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Olivia was gob-smacked She was speechless and didn’t kno to respond to Dane’s gallant support of her “But, Dane, you don’t even knowabout all sorts of personal things

“But I want to get to know you better Will you let me?”

Heat rushed through Olivia’s blood and she even felt a tingle in an area she shouldn’t be feeling any pleasurable sensations in right now

“Dane, I…” Olivia squeezed her eyes shut, dazed and torn “Yes, I do want to get to know you better But everything is happening so fast”

“I understand That’s okay We can take it slow”

“How do I know you’re not a heartbreaker, too?”

“You don’t You can’t know All you can know is how you feel Life is about taking chances and living Don’t let that jackwad's leaving you spoil you fro hih we’ve just spent a few hours talking and getting to know each other, I feel irls I’ve dated for years There’s a bond I can’t explain Have you everand you draw into a conversation that sparks so?”

“Yes, I have actually Plenty of times”

“Right How do you think friendships begin?”

Olivia’s heart sank to her knees Right Friendship Of course, he could ? That he’d fallen in love with a jilted bride within hours ofher? Especially when he was so wary of recently-heartbroken women Hell, he probably just felt sorry for her in the same way he would if he’d seen an abandoned kitten on the road

But then he said, in his deep, rich voice: “And friendships can turn into so more”

Olivia wondered what he meant by that She felt heat rush to her cheeks and hoped he didn't see her blush Sha about a possible future with this really nice guy She still had the business of the wedding guests to sort out For now, she would enjoy Dane’s co as she could

“So, let’s discuss the new and revised program for tomorrow”

Olivia s over what she should do to estions

They both realized it was best to leave since it was in the wee hours of the

“You need to get some beauty sleep, Ms McAlister”

“I will,” she assured Would she?

They turned to walk out of the eround Olivia thought that was so sweet of the staff to keep the ah they were officially closed

When they reached the intricately-etched glass doors, she couldn’tover the door

“Well…” Dane had a wicked grin on his lips He wasn’t about to let her off the hook, was he?

Olivia's heart fluttered in her chest Dane held her gently in front of hi to pass out Her knees eak and the intoxicating scent of his sweet cologne sent shivers down her spine

Was he really going to kiss her?

Was she going to be kissed by this hot new friend on Christ day?

His lips hadn’t even touched hers yet but silently she was quivering, begging him to take her in every way To feel the softness of his lips on hers

“You’re a beautiful girl, Olivia,” he reiterated in a low moan as he stroked her chin and traced the outline of her jaith his soft, slender fingers Oh, God! The electricity of his sensual touch raced through her She was going to die if he didn’t embrace her immediately She needed him to be with her—like yesterday

Slowly and gently Dane pressed his soft, warue sending shock waves of erotic pleasure through her veins He French kissed her passionately under the ry foruncontrollably

No one had ever kissed her like that before

What was he? Aa woasm with his salacious lips

This man could kiss

Olivia thought about hoould feel if he had his hands over her body—and what he would feel like on top of her Within her

She was dazed

A wicked grin of amusement touched the corner of his sweet lips

“Merry Christmas, Olivia”