Winter Kisses by A.C. Arthur Read Free Book Online Page B

seriously enough to dedicate most—if notall—of your time to it. That, she told herself every day, was the true sign of success. The success of Bennett Industries was definitely a priority to Alex. He also didn’t go out of his way to impress her; that was probably the biggest mark in his favor.
    Just because she hadn’t been in the mood for sex in a long while, didn’t mean Monica had no clue about the men that were interested in her. She’d been approached more times than she could count, but they’d all tried too hard to impress either with their money or their status, neither of which she needed or wanted.
    Tired of reminiscing and thinking she pulled on her robe and left the bedroom she’d played Twister so valiantly for. The other rooms of the cabin were dim, but she could still hear the low crackling of the fire in the living room. She did not turn in that direction; instead, she moved into the kitchen to find something to eat or drink that would help her sleep.
    â€œSleepwalking?”
    She jumped, holding a hand to her now-thumping heart. Alex was standing in the doorway that led from the kitchen to what she now referred to as the den, where the television was located. Trying to act as if it was no big deal that he was there, watching her sneak into the kitchen, she opened the refrigerator.
    â€œGetting something to drink if you don’t mind.”
    â€œI don’t,” he said and sounded closer. Too close.
    She surveyed every item in the refrigerator, not wanting any of them.
    â€œSee what you want?”
    She looked up to see his face over the refrigerator door.
    â€œNot yet. And you don’t have to watch every moveI make. I’m perfectly capable of getting something to drink and going back to sleep.”
    She stood and slammed the refrigerator door.
    â€œYou can’t go back to sleep if you weren’t asleep in the first place.”
    How had he known? It didn’t matter—the fact that he always acted as if he knew every damn thing that ran through her mind was quickly becoming the biggest mark in her “dislike” column for him.
    â€œI’m going back to bed.”
    With a gentle hand he grasped her elbow and she stopped. “It’s okay to admit you can’t sleep, Monica. It doesn’t make you weak.”
    Her back was to him so he couldn’t possibly see the truth in her eyes, but he knew, no matter how, he just knew.
    She sighed.
    â€œIt’s no big deal.”
    â€œDoes it happen often? Or is it just because you’re in a strange bed?”
    â€œI think it’s the bed.”
    He was quiet. She knew he didn’t believe her.
    â€œWould you like some company?”
    â€œNo!” She spun around to face him as she spoke. “Look, I don’t know what crazy ideas you may have going on in your head. Just because we shared a couple of kisses does not mean I’m ready to hop into bed with you. Maybe you take sex lightly, but I don’t. And I’m not sleeping with a man I hardly know!”
    He didn’t speak, but she heard him moving and wondered if he was once again leaving her standing alone. But the light came on and she saw him as he walked toward her. He wore only black boxer briefs that clung to the tops of his thighs and…his other partslike a second skin. His chest, as well as the rest of his sun-kissed body, was bare. Every inch of him was all male, hard contours, ridges and planes finely sculpted and well tuned. A feast for the eyes was the very least she could say to describe him. But Monica decided not speaking might be better. She tried to swallow instead, though even that was going to be a task.
    â€œYou know my name and where I work. If you’d like to know more all you have to do is say the word,” he said as he came to stand in front of her. Then, cupping her chin and tilting her head upward so she was looking right into his eyes, he continued, “But