Some Like It Charming (A Temporary Engagement) Read Free Page A

that outlined his chest and showcased his biceps. His forearms were sprinkled with golden hair and Mackenzie stared down at his bare arms. Then told herself to get a grip. They were forearms. But she stared at them anyway. Maybe it was the novelty. He was always in long-sleeved business shirts and jackets.
    She looked back up to sparkly green eyes and flashing white caps and raised an eyebrow. “Are you sure you want to play when you’re this pissed?”
    His smile dropped a centimeter. “I’m not pissed.”
    “You look like you’re about to sing ‘It’s A Small World’. And I’ve seen that look enough times to know you’ve just about had it.”
    His eyes stopped that annoying sparkle and his smile dropped another centimeter. “You would know.”
    “I guess I would. Did you hit her?”
    His smile disappeared completely. “No. I wasn’t even in the same state when she broke her nose.”
    “Well, that’s what I told Rob when he tried to guilt me into losing to you. If you were the kind of guy that hit women you would have hit me a long time ago. And just to let you know, I’m still going to wipe up with you today.”
    He stared at her for a moment before a grin started. “You can certainly try.”
    She popped her fists onto her hips. “I don’t try, I do. And after I’ve skunked your sorry team I’m going to frame the score so every time you walk into my office you’ll remember Mr. All-Ivy lost to a girl.”
    He mirrored her, leaning in her face just a bit. “And once I’ve won, I’m going to have it painted on your wall as a reminder that you need to respect your superiors.”
    She snorted. “Superior? That would be a matter of opinion, and you would be wrong.”
    He looked her up and down, leaning just a bit closer. “I’ve never had a complaint before.”
    “Really? ‘Cause I could have sworn I read something just the other day.”
    “She’s been without awhile, probably going through withdrawal.”
    “It’s a wonder none of your exes have tried to kill you.”
    “They just get upset when I won’t marry them. They don’t really want me dead.”
    She laughed. “Could’ve fooled me. And I know my life would be a lot easier if one of them took you out–”
    A shocked woman’s voice interrupted her. “Ethan?”
    Mackenzie turned to find not one but two older women staring at her. Ethan chuckled and took a step back from Mackenzie.
    “Mother, Grandma, this is Mackenzie Wyatt. She’s the top salesman in the L.A. branch and number one pain in the ass in the whole company.”
    His mother gasped, “Ethan!”
    She couldn’t get the shocked look off her face but his grandma looked amused. Mackenzie didn’t need two guesses to know who he took after most.
    Mackenzie glanced at him. “I’m the top salesman in all the branches.”
    “Any complaints about where I placed you in the other category? I didn’t think so.” He gestured to the two women. “This is my mother, Christine O’Connor, and my grandmother, Ellen O’Connor.”
    Ellen shook her hand. “Nice to meet somebody who doesn’t fall all over my grandson.”
    “It’s hard, but I manage.”
    Ellen thought that was hilarious and slapped her on the shoulder. “You any good at softball?”
    “Yes.”
    “Excellent. I think I’ll go make a wager. Now who did you say was taking bets, Ethan?”
    He pointed out John from finance to his grandmother and she grabbed Ethan’s mother. “Come along, Christine.”
    His mother gave Mackenzie one last worried glance and then turned away.
    Ethan watched them walk to the stands with a big smile on his face. A real smile, nothing charming about it.
    He said, “I don’t think my mother likes you.”
    “She looks like she’s worried I’m going to hurt you.”
    He chuckled. “She’s always been a little protective.”
    She looked up at him. He was at least six feet of hard, wily male. On the list of people who needed protecting, he was last.
    “But my grandma really took to you.