Merry & Seduced (8 page)

“Yes, she can teach them. I bet they’ll have a lot of fun learning.” Her voice held gravel, a distinct wobble, but she got the words out and they seemed to comfort his daughter.

“Let’s get you ready for bed. Your daddy can choose a book to read from while you clean your teeth and wash your face. The books we bought today are in the bag by the bed.”

They disappeared, leaving Marcus bemused. Amme made Candy’s death seem natural and not a bad thing. Her confident manner and the way she handled Autumn had stopped the tears before they started. He found the bag of books and picked out one featuring a naughty puppy that kept digging holes.

Amme helped Autumn into her pajamas and pulled back the covers. “Good night, sweetie.” She kissed Autumn’s cheek. “I’ll plug in the special light we bought for you today while your father reads your story.”

“What if the monsters come again?”

“Remember what Camryn said? That’s a special light and the monsters are frightened of it. I’m right next door though, so if you need me for anything, just shout and I’ll come. Okay?”

Autumn’s nod was solemn. “Yes.”

Marcus started reading while Amme busied herself with unpacking the light. It was pale blue and the brim bore a sparkly unicorn. Subtle blue light lit the room when Amme switched it on.

“Pretty,” she said. “Sweet dreams, Autumn.”

“Where are you going?” Marcus asked.

“Downstairs to dance with my friends,” Amme said.

“But what about me?”

“Autumn is almost asleep. You can handle finishing the story.” With that said, she sashayed from the bedroom.

Marcus stared at her curvy ass and blinked when Autumn tugged at his arm.

“Keep reading, Daddy.”

“Uh, okay.” He scanned the page and started reading. “Bella, the white puppy ran along the fence and searched for a way underneath.” He kept turning pages until he reached the end and his little girl had fallen asleep. He set the book down and backed out of the room only pausing to switch off the main light.

As he approached the lounge, he started to hear music and laughter. He spied the mistletoe they’d hung from a light fitting and smiled. A country ballad drifted from his stereo system and they were all dancing. Ry and Cameron were wrapped in each other’s arms. Mogens was dancing with Gweneth, Jannike with Kaya and Amme partnered Nanu.

A spurt of jealousy swelled within Marcus.

“Good,” Nanu said, grinning broadly when he spotted Marcus. “I need a rest. You can dance with Amme, and I’ll take care of the music. Top system, Marcus. Rockin’ music. Camryn was right, Amme. They have excellent music. We need to get some for the
Indy
. Ah…yeah. The music,” Nanu said and backed away, a chagrined expression etched into his broad features.

“What is the
Indy
?” Marcus asked as he drew Amme closer.

“The name we give our vehicle.”

The song drifted to an end. Nanu winked at him and put on another slow dance. Maybe his jealousy wasn’t warranted. Marcus drew Amme even closer and ran his hand down her back.

“You smell nice,” she whispered.

He grinned and brushed a kiss against her hair. She felt perfect in his arms.

“Did you buy anything else today, apart from the bikini?”

“Lingerie,” she said with satisfaction. “I can’t wait to show you.”

“So you mean to entice me?” Laughter shaded his voice while a whoosh of blood settled in his cock.

“Of course I do,” she said, her face devoid of humor. “Is it working?”

Marcus stared. As a businessman he was used to reading people, making snap decisions, yet Amme… He found himself shaking his head. “I have trouble knowing if you’re joking or not.”

“I’m not joking. I find you attractive. Camryn says normally an employee shouldn’t make advances to their boss, but since we’re leaving at the beginning of the year, it would be all right. As long as you are interested in return.”

Marcus found himself charmed and incredibly turned on. He cupped her cheek and tipped up her chin until their gazes meshed. Her skin was cool and soft beneath his fingertips. “I’m interested.”

“Perfect. What do we do next?”

A laugh spluttered from him, loud enough to attract the attention of her friends. He gave her a swift hug, reveling in her softness against his harder body.

Behind him someone spoke in staccato clicks and grunts.

“What is that language?” he asked.

“Jibberish,” Amme said. “They’re being silly. Private joke.”

“As long as they’re not making fun about my big ears or pointy nose.”

“No, they’re giving me advice and made mention of your sexy arse.”

Marcus spluttered another laugh and brushed a kiss on her cheek. Refreshing. That was the word for Amme. She was light years away from the women he normally associated with—their coy games and manipulations. A few weeks in her company was just the thing he needed to recharge. Amme was the perfect prescription for both him and Autumn.

