by Carla Luna
She ended the call and headed toward the back entrance of Blackwood Manor, only to have her phone vibrate with another text from Missy. That made seven in the space of three hours. Rather than wade through them, she hit call. “Missy? It’s Victoria. I was in meetings all morning, so I didn’t have a chance to get back to you. What do you need?”
Missy gave a petulant humph. “This wedding should be your highest priority. It’s in three days.”
I’m aware of the schedule, thanks. “I understand. To speed things up, could you tell me what today’s crisis entails?”
“Why do you assume there’s a crisis? I’m just a bride doing her due diligence. I need a status update on the Christmas trees. Were they delivered yet? How do they look?”
As promised, the trucks from the tree farm had arrived at eight that morning. Victoria had enlisted the estate’s groundskeeper and his crew to set them into place and hang the lights. They’d been finishing up when she left for her first apartment viewing.
“Hang on,” she told Missy. “I’m heading over to the grand ballroom now.”
When she unlocked the door and stepped inside the spacious room, she was momentarily awestruck. Twenty Fraser firs ringed the perimeter of the ballroom, decked out in sparkling white lights. The effect was like standing amid a magical forest of evergreens. She could easily imagine a faun or a fairy princess making an appearance. The only thing lacking was snow.
“Ohhhh,” she murmured.
“Is that a good ‘oh’ or a bad ‘oh’?” Missy asked.
“It’s good. Very good. The trees look stunning, and they smell fantastic.” The heady scent of pine brought back fond memories of family hikes at Big Bear Lake.
“What about all the decorations? Did you get everything I asked for?”
Victoria located the giant pyramid of plastic bins, stashed in one corner of the ballroom. She’d ordered twenty silver and gold ornament sets from Balsam Hill, along with rolls of silver and gold mesh ribbons, shiny beaded garlands, and golden pinecone ornaments. The trees would be topped with custom-made stars designed by Christopher Radko.
“I think it’s all here.” A quick count revealed thirty bins, but she’d need to consult her notes to make sure she hadn’t missed anything. “Once I grab my binder, I can check everything off the list.”
“You’re going to decorate them, right? They have to look identical.”
Of course they did. The design sheet for the trees was in the binder, along with the rest of Missy’s instructions. “We’re decorating them tonight. Exactly as specified.” She decided to throw Missy a bone. “If you want to join us, the party starts at six.”
A lengthy pause followed, like Missy hadn’t expected Victoria to include her. “I…I’d like to. But I have plans. Two of my bridesmaids are arriving this afternoon, and we’re doing a girls’ night out.”
Just as well. Victoria doubted Rafael’s family would appreciate Missy’s style of micromanagement. “That’s fine. Once we’re done, I’ll send you pictures so you can make sure everything meets your standards.”
“Can you send them tonight? I’m doing a full day of wellness and pampering tomorrow at Glen Ivy Hot Springs, and I won’t have access to my phone.”
A full day of pampering sounded heavenly. If only. “Sure. It might be late, but I’ll do it before we leave.”
“Okay. Thank you.”
A “thank you”? Was Missy turning into a decent human being? Victoria responded with genuine warmth. “You’re very welcome. I can’t wait to see how the room looks once the trees are decorated.”
Rafael walked into the grand ballroom and stopped short. Madre de Dios, he felt like a kid stepping into an enchanted forest. Twenty perfect fir trees, decorated with strings of white lights, encircled the ballroom. And these weren’t the raggedy-ass trees his family had purchased when he was a kid—lopsided, scruffy, missing branches in the back. These beauties were easily ten feet tall and perfectly symmetrical, with dark green needles. They gave off the powerful aroma of pine woods.
Victoria bounded over to him, clipboard in hand, dressed in a dark green sweater and a pair of snug-fitting jeans that hugged the curve of her ass. Was she wearing one of those sexy bra-and-panty sets underneath? He would have given anything for a half hour alone with her just to find out.
“What do you think?” she asked. “Don’t the trees look unbelievable?”
