Red Hot Christmas (Pride Series Romance Novels)

by Jill Sanders

Luke laughed. “I'll bet.” He thought of stopping by and talking to Iian about another idea. “This all looks wonderful. You say they are going to have it done before Christmas?”

  “Oh, yes. There's no real structural changes. Just paint, flooring and ceiling tiles. The stage is movable so if a party doesn't need it, it will fold up.”

  “You said something about a fish tank?”

  “Here.” She smiled and grabbed his hand again, pulling him past the wall of plastic towards the bar. “It's going to sit here.” She handed him another drawing. Again, he could just imagine the separation that would give both large areas more privacy.

  “You really have a talent for this kind of stuff. I hope everything's done for the Christmas party the Jordan's always throw.”

  “Oh.” She bit her bottom lip. “Christmas party?”

  “Yes, don't get any ideas. This one's all Lacey's doing. She enjoys pulling out all the stops for this one party.”

  “Oh,” she looked a little hurt.

  “Don't worry. There are plenty of other parties you can plan. My birthday is coming up in February.” He smiled.

  She smiled back at him. “Did you want some lunch?”

  “No, I ate. I'm just heading over to play.”

  “Oh, right, it's game day. I wish I could be there for the Hornets and Sasquatch's rematch.”

  “That's okay, maybe next time.” He placed a quick kiss on her lips.

  He made a quick stop to Iian's office and then they left together to head out to the game. When he made it back home, he was sorer then he'd been in years. Every inch of him ached. How could a bunch of teens whoop their butts so bad?

  There were a few messages on his computer, and he ended up staying up all night to fix a few bugs in his latest product. Launch day was scheduled for Friday, and he was just as excited as he'd been the first time a product of his hit the open market.

  Now all he needed was someone to share that excitement with. He looked around. Jackie was curled up on his bed, a spot she'd taken to since Amber had vacated the spot. Looking over at his clock, he realized it was almost noon the next day. If he got a few hours sleep, he could probably make it over to Amber’s place when she got off work. He crawled into bed with Jackie and smiled when the small dog got up off her pillow and came over to snuggle against his chest.

  It was hard to explain the love he felt when she leaned her little head up and licked his chin. Her sad eyes looked at him and he smiled. Another moment that he wished he had someone to share with.

  He woke several times to let Jackie out and give her food, but he kept crawling back into bed. His eyes were heavy. Maybe he was coming down with the flu? He didn't feel like he had a fever, he was just really tired.

  The last time he looked at the clock it was one in the morning, and he thought he could sleep for another eight hours straight.

  When he did wake, it was still dark. He was confused and looked at his clock. Seven. He didn't know if it was seven in the morning or at night. He grabbed his phone and realized it was seven at night. He'd slept a whole day away, nineteen hours and he felt like he hadn't moved a muscle that entire time.

  He moved to the end of the bed and felt every muscle in his body revolt. His head was dull, like he'd just drunk a tub of tequila. His shirt and shorts were a little sweaty. There was no doubt he had had a fever now. When he stood, he felt weak and had to grab onto the night stand.

  He hated being sick. Jackie sat on the floor, looking at him like she was in trouble.

  “Sorry, baby. I know I didn't let you out. If you made a mess in the house, don't worry about it. I'll clean it up later.” She turned in circles and followed him into the bathroom.

  After a very hot shower and a few aspirin, he downed a dozen ounces of orange juice from the fridge. He cleaned up a puddle by the back door as he let Jackie out.

  He started feeling better and decided he felt good enough to head over and see if Amber was off work tonight.

  The holiday season was in full swing in Pride. Amber had never truly understood what Christmas meant until she’d ended up here. Everywhere she looked decorations and lights hung. The storefront at O’Neil’s was transformed into a wonderland filled with nativity scenery, and a large Christmas tree stood in the window.

