A Billionaire's Christmas (The Carolina Series Book 4)

by Jill Downey

  “We’d better quit while we’re ahead.”

  She looked up at him, “I’m going loca. Why do you get to decide?”

  He laughed. “Loca huh? Here let me make it a little worse.” He picked her up and twirled her around then kissed her again, peppering her face with tiny kisses until she started to giggle.

  He looked into her eyes. “Loco, that cracks me up. I’m going to have to brush up on my Spanish, but I think you called me brave a few minutes ago. Your brave darling?”

  She flushed. “Si. Mi valiente carino.”

  “It sounds so sexy when you say it.”

  She touched his face, her fingertips brushing across lightly as if reading braille. Tyler closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. “You’re like a drug.”

  “Es lo mismo para mi.”

  “Good.”

  “Donde aprendiste?”

  “I took three years of Spanish in high school. I’m a little rusty since I never get to use it, but it’s coming back to me.”

  “That makes me happy. My mom doesn’t speak English very well.” She covered her mouth in embarrassment realizing the implications of her comment.

  “I…didn’t mean…Oh Dios mio!”

  He smiled. “I love when your cheeks get all rosy…for the record…I can’t wait to meet your mom and the rest of your family. Your Aunt Josie is amazing.”

  She nodded, feeling the heat begin to dissipate. “I love her. She has done so much for me.”

  “She’s easy to love…just like her niece.”

  Malena’s eyes went wide and she quickly tried to hide her surprise but her stomach flip-flopped and she felt a smile in her heart.

  “Let’s go back to my cabin and watch a movie. Sound good?”

  “Si, muy Buena.”

  26

  Faye

  Faye stepped into the main house to let Penelope know that she and Jesse would be MIA for the evening. “Hey Penny, Jess and I are heading to town for an evening out. We’d thought we’d check out a couple of bars and drink some beer. Walt said he’d drop us off and Ty will pick us up when we’re ready.”

  “Have fun,” Penelope said. “I think Kyle and Ella are staying holed up in their cabin tonight. The kids are tired and they need some quiet time after our busy day. Griff and I will just be hanging out here chilling with your folks. Five days of non-stop activity has kicked all of our butts.”

  “Yeah, but overall, there’s been minimal drama.” She laughed and slapped her forehead. “Now why’d I go and say such a thing? I’m sure I’ve just jinxed us all,” Faye said with her slow Carolina drawl.

  Jesse poked his head through the door. “Walt’s ready.”

  “Coming,” Faye said. “See you tomorrow Penny.”

  Jesse held the truck door for her as she crawled into the back seat, then climbed in next to Walt and they drove off.

  “Any news on the poachers?” Jess asked.

  “Nary a peep,” Walt said.

  Faye frowned. “Maybe it was a onetime thing.”

  “I hope so. Penelope wants her ranch to be a safe haven for the wildlife.”

  “I know. I feel bad for Penelope. Now she has this to worry about on top of everything else.”

  “We’ll get to the bottom of it.”

  Walt’s large hands gripped the steering wheel tightly. Blowing out his breath he said, “I don’t like feeling that someone’s trespassing on my watch.”

  “You can’t be everywhere Walt,” Jesse said.

  “Yeah but this is too close for comfort.”

  “All the more reason to hire Tyler for the winter, he can be another set of eyes,” Faye said.

  “If he’s serious, he’s got the job.”

  “I know Ty, when he sets his mind to something, there’s no stopping him.”

  Walt chuckled. “Throw in a beautiful young woman and it’s a good bet he’ll stay on.”

  “You won’t be sorry. He’s been working at my bar for the past couple of years. He’s a hard worker and honest to a fault.”

  “I never did understand that expression. How kin ya be honest to a fault. That don’t make a lick of sense.”

  “Well Walt, have you ever met someone who can’t fake it even if it’s in their best interests to do so? That’s Ty. He’ll cut his own nose off to spite his face. I’ve been a nervous wreck with him and my father. Neither one of them seem to be able to play nice in the sand box together.”

