by Karen Booth
He looked down at her. “Well?”
Joy was finding it hard to breathe. “It’s nice. That color is nice on you.” That part was true. The warm brown was the perfect counterpoint to his steely blue eyes. It was like they were meant to go together. Fire and ice.
“It’s a little snug in the shoulders.”
“Yeah. You’re a lot more muscular than I had guessed.” She had definitely underestimated his build as compared to Luc.
“You guessed?” He cocked an eyebrow at her.
Her face flamed with heat. “Of course I did. You needed clothes and I was just thinking that the guy whose clothes you’re borrowing is tall. Like you. And he’s, you know...” She drew a line in the air to match the angle of his shoulders, hoping this would somehow illustrate her point and make her seem less hopelessly distracted by his beautiful body. “He’s broad like you, too. But he’s not anywhere near as, you know, built.”
“So I could take him in a fight. That’s what you’re telling me.” He winked and laughed. “Kidding.”
You could take me in a fight. I would hardly fight at all. What had happened since she’d walked into this closet? She was struggling to keep up.
Alex pulled a pair of jeans from the shelf and she quickly realized what was coming next. She wanted to stay, but she didn’t. Whatever shred of prim and proper resided in her body was telling her to clamp her eyes shut or get out of there. She popped up from the ottoman. “I’ll let you finish on your own. You don’t need me here.” The next logical step was to walk right out of that closet. But her feet apparently wanted to stay for the show because they wouldn’t move. Perhaps they’d cut a deal with her eyes.
He undid the button on his own jeans and stepped out of them. “I’m not shy, if that’s what you’re worried about.”
Yeah, I’m beginning to understand that. “I’m not worried about anything.”
Except that she was worried this was all a ruse. That it wasn’t real. She didn’t belong in this house or in this world or with this man. Hell, he didn’t even know her real name.
He zipped open his gym bag and pulled out a pair of black boxers. Her feet were just going to have to cooperate with her exit strategy. She pivoted on her heels and stared at one wall of Luc’s clothes, everything hanging so neatly, so perfectly. There had to be tens of thousands of dollars of clothing in here, just waiting for the odd weekend when its owner would show up, but that excess wasn’t enough of a distraction from Alex. It was impossible not to wonder about his state of undress. Just thinking about it made her body temperature spike a few degrees.
“It’s okay to look now. I’m not naked anymore.”
She turned back, but her face felt as though she’d just had a steam facial. “Oh. Okay. I just wanted you to have your privacy.”
“I don’t know you particularly well, but you seem on edge.” He stepped into Luc’s jeans, and she stole a look at his legs, which were as much a marvel as the other parts of him she’d been privy to—solid, with uncommon curves and contours. Somewhere there had to be a block of marble waiting to be carved into his likeness. If any man should eventually become a statue, it was Alex. “I hope it’s not me. I hope I’m not making you uncomfortable.”
“No. You’re not. I’m fine. I’ve always been wound a little tight.” The chronic worrier. If she ever got to a point in her life where she didn’t have a care in the world, she had no doubt she could come up with new concerns. It was just the way her brain was wired.
He straightened the pockets of the jeans by stuffing his hands inside, then folded up his own clothes. “All better. I’ll probably take a shower later.”
A shower. Sounds nice. “Oh, sure.”
He clamped his hand on her shoulder and gently kneaded. She was still in her PJs, not wearing a bra. The heat of his hand sent a sizzle through her body that made her nipples tighten. Her shoulders caved in, if only to hide her body’s response to him.
“You sure you’re okay?” His voice was so deep and rich, it only made it harder to stay wedged in reality.
She nodded, hoping the movement would make her feel less out of place. She desperately wanted to feel at ease around him. She wanted whatever invisible barriers were between them gone. “Yep.”
“So what should we do now? We have at least a whole day stuck in this house together.”
