Книга - Cinderella’s New York Christmas

Cinderella's New York Christmas
Scarlet Wilson


From chalet maid… To millionaire’s date!Anissa Lang was going for gold when an accident ended her skiing dream. Now she’s cleaning chalets. Until brooding millionaire Leo Baxter, whisks her away to New York. But they must confront their pasts before their Christmas wishes can come true!







From chalet maid...

To millionaire’s date!

In this Cattaneos’ Christmas Miracles story, Anissa Lang was going for gold when an accident ended her skiing dream. Now she’s cleaning mountain chalets—until she meets brooding millionaire Leo Baxter. He can’t resist whisking her to New York for a date, and under the twinkling Manhattan lights these kindred spirits glimpse a new future. But they must confront their pasts before their Christmas wishes can come true!


SCARLET WILSON writes for both Mills & Boon True Love and Medical Romance. She lives on the west coast of Scotland with her fiancé and their two sons. She loves to hear from readers and can be reached via her website: scarlet-wilson.com (http://www.scarlet-wilson.com).


Also by Scarlet Wilson (#uca3b45a8-30a6-5dc4-8e08-e82ba6d45b8d)

The Italian Billionaire’s New Year Bride

Resisting the Single Dad

Locked Down with the Army Doc

The Cattaneos’ Christmas Miracles collection

Cinderella’s New York Christmas

And look out for the next two books

Heiress’s Royal Baby Bombshell by Jennifer Faye Available November 2018

CEO’s Marriage Miracle by Sophie Pembroke Available December 2018

Discover more at millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk).


Cinderella’s New York Christmas

Scarlet Wilson






www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)


ISBN: 978-1-474-07818-4

CINDERELLA’S NEW YORK CHRISTMAS

© 2018 Harlequin Books S.A.

Published in Great Britain 2018

by Mills & Boon, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF

All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. This edition is published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, locations and incidents are purely fictional and bear no relationship to any real life individuals, living or dead, or to any actual places, business establishments, locations, events or incidents. Any resemblance is entirely coincidental.

By payment of the required fees, you are granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right and licence to download and install this e-book on your personal computer, tablet computer, smart phone or other electronic reading device only (each a “Licensed Device”) and to access, display and read the text of this e-book on-screen on your Licensed Device. Except to the extent any of these acts shall be permitted pursuant to any mandatory provision of applicable law but no further, no part of this e-book or its text or images may be reproduced, transmitted, distributed, translated, converted or adapted for use on another file format, communicated to the public, downloaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of publisher.

® and ™ are trademarks owned and used by the trademark owner and/or its licensee. Trademarks marked with ® are registered with the United Kingdom Patent Office and/or the Office for Harmonisation in the Internal Market and in other countries.

www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)


To my fab NHS work colleagues

Kathleen Winter and Janice Traynor.

I value the fact I work with such kind,

supportive friends.


Contents

Cover (#uc5818e81-387d-59e7-bd3e-3fa250a14f27)

Back Cover Text (#u8c08a19f-e264-5b18-98a3-64f50109cfc8)

About the Author (#ua139fd22-6bfa-5eb1-97a7-af1ddb436dac)

Booklist (#u195fa0b0-abce-5248-8785-ee65d103b413)

Title Page (#uf4c8f5dc-9dec-5d84-badb-43c3fd047c5c)

Copyright (#u3bf6deea-2d4d-5122-b3b8-7e9b86eb4231)

Dedication (#u9740005c-293c-5431-9f62-e20a1d36d56f)

PROLOGUE (#ub4fd5be9-9b0d-53a9-a148-bdc9b2d0a62a)

CHAPTER ONE (#udb60b2b1-8f28-5c6c-a26f-ccf041c8cb69)

CHAPTER TWO (#u6e7b6219-a101-51c0-a323-809762cb2f50)

CHAPTER THREE (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER FOUR (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER FIVE (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER SIX (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER SEVEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER EIGHT (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER NINE (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER TEN (#litres_trial_promo)

Extract (#litres_trial_promo)

About the Publisher (#litres_trial_promo)




PROLOGUE (#uca3b45a8-30a6-5dc4-8e08-e82ba6d45b8d)


Our dearest Leo,

You have no idea how much joy it gives us to write this letter. We have hoped and prayed for this moment for so long. We hope you are well, we hope you are healthy, and we want you to know that we’ve spent every day thinking about you, and the last thirty-five years looking for you. You have always been in our hearts, Leo, always. Please believe that.

Thirty-eight years ago we were young, foolish teenagers who fell in love. Our parents disapproved and when we fell pregnant with you we were forced to give you up for adoption.

We want you to know that it was never what we wanted. From the very first moment we knew you existed we wanted to keep you. But times were different then. Our parents bullied us, refused to support our relationship, and were ashamed of their illegitimate grandchild.

It broke our hearts, but we were penniless and had to agree to give you up for adoption, or we would have both been flung out of our homes.

Every day we talked about you and imagined where you were. We prayed you had parents who loved you as much as we did, and who nurtured and supported you.

Despite what our families thought, we stayed together and eventually married. As soon as we had some money we started our search for you. But the world was full of paper records then—people who kept secrets and those who told lies. It took years for us to learn you’d gone to the US, and then the trail went dead.

It broke our hearts all over again.

You have a brother, Sebastian, and a sister, Noemi. We always found it difficult to talk about your adoption to your siblings, but now that we’ve found you we would love it if our family could be reunited.

It has always been our dream that one day we could have all our children sitting around our table for Christmas dinner, like the true family we always wanted to be. We would love it if this could come true this year and wish that you could join us at Mont Coeur, Switzerland—the place where we have always loved to spend Christmas.

We’ve missed you every day, Leo.

Knowing that you are alive and well has brought us so much joy. We know you may be settled in your life. We know that you may well think of your adoptive parents as your only parents, and we will always respect your decisions and your wishes, but, please, please consider our request to meet.

There is nothing we want more than to throw our arms around our firstborn son and tell you how much we love you.

With our hearts,

Mamma e Papà

Salvo and Nicole Cattaneo




CHAPTER ONE (#uca3b45a8-30a6-5dc4-8e08-e82ba6d45b8d)


HE SHOULD NEVER have opened that letter.

His insides curled uncomfortably as he took the final few steps up to the veranda around the luxury chalet. Even though it was the beginning of November it seemed the Mont Coeur ski resort in Switzerland had moved into full Christmas mode. Maybe it was the cold weather and snow that made the whole population think it was normal to have Christmas trees up at the beginning of November. But as his car had woven its way through the resort it had seemed that every business and shop in Mont Coeur was fully on board for the festive season.

Everywhere he looked there were garlands, twinkling lights and piped music.

On any other day he’d think the whole place was picture perfect—like a scene on one of those Christmas cards. But today wasn’t like any other day.

His parents’ luxury chalet seemed to be a leader in the festive decorations. Through the glass-panelled doors he could see the Christmas tree decorated in reds and gold as a focal point in the spacious living area; boughs of holly had been wound around the banisters and across the mantelpiece, where a fire was roaring beneath. And above him, against night sky, gold twinkling fairy lights adorned the outside of the chalet. The quintessential idyllic Christmas scene.

This should be different. This should be so different.

