Page 31 of A Billionaire for Christmas
The game was up.
Molly grabbed her apron and swiftly tied the strings around her waist. ‘Chop these onions. I hope they sting your eyes.’ She heard him sniggering. This was going to be a long night. ‘And then you can shell this mountain of prawns. And then I’ll think of something else hideous you can do.’
He looked incredibly sexy standing there bare chested. She tilted her head. ‘What? Why are you looking at me like that?’
Levi put his knife down and stepped towards her. ‘You wear your feelings on your face. Trust me. You don’t want someone like me.’ His hand trailed lightly down her arm, causing her to shiver with anticipation. Mesmerised by his words, the way they lazily tumbled from his lips. Those inviting, warm lips that he used with extraordinary skill.
She blinked slowly.
He was doing it again, drawing her in.
Molly leaned in towards him, her lips hovering over his mouth. ‘But what if I do?’ Where was her pride when she needed it?She pressed her lips lightly to his, teasing him before Levi surrendered. A low groan escaped from his throat as he tangled his hands in her hair, kissing her neck, instinctively going for the spot that rendered her a helpless mush. He dragged her lips back towards his, hungry for her. They kissed in a frenzy of excitement until she could bear it no longer. Levi hauled her up in one fluid movement to sit on the bench. His mouth moved down her throat to her cleavage, causing her to moan aloud.
‘Christ,’ he mumbled, tugging her corset down. Her breasts sprang free. He took her nipple between his lips, gently roaming his tongue over it, then the other.
Revenge was indeed sweet. Molly would happily stay lost in this moment forever.
It was then that they heard the front door slam.
11
PLAN A BACKFIRES
Molly yanked up her corset just in time. A man walked round the corner. He was tall. He was wearing a ski mask. He was entirely covered in snow. ‘I’m not sure the weather will…’ He lifted his goggles and stopped talking instantly.
Levi sprang away from her just as he had the other evening when they’d been caught. ‘It’s not what you think,’ he blurted.
The man burst out laughing. ‘I beg to differ.’ He looked at Molly splayed out on the bench. ‘Am I in the right place?’ He swivelled around, checking his surroundings. ‘Or have I wandered into the French version of Hooters by mistake?’
Oh. My. God.
It was Levi’s brother. She recognised the broad frame, the crop of blond hair and the delighted expression instantly. ‘Hello again.’
‘We were—’ began Levi.
‘Chopping onions,’ Molly shrilled.
‘Discussing the menu,’ Levi said loudly at the same time, which made his brother laugh even harder.
‘Molly is making dinner,’ added Levi, his tone suddenly formal. ‘Molly is our… chef.’
‘I am,’ she said, sliding down from the bench. ‘I’m the chef.’
‘And will you be wearing that chef’s uniform to cook in for the whole time?’ said Levi’s brother. ‘Because if so, I think I’m going to enjoy this holiday much more than the last one.’
‘Molly, this is my brother, Lucca,’ Levi said sharply. ‘Ignore him whenever possible.’ Levi walked over to his brother and gave him the world’s clumsiest hug. ‘But if you’ll excuse us, we’ll let you get on with cooking while we catch up.’ He turned his back on her. ‘I wasn’t expecting you today. Are the others on their way?’ he asked Lucca stiffly, leading him towards the bedrooms. Over his shoulder he called to Molly, ‘Perhaps a change of clothes might be in order.’
Molly couldn’t believe that Levi was dismissing her. And in such an offhand way. As though she was no one. As though his tongue hadn’t just been flicking her nipples. Words failed her as she stomped back to her room very much bemoaning her impulsiveness. She deeply regretted the fact that she had gone all out to win a game she had no chance of winning, but most of all, she regretted this ridiculous costume and the six-inch heels that went with it.
As soon as she reached her room she changed back into her jogging bottoms and sweatshirt, tied her hair up and wiped away the lip gloss. She splashed her face with cold water and studied her reflection.Foolish woman. Do what he’s paying you to do and put all fantasies of bedding him out of your mind. Focus on what matters.
She needed to fill in the blank pages of Ava’s journal, with dates, times, photos and memories as evidence of having completed the bucket list, otherwise on Christmas Eve, she’d lose everything she and Ava had worked so hard for.
Molly let out a frustrated cry. She was so mad at herself. She belonged in her comfort zone where life was boring and busy but safe at least, and where she was always fully clothed. The sooner she completed what she needed to do, the sooner she could stop working for Levi, secure the deeds to the restaurant and get her business back up and running. Properly. Le Petit Ange deserved to be the successful Michelin-starred restaurant she and Ava had envisioned.
She made her way back to the kitchen. There was no sign of either of the brothers, so she put the radio on and busied herself with creating that evening’s meal. Unsure exactly why, she wanted it to be mouth-wateringly spectacular. She felt as though her reputation depended on it. While she was busy rubbing herbs into a joint of lamb, Toby messaged again to say that he would arrive with the rest of the family in time for lunch the following day, by helicopter. Molly shivered. She would make sure to stay inside. Something about those massive rotating blades unnerved her. There was no mention of rogue brothers arriving early. She took out the bucket list and scanned the challenges left to tick off.
Fall madly in love
