Winter's Magic (Music City Hearts Series) Read Online Free PDF

really busy at the salon right now.” She told the truth. Even if Nick wasn’t off limits and completely the wrong man for her, the salon kept her too busy to even think about starting a new relationship.
    “I’ve been wanting to try Carlino’s. Have you been yet?” he asked, ignoring her answer.
    “I called to get a reservation last week and they’re booked through the holidays.”
    “I’ve heard the same thing. But what if I can get one? Would you join me?”
    “I really can’t.” She saw disappointment flash across his face before he could replace it with a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “We’re having our staff Christmas party.” The gleam reappeared. His reaction shouldn’t matter as much as it did.
    “How about Sunday? I happen to know La Bella Vita isn’t open on Sundays. Let me see what I can do. I’ll call you tomorrow and let you know what time I’ll pick you up.”
    She chuckled. “I didn’t say yes.” But she wanted to, even if accepting went against every sensible conviction in her brain.
    “You didn’t say no,” he whispered.
    “I guess I didn’t.” His stare burned through the last of her fortitude and suddenly, she realized that turning him down had never been possible.
    “I still have your card.” He looked at her with a ‘cat ate the canary’ grin.
    Her card . The one she’d given him for Lauren? She knew she shouldn’t say anything. But if she was willing to let her guard down and accept his invitation to dinner, she needed to know the truth—from him.
    “Speaking of my card, Nick. Where does Lauren fit in?”
    “Lauren and I stopped seeing each other a few days before I met you.”
    So, they really had broken up. But what about the rest? “According to the rumors—”
    “She wants to work things out, but knows I don’t.” His firm answer gave no leeway to ask further questions.
    Beth rose as soon as Nick did, prepared to follow him from the room. Jenny’s words came back to her. He’s very private and doesn’t talk about his personal life. Maybe she should have remembered that twenty seconds ago.
    Instead of turning to leave, Nick reached down and took her hands in his. They were warm and soft. His thumbs gently rubbed across the top of her knuckles in a subtle stroke.
    “I’ve moved on, Beth. Or, at least that’s what I want to do.”
    He seemed to be waiting for an answer. She could blame it on the wine and the way his eyes bored into hers, but she didn’t know what to say.
    They stood so close she could feel the heat coming from his skin. A hint of his cologne, mixed with leather and the smell of old books, filled her nose. Her eyes moved to his lips and she wondered if he was going to kiss her.
    Oh, God help her, she wanted him to.
    In her dreams, his lips had been soft and sweet. He’d been gentle at first, slowly caressing her mouth as he held her face in both hands. Then he slid his tongue across her lips, coaxing her to open. When he took her mouth deeper, an electric current sizzled between them and her body tingled everywhere they touched. Every part of her melting into him. She was lost.
    She felt his arms come around her, bringing her even closer, but it didn’t seem to be enough. She wanted to run her fingers through his hair. Slide her hands across the taut muscles of his chest. She needed—.
    A sound from the hallway startled her and she raised her eyes to meet his. She had no idea how long she’d been staring at his lips and remembering the dreams she would never admit to having. Heat flooded her cheeks as she read the smugness on his face. It had been long enough for him to read her thoughts. But the intensity she felt from his gaze told her it didn’t matter—he wanted the same thing.

CHAPTER 3
    “I can’t believe he didn’t kiss you!” Jenny took another bite of her chicken salad.
    “I know. Whoever came up with the line ‘mind over matter’ doesn’t know what they’re talking about. Because, my mind was