Dating by Design Series Box Set

by Jennifer Peel

  “I wanted the fastest thing they had to get to you.”

  “That’s the sweetest thing anyone’s ever said to me.”

  “Let’s keep that between us.”

  “I’m good with you sharing that side with only me.”

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Zander was wary about snow tubing by the time we reached the top of the best tubing hill near the house. He complained the whole way up about the cold, but as soon as I told him I would be sitting on his lap on the way down, he got on board real quick. He picked up the pace carrying the large inner tube in the deep snow. At least it was sunny and above freezing, if barely. It made for a spectacular view of our property.

  “My lungs are on fire. Did you really miss this crap, now that you live in Georgia?” He threw the inner tube down.

  “Yes, but I find I don’t mind the warm winters.” I pulled on his coat. I liked the mountain man look on him. “Now for the fun part.”

  “I would kiss you, but I’m afraid my lips are frozen.”

  I stood on my tiptoes and smiled. “I’ll warm those back up for you when we get to the bottom of the hill.”

  “Let’s go.”

  “You sit down in it first.” It was fun watching him carefully maneuver himself in the tube. “Just drop in.”

  “You’re enjoying this.”

  “You would be too, if you ever got in that tube.”

  He went for it, but a little too forcefully. I had to grab the handles on the tube so he didn’t go down without me. I was laughing hard by the time I landed in his lap. He wrapped his arms around me tight. “You love emasculating me, don’t you?”

  “I love being in your arms.”

  He groaned in my ear. “Hold on tight.” He pushed us off and away we went. I wasn’t sure what was more exhilarating, the thrill of speeding down the snow-covered hill or being wrapped up with Zander. The whoosh in my stomach could have been from either or both. The ride was a good comparison to this strange ride I’d been on with Zander. Terrifying, thrilling, addictive, fun—you name it.

  We glided to a stop before we hit the line of aspen trees that stood bare but still added beauty to the landscape.

  “How was it?”

  He didn’t answer, but instead leaned down and captured my lips. The whoosh this time was most definitely caused by him. His cold lips warmed me and invited mine to part. He took his time with me this go around. The intensity ranged from gentle to I want to be as close to you as possible. He was a master at both.

  When we parted, I fell against him and took a deep breath. “You’re good at that.”

  “I know.” He held me close. “Let’s go home.”

  I sighed against him. “How can I? I made a fool out of myself.”

  “No one thinks that.”

  “What about Eva and Cara?”

  “What about them? They’re lucky they still have jobs.”

  “How can I work with them and you?”

  He thought for a moment, his chin rested on my head. “Kenz has been thinking about doing some reorganization and hiring several more relationship managers. I’m going to move into a full executive role, so the dynamics in the office will be changing. And as far as Eva and Cara go, I don’t see them causing any more issues for you.”

  “Are they going to be in the wedding?”

  “Nan was serious when she said they were out. Renee and Jason’s sister are now in.”

  “Renee?”

  “Word is, Rick is giving her a ring for Christmas.”

  “I’m happy for them and Nan.”

  Zander chuckled. “She can’t wait to have another wedding.”

  “Poor Rick and Renee.”

  Zander kissed my cheek. “Your dad wants you to go back to Atlanta with me.”

  I turned to look up in his eyes. “What did he say to you?”

  Zander grinned. “Not a lot. He’s a man of few words.”

  “Yes, he is.”

  “First, he took me to eat so I could warm up. Then we ended up at the cemetery.”

  My eyes widened.

  “Yeah, at first I didn’t think that was a good sign, but he wanted to show me your mother’s grave.”

  My eyes watered. I could picture the headstone perfectly in my mind. Karey Dawson, Beloved Wife and Mother.

  “Your dad showed me a worn photo of your mother he carries around in his wallet. You look a lot like her.”

  I nodded.

  “I think your dad feels a tremendous amount of guilt, like it was his fault she died so young. He doesn’t want this life for you. He made that clear, along with a few other things.”

  “Like what?”

  “Just what you mean to him, what it should mean to me if you choose me.” He grinned. “He also warned me about your temper.”

  I smacked his chest.

  He laughed at me before kissing my head. “Are we going home?”

  “What about Christmas?”

  “I have a deal for you.”

  “I’m listening.”

  “My parents are coming into town this weekend to spend Christmas with me.”

  “You should be with them.” Even though I wanted to spend the holiday with him.

  “You didn’t let me finish.” He took a deep breath. “Couples . . .” he choked out.

  I sat up stunned. “Did you just say couple?”

  “Darlin’, can you let me get this out?”

  I could tell how hard it was for him. He had a pained look on his face. I held still, waiting for him to say what he was going to say.

  He took a deep breath. “I was saying, I hear that couples are supposed to compromise. It’s not something I’m good at, but in your case, I may be willing to make an exception.”

  I arched my eyebrow. “Is that so?”

  “Maybe.” He winked.

  “What do you propose?”

  “We can spend Christmas Eve with your family, and I booked us two tickets home early Christmas morning out of Jackson Hole.”

  That had to be expensive. It was a much closer airport, but pricey. I never used it, but I knew that’s where Zander had flown into. “What if I say no?”

