Paige entered and found herself transported to another continent. “It’s the Madeline room.” A large Eiffel Tower lit up. She grinned. “Ooh-la-la.”
“Paris is one of my favorite cities.”
Of course he’d been there. Probably more than once. She forgot Wes could go wherever he wanted without a second thought. A nice perk to being a billionaire and healthy.
Once upon a time, when she was twenty-two and in college, Paige thought Paris would be a nice honeymoon spot. “I’d like to go there someday.”
Wes glanced at her. “What’s stopping you?”
“Time.” She examined the table with place settings for each of the girls and dessert. “I spend my vacations with family.”
And those were the vacations she actually took. The practice’s office manager kept pushing Paige to take more time off. Maybe she should. Even if she went to Vermont again or just stayed home.
When they’d finished touring through the other rooms, Paige wanted to go through each again. She was certain she’d missed things. “Do you have a favorite?”
Wes shook his head. “I like them all. How about you?”
“I can’t pick only one.” She ran through the various themes in her head. Cinderella, A Christmas Carol, The Secret Garden, Beauty and the Beast, The Joy of Cooking, and so many others. “They were all great.”
She went with Wes to the SUV. Craig followed them.
“So dinner and a movie at my place?” Wes asked.
Excitement shot through her. She wanted to see his house. “Yes.”
“What do you feel like? Thai, Chinese, pizza, hamburgers, Indian, sandwiches?”
All sounded good, but one stood out. “Hamburgers. I haven’t had one in a while.”
“Healthy eater?”
She shook her head. “The frozen ones don’t taste the same as fresh.”
He laughed. “I know just the place.”
Thirty minutes later, they had picked up their food and arrived at his house. The neighborhood was one of the trendy addresses in Portland, full of high-priced Victorian and Craftsman-style mansions. His home, however, appeared to be brand new, with an urban feel. Lots of wood and glass, but minimalistic. Even the Christmas tree felt that way with white lights and a theme that matched the décor. The place wasn’t warm and inviting like his lodge.
“Did Laurel Matthews decorate the place?” Paige asked.
“No, I’m on her waitlist.” He glanced around, not seeming impressed by what he saw. “I purchased the furniture with the place.”
“Talk about move-in ready.”
He nodded, motioning for her to take a seat on the couch. “It’s not really my style, but I liked the location and floor plan.”
She sat. “I love the openness and layout.”
“That was a selling point, but making the space feel lived in has been an issue.” He took the spot next to her and passed out their food. “I was so busy with work I didn’t notice how sterile and cold the décor was until I got sick. Then, redecorating wasn’t on my mind. Now…”
She picked up a french fry. “You’re waiting for Laurel.”
“Yes.” He sipped his chocolate hazelnut milkshake.
“You have time.”
He brightened. “Thanks to you.”
“And many others on your healthcare team.”
Wes studied her. “It’s okay to take credit.”
“I do, but I also don’t mind sharing it.”
As their gaze met, physical awareness buzzed through her. Her blood heated.
Paige raised her peppermint chocolate milkshake. The cold cup against her palm did little to cool her off. She sipped and then took a bite of her cheeseburger.
“I checked the schedule earlier. The movie starts in twenty minutes.” He turned on the television, and the right channel came on. “I’ll mute the sound for now.”
She recognized the movie playing but concentrated on her food and Wes. “This tastes great. Just what I wanted.”
He started to speak but stopped himself.
She noticed he had eaten little. “Is something wrong?”
“No, I just…” On the screen, a man cupped a woman’s face before kissing her on the lips. Wes stared at Paige. “I had a great time today.”
She smiled. “Me, too.”
“And last night.”
“Same.”
“I said we should be friends, but we might want to rethink that.” His words rushed out, one on top of the other.
Her heart beat triple time. “Rethink how?”
His forehead creased with what she took to be confusion. He could join the club.
“The line of friendship has blurred for me,” he said.
Thank goodness he was braver than her. She forced herself to breathe. “I’m not sure where the line is myself.”
He half laughed. “So that makes two of us.”
Paige couldn’t believe this was happening. Ethan was correct. Again. He would rub it in, but this time she wouldn’t mind. “You said you didn’t want to date.”
“I did, and I’m not sure how I feel now. I know I want to keep seeing you.” He picked up a french fry. “What if we don’t label it for now?”
Wes hadn’t said he changed his mind, but she would regret not taking this chance. “I’m fine not labeling it.”
Not labeling us.
Wes had made one Christmas wish come true. Could he make that happen twice?
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Wes’s neck hurt. A weight pressed against him. His arm was numb. Even though he kept his eyes closed, he could tell he was sitting on the couch. The television must be on because someone was singing. Unless a choir of children was performing in his living room. He doubted Craig would go for that.
Wes blinked open his eyes.
On the screen, children wearing reindeer antlers performed on a stage. It was dark outside. He glanced at the clock on the wall—eleven. Still nighttime. They must have fallen asleep watching the second movie.
