Best Man Under the Mistletoe

by Jules Bennett

  Yet it had found her, anyway. She’d have to worry about that later. She vowed that she’d enjoy Gabe until the very last minute, and then she’d stock her fridge with her favorite ice cream and allow herself the pity party she would no doubt deserve. What a way to ring in the New Year.

  “I swear, Gabe and I are fine, and at the end of the day, we’re just friends.”

  Who give each other toe-curling orgasms and spend weekends together.

  “Friends, huh?” Daniel asked with a grunt. “The man looked like he wanted to strangle that guy the other night and then he kissed you like he was staking his claim.”

  “Maybe he was,” she replied simply. This was not a conversation she wanted to have with Daniel. And the truth was, he wouldn’t want her honest opinion or feelings on the matter. It was best to keep him as far away from this as possible. “Was there something else you wanted to discuss?”

  Daniel pursed his lips as if he were contemplating his next move.

  Chelsea arched her brow, silently daring him to circle back to the topic she’d just closed.

  “Erin and I wanted to have you over for dinner.”

  “That sounds great. When were you thinking?”

  Daniel came to his feet and tapped his fingers on the edge of her desk. “Tonight, actually. We have something we want to discuss with you.”

  Chelsea stood, as well. “That sounds serious. Is everything okay?”

  “We’re fine,” he assured her with his smile, one that matched their father’s. “Does seven work for you?”

  “I’ll be there.”

  When he blew out a breath and looked into her eyes, she knew they weren’t done with their heart-to-heart.

  “You know I love you and just want what’s best, right?”

  Chelsea circled her desk and wrapped her arms around her great protector. She’d always looked up to him, always admired his opinion, and loved how he continually put her first.

  “I feel the same about you,” she told him then eased back. “Now, get out of here so I can finish this program for the accounting department or we’re going to have a whole host of angry employees when their checks are messed up.”

  Daniel kissed her on the cheek and left her office, closing the door behind him. That talk had gone better than she’d thought. She wasn’t quite sure how he’d react to Gabe’s very public display of affection. Hadn’t Gabe been the one to want to keep things under wraps? Yet when she was threatened, he hadn’t cared one bit. He had to have some feelings for her...didn’t he?

  Regardless of what Daniel thought, or anyone else for that matter, Chelsea was going to enjoy this time with Gabe. Once the wedding was over and they were done working together, they wouldn’t see each other as often. Maybe she’d get lucky and the desire would fizzle out.

  The likelihood of that happening was about as great as her getting Gabe to fall in love with her—and that was never going to be a reality. He didn’t do love, didn’t do long-term, and even though she didn’t know the full details of the case involving his partner’s death, she had to respect his desires.

  That didn’t mean she had to like them.

  Blowing out a breath, Chelsea went back to her computer. There was no sense in worrying about this now. She had so much work to get done, surely she could block Gabe and focus.

  The second she pulled up the program she’d been working on, her cell vibrated on her desktop. She glanced at the screen only to find a simple message from Gabe: Tonight you’re mine.

  So much for focusing on work.

  * * *

  Chelsea let herself into the main house at Crescent Moon. She’d grown up here, and returning as an adult always felt like coming home. She loved her house in Pine Valley, but Crescent Moon held such a special place in her heart.

  She made her way through the open foyer. Erin’s laughter filtered through the first floor and Chelsea could tell her brother and his fiancée were in the back of the house. When she got to the enclosed four-seasons room with three walls of windows overlooking the stables, she smiled. She’d always loved this room. She’d spent hour upon hour reading her favorite books in the corner chaise, which had since been replaced with another in a pretty pale yellow.

  Erin slid her legs over the side of the chair and offered a bright smile. “Hey, glad you could make it.” Coming to her feet, Erin closed the gap between them and wrapped her arms around Chelsea.

  “A dinner that I didn’t have to prepare?” Chelsea said, easing back. “I’m always up for that.”

