Your Christmas Love

by Layla Hagen

  Chapter Ten

  Sienna

  I couldn’t sleep after Winston left, despite all those hours of physical work and the dinner. The man consumed my every thought... and then my dreams. Next morning, I was surprisingly full of energy.

  The drive to Jenna and Richard Bennett’s house took me by Lombard Street. I ran into a traffic jam on the crooked portion of it. Honestly, though, I didn’t mind. From the top, I had a gorgeous view of the most crooked street in the world and of the city. Some complained that San Francisco had the most boring weather: not warm enough in the winter months to enjoy the sun, and not cold enough for snow. I disagreed. While I loved snow in the holiday season, the climate here had an undeniable perk: the greenery was always lush and brilliant.

  I drummed my fingers on the wheel, cranking up the music while driving.

  Gatherings at Jenna and Richard’s house rated in the top five things I loved. The entire family was there, meaning things were loud, and on occasion, crazy (such as when Christopher and Max teamed with Pippa’s daughters to pull a double identical-twins prank).

  My brother, Lucas, fit right in with the prankster group (although his humor fell more on the sinister spectrum). Everyone else was content sitting on the sidelines and allowing themselves to be surprised. I missed Lucas like crazy.

  Around Thanksgiving and Christmas, we met up more often. The kids had various school events that required prepping costumes and such, and everything went much faster if we worked on them together. I grinned when I arrived. The house had a bright red roof and cream-colored walls. Jenna and Richard had already hung figurines and lights everywhere. It looked as if an army of tiny Santa Clauses was climbing the walls. The enormous yard was empty because it was too chilly to be outdoors.

  The inside of the house smelled like vanilla, caramel, and a whiff of roasted peanuts. Yum. I joined the large group in the living room.

  Today, we were working on elaborate costumes for the nativity play that everyone under ten seemed to be participating in. Logan Bennett’s wife, Nadine, was a successful evening gown designer, and her staff had done the brunt of the work. Now we were just personalizing every costume.

  I was sitting between her and Ava. She was trying to sell me on moving to Bennett Enterprises just as much as Pippa. When I eventually moved, I’d be working directly with her. But I wasn’t ready to change workplaces just yet. Later, I moved next to Chloe, and we immediately started discussing the latest trends in belts.

  “I’m confused by all the conflicting advice in magazines,” Chloe concluded.

  “You know what? I’ll just ask one of the advisors on the women’s floor to give me the rundown, and I’ll tell you.”

  “You’re the best.” Chloe was positively beaming. I couldn’t help myself and gave her a half hug and a huge smooch on her cheek. She pulled back.

  Right. I really had to stop doing that. She was twelve. I remembered those years. I hadn’t liked our mom’s constant doting and had tried to escape it every time. Until we lost our parents, and then I’d treasured those memories. I would have given anything for one more hug from Mom. But Chloe had been so young that she didn’t remember our parents very much.

  During a break from costume adjustment, I showed Victoria a video of the decoration pieces in the store that I wasn’t sure about.

  “This bow could be smaller. And this would look excellent with a golden chest beneath. If you don’t have anything on hand, I can find you one,” Victoria said.

  “Thanks, sis. Wow, you’re right. A chest would absolutely work. I’m sure I’ll find one.”

  “Let me know if you need me to search for one,” Victoria assured me. My sister was a great interior designer. In my opinion, she was actually the best. I’d wanted to get Victoria on board as an official consultant this year, but she was always overbooked around Christmas.

  “How are things with your boss?” Victoria asked. I’d told her all about Winston... well, almost everything. We hadn’t had a chance to catch up, so she didn’t know about the kiss. I planned to rectify that immediately. Besides, maybe talking about it would help me not replay it in my mind so often.

  “So... a few things happened.” Under my breath, I described the kiss in exquisite detail.

  Victoria’s expression grew from curious to incredulous. “Holy shit. This is... wow. Unexpected.”

  “Crazy?” I suggested, smiling when I saw Pippa approach us. Her grin left me no doubt that she’d heard at least part of the conversation.

