Snowed in with a Billionaire

by Karen Booth

  Alex just stood there, another section of the tree in his hands, branches sticking out every which way. It was almost like he couldn’t quite compute what she’d said. “Sounds like your parents were committed to giving you a normal childhood. Our Christmas was nothing like that.”

  “It wasn’t?” How could that possibly be true? Judging by his family’s history in Chicago, surely he’d had a charmed childhood.

  He shook his head and pressed his lips into a thin line as he dropped the next section of tree into place. “No. My parents had someone come in and do the decorations for us. There was a new theme every year, so we never had any favorite ornaments. My brothers and I didn’t even know what to look forward to. One year my mom decided on a Miami-themed Christmas. We had aqua tinsel and pink flamingos everywhere.”

  “Oh, no. That sounds decidedly un-Christmas.”

  Alex shrugged. “I don’t blame her. She was trying to please my dad by being the ultimate wife and mother. He was the one who insisted on putting on a big show. They hosted a huge party on Christmas Eve every year and their friends all came and drank too much and talked about how much money they had.”

  Joy couldn’t even fathom it. Not a cent of his family’s money had been used to build beautiful memories at the holidays. What a shame. “I’m so sorry.”

  “The worst part was they used to make us wear these hideous red plaid bow ties. My brothers and I just hated the whole thing. We couldn’t wait until Christmas morning.” Finally, he put the last section of the tree in place and began connecting the cords for the lights.

  “Lots of presents under the tree, I’m sure.”

  “It wasn’t even that. It was more that it was the one day of the year where they were nice to each other. The strain of the party was gone. My mom was distracted enough by my brothers and I that she didn’t tend to drink. It was the only time we were ever really a family. There was just a whole lot of unnecessary hoopla leading up to it.” He plugged in the tree and the white lights came to life. “Voila. Instant Christmas.”

  She smiled. It was a little thing, but having a tree up really did deliver a welcome dose of cheer. “It’s so pretty. It’ll look even better when we put the ornaments on it.”

  Joy handed Alex a box of glass ornaments in festive Santa and snowman shapes, painted in bold colors. She took a package of gold and silver metal icicles. They stood side by side, her shoulder coming up to about his armpit. The tree was small. It was hard to decorate without touching each other. Their hands kept brushing. Their elbows kept knocking.

  “You’re not distributing the ornaments evenly,” Alex said. He scooted around her from behind, placing his hand at her waist for a moment, sending a ripple of excitement through her.

  “Wow. Somebody is a little particular about the Christmas tree.” She bumped her hip into him. His eyes flashed with mischief. Joy felt as though her entire body was on fire.

  “I’m only particular because I haven’t had the chance to do this in two years.”

  That seemed like an awfully specific number. “Let me guess. Girlfriend related?”

  “Worse. Former fiancée.”

  She’d seen a mention of a broken engagement in her online snooping, but Joy assumed that was par for the course with a man like Alex, a man who had no shortage of women in his life. “Ah, so you were more deeply invested. Had to decorate for the holidays.”

  “Of course. She was really into it. Had my apartment all decked out. Unfortunately, it ended and my enthusiasm for doing this on my own has been lacking since then.”

  “I bet it was nice while it lasted.” Joy had a burning need to ask him more, but she didn’t want to pry. Not when they were having fun.

  “It wasn’t. This is nice,” Alex said. Again, his voice was doing funny things to her, making her chest flutter. “I think the tree might tip over if we load it down with any more ornaments. We need one of those things that goes around the bottom.”

  “A tree skirt.” Joy flipped open another box and dug around. She didn’t come across what they were looking for, but she did find a suitable substitute. “This is probably meant to go on the mantle, but it’ll work in a pinch.” She pulled out a long swag of gold and red brocade with tassels at both ends. She held one in each hand and gave them a little twirl like a burlesque dancer. “I can do a show later if you get bored.”

  “Have I mentioned that I’m really bored? Things around here are chronically dull. I’m going to fall asleep unless someone entertains me.”

  Heat plumed in her cheeks. “You’re such a flirt.” The truth was that she was being the flirt. She desperately wanted to kiss him. She was tired of the notion of anyone trying harder or waiting longer. “Are you always like this?”

  He shrugged and took one end of the swag from her. “Never. You must bring it out in me.”

  Yeah, right. Joy wasn’t about to believe that for a second, but she did love that he wanted to create an illusion that he did things with her that he’d never done with anyone else. There was something so sexy about it, she felt light-headed.

  They crouched down by the tree and wrapped the festive fabric around the base. Alex’s knee was touching hers. Their shoulders brushed. They were so close she was aware of the tempo of his breaths and found her own body wanting to fall into the same rhythm. “Works like a charm.”

  “You’re the real charm.” He turned to her, his lips a heartbeat away. Everything in that library-like house became even more quiet and still.

  She didn’t want to put up barriers, but there was a part of her that was naturally defensive. She just wanted one more sign that this would be okay. One more clever bit of convincing. “You should talk. You and your flirting.”

  “I’m just wondering if you’re ever going to take the bait.”