“They’re the most perfect trees I’ve ever seen.”
“I know, right? I talked to fifteen vendors and looked through a ton of websites. They didn’t come cheap.” She gestured to a group of standing ladders in one corner of the room. “I had to get these from the grounds crew because the trees are so tall. I hope no one in your family is averse to heights.”
He rolled up his sleeves. “They’ll be fine. What do you need me to do?”
“The others should be here soon. For now, can you help me drag these storage bins over to the trees so they’re all distributed?”
He couldn’t get over how excited she seemed. “You’re into this, aren’t you?”
She grinned. “Shh. Don’t let Missy know. I love a good challenge. Especially when I have a sexy chef as my accomplice.”
He was tempted to take her in his arms, kiss her soundly, and run his hands along her sweet little ass, but he resisted the urge. Someone could walk in at any minute.
Sure enough, he’d only set out two bins when Araceli strolled in, trailed by Ernesto and Nena. The other cousins showed up a few minutes later, followed by Connor and his girlfriend, Jess.
Radiating enthusiasm, Victoria gathered everyone around. “Thanks so much for coming. The trees are all in place, ready to be decorated. As you’ve probably guessed, Missy’s very particular about her design scheme. Fortunately, she sent over sketches and photos.” She handed everyone a copy of the three-page handout. “The finished trees should look identical. Please don’t deviate from the plan, even if you’re feeling creative. I’d suggest working two people to a tree since we only have five standing ladders. Any questions?”
“Is there going to be food?” Ernesto asked. “’Celi said we’d be fed.”
Victoria responded with an apologetic smile. “Yes, I should have mentioned that. There’s beer, wine, and soda in the back room. Once I get everyone’s preferences, I’ll order pizzas. I figured we could break around seven thirty for dinner.”
As the group split up, Rafael dragged a ladder over to the furthest tree, then stared at the design sheet for clarification. Since all the ornaments were either silver or gold, he could barely distinguish one from another. He was in over his head.
Araceli joined him, carrying one of the bins. “Want to work together?”
“Sounds good. I don’t want to screw up.”
She leaned in closer, as if disclosing a secret. “Before we start, we need to talk. I have a bone to pick.”
His stomach clenched up. The last thing he needed was to get on Araceli’s bad side. She held a grudge like no one else. “What’d I do?”
“Ernesto told me you hooked up with an old girlfriend on Sunday night. Why are you pulling that shit?”
Jesus. Why was everyone so keen on monitoring his love life?
She opened the bin and set the design sheet beside it. “I think if we figure out the layout first, then we can hang the ornaments in the correct order.”
“Works for me. And I was trying to keep things discreet. Ernesto found out by accident.”
Araceli lined up the golden pinecones. “We’re supposed to have twenty, but I only count fifteen. The last five must be in one of the extra bins. Go check and see.”
He did as she said, hoping she’d get so engrossed in decorating that she’d drop the subject of his hookup. He set another bin at her feet. “Here. This one’s labeled, ‘extra ornaments.’”
“That should work.” She picked out five shiny pinecones and set them on the ground, but she was still hell-bent on interrogating him. “What were you doing, foolin
g around with some rando? What if Victoria found out? I saw the way she looked at you when we were at my apartment. The girl has it bad.”
“Enough. If I tell you who I was with, will you keep it in the vault?”
“Depends.” As if a light went on, she beamed. “Wait. Were you with Victoria?”
He tensed up, worried someone might overhear them. But the upbeat music from A Charlie Brown Christmas was now playing through the ballroom’s speakers, making it difficult to hear other conversations. “Yes. But don’t tell anyone.”
She clapped her hands together. “I knew something was up. That’s why you waited for her after my party ended. Was it that night?”
“The next morning, if you want to be specific. But can we please not talk about this anymore?”
“You guys are so cute together. Please tell me you’re taking this public after the wedding.”
He couldn’t help but grin. “That’s the plan. I hope.” The last time they talked, Victoria had mentioned lining up appointments to visit a few apartments in the Temecula area.
