by Layla Hagen
“There can be a million reasons,” Pippa said wisely. “Whatever it is, we can come up with a solution. But... first we want to know how serious you are about him. We have a plan.”
“Involves more than eggnog?” I asked.
“Well, eggnog and roast duck were the first step,” Victoria admitted.
I chuckled. “Of course, they were. Now I will forever think of the roast duck as a means to an end.”
“So, on a scale from he’s boyfriend material to I want to have his babies, how into him are you?” Pippa asked solemnly.
I couldn’t hold back. Not when I’d had eggnog. And roast duck.
“I was already dreaming about asking Nadine to design my wedding dress,” I confessed.
Victoria smiled, exchanging a glance with Nadine. “Well... she kind of sketched something already.”
“She did? Why? When?”
“I had a bout of inspiration after meeting him at dinner,” Nadine said.
“Same for me. Might have designed an engagement ring with you in mind,” Pippa added. “Between us girls, we already have your entire wedding planned.”
I sighed, feeling my heart just grow from being surrounded by so much love. But I still felt completely overwhelmed, still hoped my phone would ring soon.
On second thought, why wait? I rose to my feet, heading toward the counter where I’d left my tote.
I was going to take matters into my own hands and text Winston. The second I tapped the screen of my smartphone, I realized the task wouldn’t be as easy as I’d hoped. I was already tipsy, but I persisted.
The drinks might not have boosted creativity, but you know what it did boost? Courage.
Oh, yeah.
I typed at an embarrassingly low speed, but once I’d pressed Send, I returned to the girls feeling relieved and overwhelmed at the same time.
“You texted Winston, didn’t you?” Pippa asked.
I nodded.
“Atta girl.” She patted the floor again. “Come here. I know just what you need.”
As I sat down, she reached for another take-out bag I hadn’t seen until now.
“More roast duck?” I asked.
“Nope. Cupcakes.”
“Why didn’t you take them out right away?”
Grinning, she opened the carton. “Saving the best for last.”
Chapter Thirty-One
Winston
After the board meeting, I moved my flight back to San Francisco from the evening to one o’clock. In the half an hour I had between packing my bags and the Uber pickup time, I went for a walk. It was supposed to clear my mind, but it wasn’t working.
I’d left my laptop and phone at the hotel. I’d wanted to walk off the tension, clear my mind. Leaving all electronic devices behind was a calculated move: I didn’t want to give myself the opportunity to do anything rash, like calling the board and giving them a piece of my mind. I had more important things to think about, such as mapping out my next steps.
The longer I walked, the more worked up I became, though. Last time I’d been on these streets, the opposite had happened. I’d felt relaxed, free, happy. It hadn’t been Burlington, or the snow. It had been all Sienna. She’d changed the way I looked at certain things, how I experienced them. She’d changed me.
On the drive to the airport and the six-hour flight, I was restless. I only turned my phone back on once I landed in San Francisco. I had a dozen missed calls from the HR department, and as many from Sienna. What was going on?
Then a message popped up, and my stomach sank.
Sienna: Why did u not tell me untl now? If you’re jst going to sprng on m that you’re leaving, Ill b VERY VERY mad.
My stomach sank at the same time my pulse exploded in my ears. The message was missing several letters, but I got the gist of it.
I checked my email next. The board had already sent out an email?
What the hell? We had not agreed on sending this. Even though I was getting madder with every word, I forced myself to read until the end.
They’d even mentioned Paris? Jesus Christ, what a mess. Sienna must think I was a dickhead of the highest order. Just the thought that she could be hurting right now ate at my insides. I called her immediately.
She answered after a few rings.
“Well, hello, Mr. Broody Boss.”
That wasn’t Sienna, but the voice was vaguely familiar, even though the woman talked in a low whisper.
“Who is this?”
“Pippa. We met in Sienna’s office and then at my parents’ house, remember?”
“Yes. Is Sienna with you?”