  “What’s crazy?” she asked. Pointing a finger at me, she added, “You look like someone who can’t believe things escalated so quickly. My money’s on things with the boss from hell having gotten... hot and heavy?”

  I laughed, blowing out a breath.

  Victoria smiled. “Can’t hide from Pippa.”

  “Details?” Pippa beckoned.

  “You mean to tell me you didn’t eavesdrop on our entire conversation?”

  She shrugged one shoulder, batting her eyelashes. “No, just the ending. I want to know the full story. How else can I give you advice?”

  Here I went again, recounting every detail. Unfortunately, talking about it wasn’t helping me think about it less. If anything, I was breaking in a sweat while remembering his hot and determined lips on mine, the way he’d simply claimed me. His kiss was branded not just in my memory but on my mouth too. And the way he’d made me feel had just been out of this world. I’d wanted to stay there in the cocoon of his arms for the rest of the evening. He’d cooked for me. He’d taken care of me. I was melting again remembering all that masculine charm, that determination, and his unexpected protective side.

  How was I supposed to forget about all that until Monday?

  Pippa tilted her head, flashing a smile that told me I was in trouble. “Just saying, but you sound as if you want a repeat.”

  “I do, don’t I?”

  Victoria nodded sagely. I shook my head, then pressed my lips together as Christopher approached us.

  “The girl council is in action, I see.” He laced an arm around Victoria’s shoulders, the other around Pippa’s. The girls both had their poker faces on, but that didn’t fool Christopher.

  “You’re keeping secrets,” he declared. Victoria sighed, giving me an apologetic look. Big mistake. Christopher had just been trying to get a feel for the situation, and she’d confirmed his suspicions.

  “Spill it,” he demanded.

  “The point of a secret, brother dearest, is that no one is supposed to know about it,” Pippa said sweetly.

  “If it concerns my wife, I want to know.”

  “It doesn’t,” I piped up. “It concerns me.”

  I had no idea why I thought that might appease Christopher.

  “Also my concern.”

  I laughed, which only made him frown more. The Bennett men were a mixture of brother and father figure for me, especially Christopher. His protective ways had annoyed me as a teenager, but as an adult, I appreciated them.

  “This time, it’s girl business,” I assured him.

  He cocked a brow. I surreptitiously motioned the girls to put the distraction plan into motion.

  “Babe, before I forget, we have to pick up my new catalogs tonight,” Victoria said.

  “I thought we had time until next week.”

  “Yes, but I don’t want to leave it until the last moment.”

  “And there’s a real risk the crowd will be insane around Thanksgiving. Can you also pick up mine? If you bring them to the office, I’ll take them from there,” Pippa added.

  It worked. Ha! I smiled to myself. Operation Girls-Against-Bennett-Brothers still worked like a charm every time. It was a simple strategy, really. Bring into conversation mundane tasks, which gave everything a trivial air.

  Our odds for success were always better when Pippa joined us.

  “Sure. We’ll get them.” Christopher focused on me again, and for a brief second I thought our tactic hadn’t worked.

&
nbsp; “How’s work?” he asked.

  “Just fine.”

  “Your boss is back, right?”

  “Yup.” I was working hard on my poker face.

  “Then why so jumpy? Is your ex causing you any trouble?”

  “Nah. Forget about him, Christopher. I already did.” I flashed him a brilliant smile. I hoped I was convincing. The last thing I wanted was for Christopher to waste any time thinking about Trevor.

  “Let me know if he gives you any trouble.”

  “Sure.”

  Over my dead body, but Christopher didn’t have to know that. He’d get all up in arms, and there was no reason for it. I really wished I’d listened to him when he’d said he didn’t have a good feeling about him. In my defense, he’d said that about most of my boyfriends, which was why I dismissed his concerns most of the time.

  I was afraid Christopher might smell our distraction tactic if we weren’t careful, but Blake saved me. He joined our little group, throwing me a furtive look before assessing his brother.

