by Nadia Lee
And as he emptied himself into her soft body, he couldn’t help but think something had changed between the two of them—he just didn’t know what.
* * *
Jane curled up against Iain and listened to his heartbeat. He kept his arms around her, and she stayed quiet. This moment was too precious for words.
Good god, Jane. Don’t fall for him.
He couldn’t be hers. He was too handsome, too sexy, and too sophisticated to be happy with a girl like her. Right now this was fun and new and interesting, but eventually he’d want someone more like him.
“Hey, you okay?” He brushed hair back from her face, his hand incredibly gentle.
“Sure. Why?”
He placed a finger on the spot between her eyebrows. “You have lines here.”
“Oh.” She forced a smile. “I was thinking I was hungry.”
“Ah jeez. I totally forgot about the food.” He sat up. “In the mood for brunch?”
“You mean like…going out brunch?”
“Uh-huh.”
“Can we stay in? The last place I want to go right now is a restaurant.”
He laughed. “I can relate. Okay.”
“Do we have anything in the fridge?”
“I don’t know. If not I can grab some stuff from the store.”
“That sounds great. Why don’t you do that while I shower?”
“Deal. Want anything in particular?”
His gorgeous face sent a wistful pang through her heart, but she managed a cheery tone of voice. “No. Anything is fine.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Jane took her time in the shower, but Iain wasn’t back by the time she finished. She put on a new shirt and jeans and padded barefoot to the living room. They should get started on the decorations. As nice as the tree looked, it was sort of sad without anything on it.
The intercom buzzed, and she frowned. It was ten in the morning, and Iain had said he didn’t have anything to do, which she assumed to mean he didn’t have any visitors planned either.
“Hello?” she said into the speaker.
“Hey! It’s Brooke de Lorenzo. We have an appointment.”
“We do?”
“Yeah. Is this Jane? Can you buzz me in?”
She hit the green button. So Iain had an appointment he’d totally forgotten about. She giggled. Men. Get one naked in bed and everything else goes out the window.
A few minutes later, the doorbell rang and Brooke came in. She was clothed in a dizzying palette of colors—magenta, gold, Christmas tree green and purple. If her outfit hadn’t been a professional tunic and skirt, she would’ve looked like a gypsy.
“Where’s Iain?”
“He went to the grocery store.”
“I see.” Brooke noticed the tree. “Niiiiice…except for the lack of embellishment. I assume you’re eventually going to decorate the thing?”
“It’s looking to be an uphill battle, but yes.”
“Good. This place could use some livening up.”
“You’re telling me. Want some coffee or anything?”
Brooke shook her head. “Thanks, but I’m already two lattes in.” She took a seat on the single couch in the vast living room, and Jane sat next to her. “So. L.A. treating you well?”
“I can’t complain. I have a job, and it’s…pretty good,” she said, even as her joints protested.
Brooke glanced at her sleek, expensive looking watch. “I hope it doesn’t take Iain too long to get back. I’ve got another appointment soon.”
“If he isn’t back in time, I’ll let him know you came by. Maybe you guys can reschedule,” Jane said.
“That works, but I’ll wait a bit before I go. Hate to come all the way out here and not see him.”
Jane nodded, and there was a slightly awkward silence. “How long have you been an interior decorator?” she asked.
“About a year. Not that long.”
“Looks like you’re got a lot of clients already.”
“Oh my god, I’ve been soooo lucky. My best friend Amandine hired me to redo her nursery, and then my fiancé wanted me to redo his office. So I quit my old job and just…jumped in. And you know, word started to get around.”
“Wait. You quit your job?” Jane asked, unsure if she’d heard that right.
“Totally. I used to work for Amandine as her personal assistant. The job wasn’t hard and the pay was great, so I would’ve been comfortable in that position more or less forever. But, you know…it wasn’t my dream. So I quit.”
“Wow. You’re so…brave.” Jane wasn’t sure if she could quit a cushy, well-paying job that easily.