“Yup.”
“Can I talk to her?”
“Nope.”
I tapped my fingers on the handle of my bag, worry gripping me, wrapping around me like a vise.
“Did something happen to her?”
Please say no. Please.
“Yeah. Too much eggnog. Too much duck. Too many cupcakes.”
“I’m not following.”
“Look, she was a little down today, and the girls and I decided to entertain her. She could really use talking to you, though.”
“I agree. Put her on the phone.”
“No, see... I think you should come in person. Whatever you have to say, those green eyes and your general alpha vibes will tip the balance in your favor.”
I didn’t know whether to laugh or not.
“Where are you?”
“At Nadine Hawthorne’s store. You can find the address online. I’ve had too much eggnog myself to type.”
“Why are you whispering?”
“Because I’m hiding from the girls.”
My gut clenched. “Sienna doesn’t want to talk to me?”
“She does... at least she did a few hours ago. Not sure where she stands now, which is why I’m showing some initiative.”
“I appreciate it.”
“Ha! Don’t appreciate it yet. You hurt Sienna, and I’ll kick your ass. And I have reinforcements.”
This time, I did laugh. “I bet you do. I’ve just landed. I’m looking up the address as soon as I hang up, and I’m coming directly there. Can you keep Sienna at the store a while longer?”
Pippa giggled. “You still have so much to learn about the way girls’ nights out work in the Bennett family. I’ll give you a tip: we know when they start. You can never tell when they end.”
“I’ll remember that. And thanks, Pippa.”
I arrived at the store almost forty minutes later, and practically jumped out of the Uber before it had even stopped.
Nadine Hawthorne’s shop was the only one with lights on. My eyes bulged. When Pippa had said they were on a girls’ nights out, I had imagined... I didn’t know what, but not this. They were having a party inside. Some of the girls were dancing. I spotted Sienna among them, and my whole body felt lighter.
I knocked at the glass door, but no one heard me over the music, so I just went inside. The bell above the door rang, and all movement stopped. The dancing girls stilled. The conversation ceased.
“Hi! Sienna, can I speak with you? Alone?”
Alice sprang to her feet, along with Victoria, who turned to Sienna and asked, “Did you talk to him?”
“I didn’t. At least, I don’t remember talking to him.”
She frowned, checking her phone. “Oh, I did. I just don’t remember doing it.”
Pippa held up a hand, flashing a guilty smile. “It was me. I told him where we are.”
Sienna groaned, hiding her face in her hands. “But I’m not sober.”
“Details, details,” Pippa said, waving her hand. “Girls, how about we give them some space?”
Right. “Space” consisted of more or less ten feet, since the store wasn’t that large. I didn’t care. All I cared about was Sienna.
I stalked toward her. She took a step back and wobbled. I placed both hands on her arms, stroking her bare skin just where the sleeve ended. She licked her lips before looking down at the p
oint of skin-on-skin contact.
“We need to talk, drunk girl.”
“Hey! Don’t make fun of me. It’s their fault.” She pointed to the group of girls huddled on the armchairs.
“It is,” Pippa admitted loudly. I laughed. So much for privacy.
“I can’t talk here with everyone listening,” Sienna whispered.
“Outside, then. Let’s go.”
“Hey! You can’t come here all bossy and full of swagger.”
I tilted forward until my lips almost touched hers. Sliding one hand down, I pressed my fingers possessively on her waist.
She gave a small gasp, and her gaze dropped to my mouth.
“I’m this close to throwing you over my shoulder and taking you somewhere else... Outside. Now. Come on.”
“Hmpf.” Sienna crossed her arms over her chest, stalking past me. I followed closely. Pippa and Victoria gave me thumbs-up when I passed them.
Once we were outside, I realized that Sienna wasn’t her usual self. She was fanning her cheeks, drawing in deep breaths.
“Are you feeling sick?”
