Holiday Wedding
Page 12
She reached out and held his hand. “Christmas will be here when you are ready.”
He walked over to the doorway. “What about the little girl? Will you find someone else to play Santa?”
She nodded. “We’ll make her wish come true.”
Just then the small girl barreled through the kitchen doorway, heading straight to Drew.
“Santa!” She grabbed his hand. “You’re here!”
Drew looked down at the little girl, trying his best to push words out of his throat. Say something Christmas-y. “Ho, ho, ho,” he forced out.
“Sara, I’d like to introduce you to Santa. He’s made a special trip to Snow Frost Mountain to grant your Christmas wish.” She shoved the plate of cookies into Drew’s hand, nodding to him to offer Sara one.
“Would you like a snickerdoodle?” he asked.
“I brought you cookies, too! My mom helped me make them last night.”
Drew’s heart melted. He looked over at Natasha for help.
“Why don’t we go into the parlor? Maybe Santa could read you a Christmas story.”
Sara shyly took Drew’s hand.
“You’re doing fine,” Natasha whispered.
Thirty minutes later, he realized he was doing more than fine and having a blast playing with Sara. After reading her a story, they played with the Barbie dolls and he officiated the wedding between Ken and Barbie. About time they tied the knot. It was much more fun than planning his brother’s wedding. Barbie, with her long wavy blond hair, reminded him of the live version currently sharing a cabin alone with him.
He smiled, wondering how Lauren was doing. No doubt from her tearful reaction in his bedroom last night, her slipping into gowns was as difficult as his putting on the Santa suit.
He also knew that despite her discomfort, she’d do it. That was just the kind of woman she was. She’d never let anyone down—unlike him, who seemed to always screw up. He was glad he’d done the right thing today and didn’t disappoint this wonderful little girl who deserved to spend time with Santa. This morning had been pretty awesome. He only hoped Lauren was getting an unexpected surprise too, and enjoying her assignment.
He glanced over at little Sara. She loved playing with dolls, which gave him an idea. He got up from off the floor. “I’ll be right back. I have something for you in my car …” He grinned at Natasha and Sara’s mom. “I mean, sleigh. Be right back.”
He rushed out the front door to Lauren’s car and popped open the trunk. Inside were the two Happily Ever After dolls. Grabbing the girl doll, he headed back inside. The hell with Luke and his little assignment of finding its soul mate. He could give the doll to anyone he wanted, and he wanted to give it to Sara.
His heart warmed at the thought of the doll bringing this girl some joy, even if it was for a short time.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Lauren stood in front of the Christmas tree and wiped away a stray tear. Since returning from the bridal boutique, she hadn’t been able to stop her eyes from watering.
How much more of Luke’s wacky wedding assignments could she take before she totally broke?
She reached out and fiddled with the lights that Drew had strung up. What Luke had her do today was just mean, and where was flippin’ Miles to set him straight? She still hadn’t been able to reach her best friend despite multiple voicemails and text messages. He couldn’t be avoiding her for chewing him out this morning, could he?
She sighed. But if Luke hadn’t arranged for her to try on gowns then she wouldn’t have been reunited with the dress of her dreams. She’d be lying if she said a little part of her wasn’t happy that she had it back. It was as if she was reunited with a piece of her past when she had been blissfully in love believing that happily ever afters do come true.
She had loved twirling around in that dress again, remembering happier times. How ironic that it fit her perfectly and didn’t need any alterations. The one in Hawaii had had to be taken in a little.
Her hands continued to adjust the Christmas lights. “That’s better.” She’d been at the cabin for a couple of hours now, no sign of her former fiancé.
After James dropped her off, she’d immediately called Miles, but when he didn’t pick up, she tried Luke’s cell. He might be avoiding Drew, but he answered her call immediately. It took only a few minutes to fill him in on her morning, explaining that it just made more sense for Kate to select her dress in Manhattan. She’d get a picture of it from Miles and then could pick out a pretty shawl or white winter coat for her to wear in any outdoor pictures.