He was now using both hands to massage her shoulders. It felt so good, his fingers so strong and insistent, she wanted them all over her body right now. She wanted more than anything to close her eyes, drop her head to one side, give him access to her neck, beg him to slip her top off her shoulder. With the two of them alone in this big, beautiful house, it seemed like the best use of their time to just tear each other’s clothes off and fall into bed.
“I don’t know. You have any ideas?” she muttered. Just kiss me.
“Well, it’s nearly Christmas and it’s a little sad that there are zero decorations up in this house. How are you going to get into the holiday spirit?”
That was quite literally the last thing on her mind. This year, December 25 was simply going to be the day after the twenty-fourth and before the twenty-sixth, except it would at least be a day off. “I don’t even know where we would find decorations or if they have any.”
“So, we’ll look.”
“Doesn’t that seem a little bit like snooping?”
“I doubt your friends would trust you with their enormous house unless they felt totally comfortable with you using it. Nobody wants someone they care about to spend Christmas alone with no holiday cheer.”
Why was it so easy for him to convince her of things that were essentially very bad ideas? Up until he’d arrived, she’d done her best to leave behind zero trace of herself while she was here. “Okay. I suppose you have a point.” She turned, flipped off the closet light, and Alex trailed her out. “I should probably get dressed.”
“I don’t know. I’m a big fan of the pajamas.” He smiled and she thought she might melt into a puddle right there on the carpet. The bed was only paces away. He’d hardly have to do anything to have her. Get your head out of the clouds. She had to be sensible. That would make for a less dramatic crash back to earth whenever Alex Townsend walked out of her life.
“I think I’ll go for more traditional attire today if that’s okay with you.”
“Whatever you think. You’re in charge.”
* * *
Alex hung out in the living room, watching TV for the road conditions, while Joy took her shower. The general consensus from county authorities was to stay inside and let them clear the snow. Alex didn’t have a choice anyway. They wouldn’t hit the 24-hour mark until that evening, and his Bugatti had too little clearance under the car body to make it through any snow at all. He’d toast the engine before he got anywhere.
His phone rang. It was Paul, his investigator. Alex hopped off the couch and rushed into the foyer, taking a peek up the stairs before he answered. “Hey. Did you find anything?” He answered in a hushed tone, quickly distancing himself from the stairwell, walking across the living room to the farthest side. If Joy came downstairs, he could end the call if needed.
“Well, I don’t know. I found dozens and dozens of women with the last name Baker and the first initial J. But as far as a Joy, the only one I found is a seventy-two-year-old woman from Flagstaff, Arizona.”
“Seventy-two? Definitely not the same person.” He leaned against one of the mammoth wood posts that held up the vaulted ceiling, looking out the window at the stunning mountain view. All except the highest rocky peaks were blanketed in white. “I don’t know that it’s really necessary anyway.”
“Did you strike out?”
Alex had become especially close to Paul after he discovered the true identity of Alex’s former fiancée. It wasn’t uncommon for them to discuss personal things. “Strike out?
No. But I’m not worried about it anymore. She’s a nice, kind person. We’re spending some time together.” Alex stopped short of disclosing the details of the storm. If Paul knew Alex was stuck in the snow, he’d suggest something ridiculous like bringing in a helicopter to rescue him, even though there was nowhere to land. Alex did not want heaven and earth moved for him. He rather enjoyed the idea that nobody could get to him right now. He had the freedom to spend time with a singular woman, someone completely unlike most people he met. Sure, she had odd habits like constantly turning off lights, but he wanted to trust her. He could trust for a day or two. It wasn’t like he and Joy were going to get married.
“Okay. Well, let me know if you change your mind. With the internet, it’s almost impossible to hide, but some people are just squeaky clean.”
“Are you worried that you couldn’t find her?”
“I’m only worried if you are. Worry is driving all over town because you have a five-year-old grandson who has to have an action figure for Christmas that’s impossible to find.”
