Love For The Holidays: Business Mixed With Pleasure, #2
By Lisa Watson
()
About this ebook
Stefania Lassister and Marcus Dresden are licensed private investigators at a security consulting firm in Chicago, Illinois. Their work is exciting, dangerous and full of risk and that’s just the way they like it. Stefania has never run from a good challenge, but the hardest one she’s ever faced is getting her partner to lighten up and partake in a little holiday cheer.
Marcus has no use for the holidays. They only remind him of what he’s never truly had; a caring environment with a loving mother and father. Marcus’ father left when he was born, and his mother drowned her sorrows in alcohol. When she dies suddenly, Marcus is left an orphan with no next of kin. Bounced around from family to family, he’s had a hard time believing in happy endings. His growing attraction to Stefania gives him hope for the future, but first he must loosen the grip of his past.
When a night of passion causes Stefania and Marcus to acknowledge their feelings for one another, Marcus realizes the time is right to confront his demons so he can pursue a passionate relationship with Stefania. He goes to his hometown of Saginaw, Michigan to visit his uncle, and confront the foster family that made his childhood a living hell. Marcus soon finds himself in mortal danger from an unknown source.
Stefania drops everything and rushes to help the man she loves, but soon finds herself embroiled in hidden agendas, old feuds and a family secret that will change Marcus’ life forever.
Lisa Watson
National bestselling author, Lisa Watson, has published over sixteen novels and novellas in multiple genres. She contributed to the Love is Blind anthologywhich made the Essence Bestsellers List. Her debut novel,Watch Your Backwas nominated for Best Contemporary Fiction. Her novels for the Harlequin's Kimani line, The Match Broker series: Love Contract, Her Heart's Desire, and Love By Design all hit #1 on Amazon's Bestseller List. She is a former radio show host, and co-publicist for one of the major book conventions. In addition to being an author, she is also a content editor. Visit Lisa on the web at www.lisawatson.com.
Read more from Lisa Watson
A Summer of Stars Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Unfinished Business Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsInterview with Danger Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsA Fiancé for Christmas Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Switch Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Related to Love For The Holidays
Titles in the series (3)
Unfinished Business: Business Mixed With Pleasure, #1 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsLove For The Holidays: Business Mixed With Pleasure, #2 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsCandid Conversations: Business Mixed With Pleasure, #3 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Related ebooks
Her Mr Perfect Christmas Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Livingsky Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWhen We Kiss Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Home for Christmas (Romantic Short Story and Sampler) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Instructor's Christmas Wish: The Christmas Wish Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHow the Witch Stole Christmas: Witchless in Seattle Mysteries, #5 Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Take Care of Me Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHer Fake Fiancé Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsImperfectly Proverbs 31: Huckleberry Lake, #2 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsA Christmas Elf Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Yesterday Once More: A Small Town, Interracial Holiday Romance Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Wish List Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Her Christmas Cowboy Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Story of Us Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5To Find The Rose Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsLike Salt and Ash Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMarlie's Christmas Keeper Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHis & Hers Christmas Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsOne Week to Win Her Boss Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Christmas in Silver Bell Falls: A Silver Bell Falls Holiday Novella Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Renewal Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsLocked In His Heart Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSaved by the Billionaire Bears: Howls Romance Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Seductive One Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Most Eligible Bachelor: Men of Distinction, #1 Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Billionaire's Secret Marriage: Limitless Sweet Billionaire Romance Series, #1 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMaddie Swallows Mysteries: A Duet: A Maddie Swallows Mystery Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsFor Love Or Money Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Campfire Cult Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Master of the Opera, Act 6: Crescendo Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Multicultural & Interracial Romance For You
The Charm Offensive: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Spanish Love Deception: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Strange Fruit Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5'Tis the Damn Season Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Long Game: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Most Ardently Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Being Neighborly: A Close Proximity Romance Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The A.I. Who Loved Me Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Bollywood Affair Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Let Us Dream Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The American Roommate Experiment: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Black Rainbow Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Simply Scandalous Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5What the Hex: A Paranormal Rom-Com Novella Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The One Who Knows Me: Sovereign Love, #1 Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Director Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Sari, Not Sari Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Her First American: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5When We Meet Again Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Meet Cute Club Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Cabin Fever Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Full Circle Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Passion: Spanked Series, #1 Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Dark Princess: A Romance Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The Hookup Equation: A Professor / Student Romance Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Loosen Up To Love: An AMBW Romance Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Bourbon Thief: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Fallen Star: A Small Town Romance Novel (Shattered Cove Series Book 1): Shattered Cove Series, #1 Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Related categories
Reviews for Love For The Holidays
0 ratings0 reviews
Book preview
Love For The Holidays - Lisa Watson
CHAPTER ONE
Stefania Lassiter tapped a pen absentmindedly on the side of her face. Finding a gift for her assistant, Lynn, was easy. She loved everything Stefania had ever given her, or so she said. Sighing loudly, she scanned over the next name on her Christmas list. Marcus. What would she get her partner? He had been such a grouch lately; it was hard to imagine him being overwhelmed with gratitude at anything she gave him.
