Christmas Miracle Read Online Free Page A

representation of myself. The fact that you said them to my woman only made it worse.
    My woman . Leslie Trace Brooks had called her “my woman!” Mikki knew if she lived a hundred years, nothing would ever sound as good as those two words coming from his lips. A mega movie star had called her his woman. Plus he added an extra squeeze on her trembling frame as he spoke. Cherry on top of an already awesome cake. This might all be pretend, but the embrace felt very real. Of course, he was an actor; it was his job to project emotions where there were none. She mustn’t let it go to her head, but it was impossible not to enjoy the moment.
    “Mr. Wright,” Gavin cut in smoothly, pulling an envelope from the open briefcase. “This is your severance. Given the reason for termination, I’m sure you’ll agree it is more than generous. You have, after all, violated the very strict code of conduct you signed upon your own employment here. You will need to vacate the premises by mall closing.”
    “But—but it’s Christmas!” Mr. Wright choked out, his knuckles gone completely white from the death grip he had on his chair.
    “Which is the only reason you’re being paid at all,” Leslie informed him, scorn heavy in his voice and all over his face. “And I wouldn’t bother applying to any other mall in Southern California. I strongly suggest you either change professions or move.”
    With that, Leslie led Mikki from the still stuttering mall manager’s now former office.
    Wow, that felt really good. It may be cruel, but Mikki took selfish pleasure in the odious man’s comeuppance. And even knowing it was just for show, she tucked herself firmly against the crook of Leslie’s arm. She just wanted to pretend a little bit longer.

Chapter Six
     
    “How about leaving your car here and getting started on our date right now?” Truthfully, Leslie just didn’t want to let Mikki out of his sight. There was something about her that made him feel maybe the world wasn’t a completely jaded place.
    Being near her made him feel excited and anxious, but the good kind of anxiety. The kind one got from anticipation of something new and exciting. Damn, he was sounding like a teenage boy with his first crush. There was just something about Mikki that was fresh. Like a country spring morning.
    “It’s not my car,” she admitted shyly. “It’s Vivi’s. I really have to drop it off. How about I meet you somewhere?”
    Leslie was sympathetic to her nervousness, but not so much that he’d let her out of his sight. There were serious vines of skittishness coming from her. He recognized the signs; it was exactly how he felt. On the set of his first movie, he’d been seriously on the verge of running back to Iowa. Well, he’d just help her make the right decision.
    “I’ll follow you,” he pressed. No way he was letting her slip through his fingers.
    Watching the way Mikki chewed at her bottom lip in indecision only made Leslie’s growing infatuation more acute. It was endearing as hell. And it was making his dick unbearably hard. God, what was this woman doing to him? He was strolling in a mall, dressed in a Santa costume, begging a woman to let him take her out on a date.
    “You know you don’t have to take me out,” she finally voiced, sounding a little defeated. Maybe he was imagining that, but he really didn’t like the worry in her eyes. “You’ve done more than I could ever ask for already. Really, it’s okay; I mean, I appreciate everything more than you can ever know. It was the best Christmas gift ever, having you stick up for me. You’ll always be my hero.” She tried to smile, a weak twist of her lips. “Besides, I am sure you have better things to do.”
    No, he didn’t, nor was he at all interested in doing anything for the rest of the night without her. Suddenly the depth of her shyness became crystal clear. For some reason, Miss Mikki Washington had no clue as to her own allure. For reasons he