He should be coming here today to meet the parents who had given him up for adoption thirty-eight years ago. He should be coming here to learn more about the people who’d said they’d thought about him every day since. Instead, he was here at the insistence of a family lawyer he didn’t know and a sister, Noemi, whom he’d never met, for the reading of his parents’ will.

The warmth and the family feel of the chalet felt totally alien to him. He’d never experienced this lifestyle. He’d never experienced the true joy of a happy, family Christmas. And he couldn’t shake the guilty feeling that if he hadn’t been found, hadn’t answered their letter, then his parents would never have died in a helicopter crash on their way to meet him.

Now he was here at their request for the will reading—and to meet his two siblings.

Everything about this felt awkward and wrong.

His stomach churned again as he knocked on the glass door. Maybe no one was home? Maybe his siblings had changed their minds? It would be so much easier to turn on his heel, go back and find the alternative luxury chalet his PA had booked for him.

There was a flicker behind the glass. A woman rushed towards him. She was tall and slim with a short brown angled bob. Behind her, walking much more warily, was a tall, muscular man. Even from here Leo could see the creases along his brow.

The woman flung the door open. ‘Leo?’

Her brown eyes were hopeful. He could see her hands twitching at her sides. She was barely able to contain herself.

‘Yes,’ he replied hoarsely. It was all it took.

She let out a squeal and flung her arms around his neck. ‘Oh, Leo, I’m so glad to finally meet you.’

He stood frozen to the spot, not sure of whether he should lift his arms to hug this woman back. After what seemed like the longest time she finally pulled back, wiping a tear from her eye. ‘I’m Noemi. You know that, don’t you?’ She wiped away another tear and gestured to the man behind her. ‘And this is Sebastian, your brother.’

It had to be the most awkward meeting in history. Animosity was rolling off Sebastian in waves. He didn’t even step forward, just gave the barest nod of his head.

Leo steadied himself for a second. This was his brother and sister. When he’d been growing up he’d always wished he was part of a large family. He would have loved to have had a brother and sister. But his adoptive parents had already decided one child was too much. He was never quite sure why they’d adopted him as they’d shown so little interest in him.

All he wanted to do right now was turn and walk out the door. It made him feel pathetic. He was a businessman, a CEO. He spent his life in difficult business dealings. This should be nothing to him. But everything about this was unravelling a whole pile of emotions that he’d never acknowledged.

It was obvious that everyone in Mont Coeur was rich, even by his standards, his brother and sister included. Maybe they were worried he was here for money? Money that he didn’t need or want.

Noemi grabbed his hand. ‘Come in, Leo, come in. I want to hear all about you. I want to know how you are.’ She bit her bottom lip as a few more tears escaped. Was his sister always this tearful? He wasn’t big on emotion at the best of times and he was already feeling the overload.

Her hands were warm against his chilly skin and she pulled him inside. She drew him straight into the heart of the house, between the Christmas tree and the fireplace. ‘Give me your jacket,’ she said enthusiastically, tugging his dark wool coat from his shoulders.

Sebastian had barely moved. The muscles around the bottom of his neck were tense. He glanced at Leo as he shrugged his way out of his coat. His words were stiff. ‘My wife, Maria, and son, Frankie, hoped to be here but...’ his voice tailed as if he were trying to decide what to say ‘...they’ve been unavoidably delayed.’

Something in his gut told Leo that Sebastian hadn’t been exactly truthful when he’d spoken. He looked like a coil about to burst from into a spring. Either his wife and son didn’t want to meet the ‘new’ brother, or Sebastian was hiding something else completely. Leo had done enough business dealings to know when someone was being economical with the truth.

Noemi patted the sofa next to her. ‘Please, sit. Giovanni will be here soon, but I want a chance to chat first.’

Giovanni. The family lawyer who’d persuaded him to attend the reading of the will. Giovanni, who right now he wanted to email and tell him that he’d changed his mind.

He sat down on the sofa and was almost swallowed up by it. Leo wanted to laugh out loud, because that’s how he was feeling in general about the visit here.

His eyes caught sight of family pictures on the wall. There was a whole array, obviously taken over years, starting with a young smiling couple with a baby and toddler, going up to four adults all standing with their arms around each other. Love was plainly visible in every picture.

Something gripped in his chest. The family that he should have had. The family he should have been part of.

It was like a million little caterpillars creeping up his spine. He actually thought he might be sick.

He wanted to go over and grab the photos, hold them up to his nose and study his parents. He wanted to see the last thirty-eight years. What they’d been like, how they’d grown, how they’d aged. All things he’d been cheated out of.

He pushed himself up from the impossible sofa. ‘This was a mistake...’

‘What? No.’ Noemi looked instantly stricken.

Something twisted in his chest. He really couldn’t handle this. He wasn’t equipped to deal with this. He’d spent a lifetime devoid of any love. Forming relationships wasn’t his forte. The last woman he’d dated had described him as ‘cold’ and ‘hard’—two things he couldn’t really deny.

Getting that initial letter from his parents had been like a bolt out of the blue. It had taken him two weeks to reply. When he had, he’d been hit by the overload that was his mother, who’d emailed every day, making plans to visit.

Getting the call from Noemi—the sister he’d never met—to tell him that their parents had been killed in a helicopter crash while on their way to visit him in New York had almost taken the air from his lungs.

He so wasn’t ready for any of the emotions attached to having a family. Guilt. Expectation. Judgement.

He’d wanted to see them. Curiosity had made him fly to Switzerland to stand in the same room as his brother and sister and talk to them in the flesh. But now he’d done it.

He had to get out of here. He had to get some air.

A hand came down firmly on his arm. ‘Don’t go.’

Sebastian. His brother.

He could see Sebastian was struggling with this too. ‘Not yet.’ It was almost like he couldn’t quite get the words out.

Sebastian shook his head. ‘You just got here.’ He wasn’t really meeting Leo’s gaze. ‘Take a breath. Take a moment.’

Leo looked to his left. Noemi’s chin was trembling. He couldn’t watch her cry again.

Leo couldn’t work out if Sebastian was doing this for him or for his sister. Their sister. Noemi was their sister. Not just Sebastian’s.

Brain overload. This wasn’t him. Nothing about this was him. All of his life he’d been cool, calm and collected. Those three words were synonymous with how most of his work colleagues described him.

He pulled his arm away from Sebastian’s. He turned to face him. ‘I know I was asked to listen to the reading of the will. But now I’m here, I can see this isn’t appropriate. I don’t want anything from you both. I don’t need anything. I’m not here to take what you think is actually yours.’

A flicker of anger flashed across Sebastian’s eyes. But before he had a chance to respond there was another voice.

‘Ah, Leo, I see you made it. Perfect timing.’

Leo turned to face the figure standing at the now open door. ‘Giovanni Paliotta,’ said the grey-haired, designer-suited man as he closed the door behind him and walked over with his hand outstretched. He tilted his head to the side as he got closer. ‘It’s a pleasure to meet you. You’re so like your father.’

It was like a kick in the guts.

Giovanni didn’t seem to notice, and waved his hand towards a large table in the corner of the room. ‘Shall we sit?’

Noemi looked at the table, then glanced around the rest of the room, as if she were trying to find another place to sit, but Sebastian moved behind her, putting his arm at her waist and leading her over.

