“Your ring.”
She opened her eyes and looked over at him. “What about it?”
“Don’t you like it?”
Her eyes widened. “Don’t I like it? A ring by Zion. Are you kidding?” She held her hand out in front of her and stared at it. “I love it! It’s my ring. I actually saw it in that jeweler window one day and wished it was mine. To find out it really is sent me in one crazy tailspin. And because I saw it in that window and it’s a ring by Zion, I can imagine how much it cost. The fact that you spent that much on a ring that I’ll end up keeping is simply mind-boggling.”
He chuckled, glad he’d read her wrong earlier when he thought she hadn’t liked it. “I told you I was generous.”
She smiled as she slid closer to him. “Yes, you did.” She reached up and wrapped her arms around his neck. “And I find your generosity contagious. Let me show you how much.”
She then pulled his mouth down to hers.
Stacey slowly opened her eyes as sunlight came in through the window and shifted in bed to discover she was alone. She stretched as memories of the night before came flooding down on her. Pretending or not, she had thoroughly enjoyed the attention Eli had bestowed upon her in front of everyone. He had made her feel significant, special and loved.
Loved.
She shook off the thought and knew love had nothing to do with it. Love was not driving Eli. Love was not why she was wearing one heck of rock on her finger. Love had nothing to do with her being sexually satisfied this morning after a night of making love nonstop.
It was lust and not love.
And it also had to do with all Eli’s ambitions in life and taking control and making sure he succeed in everything he wanted. Right now he wanted to be the president of that business council.
His mother was excited they would be having a Christmas wedding and had offered to help her with the guest list like she had Brittany. Similar to Brittany, Stacey was motherless, but Stacey had a feeling Eden Steele would remedy that and become the mother she’d lost. She appreciated the woman’s help and attention and felt bad it would only be temporary.
She knew now that breaking up with Eli would be the hardest thing she’d ever have to do, because, regardless of her vow never to believe in fairy tales or forever-after, a part of her was compelled to do so again…because of the ring on her finger. Looking at it, seeing it on her hand, remembering him putting it there was making her accept what she’d been fighting for the past few weeks.
She had fallen in love with Eli.
That had been the last thing she’d wanted but she didn’t have to think hard as to how it happened. Each and every time they made love he would take a little piece of her heart although she knew he wasn’t sharing any of his. That was fine. Loving him was something she would work hard to get over. She knew the score with him. He’d been up-front from the beginning. It was about sex and nothing more. No emotional entanglements. That thought was uppermost in her mind when she shifted positions and drifted back to sleep.
But emotions she hadn’t counted on had sneaked into the picture and the ring on her finger hadn’t helped. It might not have any significant meaning for him but it did for her.
Loving him wasn’t something she would eventually work out of her system—at least not any time soon. So what was she going to do? How was she going to stay with him knowing how much it would hurt when their marriage ended and he sent her away? The pain would be worse than what she had endured with Wallace. Why had she allowed herself to fall in love with Eli? Why was she setting herself up for more heartbreak?
The answer was simple. She hadn’t been able to help herself. She had been warned those “Bad News” Steeles were irresistible; she just hadn’t known how irresistible they were.
Eli grabbed his cell phone on the single ring and smiled when he saw the caller ID. “News definitely gets around in this family,” he said to his cousin Donovan, who was calling from Charlotte.
Donovan Ridge Steele laughed. “It’s good to hear another of Drew’s boys has bit the dust. Two down, four to go.”
“You better not let Tyson, Jonas, Mercury and Gannon hear you say that.”
“Hey, that’s what they get for acting like they did when they heard I’d gotten engaged,” Donovan said.
Eli remembered that time over two years ago. He had been one of those bachelor Steeles who’d taken Donovan’s engagement as a personal affront. Donovan had been their older cousin and their hero since his womanizing ways had been legendary. So much so that a lot of people assumed he had to be one of Drew’s boys.
“I understand it will be a Christmas wedding,” Donovan said.
“Yes, so pass the word among the family. I want everyone here.”
Donovan laughed again. “To see another one of Drew’s boys tie the knot, they wouldn’t miss it.”
A short while later Eli had ended the call with Donovan, which had been followed by calls from his other cousins in Charlotte, all sending congratulations his way. He glanced at the clock on the wall. Stacey was still sleeping and he felt she deserved her rest. He had a couple of cases he could work on so he moved toward his office to do just that.
He grabbed his coffee cup and was about to go into his study when there was a knock at his door. He had a feeling who his early-morning visitors were. He shook his head. They hadn’t wasted any time seeking him out.
He opened the door and smiled down their frowns. “Good morning,” he said cheerfully. “I hope one of you brought breakfast because I am starving.”
Eli stared at his brothers across the table. Jonas had brought breakfast for everyone and they’d all dug in, deciding they would eat first and curse him out later.
Not surprisingly, it was Tyson who spoke up first. “You know what Cohen should have done was kick your you-know-what for messing around with Stacey behind his back in the first place.”