  Jesse stifled a laugh. “That’s for sure.”

  Jesse glanced back at Faye and their gazes locked. His amber eyes sparkled and he winked at her. “But you promised me you were going to quit worrying about them and let them figure it out for themselves.”

  “I did, didn’t I.” She smiled. “I forgot.”

  Grinning he said, “I’ll accept that. But now I’ve reminded you.”

  Walt pulled to the curb right in front of The Dew Drop Inn and they hopped out. “Have fun. This used to be my favorite watering hole. I think you’ll like it. This is where the locals hang out.”

  Leaning into the cab Faye said, “Thanks Walt. Ty said he’d pick us up when we’re ready.”

  “I don’t mind…if ya need me to I’ll come back and fetch ya.” He tipped his cowboy hat at her. She shut the truck door and he drove away.

  “I love him,” Faye said, as she and Jesse walked hand in hand through the bar entrance.

  “Yeah, he’s pretty cool.”

  “I think Ty could learn a lot about life from him.”

  “I agree. Let’s forget about everyone else for the night and just concentrate on me and you. Deal?”

  Faye elbowed him in his side. “Selfish.”

  “Babe you have no idea.” They grabbed a booth toward the back and Jesse went to the bar to order their beers. She sighed as she watched him walk away, his body fit…broad shoulders tapered down to narrow hips…what a babe. She was aware of the admiring glances he was getting from a few of the women sitting at the bar. She didn’t mind…who could blame them.

  Faye looked around at the décor. Trophy heads lined the walls…a taxidermist’s dream. There was a wild turkey, its posed wings stretched in an endless last flight, heads of antelope, bison, elk, and even a moose. Yuck!

  Jesse returned and sat down across from her, sliding an ice-cold Heineken over. Country music streamed and Brett Eldredge was currently singing “Wanna Be That Song”, one of their favorites. He took a big slug of beer and then began to sing along, making her heart flutter. She loved him more today that she did last year, last month… yesterday… She reached across the table and brushed his wayward lock of coppery hair back from his brow. He grabbed her palm bringing it to his lips…

  “Makin my world all a mess,” he sang. When the song ended, he said, “Marry me, Faye.”

  “Jesse please. I don’t see what the rush is.”

  “When you hold Savannah or watch the wonder of Christmas reflected in the faces of the twins…and Finn, that funny goofy clown… doesn’t it make you ready to start a family of our own?”

  Faye sat back and started peeling the label off her beer bottle. “Sometimes…but right now I’m happy to have you all to myself. I’m not ready to share you. You mentioned travel, I’d like to do that together before we’re tied down with kids.”

  “Do you see it tying Ella and Kyle down?”

  “Maybe. This is their first vacation this year.”

  “That’s not because of the kids. I’d bet my last dollar that it has more to do with his work.”

  “Maybe, but I’m terrified of things changing between us and I’m not quite ready for children. That decision is for keeps. You don’t get a redo.”

  “We’ll take it a step at a time. Just marry me. We can wait on the family.”

  Faye suddenly straightened and put her index finger to her lips, and tilted her head, straining to hear the conversation in the booth behind them. She thought she’d heard Pen’s ranch Winter Land mentioned.

  “What?” Jesse said. Faye kicked h
im under the table shaking her head. “Ouch!”

  “A little moonlightin’ on the side…”

  “I’d be a little leery bout that.”

  Faye’s eyes widened and she mouthed the words Oh my God to Jess.

  He nodded.

  “How much…”

  “Depends on….” Faye couldn’t make out most of the muffled conversation, just bits and pieces.

  She slid out of the booth. “I’m going to the restroom; I’ll be right back.” Jesse put his thumb up.

  Trying not to be too obvious, she casually stopped to look at the dead elk on the wall above the two men’s heads.

  “That’s a big one,” she said, interrupting.

  Before she addressed them, they’d been huddled across the table, heads down in deep discussion. At her comment they both looked up.

  “Montana wilds,” the scrawny guy on the right said.

  “You guys hunt?” she asked.

