A Dangerously Sexy Christmas

Assignment: A Hot Holiday Affair!

Aspiring jewelry designer Rose Lawson doesn’t want a bodyguard. Especially the hot, muscle-y one her father hires after a break-in at the jewelry shop where she works. It’s only when her home is also ransacked that Rose realizes the sexy (but infuriating) bodyguard might come in handy...especially on a cold winter’s night.

Max Ridgeway is a former Aussie cop who’s got something to prove in New York. He’s convinced that someone dangerous is behind the robberies and that Rose needs protection. His protection. But what’s even more dangerous is the sexy tension between them—because a hot little fling could compromise their lives...and his heart.

“I’m here to protect you...”

Rose cupped the side of Max’s face and turned him until they were face-to-face, her thumb stroking his lips. “I want you to do more than protect me.”

He shook his head. “It’s my job to ensure your safety. That’s it.”

“You’re not on the clock now.” Her other hand found its way to his thigh.

God, he was so hard. He strained against the zipper of his jeans, creating a solid ridge beneath the denim. If she brushed her hand just a little higher...

Rose pressed her lips to his jaw, and awareness ran through him, lighting up his body like a Christmas tree. “Rose,” he growled.

Her hands left him for the knotted belt of her robe. She unwound the fabric and the robe parted. “I see the way you’ve been looking at me, Max.” She pushed herself up and straddled him. “You may not like me, but you want me.”

He tilted his face up to hers. “You’re asking for trouble.”

Dear Reader,

I’ve always had a fascination with diamonds. Not because they’re highly sought after, but because they’ve always seemed kind of magical to me.

I remember doing a project on gemstones in primary school (elementary school, for those in the US) and learning that diamonds take a few billion years to be formed blew my ten-year-old mind. It’s pretty amazing to think that aside from their incredible appearance, diamonds are also one of the strongest materials on earth. So it makes sense that they’re the stone chosen most often to represent commitment. Like a diamond, a good relationship has equal amounts of beauty and resilience.

I like to think of my characters as diamonds—sparkling little gems dug from the depths of my late-night musings. Rose and Max are both beautiful and strong in their own way. They have big hearts that have been scarred by the past, they’re tough on themselves and like to do things their own way. Like diamonds, they’re put under a lot of pressure before they have the chance to shine.

But don’t worry, they have plenty of fun along the path to their happy-ever-after. True to the Mills & Boon Blaze promise, this book gets the steam going!

I hope you enjoy Rose and Max’s story. I certainly had a blast writing it. You can find out what’s coming next by checking out my website, stefanie-london.com, or my Facebook page, facebook.com/stefanielondonauthor. I love chatting with readers, so feel free to drop me a line anytime.

With love,

Stefanie

A Dangerously Sexy Christmas

Stefanie London

www.millsandboon.co.uk

STEFANIE LONDON is a voracious reader who has dreamed of being an author her whole life. After sneaking several English lit subjects into her “very practical” business degree, she got a job in corporate communications. But it wasn’t long before she turned to romance fiction. She recently left her hometown of Melbourne to start a new adventure in Toronto and now spends her days writing contemporary romances with humor, heat and heart.

For more information on Stefanie and her books, check out her website at stefanie-london.com, or her Facebook page at facebook.com/stefanielondonauthor.

To Zia, thank you for always cheering me on.

You’re the best aunt a girl could hope for.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

Introduction

Dear Reader

Title Page

About the Author

Dedication

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

Extract

Copyright

1

PERSONAL SECURITY DETAIL was a lot like babysitting. All Max Ridgeway had to determine was whether the person under his protection would be the model child or the toddler from hell.

“Do you always disregard your personal safety, Miss Lawson?” he asked.

Two catlike eyes glowered at him. But if he was going to protect her, he needed to know if she would throw herself into harm’s way. Or run. Or walk down a dark alley in the middle of the night.

“You say you don’t want my protection. Tell me if I’ve misunderstood you.” He leaned back in his chair and laced his hands behind his head.

She squared her shoulders against his visitor’s chair and displayed what he imagined was her most dazzling smile. Rose Lawson’s eyes were almond-shaped and a most unusual shade of yellow-green. She had thick curling lashes, a heart-shaped face and glossy pouted lips made for sin. The whole sexy package probably turned other men to goo. But her appearance—while thoroughly enjoyable—would not distract him.