“You’re standing under the mistletoe,” Nanu said without warning.

Marcus glanced up. Nope. It wasn’t him. His gaze went to Amme’s lips and lingered. Pity. Maybe he’d maneuver Amme in that direction.

Shrill whistles and cheers dragged him back. He turned to see Kaya plant a big, wet kiss on Jannike. Jannike’s arms went around the other woman and she kissed her back. Camryn started giggling, laughing so hard Ry had to hold her upright.

“Woot. Woot.
Woot!
” Nanu cried.

Gweneth clapped her hands together, her pretty face beaming.

“Are they together?” Marcus asked.

“What? We’re all together,” Amme said.

As his mind groped with that, the music changed to something older and more upbeat.

“Do you know how to do this one?” Amme asked. “I saw it on the television.”

“I’m sure I can muddle through,” Marcus said and began the steps to the jive. Amme studied him for a few seconds then fell into step, looking as if she’d been doing the dance for years. “You’re good.”

“Show us the steps,” Kaya said from behind them.

Marcus turned Amme a fraction but continued to dance. Kaya watched closely and started to follow with Jannike as her partner. Her hair looked bluer tonight. It wasn’t unattractive, just bright. Was that—her ear was pointy and decorated with some sort of jewelry. He blinked and looked again, but her hair had flipped over her ear.

“Something wrong?” Amme asked when the dance brought them closer.

He glanced over her shoulder and felt his eyes widen on seeing Mogens. The man glowed with a weird pearly light.

“No. I guess I’m tired.” He must be if he was seeing things. Marcus risked another glance and both Mogens and Kaya appeared normal again.

The music drifted to an end.

“Someone is under the mistletoe,” Nanu said.

Good. He’d got it right this time. Marcus turned to Amme and started to move toward her. A big blur passed between them, and before he could blink, hard hands seized him and a mouth marauded his. Shock held him in place. There were cheers. Whistles. Someone laughed so hard they were having trouble breathing.

“Hey,” Nanu said, drawing back with a scowl. “You’re meant to kiss me back.”

Camryn gasped a hoarse breath and started laughing again. Tears streamed from her eyes.

“Why didn’t you kiss me back?” Nanu demanded. “Those are the mistletoe rules.”

Camryn drew a noisy breath. Her mouth twitched, and she let out another big howl of laughter.

“I…ah…I don’t swing that way,” Marcus finally managed.

“Why is she laughing?” Jannike demanded.

Everyone was looking puzzled apart from Camryn, and she was no help because she couldn’t stop hooting.

“Traditionally, kissing under the mistletoe occurs between men and women,” Marcus said, edging away from Nanu. He wrapped his arm around Amme’s waist then moved her in front of her so Nanu couldn’t pounce on him again. “A young woman would stand under the mistletoe on purpose in order to get a man she liked to kiss her. These days, with same sex marriages, I presume women kiss each other each too. And men kiss each other. You’re not meant to kiss just anyone,” Marcus said. “Normally you’re showing you like them.”

“I do like you,” Nanu said, his broad forehead a mass of wrinkles.

Camryn who’d eased off her laughing started chortling again.

“But you don’t want to have sex with me, right?” Marcus steeled himself for the answer.

“No, I don’t want to fukk you,” Nanu said. “I wouldn’t try to steal you from Amme. Friends don’t do that.”

“Nanu!” Camryn shrieked and burst into giggles.

Kaya glowered at Camryn. “You lied to us.”

“D-didn’t.”

“But you didn’t explain properly,” Amme said, the corners of her eyes crinkling.

“Payback!” Camryn shouted in triumph. “Marcus, is Nanu a good kisser?”

“I was too shocked to notice,” he said.

“I’m an excellent kisser,” Nanu said. “I could kiss you again.”

“No,” Marcus said and drew Amme against his chest. “We’re good.”

Camryn showed signs of succumbing again. Nanu snorted. “More music.”

“No, Marcus is tired,” Amme said. “All the physical work today has tired him out. You need to go home now. I don’t want him exhausted.”

“He needs to recover from Nanu’s kiss,” Camryn said.

Marcus spluttered, especially when Camryn winked at him. He willed the heat from his cheeks and only partially succeeded.