Alex laughed quietly, realizing how stupid this all was. It was the holidays. And he only had a few days with Joy Baker, whoever she was. He should relax and have fun. That was what his brothers had told him before they went off to the Caribbean.
He loved Christmas. He should be enjoying it. December 26 he’d be headed back to Chicago. He wasn’t sure how long Joy was staying, but regardless, her life was in Santa Barbara, which was a world away from his. “Definitely don’t worry about my stuff. As for the action figure, go on one of those online auction sites, pay whatever outrageous price somebody wants, and be done with it. I’ll foot the bill.”
“Are you serious?” Paul asked. “You don’t have to do that, Alex. You pay me well.”
“I could always pay you better. Seriously. My treat. I just want you and your family to have a merry Christmas.”
“You’re the best. You know that?”
All Alex could think was that Paul was the best. He’d saved Alex’s hide two years ago. “You’re worth it. I’ll catch up with you after Christmas, okay?”
“Deal.”
Alex got off the phone just as Joy walked into the living room. The notion of a woman making his heart race made him feel like a teenager all over again, but damn, she did exactly that. She smiled softly and wandered toward him. She was wearing a fluffy white sweater with a deep V-neck and a white tank top with skinny straps underneath it. The sweater fell off her shoulder even more easily than her pajamas. She had such beautiful bone structure—her collarbone and shoulders begged to be touched. That moment in the closet was still fresh in his mind. He enjoyed giving a woman a neck rub, but he’d mostly had a hard time letting go. All he wanted to do was touch her.
“More work?” Joy asked. “Being the boss must suck.”
He laughed and shook his head, advancing on her, finding himself so drawn to her it was ridiculous. There was something very freeing about the fact that he’d decided not to look into her background, to just trust her. This might be a good way for him to regain his footing when it came to women. An experiment of sorts, which was perfect since it had a logical conclusion—the day he’d leave for Chicago.
“I was just catching up with one of my employees, but no more work calls today. It’s our snow day and I’d like to have some fun.”
She smiled sweetly. “Honestly? I could use some fun, too. It’s been a really long time since I’ve done anything like that.”
“Perfect. Then let’s go hunt for Christmas decorations.”
“Project Snooping is underway.”
“Don’t call it snooping. We’re merely attempting some necessary seasonal redecorating.”
“If you’re lucky, I might make Christmas cookies this afternoon.”
He patted his belly. “Between scones and cookies, I’m going to need to find some way to work off all those extra calories.” He hadn’t planned on the naughty overtones of the statement, but he meant it.
“Maybe a snowball fight?”
He grinned at her. She’d saved him from himself. “I’m not sure you want to challenge me to that. I have a pretty killer arm. I played baseball in high school and college.”
She smirked and shrugged her one naked shoulder, making everything in his body a little tighter. “I’m sure I can kick your ass in a snowball fight. I have extensive experience.”
“Growing up in Santa Barbara?”
“Nope. Just lots of wintry vacations like this one.”
“Oh. Right. Of course. My parents used to take us skiing all the time. That’s how I fell in love with Vail. Did you used to come here often?”
“Actually, this is my first time. We used to go other places.” She slipped her sweater back up onto her shoulder, taking away the view he’d been enjoying so much. “Aren’t we supposed to be looking for Christmas stuff?”
For someone who hadn’t been that eager to pursue this project in the first place, she’d sure changed her tune. “Yes. Where do you think we should start?”
“I think there’s a storage space downstairs. No clue if there’s an attic.”
“I vote for the path of least resistance. Lead the way.”
Off Joy went, and Alex followed, down a set of steps just off the main staircase. They took a turn, the stairwell flooded with light from an arched window, then down another five or six steps to a hall that opened up into a railed walkway overlooking a beautiful indoor pool area with a fireplace and a hot tub at one end. “Wow. This is amazing.”
Joy shot him a look over her shoulder. “I know. Right? And to think this is just their vacation home. I don’t think they end up coming here more than once or twice a year at most. It seems like such a waste.”
