Marrying Mr. Scrooge

PRAISE FOR THE DataMatch SERIES

Incredibly fun read!

—Singles Titles

What a cute novella. Looking forward to more from this series.

—L. Reads

What a wonderful story, with such a surprise twist!

—Christine Ashworth, Author of Guarded Star

DREAMS—PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE

Regarding love, Maddie Timms thought the results were in. Her sexual chemistry with her CEO boss, the tall, dark and handsome Nathaniel Scorge, is beyond delicious, even if he’s your typical mean, bellowing, driven, goal-oriented CEO, a workaholic, high-tech visionary. Yet the DataMatch computers predict a stronger connection to his frenemy: the handsome blond Brit, Lewis Tate. Light and dark, serious and easygoing, the two men couldn’t be more different. So the next month of dates must determine which is the true man of her dreams… or she’ll get Scrooged.

MARRYING MR. SCROOGE

Kary Rader

DataMatch Success Story No. 6

www.BOROUGHSPUBLISHINGGROUP.com

PUBLISHER’S NOTE: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, business establishments or persons, living or dead, is coincidental. Boroughs Publishing Group does not have any control over and does not assume responsibility for author or third-party websites, blogs or critiques or their content.

MARRYING MR. SCROOGE

Copyright © 2015 Kary Rader

Smashwords Edition

All rights reserved. Unless specifically noted, no part of this publication may be reproduced, scanned, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of Boroughs Publishing Group. The scanning, uploading and distribution of this book via the Internet or by any other means without the permission of Boroughs Publishing Group is illegal and punishable by law. Participation in the piracy of copyrighted materials violates the author’s rights.

ISBN 978-1-944262-04-4

To those ladies still looking for the perfect match. A wise man once told me, you are attracted to someone’s looks, fall in love with their personality, but you marry their character. May you find a man whose words and actions align, and whose love for you is unconditional.

MARRYING MR. SCROOGE

CONTENTS

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

About the Author

Prologue

A Spooky Thing Happened on the Way to Forever

October 31—The Halloween Ball

Are you here? I whisper. The sound of cascading water drowns out the music from the ball and the din of conversations. The tile floor echoes with my footsteps as I slip farther into the shadows. Nathaniel?

I smile as a warm hand clasps my wrist and pulls me into a far alcove drenched in shadow. I bump lightly into a heavy muscular frame with shoulders broader than I remember, but maybe it’s the costume, which appears to be all black. Including the silk mask that covers not only his face but his hair. His back is flat against the wall. His arms snake around my waist and pull me flush against him. Before I can catch a good glimpse of his eyes, his soft pliant lips graze mine. Sweet breath covers my cheek and a strong masculine body instantly coaxes me to arousal, rubbing gently against me. I moan and press my lips into an exquisite kiss, my body responding before my brain can process what my senses are telling me.

He kisses me deeply, but it’s a subtle kiss without demand. His kiss is a seduction, an invitation, and I fall into it, giving him more than he has ever before allowed. His lips part but he hesitates, waiting for me. Waiting for my lead. My breath hitches and my pulse soars.

Countless times Nathaniel has kissed me, but I’d hoped and imagined that he would eventually trust me enough to let me kiss him. Lately, that hope has turned into resignation. Nathaniel never concedes control.

Until now. Until this moment when he’s still and silent, waiting for me. My head spins with the sensations of our mingled bodies, but also in the knowledge that he trusts me enough to let me lead. I’ve never been more turned on, more invested in a kiss than at this moment. My heart thumps once, twice, three times. I slowly push my tongue against his. He groans in appreciation, my mouth swallowing the sweet sound. It’s like the delicious slide of hot chocolate into my mouth. My body heats. The space between my legs throbs. His hand hovers over my breast in quiet invitation to love and share pleasure. All I have to do is lean in. My hands burn to touch his skin, to unbuckle his belt, unbutton his shirt, and feel the burning flesh beneath. His breath comes deep and fast, a question in the dark. Will I take his offer? Will I have him here and now? My body knows the answer but—

A question?

Bells ring. Whistles sound. Red flags wave and go off in my muddled brain.

A question? Nathaniel Scorge doesn’t ask questions. Not even with kisses. My mind finally processes everything my senses are screaming. I take a calming breath. His smell enters my nostrils in enticing pine and sandalwood, not unknown but intimately unfamiliar. My legs begin to tremble. His shoulders are broad and thick with more muscle, and his hands are…artful as they dance elegantly up my spine and down my backside, pressing me lightly against him. I barely hold back a gasp as dread grips my thighs and crawls up into my belly. This man is not Nathaniel.

Think, Maddie. Think.

I pull back to look at him, shrouded in black.

No. No. I shake my head in disbelief and horror and take another step back.

This isn’t a man I’ve kissed before, but he is a man I’ve imagined kissing. I cover my swollen lips with my hand. Oh God. What have we done?

What has he done to me? My heart still thunders and my rushing blood seems to roar in my ears. His chest rises and falls in a heavy rhythm. The heat from his body seeps into mine.

I apologize for deceiving you, Madeline.

The English accent is unmistakable.

Lewis Tate.

I should be angry, incensed. I should slap his face. But all I can think of as I look at him standing there in the quiet shadows is how much I want to kiss him again. And how horrified I am by the traitorous thought.

All I’m asking is for an opportunity, Madeline. He steps closer and caresses my cheek. Flame ignites and tingles course through my whole body again. I think we’ve proven that we could be good together. Give me a chance.

He says chance like chonce and my knees turn to melting butter. The masked thief should not be allowed an enchanting English accent. I suppress a sigh and moan at the injustice.

He leans forward, his breath once again brushing my lips. I breathe it in, smelling him, tasting him for who he is, and wanting him.

Give us a chance, my Madeline.

His lips meet mine again in the softest hint of a caress. I close my eyes, expecting it to continue, but a stir of cool air washes over me. And he’s gone. I touch my lips and stand for a long time staring into the darkness until I hear my name called in a loud and demanding tone. I know that voice. Dread, shame, guilt rush over my body, which is still thrumming.

He finds me next to the fountain. You’ve been here this whole time.

A mournful smile breaks over my face as I turned toward the love of my life—at least I think he is. I don’t know. How could one kiss change everything?

Lewis Tate proved he could trust me. Nathaniel, do you trust me?

In his business suit, wearing no costume, he stands in his commanding way, taking me in and seeming to miss nothing at all. How could I have ever thought he would wear a costume? Even for me. My cheeks heat under his scrutiny and my clothes began to itch. Shame washes over me. Are my lips still swollen? Can he tell I’ve just been kissing another man? His rival?

Of course. His simple answer doesn’t surprise me. Someone else was here.

In typical Nathaniel form, it isn’t a question.

I nod.

His dark blue eyes turn stormy as