Kiss of Ice (St. James Family) (14 page)

“
Miranda will surely drive you to distraction,” she said, her heart beating a little faster at his words.

“
Do you miss me?” he asked. Annata turned toward the yard, looking out onto the old willow tree behind the house. The ancient tire swing rocked back and forth in the late afternoon breeze.

“
And what if I did?” she said, softly.

“
Say the word and I'll be there to kiss you on Christmas morning.” She smiled at the tone in his voice. He was telling the truth, she had no doubt.

“
Don't be silly,” she said, imagining waking up to a sweet kiss from Christy, his body pressing hers into the squeaky mattress, and almost laughed out loud. She was sure he'd enjoy Justin Timberlake staring down at them as they fucked on a twin bed.

“
I would do it,” he said.

“
I know.” She pressed her forehead against the warm glass of the window, closing her eyes.

“
I can tell you're having a good time.”

“
I am. It's good to be home,” she said.

“
I wish I could say the same,” he said, dryly.

“
You like being at home. You can't fool me,” she said.

“
Maybe.” She heard the clinking of the ice in his glass again. “But I'd rather be with you.”

“
Too bad. You'll just have to suffer in silence while Miranda works her hardest to make the season bright,” she said. He chuckled, the sound low and intimate. She felt a flutter in her stomach as if he was right next to her, his face close to her ear.

“
I love you,” he whispered. She sighed. Hearing him say that would never get old.

“
I know,” she murmured.

“
Don't forget, while you're so far away.”

“
I won't.” She pressed a finger to her lips, imagining his touch there. She remembered the last night they were together, how he made love to her like his life depended on it. She felt it deep within her, and between her legs.

“
When you get back, I'll show you how much. Over and over.”

“
How will you show me?” she heard herself saying, despite the fact that she was a few feet from the embarrassment of having her 87-year-old Granny hear her. He chuckled again.

“
Damn, woman. I'm so fucking hard over here, just from the sound of your voice,” he said. “Are you wet for me?”

“
Mmm-hmm,” she murmured, pressing her hand against the windowpane.

“
I want to fuck your wet pussy with my hard cock. Fast and deep. I want to hear you scream my name. I want to suck your tits while I fuck you. Does that sound good?”

“
Absolutely,” she breathed, her mouth suddenly feeling very dry.

“
What are you doing?” Toni's voice broke through the lust that clouded Annata's brain. She stood up straight and cleared her throat. “Granny sent me out here to see what you were up to.” Annata held the phone away from her ear.

“
Can I get a minute, please?” Annata could hear the shake in her voice. Toni narrowed her eyes, the gears turning in her head. Then she turned to head back to the kitchen. “Toni! Plastic wrap, top shelf. For the pie crust.” Annata pointed out the plastic wrap for Toni, who grabbed it, giving her a look. When her sister went back inside, Annata let out a sigh. “Sorry,” she said. Christy let out a breath.

“
You have to go?” He sounded so sad, she felt a clench in her heart.

“
Yes, but I'll call you later. We can pick up where we left off.” She felt a smile tug at her lips, thinking of having phone sex with Christy in the twin bed upstairs.

“
You promise?” he asked.

“
I promise.”

“
Okay,” he said, the lightness back in in his voice. “I'll be waiting, cock in hand, for your call.” Rolling her eyes, she hung up the phone and made her way back to the kitchen.

***

Annata watched her parents' BMW disappear down her grandmother's long dusty driveway. They would be back tomorrow, on Christmas morning, but it was still sad watching them go. Being home made her melancholy as much as it made her happy. Being away from her family was almost harder after being near them again. With a sigh, Annata closed the door and locked the deadbolt. Ella Fitzgerald's “
What are you doing New Year's Eve
?
” played on the radio in the living room, echoing through the dark house. The lights on the tree blinked, creating colorful shadows on the wall. Annata stopped in the doorway and noticed her grandmother sitting in alone in the semi-dark.

“
Granny, dinner was amazing. Thank you,” she said.

“
You need some meat on your bones. You and your sister both.” Granny waved a hand dismissively. “But it was good, wasn't it? That ham came out better than I thought it would.”

“
It's always good, and you know it,” Annata said, with a laugh.

“
Come on, now, sit down. Don't hover. You're making me nervous.” Granny pointed to the chair beside her, and Annata obediently sat down. They sat for a bit, not talking. Granny hummed along with Ella, her hands resting on her lap.

“
What are you thinking about?” Annata said, finally breaking the silence.

“
Nothing much,” Granny said, although her eyes said different. “I'm so glad you girls came to see your tired old grandma. It's like a breeze of fresh air around here.” Annata felt a squeeze in her heart, realizing her grandmother might be feeling lonely in the big old house.

