Page 70 of Christmas with the Denton Billionaires

Mitch’s gaze didn’t leave the food as she brought everything over. “Wow. It smells divine, but it looks even better.”

She swatted at his arm once the dish was on the table. “You’re just saying that. I haven’t forgotten about last night’s dinner, by the way.”

“That reminds me.” Mitch set aside his napkin and went to the wine rack in the kitchen. He returned a moment later with a bottle and a corkscrew. “A 2008 Malbec from Argentina. What do you think?”

“I think you should open that immediately.” She slid into her seat, trying to fight the same perma-grin that had strained her cheeks earlier. Holy hell, this was a lifestyle she could get used to. Easygoing evenings after a workday, punctuated with surprises and warm embraces and fine wine.

Even though shelovedChristmas, this was one time she wished it would never arrive. So she could extend this sweet little…romance? Fling? Something more, or something less? It was hard to know. Noelle made things muddy, but the passion between her and Mitch made things clear at the same time.

There was something real between them. But Jules couldn’t tell if it was real in the way that lasted.

Once she’d filled their plates with food and he’d poured the richly dark wine, they clinked glasses and took appreciative sips. A moan escaped her.

“It’s so good!”

“Sounds like you’re on the elevator again,” Mitch remarked.

She snickered, heat creeping up her neck. “I guess the sensations are similar. Enjoying excellent wine and being…ravished.”

“Ravished.” A cool smirk crossed his lips. “You make it sound like a romance novel.”

“It sorta was. Just way hotter than any romance I’ve ever read,” she said.

“It’s good to know that I’m better than a book hero.”

“Book boyfriend,” she corrected him. “That’s what they’re called, and you’re way better than a book boyfriend.”

His smirk turned mischievous. “So, what you’re saying is sex with me is better than everything else you’ve tried?”

Oh, he wanted to play this game, did he?She sat back in her chair and took a sip of her wine and stared at him, pretending to be deep in thought. “Well, I wouldn’t go that far. That dinner we had last night was spectacular and this wine”—she held up the glass—“Is amazing.”

“Well then, challenge accepted.” Mitch sat back, mimicking the way she was sitting, drank his wine and watched her over the top of his glass.

Jules could feel heat sweeping across her cheeks wondering if she was in over her head flirting with the billionaire sitting across from her. She sipped again, already feeling drunk, though it was impossible after so little wine. Really, she suspected it had more to do with the man in front of her than anything else. “We all need challenges to aspire to, even me, and I don’t run a hotel empire.”

He cut into the roasted chicken, his gaze flicking between her and his plate, as he became serious. “True, although I don’t technically run it.”

“But you will.”

“Yes. I will.” But his words didn’t sound confident. He stuffed a forkful of chicken into his mouth, his gaze growing cloudy. He looked out over the city as he chewed.

“You sound like you doubt it.” Jules was regretting saying anything because their playful banter had shifted over to something more serious.

He swallowed, gaze returning to the plate. “This is excellent.”

“Thanks. Did you hear me?”

“Yes. I’m just ignoring you.” He reached for his wine.

“Sorry. If you’d rather not go there, we don’t have to. I can talk instead about the roasting technique I used or the exact number of ornaments on the tree.”

“How many?” His sharp gaze cut up to her, and she sucked in a quick breath. She might nevernotbe affected by those eyes.

“Forty-two.”

He nodded sagely. “Good number.”

“So why do you doubt your future running the hotel?”

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