Cinderella's New York Christmas

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

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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