Licensed private investigators, Stefania and Marcus worked together at a security consulting firm under the retail loss prevention division. There job was to provide commercial properties with risk loss prevention programs to reduce the occurrences of criminal activity.
Marcus Dresden was a consummate professional: highly respected in their field, he was a certified speaker on commercial security measures and safety, and testified at deposition hearings and trials as a security expert witness. He was also the biggest Scrooge in the office.
Every attempt to include him in the spirit of the season had been met with sarcasm, testiness and downright hostility. Lynn questioned her repeatedly on extending the non-business, olive branch to him.
I don’t know why you even bother, Steffi,
she had said one day after work. He’s obviously not interested in being a part of the eggnog and yuletide thing. Maybe he doesn’t believe in Christmas. It’s not like you two have known each other long enough for you to know his life story. Maybe he’s Jewish?
He’s not Jewish,
she told her colleague. Besides, I’ve known Marc for years. I know when something is really bothering him.
Well if you ask me you should just leave the guy alone.
Stefania ignored Lynn’s attempts to dissuade her. She and Marcus were more than just co-workers. While they had never officially gone out on a date, they had come close on a few occasions to stepping over the line and acknowledging their attraction to one another. There were times when the two of them worked late that a spark would kindle. He would touch her, or glance at her and suddenly the room would fade away, and it would be just the two of them. There was no denying that she was attracted to him. Marcus was appealing on many levels: he was six-foot three, with a firm, muscular body, and the most amazing eyes. Light brown and serious, most of the time. When he looked at her it felt like he was gazing into her soul. Stefania’s pulse quickened just recounting all his attributes.
Stop it,
she chided aloud. Now isn’t the time to go drooling all over yourself about Marcus. Her conscience warned. Getting back to the subject, her gut was telling her that something was going on with him. Warning or not, Stefania was determined to find out why her partner was being such a pain in the mistletoe.
Later that afternoon, she waited until the office had closed and most of the employees had cleared out to confront him. Setting aside the papers she wasn’t really working on, Stefania walked down the hall to Marcus’ office. She knocked twice.
Come in,
he called from behind the door.
Squaring her shoulders, she turned the knob and stepped inside.
Marcus was in his usual position; at his conference table with his chair facing the window. Only this time instead of working, he was staring out over the Chicago skyline.
She moved further into the room. Am I disturbing you?
Spinning around in his seat, Marcus regarded her. Not at all. Working late?
No, I just wanted to talk for a minute.
What’s up? Have we gotten a new client? It’s been a bit slow lately. I suppose if death can take a holiday so can criminals,
he chuckled.
Stefania observed him from across the room. His calm demeanor and smiles were not fooling her. Something was bothering him. It was as plain as the stripes in the suit he was wearing. It seems that way, but no, we haven’t gotten a new client,
she said finally. What I have to discuss...isn’t business related.
Oh?
He said, clearly intrigued.
Marcus’ expression turned lustful in seconds. Stefania’s pulse quickened.
Did you have something else in mind, Stefania?
His eyes lit with mischief. Like finally taking me up on my invitation for a weekend getaway?
When he said her name that way, all deep voice and sexy, it was hard for her to concentrate. She cleared her throat to try and get her brain back on business and off her libido. It was hard, but eventually she found her voice. It was somewhere in her shoes.
I uh, merely wanted to ask what’s going on with you lately.
Marcus sat back. So you don’t want to spend the weekend with me?
"Marc, please. You know