  “Does a bear shit in the woods?” They both chuckled at the tired old expression. Faye inwardly rolled her eyes.

  “If y’all don’t mind I’m going to take a selfie with that gorgeous beast behind ya.” Before they could protest, she whipped out her cell and crouched down in front of them and aimed the camera and snapped several photos. “Thanks,” she said, hearing them grumble as she hurried away before they had time to react.

  When she got to the ladies’ room, she took a look at her pictures and was pleased that you could see both men clearly. Maybe I should consider a career as a PI.

  27

  Malena

  Malena’s day was tied up with laundry and housekeeping. She was put in charge of cleaning the guest cabins which included vacuuming, dusting, fresh linens on the beds, restocking towels and collecting dirty laundry, and Josie would take care of the main house. Tyler’s mother was coming in tomorrow to surprise Tyler on his birthday and she would sleep in his cabin. Her bed was already made up, she’d only have to make sure the toiletries in her bath were stocked.

  She knocked on Tyler’s front door and waited. No response. Frowning she glanced at her watch, ten am, late enough. She knocked louder and called out, “Tyler, it’s Malena, are you up?”

  The door opened and Tyler stood shirtless in black sweatpants that rode loose and low on his hips…very low. Malena swallowed hard. He was towel drying his hair, his defined triceps flexing as he rubbed his head briskly. Her eyes swept over him…trailing down over his muscular chest, his ripped abs and the dusting of dark hair that disappeared into the waistband of his pants. His arms were heavily inked; one tribal design covered his left bicep and deltoid. He took her breath away. When he flashed his irresistible grin, she inwardly swooned.

  “Malena,” he said, voice low and husky.

  She cleared her throat. “Good morning Ty. I’m here for housekeeping.”

  He stepped back. “Come on in. You want some coffee?”

  “Um… no thank you.”

  Tyler took the laundry basket with clean linens out of her arms and set it on the floor. She slipped off her shoes suddenly feeling self-conscious without the physical barrier of the basket between them.

  “Um, I’ll start in the bedroom, I need to strip the sheets and change it…that is if you’re done in there.”

  “I’ll help,” he said.

  “No!” she said, sounding panicked. “I mean…I can do it…you’re a guest.” His eyes bored holes into hers, those bottomless blue pools of sexiness…she looked down at her feet. “Are you? Done in there?”

  She dared a peek through her lashes and found herself staring at his naked torso again. She moaned softly; embarrassed, she quickly covered her mouth and felt her face grow hot.

  “Are you feeling bashful my beautiful Malena? Come here.” He took both of her hands in his and pulled her against his naked chest, her cheek pressed against him. As he wrapped his arms around her, she squeezed her eyes tightly shut… but unfortunately couldn’t block out the scent of him…soap, a hint of Old Spice… Oh Dios mio!

  Brushing his knuckles under her chin, he tipped her head back and whispered, “Open your eyes.” She shook her head no so he kissed each eyelid then softly kissed her lips. Of their own accord her lips parted and she felt his sharp intake of breath. At least she wasn’t the only one.

  “Malena, you’re ruining me…you’re all I can think about. I go to sleep thinking of you, I dream of you and then I wake up thinking of you.”

  “Really?” she said, her voice coming out in a squeak.

  He hugged tightly. “You’re so sweet. What am I going to do about you?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I want to devour you and protect you all at the same time.”

  She buried her face against his chest. Her voice was muffled when she responded. “Yes please.”

  He laughed softly. “Let’s go change my bed. I insist on helping. That’ll be a piece of cake compared to tossing kegs and cases of beer around.”

  She looked up at him and was struck again by how handsome he was. “Tyler?”

  “Hm?”

  She reached up and touched his face. “Are you sure you really like me? I mean…you could have anyone; I’m so ordinary…next to you…I…” Her confession embarrassed her.

  “Do you even own a mirror? Even if you weren’t so damn gorgeous, I’d still be attracted to you…you’re as sweet as honey, you’re just as smart as you are pretty and you on a horse…I’m just saying…”

  She absorbed what he’d just said then let out her breath. “Thank you.”