Leo’s gaze flickered. Twelve chairs. Enough for a large family gathering. Was this the table that his mother and father had traditionally sat around at Christmastime? Was this the table that his mother and father had intended for him to sit around with his brother and sister?

Leo had never wanted to bolt from a place so much in his life. He steadied his breathing.

Giovanni settled in one of the chairs and spread his papers in front of him.

Sebastian and Noemi sat down with only a glance at each other. Leo took a few seconds then dragged out one of the heavy chairs too.

Giovanni waited until everyone was settled then gave them all a nod.

‘We all know why we are here.’ He nodded again in particular to Leo. ‘I was your parents’ lawyer for the last thirty years, and I loved them, and miss them, and everything I do today is in accordance with their wishes.’

There was an edge of anxiety in Giovanni’s voice that Leo picked up on. He cast his eyes over his brother and sister again as he shifted in his seat.

Giovanni started reading from the paper in front of him. ‘This is the last will and testament of Salvo and Nicole Cattaneo. Salvo and Nicole were the sole owners of Cattaneo Jewels, currently valued at around seventy billion euros.’

Leo blinked. He knew the jewellery line was famous and international, but he hadn’t realised his parents’ fortune rivalled even his own.

Giovanni kept talking, ‘It was the wish of Salvo and Nicole that in the event of their death, the business should remain with the family.’ Giovanni pressed his lips together for a second, looking decidedly nervous. ‘As such, the controlling stake in Cattaneo Jewels will pass to Leo Baxter, their eldest biological child.’

‘What?’ Sebastian’s chair landed on the floor as he stood up and thumped his hands on the table.

Noemi’s mouth opened, then closed again.

Giovanni cleared his throat, refusing to fix on Sebastian’s red face.

‘No,’ said Leo, shaking his head. ‘I have no interest in the family business. I don’t even know anything about jewels.’ He stood up too. All he wanted was to get out of there.

‘I’ve trained for this my whole life,’ raged Sebastian. ‘Who is he to inherit the business over me?’

‘Your brother,’ snapped Giovanni. For the briefest second Leo realised why Salvo and Nicole had worked with this lawyer for thirty years.

Giovanni held up his hands. ‘Sit down, both of you.’

Leo met his brother’s angry gaze. He got it. He did. And he had absolutely no interest in this business, but his brother’s reaction annoyed him. It didn’t matter that he partially understood it. He couldn’t hide his flare of anger. Sebastian had got to spend a lifetime with his parents—Leo hadn’t even got to meet them.

Giovanni gave a shake of his head and Leo settled back into his chair, staring pointedly at Sebastian until he did the same.

Giovanni continued slowly. ‘There are conditions attached.’

‘What conditions?’ Leo couldn’t help it. He’d been in business too long to get caught out.

‘Leo must hold the controlling stake in the business for a minimum of six months. The shares can’t be sold, or transferred, to any alternative controlling company or family member.’

‘What happens if he does?’ Noemi’s voice was shaky.

Giovanni looked at all three of them. ‘Any attempt to violate the terms of the will mean that the company shall cease trading and will be liquidated with its assets distributed amongst the other existing four hundred shareholders.’

‘What?’ Sebastian’s voice sounded wheezy. His eyes were wide.

Leo sat frozen in his chair. He was a businessman. He had a head for business. He knew exactly what this was.

‘This is blackmail,’ he said coldly.

‘No,’ said Noemi quietly.

‘Manipulation, then.’

She turned to face him and gave a slow nod. ‘You could be right.’

‘But why?’ Leo leaned across the table towards Giovanni. ‘Why on earth would—’ he couldn’t even bring himself to say the words ‘parents’—‘Salvo and Nicole do this?’

Giovanni sighed and leaned back in his chair.

‘Did this just happen?’ interjected Sebastian angrily. ‘Did they just do this because they found Leo?’

Leo drummed his fingers on the table. He couldn’t get his head around this at all. ‘Were they sick?’

Giovanni started.

Leo’s brain was struggling to make any sense of this at all. He asked again, ‘Were they sick?’ He shook his head. ‘This doesn’t make any sense. I don’t imagine for a second that they could have predicted the accident they were in, so the only other thing I can think of was that they were sick. They were trying to find a way that we...’ he paused for a second at that word ‘...would all have to work together. Nothing else makes sense.’

Sebastian looked pale. His eyes found Noemi. ‘We would have known. They would have told us.’

She gave a bewildered shrug. ‘They didn’t tell us about Leo until a month ago. And only then because I found his letter.’

Giovanni cleared his throat. ‘Their will has always said this.’

‘What?’ This time it was three voices in unison.

Giovanni gave a slow shake of his head. ‘They always believed they would find Leo. Initially, the will just named him as “the eldest biological child”. They never stopped searching. Even if they died before they found him, they still wanted him to know he was always part of the family, and to give him the opportunity to know the family business.’ Giovanni took a deep breath. ‘They believed in family. You know that.’ He shook his head. ‘They changed the will to include his name as soon as they found him. But the truth is he was always included. In their eyes, he was always part of the family—whether they knew his new name or not.’

Noemi blinked and looked between Leo and Sebastian. ‘This isn’t about the business,’ she said quietly.

Leo could tell Sebastian was still angry. There was a tiny tic in his jaw. But he met his sister’s gaze and gave her the slightest nod. ‘I know that.’ It was the most conciliatory thing he’d said since Leo had got there.

Leo felt blindsided and he hated that. Every business meeting, every potential deal, he always went in prepared. He would know the background, the finances, the personalities and their quirks before he even set foot in the room.

But here? For the first time since he’d been a child he felt totally out of his depth.

It felt as if the room was closing in around him, suffocating him with the heat from the fire, the love from the pictures on the wall, and that horrible feeling of emptiness inside.

Sebastian’s voice was tight. ‘Mamma and Papà spent their lives growing this family business. It’s gone from a few tiny shops in Italy to a billion-euro company with worldwide acclaim. You might know business, Leo, but you don’t know this business. And I’m damned if I’m going to let their pride and joy fall apart around you for the next six months because you don’t know what you’re doing.’

He’d had enough. Leo had reached breaking point. He pulled back every emotion that he’d been struggling to keep in check. Business. Sebastian was talking business to him and no one was better at business than him.

‘I might not know anything about the jewellery business, Sebastian, but one business is the same as another. Don’t make any mistake, I don’t want to do this, and I’m not interested in doing this. I don’t need your mamma and papà’s business, and I certainly don’t need their money. I could walk away right now quite happily, but where would that leave you?’

He let the words hang in the air. Noemi’s face was pale as she stood up and reached out and took Leo’s hand, stumbling. Leo caught her elbow but Sebastian was at her side in an instant. ‘Are you okay?’ He slid his arm around her waist, helping to prop her up. It was like she was caught between two brothers.

She gave a shake of her head as she steadied herself for a few seconds, one hand still holding Leo’s. ‘Just a bit dizzy.’ She pressed her other hand against her stomach as she took some slow breaths and the colour in her cheeks started to return.