  She didn’t give herself another second to question whether she should do this. She’d never have a better opening than the one she had right now.

  She dropped to her knees, grasped his shoulder and leaned in for a kiss. His lips were soft and warm. She reveled in that glorious instant when everything was new.

  Her eyes fluttered shut and he leaned in, also on his knees. She inched closer, pressing against him—stomach, chest and lips. His fingers threaded into her hair and he gathered it at her nape, cupping the back of her head. His hand urged her to deepen the kiss, their tongues getting eagerly acquainted. She pushed her hips to meet his and felt that magical moment when he got harder.

  He eased them down onto their sides. The carpet was so thick and plush, Alex all firm muscle and a capable grasp. He rolled to his back, Joy on top of him. She loved weighing him down, mostly because she knew he was so strong he wouldn’t have to work at all to have wherever and however he wanted. She spread her legs wider, her knees slipping to the floor, so she was straddling his hips. She rocked into him and he groaned fiercely, slipping his warm hands up the back of her sweater, sending a bright white thrill through her. This was not only escalating quickly, it was barreling toward somewhere she’d thought it might not go. She wanted him so badly the need burned inside her. Alex might end up making her spontaneously combust.

  She planted a hand in the center of his chest and pushed back, loving the feel of his solid muscle beneath her palm. “I want to see you again,” she said. She threaded her fingers beneath that beautiful cashmere sweater only to experience firsthand something far more breathtaking. The landscape of his torso was a sight to behold, especially as he arched his back, raised his arms, and let her push the sweater past his head. She spread her hands across his chest. Every inch of him was rock hard, except of course, his lips. They were soft and welcoming and she sought his kiss again, if only to get lost in how heavenly it was.

  “This isn’t fair,” he muttered against her mouth. “You got to see me. I haven’t seen a single inch of you other than your shoulder and it’s been kill
ing me.”

  She bit down on her lower lip. He was so damn sexy, he only made her want to be free with herself and completely let go. “Do you want to be in charge?”

  “Unwrapping presents is the best part of Christmas, isn’t it?”

  She giggled against his neck as he pushed her until they were both sitting up, Joy’s legs wrapped around his waist. His fingers curled under the hem of her tank top and she drew in a sharp breath as he raised that and the sweater slowly, lifting the fabric from her skin, leaving her exposed to him. He flung her clothes aside and placed both hands in the center of her back as he kissed the tops of her breasts, making a trail along the edge of her bra cups. He unhooked the clasp and dragged the straps down her shoulders. He ushered in a new level of intimacy as he cast aside the bra and her breasts were left naked.

  Their gazes connected as he lightly pressed his palms against her nipples, rubbing up and down. Her skin went impossibly tight, the heat of blood rushing to her breasts, sending her body temperature skyward. He molded his hands around her, then let go of one side, leaning down and drawing her nipple into his warm mouth. Her eyes couldn’t have stayed open if she’d wanted them to—and she did. She wanted to watch, but the feeling was too amazing, too exhilarating, so she decided the visual would have to wait. She rocked her center against his crotch, relishing the unbelievable tension between them.

  “Do you have a condom?” she asked between kisses. She knew she was making a leap, but she would’ve launched herself off a cliff right now for him.

  “I don’t.” He looked at her with the saddest eyes, as if she’d just shattered every dream he had in his head. It was quite possibly the sweetest thing she’d ever seen. “I’m not really the guy who walks around with condoms in his pocket.”

  “Good. Because I don’t want to sleep with that guy.” She kissed the corner of his mouth. “Lucky for you, I have some upstairs in my room.” It might have been a while since she’d been with anyone, but she had moved to Santa Barbara on top of the world and feeling optimistic.

  The smile that broke across his face was nearly as adorable as his broken one moments before. “What are we waiting for?”

  She hopped off his lap and stood. It was hard not to notice just how much poor Alex was straining against the front of his pants. Feeling impatient and wanting to put him out of his misery, she grabbed his hand and they stole away upstairs. He followed her into her bathroom and wrapped his arms around her naked waist while she rifled through the drawers, looking for the right cosmetic bag. He was running kisses along her shoulders and along her spine, driving her wild with desire.

  “Found ’em.” She turned in his arms and flipped the foil packet in her fingers.

  “I have never been so happy to see one of those in all my life.”

  Again, she doubted smooth Alex’s words, but she didn’t really care. He was trying and that was all that mattered. He gripped her rib cage and kissed her again, pressing her against the bathroom vanity as she tore open the wrapper.

  He broke their kiss and unzipped his jeans, shoving them to the floor. Anticipation was working its way through her and now she was feeling like a woman of action more than anything else. She dropped to her knees and tugged down his gray boxer briefs. She wrapped her fingers around his steely length, stroking firmly, marveling at just how ready he was for her. Alex groaned and dug his fingers into her hair. “That feels so good, but I want to make love to you. And those jeans you’re still wearing are a definite problem.”

