Her Christmas Temptation: The Billionaire Who Bought Christmas / What She Really Wants for Christmas / Baby, It's Cold Outside

She’d also created a sexy wisp of a dress, dark green from the casino, with diamonds of lace inset in the sides. But the crowning finale, the one she couldn’t wait to finish, was a dramatic red charmeuse silk evening gown. It was strapless, with a tight bodice and a straight full-length skirt. She’d sewn tiny triangles of lace into the hemline, flouncing it out with crinoline to mimic the roulette wheel.

She sighed.

Maybe someday she’d see one of these on a runway.

“Hey, Kristy?”

Before Kristy could react, Sinclair was through the door and into the workshop.

“There you are,” said Sinclair.

Kristy shifted in front of the collection, hoping her sister wouldn’t notice it. “I knocked on your door this morning,” she told her sister.

“I guess I slept in.”

“What happened? Did you two stay up late fighting?”

Kristy and Jack had left Sinclair and Hunter in the great room with mugs of liquor-laced hot chocolate and in the midst of a ridiculous debate about dating etiquette.

“I won pretty quick,” Sinclair told her, her gaze sliding to the clothes. “What are those?”

Kristy blocked her view even further. “Just … uh … something I’m fooling around with.”

Sinclair went around her.

“They’re great,” she said with genuine enthusiasm, lifting the green dress on its hanger and holding it against her body. “Very sexy.”

“These, over here, are the ones for the show.” Kristy tried to direct Sinclair’s attention to the Irene collection.

But Sinclair wouldn’t be distracted. “You made all of them?” She put the green dress back and switched to the waterfall dress.

“I did,” said Kristy. “But, these ones—”

“Are boring,” said Sinclair, with a dismissive wave of her hand. “Why not take the good ones to London?”

Kristy raised her eyebrows at the ludicrous suggestion. “I can’t.”

“Why not?”

“Because I’ve had expert help with this collection. And it’s the one Cleveland and I made the deal on.”

“So, tell him you’ve changed your mind.”

“I can’t change my mind.”

Sinclair traded the waterfall dress for the crop top. “Then tell Jack you’ve changed your mind.”

“I can’t do that, either.”

Jack didn’t respect her skills or her talent. He was only going along with having her in the contest because Cleveland had forced him.

“You’re sleeping with him, right?”

Kristy didn’t know what to say to that.

Sinclair watched her closely, then her voice took on an unnatural calm. “Right, Kristy. Because he is your husband.”

Kristy blinked like a deer in the headlights.

Sinclair plunked the crop top back on the rack. “Damn it,” she swore. “I hoped he was lying.”

“Huh?”

“Hunter, dear sister.” Sinclair paced in a semicircle around Kristy. “Your cousin-in-law told me your marriage was a sham.”

Kristy opened her mouth, but nothing came out.

“He said Jack only married you to save his grandfather from a fortune hunter.”

Kristy recognized the angry crackle in Sinclair’s familiar blue eyes. She’d hated deceiving her sister.

“Am I not your partner in crime?” asked Sinclair.

Kristy struggled to frame a response.

Then a note of real hurt crept into Sinclair’s voice. “Why would you lie to me?”

“Because I didn’t want you to have to lie for me.”

“To Mom and Dad?”

“Yes!” It was a choice between bad and worse.

“I’ve been lying to Mom and Dad for you since we were born.”

“Not like this.”

“What the hell happened?”

“I thought Hunter told you.”

“Not all of it.” Sinclair took a step forward. “He didn’t know why you said yes. Why’d you go and marry Jack?”

Kristy didn’t know.

She honestly didn’t know.

“There were helicopters,” she tried. “And dinner and dancing. Oh, Sinclair, you should see him in a suit.”

“You were hot for him? That’s it?”

“Totally,” Kristy admitted.

Sinclair laughed softly. “I can respect that. But you couldn’t have settled for a fling?”

“He proposed.”

