“Yeah, I think you’re right.” Within minutes, she had her skates off and UGGS on. “I’d like to know how you learned to skate like that. Dear God Billy, you put me to shame out there.”
“Sorry.” He reached down, picked up her skates and grinned. “I played hockey throughout high school and college. That’s where my fancy footwork comes from.”
“I guess ice skating is one of those sports that, when you don’t skate for thirty years, you forget how to.”
“Nothing to worry about. We will come out again. You need to break in your new skates.”
“At least we were the only ones here today, so I don’t feel like I made a complete idiot out of myself. Look at me,” she pointed at her pants, “I’m wet from head to toe.”
“And you look beautiful.”
“You’re a charmer.” She sneezed and covered her mouth with her white wool gloves.
“God bless you. I’ve got to get you home quickly and sit you down in front of the fire to warm up.”
“I can’t wait.”
Billy squatted down. “Jump on my back and let me give you a piggy back ride home.”
“You’re kidding,” she said, hands on her hips.
“Nope. Come on.”
Alexandra put her arms around his neck. When Billy stood, she wrapped her legs around his waist.
“I’ll have us home in no time.”
Alexandra couldn’t help but feel like a kid. Being an adult didn’t mean you had to follow the adult rulebook. Being with Billy had brought out the kid in her, a part of her she hadn’t seen in a very long time.
Leaning against Billy, she smelled his cologne that always jingled her insides. The scent of pine trees reminded her of the weekends she spent with her parents at her grandparents’ cabin in the winter. Putting marshmallows on a skewer would be one of the first things they did when they got into the house, along with drinking a cup of hot chocolate.
“At last, we have arrived.” Billy opened the door, carried Alexandra in and placed her down on the red and green wool reindeer blanket he placed on the couch earlier.
“This is wonderful. When did you have a chance to set this all up?”
“Earlier when you went upstairs to change.”
“Oh, Billy.”
“Give me a minute. I also made homemade hot chocolate that needs to be heated up.”
“You are so full of surprises.”
“You keep telling me that.”
When Billy disappeared into the kitchen, Alexandra slid off the ski pants. Underneath she wore black leggings, which remained dry. She rested against the black leopard pillows Billy had apparently snuck in before he started the fire.
The aroma of chocolate overpowered the firewood. Billy returned and placed two oversized mugs and a tray of assorted cookies on the table.
“Again, you have made my day perfect and I don’t want it to end. I want to embellish the moment to add to my journal,” Alexandra explained.
“Journal?”
Alexandra smiled and nodded.
“Do you write about me in there?” he asked, pushing loose hairs behind her right ear.
“Maybe.” She giggled. “I like to write about what goes on in my life during the day. It’s just for me. It’s a good way for me to express my happiness and disappointment without burdening anyone.”
“That’s why I’m here with you. I want to be the one that shares your joys and kisses away your tears.”
“And I’d love that too.”
“I just want to make you happy.”
“And you do, Billy. I love the little things you do for me. Those are the things that make being with you even better.” Alexandra sipped her hot chocolate. “This is incredible.”
“It’s my own secret recipe. I never use store bought.”
“And these cookies?”
“All made from scratch.”
“Billy, my mind is roaming.”
Billy put his arm around her shoulder and kissed her lips. “Tell me more.”
“I mean it. You should think about opening a café. You’d do so well. These,” she paused to take a bite of a vanilla/almond tasting biscuit, “taste like nothing I’ve ever eaten before.”
“Oh,” his voice rose. “You think it’s something you’d be interested in doing with me?”
“Absolutely.” She turned in his arms and touched his face. “I think you have something here. When we dropped off the leftover turkey and platters of cookies earlier at the shelter, they went crazy over the cookies. I had no idea you made them.”
“I love baking. I always baked with my grandmother at the holidays.”
“I have a wonderful idea. Why don’t we make platters of cookies and bring them down to the church. I know they do a food drive. I bet people would love to have desserts too.”
Billy took her face between his two hands and softly kissed her lips. “That’s what I love most about you. You are always thinking about helping others.”
“I have to admit I’m being a little selfish too.”
“Like how?”
“Making cookies and delivering them means I spend more time with you.”
“Baby, you can spend as much time as you want with me. All you have to do is say the word.”
Alexandra took a deep breath and rested her hand on Billy’s knee. She finished her hot chocolate, placed her mug beside her, and gazed at Billy. The flames from the fire sparkled in his eyes revealing his sincerity and yearning.
“I’d like if you would stay with me tonight by the fire.”
“I had the same thing in mind. I want to see the fire in your eyes when I make love to you.”
Alexandra didn’t answer. Instead she leaned into him, feeling his hardness against her upper thigh and started the night with a long passionate kiss.
The next morning, Alexandra tied the belt around her red and white fleece robe, the one Billy had waiting for her after making love, and walked downstairs. Billy had strategically planned out the day and didn’t miss a single thing. The matching robes added the finishing touch.