“And I should have suspected something was up when I saw the way you were looking at her that day at Ireland when we got together after work to celebrate Cohen’s promotion. You were probably involved with her then.”
Eli remembered that day. They had kissed earlier at her shop, so, yes, he definitely had been involved with her. “Yes,” he said to Jonas, taking a sip of his coffee. “I was involved with her then.”
“And you didn’t tell anyone?” Mercury accused. “Why did you keep it a secret?”
“I knew how you guys would probably freak out about it. Besides, I didn’t want Mom getting her hopes up in case things didn’t work out,” he said, knowing those reasons sounded plausible.
“Well, we don’t like you pulling a Galen on us,” Gannon grumbled. “You know what Mom thinks this means.”
Eli shrugged. “She will only think that way if you all let her. In fact, all of you should be thanking me. She’ll be so busy helping Stacey plan our wedding that she won’t have time to harass any of you for a while.”
Smiles lit the faces of his brothers as they considered what he’d said. “Umm, you do have a point there,” Gannon said. Then his eyes narrowed as he asked, “Why the rush to get married on Christmas Day?”
That answer was easy. “Because I want to start the New Year off right with Stacey as my wife.”
They didn’t say anything, just stared at him as if they were trying to determine the sincerity of his words. Not wanting them to think too long and hard, he quickly spoke up. “Donovan called. The Charlotte Steeles have heard about it already.”
Mercury rolled his eyes. “Mom’s doing. I bet she was on the phone before the party ended.”
“Probably,” they all agreed simultaneously.
Eli glanced at his watch. “I hate to rush you guys off, but I have a house guest that I’d like to spend some time with today.”
His announcement that Stacey was somewhere under his roof brought out his brothers’ frowns again. “You better do right by her, Eli,” Tyson said in a snarl.
Eli waved off his brother’s words. “It might take a
Steele a long time to find the perfect woman and fall in love, but when we do, we know how to do the right thing and be dedicated for life. We’re Drew’s boys in more ways than one.”
Chapter 19
Stacey took a sip of her wine and smiled up at the older gentleman who Eli had introduced her to moments earlier. She liked Harry Farmer. He was a lovable old man who didn’t mind telling that he was still in love with his wife of almost fifty years, was proud of the three children she’d given him and that he simply adored his six grandkids. And he’d even gone on to say that now that Eli had shown he’d matured and settled down he would throw his support Eli’s way for the office of president of the business council.
She continued to smile although deep inside, her heart was breaking, something she’d sworn she would never let happen to her again. But she hadn’t counted on a man like Eli entering her life and taking over her mind, body, soul, but most important, her heart.
It had been two weeks since the night they’d officially announced their engagement and they’d rarely spent any time apart since. She spent a lot of nights over at his place and they usually made love before sharing a ride to work. Then in the afternoons, they would ride home together. On occasion they’d gone to movies, dinners and concerts in the afternoons. He even had season tickets to football games. She would have to admit that she enjoyed their time together immensely.
At times, Stacey felt she should submit Eli’s name to the Academy to be nominated for an Oscar. He was definitely playing the part of a love-smitten fiancé. No matter where they went or who they were with, if you didn’t know any better—and most people didn’t—you would assume he was a man deeply in love. Sad thing was that she did know better. Eli did not truly love her. He was only acting.
But she was not. Whenever they made love she put her heart, body and soul into it. Even when she was with him meeting his friends and other family members, she was sincere when she expressed her love for him. Only thing, he would never know just how sincere she was.
Even Eden and Brittany had won special places in her heart. Both had welcomed her to the family and offered their services in helping her plan the wedding, which was less than a month away. Tonight they were attending the business council’s annual Thanksgiving party. All Eli’s brothers, except for Tyson, were entrepreneurs and were in attendance. His parents were attending as well. Although Drew had turned the running of his trucking company over to Gannon, Drew was still somewhat involved.
“You okay?” Eli asked her moments later when Harry Farmer had moved on and they were standing alone.
She glanced up at him. “Yes, I’m fine.”
She was lying. In all truth she wasn’t. People would often stop by to comment that they made a beautiful couple and to wish them well on their upcoming marriage. She would smile and thank them while knowing their well wishes were for nothing.
“It seems everyone loves your ring,” he whispered close to her ear.
She smiled as she gazed down at her hand. Several women had complimented her about her ring. It was definitely an attention getter. “I can see why, Eli, it’s beautiful.”
“And it was meant just for you. It’s a ring that a man would give the woman he loves.”
Then why am I wearing it? She was tempted to ask. Instead, she glanced around before looking back at him. “We’re alone, Eli. You don’t have to say something like that to me now.”
“Yes, I do.”
She glanced up, giving him a questioning look when a voice behind them cut in. “Well, well, if it isn’t Eli, the stud.”
Eli glared at the woman standing in front of him at the same time he wrapped his arms around Stacey’s waist to bring her closer into his arms. “Liz, what are you doing here?” He of all people knew how vindictive his former lover could be.
“Same thing as you,” the woman said haughtily. “I had no idea you would be here tonight.”
