little flutters of delight trembling in her belly. He’d done this for her. Even after she’d refused him repeatedly and he’d virtually had to blackmail her into going out with him. Her gaze left the amazing view and settled on the man in question. He set down the tray and pulled a bottle of wine from an ice bucket she hadn’t noticed. With a skill she envied, he popped the cork and poured the sparkling wine into two glasses.
    Realising she would look like an idiot if he turned to find her still standing in the house staring, Em quickly moved forward. By the time he’d returned the bottle to the bucket and picked up both their glasses, she’d reached his side. She took the flute he held out to her and tapped the glass to his when he offered a toast.
    “To breathtaking views and splendid company,” he said.
    She didn’t have anything to add, so took a sip and savoured the tart bubbles exploding on her tongue. The champagne was expensive. Emily didn’t drink often, but she knew quality when she tasted it.
    “Here.” Wade pulled out a chair. “Sit. Let’s eat and enjoy the view.”
    Emily slipped into the most comfortable outdoor chair she’d ever had the pleasure of using. The soft cushions cradled her back, bottom, and thighs in a firm but supple grip. She sighed as she settled into her seat and took another sip of her wine. It really was the most delicious champagne she’d ever tasted.
    “Try this.” Wade held out a small square of bread topped with chopped tomato, onion, and a mix of herbs she couldn’t name. Before she could take it from him, he brought the bite to her lips. “Open up.”
    Left with no choice, Em parted her lips and let him feed her. Rich flavours flooded her mouth as she chewed. She hadn’t had