Love For The Holidays: Business Mixed With Pleasure, #2

By Lisa Watson

Stefania Lassister and Marcus Dresden are licensed private investigators at a security consulting firm in Chicago, Illinois. Their work is exciting, dangerous and full of risk and that’s just the way they like it. Stefania has never run from a good challenge, but the hardest one she’s ever faced is getting her partner to lighten up and partake in a little holiday cheer.

Marcus has no use for the holidays. They only remind him of what he’s never truly had; a caring environment with a loving mother and father. Marcus’ father left when he was born, and his mother drowned her sorrows in alcohol. When she dies suddenly, Marcus is left an orphan with no next of kin. Bounced around from family to family, he’s had a hard time believing in happy endings. His growing attraction to Stefania gives him hope for the future, but first he must loosen the grip of his past.

When a night of passion causes Stefania and Marcus to acknowledge their feelings for one another, Marcus realizes the time is right to confront his demons so he can pursue a passionate relationship with Stefania. He goes to his hometown of Saginaw, Michigan to visit his uncle, and confront the foster family that made his childhood a living hell. Marcus soon finds himself in mortal danger from an unknown source.

Stefania drops everything and rushes to help the man she loves, but soon finds herself embroiled in hidden agendas, old feuds and a family secret that will change Marcus’ life forever.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lisa Watson
• Release date: Oct 16, 2014
• ISBN: 9781502200167

Lisa Watson

Lisa Dodson (formerly Watson), is a National Bestselling Author, and native of Washington D.C. She writes in the Multicultural & Interracial, Contemporary, Romantic Suspense, Sweet Romance, and Clean Read genres. Nominated for Best Contemporary Fiction, her debut novel, Watch Your Back, sparked Lisa’s desire to continue creating engaging storylines, strong characters with universal appeal, and a keen sense of humor. They are drawn together by love, respect, and strong family ties. Lisa loves traveling, so weaving beautiful destinations into the pages of her novels as lush backdrops, or the heritage of her characters is not uncommon.Her novels for Harlequin's Kimani line, The Match Broker series: Love Contract, Her Heart's Desire, and Love By Design, introduced readers to matchmaking guru, Norma Jean Anderson, aka The Love Broker. Each novel in the series hit the #1 spot on Amazon's Bestseller List.Lisa enjoys writing warm-your-heart stories. Her novellas, A Summer of Stars, her holiday-themed Sweet Romances, A Heart for Christmas, Two Hearts for Christmas, and A Fiancé for Christmas, make great reads no matter what time of the year.Her Romantic Suspense, Spicing Things Up, proves that there’s a time for playing it safe, but sometimes you need to spice things up!Danger doesn’t need an appointment...sometimes it just shows up! With an adoring assistant, an ambitious publicist, and jealous ex-lover vying for her attention, debut novelist, Sasha Lambert, soon finds herself at the center of a dangerous tug-of-war. Interview with Danger is a thrill ride that you’ll want to be on!Lisa is also a contributing author to the new novel, Kings of the Castle.Fate made them brothers, but protecting the Castle and the women they love, will make them Kings. If you like romance, suspense, or contemporary fiction, it's past time for you to visit ... The Castle.This world was brought to you by S.L. Jennings, Naleighna Kai, Martha Kennerson, J.L.Campbell, Lisa Watson, Karen D. Bradley, Janice M. Allen, London St. Charles, and MarZe Scott.Her latest novel is King of Hyde Park – Book 8 in the Kings of the Castle Series.Lisa works at a technology consulting firm and is a Co-Publicist for the BookLovers Con. She is the mother of two young adults, a Maltipoo, Brinkley, and lives in Raleigh, NC. She is avidly working on a new Romantic Suspense for her next series.Connect with Lisa on Facebook (authorlisadodson), Twitter(@LisaYDodson), Goodreads (Lisa_Watson_Dodson), Pinterest (LisaYDodson), Instagram (LisaYDodson), and www.lisawatson.comWant a FREE e-book? Sign up for my Newsletter and you’ll receive one of my e-books as a thank you! https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/y4o9u7

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

Stefania Lassiter tapped a pen absentmindedly on the side of her face.  Finding a gift for her assistant, Lynn, was easy.  She loved everything Stefania had ever given her, or so she said.  Sighing loudly, she scanned over the next name on her Christmas list.  Marcus.  What would she get her partner?  He had been such a grouch lately; it was hard to imagine him being overwhelmed with gratitude at anything she gave him. 