Billy must have added more logs to the fire while she slept. When she woke up, the smell of freshly baked scones took over the room. Before she called out to him, Billy appeared at her side with two mugs of coffee, two small dishes and a basket full of scones and muffins on her grandmother’s metal tray, placing it down on the floor in front of the fire. The tray brought back so many memories of her grandmother who took it out every year at the holidays.
Billy handed her a mug. “Breakfast is now being served by the fire.”
“I love it.”
“What can I get my girl? An apple muffin, a blueberry scone?”
“That’s a hard choice. They both smell delicious.” Alexandra touched the muffins and immediately pulled her fingers away. “That’s hot!”
“I hope so. I just took them out of the oven.”
“You are one of a kind. I would have thrown two slices of bread in the toaster and called it a day.”
“Not me. At this time of year, I try my best to keep the traditions alive I was brought up with,” Billy explained.
“I used to. But since I spent most holidays alone, I didn’t find it necessary to make a fuss over myself.”
“No. But now I have someone to make a fuss over. I hope you feel the same.”
“Yes, I do.” Alexandra smiled. “It will be wonderful to break out my grandmother’s old cookie recipes and share them with you.”
“It’s all about the holidays and traditions, something that fell out of sorts through the years.”
“Maybe we can change that?”
“You can count on it. I foresee a lot of things changing in the future.”
Alexandra’s eyebrows rose. “Like?”
“I think we have already changed our lives when we met each other again. We were given a second chance. That’s why I only see good things for us in the future.”
“I’m counting on it. We both hold the key to
our destiny. And I think this time around, the door has opened to endless possibilities.”
“I agree. It’s important we keep open communication and the spontaneity thing we have going on. And most importantly that we have fun,” he said, raising his coffee mug.
“Couldn’t agree more. I love knowing when my head hits the pillow at night, I don’t have to wonder where or what you’re doing.”
“Looks like we’re on the same page. Keeping that in mind, I’d like to put on some Christmas music while we eat breakfast.”
“Sounds great. I love listening to the carols. When I was a kid our tradition was to drink hot chocolate with mini-marshmallows while watching Christmas movies. That was until my parents split,” Alexandria said frowning.
“You’re telling me as a teenager you hung around with your parents?”
“When my parents got divorced things changed. They became so involved in their own lives that the holidays went right out the window.”
Billy looked down and shook his head. “I have to agree with you on this. My parents did the same thing.”
“I lost all my faith in Christmas magic. I haven’t put up a tree in over ten years. The most I’ve done is put up a small Christmas tree my best friend Dee had made me in ceramics over twenty years ago.”
“And this year?”
“This year is different. I feel the Christmas magic.”
Billy reached his hand out and Alexandra took it. She stood up and they embraced. Hugs and kisses were always one of her favorites, and ones that satisfied her whenever Billy took her in his arms. “Let’s finish our breakfast at the table. You sit down and I’ll bring everything to you.”
“I’ll help.”
“No. I need you to get some paper.”
“Paper?”
“Yes. We are going to make a list before we go shopping. Christmas is less than two weeks away and there’s still a lot to do.”
“Then we’ll keep it small,” Alexandra suggested.
“No way. This is our first Christmas together and I want it to be special, one that you won’t forget. It will be our first adult memory together.”
Alexandra got the paper and brought the coffee pot over to the table, placing it on the Santa Clause hot plate. Another trinket Billy had added, that she hadn’t seen earlier.
Billy sat down opposite her and took the pad and pen. “I’m going to write out our twelve days to Christmas plan. So you better get used to seeing me every night as we prepare for our Christmas celebration.”
“And what’s going to be on this list?”
“Besides making love to you everyday, it will be my little surprises that will keep you coming back for more.
Chapter Six
The scent of freshly baked brownies still lingered through the house. Alexandra sat at the dining room table with a mug of homemade hot chocolate with mini-marshmallows floating in the center. In the middle of the table was the angel candleholder her grandmother always lit on Christmas Eve with a bay berry scented candle.
This Christmas she found the magic that had been missing. When she woke up, she came downstairs to a ten foot fully decorated Christmas tree. Billy brought an untraditional top, a Santa hat with both their names written in multicolored glitter, and lifted her so she could put it on top of the tree. She hadn’t stopped smiling and wondered what else Billy had in store for her.
“Can I get you anything else?” Billy asked, placing a dish of just baked brownies in front of her.
“No thank you.” She reached her hand out to him. “Why don’t you sit down? You’ve been in the kitchen all day.”
"Just give me a few minutes. I want to grab myself a cup of hot chocolate, and then I want to talk to you about something.”
Alexandra handed him her mug. “I’ll take a refill. But I’ll pass on the marshmallows this time.”
“Be back in a sec.”
Alexandra started biting her short fingernails. What could he possibly want to talk about? Before she could drive herself crazy trying to figure it out, Billy returned with their hot chocolate. He sat next to her and popped a brownie into his mouth.
“Are you happy with the way the living room looks?” Billy asked.