  “Don’t suffocate the poor girl,” Blake warned Christopher.

  I patted his shoulder. “Finally, a Bennett man taking my side.”

  Christopher chuckled. “Not always.”

  “Hey, I have my moments of weakness,” Blake replied solemnly. “But most of the time, I’m firmly in Sienna’s squad.”

  “Except that one time you scared off my date,” I reminded him. “Don’t think I forgave you for that.”

  Blake clutched at his heart theatrically. “Five years later I’m still not forgiven?”

  “I’ve got a long memory, Blake.” I was grinning at him. I couldn’t be mad at Blake if I tried. He had that unique charm that just won me over instantly. He didn’t take himself seriously, or most things around him.

  “Seems I still have a lot to make up for.” He waggled his eyebrows. “But I’m up for the task.”

  “Don’t say that twice, or I’ll find something to torture you with.”

  “Can’t wait. How did it go with the walls?”

  “All finished.”

  Blake whistled. “Never thought you’d make so much progress on your own.”

  I felt the tips of my ears turn beet red and avoided Pippa and Victoria’s eyes, hoping Blake wouldn’t catch on to our knowing looks.

  Something must have tipped him off that I wasn’t being one hundred percent truthful, because he asked, “Everything okay?”

  “Sure.”

  “Is anyone giving you any headaches?”

  Christopher fist-bumped the air. I dropped my chin to my chest. “Blake. You just lost all your coolness points.”

  “Impossible.”

  “I already told Christopher that everything’s fine.”

  “But—”

  Blake was interrupted by Sebastian, who clapped his hands once.

  “Hey, chatty group over there, how about going back to work?”

  I smiled sheepishly, glad for the excuse, and scurried back to my place next to Chloe.

  Two hours later, we’d finished all the costumes and the set piece. I smiled as we all headed to lunch. Spending time with the Bennetts was the perfect way to recharge. No matter how tired I was coming in, I was always filled with a giddy energy and a renewed sense of optimism.

  After lunch, we all headed to the Embarcadero in time to catch the lighting ceremony. It was one of the most famous events in town. The four office towers along the Embarcadero were lit up with 17,000 twinkling lights amid a display of fireworks. We came each year, and I was still just as mesmerized by it all as usual. It was so clever to use the architecture to showcase the Christmas spirit. My thoughts flew to Winston, to the way he’d frowned at the twinkling lights I’d hung in the meeting room that day. What would he say to this?

  I snapped a picture of my view and almost messaged him, then stopped. Would I be overstepping boundaries? Would he even want to hear from me?

  I hovered with my thumbs over the keyboard for a few seconds before deciding to wait for him to make the first move.

  Afterward, we walked to Pier 39, which boasted one of my favorite Christmas trees in the city. The smell of sea salt mingled with eggnog and cinnamon from the several booths around us. Even though I was already full, I couldn’t help indulging in a cookie.

  As we strolled around, Pippa pulled me to one side. I knew that smile she had on. It spelled trouble.

  “So... want an update on my matchmaking work?” she whispered.

  “Um... yeah.” I had completely forgotten about that. To my surprise, I wasn’t looking forward to the update.

  The prospect of going out with a stranger just wasn’t exciting. In fact, I didn’t want to go out with anyone she found at all.

  Pippa pointed a finger at me. “Aha.”

  “What?”

  “I knew it. You’re not excited about it anymore.”

  “No.” I wasn’t sure where she was going with it. Maybe she was just checking if she should back down and not waste her time.

  She smiled triumphantly. Silly me. Pippa never talked just to talk.

  “You know what that means, right? You’ve got it bad for your boss, whether you want it or not.”

  Oh, Pippa, Pippa, Pippa.

  When you weren’t sure about something, she was right there to spell it out for you.

  As I left for my house, I was still thinking about Winston. Could things at the office still go on the same as before? I had no idea.

  I took my phone out to check my emails, only to discover I had a text from Winston. He’d been thinking about me! I giggled, covering my mouth with my hand even though I was alone.