“
I'm sorry it took me so long to come visit. I get caught up in the work.” Annata shrugged, feeling guilty and helpless at the same time. She knew her grandma would never leave the house, despite her loneliness. Granny waved a hand again.

“
All you kids are busy. Your momma and daddy come to dinner every Sunday. Gives me something to look forward to.” Granny stared at the tree. “You think my Vivvy will call tomorrow?” Annata sighed, hoping her grandmother wasn't getting her hopes up to hear from Vivica. Granny always held a strong attachment to Vivica, after having raised her for part of her childhood. No matter what Vivica did, Granny never judged her. Annata hoped Vivica, wherever she was, appreciated that.

“
I'm sure she will,” she said, softly.

“
And Holland, did you see the new picture he sent? He looks so much like his daddy it takes my breath away.” Granny opened the drawer in the table next to her chair and dug around for a bit before holding out a photograph. Annata took it and smiled. Holland, so manly and tall in his uniform, stood in the middle of a desert, a German Shepherd at his side. “Looks just like my Richard, don't he?”

“
He does,” Annata said, handing the picture back.

“
He'll call if he can. He's a good boy.” Granny kissed her fingers, then placed them over Holland's face. “No thanks to that mother of his. If it was up to her, he'd be rolling around in the gutter right now, with her.”

Annata sighed, used to the vitriol her grandmother held for Holland and Vivica's mother, Cassandra. “Granny, you want some decaf or tea? I'll make you some.” Annata tried to change the subject.

“She ruined Richard's life, she did. He was so in love with that little Vietnam girl, no one could tell him different. Not me, not his daddy.” Granny shook her head, sadly. “She took him away from his family. Took him away from everything he knew. I said, Richie, why does she want to take all of you? She wanted everything, and didn't leave any for anyone else. That's not love, I told him. Love doesn't take away, it gives.” Granny shrugged, her slight shoulders going up and down under her thick sweater. She worked her hands, messaging her knuckles, agitated. “He let himself go. And it killed him.”

“
Granny, let me get you some tea. We'll turn on the TV and watch something to get in the spirit, okay?” Annata said, reaching out for the frail old woman. She didn't like to see her grandmother like this.

“
Just promise me, when some man comes along that turns your beautiful head, you'll stop and think. You won't let your heart string you along. That's our biggest problem in this family. We just love and love and don't think. Look at your daddy, marrying the first girl he ever loved?” Granny chuckled. “Well, that turned out okay, I suppose.”

Annata smiled. “I guess it did,” she said, thinking of her parents.

“Now, you promise me, okay?” Granny turned her light brown eyes on Annata, burning with intensity.

“
I promise,” she said, her mind immediately jumping to Christy. The man waiting for her back in the city. The man she might possibly be falling in love with.

“
Okay, Sweetie.” Granny said, resting her head against the back of the chair. “Although it's not like you getting any younger. Maybe you should take the first man that comes along?” She said, with a belly laugh that shook the whole chair.

“
You can get your own tea, old lady,” Annata said, switching on the TV with the remote.

“
I love you, you know that?” her grandma asked after a moment.

“
Love you too, Granny,” Annata said with a smile.

Chapter 17

The New Year's Eve party was in full swing when Christophe entered his father and Miranda's brownstone. He wondered if Annie was there yet. Her plane had landed an hour ago and she'd told him to meet her at the party. He wished she would have let him pick her up at the airport, but he didn't want to be a creep. If she wanted space, he would give it to her. Despite the fact that he'd been crawling up the walls all week. The hours inched by when Annie was gone, but he'd spent the time in the office with his father. He had to admit, the time in the office made him feel at home. The decision to finally return to the city had been the right one.

Christophe turned the corner into the ballroom and skirted the edges of the crowd. He snagged a glass of champagne from a passing waiter, and downed it in one gulp. He was feeling oddly jittery. He was almost scared to see Annie again, he realized. What if things had changed in the week that she'd been gone? It wouldn't be the first time that her feelings turned on a dime. He still remembered how it felt, seven years later, when she all but laughed at him when he asked her to follow him to London. She'd thought he was a foolish boy, but he'd been dead serious. He patted the hidden pocket inside his suit jacket, feeling the small hard box it contained. He had another proposition for her, one that he was terrified to act on. He smiled to himself, leaning against the doorjamb. Sometimes being terrified meant you were doing something right, he mused.

Glancing up, he noticed his father moving toward him. “Son, if you have a minute, accompany me to the den,” The Old Man said, clapping a hand on his shoulder. He nodded, his glance drifting back to the entrance. Annie wasn't anywhere to be seen, so he followed his father through the hallway toward the back of the house. “Close the door, will you?” Christophe followed his father's instruction and pulled the heavy cherry pocket doors closed behind him. The room immediately quieted and Christophe sunk into a deep leather chair with a sigh.

“How do you put up with these things every holiday?” Christophe asked. “The noise alone is driving me mad.”