“The rat bastard,” said Sinclair, but there was a wry grin along with the insult.

“As it turned out,” said Kristy on a sigh.

“So, now what?”

“Now, I put these away, finish the real collection and go to London and try to win that darn contest.” Kristy scooped two of the fantasy dresses from the rack and headed for the closet.

“Mistake,” said Sinclair, nodding to Kristy’s armload. “Those dresses are better. And he owes you.”

“Do you have any idea how much they’ve spent on me already? I’m coming away just fine from this deal.”

“Did you sign a prenup?”

“We are not going after his money.” Kristy transferred the evening gown to the closet.

Sinclair leaned to peer out the window. “That’s a whole lot of money, babe.”

“And it’s his, not mine.”

“Depends on the state.”

“I signed a prenup.”

Sinclair gave a sigh of disgust. “Did I teach you nothing?”

“This is not a scenario even you could have contemplated.” Kristy all but sprinted to the closet with the remaining items.

“What about future planning?” Sinclair called. “Self-preservation? Keeping your sister in the style to which she’s planning to become accustomed?”

Kristy latched the closet. “Don’t you have a plane to catch?”

“I could stay through the holidays, eat caviar, sip champagne.”

“I thought you said they needed you at work.”

“They do.”

“And we can’t both miss Christmas dinner.”

“So you get to stay here with the hunky husband and eat caviar and drink champagne?”

Kristy crossed her arms over her chest in mock censure. “You got your sights set on my hunky husband?”

“Not exactly. But did you get a good look at his cousin?”

“You fought with Hunter all night long.”

“Not the entire night.”

Kristy stared at her sister’s telltale expression. “You didn’t,” she whispered.

“Got a plane to catch,” sang Sinclair, turning for the door.

Kristy hustled after her. “What happened?”

“The hot chocolate was great. He was cute. And there was all that leftover adrenaline from skating.”

“So you jumped his bones?”

“It was more the other way around.”

“I don’t believe this.” Then a memory kicked in. “Oh, wow. You have red hair.”

“Yeah? It’s how most people tell us apart.”

“Plus, I’m taller.”

“A single inch. Get over it.”

“You slept with Hunter.”

Sinclair responded with a secretive smile.

“Is this in some way going to screw up my life?” asked Kristy.

“Relax,” said Sinclair. “We’re both grown-ups, and it was a one-time, impetuous thing.”

“You’re not going to call him?”

“Not in a million years. It wasn’t that good.”

“It was so.”

“Okay, it was. But I’m not going to call him. Quit worrying. Phone me from London. And take the cool clothes!”

“Fallen for your wife yet?” asked Hunter, sauntering into Jack’s study in the early afternoon.

For a split second Jack wondered if Hunter had found out about his phone call this morning to Zenia Topaz, and the huge favor he’d just called in. But then he realized his cousin was only fishing.

He pointedly opened a financial report on a beauty products company acquisition that Cleveland was considering. “Don’t you have work to do?”

Hunter shrugged, stopping in front of the desk. “I’m on holiday.”

“Then how come I’m not?”

“Because you’re a workaholic?” Hunter picked up a round, crystal paper weight and tossed it from hand to hand. “Or maybe it’s because you’re trying to keep your mind off a certain knockout blonde who’s making you crazy.”

Jack scoffed away the notion. “In case you haven’t noticed, that knockout blonde is married to me … and sleeping with me.” The last part was only technically true, of course. But Hunter didn’t need to know that.

“Back to my original question,” said Hunter, “have you fallen for your wife yet?”

Jack glanced back down at the spreadsheet, pushing aside images of Kristy asleep in his bed. “Absolutely not.”

Only a fool would fall for his bride of convenience. Naturally, he wanted to make love with her. Who wouldn’t? And he wanted her to succeed—as much for Sierra Sanchez as anything. But he was a long way from feeling more than lust, admiration and respect.

“If you’re sure,” said Hunter.

“I’m sure,” said Jack.

