Authors: Violet Walker
“She also said you haven’t done the DNA test yet,” Rory added with a hint of censure in her tone.
“I’ll get around to it.” He hadn’t done the test yet because he knew that when the results came in, Krista would relinquish her claim on Angel and leave.
“What’s the hold up?”
He didn’t like it when they ganged up on him. He was the oldest, dammit, he didn’t answer to them. Before he could tell them as much, his assistant knocked and entered. “Sir, there’s a Tom Powell here to see you. He said it was urgent and private.”
“Send him in.” Moments later a short man with black glasses walked in looking uncomfortable amongst the wealth of Harwood Industries and the Harwood clan.
“Hello, I’m Tom Powell from
Genetic Solutions
. I have just taken a DNA sample from an Angel Thorpe Harwood and I was told I needed to take one from you as well.”
Dean’s shoulders slumped but he waved the man over as his family snickered on the other side of the massive desk. “I guess she took the issue out of your hands, man. You ought to hang on to her, Dean. She doesn’t take your shit and gives not a damn about your fortune.” With that River and Rory stood and left his office, Tom Powell following shortly after.
Dammit, they were right. He’d screwed up big time with Krista and he needed a little Christmas magic to make it right.
~
The doorbell rang and Krista answered it with Angel in her arms. She spent the past few days purchasing Christmas gifts for Angel and they were due to arrive today and tomorrow. But when she opened the door, she was greeted by a liveried driver holding several boxes and bags.
“Mrs. Harwood?”
“No, I’m just the nanny. There is no Mrs. Harwood as far as I know.” She held Angel’s arm as she reached to the man who gave her a wink and a smile.
“This says I should deliver them to the lady of the house, Krista Halloway. Ah, sorry about that miss.”
“I’m Krista and don’t worry about it. You can just set them right here and I’ll get to them later.” She pulled a five from her jeans and handed it over with an apology.
“Thanks, ma’am, and have a Merry Christmas.”
“You too,” she grinned along with Angel, who sent her own holiday greetings in baby speak. “Now let’s see what we have here, little girl.” She sat Angel on her play mat as she opened the boxes to reveal a gorgeous evening gown with jewelry, shoes and lingerie to match. “Wow, that’s gorgeous isn’t it, sweetie?” Angel clapped and reached for the sparkly royal blue gown.
She looked inside a small bag to find mistletoe and a note. “For the kisses we haven’t shared yet,” it read. She blushed. The last box was much smaller and she wondered at its contents. When she opened it, a tear tracked down her face. It was a silver locket shaped like an angel. Inside was a photo of Angel on one side and a photo of her holding Angel on the other. “It’s beautiful,” she said with a shaky voice.
“I knew he was smitten!”
Flora’s voice startled her. “I doubt that. This is about sex or gratitude, maybe both.” She wasn’t naïve enough to think these gifts meant his feelings for her had changed, just as she wasn’t desperate enough to accept whatever little affection he was willing to give her. She could admit now that, despite his arrogance and mistrust of her, she had developed feelings for him.
Dumbest mistake of her life. She knew choosing him as her first lover would complicate her feelings. Luckily, she would be gone soon and Dean Harwood would be a distant memory.
“I wouldn’t be so sure, Krista. Dean doesn’t make sweet gestures like this unless he’s invested. I’d say he’s invested in you.” Her cloudy grey eyes twinkled with delight. “Good, this house is in need of a woman’s touch and a child’s laughter.”
“This house has you and now Angel. That’s more than most homes.” Including her own. “Why would he buy me something as impractical as an evening gown?”
“My guess is it’s his way of inviting you to the Harwood Industries annual Christmas Ball. It’s in two days and a lovely night. My Harold and I go every year.”
She smiled sadly. It was a good thought, but she wanted--no she
needed
--to be with Angel. She couldn’t spend any of her last few nights away from Angel for a fairytale that would never be more than pretend. “I can’t go.”
“Of course you can, dear. Harold’s brother broke his leg so he’s upstate helping on the farm for a few days, leaving me all free for a date with my favorite little girl.” She watched Flora lift Angel in the air and kiss her tummy, making her sweet laughter ring out.
“You should go, Flora. This night means more to you since you work for Dean. I’ll stay here with Angel.”
“No one is staying here.” Dean’s voice boomed loudly from the entrance to the sitting room. He held up a tiny garment bag. “I have a dress for Angel in here, and Flora, I have it on good authority that you’ve already purchased a dress for the ball.”
Flora blushed and swatted a hand in his direction. “You’re too kind, Dean. Some woman is going to be lucky to be on the receiving end of all that goodness.”