Alex got what Joy was saying. There were certain excesses that came with wealth that were, well, silly. “Someone should be here enjoying this all the time.”
“I totally agree. I bet that pool and hot tub haven’t been used in a year.”
“You haven’t used it while you were here?”
“No. I’ve been too busy, I guess.”
She stopped at the end of the walkway, then they headed down some circular stairs, ending up on the pool deck, which was covered in honed flagstone. The snow was piled high against the windows and a pair of large glass patio doors. “We’re going to have to change that. We can’t let the amenities go to waste. Especially that hot tub. I’m telling you right now, later today, that has our name written all over it.”
“Is that your way of getting me into a bathing suit?” Joy asked.
“If it is, and I admit to it, how does that affect your willingness to do it?”
She smiled and shook her head, a breathy laugh rushing past her lips. “You’re terrible. You know that, right?”
“What? You’re a beautiful woman and we’re stuck in this big house in a snowstorm. I’d have to be an idiot not to try.”
“I’d have to be an idiot to not want you to try. At least a little.”
Bingo. Things were definitely looking up. “But just so you know, I will always be gentlemanly. Always.”
“Good. I like gentlemen.”
“But even a gentleman wants a kiss.”
She slanted her head to the side and raised her eyebrows at him. Was she considering it? He wanted to study her velvety brown eyes, but the reality was that her lips, so full and pouty, were the main attraction right now. “And a lady reserves the right to tell a gentleman that she might make him try a little harder.”
“Exactly how hard?”
“If we’re going to discuss hardness, I’m going to need you to buy me a drink first.” She knocked into his chest with her elbow and pointed to an alcove at the back corner of the pool area. “I think the storage rooms are back there.”
Alex was stuck there for a moment. E
very thought he’d had before about Joy being different from other women he knew? He’d been right on the money.
He caught up to her quickly. The first room they found was full of pool equipment, but the second room contained all sorts of cardboard boxes and plastic storage tubs. “Makes you wonder why they’d store so much stuff if they only spend a few days a year here.”
“It looks like they have a lot of winter gear.”
Alex scanned the room. “There. Christmas.” He walked over to the boxes and opened one. Inside were gold garland and boxes of ornaments. “Yes. Decorations. There’s even an artificial tree.”
“I don’t want to do anything too over the top.”
“Think of it this way. The harder we work, the more time we’ll need in the hot tub.”
She lifted a box while rolling her eyes, but he could see that smile she was trying to hide. “Keep trying, Alex. Just a little more.”
Five
Joy plopped down the plastic tote she’d brought up from the storage area. Thoughts of dips in the hot tub with Alex and gentlemen wanting kisses danced in her head. Time had stood still after he’d said that...and she’d been sure he was going to actually do it. But he hadn’t. And then she’d had to go and be coy about it. Waiting was not her strong suit.
Of course, she could have made the first move, but that just wasn’t her, even when she was not a shy person. Call her old-fashioned, but she wanted him to do it. And when he hadn’t, and he’d only talked a big game, she’d felt obligated to give him crap about it. But maybe she’d scared him off. That was not her intention.
“Should we start with putting together the tree you found?” she asked. “No telling how long that’s going to take.”
Alex opened the box. “I’d rather have the real thing, but this should be nice enough.”
“I love the smell of a real tree. It instantly puts me in the Christmas spirit.”
He pulled out the metal stand. “Where do you think we should put it? By the fireplace?”
“Sounds good.” She watched as he placed the stand and the bottom section of the tree. “I can’t even think of the last time I decorated for Christmas. It’s been a while.” It was the truth. She’d been working so much over the last several years, she hadn’t had the time. Plus, living with the Marshalls had meant actual servants’ quarters—cramped and not holiday-worthy. “I used to love it so much when I was a kid. Trimming the tree with my parents and my sister, listening to them fight while they untangled the lights. We would drink eggnog and listen to Christmas music. It was so great.”