Eli knew she was lying through her teeth. “Fine. Now you know. Please make it your business to keep your distance.” The last time he’d seen her he had threatened her with a restraining order if she didn’t curtail her stalking tendencies.
“Touchy, aren’t you?” She then glanced over at Stacey and sneered. “You don’t know me, however, I can’t help but notice your ring. If it’s what I think it is, then my advice is for you to think twice about it. Eli Steele is not the marrying kind so if I were you, I’d wonder what’s in it for him.”
To Eli’s surprise, Stacey chuckled. He glanced down at her and saw the way she lifted her chin and stiffened her spine. “Oh, I can tell you what’s in it for him. I’m in it for him. He’ll be getting me. Do yourself a favor and don’t run behind a man who evidently doesn’t want you. Now if you’ll excuse us.”
Taking his hand, they walked off leaving Liz standing there, speechless.
Eli opened the door to his home trying hard to decipher Stacey’s mood. She hadn’t said much on the ride home and had been awfully quiet. Although she had put Liz in her place tonight, he had a feeling she wasn’t happy about it. And he had an even stronger feeling that she was upset. Mainly with him.
He closed the door behind them and when she headed off toward the bedroom he reached out and snagged her hand. “I think we need to talk.”
“What about?”
“What happened tonight at the party with Liz.”
She waved off his suggestion with her other hand. “No need. I think my performance took care of it. Your bid for the presidency is still safe, Eli.”
He released her hand and slid his into his pocket as irritation rushed through him. “Do you think that’s all I care about? Becoming president of the business council?”
She appeared confused by his question. “Yes, of course. What else do you care about?”
He knew she wasn’t intentionally trying to come off as a smart aleck. She actually believed what she was saying, and he couldn’t very much blame her for thinking that way since he’d given her no reason to think otherwise. “Plenty, and I think we need to talk about just what those things are,” he said, leaning against the door.
She sighed deeply, wearily. “There’s nothing to talk about, Eli. If you’re worried what that woman said has upset me, then don’t be. I’ve known that you are a man who is truly not the marrying kind. That isn’t a secret. I also know what I agreed to do and that what we have is a business arrangement and nothing more.”
She paused a moment and then added softly, “What she said is true. There is something in it for you and I’m okay with it. Because in the end I’ll take the same advice I gave her. I don’t intend to run behind a man who doesn’t want me.”
Her words gave him pause. Was that a hint that perhaps she had feelings for him but assumed he didn’t have any for her? He moved away from the door to come stand in front of her and placed his hands at her waist. “And what if I said that I wanted you?”
She rolled her eyes. “You always want me. It’s been that way between us from the start.”
That was true. “Then what if I said I want the one thing that you don’t want?” he asked.
“Which is?”
“An emotional entanglement.”
She didn’t say anything for a moment as her brow furrowed. And then she asked, “And what’s your definition of an emotional entanglement?”
“It involves a relationship that goes beyond the bedroom.”
She stared at him a moment and then she shook her head like she didn’t believe him. “Why? Why would you want something like that?”
He had no trouble telling her the reason and hoped to God that she believed him. “Because I’ve fallen in love with you, Stacey. And since we seem to communicate on more of a physical level than an emotional one, I’m going to show you just what I mean.”
Stacey was silent, basically in a daze as she watched Eli begin removing his clothes. First he eased his jacket off his massive shoulders and tossed it aside at the same time he kicked off his shoes. He then began unbutto
ning his shirt.
She was stunned by his actions as well as by the words he’d just spoken. Had he just said he had fallen in love with her? She shook her head as if to clear it, while thinking she was definitely hearing things. There was no way he loved her. She tried to focus on what he was doing, watching as he jerked the tail of his shirt from his slacks.
“You heard me right,” he said, as if reading her thoughts. By now his hand was tugging his pants down a pair of powerful-looking thighs, thighs that had ridden her numerous times to more orgasms than she could count. Shivers rushed through her at the memories.
“That night I asked you again to marry me out on Tyson’s patio, I had a reason for doing so. The first time I asked you to marry me was for all the wrong reasons. That night I asked you for the right one. And if you recall, I told you I loved you that night was well. I meant it then and I mean it now. I realized it the moment I walked into Cohen’s party and saw you. It hit me like a ton of bricks but it hit me nonetheless. My head couldn’t deny what my heart was saying.”
When he was completely naked he reached out and pulled her into his arms and captured her mouth. He silenced the Oh off her lips in a hot, open-mouth kiss that she felt in every part of her body, especially in the area at the juncture of her thighs.
She recalled very little after that, especially when he removed the clothes off her body as quickly and efficiently as only he knew how to do. And when he had stripped her of every single piece, he swept her off her feet into his arms and headed for the bedroom.
The moment their bodies connected on the bed, they made love uncontrollably. Whatever snapped inside of Eli snapped inside of Stacey as well. Desire stroked all over her skin and his tongue followed, licking her, tasting her, driving her over the edge and then snatching her back right before she could tumble.
A Steele for Christmas Page 16