He seemed to be fine with the new plan, but before clicking off informed her that she and Drew would be taking a break from the wedding planning to attend the Snow Frost Festival and push the Happily Ever After dolls.
Thank God. She really did need a break. The food fight with the wedding cakes that turned sensual, their almost kissing while trying to pick out Luke and Kate’s first song to dance to, and being reunited this morning with her wedding dress was more than her fragile heart could handle in twenty-four hours.
Luke also told her to have fun with their afternoon task, which was strange because Miles hadn’t sent it yet. What could possibly be next? Santa’s Workshop, Candy Cane Lane, the Gingerbread House—was it her imagination or was Luke enjoying torturing his brother?
She liked Luke—adored him was more like it. Always had from the moment Drew introduced them in college. Still, it seemed so mean of him to force Christmas on Drew. Her boss was a smart, logical man who rarely did things on a whim.
Although, was that now true? Something had changed when he met Kate on board his flight to Hawaii. Still, there had to be a reason for all these diversions that had nothing to do with the wedding. If she could just channel Nancy Drew and figure this mystery out.
The front door opened followed by Drew appearing in the living room. She tucked her hair behind her ears and then swiped under her eyes, trying to hide any evidence she’d been crying before she turned around. “Hi.”
“Hi.” He smiled and set down a deep red container on the coffee table. “How did this morning go?”
“Fine.” She forced a smile, hoping he couldn’t tell that it was a complete facade.
“Lauren, what’s wrong?” With three quick strides, Drew was standing in front of her. “You’ve been crying.”
“It’s nothing.” She waved her hand, knowing he’d always been good at reading her, especially when she was upset. “I’m fine, really. It was just a long morning. It’s over.”
“Damn straight it is.” He grabbed her hand, lacing it through his. “Let’s go.”
“Go where?”
“Screw Luke and his holiday wedding. I’m taking you back to New York. He can get married at City Hall or fly to Las Vegas like Dad did for all I care. We’re not planning it.”
She pulled her hand away and wrapped her arms around her middle. “No. I’m really okay. I found a dress,” she offered meekly, not revealing that she’d found her dress.
“Are you sure?” He reached out and stroked her arm.
“Yes,” she said softly. “Besides, tomorrow we’re attending the Frost Festival, remember?”
“That’s right. It was such a crazy morning. I completely forgot.”
“Really?” What on earth did Luke make Drew do that would make him forget the other reason they were there? Pointing to the container, she made a lame attempt to find out. “What’s in there?”
He went over to the couch and sat down, loosening his scarf. “Cookies.”
Her eyebrow shot up. “Christmas cookies?”
He sighed and picked up the container, resting it in his hands. “Yep. Honest to goodness, just-baked-this-morning Christmas cookies for me.”
“Wow.” The love of her life would rather count every toy in the JDL Toys stockroom blindfolded with a fire lit under his butt than eat a Christmas cookie. She understood why and couldn’t blame him.
In all the time they were together, not once had Lauren e
ver seen him eat a Christmas cookie. She knew that after all these years, he still believed it was his fault his mother was on the snowy roads that fateful night, going after the one ingredient she needed to make a batch for Drew to take to school.
She walked over and took a seat on the couch. “So your morning was like mine, I take it.”
He leaned back, cocking his head toward her. “It wasn’t so bad. It literally was a Gingerbread House with a white frosted roof and these red and green circles representing gum drops hanging all over.”
“Really? Sounds delicious.”
“I played St. Nick.”
“What?” Her eyes widened and she brought her legs up onto the couch, tucked her feet under her and faced Drew. “You were Santa? I don’t believe it.”
“It’s true. Natasha met me there.”
“The woman from Santa’s Workshop?” Lauren asked.
