License to Love: Holiday Box Set (Contemporary Romance)

by Kristen James

  “I was born into that family, but I didn’t choose them.” He spoke quietly. When she left him dangling, he said, “You hate me, don’t you?”

  “I don’t want to.” She didn’t? Cora couldn’t say anything more without getting herself into a pot of boiling water, which happened to be how her insides felt sitting next to him. Everything she felt came crashing down on her. She turned away, embarrassed.

  He moved next to her and wrapped his arms around her. She was surprised by his strong, yet tender, embrace. It was wrong, it had to be, but she didn’t want to push him away or fight him.

  Instead, she melted into him, glad for the comfort. He pulled her head into the hollow of his neck. They fit together perfectly.

  He brushed her hair away from her face and rested his face against her head. She needed this; she needed him. The thought jolted through her brain. It didn’t make sense that she felt such a strong pull to him under these circumstances.

  His hand ran down her back, sending a tingling sensation up and down her body.

  Suddenly, she vividly remembered her dad and how defeated he’d looked in Keith’s study. Cora pulled away, her face red. “This is so wrong!”

  Nick quickly put a finger over her lips while gazing into her eyes. His touch felt so personal. She suddenly felt as if he could see every thought and emotion inside her. Looking into his eyes felt like trying to look directly at the sun, but she still couldn’t drop her gaze. She wondered how his soft mouth would feel on hers. Cora wasn’t sure she could muster up a decent amount of indignation if he kissed her.

  His gaze searched her eyes and took in her face. With an earnest face, he asked, “If we weren’t in this situation, do you think you could give me a chance?”

  “That’s beside the point,” she told him sadly, “Because we are in this situation.”

  “That’s my point!” He laughed. “If we weren’t.”

  She shook her head.

  “You wouldn’t give me a chance?”

  You don’t need it to win me over, she thought, but she said, “I can’t think like that right now.”

  She couldn’t think about that possibility now because, in any other time and place she would run into his arms.

  How could she even think about romance when her father was out there somewhere, trying to find a million dollars?

  “I’ve been in this position before,” she told him softly. Seeing the question in his eyes, she went on. “This is the point when I realize I’m going to lose someone.”

  Her mind raced back to a day in her childhood, a cold day in January, when she realized her father didn’t tell her things were going to be okay anymore. One day he stopped telling her that her mother was getting better. She sat in the cold, on her front steps, and knew that her mother was going to die.

  Nick held her tighter. “He’s smart. He’s been involved this long, so he knows a little something about handling these kind of men. But what can I do to prove to you I’m on your side?”

  The timing of his question threw her for a loop.

  “Come on, you can’t be a reporter without being curious. What do you want to know about me?” he asked, giving her direction.

  She wanted to ask why he looked at her like he wanted to know her, as if just seeing her made him smile. Her thoughts ran in circles and finally pulled up a safe question. Here was her chance to find out something about this man . . . if he told her the truth.

  “What kind of career did you study for in college?”

  Something came and went in his expression before he said, “Law.”

  “Law?” His simple answer brought Cora to her feet. “You’re an attorney?”

  Nick jumped up as well. “I’m one of the good guys. I help people when a big corporation takes advantage of them.”

  “You’re a lawyer and you’re helping your father with something like this?”

  “They follow a different set of laws.”

  “You’re saying they’re exempt from the same laws the rest of us live by?” Cora demanded, her hands on her hips as she faced him. “You’re committing a crime for them. You must realize that.”

  Wow, he looked good with the green brush behind him. He fit into this wild, forest world. The sight made her pause but she quickly remembered why she was angry.

  “I meant to walk away from all of them, all except my cousin Adam. I wasn’t going to move back to Eugene, either.”

  “Then why did you?”

  “For you.”

  “How can you say that? You had never met me. I didn’t even know you existed!”

  He looked up at her. Sunlight came through the trees and landed on his face. “Adam told me what he knew about the situation, and I couldn’t let an innocent person be used like that. You’re right, I didn’t know you, but I knew what Keith had in mind. I can’t stand injustice.”

  While standing, she assessed him slowly and mercilessly. He didn’t hide from her investigative eyes.

  “You can help my father, then.”

  Nick stood again. “The police aren’t involved in this.”

  “They should be.”

  “Let’s stick with reality here. We have no way of knowing a crime actually occurred. I can’t view the evidence or question witnesses. I have only my father’s version of events.”

  “Are you saying my father has no way out of this?”

  “Only if he plays by their rules. Maybe something can be done later, but right now I’m concerned for your safety. That’s the one thing I can control at this point in the game.”

  Some game. “I can’t feel sorry for you because you’re stuck in the middle.”

  Nick shook his head and said, “I don’t expect or want you to.”

  “You can’t stay there long.”

  “I have to.” His pleading face and focused eyes pulled at her heart. “I can’t help you unless I’m on Keith’s team. If I hadn’t gotten involved, you’d be out here with Alexander.”

  She twisted a strand of her hair and gazed out into the tall timbers surrounding them. “My father always kept to himself and worked hard. He doesn’t deserve this. He only stayed there, working for Keith, because he wanted to see me get ahead.”