  It seemed everywhere Amber went, people would stop and chat with her about her holiday plans. She'd been invited to countless dinners, parties, and plays. But the biggest and best party everyone was talking about was the Christmas party at the Golden Oar. It seemed Lacey knew how to throw a party.

  “You see, dear, it all started a few years back, before Lacey and Aaron were married. They threw a joint party at his house for New Year’s. Well, the next year, they moved it forward to Christmas and had it at the restaurant. It was such a success, they continued the tradition. Now it's just assumed that everyone will be there.” Patty finished bagging her items. She smiled at the dog ball Amber had picked up for Jackie. “How is that cutie doing? I bet she's being spoiled rotten.”

  “Jackie? Yes, I haven't seen her in a few days, but I hear she's causing quite the mess lately. I hear that along with new jeans, Luke now needs a new pair of tennis shoes.” Amber tried not to laugh.

  “Well, that's what puppies do.” Patty smiled. “So, will you two be heading to the party together?”

  Amber had been wondering the same thing. Luke hadn't talked to her about the party. Actually, in the last two days since she'd seen him at the restaurant, she hadn't talked to him at all.

  Maybe he was still hurt about the other night? He hadn't acted like it the other day, but then again, she hadn't given him much time to talk either. She'd just walked around, chatting about the changes being made at the restaurant.

  By the time she walked back into her apartment, she'd talked herself into quite the state. She began questioning if he ever wanted to see her again. Maybe this was his way of pulling away? After all, she'd pretty much compared him to Chris, her ex-boyfriend. She'd never really given him a chance to explain what he did for a living. All she knew is that it had something to do with video and computer games.

  She just couldn't imagine a full-grown man making a living working on games. It wasn't as if she didn't like games. When she'd been dating Chris, she'd played Alien Engagement with him on several occasions. The game was very addictive, but she’d known when to shut it down. Chris hadn't. She guessed that was her question about Luke. Did he know when to shut down playing and come back into real life? She knew his past, that he'd given up school—at MIT, no less—to come back and take care of his grandmother. Chris wouldn't have gotten off the couch cushion to visit his mother, let alone move across the country to take care of her.

  Luke had wanted her to move in with him, at least that's what she thought he'd been hinting at. Letting Chris move in with her had been the largest mistake she'd ever made. Their relationship had been fun up until that point. Just like her and Luke's relationship. Sure, there was the weekend she'd spent nights at Luke's place. It'd been magical, and she truly believed he'd been as real as he was going to get. Some men hid things, like if they usually forgot to put the cap on the toothpaste, they'd do it when you slept over, but the second you were gone, they'd go back to being their old self.

  She didn't think Luke was like that. Sure, he forgot things, like he was always losing his keys, even though his grandmother had a hook by the back door. But until she'd gotten her key bowl, she'd been the same way. She snapped her fingers, realizing the perfect present for Luke for Christmas.

  She was just putting the last of her items away when there was a knock on the door. Smiling she walked to the door, hoping it was Luke.

  She opened the door and saw her mother standing just outside on the landing in the dim light as the rain lightly fell. Then a tall, thin man stepped forward, and when the light hit his face, Amber knew her worst nightmare had come true. She looked into the eyes of the monster she'd feared for the last seventeen years.

  Luke felt a little w
inded as he walked up Amber's stairs. By the time he made it to the landing, he was breathing hard and a light sheen of sweat was on his forehead. When he knocked, Amber answered quickly, looking ragged. Her eyes were red and she had a lost look on her face.

  “Amber? Is everything—”

  “Luke!” She grabbed his hand and pulled him in.

  When he stepped in, he saw the couple. The woman looked small standing next to the tall, frail-looking man. The couple looked like an ad from the fifties, in their old-fashioned clothes.

  “Luke, these are my parents, Donna and Frank Kennedy. This is Luke Crawford, my boyfriend.” Amber grabbed his hand in a vice grip.

  Luke nodded his head. He didn't know what was going on, but he guessed she'd been as shocked by her father's presence as he was.