“Yeah. Apparently she works in both places. Anyways when I arrived, she told me Santa was out of town, and she needed someone to play him. The Gingerbread House is a place where kids who are terminally ill can go and spend time with the jolly guy. I was him.”
Lauren’s heart bloomed with compassion. “How wonderful.” What she would have given to see Drew in red suit and all. She tapped his leg. “Did you enjoy it?”
“You know, it’s funny. I didn’t want to do it at first, but Sara, the kid, was a sweetie pie. There was no way I could say no.”
“Wow.” She hugged her knees to her chest.
“No kidding. You know what’s weird?” He leaned toward her, his blue eyes displaying something she hadn’t seen a long time. Was it hope?
“What?” she asked.
“I had a great time.”
“Drew, that’s awesome.”
“We played with dolls all morning. Ken finally did right by Barbie, and put a ring on it.”
Lauren smiled dryly at the irony. Did he not see the easy comparison of his own reluctance to marry her? “Good for them.” She pointed to the container. “So where did you get the cookies?”
“Sara made them for me.” He chuckled. “I mean for Santa. Natasha insisted I bring them back and gave me specific instructions.”
“Instructions?” Lauren repeated.
“Yeah. She said that I needed to enjoy them with you.”
Lauren smiled and reached for the tin. Natasha couldn’t possibly know how difficult this would be for Drew. That he was even considering having one blew her away. “May I?”
“Sure.”
Lauren opened the lid. It was filled to the top with red and white pinwheel cookies. “How can this be?” she whispered.
“I know, right? The same cookie Mom was going to bake.” He shook his head and reached for a cookie, examining it with what Lauren knew was a heavy heart. “If I hadn’t made her go out for the red food coloring—”
“Drew. It wasn’t your fault. You don’t have to do this.”
“I know. It’s only a cookie.” He held it up. “I’m a grown man, running the Asia Pacific region for an international toy chain. Why can’t I do this?”
“Do you want to do it together?”
“Maybe later,” he replied with more than a hint of sadness in his voice.
“I understand.” She took the cookie from his hand and placed it back in the container, shutting the lid tight.
“I did give Sara the girl Happily Ever After doll in your trunk. I hope that was okay.”
Lauren’s eyes watered again. He really was trying and that was awesome. “It’s more than okay.”
“So, what’s on tap for this afternoon?”
“I don’t know. Miles hasn’t sent it over. Luke said we’d enjoy it.”
“You talked to Luke?”
“Yeah. I wanted to talk to him about Kate’s dress.”
“Glad he picked up for you,” he scoffed.
She lunged for her phone she’d set earlier on the coffee table. “Let’s see what’s come in.” She opened her e-mail app. Sure enough, one from Miles was waiting for her. She couldn’t help but laugh at his cheeky subject header that simply read “Vixen.” Typical Miles. She showed it to Drew.
“What is up with all the reindeer references?”
“I know, right? Dasher’s Diner, DJ Dancer, the Prancer room. Now Vixen.”
“Prancer room?”
“The name of the dressing room at the boutique.”
“Of course.” He laughed. “So what are we doing? Please tell me we’ll be leaving our current clothes on. I draw the line at dressing up as Donner or Blitzen.”
“Well …” She giggled. “According to this, I might be putting on something red.”
“Good. You can be Rudolph.” He reached over and tapped her nose. “You’d be cute with a red nose.”
“God, I hope I don’t have to put on antlers,” she said, lowering her phone so they both could read the short e-mail from Miles.
Lauren, Get your Vixen on. (You too, Drew.) It’s time to get the attire for the wedding night! Choose something red. It’s Kate’s favorite color! XOXO (to Lauren), Miles
Lauren bit back a smile. After the morning they both had, prancing around in sexy lingerie for Drew just might be their best assignment yet.
• • •
“This is stupid.” Drew followed Lauren into the lingerie section of what they were told was the only department store in the village. That it was called Vixen’s Sleigh seemed appropriately inappropriate. Apparently the business folks in Snow Frost Mountain had a sense of humor.