  “You’re sure your father is innocent?”

  She jerked around to face him. “Of course.”

  He gave her a nod and began pacing. Cora watched him while he mused on his own thoughts. His long body had just enough muscle to keep him from looking too skinny. He looked and carried himself like a limber athlete, a quarterback in high school maybe. He had a tan, perfect neck. What an odd thing to notice, she thought, but couldn’t pull her eyes away.

  Her eyes slid up Nick’s body until she met his eyes, they were looking right back. Heat swept over and consumed her, like an angry brush fire eating up dry twigs. The look in Nick’s eyes, and that one raised eyebrow, said more than any words he could have spoken. He boldly walked to her and took her hand, lightly holding her fingers. The gentle touch sent a physical reaction pumping though her.

  Suddenly he leaned closer and kissed her softly on the lips. It was a quick meeting that only allowed her to feel how soft and supple his lips felt. She searched his warm eyes, looking for the truth. Instead, she found him searching her as well. She saw need. Cora didn’t take a step back as they both expected, and he brushed his lips across hers again. He stepped closer, applying more pressure. She felt dizzy with delight when his mouth slightly parted.

  Push him away, she thought as she kissed him back. He made a sound, hmmm, when she met his eagerness. He reached around her, pulling her against his flat stomach.

  The contact ignited her desire. An ache started deep inside, racing up through her. Her body, completely betraying her, pressed into him, yearning and begging.

  “No!” She pushed back away from him and turned to run back toward the cabin.

  ***

  “Cora!” He let her go, unable to move just yet. Kissing her left him shaking from the sudden and sharp physic
al need. And yet, she’d run from him.

  How could he protect her while falling for her? Nick couldn’t back up his suspicions about Alexander’s intentions, and that put him in a static and unbearable position. He couldn’t make a move, not with Jerry Evans still somewhere out there on an impossible mission.

  He couldn’t help Jerry, couldn’t reveal Alexander’s personal agenda to Keith, and he wasn’t sure if he could ever win Cora’s trust.

  Alexander could be watching her right now. That thought felt like cold water running through him. He jumped to his feet and chased after her.

  Six

  In the middle of the biggest crisis of her life, Cora had given in to her basic, physical needs. She didn’t understand what was wrong with her. She couldn’t deny the electricity between them, but hormones meant nothing. Sexual attraction didn’t mean they could trust each other. The way he looked into her eyes didn’t mean he actually wanted to help her find her dad.

  “I will not fall for him!” The man, after all, could be using her emotions to trick her into staying here with him. She felt overwhelmed . . . she couldn’t trust herself when she felt emotionally involved.

  She rushed through the front door of the cabin and shut it firmly behind her.

  How could she help her father while stuck out in the middle of nowhere? Did Jerry risk his life just so the Holloways could hold her right where they could find her? She couldn’t stay here.

  Nick gave a heartfelt and earnest argument, but she couldn’t forget where he came from and who trained him. As a reporter, she needed to use her head, not just her heart. She had to listen to more than the ache growing inside.

  “Cora?” Nick called from on the other side of the door.

  “I don’t know if I can talk to you right now.”

  Imagine if he could look at her and read everything in her mind.

  “Please, Cora, don’t turn your back on me. I want to help you. You’re stealing my heart.”

  Stealing? “I don’t steal, and neither does my father.”

  Her voice sounded icy cold, even to her. She needed that; she needed to push him away. He didn’t answer right away.

  “You’re right, bad word choice. Okay, starting over. I’m falling for you and there doesn’t seem to be anything I can do about it.”

  What if he really did feel something for her? So far he hadn’t done anything to back up his feelings besides kiss her. If, however, he did feel something, she should be able to convince him to help her.

  She stepped away from the door, opened it, and faced him. “Prove you’re on my side. I want information and I want it now.”

  He exhaled slowly, searching her face. “Keith gave Jerry one week from last night to come up with the full missing amount.”

  A week? Cora backed away from the door and let him come in. Nick was just too damn tall, and she didn’t like to look up at him while trying to argue. He followed suit when she sat down on one of the wooden chairs. They both left the door open for light.

  “Is there any chance this is just an error, a mistake in the books? My dad can fix something like that.” Cora knew she was grabbing at straws, but that seemed to be all she had.

  “They tore those books apart . . . your father wouldn’t mess up on his worse day. He’s meticulous.”

  Then how did he miss a million dollars? She wondered if there was any way her dad was guilty; her doubt passed as quickly as it came. “Why didn’t you tell me this before?”

  “I didn’t want to worry you. I’m trying to figure this out.”

  “Worry me?” His judgment worried her. “Is there any possible way that Jerry can get that kind of money?”

  Nick’s doubtful expression revealed his answer. She asked, “Can you really keep me here?”

  Despair crossed his fine features. Quietly he said, “Let’s not go that far.”

  “We are that far. I’m leaving to find my father and help him. Are you coming with me or not?”

  The light went out. Nick and Cora both jumped as if a door had slammed. Alexander was standing in the doorway.

  Completely ignoring Nick, Alexander looked at Cora and asked, “Conspiring with the enemy?”