  “I’ll call and change our flights.”

  “I want to pay you for my ticket.”

  He reached up and his gloved hand caressed my cheek. “After meeting my family, you’re going to realize I’m doing this more for myself.”

  “They can’t be that bad, especially after what my brothers did to you.”

  His jaw tightened. “Like I said, they better watch their backs. But my parents . . .” He dropped his hand and let out a deep breath. “I need you to see what you’re signing up for.”

  “What are you offering?”

  He repositioned himself and me and sat up. I still sat on his lap. He took off his ski cap, ran his fingers through his hair a few times before replacing it. He took my face in his hands with determination. His eyes reflected the sunlight, making them look like jewels.

  I got lost in them.

  “Meg, you get to me in a way I never expected. But I don’t want to give you any unrealistic expectations.” It almost sounded like what my dad said about my mom.

  “What do you think I expect?”

  “A Jason, someone that lives and breathes for you.”

  “That does sound good,” I teased.

  He smirked. “I’m no Jason.”

  “Didn’t you tell me his type was all wrong for me?”

  He rested his forehead against mine. “I stand by that.”

  “We don’t have to think about this in terms of forever. Let’s just take it a day at a time and see where it takes us.”

  “It could end badly.”

  “That’s the risk you take in any relationship. The question is if it’s worth the risk.”

  He brushed my lips.

  I trembled at his touch.

  “Come home with me, Meg,” he whispered against my lips.

  I thought it was worth it too. “Let’
s go home.”

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  I stood outside the airport hugging my dad at an insane time of the morning. The past six days with him didn’t seem long enough.

  He held me tighter than he ever had before. “Megan.”

  “I know. I need to go back.”

  “You do. But I was going to say, remember I loved you first.”

  I held him tighter as tears rolled down my cheek. “I love you, Daddy.”

  He kissed the top of my head. “Now go home.” He released me and held his hand out to Zander, who stood by my side. “You’re welcome here anytime.”

  Zander shook his hand. “I appreciate that. Thank you.”

  “I’ll call when we land.”

  “You do that.” Dad nodded.

  Zander took my hand. “You ready?”

  As ready as I was ever going to be. I wasn’t sure what awaited me back in Atlanta. Don’t get me wrong, I was happy to be going back with Zander, but the last few days at the ranch with him and my family were like heaven. Last night, I’d wanted to freeze time as we celebrated Christmas Eve together. Dad made his brisket and Zander agreed that I had been right all along. The boys even behaved, more Colton than Lincoln. I’m sure Savannah, Colton’s wife, had something to do with that. I probably should have tried to spend more time with Savannah, but Zander occupied my days and nights. We spent a lot of time on that bearskin rug.

  I took one more look at my dad. He stood tall and proud, but in his eyes, I could see that he would miss me as much as I was going to miss him. He gave me his nod, and with that I was following Zander into the airport.

  The plane was small and only had two seats on each side. It made it nice to only have Zander for company on our five-hour flight home. I lifted my armrest and snuggled against him. “Merry Christmas. I don’t think I’ve said that yet.”

  “Merry Christmas, darlin’.” He kissed the top of my head.

  “I’m sorry I don’t have a gift for you.” There was nowhere to shop in Addison that would have had anything Zander would have appreciated.

  He spoke low in my ear. “I can think of some ways you can make it up to me.”

  “I bet you could.”

  “Just let it be known that I was prepared and you weren’t.”

  I sat up. “What are you talking about?”

  He pulled out his phone and pulled up an email and handed it to me.

  I read it over and smiled. Two tickets to the last Falcons game of the season on New Year’s Day. “You’re so sweet. Who should I take with me?”

  He pulled me onto his lap while I laughed.

  One of the flight attendants gave us a stern look. “You need to be in your seat with your seatbelt securely fastened.” People were still boarding.

  “Look at you getting me in trouble.” I kissed his lips before taking my own seat again.

  “You knew what you were signing up for.”

  I fastened my seatbelt. That was true. “Thank you for the tickets. I can’t wait.”

  “This time you’re going to wear a Falcons shirt and cheer for the right team.”

  “I can handle that.” Especially since my Broncos were a huge disappointment to me this season. My head landed on his shoulder again. I was exhausted. “What do you think I could get your parents in the airport?” The Atlanta airport had dozens of shops in it. I hated to think of showing up empty handed on Christmas.

  “You don’t need to get them anything.”

  “Of course I do. I don’t want to make a bad impression. What did you get them?”

  He looked out the window and spoke quietly. “I paid for their trip to Australia.”

  “What a good son.”

  “It was more for me than them. It meant I only had to spend one holiday with them.”

  I sat up. “Why do you do that?”

  He turned toward me. “What?”

  “Pretend like you’re not a good man.”

  He leaned in. “I’m not pretending.” He stole a kiss.

  “It will be our secret.”

  He leaned back and smirked.

  The grumpy flight attendant made me put my armrest down until we were in the air, but as soon as it could be lifted, Zander did the honors. I slept in his arms the entire flight. It wasn’t a bad way to travel. The added bonus was it kept the nerves at bay. I was nervous about meeting his parents and going back to real life. I should have been nervous about my relationship with Zander, but my heart was calm. I didn’t know how it would turn out, but I found peace in knowing we were trying.