When she lifted her chin, her eyes were filled with tears. ‘Don’t do this. Don’t be like this.’ Her head went from one brother to the other. ‘I hate this too. But Mamma and Papà want us to work together. They want us to be a family.’ She turned to face Giovanni. ‘You’ve read the will, but I think we should have a little time to consider what it all means.’ She let go of Leo’s hand and reached for his shoulders, turning him to face her. ‘Leo, I want to know you. I want to know my brother. I’ve already missed out on so much of your life, I don’t want to miss out on any more. I’m not asking you to be my best friend. But family is important to me—now, more than ever.’ She squeezed his shoulders. ‘Why don’t you both take a bit of time? This is a lot, I know that—for all of us. We all need to think—to process—and...’ she glanced at Sebastian again ‘...probably to cool off. How about we agree to meet again later?’

Her eyes were pleading as she looked between the two men. Giovanni nodded. ‘Sounds reasonable. Nothing will happen quickly in terms of the will. It will take around six to eight weeks for things to be legally tied up back in Italy, and I can string things out as long as you all need.’

‘Fine.’ Sebastian’s answer was short.

‘We can meet again around Christmastime?’ Noemi said, her voice breaking with distress. ‘Back here?’ She pressed her lips together. ‘It’s what Mamma and Papà always wanted.’

There was an edge to her words. A hint of desperation. It brought it home to him again. She’d just lost her parents. They all had.

He moved from her grasp and collected his coat. The swell of emotion in the room too much for him. He gave the briefest of nods. ‘I’ll get back to you both,’ he said as he walked swiftly towards the glass doors and out into the dark night.

He hadn’t even bothered to fasten his coat again and the Swiss Alpine air bit around him. He could barely register the cold, his body was so flushed with heat.

New York. That’s where Leo wanted to be right now. That was where he called home. He’d left Indiana and his adoptive parents behind a long time ago.

As he tramped along the snow-covered path he quickly realised he had no idea where he was going. The car from the airport had dropped his luggage at the luxury chalet booked by his PA. Trouble was, he didn’t know where that was. He pulled out his phone to search on a map. Around him people were crowding out of bars and hotels. It only took a few glances to realise that the Mont Coeur ski resort was filled with the rich, the very rich and the very, very rich.

He knew how ironic that thought was. He was in that category—as was his newfound family. But Leo didn’t usually willingly mix in these circles. He’d always been picky about who he surrounded himself with, preferring people with their feet firmly on the ground to those who worried about climbing the social ladder.

He could go into a bar—find somewhere to have a drink. But he wasn’t really in the mood for a drink. Distraction maybe—but not a drink.

He checked out the map on his phone and headed down another street, this one a little quieter and leading away from the main thoroughfare.

He probably should have hired a car or tried to find a taxi, as he realised the road towards his luxury chalet was mainly uphill. But the truth was he didn’t really mind. It gave him a little time to think about what had just happened.

Several things burned in his mind. Giovanni had said the will had always included him. That made him feel...odd. His adoptive parents had always maintained that his real parents couldn’t wait to be rid of him. The harsh words had felt as if they’d burned their way into his soul, wounding him in a way he’d never spoken about. He’d spent years resenting both his real and his adoptive parents, feeling as if he wasn’t really wanted anywhere. Finding out now that was all untrue was more unsettling than he could have ever imagined.

He let out a long, slow breath, sending warm air out into the icy night, clouding around him.

Leo reached the end of the street and looked up from the map on his phone. His chalet should be off to the right, but to his left he saw Mont Coeur’s practice slopes. Even though it was nine o’clock at night, there were still a few people getting in that last run.

They were illuminated with bright white lights, reflecting off the glossy snow, smoothed down hard by the constant traffic on the slopes. In most other ski resorts, the slopes were high above the actual towns. Mont Coeur was different. It was built halfway up the mountain, almost right in the middle of the slopes, which made them much more accessible.

He stopped for a minute, leaning on a fence as he watched a single figure head down towards him. Dressed completely in black, the figure zig-zagged down the practically empty slope at an alarming rate of speed. Skiing was something he’d loved to do over the years and he could appreciate the skill and expertise. He frowned. Wasn’t the figure coming down just a little too fast?

There was a loud bang to his right. His head flicked to the side, just in time to see a car with a black cloud of smoke coming from under its bonnet.

He flicked back to the skier. Oh, no.

They’d turned to check out the noise too, and now it was too late. In the blink of an eye he realised they hadn’t slowed their descent enough. That split-second distraction had been too much.

They desperately tried to slow, but it was too little, too late and they hurtled into the tyres at the bottom of the practice slope with a sickening crash.

Leo didn’t think twice. He leapt over the fence and scrambled over the thick tyres. There was hardly anyone around, and it was clear he was the closest.

The figure was lying crumpled on the ground, skis askew and one of their legs in an awkward position. Leo slipped and slid on the snow. ‘Are you okay? Can I do something to help you?’

He knelt down next to the figure in black. Now he was closer he could see it was a woman. The black salopettes and padded ski jacket couldn’t hide the slim curves underneath. She still hadn’t responded. He touched her arm, ‘Hi, I’m Leo. Can I help you?’

There was a groan underneath him. The twisted leg moved and she gave a yelp. ‘Foitrottl!’

He smiled. He may not have understood the language—was it Swiss? German?—but he understood the sentiment. Not quite as ladylike as he might have imagined. ‘Well, at least I know you’re conscious,’ he said.

Her arms shot upwards and she snapped the fastener on her ski helmet and pushed her ski goggles upwards, revealing a mass of ice blonde hair.

‘What on earth was that noise?’ she said, switching to English. She was mad. She was more than mad.

Leo couldn’t help but smile again. As well as the avalanche of blonde hair, this lady had the clearest blue eyes he’d ever seen. She pretty much looked like some kind of ice princess but he could already guess how she would take that kind of comparison.

‘It sounded like a combination of a car backfiring and an engine blowing up. Either way, it was loud.’

She was digging her elbows into the snow and struggling to push herself up.

‘Can I give you hand?’ He stood up and reached out towards her.

For a second he thought she might refuse, but after the briefest pause she pulled one hand from her glove and grasped his fingers tightly.

He tugged—maybe a little more firmly than he needed to—and pulled her straight up into him. His other arm caught around her waist just as her weight hit her feet and she yelped again as her leg buckled beneath her.

He tightened his grip and pulled her against his hip. ‘Do you think something’s broken? Do you want me to call an ambulance for you?’

She was breathing hard and fast but her skin was pale. ‘Just give me a second,’ she gasped.

So he did. And even though it was freezing after a few seconds he was struck by the heat emanating from her slight frame. She was taller than most women he met, but still at least six inches shorter than him. He stood silently, watching a little colour appear in her pale cheeks and her breathing eventually starting to slow. She was holding her left foot off the ground and tentatively put it back down, wincing almost immediately.

‘Want me to carry you?’

Her frown was fierce but she didn’t bite his head off. Instead she leaned a little into him. ‘Nope, definitely not. Sorry to be a pest, but I’ve got a bit of an old injury. Would you mind just helping me limp back to the ski hut? There’s a buggy I can use there to get back to my chalet.’

‘Can you stand for a second?’ She nodded and he bent to retrieve her skis and poles before sliding his arm back around her waist and taking some of her weight. ‘Okay, then. What were you doing, practising so late? Most people are in the town by now.’

She gripped onto his arm with her other hand as she limped alongside him, being careful not to put too much weight on her foot.

Leo couldn’t help but ask again. ‘You’re sure that’s not broken?’

She shook her head. ‘I’m sure. Believe me. I’ve broken a few bones in my time.’

