Excerpt:

Sidling closer, she lowered her voice. “Forgive me for prying, but you seem troubled. Am I right?”

He gave a sexy grunt. “You could say that. I’ve got a big decision to make.”

“So do I, as it turns out. My friend over there wants me to take a big chance, and I’m not sure I’m making the right choice.” She laid her hand on his forearm. “But here’s what I do know. When I get all tied up in knots, there’s nothing to get me untied like a little fun.”

A flash of interest sparkled in the sudden widening of his eyes, the flicker of a curious smile. She’d hooked him. Now to reel him in. For his own good, of course. Because Christmas alone in a penthouse? How depressing.

She waggled her eyebrows. “And what could be more fun than your very own castle?”

From beneath lowered brows, he regarded her as if she were trying to sell him a big, steaming load of crap. Which she totally wasn’t. Christmas in Trappers Cove was exactly what he needed, damn it. But how to convince him?

Of course—guys like him were competitive. Appeal to his ego.

She fingered his lapel. “In fact, I challenge you to a race. Let’s slide across that ballroom floor in our socks and see who goes the farthest.”

His grin unfurled like some glorious blossom—and there he was again, that repressed little boy who just needed the chance to let loose and play.

He stuck out his hand. “You’re on. And, for the record, I am going to trounce you with my superior sock sliding skills.”

“Cocky, aren’t you?” She took his hand, expecting a firm, businesslike grip, but his grasp was a gentle caress, and the way his thumb rubbed circles on the back of her hand sent shivers of pleasure dancing up her arm and down her spine.

Yowza! Flirting with Michael was playing with fire. If she wasn’t careful, she risked making a ginormous fool of herself.

He held her gaze for a long, hot, electric moment, then turned to Cheryl. “All right, let’s go see a castle.”