The Billionaire's Christmas Proposal (Billionaire For Christmas #2)

by Victoria James

  “Hey,” she said, walking up to him. “What are you doing here?”

  “Your sister texted me asking if I could pick up takeout.”

  Allie groaned, and he laughed. “I gave her money to get her own food.” Knowing how her sister’s mind worked, she’d probably thought she could save more money by tricking Ethan into paying for dinner.

  “And then she told me you were working late and that you’d probably walk home. I, uh, didn’t want you walking home after dark, so thought I’d pick you up.”

  Her heart swelled at the thoughtfulness. He was one of the good ones, she’d always known that. But the way he spoke, the warmth in his gaze and in his deep voice was enough to make her forget all the reasons she’d made up about why she couldn’t be with Ethan. Not that he’d still want to. She’d come up with stupid excuses each time he’d asked her out. Now he was just being a decent guy. She’d be silly to be reading into it. “Well thanks…you didn’t have to. I don’t want us to start being a burden, and as for Dani—feel free to ignore her. Once you start answering her demands they’ll only escalate.”

  He smiled warmly at her. Good lord, the man had the power to charm the socks off her just by smiling. “Well, I was also told that you like a late afternoon coffee.” He handed her a red cup, and she admired the white snowflake design.

  She accepted the cup, a warmth and tingle sweeping through her as her fingers brushed against his, which had nothing to do with the hot beverage. “Thank you, this smells so good.”

  “I figured since you drink so much of it you should have the good stuff. It’s organic, single origin. Roasted locally.”

  “What flavor?”

  He made a face that was both arrogant and adorable at the same time. “No flavors. Real coffee. Try it.”

  She took a sip and moaned, closing her eyes as the rich flavor hit her. “Sooooo good,” she whispered. Ethan’s garbled cough made her snap her eyes open to look at him, but he was busy sipping his own coffee. She forced a casual expression on her face, holding her cup a little closer. “So what do you think of Haven House?”

  Ethan looked away for a moment, but not before she caught a flash of something in his eyes. Right. Of course this wouldn’t look like anything much to someone like him.

  “Never mind, silly question, right? I’m sure this looks like nothing special.”

  “It’s special,” he said. His voice almost sounded harsh and his gaze was intense on hers. “That kid you were talking to looked like he was only fifteen or sixteen.”

  She nodded. “Yeah, Max. He’s one of the newer kids. Really nice, I can feel it. Sometimes I get a feeling about people, you know? Even if at first they’re kind of rude or cold, I can sense who they are underneath.”

  He didn’t say anything for a long moment, those brown eyes of his filled with a depth that made her want to know how much more there was to him.

  “Is this your office?” He flicked his chin.

  “What gave it away?”

  “The Christmas tree, the empty coffee mugs, and the picture of Danielle on your desk. Also, you were standing right in front of the door.”

  She laughed, watching as his gaze wandered the room. She stood aside so he could walk in. “I guess it’s a little different from yours, huh?”

  He filled up the small space, hands in his pockets, gaze on hers. “I like it,” he said in a low voice, the barest hint of a smile on his face. Her heart started to race, and she walked into the space with him. She was drawn to that expression in his eyes, the affection, or whatever it was that was reeling her in. “There’s a lot you don’t know about me, Allie. I think what you’re doing here is incredible. I think you’re gifted. I think you’re practically a damn saint.”

  “I don’t think you’re supposed to swear and say saint in the same sentence,” she said, babbling because somehow Ethan was now standing within an inch of her. The craziest thing was that she couldn’t be sure who had approached whom. And right now she really didn’t care, either. Also, his praise was a little too much to handle. Ethan smelled like the outdoors and a hint of some fresh, clean cologne. His hair was now mussed up and he looked delectably male and gorgeous up close.

  “I gave up trying to impress the higher-ups a long time ago,” he said in a way that seemed to hint at something. She couldn’t pursue it, because her phone vibrated. The sound was jarring in her quiet office. She swallowed hard and forced herself to back up a step and glance at the phone.