“I’m really not.” Brooke laughed self-consciously. “I would’ve probably stayed if it hadn’t been for my fiancé encouraging me to do what I want. It was totally scary when I realized that the comfortable path would probably leave me unfulfilled. And making the course correction! It’s one thing to admit it to yourself, but something else to admit it to others. But I did it, and I’m much happier now.” Suddenly she flushed. “Jeez. Look at me babbling about myself.”
“No, no, it’s fascinating.”
Brooke laughed. “Sure it is. Hey, you want to see the design concepts I have with me? It’ll probably be better than listening to my autobiography.”
“Sure!” Jane said. She was curious about what Brooke had come up with. Jane remembered how Brooke had complained earlier about Iain having to eat off the floor.
Brooke pulled out a thick, glossy folder. “Okay, so I have four main concepts. All very different, but I think any of them will do for…”
* * *
A few minutes after Brooke left, Iain returned with two large grocery bags. “Savages!” he said.
“Savages?”
He stole a quick kiss. “The traffic reminded me why I don’t go out around the holidays.”
Jane laughed at how indignant he looked. “What, did somebody rear-end you?”
“No. They can’t afford to.” He placed the bags on the kitchen counter.
Jane started helping him put stuff away. “Brooke came by.”
“She did?”
“Yeah. Apparently, you guys had an appointment.”
Iain got a funny look on his face. “Oh, that’s right. Yeah, we did. Oh, well.”
“If I’d known, I would’ve gone to the store. She left the concepts and stuff for you to review. She showed them to me, and they all looked amazing. She’s really talented.”
“That’s what they say.”
“She told me she’s only been doing it for a year. I can’t believe it. Wonder if she had a lot of training or experience or something.”
“I doubt it. I heard she majored in something boring and worked as Amandine’s assistant for a long time.”
“Maybe she decorated Amandine’s house.”
Iain snorted. “Not with the way her husband is.”
“Is he mean?”
“Oh no. Just totally whupped, like Mark. That’s why they’re best friends.” Iain laughed, leaving a few bagels and cream cheese and jam and eggs on the counter. “Gavin—Amandine’s husband—is loaded and only buys the best for his wife. He probably spent a fortune decorating his mansion. I know he added a studio for her.”
“She’s an artist?”
Iain nodded. “A painter, but she won’t show anybody her stuff. She probably sucks.”
“Maybe she’s just shy.”
“Maybe. But if she was any good, she would’ve been discovered by now. Her cousin’s an art curator for Barron Sterling for god’s sake.”
“Who’s that?” she said. The name sounded familiar, but she couldn’t place it.
“He’s like the fifth richest guy on the planet. Old and temperamental and outright mean unless he likes you. And he doesn’t like a lot of people.”
“Is he sick?”
“More like sicko. Anyway, if Amandine was any good, somebody would’ve probably bought her stuff by now. But that hasn’t happened, so… Not
that Gavin would say anything.” Iain made a whip-cracking sound.
She sighed wistfully and decided to ignore him. There was something romantic about such devoted love. Who did it hurt if Gavin lied to make his wife happy?
They ate a simple brunch complete with a fresh pot of coffee. Afterwards, Jane planted her elbows on the table and leaned forward.
“So. You ready to decorate?”
“Do we have to?” Iain made a face. “They’re all just going to come down on the twenty-sixth.”
“No they aren’t.”
“First thing in the morning on the twenty-sixth. I’ll have housekeeping throw them out.”
She gasped. “No! You should keep them so you can reuse them.”
“Reuse them for what?”
“Next Christmas, of course.”
He shook his head. “I doubt I’ll be doing this next year, and I don’t like clutter.”
“Iain, they’re not ‘clutter’. They’re things people keep.”
“You know I practice martial arts, right? Having a cluttered space blocks my chi, and makes meditation less effective.”
“Why do you meditate?”
“To empty my mind.”
“And then what?”
He scowled. “What do you mean, then what?”