It was just the way she said it. He couldn’t help himself. ‘What—yours or other people’s?’

She threw back her head and laughed, then obviously put too much weight on her bad foot. ‘Ouch.’

Leo actions were instinctual. He dropped the skis, bent down and swept her up into his arms.

‘What are you doing?’ Her eyes were wide. She glanced around but it was late, the slopes were quiet, and there wasn’t really anyone else watching.

‘I’m carrying you,’ he said simply. He strode towards the large ski hut. ‘No point hurting yourself when you don’t need to. I’ll come back for those in a second,’ he said, noticing as she craned over his shoulder to look for her abandoned equipment. He looked down at her curiously. He could tell she was just about to object again. ‘So, have you broken a lot of bones? What are you—a ski instructor?’

There was a flash of something on her face as they approached the ski hut. She sighed. ‘Yes, I guess I am.’

He moved around the side of the building. Just like she’d said, there was a large SUV with snow tyres. ‘Want me to drive?’ he asked as he set her gently down next to the passenger door.

‘Will you carry me round to the other side if I say no?’ she quipped.

Leo smiled. Whatever else had happened today, things were definitely looking up. He winked at her. ‘Your wish is my command, Ice Princess.’

Ice Princess? Had he actually just called her Ice Princess?

If she had been feeling herself she’d toss her head and stomp off. Trouble was, she wasn’t feeling herself. She actually felt as if she might be sick all over her ski boots.

As her rescuer disappeared to retrieve her skis and poles, she wondered if maybe it was the shock of the noise of the backfiring car. Maybe it was her current feeling of stupidity for allowing herself to be distracted when she really should know better. Or maybe it was that whole host of memories that had come flooding back as she’d tumbled down the slope, too quickly and completely out of control.

She dug into her ski jacket and pulled out her key. As he returned, leaning her equipment against the SUV, she steeled herself to say words she’d never thought she would. ‘Actually, would you mind? I promise I only live a five-minute drive from here.’

The guy—Leo he’d said he was called—gave a quick nod as she pressed the button to open the doors. ‘Not at all,’ he said graciously.

He was being a gentleman. There was obviously a cheeky demeanour hiding under there, but for now she’d take the gentleman. Anything to get home as soon as possible.

She slid into her seat, suddenly aware she’d been a little rude. ‘And it’s Anissa—not Ice Princess.’

He smiled as he slid into the driver’s seat and pressed the button to start the engine. ‘Anissa.’ He gave a nod of approval. ‘Sounds like a kind of ice princess name to me.’

‘Do you know many ice princesses, Leo?’

He laughed and held out his hand. ‘Leo Baxter. From New York. Just here for a few days on...’ his face gave a little twist ‘...family business.’

She shook his hand. ‘Anissa Lang. And this Ice Princess has the illustrious other titles of part-time ski instructor, part-time chalet maid.’ He smiled. He had a nice smile, dark, curly hair a little longer than average and bright blue eyes that could stop a girl in her tracks. Just as well she was sitting down. She held his gaze just a few seconds longer than she meant to.

He didn’t look away. His grin just got wider and she felt colour rush into her cheeks. What on earth was she doing? She took a deep breath and focused on the view through the windscreen instead. It was safer.

He pulled the car out of the parking lot and stopped at the road junction.

‘Right.’ She pointed.

‘Were you doing a lesson?’ he queried. ‘I didn’t notice any students on the slopes with you.’

She shook her head. ‘Too late for lessons. And students wouldn’t be allowed on that slope. Too dangerous.’

He gave a nod of his head as he continued down the dark road. ‘You don’t say.’

A wave of nausea rushed over her and she put a hand to her mouth. ‘You okay?’ he asked quickly, his cheeky quips instantly replaced by concern.

She swallowed and pointed a little further down the road. ‘Take the next left, please. I’m just at the end of that road.’

She leaned back against the seat and gave a sigh. ‘Maybe I hit my head. I’m feeling a bit queasy.’

His eyes were laced with concern, but he didn’t say anything else until he pulled up outside her staff chalet. A few seconds later he’d stopped the car, jumped out, rounded the car and opened her door. ‘Let’s get you inside. Maybe if you sit down for a few minutes and get some water, you’ll feel a little better. If you don’t, I’m sure I can find a doctor in the resort to check you over.’

She really wanted to argue with him, but getting inside her chalet seemed like the priority right now, so she let him help her out and up the steps to the chalet, not even objecting when he took the key from her slightly shaking hand and opened the door for her. He flicked on her lights and slid his arm around her waist, helping her inside.

She sagged down onto her sofa in relief, unzipping her ski jacket and taking a few deep breaths. When she opened her eyes a few seconds later, Leo had already started the fire.

‘Well, if I’m Ice Princess, you must be Prince Charming.’ She smiled.

It was odd. She didn’t feel threatened by the complete stranger who was currently inside her temporary home and finding his way around. She was actually feeling relieved there was someone else with her right now.

‘Oh,’ she said in surprise as he sat down on the coffee table opposite her and lifted up her ski boot.

Those blue eyes twinkled. ‘Prince Charming? Isn’t that the guy obsessed with shoes? Let’s get these ski boots off and you can see if you’ve done any damage.’ He really was too handsome for his own good.

He undid the clips, loosened the boot then gave it a gentle tug, pulling it off. She clenched her jaw, waiting for wave of pain she’d normally feel if she’d done some damage. There were a few twinges but nothing severe.

He pulled off the other boot, holding her foot for a little longer than necessary. ‘Okay?’ His question seemed sincere, so she nodded as he moved so her feet could rest on the table in front of her. ‘You still look really pale.’ He glanced around the room. ‘How about something medicinal? I think you’re in a bit of shock. Do you have any brandy?’

Her brain really couldn’t think straight. Brandy. Yes. She had some of that. She waved her hand. ‘Cabinet behind you.’

Two minutes later she heard the clink of glasses. She leaned forward and peeled down her socks. No obvious swelling. Thank goodness. She gave both of her feet a cautious circle. Whilst one was definitely sore, it wasn’t as bad as she’d initially feared.

A glass was pressed into her hand and Leo lowered himself into the seat next to her.

She took a sip of the brandy and pulled a face. ‘I’m not sure if giving someone alcohol for shock is really the official treatment.’ She gave her head a shake. ‘You know, St Bernards don’t really have brandy around their necks.’

He smiled and raised his glass. ‘What can I say? I’ve always been one for old wives’ tales.’

She looked at him curiously. His face was a tiny bit flushed in her rapidly warming chalet, but there was no question that this was one of the most handsome guys she’d seen in a while. Mont Coeur was no stranger to numerous jet-set playboy millionaires, but he didn’t seem quite the type. She took another sip of her brandy, which warmed on the way down.

‘I’m not sure I believe you—you don’t look like an old-wives’-tales kind of guy.’ She sighed. ‘But then again, I’m not the type of girl to let a stranger drive her car—or come into her chalet—so I guess it’s just a night of firsts.’

There was a definite twinkle in his eye. She nudged him.

At any other time alarm bells would be going off in her head. But the one thing she instantly felt around this guy was safe. That was it. He had a safe kind of smile. She liked that—that and those bright blue eyes. ‘Want to take that wool coat off before you die from heat exhaustion?’

Her heart skipped a few beats. Had she really just said that? More or less invited him to stay a bit longer?