The thought of being with her—not in secret but as an actual couple—filled him with excitement. Even though they’d never actually dated before, he was willing to commit to a serious relationship and see where it went. He now knew what he wanted—to keep this woman in his life by any means possible.
“I hope so, too,” Araceli said. “And…while we’re on the subject of Victoria, do you think there’s any chance she’d like a kitten? Those kittens I’m fostering will need good homes. When she was at my apartment, she totally bonded with Mimi. She even liked Gordo.”
Then she was off, filling him in on every detail of her life as a foster-kitten mom. But he endured it with good humor.
Right now, while he was still keeping things with Victoria under wraps, he’d rather talk about anything except his love life.
Chapter 25
They were done. Ten people. Four hours. Twenty Christmas trees.
Though it was after ten, Victoria didn’t feel tired. If anything, the sight of the trees invigorated her.
The effect was far more dazzling than she could have imagined, transforming the grand ballroom into a winter wonderland. On Saturday, they would set up the tables and the linens, along with the gingerbread houses, the candles, the hand-lettered signs, the seating chart and placeholders, and all the favors they’d created. The florist would drop off the arrangements, including the custom-designed holiday centerpieces. Truly, this wedding was going to be the most Instagram-worthy event of the holiday season.
As Rafael’s family members said their goodbyes, Victoria bestowed each of them with a bottle of Blackwood Cellars Premium Cabernet, courtesy of her father’s wine cellar. She hugged Connor and Jess and gave them another bottle of Valois Brandy.
Connor grinned at Victoria. “Dad’s going to think Dickhead Darren threw one hell of a party.”
“That’s the plan,” she said.
“I can’t believe you pulled this off,” Jess said. “The trees look unbelievable. And Rafael told me about the food he’s serving. Any chance you could sneak us an invite?”
Victoria laughed. “I wish. I’d love to have you here on Saturday night to serve as allies, but I can’t risk it.”
Connor slung his arm around Jess’s shoulder. “Come on, sweetheart. Let’s go make our own Christmas magic.”
Victoria watched them go, still finding it slightly hard to believe her brother had turned into such a lovestruck sap. But who was she to question the power of romance?
After everyone else had left the ballroom, Rafael put his arms around her waist and nuzzled her neck. “They look perfect. You can relax now.”
She leaned into him, inhaling his citrusy aftershave. “I couldn’t have done it without your help.”
He placed a soft kiss on the sensitive skin under her ear, making her shiver. “You can thank me properly later.”
Her body flooded with heat. The last two nights, they’d had to settle for phone sex, which was no substitute for the real thing. She almost suggested Rafael come home with her, since her father would be at his Wednesday night cigar club. But she couldn’t remember if the club had taken a break for the holidays. “I wish we could go back to your place.”
“We can’t chance it. Ernesto and Dario might still be up.” He tightened his grip around her waist. “Isn’t there somewhere in Blackwood Manor with a bed? Like, an old-timey room, still preserved from when this place was built?”
“Even if there were, every room in the manor has security cameras. But…” She pulled out her phone and checked the weather app. The last few days had been unseasonably warm for December. “It’s still pretty nice out. I could grab one of the extra table linens and a blanket from my car, and we could find somewhere on the grounds. I know a few discreet places.”
“Really?” He pulled her flush so she could feel the length of him pressing into her. “You’re willing to have sex outside?”
“I did it in Baja.” But she hadn’t been Victoria Blackwood then. She’d been Tori Dubois, wild and free, with nothing to lose. Still, the urge to make love under the moonlight was too tempting to resist.
“Give me ten minutes.” He kissed the top of her head. “I’m going to wash up in the kitchen.”
“Perfect. I need to take pictures and send them to Missy. She’ll be thrilled.”