“
Next year, we're going to the Caribbean. No hassle, no fuss,” The Old Man said, sinking into his desk chair.

“
I'll believe it when I see it,” Christophe said, not believing it for a second. Miranda would never give up her social calendar. It was her bread and butter.

“
Let me cut to the chase. I am impressed with you, Christophe. These past few weeks, you've exceeded my expectations,” The Old Man said. Christophe felt his stomach tighten. The champagne obviously hadn't helped sooth his nervousness, he thought wryly. The Old Man opened a drawer, pulling out his cigar box.

“
Thank you,” Christophe said, not sure how to answer.

“
I've had a tough decision to make, but you've made that decision easier.” His father lit a cigar and let out a thick puff of smoke. “So for that, I thank
you
.” The Old Man lifted his cigar to Christophe. Christophe felt numb for a moment, his father's words sinking in. What exactly was he saying? “I'm retiring next year. I need a successor.”

Christophe worked his jaw as reality dawned on him. His father was going to name Christophe as the new CEO of International. The thought hit him like a ton of bricks. A childhood dream realized
to run the company his grandfather started. The company that his father made a fortune 500 contender. His father watched him, puffing on his cigar. Even now, The Old Man was testing him and gauging his reaction.

A loud knock jolted him from his thoughts. He turned his head toward the door and time seemed to slow as Annie stepped into the den. Damn, she was a sight for sore eyes. She wore a black dress with a full skirt that showed off her long legs.  He felt his lungs expand as he took a deep breath. Her mouth spread in a wide smile as she swatted her hand in front of her face, taking The Old Man to task for smoking. She swept a curl behind her ear, turning toward him. Her smile dimmed as she saw him and stopped short.

“Annie,” Christophe said.

“
Christophe. I didn't see you there,” she said, her smile returning. “How can you sit in this smoke-filled room? I feel the cancer already starting to metastasize.”

“
Cancer is no joke, my dear,” The Old Man deadpanned, making no move to put out his cigar despite Annie's ribbing.

“
How did I know you would be hiding away in here?” she asked, setting a brightly wrapped present on the edge of the desk.

“
Is that for me?” The Old Man asked, peering over at the box.

“
Merry Christmas,” she said, perching on the arm of the chair opposite of Christophe, looking everywhere but at him.

“
Where's my present?” Christophe asked, wanting to feel her eyes on him. She obliged him, giving him her full attention.

“
I must have forgotten it,” she said, lifting her shoulders in a shrug.

“
Now, now, you two. Did you have a good trip, Annie dear?”

“
Yes, it's always good to go home again,” she said, crossing her legs. Christophe leaned forward, his hand itching to touch her. To run his palm up her smooth calf, take off her shoe and kiss her toes...

“
I'm actually glad you're here, Annie,” The Old Man said, and Christophe heard alarm bells going off in his brain. If his father was about to say what he thought he was going to say, the shit was about to hit the fan. “I was just telling Christophe that I'm retiring.” Christophe felt Annie's body tighten, from across the room. He ran his hand through his hair and willed her to look at him. But she didn't. She stared at The Old Man, a cold smile on her face. “Not until later in the year of course, but it's better to get these things figured out early.”

“
Absolutely,” Annie's voice was like ice.

“
Hard as it is, decisions must be made.” The Old Man puffed on his cigar. “Annie, Paris needs a head, and I think you would be perfect for the job. You like Paris, they like you, and your French is good. It's a good fit.”Another puff. Christophe watched Annie's face, the barely perceptible tick under her left eye. “And Christophe will take on my role as CEO here in New York.” Time seemed to stop, and Annie finally looked at him. He felt a chill run up his bones, and it had nothing to do with the freezing temperature outside. The Old Man was trying to ship Annie off to Paris. He could see how his father thought the idea was brilliant. Annie, however, was livid. “Christophe, I'm leaving it up to you. You know what I want, but, ultimately, it's up to you.” The Old Man said, plunging the knife deeper. Annie was silent, waiting for Christophe's answer.

Christophe knew what he should do. He should tell The Old Man that Annie deserved to be CEO, that she'd worked for it. He should say that if Annie was sent to Paris, he would follow her there. But the golden carrot was dangling in front of his nose. A fierce possessiveness reared up in him. He had a birthright, dammit. Maybe this was why he never felt anchored to the world, because he wasn't living up to his potential? Another insidious thought snaked through his mind. Why would Annie ever agree to marry him anyway? She'd said it herself, he was a lazy playboy who spent his father's money and contributed nothing to the world. He wasn't worthy of her. She deserved everything, and he deserved nothing. But he couldn't say no. He wouldn't. He looked her right in the eye and he jumped off the cliff.

“I'll be your new CEO,” he said.