“No, just... drunk. They gave me eggnog, roast duck, and cupcakes.”
“You got drunk from roast duck and cupcakes?”
“No, but it made me drink more eggnog.”
“I see.” I couldn’t tone down my grin.
“Hey! Don’t mock me.”
“Or what?”
She narrowed her eyes. “Why didn’t you call me after the board meeting?” In a lower voice, she added, “Why didn’t you tell me about Paris?”
And just like that, the ease and playfulness were gone from her eyes and her voice. I wanted to do whatever it took to bring them back.
“I wanted to regroup after the meeting. Moved my flight earlier and turned off my phone because I knew I’d lash out at them. They weren’t supposed to send out that email. They followed some stupid protocol they had in place. I didn’t even know about it. I meant to talk to you, explain everything.”
“Paris?” she pressed, her voice almost a whisper. “Why didn’t you tell me about that?”
“It was something the board and I discussed months ago. It was a backup plan for the worst-case scenario, but then I didn’t give it any thought because I met a certain sassy-mouthed, Christmas-obsessed branding VP who turned my life upside down, and I fell in love so hard that I can’t even see straight.”
“Mr. Statham, are you trying to soften me with flattery?”
“Yes, ma’am. Is it working?”
“I’m undecided. You can keep at it though. Might tip the balance in your favor.”
“Ah. I see.”
“Why did you even make that deal with the board?”
“It was the only way I could get them to commit to finding workplaces for as many employees as possible. If I agreed to oversee our European operations.”
That light in her eyes dimmed instantly, slaying me.
“Winston, I don’t want to keep you from doing whatever you have to do to get the best deal for the team.”
“Sienna, this doesn’t change anything between us.”
“How can you say that?”
“Because I love you.” I cupped her face with both hands, needing to feel closer, to show her that our connection was as strong as ever. She belonged to me. We belonged together.
“I know that a lot of things are up in the air, but no matter what, I want us together. Don’t you want the same thing?”
“I do, but... how about the deal?”
Despite leaning into my touch, she watched me with weariness. No. I was going to do everything in my power to erase any doubt.
“I’m not going to take it. I happen to be in love with a very smart woman. I’m sure that if we put our heads together, we’ll find an even better solution for the team.”
“I see. More flattery,” she whispered, giving me a small smile. “Just so you know, it’s working.”
“Is that a yes, then?”
Her smile grew bigger, until it almost swallowed her.
“Hell, yes!”
She rose on her tiptoes, balancing her hands on my shoulders. She was the one who made the first move, touching her lips to mine, but I took control of the kiss the next second. I needed to feel that she was mine. She loved me.
She wasn’t holding all this uncertainty against me. She was ready to embrace it with me.
I hadn’t thought it was possible to love Sienna more, but right in this moment, I fell deeper.
I kissed her until she whimpered, pushing her hips into me. I pressed my thumb on the top of her spine, splaying my fingers on her shoulder blades, barely holding back from slipping them under the fabric of her dress. I wouldn’t be able to keep a straight head if I touched her bare skin.
I needed to be alone with her.
It was all I could do not to pin her against the storefront and deepen the kiss. Instead, I pulled back. She pouted.
She was cute in her semidrunk state, rubbing her eyes and shifting her weight from one foot to the other.
I’d take care of her tonight. I’d show her I was meant to take care of her every night.
Before I could say anything, the door of the store opened and Pippa poked her head out.
“Not to intrude on your privacy or anything, but just thought I’d warn you. A bunch of Bennetts are joining us soon. Sebastian, Blake, and Christopher are on their way.”
Sienna turned on her heels. “Crap. You went ahead with the plan to prank them?”
“No, no,” Pippa said quickly, opening the door wider. The rest of the group was right behind her. “I didn’t text them.”
“I did,” Victoria said.
Pippa groaned. “But now they’re going to grill Winston. At least these two are done talking.”
“How do you know?” Sienna asked through squinted eyes. Pippa lowered her eyes to her hands.