  “For what? It’s all true.”

  “For being so generous. You aren’t afraid to take risks and put yourself out there and you don’t play games either.”

  “I’m crazy about you Malena and if you feel even half of what I feel then I’d die a happy man.” He picked up her basket. “Shall we?”

  She followed him to his bedroom trying hard to forget the fact that it was his bedroom!

  Ty stripped the bed while she gathered up his dirty towels. Malena returned and stretched the fitted sheet around the corner of the mattress while Ty grabbed the opposite side. They moved to the foot of the bed and repeated. Shaking out the top sheet she bent over and smoothed it across the bed tucking in on each side while Ty stuffed the pillows in clean cases. She turned and met his eyes. The hunger she saw in his gaze sent a burst of heat coursing through her entire body.

  “Your ass in those tight jeans…”

  Suddenly he dove on top of the bed and pulled her down alongside of him. Rolling her onto her back he covered her and began kissing her senseless. She skimmed her hands over his chest and shoulders coming to rest around the back of his neck.

  He pushed his tongue deeper and reached under her tee shirt to touch bare skin. Her body throbbed for release as the tension built to near explosion. She wanted his mouth and hands everywhere. She writhed beneath him and was shocked to find that she felt completely uninhibited.

  He tugged her shirt up then pulled the silk of her bra down to expose her full breasts. His breath hissed and he lapped at her erect nipples. “You’re exquisite.” She ran her fingertips through his thick black hair then traced the bridge of his nose.

  He pulled her shirt up around her neck and she held her arms over her head so he could remove it. As he kneeled over her, he hungrily stared at her lips then her breasts straining against their confinement. He unclasped her bra and freed them, her fullness spilling out the rest of the way.

  “Perfection,” he groaned, before dipping his head to take one of her ripe nipples into his warm wet mouth.

  Her pelvis bucked and she arched back, crying out when he began tugging and suckling harder. Her voice was thick when she called out his name. “Ty, I need you to touch me…down there.”

  He trailed his lips and tongue down her flat belly and unzipped her jeans, pulling them down her shapely thighs then over her ankles and feet before tossing them aside. He kissed the soles of her feet then licked and kissed his way bac
k up, nestling his mouth against her when he reached the apex.

  Slipping a finger inside the elastic of her panties he pressed his thumb against her clit while inserting a finger into her tight juicy center. He explored, stretching her, filling her further as he slipped another finger inside.

  She shuddered when he pressed his open mouth against the silky fabric of her panties and she rocked against him. Hooking his thumbs around the lace waistband he pulled them off, then pushed her legs wide with his forearms and dipped his head down again, licking her until she felt the tension mount to an unbearable pitch…her need for release all consuming.

  Her body began to shudder, exploding into a million fragments of sensation. She was lost… riding the waves of passion as she pulsated against his mouth…his fingers…as they continued their onslaught, stretching her filling her…As her trembling subsided, he slowly slid his body up the length of her nakedness until he reached her face. Cradling her cheeks between his palms he pressed his lips to hers…softly, sensuously…lingering. She couldn’t move. Her skin was still tingling as she lay spent… a limp noodle. What had just happened to her? She was shattered…she’d never be the same again.

  Stunned over the enormity of what she’d just experienced, she kept her eyes closed. She could feel his warm breath against her cheek, his body pressing her into the bed. “Ah Malena…” he said reverently.

  “Ty,” she whispered. She felt tears leaking out of her eyes and his thumb brush them away. He rolled onto his back taking her with him. He held her with one arm while brushing her hair back and making soothing noises. She rested her cheek against his warmth, her tears making him wet.

  “Oh Baby, you have no idea what you’re doing to me.”

  “I…never knew…I…I’ve never…”

  “Thank you, Malena. Your body is so hot…all I want to do is please you.” They were quiet then, feeling the rise and fall of each other’s breath. She could feel his hardness pressing against her and reached her hand between them to rub him. He grabbed her hand and stopped her.