They.
That explained the weight and numbness.
To his right, Paige curled up against him, sound asleep as he must have been. Her hand, fingers splayed, rested over his heart.
Contentment spread through him. Even though she leaned against him, her head on his shoulder, there was a lightness in his chest.
This.
This is what has been missing.
Wes pulled her closer, but she didn’t stir. He brushed his lips over her hair, something he’d been wanting to do for a week, inhaling the familiar scent of her shampoo.
He had money, power, and once again, his health. No matter how many times Wes told himself he was better off on his own, Paige had decimated those reasons with a smile.
He smoothed her hair with his hand. Silky soft.
More than friends.
Wes grinned, almost giddy. He had no idea what that meant, especially since they agreed not to label this—them. All he knew was that being with Paige felt right, more right than anything else ever had. And if he were truly honest with himself, he could sense Paige wanted to explore what they could become, too.
Did that scare him?
Yes!
His brain kept shouting all the reasons being more than friends was a bad idea. For well over two years, he’d listened to each and every one, especially after going into remission, but he couldn’t with her.
He didn’t want to, because being only Paige’s friend wasn’t enough. He’d been kidding himself that was all they could be to each other. Whatever happened next, he promised two things:
1) To make the most of his time with Paige, enjoying her, spoiling her, helping her.
2) To not hurt her.
That should be easy enough, right?
She stirred, moving her hand and then her shoulders. Her eyes opened. As soon as her gaze met his, they widened. Her cheeks turned pink. “I fell asleep again.”
“We both did.”
“Your arm must be all pins
and needles.” Paige straightened. “That’s better.”
“No, it’s not.” He wouldn’t let her go all doctor on him. He placed her on his lap. “This, however, is much better.”
The pink on her face deepened, but she didn’t disagree.
“So the movie.” He smiled. “Do all feature a career woman from the big city who ends up in a small town for the holidays and falls in love with a nice guy who at first appears to be all wrong for her?”
“For a newbie, you catch on quick.” She grinned. “There are a few variations to your formula, but they all end happily, too. That’s the big selling point for me. I know exactly the payoff I’ll get when I sit down to watch one and so do millions of others who enjoy them.”
“What do you watch after the Christmas season ends?” he asked, curious to know everything about her.
“New Year’s movies.” A wistful expression formed on her face. “They are full of second chances like some Christmas ones, but wiping the slate clean and chasing your dreams in the new year are themes, too.”
“I would like to do those things myself,” he said without thinking.
“What’s stopping you?” she asked, echoing his question to her about Paris.
Himself.
But he wasn’t ready to say that aloud. Not even to Paige.
To do those things she’d mentioned, Wes would need to face his past and his demons. Something he’d never tried to do.
Could he do that?
He didn’t know, but for Paige, maybe it would be worth a shot. Having a clean slate and perhaps a new label for their relationship come January first would start his new year off in a big way.
“I’ll have to see what I can do,” he said finally.
She beamed, appearing happy with his answer.
“Do the same movies continue all year long?” he asked.
“They have them for Valentine’s Day, spring, wedding, summer, fall,” she said. “But I don’t watch many of those.”
“You prefer the Christmas ones.”
“I stop watching on January second.”
Which meant she was a fan of the New Year’s ones, too. Interesting. “Still, the networks must know their market well.”
She nodded. “They have increased supply to meet the demand.”
“Hearing you talk my language is a turn-on.”
“I can think of a better way to do that.”
Her flirtatious tone sent heat rushing through him. “How?”
Paige lowered her mouth to his and kissed him. She didn’t hesitate or hold back. Her lips moved over his, telling him how she felt in ways she’d never voiced.
Wes was…
Home.
She was redefining what home meant to him, and he couldn’t be happier about that.
He tightened his arms around Paige, pulling her closer. Her fingers ran through his hair. Forget the romantic kiss at the end of the movie they’d watched earlier. This kiss beat that one hands down.
Wes couldn’t remember the last time he’d made out on the couch, but he wanted more. More kisses. More Paige.
Maybe he should add a second Christmas wish to his silver star—her.
He had no idea how long they sat there kissing. Time had all but stopped. But slowly the movement slowed, the pressure against his mouth changed, and then her lips were no longer against his.
Her breathing was unsteady. A hint of uncertainty gleamed in her eyes. After that perfect, rock-his-world kiss, the intelligent, capable, competent doctor was nervous.
Not for long.
Wes ran his finger along her jawline. “Things will work out just fine.”
She nodded, but her concern remained.
He kissed her—hard and quick. “Trust me.”
Her mouth curved upward. “I do.”
Wes brushed his lips over hers once more. “Good. Because I have lots of plans for us.”
Paige’s blue eyes twinkled. “I like the sound of us.”
“I like the sound of us much better than friends.”
And he kissed her again.
* * *
Dreams do come true.
On Sunday, Paige woke up in her bedroom. She hadn’t felt this rested in…forever. The sun shone through the edges of the blinds, which told her she’d slept in. That never happened, but she knew the reason.
