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Masterson, Texas #3 Read Kindle PreviewHis book changed her lifeβ¦ But he no longer believes his own advice. After nearly dying in a plane crash, business icon Eli Taylor has become a recluse, until a chance encounter at a small townβs Yule log lighting leads to an evening spent as the fake boyfriend of his superfan Mallory Ames. When she finds herself homeless for the holidays, he invites her to stay with himβif sheβll return the favor and be his fake girlfriend, so he can show his siblings what a loving partnership should look like. Their arrangement will end when the new year beginsβ¦or will it? Excerpt Mallory returned the intimidating manβs scoff with one of her own. βThatβs an incredibly high opinion you have of yourself. Youβre certain that being seen just standing next to you is enough for a woman to make any man jealous.β Finished straightening his cuff, he crossed his arms over his chest once more. Mallory crossed her arms over her chest, too, but not to imitate him. She just wanted to tuck her hands under her arms for warmth. The Yule log burned brightly, but it was too far away to warm the night. βItβs more likely a man would feel sorry for the woman standing next to you, with the way youβre giving her the silent treatment.β βIβm not giving you anything.β βI noticed.β βYou walked up to me for a reason,β he said, still watching the fire. He had yet to spare a glance for the peon beside him. βIt wasnβt because you had a sudden desire to talk about the weather. Then you leaned on me instead of a hay bale to get the sand out of your boots, yet you didnβt take them off. You barely bothered to brush off one. Itβs obvious that you wanted someone to see you touching me. Once he did, you stopped. Weβre done. Take your sandy boots elsewhere.β Her mouth fell open at his rudeness. After a moment of silence, he spoke again, sounding weary. βDid you think you were the first woman to try this with me?β She didnβt bother trying to hide her frustration. βYou know, if I could help out another woman just by letting her stand next to me for a few minutes, I would. I have, more times than most men seem to believe is possible. All you had to do was say, βNice weather. Not too chilly.β That was all that was being asked of you.β She raked her gaze over his oh-so-casual, oh-so-expensive clothing, from his shoulders to his boots. βWould it have hurt you to spare so little?β At last, a reaction: he clenched his jaw. βYou want someone to think you have a male protector?β She blinked. βThatβs kind of a medieval way to put it, but yes.β He finally looked down at her. His eyes were silver, startlingβa mirror that reflected the flames. In one smooth motion, he uncrossed his arms, placed his hands on her waist and picked her up high enough that her head and shoulders were above his. She squeaked in surprise and grabbed his shoulders for stability, but he dropped her onto the stack of hay bales, leaving her sitting five feet off the ground with hay poking her rear right through her jeans. Oh, she didnβt have to fake an argument now. βWhat are you doing?β βYou wanted safety. Done.β His gaze dropped to her feet as they dangled above the ground like a childβs. βAnd your boots wonβt get any sandier.β She threw her hands up. βNow Iβm sitting up here where anyone Iβm trying to avoid can see me. All you had to do was act like Iβm your girlfriend, not a bale of hay. Really, was that so difficult for you? Really?β The fire framed him from behind. It gave him a dark-angel kind of appeal, a sinfully handsome Lucifer with striking eyes. She glanced toward the last spot sheβd seen the annoying trio of guysβthey'd stopped and were huddled over one glowing cell phone screenβand back at him. He turned around. She thought he was going to walk away, but instead, he leaned back against the hay bales. Her stack of hay balesβso she wriggled back and pulled her right knee out of his way. He rested against the hay bale, its edge just below his shoulder blades, which meant she now was sitting with a manβs shoulders between her knees. Mallory gaped at the back of his head. βButββ she started. She stopped. But what, really? With his shoulders between her knees, it certainly looked as if they knew each other well. Fine, then. She rested her forearms on top of his head, like he was that executive desk sheβd have someday. βWhat,β her desk asked, sounding furious, βare you doing?β βIβm acting like youβre my boyfriend.β βYouβve never had a boyfriend, have you?β She stuck out her tongue at the top of his head. βYouβve never been one, have you? You seem to think sticking me on a pile of hay bales and turning your back on me is a normal thing to do on a date, but let me tell you, itβs not.β He spoke through gritted teeth. βThere wasnβt time to buy you flowers. How much longer is this date going to last? Itβs like having a large bird nesting on my head.β # # # Copyright Β©2020 by Caro Carson Start Reading FOR THIS CHRISTMAS ONLY Now Masterson, Texas THE BARTENDER'S SECRET
#1.0
β’ February 2020
 FOR THIS CHRISTMAS ONLY
#3.0
β’ December 2020
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