  “Ugh. It’s my sister. She wants to know if you’re coming home with dinner soon.”

  Ethan smiled, and all of a sudden it was like the moment was lost, her questions fading. Ethan’s undivided attention was disconcerting in all the best ways. “You can tell her yes. I stopped and picked up food, too. I’m parked out front.”

  “Thanks, but seriously. You don’t have to do all this.” The noise from the dining room increased, and the sounds of chairs scraping against the floor signified dinner was starting. She was done for the day.

  He shrugged. “It’s not a big deal, Allie.”

  “Actually, it is. I also need to speak to you about some sort of repayment plan—” She stopped talking, because he sounded like he was choking.

  He gave her the full-on, intense Ethan stare that robbed her of her voice. “You’re not paying me a damn thing.” His voice was low and filled with warmth…delicious, single-estate, dark-roast-organic-coffee warmth.

  “You cannot give a teenager access to that kind of money,” she whispered, moving closer to him so that no one would overhear. She made it a point of never talking about money or dressing too showy, which wasn’t usually a problem. But even today she’d been self-conscious in her designer gear, at least it had been casual.

  “Don’t worry about it. Dani got everything you needed?”

  Allie nodded. She found herself standing close to him as they walked to the front door. Every time she stood this close to Ethan he managed to evoke feelings of safety and excitement, both of which were foreign feelings for her. His cashmere coat clung to his broad shoulders, and his trademark blue tie peeked out from underneath. Everything about him exuded wealth and power. Things that should mean nothing to her, except they also symbolized how hard he worked and how talented he was to be able to build a company from nothing. She darted her gaze away from his face, which was looking far too appealing this close. His five o’clock shadow seemed to only highlight his strong, lean features, and framed a gorgeous mouth.

  He placed the tray of coffee on the front desk. She reached for her coat, but Ethan had already intercepted and was holding it for her. She stepped into it and felt as though she were stepping inside a decadently warm bubble bath that was scented with Ethan. She tried not to sigh at her stupidity and picked up her new bag.

  He held the door open. “Ready to go?”

  She nodded. “Yeah, thanks. I’m wiped,” she said, grabbing the tray before they stepped out into the cold night air. She hugged her coat closer and walked with him to his car. Somehow he’d managed to find parking on the perpetually packed street. Minutes later they were pulling away from the curb and she was feeling the intimacy of the small luxury car around her. Ethan shifted gears and drove through the city streets with a confidence that she added to her growing list of things she was impressed by.

  “Did you manage to salvage your day after we ambushed you?” It felt odd to be sharing details of their day. They usually hung out in the company of Jackson and Hannah, not really on their own, and certainly not like this.

  He nodded. “Yeah, how about you?” He pulled into his parking spot in the underground garage. He retrieved two bags from Whole Foods as well as his leather laptop bag and swung it over his shoulder.

  “Yeah, I’m glad it’s the weekend. I need to figure stuff out and sleep.” Figure stuff out like where they were going to find an apartment, how much she had in savings, finding cheap furniture, and how the heck she was going to replace what they’d lost, all before Christmas. “Thi
s’ll be my last free weekend probably until Christmas. Next weekend is the annual holiday decorating party.”

  They rode the elevator to the top, just the two of them. “Nice. So you get the entire place decorated?”

  He held the door for her as they opened on to his floor. “We do. Tree, garlands, the works. It goes a long way toward making the kids who don’t have a real home feel good. Christmas is all about family, and when you have none, or at least when you have none that you can rely on, it means even more. If there are kids who celebrate different holidays during the season we make sure we honor their traditions as well. These kids may put on a tough act, but they are heartbreakingly vulnerable. That’s why this news about the shelter possibly closing is even more serious.” They were standing outside his door, talking softly in the empty corridor. He was still holding the bags in his hands, but the look on his face stopped her from speaking. She didn’t know what it was. He looked…upset maybe. “Oh my God, Ethan,” she said, touching his arm. “I’m not saying all this to make you feel bad. I know you offered to help, but I totally didn’t expect you to solve the problem or even think about it today.”