Wes.
Thinking about him, her entire body smiled from the tips of her toes to her mouth. Her lips still tingled from Wes’s kiss—the final one when he’d said goodnight at her condo’s door. She would get another when they met for brunch in a little while.
Us.
She wiggled her toes. That was the best two-letter word in the English language. Second only to the best four-letter word…love. She sighed, thinking about what came next.
Merry Christmas, Paige.
This was the best Christmas ever.
Who cared if it was only the twenty-second of December? Santa had given her the perfect present—Wes. No wrapping paper, ribbon, or bow required.
Paige grabbed her cell phone off the nightstand to see if he’d texted her. He hadn’t, but Ethan had.
Big Bro: So…
Shimmying her shoulders, she typed a reply. The wind must be blowing westward because Christmas magic was definitely in the air.
Paige: You were right!
Big Bro: More than friends?
Paige: Yes! Squeal!
Big Bro: Happy for you, sis.
Paige: Thanks.
Big Bro: But be careful.
Paige: Always.
Big Bro: What are you getting him for Christmas?
Paige: Oh, I need to get him a gift?
Big Bro: Might be good to have on hand if he gets you something. Otherwise, awkward.
Paige: Will think of something. Thanks. Love you!
Big Bro: Love you, too.
Paige crawled out of bed. Thank goodness for Ethan. It was weird she hadn’t thought about buying Wes a gift, but then again, she didn’t buy her friends gifts. And what could she give a man who could afford anything he wanted?
She tried to think of something but came up blank. This might take time. A good thing she had…
Three days to figure it out.
Okay, not that long, but they weren’t spending Christmas together, so if she didn’t see him before he left for Hood Hamlet on the twenty-fourth then she’d have extra time.
At eleven o’clock, she entered a café not too far from her condo. Wes sat at a table toward the back. He wore a forest green Henley and jeans. No man should look that handsome. Swallowing a sigh, she made her way to him.
He stood and greeted her with a kiss. “Good morning.”
“Be careful,” she teased. “I could get used to this.”
“Having breakfast with me or a kiss?”
“Both,” she admitted. “Though I’d take your kisses over food any day.”
A grin lit up his face. “I’ll have to see what I can do about that.”
“Promises, promises.” Paige sat. A menu was on the table in front of her, but she didn’t pick it up.
“Know what you want?”
“Biscuits and gravy.” Her stomach grumbled. “It’s my favorite item on the menu.”
“Then I’ll have that, too.”
A server filled their coffee cups and took their orders.
“I have a conference call at one.”
“On a Sunday?”
He nodded. “But I want to see you later if you’re free.”
Her heart swelled. “Come over to my place when you’re finished. I’ll make dinner, and we can do something after that.”
“A home-cooked meal will be a treat.”
For her, too, since she didn’t cook that often. Speaking of which… “If I burn dinner or it doesn’t turn out right, we can order something.”
“I have faith in you.”
“I’ll try not to disappoint.”
He reached across the table and laced his fingers with hers. “
That’s not going to happen. I…”
A startled expression settled on his face. Pressing his lips together, he drew back his arm, reached for his coffee, and sipped.
“What?”
“I’m glad you could meet me this morning.” Wes’s gaze dropped to the menu, and he stared at it as if he hadn’t a clue what to order.
Except he’d told her he was getting the same thing as her.
Stop.
Paige needed to get out of her head and not analyze everything. She was here to enjoy his company. Nothing more. They were adults in their thirties. She was closer to forty. If something was wrong, he would tell her.
She raised her coffee cup. “So are you finished with your Christmas shopping?”
* * *
What was wrong with him?
After seeing Paige to her condo building, Wes slid into the back of the SUV. He had thirty minutes until the conference call, but that wasn’t on his mind. No, something more serious was.
He had almost said “I love you” to Paige.
The realization stunned him, but he couldn’t deny the truth. The words had been sitting at the tip of his tongue ready to cannonball out of his mouth.
Somehow, he’d stopped himself.
Thank goodness.
Once he said them, there were no take backs. He’d made that mistake with Annabelle, saying the words because he hadn’t known how to reply when she said them to him. But love wasn’t a quid pro quo.
Besides, this new thing between him and Paige was less than twenty-four hours old.
Wanting to say he loved her made zero sense.
He liked Paige. Liked her a lot. Liked her more than any woman he’d dated.
But love?
That was a far cry from just friends.
Non-label to love was a massive jump, too.
It was too soon. Way too soon.
When you know, you know.
But he wasn’t Adam or Kieran or Mason or Blaise.
This thing with Paige had just happened. Wes wasn’t looking for love. It was the last thing he wanted—deserved.
His hands sweated.
He removed his gloves and ran his palms over his jeans.
“Eliza texted me to remind you of the conference call,” Craig said.
The Wish Maker (The Billionaires 0f Silicon Forest Book 2) Page 17
