Merry & Seduced by Shelley Munro

in. Hell, he usually controlled himself better. What was it about this woman that drove him crazy? His cock was almost full mast and his trouser fabric fought the expansion. He shifted on his seat, but it didn’t make a blind bit of difference.
    “It’s very tasty,” she said and took another bite.
    The smear of butter remained, and he couldn’t help himself.
    “You have some butter…” He reached over and used his thumb to stroke away the smear. “That’s better.”
    She studied him, seemingly frozen by the physical contact and he silently cursed himself. Damn, he’d frightened her. He shot her another look and caught her gaze. Her whiskey eyes glowed with a weird inner light. He blinked, and when he checked again, they appeared normal.
    “I want to kiss you,” she blurted.
    Marcus gaped, because she hadn’t shown a single indication of being aware of him as a man. “Yes,” he said, and his voice emerged in an unmanly croak.
    Her forehead wrinkled. “You want this?”
    “Yes, but I don’t want to mess things up between us. I need your help with Autumn.”
    “Autumn is a sweetie. I will not leave you until my holiday ends. This I promise. It is not in my nature to break my vows.”
    Marcus stared again, nonplussed by her words and by the certainty and determination inherent in them. This woman was odd but in a good way. It was clear she held strong values. No. No, he couldn’t mess this up. “I don’t think kissing is appropriate.”
    Her brows rose. “I repulse you?”
    “No, not at all. It’s more important for me to focus on Autumn.” Marcus meant it. This wasn’t a line, spun to get a woman in bed. He cut a piece of steak and popped it into his mouth.
    She nodded. “Camryn explained this to me. We will get to know each other first, then you can kiss me and we will have sex.”
    Marcus almost choked. He managed to swallow and reached for his wine, taking a big gulp while he gawked at Amme.
    “Did I say something wrong? Do you not want to kiss me or have sex with me? I have been told I am very good at sex.”
    Marcus’s mouth worked but his brain didn’t. The words he wanted to say didn’t transmit. Somehow, he’d lost control of the situation.
    “Marcus? Do you not want this?”
    He wanted to laugh. His cock was so hard he suspected it would bear zipper marks. What he wanted was to haul Amme off to bed. “I w-would—” She’d reduced him to stutters. Him. One of the most powerful businessmen in the southern hemisphere. He cleared his throat and tried again. “I want this, but we will go at my pace.” His words emerged in a stern growl.
    “Yes, Marcus.” Amme picked up her knife and fork and began to cut her steak. She ate with ladylike manners. “Autumn will require more clothes. Camryn says we will go to the beach. She will need a swimsuit.”
    Marcus blinked but decided to go with the subject change. Maybe a discussion of clothes and his daughter would reduce the swelling of his cock.
    “I’ll give you a credit card to make purchases for Autumn.”
    “Can I buy a Christmas tree?”
    “I can arrange that,” Marcus said.
    “Can we buy one for the cottage too?”
    “Yes. You’ll need to purchase decorations. Camryn will know the best place to get those.”
    “I like this garlic bread.”
    “How is the steak?”
    “Okay. I enjoy the salad better.”
    Marcus paused. “Are you a vegetarian?”
    “My system likes vegetables better.”
    Her system? That was an odd way of putting it. “We’ll order extra vegetables then.”
    Once they’d finished dinner Amme went to check on Autumn, her diligence and concern for his daughter impressing the hell out of him. Of course, it was early days, but he thought he’d lucked out. It was a shame she’d leave, but depending on how things went, maybe he could persuade Amme to stay when her friends left.
    Amme returned and helped him clean up the kitchen.
    “You don’t have to help,” he said. “Go and relax in the