  He cleared his throat and looked away for a moment. “No, no, I…want to help. I just…yeah, today I couldn’t get to it. But I want to help you, Allie.”

  The way he said her name was almost magical. Like he actually really, really cared. She waved her hand. “I know, I know, let’s just enjoy the fact that it’s the weekend. We already hijacked your home and now you’re buying us dinner. Seriously.”

  “Do you need help next weekend? With the tree?”

  He was a saint. What had she been thinking these last few years? Obviously she had judged the book by its cover, and she had been so wrong. This hot, beautiful, compassionate man was now even offering to give up his Saturday night for her. She forced a normal smile on her face, not the pathetically happy one that was inside. “We always need help, but you don’t have to. It’s Saturday night.”

  “No plans,” he said, unlocking his door and holding it open. She walked through and again caught that whiff of whatever cologne he wore—it was something fresh like the ocean, not strong, just a hint. Hook came barreling toward them like a raging bull, and they both bent down to greet the dog.

  “Then sure. We’d love that. I hate assembling the stupid tree.”

  His head was close to hers as Hook demanded more attention. “Assembling? No real tree?”

  She tried to remember how to speak, but she wasn’t prepared for Ethan this close up, offering his services. “Not in the budget. It’s too much of a hassle, too.”

  “I’ll get a tree.”

  “Oh my God, you guys, it’s about time. I’m dying of starvation.” Her sister appeared at the top of the hall and then marched forward, grabbed the bags, and groaned as she walked toward the kitchen. “Whole Foods, really? I was thinking more along the lines of McDonald’s.”

  “I’d rather die, Dani,” Ethan said dryly as he hung up his coat.

  Dani was opening the takeout containers, making faces as she looked in each box and laid them out on the black marble counters.

  “Dani, maybe you should say thanks.”

  Her sister rolled her eyes. She settled on a sandwich with a reluctant huff. “Thanks for the food. I know it must be hard when you’re old to think of what young people might like to eat.”

  “Well, you might not get to be old if you eat garbage.” His voice was laced with a smile, and Allie watched him. He dealt with her sister like she was amusing. He wasn’t the least bit bothered.

  “Wine?” Ethan asked, turning to her.

  “Sure,” Dani answered before she could.

  “Not you,” he said with a laugh.

  “Yes, please. You may feel the need to drink on a regular basis now that my sister has moved in,” Allie said. Ethan took out the wine glasses and poured while she took out dishes and forks.

  “I’m going to my room,” Dani said, almost out of the kitchen.

  “You’re not eating food in our room.”

  “It’s fine. Cleaning lady comes in every morning at nine.”

  “This is the life,” Dani whispered as she exited the room.

  “Where do you want to sit?” Ethan asked as he helped himself to a sandwich and salad. Allie picked up the same for herself.

  “I’m easy. Wherever.”

  He grinned. “Easy is hardly how I’d describe you.” He led the way into the living room and she followed him, picking up her wineglass. Hook followed them, in the hopes he’d get handouts she was sure. They settled on the dark leather couch. Ethan had the fireplace going and only the dim glow of a table lamp lit the large space, but the city lights helped illuminate the rest of the apartment. Again that intimacy they’d never shared was back. Snow fell in swirling patterns outside the windows, and she felt as though they were in a protective, warm cocoon.

  She took a sip of wine, and they ate in silence for a few moments. Everything was delicious. Things could have been very different tonight if he hadn’t rescued them.

  “I’d never been to Haven House. It’s an impressive place.”

  She nodded. “It is. Almost one hundred kids right now, at capacity. It’s a sad time of year for most of them, so we’re busy trying to make it a special year even if they’re on their own.”

  “Do they just walk in off the street?”

