The Billionaire's Christmas Miracle (Sweet Billionaires 3)

by Lorana Hoopes

  Drew let that sink in. Gwen had something he was missing in his life, but he wasn’t sure he was ready to give up control.

  Chapter 13

  “How come you have returned none of my calls, Drew?”

  Drew glanced up at Avery who stood leaning in his doorway. “I was on a date, Avery. It would have been rude to answer your calls on a date.” Suddenly, he remembered the flowers and the note in his car. He needed to stop by and see Scott this afternoon.

  Avery sashayed into the room. “With Gwen?”

  “Yes, with Gwen. Who else would it be with?”

  Avery tilted her head and crossed her slender arms. “You should be careful, Drew. You will only break her heart.”

  Drew blinked at her. This was a new side of Avery and one he didn’t like very much. “And why is that?”

  “Because you’re from two different worlds. It will never work out.”

  “That’s ridiculous and antiquated thinking. There have been plenty of relationships where one party was poorer than the other that worked.”

  Avery shrugged. “It didn’t work for me. I’m just trying to save you both some heartbreak.”

  “What do you mean?” Drew asked. “I thought you came back because you were broke.”

  With an exaggerated sigh, Avery plopped down in the chair across from him. “I did, but I became broke because of this guy I met. He was amazing, or so I thought. Poor, but charming. Turned out he was a con artist and was siphoning my money away right under my nose.”

  “Avery, I’m sorry that happened, but Gwen isn’t like that. I ran a background check on her. She might be poor, but she’s no thief.”

  “You’re probably right.” Avery flicked her hair off her shoulders. “Have you told your mother yet?”

  “No, I’m still working on that, but I will soon. I’d appreciate it if you didn’t tell her either.”

  Avery held up her hands. “I’m not going to say anything. So, how about lunch?”

  “I’d love to, but I’ve got an errand to run. Maybe we can do lunch another time.”

  “All right, I’ll try to find a hole in your schedule, so we can meet up.”

  Drew did not miss the hint of hurt in her voice. He felt bad, but he needed to go see Scott before he was off work. When he was sure Avery was gone, he texted Manuel, grabbed his coat, and headed out of the building.

  “Back so soon?” Scott asked as Drew crossed the room.

  “I know I’m out of favors, but I need one anyway.”

  Scott raised a brow. “Okay, but it’s going cost you a bigger donation this year.”

  “Understood, and I’ll be happy to.”

  Scott’s eyes dropped to the bundle in Drew’s hands. “Fine, follow me.” He led the way to the office again and pulled the door shut. “What is it this time?”

  “It’s these.” Drew set the flowers and the note on the coffee table. “The girl, the one I asked you to run the background check on, she got them delivered to her apartment before our date yesterday. It’s not much, probably a prank, but I was hoping you could dust them for prints. Mine will be on there and hers too.”

  “What does the card say?” Scott asked.

  “Cinderella wasn’t real. I know it seems silly,” Drew continued when Scott raised a brow, “but she’s had a hard life and she spooks easily. I just don’t want to ignore this, and have it turn out to be something bigger.”

  “All right, I’ll see what I can do, but I wasn’t kidding about that check, my friend.”

  “It will be in the mail, I promise. Just let me know when you have anything.”

  * * *

  Gwen sighed as she stared at the mountain of papers in front of her. She was trying to stay focused, but memories of the last few evenings with Drew kept flooding her vision. It had been less than two weeks since she’d met him, but she already felt herself falling for this guy and that scared her. The only thing that gave her pause was his faith. He hadn’t committed his heart to God, but he had agreed to come to church with her again.

  A glance at the clock revealed she was out of time. Drew was taking her to some benefit tonight and she needed to get to Carrie’s to find a dress and get her hair done. Drew had offered to buy her a dress, but Gwen didn’t feel right about taking his money until they were more serious. The last thing she needed was to have him buy her a ton of gifts and then they break up for some reason. She would never get over the guilt.

  With a final look at her papers - she’d have to come in early tomorrow - she packed up her things and headed out.