“Let’s hope so,” he said and turned his green gaze to Krista.
“I’ll just take the little one with me while you two…talk.”
~
“Well she’s about a subtle as a freight train,” Krista joked as she delicately laid the dress back inside the large box. Her wide blue eyes turned to him. “Thanks for the locket. It’s beautiful.”
He took in her blond curls, wilder today than normal, probably thanks to Angel’s curious fingers. Her blue eyes sparkled, but they were sad too. “I’m glad you liked it,” his voice was gruff even to his own ears. She didn’t even mention the larger pieces he’d bought to go with her ball gown.
“I really do. Thanks.” She stood and wrapped her arms around his waist, squeezing tight. “It was very thoughtful, Dean. But I can’t accept the rest, it’s too much.”
He should have known she would say that because that’s the kind of woman she was. In the time she’d been in his home, she hadn’t asked for anything but for him to spend time with his daughter. She was entitled to money for taking care of Angel, yet she hadn’t asked for it. In fact, she was prepared to give up her claim to the child because she loved Angel so deeply. “I’m sorry, Krista, for everything. I know you’re not here for any money.” His arms wrapped around her waist and his head dipped in for a long sensuous kiss that touched every part of her. His lips and tongue explored her mouth as if it was brand new territory. He was sweet and gentle and the kiss quickly grew heated. “Krista, please say you forgive me.”
Her blue eyes studied him and he wondered what she saw. Did she still see the arrogant monster he’d been at the beginning, or could she see his many layers now? “Sure, Dean, I forgive you.”
It wasn’t the most enthusiastic answer he’d ever heard but then again he was lucky she was forgiving him at all. He pulled back so he could look at her more closely. “Krista will you go to the Christmas Ball with me?”
~
How she got roped into going to this damn Christmas Ball, Krista had no idea. As she looked at herself in the floor-length blue dress with the sparkly bodice up top and layers of tulle at the bottom, she wondered if she had ever looked and felt so beautiful. “What a difference a dress makes.”
“I’d argue it was the woman wearing the dress,” Dean said from the doorway.
She turned and looked at him in the modern tuxedo that fit his big body perfectly. With Angel nestled in the crook of his arm playing with his bowtie, Dean looked like the hottest damn thing to ever walk the earth. “Wow, Dean, you look gorgeous.” She covered her mouth, knowing it was too late to shove those words back in.
He slowly ambled over to her with heat in his eyes. “I do believe that’s my line, Krista. You take my breath away.”
The blush that stole over her bare shoulders and chest could not be hidden, it was the curse of fair skin. “Thank you.” She turned to Angel, “And you are going to be the bell of the ball!” Angel wore the emerald green dress Dean picked out for her. The top was velvet and the sleeves were long while the bottom was a giant tulle skirt much like her own. Angel reached for her and she took the girl, dotting kisses on her chubby cheeks.
Dean looked nervous and she wondered if he was worried about the world knowing he had a daughter he’d never mentioned until tonight. “Krista, I have something I’d like to say.”
She nodded and slipped through the door that lead to Angel’s room and sat her in her playpen. Quietly she returned to her room and sat. “Okay, shoot.”
His long legs bent until he was practically on the ground, looking up at her with his arms resting on his thighs. “Krista I want you to stay.”
“But-”
He cut off her words with a finger to her lips. “Let me finish. I don’t want to be without you, hell I don’t think I can. I look forward to coming home from work to see you and Angel. I look forward to eating dinner with you and hearing what you have to say about pretty much everything. I love being with you, Krista, and I don’t want that ever to end.”
“Dean, I’d love to stay but I can’t put my life on hold because you need a nanny you trust.”
He kissed her quickly and roughly to silence her. “You don’t have to be the nanny; we can hire one. I just don’t want you to go and I know Angel doesn’t either. You mean so much to both of us, can’t you see that? We want and need you here with us every day Krista. I’m falling in love with you and I want to see how amazing we’ll be together.”
She looked up at him, tears swimming in her eyes, unsure what to say. “Do you mean that, Dean?”
“Of course I do. It took me a while to realize what Rory, Flora and River have apparently known for weeks. I had to make sure it was my feelings for you and not just what I need for Angel before I said anything. So, I took Angel out of the equation and realized I don’t want to know another day that doesn’t have your smile or those crazy curls.”
She pulled him down and kissed him, smearing red lipstick all over his mouth. “I’m falling for you too, Dean, and I can’t see where we go from here.”
“You’re staying?”
She nodded enthusiastically. “I need to pack up my apartment but yes, I’ll stay.” He kissed her again and she laughed.
