Candace Havens - Christmas With The Marine

Subject: Major Ben Hawthorne

Mission: To make one sexy civvy’s Christmas wish come true

Christmas is almost here, and guys are the last thing on personal shopper Ainsley Garrett’s list. But her icy resolution melts when she sees an incredibly hot Marine shopping for toys. A man in uniform with a hot bod and a heart of gold? Maybe a gal can believe in Santa after all...

Major Ben Hawthorne has his career to think about, but when it comes to Ainsley, he’s willing to break his own rules, at least for one night—provided they can get this insanely wicked attraction out of their systems. Only, once isn’t enough. Now Ainsley’s checking her list twice...before she falls for a Marine who’s naughty and nice.

“You’re going to need all your energy tonight...”

It was the way Ainsley said it that made Ben do a double take.

She smiled but didn’t look at him. “Those abs really were impressive. I might like a little alone time with them.”

“So are you saying you want to touch them?” He’d always been direct, and wasn’t into games.

“Yep, all over.”

He laughed. “Well, at least you’re honest. What happened to not wanting to date?”

“I didn’t say anything about a date. I just want to run my hands across those abs more than I want to breathe.”

He nearly tripped.

“It’s bad for me to want you this much,” she said. “But those abs mixed with that big heart of yours is kind of my kryptonite. Just sayin’.”

“Ainsley, my abs are waiting for you...”

CANDACE “CANDY” HAVENS is a bestselling and award-winning author. She is a two-time RITA® Award, Write Touch Readers’ Award and Holt Medallion finalist. She is also a winner of the Barbara Wilson Award. Candy is a nationally syndicated entertainment columnist for FYI Television. A veteran journalist, she has interviewed just about everyone in Hollywood. You can hear Candy weekly on New Country 96.3 KSCS in the Dallas–Fort Worth area.

Christmas with the Marine

Candace Havens

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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Dear Reader Contents Cover Back Cover Text Introduction About the Author Title Page Dear Reader Dedication Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Epilogue Extract Copyright ,

The holidays can be a wonderful time for so many, and at the same time painful for those who are alone, or who have loved ones deployed overseas. I wanted this book to reflect happier times. So for my Marine, Ben, his first Christmas spent at home in a long while had to be one filled with love and surprises.

He and Ainsley represent the good in the universe to me. They are from different worlds, but they find their way to one another.

I’d love to hear from you on Twitter, @candacehavens, or on Facebook. I hope that you have a glorious holiday season filled with love and joy.

Candace

This book is dedicated to the Blaze readers. Thank you for all of your support.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text Subject: Major Ben Hawthorne Mission: To make one sexy civvy’s Christmas wish come true Christmas is almost here, and guys are the last thing on personal shopper Ainsley Garrett’s list. But her icy resolution melts when she sees an incredibly hot Marine shopping for toys. A man in uniform with a hot bod and a heart of gold? Maybe a gal can believe in Santa after all... Major Ben Hawthorne has his career to think about, but when it comes to Ainsley, he’s willing to break his own rules, at least for one night—provided they can get this insanely wicked attraction out of their systems. Only, once isn’t enough. Now Ainsley’s checking her list twice...before she falls for a Marine who’s naughty and nice.

Introduction “You’re going to need all your energy tonight...” It was the way Ainsley said it that made Ben do a double take. She smiled but didn’t look at him. “Those abs really were impressive. I might like a little alone time with them.” “So are you saying you want to touch them?” He’d always been direct, and wasn’t into games. “Yep, all over.” He laughed. “Well, at least you’re honest. What happened to not wanting to date?” “I didn’t say anything about a date. I just want to run my hands across those abs more than I want to breathe.” He nearly tripped. “It’s bad for me to want you this much,” she said. “But those abs mixed with that big heart of yours is kind of my kryptonite. Just sayin’.” “Ainsley, my abs are waiting for you...”

About the Author CANDACE “CANDY” HAVENS is a bestselling and award-winning author. She is a two-time RITA® Award, Write Touch Readers’ Award and Holt Medallion finalist. She is also a winner of the Barbara Wilson Award. Candy is a nationally syndicated entertainment columnist for FYI Television. A veteran journalist, she has interviewed just about everyone in Hollywood. You can hear Candy weekly on New Country 96.3 KSCS in the Dallas–Fort Worth area.

Title Page Christmas with the Marine Candace Havens www.millsandboon.co.uk

Dear Reader Dear Reader Contents Cover Back Cover Text Introduction About the Author Title Page Dear Reader Dedication Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Epilogue Extract Copyright , The holidays can be a wonderful time for so many, and at the same time painful for those who are alone, or who have loved ones deployed overseas. I wanted this book to reflect happier times. So for my Marine, Ben, his first Christmas spent at home in a long while had to be one filled with love and surprises. He and Ainsley represent the good in the universe to me. They are from different worlds, but they find their way to one another. I’d love to hear from you on Twitter, @candacehavens , or on Facebook. I hope that you have a glorious holiday season filled with love and joy. Candace

Dedication This book is dedicated to the Blaze readers. Thank you for all of your support.

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Epilogue

Extract

Copyright

1

MARINE MAJOR BEN HAWTHORNE had served three tours in the Middle East. He’d survived being shot and a near-fatal helicopter crash. But this... This was beyond his capabilities. This is what happened when people gambled.

They ended up in giant toy stores in the Barbie aisle, trying to find the right one for a six-year-old orphan.

He’d rather go on another tour. Not that he didn’t want the child to have her toy, it was just difficult. There were so many. Doctor ones and scientists, and an underwater one. And they came in all sizes. But all the child had listed was “Barbie.” And Ben had lost a bet with his friends, so he was on his own buying more than one hundred gifts for the Toys for Tots program.