  She laughed quietly and rolled on the condom, then stood and let him be in charge for a moment, watching as he dispatched her jeans and shimmied her lacy panties past her hips. Finally, there were no more clothes to worry about; there were only frantic kisses now, tongues winding around each other, his hands grasping her bottom, hers roaming the muscled landscape of his back. She couldn’t wait anymore. She rose up on her tiptoes and perched on the edge of the bathroom counter, raising one leg until her ankle was on his hip. He positioned himself at her entrance and drove inside at the same moment he pulled her into the deepest kiss yet, strong and passionate. Her body struggled with how perfectly he filled her as she wrapped her other leg around his waist.

  He used his ridiculous upper body strength to boost her off the counter, his craving hands cupping her bottom. His thrusts were deep. They were slow. His breaths were short and ragged, but she definitely felt like this was all about her. He was so focused on their kisses, every moan she made was met with more intensity in his touch. The tension was rattling her body, toying with her—it built, then ebbed, over and over again.

  She was close—it was as if she could feel it before she came—but when she finally did, it was more than she’d been prepared for. She pitched forward and dug her fingers into his shoulders, clinging to him for dear life, her body grasping his and not willing to let go. He called out and she felt every nuance of his release, heard every subtle gasp as it left his lips.

  When the pleasure subsided, he allowed her full body weight to again rest on the bathroom counter. He kissed her softly. “Let me take care of this.”

  Joy didn’t yet have words for what had just happened, so she nodded and walked into the bedroom, climbing into the heavenly bed, sinking into the pillows and curling up under the fluffy duvet. If she persuaded Alex to make love to her here, she might die from too much bliss.

  He joined her moments later, slipping under the blanket with her. His warm body quickly found hers and he wrapped his arms around her, kissed her forehead. “That’s definitely the best tree-trimming party I’ve ever been to.”

  She giggled into his chest, rubbing her nose back and forth against his smooth skin. “Very funny. Technically, we still have work waiting for us downstairs. We have to put away those boxes.”

  “Compared to what I would normally be doing today, what’s waiting for me downstairs is nothing.” He tucked her hair behind her ear and left a peck on her nose. “Although all I really want right now is what’s waiting for me in this bed.”

  Six

  Alex hadn’t slept with a woman in his arms in eons, but an afternoon nap? Even better. He turned his head on the pillow, buried his nose in Joy’s silky hair, which was in disarray. Now he knew what that spun-sugar smell was—it was Joy. He might not like sugar in his coffee, but this sweet fragrance? He might be able to live off it, at least for a little while. For fun. For the sake of enjoying the company of a beautiful woman, even when they both had different lives, far flung from where they were now. He could enjoy their few days in Colorado together, and parting would be sad, but hopefully still happy. They could be friends. That would be nice.

  Alex’s stomach growled loudly. It was nearly four in the afternoon, and not only had they spent the last few hours sleeping off the exhaustion of two rounds of making love, they’d skipped lunch. He was starving.

  Unfortunately, Joy was still asleep. And mumbling.

  “No. Mariella. You’re wrong,” she muttered. Her voice was halting and breathy, like a drunk who has convinced themselves they’re sober. She tossed her head from side to side.

  Alex pushed up on his elbow and rubbed her arm. “Joy. It’s almost four. Probably time to get up.” He kissed her shoulder, but made it quick. If he got too vested in his mouth on her body, he’d never eat.

  Her eyes opened halfway, then drifted shut and opened wider. “Wait. What?”

  “It’s almost four. You slept for more than two hours.”

  She sat up in bed and pulled the covers up over herself. “I did? Seriously? I never do that.”

  “Yeah. I think you were having a bad dream, too. You kept talking about someone named Mariella. You were saying no. Who’s Mariella?”

  “Who? Oh, that’s my mom’s cat’s name.”

  “Why would you tell a cat that she’s wrong?”

  Joy shrugged. “She’s ver
y vocal. Sometimes, talking to her is the only thing that gets her to stop meowing.”

  “Huh. Okay.” That made as much sense as anything. He guessed. “Can we eat? I can only subsist on scones for so long.”

  “Of course. I’ll make something.” She climbed out of bed and grabbed a fluffy white robe from the chair next to the bureau. “I should probably get dressed.”

  “Up to you. I don’t mind you being not dressed.”

  She smiled and rolled her eyes—so adorable. “I need clothes while I’m cooking. Meet you in the kitchen in ten?” She was being distant now and he didn’t want to push her further away. He was starting to understand that distant Joy might just be regular Joy. He didn’t like distant Joy as much as fun, carefree Joy, but he wasn’t going to worry about it. Food felt like a more pressing issue.

  “Sounds like a plan.” Alex grabbed his boxers from the bathroom floor and headed across the hall to the room he was staying in for a quick shower. He scrubbed his hair dry with a towel and swiped at the mirror, leaning closer. He was getting downright scruffy, but he never shaved at the gym, so he didn’t have his toiletries with him, aside from deodorant. Joy would just have to live with it.

  His mind stubbornly wound back to her change in mood after their nap, but he could accept that they’d managed to put themselves in a bit of an odd situation. Sleeping with someone in the first twenty-four hours was rarely accompanied by being confined to the same house. She’d been living here alone, and maybe she was a woman who enjoyed her space.