  “How are things with your Prince Charming?”

  Gwen sighed as Tom’s voice reached her. It had been a quiet week with no hounding from him, and she had hoped it would stay that way. Then his words sank in. She whirled to face him. “What did you say?”

  “I asked how things are with your Prince Charming.”

  Fear flooded Gwen and her knees began to shake. Had she been wrong about the sender of the flowers? Or was it just a coincidence he had called Drew Prince Charming? She didn’t want to stay to find out. “I have to go.” She turned and sprinted to her car.

  When she was safely in the car with her doors locked, she allowed herself a moment to close her eyes and calm her breathing. She wouldn’t be able to concentrate with her heart pounding like a snare drum out of her chest, and she didn’t want to risk getting in an accident. Thankfully, Tom hadn’t followed her and a few minutes later, she was able to turn the ignition.

  “What happened to you?” Carrie asked as Gwen stepped inside.

  “You remember the flowers and the note I told you about?”

  Carrie’s nose wrinkled. “The creepy black ones?”

  “Yeah, well Tom, this guy at work who keeps asking me out, asked me how my Prince Charming was.”

  “Maybe it was just a coincidence,” Carrie said, “but I agree that sounds creepy. Try to put it out of your mind though. You’ve got a benefit to get ready for.”

  “You’re right.” But it was easier said than done. If her stalker turned out to be Tom, what was she going to do about it?

  Chapter 14

  Drew smiled when Gwen opened the door. Her emerald green gown showed off her porcelain skin, and her red hair was pulled up on her head in an artistic up do. “You look beautiful,” he said.

  “Thanks. It’s a little tight, but I think I’ll be okay. Just don’t let me eat too much.” She patted her stomach in a self-conscious gesture.

  “Gwen, I would have bought you a dress that fits.”

  “I know, Drew, but I don’t feel right accepting such extravagant gifts until-”

  “Until you’re sure about us?” he supplied.

  A sheepish grin stole across her face. “I’m sorry-”

  “Don’t be. I understand. Thank you, Carrie, for the dress,” he said to Carrie as she entered the living room.

  “My pleasure anytime, Drew.”

  “You sure you don’t want to go with us? I’m sure I could get you in.”

  Carrie flicked her hand. “Thanks for the invite, Drew, but I have a date with Raphael tonight.”

  Gwen chuckled and rolled her eyes. “Come on, let’s go.”

  “All right. Have fun then.” Drew took Gwen’s hand and led her outside. “Is Raphael the one she skipped the ball for?” he asked as the front door closed behind them.

  Gwen smiled. “No, that was Lorenzo, but I honestly couldn’t tell you who Raphael is. Carrie’s what I like to call a serial dater. I love her, but I don’t always understand her.”

  “Well, I’m glad you don’t take after her.” He held the limo door open and helped her slide in.

  “Me too.”

  His phone chimed as the limo door shut. It was Scott. While he normally wouldn’t answer the phone on a date, this one concerned Gwen too, so he flashed an apologetic smile and tapped the button. “Hey Scott, you find anything out?”

  “I’m afraid not, Drew. There were prints but only yours and Gwen’s. I’m sure it
’s nothing to worry about, but if she gets anything else, let me know.”

  “Thanks, Scott.” Drew swallowed his frustration and ended the call. “Sorry about that. It was my friend, the police officer. I was hoping he had information about your flowers, but he couldn’t find any usable fingerprints.”

  “That’s all right. I think it might be the guy at my work after all. He asked about my Prince Charming today.”

  A knot formed in Drew’s stomach. He didn’t like anyone threatening Gwen and certainly not at her job where he had little control. “Would you like me to speak to him?”

  “No, that would probably make it worse. I think he’ll let it go, eventually.”

  Drew wasn’t sure about that - he’d had his fair share of stalkers and they rarely stopped of their own accord - but he let it go. He didn’t want to ruin the evening.

  * * *

  Gwen grabbed Drew’s hand as she stepped out of the limo. Even though she was here with him, attending this gala still terrified her. What if they didn’t let her in? What if she made a fool of herself or him? A camera flashed, and Gwen jumped and curled closer to Drew.