  Daniel crossed to the minibar in the opposite corner. “Can I get you a drink? Dinner should be ready in about fifteen minutes.”

  “I’d love a glass of wine. White, please.” While Daniel busied himself getting her wine, Chelsea glanced at Erin. “I’m sorry I’ve been so scarce lately. This wedding planning, plus work, has taken up a good bit of my time.”

  “And Gabe Walsh?” Erin asked, her brows rising as her smile widened.

  Why deny it? The man had kissed her in front of nearly the entire town at that party. Her brother had already speculated about their connection and Brandee knew the truth. There wasn’t much of a thread of secrecy to hold on to at this point.

  “He has occupied a good portion of my time.” Mainly the nights, but there was no need to get into that. “So what did you guys need to see me about?”

  Daniel handed her the glass and clutched his own tumbler, most likely filled with bourbon. “We’re pregnant.”

  Chelsea gripped the stem of her glass. “’Scuse me?”

  “Way to go, Daniel.” Erin shook her head and rested a hand over her stomach. “We are expecting, but I’d hoped to deliver the news in a little more of an exciting manner.”

  Chelsea sat her glass on the table and pulled Erin into another hug. “I’m so thrilled for you guys! I’m going to be an aunt.”

  She eased back and glanced down at Erin’s flat belly. “How far along? Are you feeling okay? What can I do to help?”

  Erin laughed and patted Chelsea’s shoulder. “I’m fine. I went to the doctor today and I am six weeks.”

  Chelsea squealed and turned to her brother. “You guys are going to be such awesome parents. I can’t wait to see Baby Hunt.”

  Daniel wrapped an arm around her. “We were hoping you’d agree to be the godmother. I know not many people do that anymore, but we want you to be a big part of our kids’ lives.”

  “Of course,” she answered then froze. “‘Kids’?”

  Erin beamed. “Twins.”

  Chelsea jerked her attention back to her brother. “Two babies? I’m going to need something stronger than wine.”

  Erin laughed and nodded. “I know, it’s a shock. Believe me. We were stunned, but we knew we wanted a large family and I guess we’re just getting a jump start. I’d been having some pain and they just did an ultrasound to make sure things looked okay. Apparently the pain is my uterus stretching faster than normal.”

  Two babies? Chelsea couldn’t even imagine being a mother to one, let alone two. But Erin and Daniel were beaming and Chelsea couldn’t be happier for them.

  Tears pricked her eyes. “I don’t even know what to say.”

  “Well, damn. Don’t cry.” Daniel picked up her wineglass. “I can’t handle tears.”

  “I’m happy,” Chelsea insisted. “Really. I’m just overwhelmed and excited and I can’t even imagine how you guys feel.”

  “All of that and more,” Erin assured her. “I’ve gotten used to the ups and downs of my emotions lately, but I know you’re still taking it all in. Dinner should be ready. What do you say we go eat and discuss baby registries and nursery décor?”

  “Maybe I should eat in the kitchen,” Daniel groaned.

  Chelsea smacked his chest. “You’re eating with us, and we’re goin
g to have a nice family dinner. And we need to figure out which room to put the nursery in, and colors, and names. We need names.”

  Daniel groaned as he turned and headed toward the kitchen where his chef had no doubt prepared something fabulous. “We have a long time still to go,” he growled as he walked away. “Why do I have a feeling my credit card is going to take a hard hit?”

  Chelsea smiled as she looped her arm through Erin’s. “Because it is.”

  * * *

  He’d told her to be at his place at seven, yet it was now nearing eight and there was no sign of Chelsea. No call, no text. Absolutely nothing.

  Gabe didn’t like to be kept waiting, especially by the woman warming his bed.

  The doorman buzzed him, letting him know Chelsea was on her way up. Had something happened that had prevented her from getting in touch to tell him she’d be late? Had she been delayed by some jerk harassing her again when she was out?

