J.M. Jeffries - My Only Christmas Wish

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’Tis the season for passion

All Darcy Bennett wants for Christmas is for her family’s upscale Atlanta department store to stay in the family. No man, especially a stubborn—and deliciously sexy—Scrooge is going to edge her out without a fight. Bent on vengeance, new store owner Eli Austin has no problem using power to get his way. But is Darcy’s feminine charm and a dash of holiday cheer enough to convince Eli to let her keep her legacy?

In a world full of mergers and takeovers, Eli does what it takes to stay in control. However, he doesn’t count on the irresistible urge to unwrap Darcy like a holiday surprise. And he definitely isn’t prepared to compromise with a woman whose family destroyed his own. With the magic of Christmas surrounding them, will Darcy and Eli be able to put aside their differences and realize that love is the only gift worth wishing for?

She started to turn, and he laid a hand on her arm. She glanced up at him as his arm slipped around her and he kissed her.

Sensation exploded inside her, and she felt a rush of heat. Her brain had gone into total meltdown. For a second she was confused, but she felt her arms slip around his broad shoulders to pull him closer.

Dear God, he was addictive. His lips moved over hers slowly, as if he were savoring her feel. Her entire body was on fire. She heard him moan—or maybe it was her. In her passion-fogged brain, she wasn’t sure.

“Darcy.”

The way he whispered her name against her lips made her want more. “Yes.”

His lips stopped. And for a brief second she was suspended on a cloud of desire for him that was so totally unexpected she didn’t know what to think.

Then he pulled away. Her eyes fluttered open, and she saw the look of utter shock on his face. He stepped back. His mouth moved. “Forgive me,” he said, then walked away from her, leaving her openmouthed and confounded.

About the Author

J. M. JEFFRIESis the collaboration between two women who are lifelong romance-aholics. Jacqueline Hamilton grew up believing that life should always have a happy ending. Being a military brat, she has lived in some of the most romantic places in the world. An almost-lawyer, Jackie decided to chuck it all, live her dream and become a writer. Miriam Pace grew up believing in fairy tales and happy endings. With her Prince Charming, she had two amazing children and is now reading fairy tales to her grandchildren.

My Only Christmas Wish

J. M. Jeffries

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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Dear Reader,

Too often we forget, during the hustle and bustle of Christmas, what a special time of the year it is, with the music, the special lights, the window displays in the stores and the special reverence we all have for the spiritual aspect. Christmas brings people together.

I hope you enjoy Darcy and Eli’s special Christmas. They are two people who experience the magic in very different ways. Darcy sees Christmas as an opportunity to help others. Eli sees it as just another obligation. Please join Darcy as she brings Christmas to life for him and they discover that love is the greatest gift of all.

Much love,

Jackie and Miriam

J. M. Jeffries

To our readers.

Thank you for your kind words and your support.

* * *

Jacqueline:

To my mom, Ingrid:

You always know the right things to say

when I need a kick in the pants or a hug.

To Miriam:

You always know how to talk me down from the ledge.

To Dyann:

You’ve become a great friend. Thank you.

Miriam:

To my husband, Parker:

The four years you’ve been gone have been

the longest years of my life. I miss you so much.

To my son, Jeff:

What a wonderful man you are.

Thank you for choosing Erin. I love you both.

To my daughter, Miriam:

Thank you for being a terrific daughter

and for bringing Peter and your two darling children into my life. I love you all.

To Jackie:

You’re amazing. Thank you.

To Dyann:

You help keep me sane at times.

Contents

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 1

Darcy Bennett stood in the foyer of Bennett’s watching the double-wide doors leading into her department store still firmly closed as the clock in the center rotunda ticked out the last minutes before the opening. Darcy tried to gauge the size of the crowd. Even to her eyes, she could see it wasn’t anywhere near as large as last year or even the year before. The economy was taking a huge bite out of the first shopping day of the Christmas season.

The first Friday after Thanksgiving used to be the most magical day for her. The anticipation of seeing all the Christmas decorations in place and knowing her favorite holiday was just around the corner always left Darcy feeling lighthearted and joyous. Today, she simply felt depressed.

She dreaded opening the doors and letting the customers in because she knew he was there—Mr. Dollar Bin himself, now the new owner of Bennett’s, the finest upscale department store in Atlanta—hell, in all of Georgia.

Mr. Eli Austin waited outside somewhere in the growing crowd probably looking at his watch as impatiently as Darcy watched the huge clock ticking off the seconds until 6:00 a.m. when the doors would open and the Christmas season officially began.

How could her mother do this to her? How could she sell Darcy’s legacy to that man? The only thing her mother couldn’t sell was the land the store stood on because Darcy owned it and no one was going to force her to sell no matter how hard Eli Austin’s lawyers had pressured her into doing so.

She glanced at the clock again, her stomach clenching so tightly thick pain radiated outward. In the space of only a few weeks, she’d lost her beloved grandfather, then her father had died unexpectedly from a massive heart attack, and her own marriage crumbled. She’d survived not because she wanted to, but because she had to. But this, the loss of her family’s legacy, she couldn’t see beyond. Bitterness was a huge knot in her chest. If only her father had had time to update his will, leaving the store to Darcy instead of to her mother, she wouldn’t be standing here waiting to officially hand over her store to the man who wanted to ruin it.

Rustling sounded behind her as the staff settled behind their counters or walked the floor putting a few final touches to the decorations. Perfume girls stood on either side of her with paper wands in their hands already sprayed with perfume. The cosmetic counters were perfect. Roxy was setting out her makeup brushes and making sure every last detail was in place at her Clinique station. The new girl at the MAC station looked uncomfortable and worried as she moved the display in front of her around to show it to better advantage, and then moved it back. Darcy sent her an encouraging smile. The girl smiled back, though strain showed in her eyes.