  “Amber, this isn't a conversation for guests. We don't mean to be rude, Luke, but it's a family matter.”

  He was about to say that he understood, but he wasn't going anywhere, when Amber broke in. “Anything you want to say, you can say in front of Luke. He's my family now.” Her chin came up and he swore he'd never seen her look more beautiful than that moment.

  Her mother's eyes went to Luke’s and he swore he saw them heat. Her father looked like he'd rather be anywhere but there.

  “Fine.” Her mother's lips thinned and she crossed her hands in front of her. “As we were saying, we think it's time you came home. You've gotten out of hand. We understand you're a full-grown woman, but in Eugene you can be closer to your father and me. You need direction in your life; you haven’t had any for so long. When I was here the last time, it was apparent to me that you've been living in sin. Living in this town, above a grocery store, no less. Now that your father is home, we can be a family again.” She looked to her husband and smiled. For the first time, Luke could see the woman's eyes soften. “You can be there to help support him as he recovers from this mess. We can be there to help you clean up your life.”

  “Clean up my life? Be a family?” Luke felt Amber's hand vibrate in his. Gently he squeezed it, trying to give her some of his power, what little he had left. “Who do you think you are? I've got news for you, Mother.” Amber dropped Luke’s hand and walked over to face her mother, her face inches from the older woman's face. “You were never there for me, and I don't want you to be. You've done nothing over the last seventeen years to prove to me that you cared one bit for me. All you cared about was getting this devil from his cage.” She waved her hand at her father.. I thought I was raised by one monster, know I know I had two of them. I told you last time I wanted nothing to do with you. I mean it now more than before. If I ever see either of you again, it would be too soon.” She walked over to her front door and held it open. “Leave.”

  Both her parents stood there looking at her, then looking at Luke. He nodded his head in agreement. He tried to look tough, but he was so angry, he may have come across looking more like a rabid dog. Both her parents walked out without saying another word.

  Luke collapsed on to her couch as he heard her slam her door and flip the lock. Then she was by his side.

  “Luke? You look terrible.” She felt his forehead. “Oh my God! You're burning up.” She rushed to the kitchen and came back with a cold wash cloth.

  “I'll be okay. Amber?” He took her hand and looked into her blue eyes. They seemed to be floating in the darkness that was quickly overtaking him. “Amber? I want to be your family and for you to be mine.”

  “Luke, let me call Dr. Stevens. You're sick.”

  He shook his head and almost blacked out completely. “No, I want to be your family, and I want you to be mine.”

  “Luke? Luke?” He heard her voice fade as the darkness overcame him.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Amber called Aaron with shaky hands. She'd pushed Luke back onto her couch as he'd passed out, thankful that he'd had enough sense to sit down. She'd seen the sick look, the pale skin, and hollowed out eyes when she'd opened her door, but her parents’ presence had taken priority. Now, however, as she talked to Aaron, panic almost took over.

  “I don't know,” she tried to answer Aaron's questions. “He just showed up, pale, weak, and burning up. Then he passed out.”

  “I'll be right over.” Aaron hung up.

  Amber kept running the cool cloth over his forehead and face. Then she tried to take his jacket off, but it was hard to do with his dead weight. She almost spilled him onto the floor, so she gave up trying.

  Then she heard the knock on the door as Aaron called for her.

  Aaron rushed in after she unlocked the door and took one look at Luke. “Yeah, it's been going around.” He shook his head. “I'll bet he's dehydrated, too.” Aaron started taking Luke's vitals. “When was the last time you saw him?”

  “Well, right before he went to play basketball with you. I thought he was going to come over last night, but...” She trailed off, feeling guilty that she hadn't called him to check up on him. She'd just assumed that he'd wanted some space.

  “Don't worry. We'll get some fluids into him, and he'll start feeling better. I think the worst is over by now.” Aaron opened a small pack and snapped it, then waved it below Luke's nose.