  “Drew, who’s the new girl?” the man behind the camera asked.

  “Don’t worry about them,” Drew whispered in her ear. “Just ignore and keep walking.”

  “Oh, come on, Drew, just a name?”

  The man was relentless, and Gwen sighed with relief when they were safely in the building and away from the man with the camera. “Will that be printed?”

  “It’s hard to say. We never know when they take pictures which ones they are going to use, but it’s a possibility. Don’t worry, you look beautiful though.”

  Gwen wasn’t worried about her appearance. What she was worried about was her privacy. She couldn’t imagine her school would be too excited if reporters showed up there looking for her. And what if they looked her up? She didn’t need her past being splashed across the headlines. What had she been thinking? “Drew, I don’t know-”

  Before she could finish, a woman’s voice called out to them. “Drew, Gwen, over here.” Avery waved to them from the doorway of a large room.

  Beside her, she felt Drew stiffen, and Gwen wondered why. She had thought he and Avery were friends.

  “I was hoping you two would come.” Avery was stunning in her low cut floor-length gown. It sparkled as the light caught it. “Gwen, you look absolutely radiant.”

  Gwen didn’t know Avery well enough to discern if she was telling the truth or just being nice, so she gave her the benefit of the doubt. “Thank you, Avery. You do as well.”

  “Oh pish,” Avery said with a wave of her hand. “Come on, we’re seated at the same table.” She turned and led the way to the table. Gwen didn’t miss the slight swinging of her hips, and she glanced at Drew to see if he was watching, but his facial features were pulled tight and his eyes stared straight ahead.

  Avery sat down at the table and pointed to the seats next to her. Drew’s name was on a card directly on Avery ‘s left, and Gwen’s name was on a card next to Drew. On Gwen’s left was a woman’s name. “Who’s Jacqueline?” she asked.

  “My mother,” Drew said with a pinched smile.

  Gwen’s heart dropped like a lead weight. She had never met the woman and now she would have to sit next to her all evening? As if the very thought had summoned her, a thin woman with graying hair strode their direction.

  “Avery, it’s so good to see you again,” the woman said as she picked up and squeezed Avery’s hands. “And you got Drew to say yes? Good for you.”

  “Actually, Mother, I’m here with Gwen.” Drew spoke up. His arm slipped around Gwen’s waist, and he pulled her closer to him.

  Gwen was thankful for the support as Jacqueline’s eyes raked over her in a disapproving glance.

  “And just who is Gwen?”

  “She’s the woman from the masquerade ball, Mother.”

  “I thought you said her name was Carrie.”

  “It was a simple misunderstanding,” Drew said. “This is Gwen Rodgers.”

  “I see. And what do you do, Gwen?”

  Gwen swallowed. Drew’s mother was terrifying. Though beautiful, her eyes flashed daggers into Gwen, and her posture was so straight Gwen wondered if a rod had been attached to her spine. “Um, I’m a teacher.”

  Jacqueline’s eyes shifted to Drew as her brow arched. “And just how did a teacher get invited to my ball?”

  “Gwen also manages charitable donations for some rather large companies,” Drew said. “Perhaps that is how she was invited.” That wasn’t the truth - she only managed donations for his company - but Gwen knew better than to contradict him.

  “I see.” Her eyes bore holes into Gwen, and she licked her lips as if she was going to say something else. “Well, I look forward to getting to know you, Gwen.”

  Gwen doubted that, but she flashed a tight-lipped smile at the woman. Nice. She could be nice. She might have to remind herself that this woman was a child of God as well. A lot. But she could be nice.

  Drew squeezed her waist and leaned in close. His breath tickled her ear as he whispered. “Don’t let her get to you.”

  Gwen appreciated the encouraging words, but she had no doubt his mother was out to make her night miserable. Drew pulled out her chair, and she took her seat thankful that a glass of water was in front of her. Her throat was already parched. As she reached for the glass though, her hand slipped, and she sent the glass crashing against the table. Water spilled out across the table pooling towards Avery and Jacqueline as if it knew exactly who would hate it the most.