She leaned closer, her eyes focused on him. “What happens once your mind empties?”
* * *
Iain gave Jane a long stare. People never asked that question. They shut up, probably assuming a blank mind was necessary for his martial arts zen. “I can hear my thoughts with more clarity.”
“Okay. And then? What fills your mind after you’ve achieved all this emptiness?”
Impulses. Feelings. Needs. Desires. But all of it would be…smaller, somehow, so he could manage himself more easily.
And that was good, because a lot of times managing himself was a tough job. He wanted to yell at his mother to haul off and bitch-slap his father because he deserved it. He wanted to rage at his father until the famous mask of light affability cracked…punch Dane for being an asshole…and tell Vanessa to stop trying to prove herself because she was perfect the way she was, and if other people couldn’t see beyond her name and trust fund, well, fuck ’em. He also wanted to drag Jane out of Éternité’s kitchen, carry her away, and spend the entire month of December rolling around in a canopy bed with her on a tropical island.
But he would do none of those things.
He knew how a simple impulse could escalate and spin out of control. Things could reach a point of no return, and once something was said or done it could never be unsaid or undone no matter how he willed it otherwise.
His mouth parted, the words ready to roll off his tongue.
But as he looked at Jane’s upturned face, he knew none of them would be something he could share. They were overly melodramatic and showed how weak he was.
“Usually I get hungry,” Iain said instead. “Then I want to nap.”
Jane gave him a skeptical look. “Well. It’s just one month out of a year, and I think you can afford not to be so empty-minded in December. Or want to eat or nap so much.”
He nodded. It was easier than arguing. By next Christmas, she’d be long gone, and he’d be alone in his minimalist penthouse perfectly designed for meditation and keeping his cool.
But the thought didn’t give him the comfort he’d expected.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Despite a hectic work schedule, Jane managed to buy gifts for everyone. She was going to Iain’s family’s place for Christmas Eve, and she hoped what she’d gotten was sufficient. It was amazing how fast her paycheck disappeared, but the season was more about sharing than price tags.
She placed a special gift for Iain underneath the tree. Despite repeated grumblings, he’d helped her decorate it with shiny glass ornaments, tinsel and an angel on top. He’d even placed a few colorful boxes wrapped with bows near her gift. His assistant had probably selected the items, but Jane gave him credit for trying. Obviously this wasn’t his thing. He’d stared at the pair of stockings she’d hung on the fireplace mantel like they were dead rats, even though he hadn’t said a word out loud.
Jane thought maybe she wouldn’t be so awed the second time, but the Pryce home was still just as impressive. This time, there was a red Lamborghini in the lot along with the other cars she’d seen on Thanksgiving. Iain made a face.
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
“Dane’s here.”
She looked at the flashy car. He must be flamboyant.
“Well, gird your loins. And ignore everything he says,” Iain said, helping her out.
“He can’t be that bad.”
“Oh yeah, he can. You have no idea.”
The butler greeted them again and took their jackets. The sound system in the house was playing soothing carols performed by children. The living room was the same as before, except for a huge tree laden with decorations. Unlike the one in Iain’s penthouse, this one had a bright golden star on top. The housekeeper brought out several silver platters laden with tea, coffee, various wines, cheese, crackers and a fruit plate.
Dressed a bit formally, Ceinlys and Salazar sat in a pair of armchairs set side-by-side like a king and queen. Neither was looking at the other. Vanessa gnawed on a knuckle, staring at her tablet screen. A small frown creased her forehead, and she tapped her gadget with a long, perfectly lacquered nail. Mark and Hilary shared a loveseat, sitting as closely as they could and whispering quietly. They seemed oblivious to everything around them, and they put their heads together until their noses were brushing.
There wasn’t anybody else, and Jane frowned. Guess Dane must be somewhere else in the house. She wasn’t sure she’d like him, knowing how he’d ruined Santa Claus for the five year-old Iain.
As they took an empty love seat, Ceinlys said. “Good of you to join us, Iain. Dane’s here as well.”
