The Billionaire's Christmas Cinderella

by Carol Marinelli

  She certainly wasn’t.

  Naomi soon recognised the nurse who had brought Jobe down for the photos with Ava on the day she had arrived in New York, and they chatted.

  And then a second before the speeches came a lovely surprise.

  ‘I knew you’d look stunning...’

  ‘Felicia!’ Naomi’s smile was genuine and wide, thrilled to see another familiar face. ‘How lovely to see you.’

  ‘It’s even lovelier to see you. I wouldn’t be here otherwise.’

  Naomi frowned but Felicia explained.

  ‘Abe called and said he wanted to surprise you and could I sort out your dress. I told him about the dress you’d liked and he mentioned how much you’d adored the coat. For my efforts, I got invited to the Devereux ball. Cheers!’

  ‘Thank you so much.’ Naomi beamed. ‘I can’t believe you managed to sort out my clothes and get ready yourself all in a day.’

  ‘A day?’ Felicia frowned. ‘I’ve—’

  But whatever she was about to say would have to wait because the speeches started at that moment.

  And there were many, but they were all very thoughtful and emotional, pointing out Jobe’s absence tonight and the equipment the funds from the ball had provided for the children’s wing of the hospital where Jobe was a patient.

  There was a small montage of footage from the ball over the years, and as she looked at the footage Naomi saw a much younger Jobe, dancing with Elizabeth, his late wife.

  And as Naomi looked around some of the women were reaching for handkerchieves and there were murmurs of ‘how beautiful’ she had been.

  And she had been, Naomi thought.

  On the outside.

  Naomi found her gaze falling on Abe. He stood there, his expression unreadable as he looked at the screen, and she wondered about the thoughts behind his impassive facade.

  Yet she knew them a little.

  That he had told her some of his past felt like a great privilege. That in this room packed with his acquaintances, colleagues and friends there was a shard of him he had shared with her that so few knew.

  Oh, their time together was so precious to her that even if it was fleeting, she treasured each second and would never forget this night when she felt so special and a part of this world.

  And then came the final speech, and Naomi found she held her breath as Abe took the microphone.

  She wanted to capture in her mind his beauty and the way he held the room, she wanted to embed his features so deeply in her brain that when she closed her eyes in the nights and years to come she would remember even the tiny details.

  The darkness of his eyes and his exquisite cheekbones.

  And the deepness of his voice.

  How he barely smiled as he thanked the room, yet there was no surly note to his tone.

  It was just that he rarely smiled.

  How he did not waste words as he thanked those present, and he did not repeat all that had been said.

  Instead, he shared something new with them all.

  ‘The roses were Jobe’s idea. He wanted each woman to have a flower from him tonight. He was aware that some of you will have received roses from him personally over the years...’ It was a slight allusion to Jobe’s philandering tendencies, but it was said in the kindest way. ‘He would like you to accept one more, with his love and thanks.’ There was a pause and, Naomi guessed, there might be some women in this room who would be pressing the bloom they held in their hands between pages tonight. She would be, for his was a life to remember, as was this night.

  Abe spoke on, and to conclude he said how his father wished he could be there but, though not present, he had insisted that every detail of the night had been run by him.

  ‘I hope,’ he said, ‘to make him proud.’

  And then he looked over at Naomi, and he met her eyes and he smiled.

  It was unexpected, and she felt eyes on her as she returned his rare smile, but then forgot about everyone else. Abe had the skill of making you forget there were even others in the room.

  So much so that she almost forgot to clap at the end of the speeches.

  And when he came over to her and the music started, it was without embarrassment or thought that she took his hand.

  Naomi had never been kissed until Abe.

  And she had never danced with anyone until tonight.

  As he led her onto the dance floor, she didn’t care if it was a duty dance if for one dance in her life she was held by him.

  But when he held her, when he pulled her into his arms and his hand took hers while the other held her waist, Naomi knew she lied. As she rested her head on his chest, her eyes drifted to the band, and silently pleaded that this dance never end.

  He felt the warmth of her skin through the fabric and his palm resisted the urge to drift a fraction lower.

  It was Abe who, for the first time, had to focus on his breathing. Who had to stare beyond the fragrant curls and out into the corporate world and remember his vow to himself to be a perfect gentleman tonight.

  Then she moved in his arms and her heavy breasts squashed into his chest, and he recalled them naked against his skin on the night she had denied him.

  And she felt her heartbeat quicken at the heat from his palm and desire took hold and she closed her eyes in an attempt to resist it.

  ‘Naomi?’

  ‘Yes?’

  ‘I’m going to have to do the rounds soon...’

  She nodded and reminded herself that this was work to him. ‘That’s fine,’ she said, and pulled her head back and looked up.

  A dangerous mistake.

  One only ever read about Abe’s scandals.

  For all the trysts he’d been caught up in there had never been as much as one single public display of affection.

  That ended tonight.

  His mouth found hers so easily and both took their fill.

  And the band must have read her earlier plea for they played on as the whispers chased each other around the room.

