Page 15 of A Moon Lake Christmas Hero

Strong. Unyielding. Full of conviction.

There was no reasoning with him about this. And itt would be so easy to let him take care of me…easy but not wise. “I’m sure there are other places where I can stay. Didn’t we pass a B&B on the way here yesterday?”

“The Moon Lake Inn? Yes, we did, but you’re not staying there, either.”

“James, be reasonable.”

He stopped, grabbed my upper arms, and squeezed until I focused on nothing but his eyes.

“This is a big-ass house. You’re living with us until we find a more permanent solution. End of discussion.”

His voice was pure steel. Gone was the softness, the fun side I’d witnessed with his girls.

Here was a man with a spine of steel. Who went for what he wanted. And usually got exactly that.

Didn’t Jess say he was a billionaire? I could totally see it now.

Ruthless, direct, dominant.

It scared me, but at the same time, I felt a strange kind of relief.

And turned on.

He was taking charge. He wasn’t asking; he was telling me what to do. And I could just follow his lead. Could let go of the white knuckling, which had become a way of life for me.

I sighed.

“Erin?”

“Yes.”

“I’m going to kiss you.”

I froze. “You are?”

He nodded and stepped right up into my personal space.

“Why?” I whispered, which made him raise a single eyebrow.

He cupped my cheek with one hand, the back of my head with another. “May I?” He growled, his dark voice trapping me into a dangerous net.

Our gazes locked, I didn’t know if it was just a second or an eternity.

He held me. Waited, until I gave him the slightest of nods.

And then he pulled me toward him until his lips met mine.

It started out soft. Easy, but within seconds, I was engulfed in flames. As if a firestorm swept through me, leaving burning desire, lust, and longing.

I groaned, which he took as a sign of agreement to devour me.

And devour me, he did.

JAMES

Jesus.

One taste of her lips, and it was like gasoline to my fire.

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