  “Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry.” Gwen stood to search for a napkin and her sudden ascent knocked her chair over. Her chair crashed to the ground causing Gwen to jump. And of course, she couldn’t jump Drew’s direction. No, she had to jump Jacqueline’s direction. Jacqueline had just picked up her own water glass and Gwen just barely bumped her arm, but it was enough to send the water spraying out of the top and all over Jacqueline.

  “Well, I never.”

  Gwen’s eyes widened, and her heart exploded into a trillion tiny pieces. His mother would never like her now. Recovering slightly, she grabbed a napkin off the table behind them and tried to dab at Jacqueline’s dress.

  “Young lady, stop. You have done quite enough, and I am capable of drying myself off.”

  Gwen dropped the napkin and stepped back. “Of course, ma’am, I’m so sorry.” She looked to Drew who had managed to keep his wits about him and was sopping up the table. “I’m so sorry.” Then she fled for the door before the hot tears building up behind her eyes could spill down her cheeks. She had let Carrie help with her makeup and she didn’t need to add insult to injury by staying as tears created black trails of mascara down her cheeks.

  She didn’t stop running until she burst through the front door. Too late she remembered the photographer. Camera bulbs flashed in her face and his voice carried to her. “Excuse me, are you the woman with Drew Devonshire? Did he break up with you? Hit you?”

  Oh crud, she had leaped right out of the frying pan and into the fire. They might not have used her picture before, but she had just given them interesting fodder. She pulled the door open behind her and stepped back into the building. It was safer inside right now though that wasn’t saying much. She turned, hoping to find a corner to hide in, but found herself against a solid chest instead. Gwen knew it was Drew before her eyes reached his face.

  “Why did you run?” His hands clasped her arms, not tightly but with enough force that she couldn’t bolt again.

  “Are you kidding me?” She sniffed. “I made a mess in there.”

  “Yeah, you did.”

  She gaped at him wondering how he could be so cruel, and then his lip twitched. Merriment flickered in his eyes. “It was great.”

  “How can you say that? It was mortifying.”

  He pursed his lips together, but she could see his shoulders moving just slightly. He was laughing. At her. “It’s not
funny, Drew.”

  “Actually, it is, Gwen. These benefits are always so stuffy. I hate coming to them, but this one...this one will go down in the books.”

  “Yeah, but not in a good way.” Gwen had known it would be hard to win over his mother, but now she was fairly certain that door was closed for good. And though she wasn’t dating his mother, having the woman hate her would put a strain on any kind of relationship they might have. “And why did you invite me if you hate these things?”

  Drew shrugged. “Because I’m supposed to be here and coming with you at least made the thought of the night bearable.”

  “Drew, maybe you need a woman like Avery. I’m not cut out for events like this. I’ll only keep embarrassing you.”

  “Hey.” He let go of her left arm to place a finger under her chin. “I don’t need a woman like Avery. I needed a reason not to go to these stuffy events and now I have one. In fact, let’s get out of here.”

  “Have you lost your mind? Your mother will kill you if you leave, and that reporter outside already saw me and thinks we broke up or you hit me or something.”

  A mischievous gleam appeared in Drew’s eyes. “Then let’s really give him something to talk about.”

  Before she could say anything more, he opened the door and pulled her out with him. As expected, the cameras flashed, but Drew said nothing. Instead, he turned to her, circled his arms around her waist, and pulled her in for a kiss.

  Gwen was so shocked that she stood as still as a statue for a moment, but the heat from his lips traveled through her body, and with a mind of their own, her arms wound around his neck. She could hear clicks, but she was no longer sure they were from the cameras because it felt like fireworks were exploding all around her.

  Too soon he pulled back. “Come on, let’s go get some S’mores.”

  “What?” She looked up at him still dazed from the kiss, but he didn’t answer. He tightened his grip on her hand and pulled. With his other hand, he retrieved his phone and hollered for Manuel to meet them at the corner.