Hunter set down the paperweight. “The moms wanted me to remind you about the sleigh ride tonight. Seven sharp.”

“I’ll remember,” Jack assured him.

Hunter moved to the doorway and stood there for a moment. “Mind if Kristy rides with me?”

Jack felt as if he’d been punched in the solar plexus. He glance sharply at his cousin. “Yes.” Hell, yes. He bit back an order for Hunter to keep away.

A knowing grin grew on Hunter’s face. “Gotcha,” he exclaimed, backing out before Jack could form a response.

Not that there was any response Jack could reasonably form. Because Hunter was right to laugh at him. He was feeling entirely too possessive of Kristy. He was beginning to act as if she was his real wife. In fact, he was beginning to wish she was his real wife.

He turned back to the financial report, forcing the unsettling thought from his mind.

KRISTY SHOVED Sinclair and Hunter, and Sinclair’s cavalier advice from her mind for the day. She had more pressing issues, like struggling to perfect the Irene collection and watching the clock until it was time for Isabella and Megan to head home. She couldn’t wait to talk to Jack.

Jack.

She smiled just thinking about being held in his arms again. Then she got a hollow feeling in the pit of her stomach when she thought about the holidays ending.

Christmas Day was rushing up on them. And she was leaving the day after that. She’d already filled out a dozen forms for London, and her trunks were being shipped at the end of the week. The collection would be sent on a transport plane to meet up with her at the event. Cleveland had insisted on buying her a first-class ticket, accommodations at the luxury Claymore Diamond Hotel and limo service to and from the airport.

As she closed the last of the cupboards and drawers, she heard bells jingling outside. Then footsteps bounded up the stairs and Jack stuck his head in through the doorway. “You ready?”

“For what?”

“A one-horse open sleigh.”

“Really?”

“Well, two horses. We’re going along the river trail.”

The harness bells jingled louder.

Kristy smiled to herself, forgetting about the end of their relationship, forgetting everything but the night stretching out in front of her. A romantic sleigh ride. What a perfect place to tell Jack she was on board, she wanted to pretend their marriage was real for a while.

“Let me grab my coat,” she said.

“I’ve got gloves and a hat waiting for you downstairs.”

Zipping up, she all but bounced down to the driveway where, to her disappointment, she noticed each sleigh held four people.

Cleveland, Aunt Gwen and Melanie were in the front sleigh with Hunter, while Jack and Kristy were riding with his mother and Elaine.

“You’re in for a treat,” said Elaine as Jack helped her up and over the lip of the sleigh. “The neighbors have a decorating competition every year.”

“I can’t wait,” said Kristy, swallowing her disappointment and pasting a smile on her face. “Hello, Liza.”

“I see you’ve been working hard,” Liza responded with formality.

“I have a lot to do,” said Kristy.

“I notice the jet’s been busy—”

“Mother,” said Jack, taking his own seat.

“I’m simply pointing out that Kristy has a fine selection of materials to work with.”

“That I do,” agreed Kristy, deciding to ignore Liza’s jabs. “Thanks to Jack.” She patted his thigh as he spread a plaid wool blanket over their laps.

He shot her a look of surprise. She kept her expression neutral as the horses stepped forward and the sleigh jerked to a glide.

Elaine and Liza were facing rear with an identical blanket covering their legs. A top-hatted driver sat up front on a raised seat, while two tawny-colored, golden-maned Clydesdales shook their heads and jingled the bells on their harnesses.

Settled against Jack’s warmth, Kristy accepted the delay in her seduction plans and sat back to enjoy the view of the Oslands’ gardens as they made their way toward the river trail.

Tiny white lights trimmed the branches of bare oak trees, while swooping ropes of color lined the hedges. Snow-covered spotlights gave the frozen fountains an incandescent glow. And, in the middle of it all, one huge pine tree sparkled color and shine all the way up to a golden star on top.

Kristy rested her head on Jack’s shoulder. In response, he stretched his arm across the bench seat behind her.