  Abe Devereux and that woman.

  Who no one knew by name.

  One thing was certain, though, and both tongues and cameras were clicking tonight.

  This kiss may have started on the dance floor but it would end in bed.

  Tonight.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  IT WAS NAOMI’S night of nights and, quite simply, she wished it would never end.

  Even when they left the dance floor as Abe had to go and work the room Naomi felt as if she floated from his arms. She spoke with Felicia, with Khalid and even with strangers, and every now and then he would look over, checking that she was okay.

  Naomi felt shielded from the whispers and stares that had plagued her since she had walked in, and in that ballroom indeed she was. There was Abe looking out for her, Khalid and, unbeknown to her, Felicia was too.

  The night was starting to wind down and couples were starting to leave, the women still clutching their rose. ‘I might nip to the loo,’ Naomi said, and Felicia frowned. ‘The restroom,’ she clarified.

  ‘Good idea.’ Felicia nodded. ‘I might come with you, there’ll be a rush on soon.’

  But as they picked their way through the ballroom, Felicia turned to the sound of her name.

  ‘Felicia?’

  Naomi also turned at the sound of the voice and saw a very handsome man walking towards them, a curious look on his face. ‘It is you,’ he said.

  ‘Leander...’

  Naomi watched as the confident and assertive Felicia, stood, looking stunned, but then she attempted to gather herself. ‘Leander, this is Naomi.’

  ‘Naomi,’ he said.

  Except, as he said it, his eyes never left Felicia’s face, and Naomi, who had played a part, perhaps more than most, knew it was time to leave.

/>   No matter.

  Naomi wasn’t one for moving in a pack and was more than capable of going to the restroom alone.

  The possibility that Abe might have asked Felicia to keep a close eye on her never even entered her head.

  And with good reason.

  Naomi, with her new and fragile confidence emerging, truly had no idea of the snake pit lurking beneath the well-dressed tables or the daggers that were being thrown from behind frozen smiles.

  She assumed everyone was as happy tonight as she was.

  Naomi washed her hands and as she went into her purse for her lipstick she saw the little tin that didn’t contain mints and her final gift was sorted out.

  She would be with Abe tonight.

  And not hesitantly.

  A short-lived affair she could live with far more than she could live a life without it.

  Naomi did not need San Cabo, or wherever it was, to be with him, or promises he could never keep to be with him.

  She heard the band strike up a Christmas song that had always made her cry.

  It wouldn’t any more, for it would remind him of this night for ever.

  In a few moments it would be Christmas, Naomi thought, and she crammed her mints back into her purse, ready to head out there for the chance of one last dance, when she heard her name.

  ‘Naomi?’

  Naomi turned and smiled at a petite blonde woman in a stunning high-necked red dress.

  ‘You’re Naomi, right?’

  ‘Yes?’ There was a question in her voice, wondering if she ought to know the woman, or if they’d been introduced for, yes, she looked a little familiar. And then Naomi found out why. She had seen her in photos, of course.

  ‘I’m Candice,’ she confirmed.

  ‘Oh.’ Naomi really didn’t know what else to say and felt the little colour she had leach from her face and she swallowed nervously.

  ‘Please...’ Candice smiled and put out her hand and gave Naomi’s arm a reassuring squeeze ‘...don’t feel awkward, I’m very used to all of this.’

  Only Naomi wasn’t reassured and she did feel awkward.

  ‘I really ought to get back out there,’ Naomi said hurriedly. She knew she was being an utter wimp, but a less than friendly chat with Abe’s very recent ex felt uncomfortable, to say the least.

  But Candice wasn’t letting her go just yet.

  ‘It really is fine.’ She gave Naomi another smile, only one that was almost sympathetic. ‘I’ve long accepted Abe’s affairs.’

  ‘We’re not...’ Naomi blew out a breath. She really didn’t know what she and Abe were. It was hardly an affair. And at every level Naomi knew too that whatever they had briefly found couldn’t last. She knew too that she was just his plus one tonight. But all she wanted was this perfect night and she didn’t want Candice getting in the way of that. ‘We’re not together, as such,’ Naomi said, and made to leave.

  ‘Of course you are,’ Candice said. ‘Abe was just saying to me this afternoon that he was bringing you tonight.’

  That stopped Naomi in her tracks and slowly she turned. ‘This afternoon?’

  ‘When he came by our apartment.’

  Naomi felt sweat trickling between her breasts. ‘I thought the two of you...’ She halted herself, refusing to be drawn in, but Candice used her small opening wisely.

  ‘You thought we were finished. Is that what he told you?’

  Naomi’s jaw gritted.

  ‘I guess Abe would say that, but of course we’re not finished.’

  Naomi found her fire then, just for a second. ‘I know that he pays you...’

  It was futile, of course.

  ‘Of course he does.’ Candice shrugged. ‘Abe likes me to look good all the time. In fact, I just signed a contract for another year.’ She took out her phone and pulled up a document.

  ‘I don’t need to see that.’

