Snowbound with the CEO Read online

  Snowbound with the CEO

  By Shannon Stacey

  Adrian Blackstone built a million-dollar business with hard work and determination—and by remaining professional at all times. Denying his longtime attraction to his beautiful executive assistant hasn’t been easy but it’s necessary. She’s indispensable, and he can’t stand the thought of losing her if things didn’t work out.

  For more than a year, Rachel Carter has been quietly dreaming of all the ways she’ll never seduce her sexy, buttoned-up boss. She’s worked too hard to get where she is to cross that line, no matter how badly she’d like to act on her fantasies. But then a wicked snowstorm leaves them stranded in a romantic winter wonderland...

  What begins as a single kiss and a few bad Santa jokes turns into a weekend full of breathless passion and hopes for something more. But with Monday comes a return to their complicated reality—and Adrian must prove that promises made are promises kept, especially at Christmastime.

  20,000 words

  Dear Reader,

  I’m on vacation, camping in the semi-wilderness. No, not when you’re reading this (well, maybe, who knows?) but when this letter is due to our production team. So I’ve chosen to hand off my Dear Reader letter responsibilities to the team for the month of November and let them tell you all about the fantastic lineup in store for you. We’re a team who really enjoys the books we acquire, and I know they’ll be glad for a chance to convince you to give one a try. In the meantime, I’ll be back next month. Happy reading!

  Angela James, Editorial Director

  Dear Reader,

  Editorial assistant Stephanie here. Since Angela is “camping” (all I’m saying is that camping seems to involve a lot of tweeting), I’ve compiled a few fun facts about this month’s new releases. What kinds of great books do we have in store for you this time? Will I get in trouble for making fun of my boss’s camping skills? These are the questions I will strive to answer for you today.

  Redemption by Stephanie Tyler, new adult, post-apocalyptic

  Stephanie Tyler returns with book two in her post-apocalyptic new-adult motorcycle club series.

  Redemption continues the story of the Defiance MC with Mathias and Jessa’s story. If you missed book one, Defiance—Cas and Tru’s story—you’re missing out on a fantastic world and some swoon-worthy romance.

  —Angela James, Editorial Director, Carina Press

  Snowbound with the CEO by Shannon Stacey, contemporary romance

  Shannon’s books are must-reads if you love contemporary romance.

  Shannon Stacey’s holiday novellas are becoming something of a delightful tradition at Carina Press, and we’re happy to have the latest in our hands!

  —Stephanie Doig, Editorial Assistant, Harlequin and Carina Press

  Chance of Rain by Amber Lin, contemporary romance

  We’re happy to welcome Amber to the Carina Press family!

  This small-town reunion romance gripped me from the first chapter and wouldn’t let go. The tortured alpha hero, who just happens to be a Navy SEAL, also didn’t hurt!

  —Tara Stevens, Assistant Product Manager, Digital Products

  Take Me Home by Inez Kelley, contemporary romance

  Inez writes contemporary and fantasy romance for Carina Press. Her new lumberjack series had the (admittedly largely Canadian) team intrigued from the start!

  Maple-syrup maker Kayla falls for a sexy lumberjack with a bitter past and a wary heart in the first of her new Country Roads series featuring loggers in the Allegheny Mountains.

  —Deborah Nemeth, Freelance Editor, Carina Press

  Slow Ride Home by Leah Braemel, contemporary Western romance

  Leah writes wonderfully sexy, emotional romances for Carina Press, including Texas Tangle and Tangled Past.

  Leah’s lovely writing drew me right along into a sensual story of love, heat and scandal. With cowboys. Look for more of the Grady family to come. Did I mention there are cowboys?

  —Brendan Flattery, Digital Production Coordinator

  Love a Little Sideways by Shannon Stacey, contemporary romance

  Shannon’s bestselling Kowalski family miniseries is a must-read for contemporary romance fans.

  What begins as the annual Kowalski Camping Trip of Doom turns into a brand-new start for an unlikely couple—charming, funny proof that what we think we want and what the heart wants isn’t always the same thing.

  —Kerri Buckley, Editor, Carina Press

  Sing for the Dead by PJ Schnyder, paranormal shifter romance

  PJ writes futuristic science fiction romance and paranormal romance for Carina Press.

  The exciting second book in the London Undead trilogy brings readers back into a world where zombies have taken over London. Now the werewolves who’ve stepped up to fight the creatures have a new ally—a member of the Fae who jumps right into the middle of the fray!

  —Mallory Braus, Freelance Editor, Carina Press

  Through the Black Veil by Steve Vera, urban fantasy

  You may remember us gushing about Drynn, Steve’s first book in this series.

  In book 2 of the Last of the Shardyn series, our fearless heroes have returned to their magical homeland to warn everyone about the danger threatening to destroy their world.

  —Rhonda Helms, Freelance Editor, Carina Press

  Improper Arrangements by Juliana Ross, erotic historical romance

  Juliana writes sizzling historical romances set in Victorian times for Carina Press.

  The follow-up to Improper Relations features a mountain-climber hero, Eli. He is my favorite type of hero: rugged, handsome, rough around the edges, mysterious. Love him!