  Everything in him stirred, churning toward anger. He wanted to shield her from all the flack she was taking. Even beyond that, he wanted to be her...what? They only had a few more days left together before their agreed-upon date to end things. And she’d never given any indication she wanted more.

  Why the hell was he now choosing to think of something beyond sex? He’d done that once. His partner had been killed because Gabe had trusted the wrong woman. He’d let her into his personal life, thinking she loved him, only to find out she had actually been playing him all along to feed information to the drug cartel Gabe had been working to bring down.

  He’d been such a damn fool.

  But Chelsea was different. She’d dodged him and he’d continued to chase her. Gabe always got what he wanted, but now he wasn’t so sure what that was. He knew for certain he didn’t want things to end, yet at the same time he wasn’t looking for a relationship.

  Maybe all these wedding plans and seating charts and dress fittings were getting to him. He was just surrounded by the prospect of “forever” and “I do” and clearly getting caught up in the moment.

  And most troubling was how he’d whispered his need to her the other night. He’d slipped and whispered how much he needed her, how much he cared for her. Not once but twice. Those words bordered on a confession he certainly wasn’t ready to make now...if ever.

  Here a quiet knock on his door, Gabe turned from the view of downtown and glanced toward the entryway. Chelsea let herself in, but the moment he spotted her, Gabe was crossing the room in long strides.

  “What happened?” he asked, gripping her arms and studying her tear-streaked face. “Are you hurt?”

  She smiled and shook her head, her eyes bright with unshed tears. “These are happy tears.”

  Happy tears? That always sounded like an oxymoron to him, just one more thing he would never understand.

  “You’re an hour late and you come in crying,” he persisted. “What’s going on?”

  “Daniel and Erin are having twins.”

  Her declaration was made on another burst of tears. Gabe wasn’t quite sure what to do, so he pulled her into his arms. “And you’re sure these are happy tears?” he asked again.

  She nodded against his shoulder. “I’m so excited for them. My best friend is getting married. My brother is having babies. I mean, it’s all so life-changing and makes me think about my own life goals and—”

  She jerked back, eyes wide. “I’m not saying that to scare you,” she quickly amended. “I don’t mean us. I’m just happy and excited, and I want that in my life. I want to have a family and a husband, and I never thought I did, but...”

  Yeah, all this talk was making his gut tighten. Seeing Chelsea having an epiphany like this had him wondering about his own future. Hell, he’d just admitted to himself he may want more with her, but marriage and kids?

  Let’s not get too out of control here.

  He framed her face in his hands, using the pads of his thumbs to wipe her tears. “Have you eaten dinner? I can call and have something brought to us.”

  “I ate at Daniel’s.” Her gaze held his; moisture glistened on her lashes. “Sorry I’m late. Erin and I got carried away with looking at baby things online. I may have already bought nursery furniture for them.”

  Gabe could see her getting so involved and wanting to play the doting aunt. How would she be with her own children? Would she want a large family?

  The idea of her starting a life with some nameless, faceless, man had jealousy curling low in his gut. But who was Gabe to put a stop to this new goal she’d created? He was merely passing through her life.

  “Want to help put up my Christmas tree?”

  Chelsea jerked back and her eyes widened. “Tonight?”

  “Might as well.”

  “It’s only a few days until Christmas,” she reminded him as if he didn’t know the date. “Why do anything at this point?”

  Because, surprisingly, he wanted to spend time with her, and not just in the bed. As crazy and absurd as that sounded, he found it to be true. He wanted to do something with Chelsea that was normal, something that would create memories.

  Damn it. He was getting in deep here. Deeper than he’d anticipated. And he knew full well that in a few days, after the wedding was over, he wasn’t going to want to let her go.

  Hell, maybe he couldn’t let her go.

  Fourteen

  “I can’t believe those are the only ornaments you have.”

  Gabe glanced over at her, his brows drawn. “What’s wrong with them?”