***

Annata felt like her head was going to explode. Christy's words echoed in her ears. He accepted the CEO position. Just like that. His face was painfully beautiful, his body leaning toward hers, his hand almost close enough to touch her. She hadn't seen him in a week and now, he was so far away, he could have been a stranger. And William. Her eyes shifted back to her mentor, hidden in a fog of smoke. Anger that started in her belly was bubbling up her windpipe. She coughed, choking on it. Her whole body was clenched, her muscles tight. Christy stood suddenly.

“
You want a drink, Annie?”

“
No.” She stood too, realizing that she had to get out of there, before she did something she would regret.

“
You want a drink?” Christophe asked William. William waved him off.

“
Annie, what do you think? Paris will be a good fit,” William said. “I put a lot of thought into it. But if you want to stay here, Christophe needs someone he can count on, a number two.”

“
Christophe needs...” Annata trailed off, sweeping her tongue across her teeth. Christophe stepped into her line of vision, and pressed something cold into her hand. A glass.

“
Drink it,” he said.

“
Go fuck yourself,” she hissed.

“
Don't,” he whispered.

“
Don't? Don't what?” she said, her voice rising. Her control teetered on a very fine edge, and Christophe was riding that edge. A wild idea forced it's way to the forefront of her mind.  Hong Kong. She'd been offered a job in Hong Kong. She hadn't given it a second thought at the time, but now it seemed like a lifeline. William could take the nepotism and bullshit and shove it. She didn't need him. She stepped around Christophe, setting the vodka tonic on the edge of William's desk. “William, I was offered a job in Hong Kong two weeks ago. I'm going to take it,” she said.

William sat forward, setting the cigar in the ashtray. “Not exactly what I was expecting to hear,” he said, with a sigh.

“Well, Christophe being appointed CEO is not exactly what I wanted to hear either, William,” she said. “You hold it out in front of me, and then yank it away. And then expect me to back up your play? I can't do it. I won't.”

“
I'm sorry to hear that.”

“
It's bullshit and you know it,” she said, feeling the control slip out from under her. “You think I would just roll over on this shit, when I've been working day in and day out for fourteen years in your best interest? And because Christophe has your DNA and a dick, he gets what I deserve?”

“
Oh, Annie,” William shook his head, his features harsh in the lamplight. “I've dreaded this day.”

“
It's bullshit, William.” She took a step back, and felt Christophe's hands on her shoulders. She spun around, out of his grasp. “Don't touch me.” Christophe didn't drop his eyes, didn't look away. He looked her straight in the face. So arrogant. So entitled. Damn him. Any warmth for him drained out of her, leaving her cold. She felt goosebumps raise on her arms where he'd touched her. She couldn't look at him anymore. She couldn't be in the oppressive room anymore. “William, consider my resignation effective immediately.”

“
Annie, please try and understand.” William stood.

“
I understand perfectly. But you don't know me at all, if you think I'm going to bend over when I'm getting fucked.”

“
I knew someone would eventually take you away from me. But I suppose what will be will be.” William's shoulders sagged, and she felt her rage building that he wasn't attacking her or fighting back.

“
You're a fool if you didn't see this coming. But you do what you need to do. I wouldn't expect any less of you,” Annie said. “Goodbye, William.” She turned and hurried past Christophe and out the door. She pushed her way through the partygoers, only wanting to be outside in the cold. The air inside was stifling. She swayed, feeling faint.  Her heart beat so hard in her throat that she couldn't breathe. She put her hand to her throat. She just had to make it to the door. Then she would be fine. Everything would be fine.

As soon as the cold air hit her, she pulled in a ragged breath. She dropped her head back, gulping in air. A cold drop of sweat made its way down her spine. Above, tiny flakes of snow swirled in the light of the street lamp. A sob released itself from her loosening throat. It was over. Just like that. Her life, as she knew it, was over. She began to shake uncontrollably, realizing she needed to get away from there. An available cab passed by, jostling down the street. But her feet wouldn't move.

The door opened and closed behind her, the bells on the wreath ringing. She turned to her left and began to blindly walk down the street. She had to get away. “Annie!” She heard Christophe's voice, calling her. It only made her walk faster. His hand closed around her arm and he yanked her to a stop.

“
Get off of me!” she hissed.

“
What the fuck, Annie?” he growled, tossing something warm over her shoulders. Her coat, she realized. “Hong Kong?”

“
Fuck you!” she screamed, her voice echoing down the quiet street. “You knew how much I wanted it.”

“
I have to do it. I can't say no.” He ran his hands up and down her arms, trying in vain to warm her.

“
You both must think I'm a fucking idiot!” she said, shrugging out of his grasp. “I am an idiot, for not seeing this coming.” She shook her head, a hysterical laugh building in her chest. “But you
—
you're a genius, Christophe Van der Kind. A fucking genius. How long were you planning this?” she said, a laugh breaking free.