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Prologue

Ryker

What’s better than being a boy unwrapping your present on Christ your Christmas present walk into the room

She looks just like Christmas in a red tartan dress, sleeveless with a pleated skirt that stops right below her knees and a black ribbon with a shiny golden buckle around her waist Her blonde hair is braided into a crown, but soed to escape—or were they left out on purpose?—so they now dangle over her cheeks like the tinsel on the tree Her full lips are bright red like her dress and the rubies attached to her ears She lifts a hand to rub one of the ge with furrowed eyebrows Then her eroide They sparkle, hts in the room, as she chuckles I smile

Claire Parker I always thought she’d turn out to be a beauty, even when she was a plu over her pimples and her braces and which conditioner to use But dained she’d be like this superht up a whole toho oozes grace and confidence with her every aze away from

When did Claire grow up to be the most attractive woman I’ve ever set eyes on?

Again, she laughs I wonder what thethat she finds so funny I wonder what he…

My lips curve into a frown as I realize who the man is It’s Asher, of course If my oldest brother, Ethan, is alith the ht now, he’s playing carols on the piano for the Chairman of the Board and his wife – Asher is alith the prettiest woman in the room

Usually, I leave him alone As much as I hate to admit it—and I never have out loud—of the three of us Hawthorne brothers, Asher is the expert on women He knows just what to say to theh, make them swoon and crawl into bed with him The women throw themselves at him and he knows just what to do with theets into trouble, most of the time he just has his fun and moves on

Well, I’ hi with her

I rins

“Well, look who’s decided to join us My little brother who just joined the family company recently”

Recently? It’s been three ers and Acquisitions Depart of joining Marketing at first, but reed

Asher turns to Claire “You remember Ryker, don’t you?”

Remember me? I’ Is she ignoring et rid of Asher

“Asher” I place my arm around hi out your guitar and play so for him”

He glances at the piano and shakes his head “Nah Noto be CEO anyway And I don’t want to be It’s too much hard work No time for play”

He winks at Claire I give hi to her