“We’ll go,” Ry said. “You’ll probably see a lot of us because Amme and the others are here. Feel free to tell us to leave.”

“I’m tired too,” Camryn said. “We have a full day planned tomorrow. I might ask Max if Luke can come to the beach with us. He’ll be company for Autumn.”

“Satisfactory plan,” Amme said. “See you tomorrow.”

Marcus stood at Amme’s side and waved goodbye to her friends.

“Thank you for letting us use your cottage,” Amme said.

“You’re doing me a favor. I think I’m getting the best deal.”

“You are paying me,” Amme reminded him, and just like that, some of his feel-good mood dissipated.

Doubt demons lunged, their clawed hands grabbing him by the neck. Him—the man who radiated confidence. He hesitated to voice them, then decided to follow Amme’s example and forget the filters. “Is that why you’re propositioning me? Because I’m paying you?”

“My employment looking after Autumn is separate. I am a child minder. Sex is not my job.”

“Oh.” The way she expressed herself seemed strange. “So if I was to try to kiss you now, you’d let me because you want a kiss, not because I’m your employer.”

“I wanted your kiss from the first sec I saw you.” Her whiskey eyes simmered with truth and sincerity, and he believed every word. “Kissing you, touching you is not part of my job description.”

“Excellent.” Marcus led her back inside and came to a halt in the kitchen. “The dishes are done.”

“My friends would have done them,” Amme said.

“I think I’ll keep them around. My friends would never think of cleaning up after dinner.”

Amme wove their fingers together. “Maybe you need new friends.”

He tugged her closer, his pulse rate high jumping as he studied her. Her features were neat and perfect and her skin didn’t bear a single blemish. Amme was stunning and he couldn’t wait to run his hands over the curves he’d seen on display when she wore her bikini.

Her eyes widened as he backed her against the kitchen counter. Once she was trapped, he cupped her jaw with both hands and leaned in to kiss her. Her lips were cold but they moved under his and parted when he traced the seam with the tip of his tongue. Sweet. She tasted of wine and a hint of chocolate. When she let out a tiny groan and softened, he took the kiss deeper and buried his fingers in her hair, plundering her mouth and enjoying the hell out of the act. Long moments later, he lifted his head and grinned when she breathed hard. He rubbed his nose against hers then kissed her again, using every bit of his skill, his hands skimming down to settle on her hips.

He notched his cock against her softness and rocked, his blood pounding hotly through his veins. Damn. He’d spent a weekend with an old friend a couple of weeks ago and the sex had been hot and fulfilling. But something about this woman took his desire to another level. He wanted her in his bed. He wanted her naked. He wanted her
now
.

A
mme was sure her main processing unit flew offline when Marcus started kissing her. Her brain ceased to process the separate emotions and sensations, and she wallowed in the pleasure of his touch, hanging on to his shoulders for purchase. Luckily, the rigid counter at her back helped prop her upright, otherwise she feared she’d end in a wet puddle at his feet.

He lifted his mouth, parting their lips, and she saw his brown gaze appeared lighter than usual, almost amber. Pretty.

“Come to my bedroom,” he whispered.

Never had words sounded so sweet and enticing. She found herself nodding, her processing unit still sluggish. He twined his fingers with hers and tugged her from the kitchen. He switched off lights as they made their way to the stairs, and she tried to input information into her brain. It didn’t stick. She’d ask Camryn tomorrow if this was normal with human sex. Her brain had never hiccupped in this manner before.

“I should check on Autumn,” Amme said. At least her main processing unit wasn’t switching off this part of her—the purpose for which she was conceived and her enhancements prioritized.

“We’ll both do it,” Marcus whispered.

She watched him as he studied his daughter, able to discern his baffled yet tender expression in the dim light. The appearance of a daughter might have shocked him, but he appeared determined to do his best. The knowledge warmed her through and made her like him even more.

“She is in a deep sleep. I doubt she will awaken tonight,” Amme said.

“How do you know?”

“I have a lot of experience with children,” Amme whispered. “Besides, even if she does prove me wrong, we will hear her.”

“I bow to your experience.”

“I don’t require that,” Amme said.

Marcus chuckled and caressed her cheek. “I enjoy your quaint expressions.”

Amme frowned inside. Was this good or bad? The last thing she wanted was to put herself or her friends in danger. Nanu had slipped with his English tonight. No doubt Ry would remind him not to lapse again.