“Drew, what do you think of this one?” Lauren held up a black corset with a wicked grin that told him she was having way too much fun with this assignment.
“I think you need to put that back on the rack.” He shifted, meaning every word of that sentence.
“You’re seriously not going to help me?” she asked, batting her lashes. He knew her well enough to know Playful Lauren had come out to complete this mission.
Well, if she wanted to play, he was game. “I think you should try it with this.” He reached over and grabbed a sheer red robe off a nearby rack.
“Fine.” She headed straight for the dressing room, but turned. “You know I’m going to need your approval. I mean, you are the groom’s brother.”
He grinned. “I know exactly what Luke needs.”
While Lauren ducked into a dressing room, Drew glanced around the store full of sexy lingerie. Being two weeks before Christmas, you would think this place would be crowded with guys trying to pick out gifts for their ladies, but that wasn’t the case.
He shook his head, suspecting he knew the reason for the empty store. Luke had probably arranged it. What was his brother up to? Did he want him to have an orgasm with his ex? Because once he saw Lauren in that sexy little number he was sure that was where this was headed.
Walking over to the dressing room she’d entered a few minutes ago, he knocked. “Doing okay in there?”
“Is anyone looking?” she asked from behind the closed door.
He turned his head to the checkout counter. A saleswoman that looked a lot like Natasha in height and stature busied herself behind the register. If he didn’t know better, the woman was purposefully giving him and Lauren their space to shop. Maybe these town residents had a frisky side underneath all their Christmas cheer.
“Coast is clear. Show me what you’ve got, Miss Kincaid.” His heart pounded because after nine years together, he knew he wasn’t going to be disappointed.
Opening the door, he gulped at the sight of his nearly naked ex, the corset hugging her curves. Without giving it one thought, he grabbed her wrists and pulled her back into the empty dressing room, shutting the door behind them.
“Mr. Cannon.” She smirked and lowered her lashes. “Is there something I can do for you in here?”
“Yeah,” he whispered, locking eyes with hers. “Remind me.”
With both hands, she removed the red satin robe slowly off her shoulders, letting it fall to the floor.
“I think you should remind me.” She moved in and ran her hands up and down his sides, before looping her fingers in his jeans belt straps and pulling him even closer.
That he was more than ready to do. Bringing his lips down hard on hers, the memory of how good she tasted rushed through him. His hands explored what little fabric she had on while her own found their way underneath his shirt. “Let’s get out of here,” he whispered into her hair and then kissed her neck.
“And go back to the cabin?”
“Yes. I’ll build that fire I promised.”
“Sounds hot.” She ran her hands up and down his chest, resting at the start of his jeans.
If he didn’t stop this now, they were going to have sex for the first time in over a year and this was not where he wanted that to happen. He reluctantly stepped back, bent down, and picked up the satin robe. “We’re definitely buying this.”
He couldn’t resist running his hands along the sides of the corset one last time, causing her to moan. “And let’s get this, too.” He leaned in, sliding a finger across its top. “Because when we get back to the cabin I’m going to peel this off of you in front of that roaring fire.”
She reached behind her and ripped out the price tag, indicating the corset wouldn’t be coming off until he removed it. With one final soft kiss, he left the stall and rushed toward the register.
This was really happening. He and Lauren belonged together and tonight he was going to show her just how much he’d missed, wanted, and loved her.
The last couple of days had taken several unexpected turns, leading to this moment.
This was finally their time. Maybe Luke had arranged this half-baked idea, but somehow this place was reuniting him with the love of his life. He wasn’t going to let this opportunity go.
He still needed to talk to Olivia. Deep down he knew what he was about to do was wrong, but this wasn’t just any woman. It was Lauren. The woman he loved more than anyone else, and all signals indicated she was about to give him a second chance. He wanted to take it. He needed to take it. He was going to take it.