Dr. Zinetti's Snowkissed Bride by Sarah Morgan Page B

exasperation. ‘Why are you asking me, anyway? Is Melissa busy?’
    â€˜Melissa?’ Dino frowned. ‘You mean the blonde who works in the observation unit? I have no idea if she’s busy. I haven’t asked her.’
    â€˜You should. Judging from the way she was flirting with you earlier in the week, I’m sure she’d say yes.’
    â€˜That’s why you walked off so abruptly?’
    â€˜I didn’t want to get in the way of a beautiful romance.’ She pushed at his chest and he thought it was interesting that this time Rambo didn’t growl a warning. Which was just as well because, dog or no dog, this time he wasn’t moving.
    â€˜I’m not in a relationship with Melissa.’
    â€˜I couldn’t care less if you are. It isn’t any of my business.’ The heat rushed into her cheeks and Dino found himself struggling to concentrate. The scent of her hair numbed his reactions and the soft curve of her mouth pulled him in.
    â€˜You think I’d be asking you to the ball if I was seeing someone?’
    â€˜You’re a popular guy. It’s like a hornets’ nest around your office on some days. The women are three deep.’
    â€˜I’m not involved with anyone.’
    â€˜So who did you take to dinner last Sunday?’
    â€˜Her name is Anna Townsend. She’s a lawyer who has done some work for me in the past. And it was just lunch.’
    â€˜You said the date ended exactly the way you wanted it to.’
    â€˜It wasn’t a “date” in the sense that you mean,’ he said calmly, ‘and it did end exactly the way I wanted it to. She went home and I went for a walk in the mountains.’ Outside the snow might be falling but here, inside her kitchen, the heat was building between them.
    Her breathing wasn’t quite steady. ‘It doesn’t make any difference. I still can’t go with you. Even if I wanted to, I wouldn’t be able to arrange babysitting at this short notice.’
    â€˜Your mum is babysitting. I already asked her.’
    Meg’s mouth dropped open. ‘You asked her? You’ve already asked my mum? Is this a conspiracy to get me into a dress or something?’
    â€˜Actually my long-term plan was to get you out of your dress.’ Dino slid one hand into her hair, amused to see her so flustered. Her soft curls wrapped themselves around his fingers. ‘Judging from your expression I gather flirting isn’t on the list of things you usually do either. How about kissing, Meg?’ He lowered his head so that his mouth almost touched hers. ‘Is kissing on the list of things you do?’ The tension hovered there between them, sharpened by the knowledge of what was to come. For a moment neither of them moved. Sexual chemistry arced through the stillness and he saw her lips part and her breathing grow shallow.
    Losing his grip on control, Dino claimed her mouth in what was supposed to be a teasing, exploratory kiss, but the moment their lips touched it was like lighting a fuse. Heat ripped through his body and pulsed across nerve endings. It was scorching and wild and he heard her gasp. Her fingers clutched his shoulders and then she was kissing him back, her body yielding against his as he pressed her back against the cupboard.
    â€˜Mum!’ Through the haze of passion, Jamie’s voice came from upstairs. ‘I’m ready for you to tuck me in!’
    She jerked in his arms and Dino released her instantly. ‘Sorry.’ His voice came out rough and raw. ‘Bad timing.’
    â€˜Yes…’ She rubbed her fingers over her scarlet cheeks. ‘You— How did you learn to—? Never mind.’ Deliciously flustered, she moved away from him. ‘I have to go and read to Jamie.’
    â€˜Go.’ Dino thought about asking whether he could use her bathroom for a cold shower. ‘I’ll pour the coffee.’
    â€˜No. Perhaps we’d