A Mistletoe Kiss with the Boss by Susan Meier

face.
    Some crazy, romantic part of himself wanted a future with her.
    But it was all for nothing.
    Not only did he have a really crappy upbringing that meant he had no idea what a real family looked like, no idea how to be a husband or a father, but there was also the matter of why Alex Sancho hated him.
    If that wasn’t enough to make him all wrong for her, he had a one-track mind. His company. Even if she found him as attractive and interesting as he found her, she should run like the wind away from him.
    Once she got to know him, she probably would.
    He stepped back, sliding his hands down her arms until he could take her hands. “I’m suddenly very, very tired. Let’s go back to the table.”
    Her eyes sought his as her lush mouth, her perfect, oh-so-kissable mouth twisted in confusion. “We aren’t going to mingle?”
    He once again used pragmatism to overcome her questions.
    â€œI might mingle later. I’m not sure. Jason just wanted me to put in an appearance. I think we’ve done more than that.”
    Before she could say anything, Dean caught her hand and began to maneuver through the crowd, toward their table, pulling her with him. Regret wobbled through him, but he wondered why. This was his life. And he was essentially happy with it. He was a rich man, doing work he loved. He wouldn’t feel bad that he was attracted to a woman he couldn’t have. He had many, many things to be grateful for.
    They didn’t quite get to their seats before Winslow and Julia Osmond, who owned one of the biggest brokerage houses in New York, ambled up to him.
    â€œI see your stock is hanging tough.”
    â€œThanks to you,” Dean agreed. He’d had a good chat with Winslow that afternoon. Even though he’d created an informal “no talking about business” rule for this party, this was a chance to reinforce what he’d said.
    Kristen tapped his arm. “I thought we agreed no shoptalk tonight.”
    The gesture was sweet, familiar, and longing whispered through Dean again. Longing for a life, a relationship, things he’d never wanted before. It was confusing. Frustrating. Ridiculous.
    Winslow Osmond said, “I got the same lecture.” He smiled at Kristen. “Where did you two meet?”
    â€œParis.”
    Julia Osmond said, “Oh, how romantic.”
    Kristen laughed. “Somewhat romantic. We actually find ourselves on opposite ends of a business thing. I work for Princess Eva Latvia of Grennady.”
    Julia caught her arm. “Oh, darling! Didn’t she just marry that gorgeous prince from Xaviera?”
    â€œYes. Alexandros Sancho. They’re in Xaviera right now at the end of a vacation celebrating American Thanksgiving. Alex’s brother Dom is married to an American and his dad married Princess Ginny’s mom, Rose.”
    Winslow laughed. “Now, that’s going to be a complicated family tree.” He faced Dean. “What business does your company have with Grennady?”
    Dean’s gaze slowly meandered to Kristen, then back to Winslow. When in doubt, go with the truth. If he and Kristen were alone, that would be lesson five.
    â€œKristen would like me to consider relocating my company there. Unfortunately, I’m not in a position to even consider it.”
    â€œWhy not?”
    Dean sort of laughed. “We are in a bit of a hurry to get that series of games ironed out. As I told you in our phone call today, I will be beta testing the new version by mid-January. I’m not going to disrupt people who are already stalled.”
    Winslow glanced at his glass of whiskey, then back at Dean. “You’ve never considered that a change of scenery might do them good?”
    When Dean frowned, Winslow said, “Maybe their creativity would return if you sent them to a country that’s known for fresh air and fresh snow. Somewhere they can get outside and do something physical that will