  “Most of the time. It takes a lot for some of them. Many of these kids are so dejected, and depending how long they’ve been on the street, it can be really hard to reach them. But when you do—when they finally start to open up—it’s like reaching a whole new person. And usually it’s from that point that their life starts taking off. No one wants to be on the street, especially a teen. When we provide them with a bed that’s their own, food, and showers, they learn to trust again. That’s why I’m so afraid of this place shutting down, Ethan.” She was horrified at the tears that seemed to appear out of nowhere in her eyes. She had no idea what Ethan was thinking, but his face went a few shades less than his usual tan.

  He ran his hand over his jaw. “I, uh, I still need to see what I can do to help out.”

  She nodded. “I haven’t said a word to the kids. We’re not going to unless we have no choice. I don’t want anyone freaking out at this point, and we have a few vulnerable teens at the moment.”

  He cleared his throat and put down his sandwich. “What about moving the shelter to a different location?”

  She shook her head. “Where? We’re right downtown. There isn’t another place that’s large enough to support us, or at least without having to make significant renovations, and we don’t have the time or money for that. And just the thought of such a big change, of uprooting them, is awful. People know where we are. The shelter has been in that location for fifty years, since it opened. Kids know where to find us. To move…”

  He was staring at her, his mouth downturned. He looked as though he was really bothered by it. “But maybe if you move you can get a more modern facility, more amenities…”

  “We’d lose a lot of kids not being in the downtown area. We don’t need amenities. We need stability.”

  He didn’t say anything for a moment. “I’ll see what I can do.”

  She smiled. “I know you will. I appreciate it. Wow, you keep coming to my rescue. First a place to live, now the shelter.”

  He ducked his head, a muscle in his jaw moving. “Allie,” he said, his voice thick with what sounded like regret. He was obviously humble, which was news to her, because she’d always thought Ethan kind of full of himself in a charming kind of way. Evidently she had a lot to learn. His phone vibrated on the couch between them, and he cursed softly as he looked at the number. Not that she was being nosy or anything, but the name on the display said Hayden Brooks. She had no idea who that was.

  He looked up at her before answering. “It’s a call I need to take, I’m sorry,” he said, rising. She sat on the couch by herself as Ethan walked out of the r
oom and down the hall that led to his office.

  Chapter Four

  Ethan took a long drink of his freshly-made green smoothie. He leaned against the kitchen counter and mentally ran through the plan he’d come up with to keep Allie happy and beat his brother in the little challenge their father had come up with. It was brilliant.

  Sure, it may not be exactly what Allie had in mind, but in the end he knew she wouldn’t find fault. He just needed to convince her—once he had some details and plans to present to her. With his plan everyone would win, except Carson, which was perfect. Except two minutes later he found himself thinking about the woman sleeping in his spare bedroom and feeling slightly guilty about deciding not to try and save her shelter. Every day Allie went on and on about how nice he was. If she only knew the truth. Since that couldn’t happen he’d spent the week trying to avoid her. Now that his plan was fully formed, he could go back to normal.

  “Dude, it’s six o’clock in the morning. Must I be awoken like this?”

  Ethan almost choked in surprise. Dani was standing in the doorway, hands perched on her hips, her usual scowl even scarier at this time of the morning. It was still dark out, and he’d finished a run on the treadmill and had prepared his daily green smoothie in the Vitamix. He was running half an hour late, but he had a full day ahead of him. Plenty of time to put some of the first parts of his “screw over Carson” plan into motion.

  At least all this crap going on meant he wasn’t constantly thinking about D-Day. It was next week, and he hated that day more than any other. But it would be fine. He’d get through it, he’d get good news, and then December could unfold nicely and he’d be allowed to indulge for the month. He just needed to get through the next few days unscathed, be at the top of his game, and not let an ounce of vulnerability show.

  “Uh, hello?”

  Ethan glanced up from his smoothie to Dani. “Did I wake you?”

  “You woke up the freaking building, I’m sure.” She trudged into the kitchen, her bare feet flapping against the wood floor like a duck’s flippers.