  Luke came off the couch almost swinging. “Easy!” Aaron jumped back. “Lacey will kill me if I come home with another black eye from you,” he joked, then looked at Amber and winked.

  “What?” Luke sat down and grabbed his head in his hands. “Who hit me?”

  Aaron chuckled. “The flu bug. It's been going around. Those kids we played the other day, all ended up in my office the next day. Snot-nosed little brats gave it to everyone else.” Aaron smiled.

  “Yeah, well, next time we play healthy kids, not sick ones.” Luke looked up at Amber. “Where your parents really here?”

  She nodded. “You don't remember?”

  “Sorta. In my version, they were missionary’s trying to get you to convert to their weird religion.”

  “Close enough.” She sat next to him. “I showed them the door. Hopefully, I'll never hear from them again.” She reached up and felt his head. “Can you give him anything for the fever?” She asked Aaron.

  “I took some aspirin.” Luke leaned back on the couch.

  “That's good.” Aaron pulled a bottle out of his bag. “Did you have fluids with that aspirin?”

  “OJ.”

  “Not so good. Water, good clean water is what you need. The OJ is okay for sugars and vitamins, but you're dehydrated.”

  “I slept for eighteen hours straight.”

  “That will do it. Amber, can you get him a glass of water?”

  She rushed to the kitchen and came back with a large glass. “Here.” She handed it to him and he downed half of it.

  “Maybe you can stay with him, make sure the worst is over?” Aaron suggested.

  “Yes, of course.” Amber smiled.

  “Good, well, if he gets worse or if his temperature stays over one hundred for too long, give me another call.” Aaron looked at Luke and pointed at him. “You. Fluids, fluids, oh and—that's right— fluids.” He smiled and walked out.

  “You are such a fool.” Amber leaned back. “If you ever scare me like that again...” She glared at him.

  “Me? I almost had a heart attack when I walked in and saw the pilgrim couple trying to convert you. How did your father get out? I thought you said they needed you to spring him free?”

  Luke finished the glass and set it down on her coaster. Then he leaned back on the couch and closed his eyes.

  “Yeah, well, I'm not sure. I almost had a heart attack myself. Coming face to face with the devil will do that.” She shivered and looked around the room. Somehow the place felt dirty now.

  “I hate to ask it, but I think I'd feel better back at home.”

  “Say no more.” She sprung up. “I was just looking for an excuse to get out of here. How about I take you back to your place and make you some of your grandmother's homemade chicken soup?”

  He stoo
d up and she reached to steady him, “I'd say hell yes.” He smiled.

  When they arrived at his place, she took her overnight bag up to his room while he lay down on the couch with Jackie. She noticed the large Christmas tree in the front room and flipped on the lights for him to watch as he rested. It made the place feel more welcoming.

  When she walked past the kitchen, she noticed a smaller tree in the back room. He'd hung a large wreath on the front door, and there was fresh evergreen garland wrapped around the banister. There were large red bows and lights as well. The place looked and smelled like Christmas.

  When she walked into his room, though, the smell of the sweat hit her. She decided a fresh change of sheets was called for.

  From the look of his bed, he'd slept like a rock. Half the sheets were soaked in sweat and the other half of the bed was still made. She found a fresh pair of linens in the hall closet. When she was done, she carried his dirty linens down to the laundry room and started the load. She walked by the front room and saw he was fast asleep. She set a glass of water by him on a TV stand, then went into the kitchen and got to work on making him some soup. Half an hour later, Jackie paddled in and asked to go out. When she opened the back door, she realized it was snowing again. Standing on the back deck, she watched Jackie wander around the dark yard. Luke had installed a few motion lights, so the whole yard lit up, and she could easily see Jackie doing her business. The grass had just a light dusting of snow and the smell of winter hung in the air. She always enjoyed this time of year. The peace and quiet of the snow falling and the crisp feel of the cold wind on her face always made her feel more alive.