Dean held her face in his hands, a serious look on his face. “I adore you, Krista and I can’t wait to see what it’s like to be loved by a woman as good as you.”
“I have a feeling you won’t have to wait long.”
“Good because I’m not a patient man.”
Her husky laughed sounded in the room. “I’m well aware, Dean. But if you think you can wait a bit longer, I’ll make it worth your while.” At his confused look she pointed to the ceiling.
Dean laughed at the mistletoe hanging over her bed and pulled her in for a kiss. “Merry Christmas, Krista.”
“Merry Christmas, Dean.”
“Ba bana bah baw!”
They both laughed. “Merry Christmas to you too, Angel.”
THE END
Christmas Lover
The Billionaire Christmas Story
Book Two
Violet Walker
The Billionaire Christmas Story: Christmas Lover
Chapter One
T
he holidays had never been Rory’s favorite time of year. Unlike the rest of the world, she didn’t experience happiness and wonderment at the changing of the seasons and holiday songs. For her, Christmas was a reminder of the single worst thing that had ever happened to her and her brother Dean. Years ago, on Christmas Eve, she and Dean were having dinner with Uncle Oliver and River who lived with him because their parents were traveling—again. They had just sat down to Christmas cookies and hot chocolate when the butler, Rufus, announced guests had arrived. Silly Rory in her childhood exuberance thought her parents had come back to surprise them. Instead, she found the blank stares of two uniformed police officers. Several moments of hushed whispers and Uncle Oliver had returned with the news. Sarah and James Harwood were killed when their plane crashed somewhere in the Indian Ocean. Since then, Rory worked through the holidays or travelled some place there wouldn’t be reindeers, Santa hats and “Holly Jolly Christmas
”
played in every store.
This year, Rory was happy to have a work project to occupy her time and her mind. They’d recently found out that her brother, Dean, was a father and baby Angel had been the only other highlight of the otherwise painful time of year. That was why she sat on the floor and let Angel use her long body as a jungle gym while the “adults” talked about Christmas plans. Dinner would be served soon and she would have to give her reluctant input or else Uncle Oliver would lecture her endlessly. “You won’t lecture me, will you, baby?”
Angel gave her a gummy grin and clapped her hands with a squeal. The baby was very energetic and she soaked up the time with her Aunt Rory, who let her explore her new home.
Flora swept into the room and scooped the baby into her arms. “Dinner is ready, so start making your way to the dining room. I’ll get this one settled.” She kissed a chubby cheek and was met with a squeal and flailing arms and legs.
“I can do that, Flora, you have a seat someplace,” Krista told her with a small frown. Rory smiled at how protective the woman was of tough-as-nails Flora.
“All three of you will eat with the rest of the family,” Dean informed both women and scooped Angel into his arms, cuddling the baby close. It was a welcome sight to see her workaholic brother focused on something other than making another billion.
Not that Rory had a problem with the money. She didn’t. She enjoyed knowing that thanks to his and River’s hard work, none of them would ever worry about money. She just wished he hadn’t sacrificed his whole life to Harwood Industries. There was something brewing between he and Krista, she just knew it. She predicted they would be together by Christmas.
She took a seat next to River and looked across the table to see Krista and Flora. Dean and Uncle Oliver sat at the ends as always. “Krista, will you be here for Christmas?”
She shook her head. “No, I’ll be gone on Christmas Eve.”
Rory didn’t believe it, but that wasn’t her business. “That’s too bad.”
Uncle Oliver cleared his throat. “I think we should celebrate at Dean’s house this year, so, Dean, put a tree up in this house soon so we can all start putting presents under it.”
Rory had to laugh at the way Uncle Oliver always took charge. Even though he had long since retired, he was a still a force of nature. Oliver had taken Rory and Dean in after the death of their parents and their other uncle, James. By then, he’d already had been taking care of River for years. They were one big alternative family and she loved all of them, no matter how much they got on her nerves. “I’ll be busy working, so I may or may not show up for the ball on Christmas Eve or dinner on Christmas Day.”
“You will be here for dinner, Aurora, and you will attend the ball. This is a time for family, dammit.”
She heard Dean and River chuckling and glared at them. “I have a new client and he expects his house to be party ready by New Year’s Eve, which means I have a lot of work to do.” Every year she had this conversation with her uncle and it was getting old.
Oliver scoffed and set his black rimmed glasses on the table, rubbing his eyes. “Last year you spent all of December in Bali and the year before that you spent Christmas redecorating your building.” He fixed the glasses back on his face. “You need to get over yourself and get into the damn spirit.”
Get over myself?
