Page 9 of Holiday Promise

She stiffened, unsure of how to respond. What was she supposed to say to that? His words had to have been the biggest compliment he’d given her since the day he’d hired her. Something told her that the winds had shifted—their dynamic had changed.

But then he continued, shattering that thought to a million pieces. “Hiring you was the best decision I’ve made in a long time. You are an exemplary employee.”

Employee. That was what this was about. He wanted her to know that he appreciated everything she did for him and his son. And why wouldn’t he? That was the kind of boss he was.He made sure his employees knew when he considered them irreplaceable.

Melody nodded. “You’re welcome.” She glanced down at the book, no longer sure she wanted to pick it up and read it. Right about now, her heart had decided that she needed a break. She needed to go to bed and start fresh tomorrow.

If Blake even knew what she’d been thinking a few seconds ago, she would’ve been mortified. Professional. That’s what this arrangement was, and it would never change to something more.

She picked up the book and got to her feet. “You know? I think I’m going to turn in. We had a long day, today, and I would wager my next paycheck that Max is already out like a light.” She placed the book on the shelf, then moved toward the doorway.

For the second time that evening, Blake blocked her path. His full frame made it nearly impossible for her to get past him. For all intents and purposes, she was trapped. A lump formed in her throat and the heat from her belly rose up to her chest and filled her face.

Dang it! Why was she so prone to blushing in the most inopportune times?

His eyes swept over her face, probably noting just how disheveled she’d become after a day of chasing his son around. But then his focus landed on her mouth and lingered there.

Her breath caught in her chest. His scent wafted over her, twisting her stomach and curling her toes. They were only a foot apart. If she really were transported to a fairytale land, this might be the moment he pulled her into him and kissed her.

Melody shut her eyes briefly, willing these inappropriate thoughts to leave her alone. When she opened her eyes, she found that he’d moved aside. She exhaled heavily and let out a nervous laugh. “Goodnight, Blake.” She made it only five steps when she heard his quiet words.

“You can call me Blake.”

She didn’t turn around. She couldn’t even bring herself to acknowledge his request. Did Thomas call him by his first name? Was he being serious?

Nope. She refused to believe what she’d heard. She was tired, and she was beginning to hear things that she couldn’t have possibly heard. Blake was just as professional as the best of them. He wouldn’t say something like that. It was more of a matter of protection.

But the simple fact that she’d wanted it to be true was enough to give her pause. Melody had been working for him for almost a full year and this was the first time she’d looked at him in any way other than her boss.

Heart fluttering. Hands shaking. Melody chastised herself as she entered her room and shut the door behind her. No more fantasies. This was a good job, and she wasn’t about to lose it because she was crushing on her boss.

SIX

A week had come and gone since Blake had sent Thomas to oversee everything at the main office. From what he’d heard there were no complaints. Clients and employees alike were doing perfectly fine.

It made Blake start to wonder if his presence wasn’t as imperative as he’d thought. He moved to his office window to look down at his son and Melody playing in the snow. That was where they spent the majority of their mornings.

His focus landed on the woman he’d hired to take care of his son and he couldn’t help being impressed with her willingness to get on his level and do everything that he wanted to do. She’d been the answer to his prayers and he was finding it more difficult to ignore just how his attraction to her had started to grow.

It remained a ridiculous notion—the whisper of an idea that he could break the rules he’d set out for himself and allow himself to act on those feelings.

And yet the more he watched her the more he toyed with the fantasy of it all. It was more than her relationship with Max—though that was a big part of it. His attraction for her had beentriggered when she’d stood up to him. There was only one other person in his life he’d allowed to speak to him so candidly.

And she was gone.

Blake rubbed his jaw, unsuccessfully able to push out his new-found desires. He pulled away from the window. They were stuck in close confines for the month. When he returned to work in the new year as usual, everything would return to normal. This fantasy would remain just that.

But perhaps it wouldn’t be so bad to pretend just a little.

He stacked the files he’d been working on and sent a message to Thomas that he’d be unavailable for the day. Then he grabbed his coat and headed outside.

Melody saw him first. Her eyes flashed with something he couldn’t read, especially because she quickly looked away. Max came barreling out from a snow fort they’d been working on. “Dad! Did you come out here to play? You can help make some snowballs for our snowball fight.”

He glanced toward Melody, finding her peeking at him and their eyes locked once more. “I was actually thinking we could go to that new Christmas village at the harbor.”

Max’s eyes rounded and he jumped up and down. “Yes! Yes! Yes! Do you think that Santa will be there? Can we go ice skating? There’s a new toy store there and Ms. Anthony said they had a toy train that drives around the whole store.”

Blake chuckled, dragging his attention back to his son. “I think we can manage all of that.” His eyes flitted to Melody. “Do you need to change?”