  Zander kissed me awake when we entered Atlanta’s airspace.

  I sat up sleepily and ran my fingers through my hair. “Do you think we could stop by my apartment first so I can freshen up?”

  He brushed my bangs. “You’re gorgeous.”

  “So are you.”

  “I know.”

  “We’re barely home and the crown is back on.” I smiled.

  “You like arrogant men.”

  “You think so?”

  “I know so, darlin’.” He was probably right. I was blaming evolution.

  I took his hand as we walked toward baggage claim.

  He looked down at our clasped hands.

  “Is this weird for you now that we’re home?”

  He nodded, but he held on tighter. “I’m adjusting.”

  “Didn’t you ever hold hands with Brooke?”

  “There’s no comparison.”

  I was good with that. I leaned into him as we walked toward our destination. “Your parent’s names are Charlene and Don, right? Or should I just call them Mr. and Mrs. Grainger?”

  “Darlin’, relax. My mom will love you, my dad will most likely ignore you like he does everybody. They’ll embarrass me and probably you. You have nothing to worry about.”

  It sounded worrisome to me. We passed by a floral shop and I made him stop. I wanted to at least have something when we showed up to his apartment. The plan was that his mom was cooking dinner for us. Mrs. Marshall had invited everyone, but Zander declined. I really think his parents embarrassed him. And I was going to get my first taste of it.

  I noticed Zander drove slowly home. I couldn’t tell if it was because he missed his car or if he was dreading seeing his parents. Maybe both.

  “I missed this traffic.”

  “Was Wyoming that bad?”

  “I think I finally feel my toes.”

  “You seemed warm enough last night by the fire.”

  He reached over and played with my hair. “You may be the death of me.” My dad had finally slept in his room and the kisses had grown heated last night. He ended up walking away from me for several minutes.

  “Would you mind?” I grinned.

  He laughed. “I do like you.”

  I liked him too.

  I touched up my makeup in the car and ran a brush through my hair. I didn’t care what Zander said. I wanted to make a good impression.

  “I plan on ruining that lipstick later.” He grinned over at me.

  “Fantastic.” I popped the pink case back in my bag.

  “I should warn you that my mom . . . she under dresses sometimes.”

  “What does that mean?”

  His face turned a shade of red. “She finds some types of underclothing prohibitive.”

  “Are we talking a Brittany Spears no panty incident?”

  He cringed. “Thanks for that image. No. Think more north.”

  “Oh. Bras can be a pain. You guys have no idea.”

  “I’ve heard my mother complain enough over the years, I think I get it.”

  I reached over and placed my hand on his tight, muscular leg. He was wearing my favorite pair of jeans. “You saw how I grew up; it takes a lot to shock me.”

  ~*~

  I did my best not to look shocked when we entered Zander’s apartment and his mom came running toward us. I didn’t expect her to be so heavily endowed or so exuberant. She was nothing like Zander, except their eyes resembl
ed each other. Zander was collected and suave. His mom had no inhibition. It didn’t help that the red shirt she wore was made of a thin material. And I think she had already had one too many. I could smell the alcohol before she reached us.

  Zander held my hand tightly. I squeezed reassuringly. I understood now why he didn’t want to take Mrs. Marshall up on her offer to join them for Christmas dinner.

  She wrapped herself around her son, breaking us apart. “Merry Christmas, baby.”

  I was glad to see Zander reciprocate. “Merry Christmas.” But he was quick to step back and take my hand. “Mom, this is Meg.” I felt like he was holding me back to protect me.

  I held out the mixed bouquet of Christmas colored flowers. “It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Grainger.”

  She placed her stubby hand across her chest. I did my best not to look at it. “Finally, he brought a girl home.” She took the flowers, but she crushed them between us when she hugged me. She was about my height, so I got a good whiff of her breath and it stung my eyes. “Call me Charlene, you darling girl.”

  “Okay.” I stepped back before I felt ill. And I wanted a better look at her. I just couldn’t believe this was his mom. She looked older than I thought she would, like she had spent too much time in the sun. Her graying hair was a mess and her eyes were dimmed, I’m sure by the alcohol.

  She smelled the flowers. “These are beautiful. I’m sorry we didn’t get you anything. I had no idea he had a girlfriend until a couple of days ago, but Nan and Kenadie filled us in last night.” She was slurring some of her words.

  “I didn’t expect anything.” I leaned into Zander. He put his arm around me.

  She reached for my hand. “Come, tell me all about yourself.”

  “Where’s Dad?” Zander cut in.

  She waved her hand. “Off for a walk.” She didn’t sound happy about it. And Zander’s features tightened. “Don’t worry about him. He’ll be back soon.”

  We all ended up on the couch together. Zander sat between us, on purpose I was sure. Zander looked around at the glasses and tissues on his coffee table. He made an effort not to say anything about the less than pristine conditions of his normally immaculate apartment.

  “Have you started dinner?” Zander looked toward the darkened kitchen.

  She swayed some. “We decided to dine out. Your dad made reservations.”