While Rafael took the plates and cups into the kitchen, Victoria examined each tree, making sure everything was in place. A feeling of pride swelled through her. Though she hadn’t done it on her own, she’d created the exact setting Missy had asked for. After adjusting a few of the ornaments, she circled the ballroom, photographed the trees in all their glory, and sent Missy the photos.
As she bent down to stack up the empty bins, someone smacked her in the butt. A stinging slap, so sharp and unexpected that she stumbled and fell, hitting her knee on the marble floor. Her pulse raced in a mix of fear and fury. Only one person had the gall to touch in such an intrusive way.
Ben stood over her, a mocking smile on his face. Like he was glad he’d knocked her off her axis. He looked as though he’d come from his office, but his button-down hung loose, his tie was askew, and his face had the reddened appearance of one too many drinks.
Despite the unease coursing through her, she tried to keep her voice steady. “Ben? What are you doing here?”
“Went to the bar after work with some buddies. Gotta enjoy my last few days of freedom.” He offered her his hand.
She took it but regretted her decision when he pulled her closer. The powerful aroma of rum made her wince. “I hope you weren’t driving. You should probably call a ride-share.”
He scanned the room and let out a low whistle. “Damn. That’s a lot of trees. You decorate them all?”
Why couldn’t he have shown up an hour earlier when she’d had Rafael’s family around to protect her? She tugged at her wrist, wishing he’d release his grip. “I had help. But now that I’m done, I’m about to head home.”
He held on tight. “What’s the hurry?”
She bit back the biting retort on the tip of her tongue. Responding in anger would only make him more aggressive. “Ben, please. It’s been a long day.”
Still gripping her wrist, he moved forward, forcing her back against the wall. A surge of pure, unmitigated rage took hold of her. After all the hours she’d spent working on his wedding, the last thing she wanted to do was to fend off his drunken advances. “Go home. You’re getting married in three days.”
He groaned. “Don’t remind me. It’s all Missy ever talks about day and night. This damn wedding.”
For a fleeting moment, Victoria almost pitied him. It couldn’t be easy, putting up with Missy’s constant demands. Then again, he’d brought it on himself.
“It’s almost over,” she said. “In a few days, you can relax and enjoy married life.”
“With a baby on the way? Hardly. That’s why I need to cut loose tonight.” He leered at her.
“You look sexy in those jeans. Like you might be up for a little fun.”
“Nope. I’m still the same cold fish you dumped for Missy.” She threw the words back in his face, still furious at his dismissive insult.
Ben laughed. “That bothered you, huh?”
“What do you think? I tried to give you what you wanted in bed. But it obviously wasn’t enough.”
“You didn’t try that hard. Because you didn’t give a shit about me.”
Where had that come from? Even if she desperately wanted him to leave, she couldn’t let his comment stand. “What are you talking about? You’re the one that cheated.”
“Because our whole engagement was bullshit. Just a way for you to impress your father. But when we were alone, you barely made an effort.”
A rush of guilt swelled through her. Had her ambivalence been that obvious? Though she’d tried to be a willing partner, her heart had never been in it. She’d experienced more passion with Rafael in a few short weeks than she’d felt with Ben in a year.
“I…I’m sorry,” she said.
His mouth curved up in a cruel smile. “You should be. But I’m willing to give you another chance.” He leaned in to kiss her, but she kicked out instinctively and made contact with his shin. He released her and rubbed his leg. “What the fuck, Victoria!”
In an instant, her remorse vanished. “I’m not that sorry. Keep your hands off me.”
Rafael emerged from the kitchen but stopped short at the sight of them. Victoria caught his eye and gave a quick shake of her head, hoping he’d leave them alone. She could handle Ben on her own. If Rafael got involved, the scene was bound to get ugly.
But he strode toward them like a man on a mission. “What’s going on?”
Ben glared at him. “None of your business, Ramón.”
Though Rafael refrained from touching her, he didn’t attempt to hide his concern. “Are you okay? Did he hurt you?”
She needed to make him leave before his protective instincts kicked in. Even if he wanted to come to her aid, she couldn’t let him take that risk.