  Chelsea didn’t even attempt to hide her laughter. “You used one of your hats as the tree topper and the rest of your ornaments are shot glasses from around the world and plastic horseshoes. Don’t you have any beads or ribbon or even a star for the top?”

  Crossing his arms over his broad chest, Gabe glanced from the tree back to her. “I suppose your tree has all of that and is weighed down with glittery ornaments?”

  Chelsea shrugged. So he’d described her tree perfectly. Well, the tree she’d always put up. This year she’d been so preoccupied with so many other things and she’d rarely been home.

  “I may like a little glitter in my Christmas decorations,” she admitted. “It’s festive and happy. Besides, most of my stuff belonged to my father. They’re ornaments we hung when I was little.”

  She remembered her dad letting her pick out most of the decorations. Even though she’d been young, she’d chosen all the sparkles and, still as an adult, she loved the shiny stuff.

  “Do the holidays upset you?” he asked, glancing over his shoulder to meet her eyes. “I imagine it’s difficult without your parents at times like this.”

  Chelsea wasn’t quite sure what to say. Yes, it was hard, but she couldn’t quite focus on her response. Was Gabe trying to get to know her more? Did he want to take this relationship somewhere they hadn’t discussed? Because placing her past front and center in the conversation was most definitely putting them on another level.

  “Losing my father was the worst,” she admitted, staring at the tree because it was easier than looking into those caring gray eyes. “I know he died of a broken heart. He gave up his will when the only woman he loved walked out and was never heard from since.”

  Chelsea bit her lower lip, willing the burn in her throat and the threat of more tears to cease. “I actually know where my mother is. I have for years.”

  “Chels.” Gabe crossed to her, sliding his hands up her arms, curling his fingers over her shoulders. “Have you contacted her?”

  “No. Why would I?” Now, she did meet that mesmerizing gaze. “She made her choice. At first I just wanted to see if I could use my skills to find her, and I did. She doesn’t live that far from here. She has a new life, and is clearly not concerned with what she left behind.”

  “Baby, I’m
sorry.”

  Baby. He’d not called her such an endearing term before. Well, he’d drawn out darlin’ once or twice, but always in that devil-may-care attitude. The way he spoke to her now, the way he looked at her, was completely different.

  She found she wanted to open up more now that she’d started. Never before had she felt like this, like she could trust a man with more than her body. Gabe was worth the risk.

  “When she left and then Dad passed, I didn’t handle things very well. I was on the verge of a breakdown and I broke.”

  Shame filled her. She’d never actually said the words out loud. When everything had happened, Daniel and Brandee were well aware of the situation and had gotten her the help she needed. She’d never had to fully tell the story. Even when she spoke with counselors, Chelsea had glossed over details or kept her feelings veiled.

  “Hey.” Gabe slid his finger beneath her chin and tipped her face up. “Whatever it is, you don’t have to tell me. I want to help, but don’t torture yourself.”

  She pulled in a breath and reached up to grip his wrist, as if drawing strength from him. “I tried to end my life.”

  Gabe’s gasp had her cringing. “Chelsea.” Her name came out somewhere between pain and fear as Gabe pulled her into his arms. He encircled her in a vise-like grip. “I don’t even know what to say.”

  He held her another moment, the silence settling heavily around them. She knew by the way he held her that he was stunned, struggling with how to react.

  “I felt so alone,” she went on, clinging to him. “I know I had Daniel and Brandee, but my foundation was gone. My trust had been shattered when my mom left. I didn’t know how to approach my dad to talk because he was so distraught. Then once he was gone...”

  Gabe eased her back and framed her face, forcing her to hold his attention. “I hate that you had to go through all of that. I hate that you felt alone and that there was no choice but to... Damn it, I can’t even think it, let alone say it.”

  There was so much affection in his tone, so much, dare she hope love? Had his feelings changed toward her? It certainly hadn’t been her intent to influence him when she’d decided to open up about her past. She’d grown to love and trust him, and decided that if she was going to go after what she truly wanted, then he needed to know the full story.