Mr. 365 Read Online Free Page A

off my leg. “He usually takes a couple of minutes or so to start up, so I wasn’t prepared to head him off at the pass. Sorry about that. I guess you’re especially appealing, and not just to the human species.”
    “Lucky me!”
    He turns to Romeo. “Dude, you have no class. You didn’t even buy her a drink first.”
    “Very funny, a drink? You think I’m
that
easy,” I say with my hands on my hips.
    “I didn’t mean
that
, just that if
he
were human that’s what
he
would’ve tried with a woman as beautiful as you. What can I say about the little guy… he’s insatiable. You should see him at the dog park.”
    I make a note of his compliment before saying, “No thanks, I can already imagine.”
    “That’s how he gets his name. He loves the women.”
    “I can see that. He’s got quite the winning personality.”
    “He sure does.” Will laughs, sets Romeo outside the kitchen, and closes the door.
    “Why don’t you do your reality show about little dude instead? He loves being in front of a camera.”
    “We’ll leave the dogs humping to Animal Planet, thanks.” I look at my watch. “Oh no! I’m late!”
    “Something wrong?” he asks.
    “Yes, I was supposed to be back at the production offices for a meeting already.”
    His eyes lose their gleam and the corners of his mouth turn down. “Okay. Let me walk you out.”
    By the time he gets Romeo back into the kitchen and we get to his front door, I’m disappointed to be leaving.
    “I didn’t get to see everything, did I?”
    He shakes his head and smiles. “Nope.”
    I lightly touch his arm, and that small gesture sparks something in his expression. “I’d like to come back. Could I?”
    “Just to see the house, or me too.” He narrows his eyes playfully.
    “Well, I’d see you if I were going to see your house, wouldn’t I?”
    “That’s not what I mean. I don’t care about the show, but I’d like to see you again.”
    “Really?” I ask, blushing.
    “Most definitely.” The intensity in his expression is unnerving. “Come for dinner tomorrow night.”
    I look up, surprised at his directness. “I could bring takeout,” I say, knowing full well I shouldn’t agree to something so date-like.
    What is wrong with me?
Do I have no resistance to a handsome man who’s trying to charm me? Am I forgetting he’s over the top with this Christmas stuff and not too dissimilar from the obsessive hoarders that the guy in the office next to me works with?
    He flashes the killer smile again, and my resistance sags like an unplugged inflatable yard Santa.
    “Actually, I’d love to cook for you. I’m pretty good, and you won’t have to bring anything.” He tilts his head and smiles. “Say yes.”
    I pause, looking in his eyes, and then at the tall tree covered in tiny lights in the foyer.
Damn, you crazy irresistible Christmas hunk.
    “Say yes,” he repeats softly.
    “And you promise we can talk about the show?” I ask, not completely off my game.
    He holds up his two fingers pressed together. “Boy Scouts honor.” He steps to the tree in the foyer, apparently looking for something. He pulls out a vintage ornament of Glinda the Good Witch from
the Wizard of Oz
. He returns and slips the ornament into my bag.
    “Hey, why’d you do that?”
    “She’s the good witch. She’ll make sure you make your way back here… back here to me.” He grins.
    I rest my hand on my purse, wondering what other wizardry treats Will has in mind.

    Back at the office I slide into the meeting without drawing too much attention to myself. Luckily it started late so I didn’t miss much. Afterward I corner Rachel and ask if we can talk for a minute in her office.
    “So what’s up?” Rachel hands me a bottle of water and eases into the chair next to the couch. “How’s the project developing? Have you met with the Christmas guy yet?”
    “Yes, as a matter of fact that’s what I want to talk to you about. This guy’s a puzzle, and I’m not sure how