  —Carly Chow, Assistant Manager, Digital Commerce

  Finessing the Contessa by Wendy Soliman, historical romance

  Wendy Soliman writes wonderful, exciting historical romances. The first two Forsters books are currently available from Carina Press.

  In Wendy Soliman’s Regency romance Finessing the Contessa, Lord Robert Forster is drawn to the brilliant Sicilian he meets at a chess match, but is she a spy or an innocent pawn in a game of international espionage?

  —Deborah Nemeth, Freelance Editor, Carina Press

  All In with the Duke by Ava March, male/male historical romance

  Ava March writes can’t-miss historical male/male stories for Carina Press.

  Max Arrington, the Duke of Pelham, has vowed to never again let a handsome face blind him to a man’s true intentions. But the beautiful Tristan Walsh is too intriguing for Max to resist, and it’s not long before their wicked nights together turn into something more.

  —Stephanie Doig, Editorial Assistant, Harlequin and Carina Press

  For Her Eyes Only by Shannon Curtis, romantic suspense

  This is the third book in Shannon’s exciting McCormack Security Agency series.

  For Her Eyes Only features an admin assistant pairing up with the MSA’s undercover expert to investigate a murder. I loved the sexual tension between the hero and heroine!

  —Stephanie Doig, Editorial Assistant, Harlequin and Carina Press

  Getting Rich by Monique Domovitch, cozy mystery

  Monique’s first novel with Carina Press, Getting Skinny, had us all eager for the follow-up.

  Just when she thinks she’s on the verge of getting rich, Nicky Landry finds out somebody is out to get her—and whoever it is has murder on the menu—in Monique Domovitch’s second Chef Landry Myste
ry.

  —Deborah Nemeth, Freelance Editor, Carina Press

  No Place Like Rome by Julie Moffett, action-adventure, mystery

  In addition to writing the Lexi Carmichael mysteries, Julie also writes Scottish historical romances!

  Our favorite geek girl is off to Rome with the sexy and mysterious Slash to solve a case involving the Vatican, a dead body, some steamy kisses from her partner, and a top-secret encrypted file that even she can’t hack.

  —Alissa Davis, Freelance Editor, Carina Press

  Season of Seduction, erotic holiday anthology

  Five Golden Rings by Jeffe Kennedy, erotic romance

  Jeffe writes steamy erotic BDSM romance for Carina Press, as well as (also steamy!) fantasy romance.

  Jeffe Kennedy heats up the season with this sultry, adventurous Facets of Passion novella set against the balmy days—and scorching nights—of a high-powered woman’s holiday-vacation-turned-sexual epiphany.

  —Kerri Buckley, Editor, Carina Press

  Naughty Nicks by Christine d’Abo, erotic romance

  Christine’s Long Shots series, about a BDSM club and its patrons, includes a choose-your-path erotic romance!

  This sexy and emotional novella features an interesting holiday business—stripper Santas! There was so much great tension between the heroine and her hero, who also happens to be her boss.

  —Stephanie Doig, Editorial Assistant, Harlequin and Carina Press

  Ménage on 34th Street by Elise Logan and Emily Ryan-Davis, erotic ménage romance

  We are proud to welcome Elise and Emily to the Carina Press family! This is their first book with us.

  Katrina and Liam have a happy marriage, but they’ve always felt there’s room for more. When their friend Hunter returns from active duty, they know exactly what that “more” is. Now if only they can convince Hunter...

  —Stephanie Doig, Editorial Assistant, Harlequin and Carina Press

  Matzoh and Mistletoe by Jodie Griffin, erotic BDSM romance

  Jodie writes about true-to-life characters exploring their sexy sides in her Bondage & Breakfast series.

  This BDSM novella has a lot of things going for it—it’s sexy, emotional, and there’s a really hot cop. Jodie is known for writing wonderfully realistic characters, and she doesn’t disappoint here.

  —Stephanie Doig, Editorial Assistant, Harlequin and Carina Press

  Gifts of Honor, military holiday collection

  Starting from Scratch by Stacy Gail, contemporary military romance

  Stacy writes both paranormal and contemporary romance for Carina Press.

  Stacy Gail gifts us with the sweetest of holiday reunions for a wounded Army Ranger and his one true love. Patience and forgiveness meet sharp wit and sizzling attraction!

  —Kerri Buckley, Editor, Carina Press

  Hero’s Homecoming by Rebecca Crowley, contemporary military romance

  Rebecca’s debut book with Carina Press, a fantastic sports romance called The Striker’s Chance¸ came out in September.

  Three days before Christmas, a surprising phone call from an old love changes absolutely everything in this compelling novella.

  —Kerri Buckley, Editor, Carina Press

  Dedication

  For my dad. Being a carpenter’s daughter, some of my earliest memories are of being on a job site, using the big magnet to pick up the nails you’d dropped and trying not to walk under your ladders. All it takes is the snap of a chalk line or the sight of an old wooden level and I can still smell the sawdust like it was yesterday. I’m proud of the work you did and I miss you every day.

  Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Epilogue

  About the Author

  Copyright

  Chapter One

  If somebody were to ask him while he was drunk enough to forget his PR bullet points what the secret to his success was, Adrian Blackstone would say he was a chameleon. He had the ability to be whatever the person across the desk wanted him to be.

  Blackstone Historical Renovations, specializing in modernizing historic properties without sacrificing their charm and authenticity, was built on that ability. Having worked his way up from a post and beam carpenter’s helper as a teenager, he had a natural rapport with contractors and woodworkers. Thanks to devouring magazines, financial news programs, and earning a college degree, he could put on a custom suit and talk business with billionaires and bankers. He was a man who felt the heart and soul of a building while watching the financial bottom line.

  And, as he watched the woman walking across the lobby of his greatest achievement to date, he looked like nothing more than a CEO awaiting an update from his executive assistant. She would never know he wanted her more than he’d ever wanted a woman in his life.

  Rachel Carter’s sensible heels clicked on the marble floor and, as much as he wanted to watch her hips swing in the gray suit she wore, he kept his eyes on her face. She wore her blond hair in a sleek ponytail that was professional without being severe, and she wore just enough makeup to accentuate her blue eyes and full mouth without looking made up.

  She’d been with the company almost five years and she’d worked directly for him as his executive assistant for sixteen months. Sixteen months of reminding himself every damn day of all the very good reasons he couldn’t touch her.

  She’d come to the company with a degree in business and a passion for architecture and history. She was his professional soul mate. But on a personal level, it would be a lot easier to find a woman to share his bed with than to replace Rachel in the office. She was one hundred percent off limits.

  “I hope you haven’t been waiting long, Mr. Blackstone.”

  And she never called him Adrian. “I just came down.”

  “I’d ask if your room is adequate, but since they were designed to your specs, it would be awkward if you said no.”

  He loved when her smile slipped that little bit past a professional politeness. It happened sometimes, of course. They worked together every day and they traveled together quite a bit, so they were fairly comfortable around each other. Just not too comfortable.

  It wasn’t the curve of her mouth when she really smiled that turned him on. It was the way her eyes crinkled and the laugh lines at the corners. He suspected that, away from work, she had a great sense of humor and laughed a lot, which he liked in a woman.

  When she moved slightly, shifting the computer case slung on her shoulder, the sun caught her hair, reflecting off wet crystals. He reached up to brush them away but caught himself, turning it into a pointing gesture. “Your hair’s wet. Were you outside?”

  “I didn’t feel like sitting in my room, so I went out for a walk in the snow.”

  “In high heels, with no coat?”

  “I didn’t go far.” The genuine smile lit up her face. “It was white, fluffy snow when we got here, but it’s an icy mix now. Not as much fun to play in.”

  “Or to drive in.”

  Adrian and Rachel were at the Mount Lafayette Grand Resort Hotel to meet with Rick Bouchard, a billionaire real estate developer who had a lot of billionaire real-estate-developing colleagues. It was an exclusive circle and Adrian wanted in. Bouchard was flying into the United States with his family for the holidays and this meeting was Adrian’s shot to convince him Blackstone Historical Renovations was the company to renovate the villa in Tuscany Bouchard had recently purchased.

  The Bouchards had three kids, so Rachel had arranged for the car service to pick them up at the airport in a large SUV. The driver would have four-wheel drive at his disposal, so
hopefully the weather wouldn’t impact their arrival. Whoever forecast a few flurries of the white fluffy stuff should be relegated to the station’s mail room, though.

  He looked at the Rolex he only wore when meeting with property owners and bankers to check the time. The Bouchards should already be on the road, so it was out of his hands. He and Rachel must have driven ahead of the storm the entire way, having left Boston in his SUV while it was still dark so they’d have time to double-check the accommodations and set up the presentation before Rick Bouchard and his family arrived.

  After checking in, they’d gone their separate ways to rest and freshen up after the long road trip. He’d been surprised to find out her room was only two doors down from his. Usually he was in a suite and she was in one of the less expensive rooms, often not even on the same floor. But only one suite had been available and they’d reserved that for the Bouchards. Since the resort didn’t offer those less expensive rooms, he and Rachel were practically neighbors.

  “I have the key to the conference room,” she said. “We can go up anytime you’re ready.”

  “No time like the present.” He followed her to the elevator, tucked discreetly around a corner. “Is there a coffee machine?”

  “There’s a single-cup brewer with an assortment of flavored coffees and teas available.”

  “Perfect. I meant to make a cup in my room to bring with me, but I started checking my email, lost track of time, and didn’t want to keep you waiting.”

  Once she’d led the way to the conference room, designed by him to be warm and comfortable even for all-day meetings, he brewed them each a mug of coffee while she opened her laptop and got to work.

  After adding cream and sugar to hers, he set it next to her computer and took his to the other end of the table. Pulling up the note file on his phone, Adrian skimmed through the important points he wanted to make. He usually let Rachel handle visual aspects of the presentation, including the polished portfolio they’d give to the client, while Adrian did the talking. He preferred not to refer to notes, whether on paper or his phone, instead simply talking in a relaxed and confident manner.