Deep down something was flickering inside her—and it was nothing to do with the fire. Everything about this was so out of character for her. Under normal circumstances she would probably have tried to hound her rescuer back outside the door. But Leo just seemed...different.

There was something in his eyes that she couldn’t quite figure. He had the tiniest air of mystery around him—that and a whole load of sex appeal. A lethal combination.

He laughed, unfastened the coat and shrugged it off. ‘A night of firsts,’ he repeated. There was a strange kind of look on his face. ‘I guess it’s certainly been one of those.’

There it was—the air of mystery that just seemed to reel her in. She turned a little towards him. ‘What do you mean?’

He shook his head. ‘Let’s just say I’m glad of the distraction.’

Now she was definitely curious. ‘Well, from my experience, most people come to Mont Coeur to either ski or...’ she raised her eyebrows ‘...to show off how rich they are. Which category are you in?’

For a second he was silent, then he took a long, slow swig from the brandy glass. ‘I can just about hold my own on a ski slope. But I’ve never skied at Mont Coeur before. I came here at kind of short notice. I didn’t bring any equipment with me.’

‘So you didn’t come here for the skiing?’

He shook his head. He really wasn’t giving much away. But the way that he looked at her through those heavy-lidded eyes, it was making her stomach do a whole lot of flip-flops. Never mind skiing. Right now her stomach thought she was a gymnast.

‘But you were watching tonight?’

He nodded. ‘I’ve only been here a few hours. I haven’t even reached my...’ he put his fingers in the air ‘...“luxury cabin” yet.’

Anissa’s stomach gave a little twist. Please don’t let him be staying in one of the cabins I’m cleaning.

‘So, is it business or pleasure?’ She licked her lips, a little nervous at asking the question. For all she knew, he could actually be here with a wife or fiancée, and really only was being gentlemanly by helping her home. She unintentionally held her breath as she waited for the answer.

‘I imagine some people would expect me to say a bit of both.’ He gave another sigh. ‘But the honest answer is neither. In a lot of ways, I wish I’d never come. There’s nothing I’d like more than to jump back on the soonest flight to New York.’

Her stomach gave a little pang. The first interesting guy she’d met in a long time couldn’t wait to get out of Dodge. Typical.

But it was the way he’d said the words that mattered. As if they made him sad. ‘Then why don’t you?’ she asked quietly.

He met her gaze with his blue eyes. ‘Because I’m a bit in limbo. What I do next could affect other people—whether I like it or not.’

Empathy swelled within her. Connection. Because those words were so familiar to her. What she did wouldn’t affect anyone other than herself. But being in limbo? She raised her glass to him. ‘Limbo. I see your few days’ worth of limbo and raise you a whole year’s worth.’

He turned closer towards her, leaning in and letting her see the shadow on his jawline and the tiny lines around his eyes. That tiny movement made her catch her breath at what might lie ahead. The woody scent of his aftershave filled her senses. She liked it. It had a hint of spice mixed with earthy tones.

He leaned his head on one hand and gave her a sexy kind of smile. ‘How did a gorgeous girl like you end up in limbo in Mont Coeur? Have you always lived here?’

Gorgeous. He’d just called her gorgeous. She could almost hear the echoing voices of approval of her fellow chalet maids at her rapidly rising heart rate. For months they’d been telling her to pay more attention to the guys around her. For months she’d told them she had other priorities and that no one had captured her attention. And they hadn’t. Until now.

She shook her head and tried her best to play it cool. ‘I’m Austrian. But I’ve spent most of my life on skis, no matter where I’ve lived.’ She lifted one hand. ‘This last year? Let’s just say it hasn’t been my best—hasn’t been my favourite. Limbo is exactly the right word to describe the last twelve months of my life.’

It hurt. Every memory about it still hurt. From the physical pain of crashing down a mountainside. To the psychological pain of realising her hopes of winning an international skiing championship gold medal had just been ripped from her grasp. Then there was the emotional trauma of her fiancé and coach, Alain, dumping her.

Leo reached out and grabbed her hand, the touch of his warm skin shooting an instant tingle up her arm. His voice was deep. His other hand reached over and tucked a wayward strand of hair behind her ear. It was a personal touch, an intimate touch, and the skin on her face was on fire with it. ‘How about, for one night only, we try and forget about the stuff that’s dragging us down?’

She blinked. Had he actually just said that?

The fire was flickering behind him, sending a warm glow around the room. Her heart missed a few beats.

No way. She wouldn’t. Not ever. She wasn’t that kind of girl.

But...

Somehow, tonight, she wanted to be.

She really, really wanted to be.

She prayed her voice wouldn’t shake as she uttered the words. ‘I could live with forgetting about everything dragging me down.’

He moved closer, his mouth only a few inches from hers, and she licked her lips in anticipation.

She paused for the briefest second. ‘Promise me you have no wife, no fiancée, no girlfriend.’

He gave a flicker of smile. ‘Promise. What about you?’

She smiled too as she leaned in. ‘Oh, I don’t have a wife, a fiancée or a girlfriend.’ This was reaching the teasing stage. Her favourite part.

He smiled back as he reached up and slid his fingers through her hair, anchoring his hand at the back of her head. ‘No significant other?’

She shook her head. ‘No significant other.’

His lips brushed against her ear. ‘Then how about we get ourselves distracted?’

She must be crazy. She must be losing her mind. But for the first time in a year all she could think about was how good it felt to be in the arms of this man she found wildly attractive and how in control she felt. She was making this decision. No one was doing it for her. Leo Baxter was hot.

And he was all hers.

This was one night. Everything else she could worry about tomorrow.

She smiled as she brushed her lips against his. ‘So...distract me.’




CHAPTER TWO (#uca3b45a8-30a6-5dc4-8e08-e82ba6d45b8d)


LEO BLINKED AS he heard the faint noise of someone shuffling around. There was only a tiny glimmer of light outside. The bed was uncomfortable and his mind took a few seconds to orientate itself.

Mont Coeur. The will. Sebastian. Noemi.

And then there was last night. Anissa.

He rolled over and leaned on one arm. Sure enough, Anissa was padding around the room, pulling on some kind of uniform.

She looked up. ‘Sorry, didn’t mean to wake you. I have an early shift.’

He wasn’t one for overnight stays and awkward next mornings. Seemed like he’d had more firsts than he’d expected to. The jet lag and emotional trauma of last night had obviously just wiped him out.

He watched as she pulled her hair up into a ponytail. He’d thought she’d looked good last night, but even early in the morning she looked good. Something twinged inside him and his gaze connected with hers.

This was where things got uncomfortable. This was where he had to make a hasty exit and try and find the luxury chalet he’d never made it to last night.

He glanced around the room, trying to find his clothes. Anissa pulled on her jacket and Leo instantly swung his legs from the bed. She had to leave. And she wouldn’t want to leave a stranger in her house.

‘Give me a second to grab my things and I’ll get out of your hair.’

Images of last night flashed through his brain as he pulled on his shirt and trousers. Good images. Great images. And a connection he’d never thought he’d feel.

Anissa was standing at the bedroom door, watching him a little awkwardly. She sucked in a breath. ‘Thanks for helping me last night.’

He pushed his feet into his shoes and moved closer. ‘You’re welcome. How’s your foot this morning?’

