Wrapped Up in a Beau by Angelita Gill Read Free Book Online Page A

you.”
    â€œGreta, I’m not trying to.”
    By the wry look on her face, she wasn’t buying it, and when she began to turn the doorknob, he put his hand over hers. A current rocketed up his arm, shocking his system. Greta gasped, and it pleased him to know he wasn’t the only one who felt it.
    â€œDo you really want me to leave?” he asked.
    â€œYes.”
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œBecause—”
    â€œBecause I’ve pissed you off?”
    â€œNo. I—”
    â€œBecause I was blunt?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œBecause you think I’m a jerk for wanting to get to know you?”
    â€œNo!” she cried. “Because—” She yanked her hand out from under his and swiveled on her heel. “Because I’m done with this conversation. Simple as that. You’re arrogant, cynical and pushy.”
    He followed her to the kitchen. “You don’t know anything about me, yet you’re as judgmental as the next woman who thinks because she’s seen a few things, she knows it all.”
    Greta swung around. “I’m nothing like that.”
    â€œWell now you know what it feels to be called something you’re not. You know what?” Mason raised his palms, shaking his head. “I don’t know why we’re even arguing! You were the one who got sensitive when I asked an innocent question about family. You don’t want me to try to get close to you, even though I know you feel as lonely as I do.”
    She threw up her hands. “More arrogance! You’re presuming what I think and feel.”
    Damn, this woman was infuriating. “Well, I won’t apologize for it.” Mason wasn’t sure how they went from a polite conversation in the living room to raising their voices in the kitchen. God, this woman drove him crazy! She was sexy, bewitching, complex and…and…hell with it. “Come here.” He clamped a hand on the back of her neck and kissed her, catching them both by surprise. Her lips were warm, soft, tasted like hazelnut. He groaned, pressing harder, wanting more, and though she resisted at first, she melted into it as his firm kiss turned tender. Moving his lips over hers, testing their velvety texture, he felt a thrill course through his body. Triumphant. Exclaiming a victory. He’d known she’d taste like this. Though his blood roared, and his hands itched to wander, he only let his tongue trace inside her warm mouth before he made himself break away.
    Finding himself a little short of breath, he took a step back. Heart pounding, mouth tingling, he sought to tamper down these base reactions. His voice came out rough as he told her, “I won’t apologize for that, either.”
    She said nothing as he walked out the door.

Chapter Five
    After Mason left, Greta let out a shaky breath, and touched trembling fingers to her mouth. What was that ?
    Her head swam as if she’d spun around in a circle a dozen times. She sat down in a stool, waiting for her heartbeat to steady.
    A simple kiss. Such a reaction over something so insignificant.
    As their conversation replayed itself in her mind, guilt sank in. She’d started the argument, true, by becoming defensive when he asked about family. In hindsight, she should’ve been prepared to answer questions about her background. She’d answered the same ones a thousand times! What did it matter that Mason Renclair asked them? It was as if she was a little embarrassed she didn’t come from a normal family like he did. As if it would’ve turned him off.
    But Mason had been right. She was lonely. Why else would she impose herself on another family’s Christmas? Though she had many friends all over the world who would’ve happily welcomed her during the holidays, she didn’t want to be taken in out of sympathy again.
    Poor Greta. Single. No family. No place to call home.
    Though her friends would never say so out loud, she