Page 129 of His Christmas Temptation

“Standby mode, Jolly.Now.”

His tone now held the impatience Kaylee was accustomed to hearing, and she turned her head to hide her mirth.

She crossed to the pantry and found the ingredients exactly where the chief of staff said they were located, and she grabbed the bag of marshmallows, along with a big bottle of premium chocolate syrup.

When she lined everything up on the counter, she looked at Frost. “Do you mind if I make it?” His kitchen was a dream, and she wanted to use a high-end cooktop for the first time in her life.

“You’ll do a better job than I would.” He walked toward the long, gleaming wood bar. “We have some syrups.”

She glanced over. Just like at her favorite coffee shop, there were large bottles, with pump dispensers inside.

“Peppermint, raspberry, orange, butterscotch, almond, maple.”

“Has to be peppermint for the holidays.”

“Agree.” He nodded as he took a bottle from a shelf.

Kaylee found the pan in a cabinet next to the range, and a small whisk was among dozens of gadgets in a nearby drawer.

In minutes, the heavenly smelling sweet mixture was nearing a boil.

With the syrup on the marble island, he folded his arms and watched her, making her self-conscious.

“Do you enjoy cooking?”

“Baking, mostly, if I’m honest. Sugar is my favorite food group.” She stirred the milk. “I find it relaxing, but I don’t get to do it enough.”

“Work again?”

A defensive note laced his question, and she glanced at him. For once, she hadn’t mentioned her schedule to insult him. Perhaps because of their past, tension seemed to taint their conversation. “Partly. But also all that family stuff, you know?”

Frost opened a cabinet and pulled out two good-size mugs that he placed on the counter near her. He crowded her space, filling her senses, sending her thoughts into a sexy spiral.

“You can come here and make as many cakes and cookies as you’d like.”

His comment surprised her. She’d never seen him grab a single pastry from the break room at work. “You don’t appear to be someone who indulges in many treats.” Or had the suggestion been meant in an offhand way? Or had it been broader, as an invitation to visit when she wanted?

As quickly as it had arisen, she shoved the thought aside. After the holidays, their personal arrangement—and charade—would end, and they’d have no need to spend time together. If what he said was true, he also wouldn’t be running Christoff much longer.

Why did those thoughts no longer appeal to her?

Bubbles popped on the surface of their cocoa, and she turned off the burner and removed the pan. “If you’ll excuse me? I need a little room to work.”

He stepped aside, and she sighed with relief.

This version of Frost was far more dangerous than the bosshole one she knew and didn’t like.

After she filled the cups, he pumped in the syrup.

With the scent of peppermint in the air, the kitchen smelled festive. “Marshmallows?”

“If you say.”

Again, his response surprised her.

She topped both beverages with the tiny, pillow-like puffs, then drizzled chocolate on top.

“Any ideas for exercise after this?”

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