New Boss New Year Bride Read Online Free PDF Page B

pointedly from one to the other. ‘Anything can happen.’
    As they entered the pub, which was chock-full of people, a chorus of ‘Happy New Year!’ went up and more glasses were clinked in celebration. The publicans behind the bar were working hard, but still enjoying themselves in the festivities.
    ‘Looks as though it’s going to be an interesting night,’ Joss said close to her ear. She could feel him standing behind her, the warmth from his body surrounding her. ‘Let’s see if we can’t score a couple of chairs and possibly a table.’
    ‘Hey! Doc! Over here,’ someone called, and Joss placed his hand in the small of Melissa’s back and urged her in the direction of Nev and Kev, two men in their early twenties.
    ‘Happy New Year!’ both men chorused.
    ‘Happy New Year!’ the crowd roared again.
    ‘Happy New Year,’ Joss and Melissa replied, more sedately. Joss made the introductions and Nev quickly stood to offer his chair to Melissa.
    ‘Thank you.’
    ‘Anything for you.’ The young man looked at her as though she’d just hung the moon. It was an odd sensation to be sucha superstar in a town where you didn’t know anyone. ‘I hear you’re doing a kissing booth at the Aussie Day Fair?’
    Melissa turned to glare at Joss, who merely grinned. ‘Actually, I’m not,’ she told Nev. ‘Sorry.’
    ‘Oh.’ He looked so disappointed Melissa almost thought about feeling bad. She shook her head as though to clear it. This was a new year and she wasn’t going to be a people-pleaser any more, just to keep the peace. She started chatting with Nev and Kev, asking them to tell her more about the town.
    Joss listened and watched the way she interacted with them. He wasn’t at all sure what was wrong with him. He sat there in a crowded pub, aware of no one else but the woman beside him. Mesmerising. That was what she was. Mesmerising Melissa. He still couldn’t believe he’d kissed her. It was New Year’s Eve. It was supposed to be an innocent little kiss.
    She had a nice smooth voice, sweet and sultry. The desire to lean over and press another delightful kiss to those lips was almost irresistible. To think of her doing a kissing booth…To think of other men wanting to sample that perfect mouth of hers…A powerful, protective need surged through him and he was astonished by the ferocity of it.
    He needed room. Air. Anything. He stood up too quickly, accidentally knocking his chair to the ground. A few people turned to look; others just cheered and called ‘Happy New Year’ again. Nev, Kev and Melissa were all looking up at him with surprise.
    ‘Just going to go get a drink.’ He righted his chair. ‘Ahh…Melissa? What can I get for you?’
    ‘The line-up at the bar’s a mile long,’ Kev told him.
    ‘That’s OK.’ He needed distance between himself and his new colleague. ‘I don’t mind.’
    ‘Ginger ale would be fine,’ she told him, when he lookedat her again. He really did have the most piercing and gorgeous blue eyes. She had the feeling she could simply look into them all day long and do nothing else but sigh. At that thought, she quickly turned her head. ‘Uh…thank you,’ she added.
    ‘Right.’ He took drink orders from Nev and Kev before disappearing.
    ‘So…you’re Doc Dex’s sister, eh?’
    ‘That’s right.’
    ‘The one he didn’t know he had?’
    ‘That’s right,’ she answered again, forcing a smile.
    ‘We should get him over here. Best you two start to get to know each other, eh?’
    Before Melissa could say a word Nev was calling Dex’s name, even though no one seemed to know where Dex was.
    Joss stood in line at the bar and watched Melissa closely. At least with a bit of distance between them he felt a little safer. The woman had incredible brown eyes, soft skin, silky hair and a gorgeous mouth. He closed his eyes, blocking the image of her from sight.
    Who was she? She’d burst into his life a few short hours ago and ever since he’d been hard