She gave it a little stamp. ‘A bit sore, but that’s it.’

Maybe she hadn’t realised it but she was blocking his exit to the door. He stopped in front of her. ‘Last night was...’ He let his voice tail off, unsure how exactly to end the sentence.

‘The best sex I’ve had in years.’

He blinked, then laughed. It seemed that Anissa had no problem finishing the sentence for him. ‘Okay, then...’ he gave his head a shake at her quick words ‘...I guess I’d have to agree with that.’

Her blue eyes were fixed on his. His stomach gave a twist. Please don’t let this be something it isn’t.

His brain was all over the place right now, as were his emotions. In the space of a few months he’d found his parents, lost his parents, met a brother and sister he’d never known and been blackmailed into taking an interest in the family business. He didn’t have room for anything else right now.

‘I’m not looking for romance.’ Anissa spoke quickly.

‘Neither am I.’ The answer came out automatically, with a sense of relief.

‘And I never usually do anything like this,’ she added. ‘So please don’t think this is normal for me. Last night was just...’ This time it was her that couldn’t find the words to complete the sentence.

‘A one-off,’ he finished for her.

She nodded in agreement. ‘A one-off.’

They were still close. Close enough that he could smell the fruity shampoo from her hair that she’d pulled into a ponytail high on her head.

It would be so easy to lean forward and kiss her. To capture those lips in his again and pull her back down onto the unmade bed.

The truth was Anissa hadn’t been wrong. Last night had unexpectedly been the best night of his life. But in reality he hardly knew her. And his timing was terrible.

She stood back against the door to let him pass. The early morning light was filtering through the windows of the small staff chalet. It was small, neat and functional, with only a few hints of the woman who actually stayed here. A framed photo of her standing in her skis, the two brandy glasses from last night, the ski boots still lying on the living-room floor. He was struck with how much it didn’t really look like a home. The similarities between this place and his own penthouse apartment in New York sent a wash of recognition over him. How long had she said she’d been here? A year?

He picked up his coat and fastened it. Anissa moved in front of him and held out her hand towards him. ‘It was nice to meet you, Leo Baxter.’

Her body was rigid, and she was being formal, but he could still sense the hint of humour in her eyes.

He slipped his warm hand into hers. ‘It was nice to meet you too, Anissa Lang.’ Her handshake was firm and he found himself in no hurry to let go. Her pale blue eyes were fixed on his.

His heart twisted at the first flicker of a connection he’d felt in, oh, so long. He tilted his head a little to the side. He wasn’t sentimental. Never had been. Never would be—especially after recent events. But there was something about this girl beyond the obvious beauty and the passion she’d sparked in him last night. He gave a wry smile. ‘Bad timing, but in another world, another place I would have very much liked to know you better.’ He pulled her towards him and dropped a kiss on her cheek.

And before she had a chance to reply he turned on his heel and left quickly, walking out into the fresh snow and the rapidly wakening resort.

He had so much to think about. So much to consider.

And he didn’t have a single clue what he really wanted to do.

Anissa held up the rota again. ‘Oh, come on, someone swap with me. Please.’

Lucy leaned over Anissa’s shoulder and looked at the list of occupiers in the most luxurious chalets in the whole resort. ‘What’s wrong with Leo Baxter, then? Bad breath? Wandering hands? Suggestive comments?’

Heat rushed into Anissa’s cheeks.

Chloe laughed as she straightened her uniform next to them. ‘Oh, no, none of that.’ Then she glanced sideways at Anissa and shrugged. ‘Or maybe two out of the three.’ She laughed. ‘But, hey, who doesn’t want to go to the chalet of the gorgeous billionaire Anissa snagged a few nights ago?’

Lucy’s eyes widened. ‘That was the guy?’ She laughed too and shook her head. ‘Oh, no way. I’m not swapping.’ She pointed at Anissa. ‘You’ve gotta go clean the hottie’s chalet.’ She swept up her equipment. ‘And who knows what might happen—again!’ she added with a wicked wink.

Anissa’s stomach turned over as her colleagues left. Darn it. She’d managed to get out of cleaning Leo’s chalet the last few days as she’d been working with other girls. But she’d made the mistake of telling Chloe all about her mystery encounter and great night before she’d realised Leo was actually staying in one of the chalets she was supposed to service.

She checked her watch. She had another chalet to clean too. Maybe she could time things just right and manage to avoid Leo. He was here for...business, wasn’t he? Chances were he would be out at some point during the day.

She gathered her equipment and headed out towards the chalets. There was a large red SUV outside the one that a family was staying in, and nothing outside Leo’s.

She licked her dry lips and headed towards his, turning the key carefully in the lock as her stomach did somersaults. ‘Housekeeping,’ she called. ‘Anyone home?’

Her voice echoed around her. She stayed frozen for a few seconds, wondering if there’d be any delayed response, but after a minute she breathed a sigh of relief and closed the door behind her, looking around carefully.

Chalet was a bit of a misnomer. It might suit the place in which she lived, but it didn’t suit these massive luxury houses halfway up the slopes. She grabbed some of her cleaning equipment. The people who stayed here were millionaires at a minimum. They expected impeccable service. And as the chalet had seventeen rooms, this wasn’t somewhere you could whip round with a brush and duster in half an hour.

Her heart started to race in her chest. She really needed to use this window of opportunity wisely. She had to get in, and out, as soon as possible. Her brain tried to think logically. There was no way Leo was using all these rooms. Chances were she would have the main room, a bedroom, bathroom and kitchen to clean. She could do that before he got back. At least she hoped she could.

She automatically plugged in a fresh scented atomiser. It was changed every day—probably just to let the guests know that the chalet had been serviced. She grabbed her mop and bucket and dashed up the stairs to do a quick check around. None of the rooms on the top floor looked as if they’d been touched—everything was still pristine.

She ran down to the next floor. Leo was using the master suite. No surprise there. But it felt a little strange, walking into a room and seeing his belongings scattered around. The white bed was rumpled and unmade. She walked over and touched it, then pulled her hand back. It was weird. She was used to making strangers’ beds, picking up their clothes and folding them, restocking their bathrooms and kitchens. But this wasn’t a stranger. This was Leo. The guy who’d made her forget a year of feeling unloved and unwanted. A guy who’d actually made her feel attractive and sexy again.

She could smell him in this room. That woody aftershave he’d been wearing when he’d been with her, the way his stubble had scraped along her jaw...

She took a breath and sat down for a second on the bed. She’d been here a year and she’d never behaved like this. What on earth was wrong with her? What had changed the other night?

Even this, sitting on one of guest’s beds, was something she would never do. She glanced around, almost expecting there to be hidden cameras taping this terrible misdemeanour. She ran her hand over the bed sheet. Leo had slept here last night. Had he thought about her? Had she even crossed his mind?

What if someone else had shared the bed with him? She jumped back up, annoyed that her thoughts had even gone there. It was enough to bring her back to her senses.

She started stripping off the sheets, remaking the bed with clean sheets in record time. She wiped around the room with a damp duster, picking up a discarded shirt and pair of trousers and hanging them up. The bathroom was messier. He’d managed to get toothpaste and shaving foam all over the sink. And all four towels were lying on the bathroom floor, indicating they should be replaced.

What was it with guys and towels?