“I’ve been thinking about a party,” said Liza.

Jack looked at his mother. “I thought we were doing the big Christmas dinner this year.”

“I don’t mean a Christmas party,” she responded. “I mean a wedding party.”

Kristy straightened.

“People will expect something,” Liza continued. “Perhaps at the Club, after the holidays.”

“Mom, I’m not sure that’s a good—”

“Nonsense.” Liza interrupted. “You cheated Kristy out of a wedding.”

“It wasn’t him,” Kristy put in.

“You told me he talked you into the hotel chapel,” said Elaine.

Kristy glanced guiltily at Jack. She had decided to stick to the truth as much as possible. “But I wasn’t holding out for a big wedding.”

Liza and Elaine waited for her to elaborate.

“It was, uh, more the length of …”

Jack gave her shoulder a squeeze. “She couldn’t decide whether to settle for me.”

Kristy shot a glance skyward. “Nice, Jack.”

“What?”

“You just told your mother I thought you weren’t good enough.”

Liza’s lips pursed.

Elaine started to chuckle. “He’s not.”

“Yeah, right,” said Kristy, with an exaggerated sigh. “Handsome, rich, intelligent and funny. I guess I was holding out for somebody who could also—I don’t know—sing opera.”

Elaine laughed again, and even Liza smiled.

“I can sing,” insisted Jack.

“And that’s what clinched it, darling,” Kristy purred.

“Back to the party,” said Liza. But she seemed more relaxed now.

“Look,” Jack called, pointing across the river to a resplendent Santa display. The lighted reindeer swooped through the air. Santa’s sleigh was festooned with red and green and white lights. The jolly old man himself glowed with tiny red lights that outlined his suit and his sack full of toys. In the background was a lighted Christmas forest—each tree glowing its very own color.

“Nice,” said Kristy. “Times Square has nothing on you guys.”

“It’s most definitely a competition,” said Jack. “As far back as I can remember, the Smythes tried to outdo the Comptons who tried to outdo the Baileys and so on.”

“Has your family always spent Christmas here?” Kristy asked everyone in general, hoping to keep talk away from anything wedding-related.

“Since we were kids,” answered Elaine.

“Hunter’s family, too,” Jack said.

The horses made their way past discrete pot lights lining the pathway, moving toward the faint glow of the next property.

“How does your family celebrate, Kristy?” asked Liza.

“Our Christmases were nothing like this,” Kristy answered. “We had a house in Brooklyn. Nice neighborhood, plenty of decorations, even carolers—”

Jack took her hand in his beneath the blanket. His gaze caught hers, his eyes darker than usual, the muffled sound of the horses’ hooves and the muted snatches of voices from the other sleigh filled the sharp, sweet air.

A rich, steady burn started in the center of her body. It radiated out, fingers of heat licking at her skin. She wanted to tell him she was in. She wanted to tell him so, for now and for later, for as many days as they had left. They could laugh, kiss, make love and sleep in each others’ arms.

Another resplendent estate came into view.

Liza and Elaine craned their necks.

Unable to wait any longer, Kristy stretched up to whisper in Jack’s ear. “Yes.”

He jerked back, staring down at her with wide eyes.

She gave him a nod and a secretive smile.

He squeezed her hand. Then he pulled her close, the warmth of his body seeping deeply into hers.

CHAPTER TEN

KRISTY barely remembered the rest of the sleigh ride, and dinner had taken forever. Their gazes had practically melted each other over crème brûlée and cognac. But if anybody noticed, they were too polite to say.

Конец ознакомительного фрагмента.

Текст предоставлен ООО «ЛитРес».

Прочитайте эту книгу целиком, купив полную легальную версию на ЛитРес.

Безопасно оплатить книгу можно банковской картой Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, со счета мобильного телефона, с платежного терминала, в салоне МТС или Связной, через PayPal, WebMoney, Яндекс.Деньги, QIWI Кошелек, бонусными картами или другим удобным Вам способом.