A Bad Boy for Christmas Read Online Free PDF Page A

it. “Are you his blood?”
    “No.”
    He took a seat opposite her at the table and she did her best to ignore his breadth of shoulder and the power-packed chest beneath his chambray shirt. “Then what are you to him?”
    “You have no idea how many times I’ve had that discussion today.”
    “Humor me and have it one more time.”
    It wasn’t an unreasonable request, considering. “I met Nash in the foster care system when I was eight. Sometimes you create loved ones out of sticky tape and circumstance and then you hold fast because they’re the best thing that ever happened to you. Nash is that kind of family. You want to know how much that’s worth on the street?”
    “So he’s loyal.”
    “You’re reducing almost twenty years of friendship, care and protection down to one word. Don’t do that.”
    “Guess I’m not the only one with a protective streak.”
    “Bet your ass.”
    Cutter’s fierce gaze raked over her and a little shiver of anticipation followed in its wake.
    “You know, you look just like him,” she murmured. “You’d think I’d be used to all the pretty by now, but you? You heat it up a notch. Why is that?”
    “Don’t do that.” He slung her words right back at her.
    “Do what?”
    “Drop bait. You might not like what you catch.”
    She smiled, slow and languorous. “Well, I can always throw it back.”
    His eyes flashed, dark and dangerous. “This your idea of being conciliatory?”
    Probably not. “Where’s the grandfather you promised? Someone with some answers?”
    “Probably trying to get my grandmother to calm down and get out of the car. Seems she remembers the name Nash and another name to go with it: Liza. Ring a bell?”
    “Nash’s mother. Elizabeth. Liza. Lizzie. Liz.”
    “Got to warn you, Mia. She’s not remembering the name with a whole lot of fondness.”
    “Yeah, well. Find me someone who does.” Mia let out a sigh. “I think Nash is hoping that the people here remember a better, more innocent version of the mother he buried. No one’s betting on it though. He’s looking for a miracle.”
    “And what are you looking for?”
    “Nothing. I’m here to pick up the pieces when Nash’s last hope for one good memory of his mother is laid to rest, and his shiny upstanding new family can’t see past the taint of him.”
    “You underestimate us.”
    “I underestimate everybody, it saves disappointment.” Mia shut her laptop with a snap and emptied her cola, shaking the ice around the glass to make sure she got the last of it.
    “You want another?” he asked.
    Why not? “Scotch and cola, if you don’t mind. Got to toast the arrival of your grandparents.” She glanced towards the elderly couple framed by French doors. “I’m guessing that’s them?”
    Cutter turned. “Yep.”
    “I’ll go get Nash.”
    “Wait,” he ordered gruffly.
    “Why?” she asked, surprised by the faint trace of pleading she heard in his voice.
    “Meet them first.”
    “You mean to divide and conquer?”
    “I mean that the two of you are a lot to take in at once, trust me on this. My grandparents are walking over here thinking you might be a Nash too, possibly even a Jackson , thanks in part to what you said to us earlier today and what I’ve told them. You had your fun at our expense. Now fix it.”
    He was right, dammit. She looked at the strained faces of the elderly couple headed her way and cursed herself for not thinking beyond being a burr under this man’s skin.
    “I like herb bread. Do you like herb bread?” she asked brightly, with a smile that might just pass for friendly if he squinted. “And order some of those sweet potato wedges too, with the pink sea salt, the hot chili and the mayonnaise. Put it on room 2B.” With that she stood, widened her smile and turned her attention to the approaching couple. “Hi, I’m Mia. We’re not related. Let’s just get that out of the way first.”
    The woman’s step faltered and the man’s hand went to the