Free The Christmas Proposition by Cindy Kirk Page B

as if the dog had already settled in for the night.
    “I’m afraid you don’t have a choice.” Derek turned and met Rachel’s gaze. “You’re going to have to spend the night.”
    “With you?” Rachel’s voice came out on a high-pitched squeak.
    When Derek grinned, it made her feel even more foolish.
    “Well, I don’t think my bed is big enough for the four of us,” he said, and she swore she saw a twinkle in his eyes. “But there are three extra bedrooms, so I’m sure you’ll be comfortable.”
    Although his expression gave nothing away and he was being a perfect gentleman about the situation, the electricity crackling in the air told her if Mickie wasn’t present, his answer may have been different.
    Still, Rachel hesitated. What would Mickie’s case worker think if she found out they’d spent the night with a single man? Especially one as handsome and charismatic as Derek Rossi.
    “You can’t put Mickie—and yourself—at risk,” he said softly, as if he’d read her thoughts. “The only sensible thing is to stay.”
    “My uncle Wayne went into a ditch once when itwas snowing,” Mickie piped up from in front of the fire where she now sat, scratching Fred’s neck. “I was in the backseat. I hurt my head.”
    “Oh, my,” Rachel said.
    “It wasn’t even snowing as hard as it is now,” Mickie continued. “But Uncle Wayne had been smoking those stinky little cigarettes, the ones that made his eyes all red. I don’t think he could see very well.”
    Derek stiffened and muttered something Rachel couldn’t make out.
    “You’ve convinced me.” Rachel prayed she was making the right decision. “We’ll stay.”
    “Yippee.” Mickie scrambled to her feet and Fred lurched to a standing position beside her. “I want to see my room.”
    “Derek can show it to us later,” Rachel said. “Closer to bedtime.”
    “But I’m tired now,” Mickie protested. “Fred and I want to go to bed.”
    Rachel tilted her head, confused. “Now? It’s only nine.”
    Even though only moments before she’d looked wide awake, Mickie yawned loudly and flung her arms out in a big stretch.
    “I can’t help it that I’m tired,” she said.
    “You have had a big day.” Rachel slanted an apologetic smile in Derek’s direction. “I guess we’ll go to bed now.”
    “No. No. No.” Mickie practically shouted the words. “You stay up and…talk…to Mr. Rossi. I’m not a baby. I can go to bed by myself.”
    The child’s generosity touched Rachel’s heart. “But you’ll be in a strange bedroom.”
    “I’ve slept in a lot of strange bedrooms. Besides—” Mickie slipped her arm around the bloodhound’s neck “—I have Fred.”
    “If you’re sure…” Rachel said, still not convinced.
    “I’m positive.” Mickie’s lips curved into a smile. “Absolutely positively positive.”

Chapter Eight
    “S he’s never gone to bed so easily.” Rachel sank into the overstuffed leather love seat facing the stone fireplace.
    A rustic end table separated her sofa from Derek’s chair. While she was getting Mickie ready for bed, Derek had added more wood to the fire and brought out a bottle of wine.
    He leaned forward and handed her a glass. “This is the perfect way to end a wonderful day.”
    Soft piano music played in the background. The light from the candles cast interesting shadows across his face. Rachel could see why he always had a beautiful woman on his arm. Not only was he intelligent and an all-around good guy, but he was also super sexy.
    She pulled her gaze from him and took a sip of wine. The full-bodied red was smooth against her tongue.She let the delicious taste linger for a moment before swallowing. “This is fabulous.”
    Derek’s lips quirked upward. “It’s a very good year.”
    “If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were trying to seduce me,” Rachel said, waving her glass in the air.
    “If Mickie weren’t here, you’d probably be right.” His eyes glittered in the dim