too bad for an old man—”
“Old man. I’ll show you who’s old. Let’s race.”
She eyed him up but didn’t say a word.
“What’s the matter?” he asked. “Afraid of the challenge.”
“No. I’m just wondering if an old man like you can keep up with me.”
“Seriously? You have to race me now.”
She flashed him a teasing grin. “First one back gets their wish.”
Without waiting for him, she took off. He smiled and shook his head. And then he set off in her wake. His muscles knew the motions by heart. He’d swam this pool countless times over the years, but this time was different. This time he wasn’t alone.
He pushed himself harder. He reached the end of the pool and turned. He wanted to win. Not because he wanted to be the best. And not because he couldn’t be a good loser. No. He wanted to win because the winner could name their wish.
And his wish—
His hand struck the end of the pool. His head bobbed above the water. A second later Holly joined him.
“About time you got here,” he teased.
She sent him a cheesy grin before sending another splash of water in his direction. He backed away, avoiding most of the spray.
Holly was about to swim away when he said, “Not so fast. I won.”
“And?”
“And I get my wish.” He moved closer to her.
She didn’t back away. It was as though she knew what he wanted. Was he that obvious?
Her voice grew softer. “And what did you have in mind?”
His gaze dipped to her lips. It seemed like forever since he last felt her kiss. There was something about her that got into his veins and made him crave her with every fiber of his being.
His gaze rose and met hers. His heart hammered against his ribs. Was she as turned on as he was? There was only one way to find out.
He reached out to her. Her skin was covered with goose bumps. He knew how to warm her up. His fingers slid over her narrow waist.
He’d never wanted anyone as much as Holly. And she was the last person he should desire. She was a serious kind of girl—the kind who didn’t get around.
She was the type of woman you married.
The thought struck him like a lightning rod. As though she’d also had a moment of clarity, they both pulled back. Talk about an awkward moment.
“I...ah, should get back to work.” Holly headed for the pool steps.
It was best that he didn’t follow her, not right now. “I’ll be in shortly. I think I’ll swim a few more laps.”
Finn groaned before setting off beneath the cool water, hoping to work Holly out of his system. He was beginning to wonder if that was even possible. He kicked harder and faster.
The one thing he knew was that he wasn’t falling for Holly. No way. He didn’t have room in his life for that major complication.
ONE POUNDING HEART pressed to the other. Heated gazes locked. Lips a breath apart.
Holly gave herself a mental jerk. Not even a night’s sleep had lessened the intensity of that moment in the pool with Finn. Oh, how she’d wanted to feel his touch again.
But then she’d spotted the passion in his eyes. One kiss wouldn’t have been enough—for either of them. The acknowledgment of just how deep this attraction ran had startled her. She’d pulled back at the same time as Finn.
Now aboard Finn’s luxury yacht, the Rose Marie, Holly took a seat off to the side of the room as the meeting commenced. With a handful of notable and influential businessmen in attendance, she couldn’t let herself dwell on the almost-kiss. As each man took a seat at the long teakwood table, she quietly observed. Her job was to step in only when needed. Other than that, she was to remain virtually invisible on the sidelines.
So this is the hush-hush, wink-wink meeting.
A small smile pulled at Holly’s lips as she glanced around the room. Finn sat at the head of the table in a white polo shirt and khaki shorts. A very different appearance from what she was accustomed to seeing on those rare times when she caught a glimpse of him at the office.
On either side of the table sat four men. Mr. Wallace, Mr. Santos, Mr. McMurray and Mr. Caruso. All influential men in their own rights—from toys to office supplies, electronics and snack foods. No wonder there were bodyguards littering the upper deck.
“Welcome.” Finn began the meeting. “I’ve invited you all here in hopes that we will be able to rescue Project Santa.”
He’d given her the information about this holiday project just before the meeting. He made it perfectly clear that it was not to be leaked to anyone for any reason. What took place on this boat was to remain top secret for now.
Talk about surprised.
Holly stared at Finn as though seeing him for the first time. He was a man known for his shrewd business dealings, not his philanthropy. And here she thought this meeting was about conquering the world—about a major corporate takeover. She couldn’t have been more wrong.
Finn and his cohorts were planning a way to bring Christmas to many underprivileged children. If it worked, it would be the beginning of an ongoing project aimed at putting food and educational materials in the hands of children.
Holly was truly in awe of Finn. He was such a contradiction at times. He worked long, hard hours, but he didn’t expect his employees to do the same. He didn’t celebrate Christmas, yet he planned Project Santa. At the office, he was all about profits and yet here he was planning to donate a portion of those profits to people in need.
For a man who hated Christmas, he certainly was doing a fine job of filling the boots of Santa this year. And she was more than willing to help him pull off this Christmas miracle. Although it was odd to have all of this talk about Christmas and presents surrounded by sunshine and the blue waters of the Caribbean.
Holly redirected her attention to the meeting, taking notes on her laptop and pulling up information as needed. She was tasked with running interference when tempers soared. Each of these men were billionaires and used to getting their own way, so compromise was not something they entertained often.
Some wanted to switch the Project Santa packaging to gift bags to cut costs. Others wanted to make the content more meaningful—something that wouldn’t just entertain but help the recipient.
“Gentlemen.” Finn’s face was creased with stress lines. “This was all decided long ago. It’s too late to change our plans. The gift boxes are strategically packed according to the location of each