  Winston: How was your Sunday?

  Sienna: Perfect!! I’ve had family time and SO MANY cookies. I’m in heaven.

  Winston: Happy to know.

  Sienna: Yours?

  Winston: Much less interesting than my Saturday.

  I was smiling from ear to ear already.

  Sienna: I see. And what made your Saturday so interesting?

  Winston: A certain amazing, smartass Christmas dork.

  Sienna: !!!!!

  He was right, but come on. He didn’t think he could get away with being mean, did he?

  Winston: I spent all day today thinking about her.

  And just like that, I was a puddle of fuzzy feelings again.

  Sienna: You didn’t have enough yesterday?

  Winston: Not by a long shot. Lucky I’m seeing her tomorrow.

  I had a grin the size of the moon. Yeah... things definitely wouldn’t be the same between us at the office.

  Chapter Eleven

  Sienna

  I’d been right. Things at the office were not the same. Whenever I saw Winston, his focus was unapologetically on me. After a particularly long meeting, I thought about ordering a fan, having it shipped with Amazon Prime. By the looks of it, I’d have plenty of use for it.

  On the plus side, his mood had improved somewhat, and it did not go unnoticed. My colleagues were a little more relaxed around him. Emphasis on a little.

  Winston went one step forward, then two steps back. He praised everyone in the meeting, then immediately sent a mass email where he emphasized some deadlines using strong wording.

  Knowing what was on the line, I had more understanding for him. I couldn’t even imagine what it would feel like to have that weight on your shoulders. Still... the strong wording just added to the overall stress level in the office, and I thought it was my duty to let him know it was counterproductive.

  I poked my head in his office.

  “Grouchy boss, you’re scaring everyone again. Just thought you should know. It’s not good for work morale.”

  He leaned back in his chair, looking every bit the powerful man he was. His frown lines disappeared, a naughty light popping up in his eyes.

  “What’s your strategy to change that?”

  “I’m supposed to do that?”

  “You have a good track record of lifting my mood.”
/>   I tried not to look too pleased, but I was ready to do a happy dance.

  “And I need a strategy? Hadn’t thought about anything that elaborate.”

  “I’m a demanding man.” He grinned. I felt as if my bra and panties were suddenly on fire.

  “And don’t I know it?” My tone was a little too sassy, but he kept grinning. Mission accomplished. “I’ll think about it.”

  “I can give you a few suggestions.”

  I narrowed my eyes, certain he was baiting me again. “I’m good. My phone’s ringing. Have to get back to it.”

  “You afraid to be in here with me too long?”

  I shook my head. He laughed, clearly not buying it. I wasn’t afraid, per se... I was just not ready to trust myself around him.

  I felt him watch me as I left the room. My breath was a little shaky. Honestly, so were my legs.

  Things were definitely getting too intense around here.

  In the afternoon, I received a surprise phone call. I was just about to go on a short coffee break when the phone rang.

  “Sienna Hensley,” I said.

  “Hi, Sienna. You’re the interim branding VP, right?”

  “Yes. Who am I talking to?”

  “Winston’s mother.”

  “Wow. I’ve heard so much about you. It’s so great to meet you. Even through the phone.”

  I was rambling. But the woman was practically a legend. I pressed my lips together, determined to sound professional, not like a fangirl at a concert.

  “I’ve been told that you’re closest to my son out of the entire team.”

  “Yes. You could say that.”

  I had no clue what else to add. How did she even know this?

  “So, here is the thing. My son’s back, but I almost never see him. He keeps saying he needs to work until late in the evening.”

  “That’s right, ma’am.”

  “Don’t call me that. Makes me feel like I’m a hundred years old.”

  I smiled. “Mrs. Statham.”

  “So, what’s with all these late-night work sessions?”

  “We’re preparing some big changes. Can’t work them into our regular schedule.”

  “So you’re working with him?”

  “Yes, ma’am. Sorry. Mrs. Statham,” I amended with a laugh.