“I love it. You went all out. The tree is beautiful. You really made it special.”
“And it’s just the beginning. But before we start the Christmas Eve festivities, I want to run something by you. Now don’t say a word until you hear me through.”
Alexandra bit her bottom lip. With Billy, she never knew what he was going to come up with. “Okay,” her voice cracked.
Taking both her hands in his, he leaned over and kissed her. “Baby, it’s all good. I wanted to save this for later, but I can’t wait.”
“As always you’ve piqued my curiosity.”
“Then I won’t keep you in suspense any longer. I can’t wait till midnight to give you this present.”
Alexandra stood, still holding his hands. “Come on, stop stalling.”
“I’m not stalling. Let’s sit on the couch by the fireplace.”
“You are so bad, Billy.”
“You’re right.” He took their mugs of hot chocolate off the dining room table and placed them on the cocktail table. “I’m nervous. It’s not too often I make life changing decisions.”
“Come on…”
Billy sat sideways next to her on the couch. “I had always dreamed of having my own restaurant, but then realized it’s a huge responsibility, including long hours, so I ditched the idea. While I tried to come up with another game plan, I continued working in various restaurants and hotels as a chef.”
“I thought you liked your job at the restaurant.”
“I do. But I want more. I want my own place to be listed in Zagat as the place to go.”
“Sounds like a lovely dream which can be made a reality with the right backing.”
“That’s where you come in.”
“Me?” she pointed at herself. “How can I help?”
“I want you to be my partner. I want to open a bakery café. We can start small and continue to expand as the years go on.”
“Really? You want to take that chance with me? What if we don’t stay together?”
“It doesn’t matter. I feel in my heart with the both of us working together we’ll accomplish everything we set our minds to do.”
“Wow. You’re giving me a lot of credit. As you can see I don’t know a single thing about cooking, especially baking. My specialty is takeout.”
“This will give us a chance to grow together while making a scrapbook of memories.”
Alexandra thought for a moment. “Now I see it. You’re after me for my marketing and public relations expertise,” she replied stone faced trying her best not to start laughing too.
Billy’s grin turned into a frown. “ I didn’t mean it that way.”
“I know you didn’t.” With that she went into a fit of laughter. “Got you.”
His frown turned into smile, then laughter. “I’m not use to this side of you. But I’ll tell you that I love it.”
“What side?”
“You’re always serious, and have never teased me. And that’s why with the two of us together, we can really have something special going on in our personal and business life.”
“You’re really serious about this café thing.”
“Yes. I have the talent and you have the brains. And besides, you said you hate your job in the advertising company.”
“I do,” she sighed, taking the last sip of hot chocolate. “But this is a big decision. I have a great job and make good money. If things don’t work out…”
Billy covered her mouth with his finger. “Things will work out. You just wait and see. I promise you if you come along on the Billy train you will be in for the ride of your life.”
“You know something, you’re a hundred percent right. I have taken the safe road my whole life, always afraid to take a chance. I think I’m ready to try something
different …with you.”
Billy held her face between his hands and lifted her chin. “Let’s seal it with a kiss.”
Their lips met, finalizing their future together and continuing their Christmas celebration.
It took Alexandra a few days to assess Billy’s proposition on Christmas Eve. She had gotten lost in the moment and didn’t take the time to think about it before responding. When Billy left Christmas night, she second guessed her decision.
Something didn’t add up. The one thing that bothered her was his reluctance to talk much about his past. Billy never spoke about the restaurants he worked at as head chef for the past fifteen years.
Alexandra opened her Mac Book and went to Google, where she typed in Billy Davidson. Before hitting go, she tapped her foot on the oak floor. The past year had been flawless. Billy did everything perfectly down to bringing her roses and a box of dark chocolate every Saturday night when he picked her up for their night out on the town. It never dawned on her why he didn’t work on one of the busiest nights of the week for restaurants.
In a split second there were thousands of results. Go ahead, narrow it down. Don’t be afraid. Alexandra bit her upper lip and typed Billy Davidson, Staten Island, New York. Go. The screen flicked and there were only seven results.
Alexandria’s eyes quickly scrolled down the list, which only showed white pages and classmates.com. Strange. If Billy were a big shot chef, his name would have shown up somewhere. Hmm, let me go into classmates. After scrolling through all the cooking schools in New York and the aligning areas, she came up empty. Something was definitely wrong. If it weren’t Christmas break, she would have called the schools herself.
Picking up the house phone, she called her friend Dee whose sister worked at motor vechiles and explained the situation. All Dee needed was his license plate number, name and date of birth. Dee said she’d get back to her as soon as she got the information. And that’s where Alexandra stood, waiting for Dee to fill in the pieces Billy omitted. But the question was why? Why would he omit certain information from her?
Alexandra’s questions were about to be answered. When Dee showed up at her house instead of calling, she knew something was wrong.
Whispers of Winter: A Limited Edition Collection of Winter Romances Page 134