“There was a make-up kiss.”
“You spied on us.”
I laughed, watching everything play out.
“I... uhh... well, we could see everything through the window. I didn’t eavesdrop, though. The door was closed.”
“And you haven’t mastered the art of lipreading,” Sienna said with a smile.
“Yet.” Pippa winked before turning her attention to the street, where a car pulled up. Sebastian, Blake, and Christopher got out of it.
“Victoria, why do they look like they’re on a mission?” Pippa asked.
“I... err, might have told Christopher that Sienna was feeling down... and also why,” Victoria confessed.
Sienna rubbed her palms over her face. “Okay. Okay. We need a plan. No way do I want them going into overprotective mode.”
“Babe, it’s all good,” I said. To my astonishment, she laughed. Her lack of faith was insulting.
“Pippa, any chance you can distract them?”
Pippa’s shoulders sagged. “I know my strengths. Deterring my brothers when they’re on a mission is impossible.”
The guys joined us the next second.
“What are you doing here?” Pippa asked them.
“I’m only here because Christopher insisted, and Blake sided with him. I didn’t stand a chance,” Sebastian said.
Christopher focused on me. “You have some explaining to do.”
Blake nodded. “That’s right.”
“Sienna and I are working everything out,” I explained.
“Everything Bennett-related is everyone’s business,” Christopher said.
I was starting to realize that and was barely biting back a laugh. “We’re good,” I said.
“They are! I saw them make-up kiss and all,” Pippa said.
“Oh,” Blake said. “I’d like to promise I won’t jump the gun again, but I don’t like to make promises I can’t keep. I’m a hothead. But I own up to my flaws. Plus, I have to protect my favorite people.”
Christopher stared at him. “You usually give me shit when I say that.”
Blake
didn’t miss a beat. “I adapt.”
Sebastian shook his head. “Maybe it’s time you should let everyone do their own thing.”
“Sebastian, stop being so sensible. It makes us look bad,” Blake said. Everyone laughed.
“I’m going to take my girl home,” I said.
Victoria looked between Blake, Christopher, and me before turning to Pippa. “What did I tell you? The caveman gene is strong in the Bennett family.”
Chapter Thirty-Two
Winston
I got my woman home right after that. I couldn’t wait to be alone with her. I had enough self-restraint to not kiss her in the cab, but I couldn’t hold back from touching her. I needed that connection at the very least. I interlaced our hands, bringing them up, touching my mouth to the back of her hand. She shuddered lightly, crossing her legs. The movement tested my self-control like nothing else.
I lost the battle with myself halfway home, tipping her chin up and claiming her mouth. Fuck, how she opened up, relenting to me right away.
I’d thought I’d appease my need for her with one taste, but I’d been wrong. If anything, it just stoked the fire. I was desperate now. When she tugged at my shirt, I deepened the kiss even more. When she let go, slipping her hand underneath, I grabbed her wrist, stopping the descent. There was no saying what I’d do if I felt her soft fingers on my bare skin. Her lips curled upwards as she tried to wiggle her hand out of my grip. I stopped kissing her, looking her straight in the eyes. She wiggled her eyebrows, whispering, “Afraid you can’t resist me?”
“You wicked woman.”
She laughed softly, leaning into me.
“As punishment, you’re not getting another kiss until we get home,” I said. She batted her eyelashes.
I shook my head. She attempted to wiggle her hand under my shirt again. I caught it—again. I touched my thumb along the sensitive skin under her lower lip until she started to tremble in my arms.
Not kissing her was as much punishment for me as it was for her, but it was the only way to keep from losing my head.
I congratulated myself on keeping a (tiny) distance right up until we were inside my apartment. And then I remembered that my intention had been to take care of Sienna tonight. She’d been wobbly on her legs back at the store. Even though all I wanted was to press her against the door and sink inside her, I did the gentlemanly thing.