Licensed private investigators, Stefania and Marcus worked together at a security consulting firm under the retail loss prevention division.  There job was to provide commercial properties with risk loss prevention programs to reduce the occurrences of criminal activity. 

Marcus Dresden was a consummate professional: highly respected in their field, he was a certified speaker on commercial security measures and safety, and testified at deposition hearings and trials as a security expert witness.  He was also the biggest Scrooge in the office.

Every attempt to include him in the spirit of the season had been met with sarcasm, testiness and downright hostility.  Lynn questioned her repeatedly on extending the non-business, olive branch to him.

I don’t know why you even bother, Steffi, she had said one day after work.  He’s obviously not interested in being a part of the eggnog and yuletide thing.  Maybe he doesn’t believe in Christmas.  It’s not like you two have known each other long enough for you to know his life story.  Maybe he’s Jewish?

He’s not Jewish, she told her colleague.  Besides, I’ve known Marc for years.  I know when something is really bothering him.

Well if you ask me you should just leave the guy alone.

Stefania ignored Lynn’s attempts to dissuade her.  She and Marcus were more than just co-workers.  While they had never officially gone out on a date, they had come close on a few occasions to stepping over the line and acknowledging their attraction to one another.  There were times when the two of them worked late that a spark would kindle. He would touch her, or glance at her and suddenly the room would fade away, and it would be just the two of them.  There was no denying that she was attracted to him.  Marcus was appealing on many levels: he was six-foot three, with a firm, muscular body, and the most amazing eyes.  Light brown and serious, most of the time.  When he looked at her it felt like he was gazing into her soul.  Stefania’s pulse quickened just recounting all his attributes.

Stop it, she chided aloud.  Now isn’t the time to go drooling all over yourself about Marcus.  Her conscience warned.  Getting back to the subject, her gut was telling her that something was going on with him.  Warning or not, Stefania was determined to find out why her partner was being such a pain in the mistletoe.

Later that afternoon, she waited until the office had closed and most of the employees had cleared out to confront him.  Setting aside the papers she wasn’t really working on, Stefania walked down the hall to Marcus’ office.  She knocked twice. 

Come in, he called from behind the door.

Squaring her shoulders, she turned the knob and stepped inside.

Marcus was in his usual position; at his conference table with his chair facing the window.  Only this time instead of working, he was staring out over the Chicago skyline.

She moved further into the room.  Am I disturbing you?

Spinning around in his seat, Marcus regarded her.  Not at all.  Working late?

No, I just wanted to talk for a minute.

What’s up?  Have we gotten a new client?  It’s been a bit slow lately.  I suppose if death can take a holiday so can criminals, he chuckled.

Stefania observed him from across the room.  His calm demeanor and smiles were not fooling her.  Something was bothering him.  It was as plain as the stripes in the suit he was wearing.  It seems that way, but no, we haven’t gotten a new client, she said finally.  What I have to discuss...isn’t business related.

Oh?  He said, clearly intrigued. 

Marcus’ expression turned lustful in seconds.  Stefania’s pulse quickened. 

Did you have something else in mind, Stefania?  His eyes lit with mischief.  Like finally taking me up on my invitation for a weekend getaway?

When he said her name that way, all deep voice and sexy, it was hard for her to concentrate.  She cleared her throat to try and get her brain back on business and off her libido.  It was hard, but eventually she found her voice.  It was somewhere in her shoes. 

I uh, merely wanted to ask what’s going on with you lately.

Marcus sat back.  So you don’t want to spend the weekend with me?

"Marc, please.  You know