“Yeah, we saw his car outside.”
“When is he moving to L.A.?” Hilary asked.
Salazar shrugged. “Who knows what the boy’s up to? He’ll relocate when he wants to relocate.”
Hilary cleared her throat. “I heard your assistant tried to quit a few times.”
“Who, Kim? Quit?” Salazar shook his head. “Nah. She just wanted a pay raise, which I gave her. I’m a reasonable guy, and it’s damn difficult to find a good admin assistant. As I’m sure you know.”
Hilary pressed her lips tightly, and Mark put a hand on hers. “Of course.”
Jane sipped the wine Iain had handed to her. It was amazing. Since nobody was making any move to continue the conversation, she said, “So, Hilary, when’s the happy occasion? I heard the staff speculating at Éternité.”
“Probably sometime in May.” Hilary shared a look with Mark. “It’s lovely in spring.”
“Well, that should give you plenty of time to review everything,” Salazar said. “Make sure you understand what you’re signing.”
“Just so you guys know,” Vanessa said, “I advised Hilary not to sign the prenup.”
Jane choked on the wine. Iain slapped her a few times on the back.
“Why in the world would you do that?” Salazar asked his daughter.
“Why would you even think it?” Mark asked Hilary simultaneously.
“One at a time please,” Vanessa said, raising her hand. “I advised her not as her legal counsel, but as her friend and future sister-in-law. I also told her she should hire somebody who isn’t family for a more objective opinion, and referred her to a few good lawyers specializing in issues like this.”
“I’m not having Hilary sign a prenup of any kind,” Mark said, his face darkening. “What the hell?”
“How are you going to protect your assets?” Salazar asked.
“I guess I better make sure she doesn’t want to leave me, huh?”
“God. Young men these days.” Salazar rolled his eyes.
“You have a point,” Ceinlys said. “I—”
&n
bsp; The door opened suddenly, and a tall dark man with piercing blue eyes walked in with a headset in one ear. He nodded. “Sorry. The call went longer than expected.”
“For once you could ignore business. It’s Christmas,” Vanessa grumbled.
“Unlike you, I’m responsible for tens of thousands of employees and contractors. Maybe you’ll understand when you make partner.”
Vanessa turned bright red, and Jane blinked at how cold he sounded. So…this was Dane. She started to feel pity toward all those people working for him.
He gave Iain a faint smile. “Hello, Iain. Long time no see.”
“Would have been shorter if you’d stopped by and said hello on the Fourth of July.”
“My apologies. I was busy chauffeuring someone, as I recall.”
Mark and Hilary frowned but said nothing.
Dane’s eyes flicked to Jane. That single gaze cut her in exactly the same way his mother had. “What’s she doing here?”
“She’s my guest.”
“I heard she was living with you, but I thought you’d be rid of her by now.”
Jane bristled at the way he spoke, like she wasn’t even there.
“I’m not in any rush,” Iain said. Jane could feel tension building inside him, but nothing showed on his face.
“Well, whatever works. Just be careful not to let a charity case turn into a leech.”
Gasps rose, and heat seared Jane’s face. Iain’s demeanor changed in an instant as he leapt to his feet. “Take that back.”
“Why? I haven’t said anything wrong. She’s managed to swindle new clothes out of you. What else is she going to get you to hand over?”
“They were gifts, Dane.”
“You always were soft and ridiculous in your sentimentality. A clever girl can make a guy believe anything.”
Iain stepped close to his brother. “Maybe now would be a good time for you to shut up.”
Dane laughed. “Or what? Are you going to karate chop me until I do?”
Jane didn’t blink, but still wasn’t sure of what exactly happened. One moment Iain and Dane were standing close to each other, their eyes hostile. The next moment, Dane was face-down on the floor, Iain twisting his arm at an unnatural angle, just a few degrees shy of popping his shoulder joint. Iain’s foot was at the base of Dane’s skull, ready to finish him.