  Standing with the sunlight behind him, Alexander looked even more evil. Nick jumped to his feet. Cora felt sick, like she’d drank sour milk. She had almost convinced Nick!

  Alexander walked in and threw his bag on the table. “I had a feeling I couldn’t leave you two alone. So I’m going to join your little party.”

  She rose, slowly and quietly, and took off for the door. Alexander grabbed her arm.

  She screamed as he pulled her back. Suddenly Nick was right on top of them. “Get your hands off her!”

  “Sit down,” Alexander ordered while pushing Cora over to the couch and tossing her down. Dust flew up in the air. “Both of you.”

  He pulled out a hidden gun and waved it at Nick, and then at her.

  Nick took three steps to the couch and sat on the edge, shielding Cora from Alexander.

  “Keith doesn’t hold much trust for you, Nick, and rightly so. I can’t believe I almost left.”

  He noticed the lamp, lit it with the matches on the table, and sat in one of the wooden chairs. She had expected to feel better with the light shining, but now she could see his face. His eyes looked black in the harsh light.

  “Didn’t think to bring any magazines?” He laughed and lit a cigar, sending sickening sweet smoke into the small shack.

  “What are you doing out here?” Nick asked.

  Alexander didn’t give a reason, but asked, “What about you? I don’t believe that sorry story for one minute.”

  Nothing could have hidden the cold hatred the two men felt for each other. Worse than that, she didn’t think she could hide her fear from Alexander. He seemed to be staring at her. Only a few minutes passed before sweat broke out on her forehead. She couldn’t breathe.

  “I need to lie down,” she said.

  Nick turned to her and said her name as she rose. Alexander didn’t tell her to sit down so she walked between them towards the beds. At least they were behind the partition.

  She knew both Alexander and Nick watched her retreat; somehow her wobbly legs didn’t collapse under her. Behind the wall, she slumped to the floor beside the worn out twin bed and waited.

  Though they tried to keep their voices low, their efforts didn’t do much in the tiny shack. Nick didn’t hide his anger at Alexander’s arrival or at his treatment of Cora. Alexander only responded with smug remarks and hints that Keith gave Alexander more information.

  If Keith didn’t trust Nick, maybe that meant that she could. His family truly had ousted him and replaced him with Alexander. However, she still didn’t know if Nick only pretended to want back into his family, or if he wanted to regain his father’s confidence for real. The possibility of the latter put her in a very dangerous situation, one with no one helping her and everyone using her.

  Alexander probably knew her father’s whereabouts, but she’d have to employ a game of her own to get it out of him.

  The hostility outside her room became so thick she worried it would turn to violence soon. Thankfully, Nick left the cabin.

  She pulled herself up and looked around the wall. Alexander was leaning back, looking her direction and puffing on another cigar.

  “Cora.”

  Her bravery slipped away as he stared at her. It was a glittering, assessing look, made more snake like by the lamp. She had to put her fear aside.

  “Can you tell me where my father is?”

  Exasperation flickered across his face. He studied her another minute before answering. “I don’t know exactly where he is now, but he’s investigating friends of the Holloways.”

  That was more than Nick could tell her. It gave her hope.

  “What do you think about them?” she asked.

  He leaned forward with a new expression spread across his face. “I doubt anyone will confess and give him the money.”
<
br />   “Then why?” she asked. “Why did Keith send Jerry on such an impossible task? Why am I out here?”

  It took willpower to stay there, looking at him, talking to him. Right now he looked smug.

  “Keith gave him time to bring back the money he stole. No one believes someone else stole it.”

  “I believe him.” Cora hid behind the wall, feeling faint, but she couldn’t give up when he was talking. Me and you, dad. She clutched the edge of the wall and managed to pull in a couple breaths. That steadied her a bit. She looked back at Alexander and found him waiting for her to go on. “Could you find him if you had to?”

  “Of course, that’s my job.” He smiled and studied her face before adding, “If you want to find your father, I’m the only one who can help you. Nick left eight years ago and doesn’t have a clue who stole that much money from the Holloways. I’ve got the knowledge and the skills.” He hopelessly attempted a look of compassion. “You’ll need me if you try to get out of here.”

  She crept back behind the wall. Suddenly he was standing right in front of her.

  “Don’t trust Nick, whatever you do. He’s got his eye on you, and I don’t know what he’s thinking. I’m not sure he’s involved in this to help his father.”

  The wall blocked the light, which left his face dark. She stepped back and bumped into the bed. “That’s what he…” she stopped short, before she revealed too much. Why did Nick and Alexander both think the same thing about the other? “What do you mean?”

  He stepped closer, so close she felt his breath on her face. She stared at his throat to avoid looking into his face. With her legs against the bed, she couldn’t step away. He leaned in, tilting his head. “I know he worked too hard in law school to walk away from it, and that’s what he’s telling Keith.”

  It felt like he was almost talking against her face. Cora shook her head and reached out for something, anything, to steady herself. Her knees weren’t listening to her. “I really have to lie down.”

  He stepped closer until he was right against her, and pulled her into him. “No, get away from me!”