Anissa worked as quickly as she could. Normally she would take longer, ensuring the glass shower door was smear free and the mirror completely spotless. But that would all take time she wasn’t sure she had. A quick wipe would have to do.

She hurried down to the kitchen and started to clean there, scrubbing a little harder than necessary in some places. Her eyes kept glancing at the door. She really wasn’t doing the job she normally did but she was willing to risk a complaint if it meant she could avoid coming face to face with Leo again.

Darn it. She picked up the discarded coffee pods. She’d forgotten the hamper to restock the kitchen.

There was noise outside and she turned in time to see a large black SUV pull up directly outside. Oh, no.

She gathered the towels and bed sheets in her arms, looking first one way then the other. Normally she would just put these in a black laundry bag and phone for them to be collected. But all of a sudden she thought about darting out the back door and taking them back to the service office herself. She looked at the back door again.

But it was too late. Her jumbled brain had waited too long.

Leo was at the door.

He’d met with Giovanni again. He’d called his own lawyers in New York, desperately trying to find any possible way to get out of looking after the family business for the next six months. But things were not looking good—and unless he wanted to ruin the Cattaneo family business, staying was beginning to look like a distinct possibility.

As Leo opened the door of the chalet he was struck by the fresh scent of pines and cinnamon. A hint of Christmas. A clear sign that the chalet service had visited.

Then he stopped. And blinked.

‘Anissa?’

She was standing near the kitchen, a white pile of something in her arms. Her cheeks flushed pink instantly. Something she’d said the night they’d met pricked in his brain.

‘You work here?’

‘I... I... I...’

She was clearly flustered.

‘I know you said you were a chalet maid, but I didn’t realise you worked in these chalets.’ He was surprised to see her. And even more surprised by the fact his heart was missing a few rapid beats.

He saw her swallow nervously. ‘You didn’t say where you were staying—’

‘I didn’t know,’ he cut in. He gave a laugh. ‘I hadn’t made it to my chalet before we met.’

A frown creased her brow and she stared at him for a few seconds with her pale blue eyes. ‘Of course,’ she said softly.

He moved towards her. ‘Hey, why don’t you dump that stuff and have a coffee with me?’

Something flitted across her eyes. ‘I can’t. I have another chalet to clean. And I haven’t really finished in here.’ She pulled a face as she glanced back at the kitchen. ‘You might not even have coffee. I haven’t replenished your supplies in the kitchen.’

He stepped even closer. As he breathed he felt a wave of familiarity. A scent. Her scent. The fruity one he’d smelt a few days ago. Orange blossom. The sensations from the other night flooded back. Her warmth. Her passion. The spark in her eye.

For the past few days he’d been buried beneath a mountain of legal stuff. Now, seeing Anissa again, it just made him regret the choice he’d made. He’d liked the way she’d distracted him. He’d more than liked it. And he kind of wished he could capture it all again.

He gave a smile. ‘Hey, what happened to my brilliant chalet maid, then? The one who stocks up the coffee varieties every day, along with all the fresh bread and chocolate-chip cookies.’

Anissa let out a little laugh. She shook her head. ‘Yeah. You’ve had Rena the last few days, but she’s off now.’ She shrugged. ‘And you got me. The poor excuse of chalet maid. Sorry.’

She moved to the side. ‘Give me a sec.’ She walked over and dumped the laundry in a black fabric sack and sat it outside the front door. She dialled a number on the phone and spoke for a few seconds before replacing the handset and turning back around to face him.

‘Okay, the restock hamper will be here in a few minutes. Don’t worry, you’ll have coffee.’

He gave a nod as his heart gave a little trip. ‘And will you join me?’

She glanced at her watch then gave a small smile. ‘Okay, a quick one. I do have a day job—no matter how much I don’t want one.’

He raised his eyebrows in interest. Perfect. Anissa Lang was going to distract him. Again.

Her stomach was in knots. For the first few seconds she’d just wanted to run. Talk about embarrassing. The guy she’d spent a red-hot night with had just found her changing his towels. Hardly a great moment.

But it was odd. Leo had made her feel instantly at ease. And there was definitely still...something. It didn’t matter that it had been a few days and she’d been deliberately avoiding him. It only took being in his presence again for a few seconds to feel that buzz, feel that attraction. And she wasn’t imagining the sparkle in his eyes. For some crazy reason she liked being around this guy. And—no matter what some people might think—it was nothing to do with his billionaire status.

A few minutes later the supplies arrived in a wicker hamper. She unpacked the coffee, the bread, the milk and the cookies. Leo was at her elbow the whole time, starting the coffee machine, putting in the pods and lifting out the cookies.

The clients who stayed in these chalets were well taken care of. They could pre-order fresh deliveries for every day. Anissa was kind of surprised at Leo’s response to everything in the hamper. ‘Didn’t you order all this stuff?’

He shook his head. ‘No. Why? Can you do that?’

Anissa shook her head. ‘Sure you can. Didn’t you book this place?’

Leo pulled a face. ‘Ah...maybe not.’

‘So, who booked it for you? Your family?’

He shook his head. ‘No. My PA.’

‘Oh, of course.’ Anissa smiled and rolled her eyes. ‘The PA. Well, here’s hoping she ordered what you like, and not what she likes.’

‘I’m easy to please,’ he said quickly.

‘That’s what they all say,’ she joked.

Something flickered across his eyes and her heart sank. She touched his arm. ‘No.’ She shook her head and pulled a face. ‘Absolutely, no. That’s not what I meant.’ Her heart was beating wildly in her chest. She breathed slowly and met his gaze. ‘I told you. I never did that before.’

His bright blue eyes were fixed on hers. This guy could complain about her. This guy could cost her the job that she didn’t even really love.

He blinked. ‘I believe you. Now, what do you take in your coffee?’

A wave of relief swept over her. Thank goodness. She’d hate it if he thought she just jumped into bed with every guy she met. Some chalet maids had that kind of reputation and Anissa didn’t want him to think of her like that.

She picked up the milk from the counter. ‘Just this.’ His fingers brushed against hers as he took the carton from her hand and splashed the milk into the cups. ‘Want a cookie too?’ He lifted the pack as he headed towards the table.

She shook her head. ‘You missed out. The oatmeal and raisin are the superior cookie here, but everyone seems to order the chocolate chip.’

He raised his eyebrows as he sat down. ‘Ah...insider secrets. Thanks. I’ll order oatmeal and raisin tomorrow.’

She pulled out the chair opposite and sat down. This was a little weird. A little formal. Last time they’d been in each other’s company he’d been pulling off her boots and sitting next to her on the sofa.

‘How’s your leg?’

She shrugged. ‘Okay. I strapped it up the last few days when I was doing lessons.’

He leaned his head on one hand, his fingers threading through his dark tousled hair as he sipped his coffee. ‘How long have you skied for?’

‘Practically since I could breathe. I’m Austrian. It’s in my genes. The other day on the slopes? That was stupid of me. I lost my concentration. I never do that. Never.’

The last time she’d lost her concentration it had cost her a chance at the gold medal. She’d been stupid. The effects had meant her whole world had come crashing down around her. And she’d spent the last year trying desperately to reach the same level she’d been at before. But it didn’t seem to matter how hard she practised, it was still out of her reach. The accident the other night had shaken her more than she could admit. If Leo hadn’t been there to help her, then distract her...





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