“Really, Uncle Ollie? I should get over the fact that I hate this time of year? Maybe you should get over the idea that this is the only time for family. We have dinner together at least once every week.” It was ridiculous, that’s what it was. They spent more time together than any other family she knew, so he had no real reason to complain.
“You aren’t the only one who lost family at Christmas, Rory. Maybe you should spend time focusing on the family you do have.”
“Who is this client?” Dean was always the one stepping in to end an argument before it got messy. She loved him for it.
Rory sipped her wine and shrugged. “I have no idea, really, because the only communication has been through his assistant. All I know is he’s the COO and owner of HB Tech.” It was a new company she’d never heard of but planned to Google as soon as dinner was over. Half of her fee was paid upfront and tomorrow she would meet with the infamous HB…or H and B; really, she had no idea.
The rest of dinner was much less combative than the first part, for which Rory was eternally grateful. She was also happy to be on the road home because she loved her family, but watching Dean and Krista fight what was happening between them made her ache in a place she’d felt nothing but numb a long time ago. She was happy for Dean, or at least she would be when he pulled his head out of his ass and made Krista his.
Not that she was an expert on love, not by a long shot. Seeing the sizzling chemistry between them made her wonder if she’d ever have that again. Well
again
assumed she’d had that love before, but she hadn’t. Not really. She thought she’d met the guy for her a long time ago and she gave him everything,
everything
, but then he vanished like a ghost and took her heart right along with him. And her confidence, which was doubly low because she never knew if a guy wanted her for her or the billions of dollars she was worth.
It didn’t matter, not really. Rory was content with her life. Why shouldn’t she be? Her business was booming and she had great friends and family. She didn’t need anything else. Nope. Nothing at all.
~
Hunter Brandt sat behind several large computer screens inside the dungeon known as his home office staring at photos of
her
. He should feel like a creepy stalker, but he didn’t. He had never forgotten her, not in all the years they’d been apart, but he knew chances were slim that she would ever forgive him for what he’d done to her that summer before they turned seventeen. Even if he did have a damn good excuse.
Staring at the most recent photographs of her, Hunter had to wonder if there was a man in her life making her face light up with laughter. As good as he was with a computer, he hadn’t been able to find any indication that she had gotten married or even that she was in a relationship. Hell, there weren’t even any photos of her with any men who weren’t her brother, cousin or uncle. He couldn’t believe it. A beautiful, vibrant woman like the girl he used to know would have men beating down her door. But he would trust his information and worry about that later. Much later.
He’d made the decision a year ago to move back to his hometown and actually made the move about six months ago. In fact, when he’d finally worked up the courage to look Rory up, he’d purchased the house after just a few cursory glances online so he would have the perfect excuse to use her services. Right now, he only had necessities, which he was sure would appall her professional decorating sensitivities. That’s what made his plan perfect. Thanksgiving was over and Christmas was just a few weeks away, which meant Rory wouldn’t have a lot of time to get his house done to her high standards…without spending a lot of time with him.
He would use the time he did have—mere weeks—to bring Rory back to him. They would spend time together, laugh together, have fun and maybe,
hopefully
, exchange a few heated looks and engage in some first-class flirting that would eventually remind her of all the great times they’d had together. Before he’d vanished from her life.
Hunter was under no illusions about what it would take to win Rory back. There would be apologizing, probably groveling, pleading and flat-on-his-knees begging. It didn’t matter. He would do it all because it was the absolute least he could do. He owed Rory a lot—more than even she knew yet—and he would do whatever it took to her to give a much-undeserved second chance.
“Hey Boss, do you want me to come in tomorrow for your meeting with the decorator?” Cecilia stood timidly in the doorway of his office and waited for his answer.
“No!” Hunter turned around. “No Cecilia, I can handle this myself thanks. I’ll call you if I need you to come in at all tomorrow, but don’t expect to hear from me. There’s a lot to be done on this house.” He smiled politely to take the sting off his initial refusal. “You should focus on making sure the guys are on schedule for a January release of the new app.”
She leaned against the wall and twirled a brown curl around her finger. “You know, I could help you decorate this place. I know your style pretty well.”
Hunter looked at her as though searching for something. “That’s not your job, Cecilia, and I’d never take advantage of you that way.”
Her shoulders slumped but Hunter had already refocused on his bank of monitors and didn’t notice her disappointment at his words. Cecilia took advantage of is distracted state and stared at him, longing blazing in her eyes. But she could see him daydreaming again, about what she had no idea, so she turned on her kitten heels and walked away.
Alone again, Hunter pulled up the most recent photo of Rory and took in every pixel, noting all the changes over the years.
Soon, Rory, you will be mine.