  ‘Oh, I’d suggest that you take a good look,’ Candice said, ‘because you really do seem rather clueless as to how this all works. There’s reams of it...’

  And there was, and even if she tried not to look, she saw the Madison Avenue address and, yes, it was all too sordid for her.

  Not that Candice had finished marking her territory and warning Naomi off. ‘In a nutshell I just accepted his terms again. I’ll turn the other cheek and be back by his side in the new year and back in his bed.’

  ‘Abe said that you don’t sleep together.’ Naomi was trying her hardest to keep it together, and she wasn’t being a bitch in her response, more trying to explain she would never be involved with Abe if she thought he was with someone.

  ‘And you believed him when he said that?’ Candice let out a tinkle of laughter. ‘As I said, I accept his affairs, although I have to say...’ she looked down at Naomi’s full figure ‘...he’s scraping the barrel right now. Maybe he’s having a fat phase. Then again, as my friend just said when she saw the two of you dancing, it’s always so much harder to get the vehicle serviced when it’s snowing.’

  As Candice walked off, Naomi felt sick.

  She felt embarrassed.

  And guilty too.

  Because even if nothing much had happened between herself and Abe, deep down Naomi had been hoping that tonight it would.

  She admitted it to herself then.

  The pampering and preening had all been in the hope of being made love to tonight by him.

  Naomi had even accepted that for Abe it could only ever be a fling.

  She had lowered her standards over and over to be met by him, all the way down to a one-night stand, but she would never have agreed to tonight had she known that he was still with Candice.

  Naomi gripped the sink and tried to hold in the tears, but they had already started to come.

  Big fat tears that took with them the lashings of mascara and slid down her cheeks in oily black streaks, and her nose went from white to red with the speed of a supercar’s engine.

  And that red nose ran too.

  She tried to blot the tears with one of the little fluffy hand towels and she tried to hold in the great shuddering sobs, but they were building and women were coming in, and looking at her sideways. And she thought about what Candice’s friend had said, about her size and how it was hard to get serviced when it was snowing, and for Naomi it was just all too much.

  They were all laughing at her, Naomi was sure.

  And she was heaping loathing on herself for daring to dream that things could be different, even for one night.

  Naomi walked away from the stares in the restroom to the stares in the gorgeous foyer, crowded with people collecting their coats, and it felt as if they turned en masse to look at her.

  She could not face collecting her gorgeous coat, and she could not imagine going back into the ballroom to find Abe.

  There was no point anyway because at the entrance doors to the ballroom she saw the flash of red of Candice’s dress. She was talking to Abe and running a hand along the lapel of his jacket and all Naomi could think in that second was how stunning they looked together.

  And she did the only thing instinct told her to, and she fled.

  Past the gorgeous people all effortlessly chatting.

  And past the doorman, who called her back.

  ‘Do you have a coat, madam...?’

  It was like her first day in the city but without all the excitement, without all the hope, because all hope had gone.

  She just fled down the stairs and out into the freezing night, losing not just a shoe but her hairstyle too, because her carefully pinned hair all came tumbling down.

  And Abe saw her leave.

  He had been standing at the doors, shaking hands with a guest while looking out for Naomi, when he’d seen Felicia. ‘Where’s Naomi?’

  ‘I was just...’ Felicia had clearly los
t track of her. ‘She went to the restroom.’

  It was then that he saw Candice making a beeline for him.

  She wasn’t on the guest list but, of course, he didn’t keep the party planners in the loop as to the status of his love life, and this late at night, things must have slacked off. It would seem that Candice had slipped in.

  Of course she had. He had been a fool to think she would go quietly.

  ‘Hey.’ She smiled and came over.

  ‘What are you doing here, Candice?’ he clipped.

  ‘I come every year,’ she pointed out. ‘Well, I have for the last three. You’re looking very smart...’ She ran a possessive hand down his jacket and looked right into his eyes.

  He should never have attempted to play this nice. The one time he’d tried to the right thing it had backfired spectacularly because as he looked out of the ballroom it was just in time to see Naomi running off.

  ‘What the hell did...?’ He didn’t even bother asking the rest of the question, he didn’t need to hear from Candice what had been said. All he knew was that Naomi was hurting. He pushed past the crowds and the doorman didn’t see him coming because he’d gone after Naomi and was retrieving her shoe and trying to call her back, but Naomi had continued to run.

  ‘She’s distressed, sir,’ he said as Abe approached.

  He could see that.

  And she was cold.

  Freezing, in fact.

  And the cars were all a blur as she crossed the road.

  ‘Naomi!’ She heard him shouting and she cared not if she was making a scene, she just wanted to get as far away from Abe Devereux as her legs would allow.

  Somewhere private where she could cry out loud, as she hadn’t been able to on the day she’d first found out what an utter pig he was.

  She made it to the edge of the park before he caught up.

  ‘Leave me alone!’ she shouted.

  ‘Come back inside.’

  ‘Never! I’m not going back there. They’re all—’

  ‘I’ve booked us a suite,’ he interrupted, but his attempt to soothe only served to incense her.