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The serious expression left his face and he stuck out his elboards her ‘Well, Ms Ellis, are you ready to go to The Ar’s Christmas party?’

She slid her hand through his arm as all the little hairs on her arm stood on end ‘I think I could be Lead the way’

The party was fabulous She recognised lots of faces Other chambermaids, bar staff, porters, reception staff and kitchen staff Frank the concierge had dressed as Father Christmas and looked perfect

There was a huge table laid with appetisers and sweets A chocolate fountain, a pick-and-mix sweetie cart and the equivalent of an outside street cart serving burgers

Finlay nudged her ‘What? Did you think it would all be truffles and hors d’oeuvres?’

She gave him a smile ‘I wasn’t sure’

He shrugged ‘The first year it was Frank discreetly told ave Kevin, froht appropriate for the Christry since’

She laughed as he led her over to the bar ‘Which of the Christmas cocktails would you like?’ he asked

She was surprised ‘You have Christmas cocktails?’

‘Oh, yes We have the chocolate raspberry renadine and crème de menthe, then there is the Christmas Candy Cane, with berry vodka, peppermint schnapps and crème de cacao—or, my personal favourite, Rudolph’s Blast: rum, cranberries, peach schnapps and a squeeze of fresh lime’

Grace shook her head and leaned her elbows up on the bar ‘You knohat’s in every cocktail?’

He gestured to the barman ‘We’ll have two Rudolph’s Blasts, please’

He leaned on the bar next to her and leaned his head on one hand ‘Okay, that dress You kind of caught et it?’

She waved her hand ‘Did you expect me to come in uniform?’

He hadn’t taken his eyes off her and the smile on his face—well, it wasn’t just friendly It seemedinterested ‘Of course I didn’t But you look like so the Christmas fairy pulled off the tree’

Her eyes narrowed and sheher head on one hand and staring straight back ‘And is that good—or bad?’

He didn’t answer right away, and the barman set their cocktails down in front of them

She leaned forward and took a sip of the cocktail She licked her lips again as the mixture of rum and fruit warmed her mouth He was focused on her mouth