His Christmas Gift ; Decadent Holiday Pleasures

by Janice Sims

  “Brunch for my beautiful, sexy houseguest.”

  “Brunch?” Elise repeated. “How late is it?”

  Giovanni reached into the pocket of his pants, retrieved his phone and raised it in the air.

  Her eyes flew open and her jaw dropped. She hadn’t checked her cell phone since they’d left Extreme Sports Dome last night, didn’t even remember where it was, but if she didn’t text her girlfriends soon, they’d panic, and Elise didn’t want to worry them. “I can’t believe it’s eleven forty-five! I should have been up hours ago. Why did you let me sleep so late?”

  “Because you work seventy hours a week and it was obvious you needed your rest.”

  “Where did you get these clothes from?” she blurted out. “Did they belong to your ex?”

  “No, of course not.” Giovanni tightened his hold around her waist. “I had to run to the grocery store to grab some things for our brunch, and since Impulse Boutique is nearby, I decided to go in and look around. Do you like the jumpsuit?”

  Elise released the breath she was holding. “Yes. Thanks, Giovanni. I love it.”

  They sat on the couch. Sipping her orange juice, Elise was reminded of how they’d fooled around on the love seat the night before and smiled at the memory of their frisky make-out session.

  Elise ate two bowls of fruit, then filled her plate. Beside her, Giovanni discussed his early-morning trip to the polo club and the stormy weather.

  Elise tasted a garlic-cheese biscuit and chewed slowly. It was moist and flavorful, and familiar somehow. Staring down at it, she furrowed her eyebrows. Giovanni must have seen her confused expression because he leaned in close and draped an arm around her shoulder.

  “What’s wrong?” he asked in a concerned tone. “You don’t like it?”

  A smirk curled her lips. “Of course I do. It’s my recipe.”

  He dodged her gaze, but he had the nerve to wear a boyish smile on his lips. “Elise, what are you talking about? I made everything from scratch this morning.”

  “Liar,” she quipped, poking him in the shoulder with an index finger. “You didn’t make this. These biscuits came from By the Bay. And don’t try to deny it, because I worked there for five years and these garlic-cheese biscuits are one of my recipes.”

  Elise tasted everything on her plate, realized Giovanni had tricked her and rolled her eyes. “You ordered this food from By the Bay, put it on fancy plates and tried to pass it off as your own, but you’re not fooling anyone, Giovanni. I’m on to you.”

  He picked up a piece of sausage, broke it in two and popped it into his mouth.

  “Are you purposely trying to deceive me?” she asked, propping her hands on her hips.

  “Absolutely! I want you to think I’m an amazing guy, which I am, so I bought brunch from your favorite restaurant and tried to pass the food off as my own. Brilliant, right?”

  Swallowing a laugh, Elise shook her head. “No, but you get an A for effort.”

  While they ate, they talked about the upcoming holiday events at the polo club, their favorite Christmas memories and their plans for the rest of the weekend. His cell phone rang, then chimed repeatedly, but Giovanni didn’t answer it. He asked about her formative years in Charlotte and what she missed most about her hometown. Opening up to him about her background, Elise felt as if she could tell Giovanni anything, and didn’t feel compelled to sugarcoat her past, even though they’d only known each other for a few weeks. In turn, he told her about his past relationships, how he’d met his ex-wife, Marisol, and why they’d eloped to Niagara Falls on her thirtieth birthday.

  Her food forgotten, Elise put down her fork, and moved closer to him on the couch. His confession about his marriage stunned her. Marisol had been his personal assistant and although their family and friends had been against them dating, Giovanni had pursued her anyway. Elise let him talk without interruption, even though she was burning to ask him questions about his ex.

  “I’d never dated one of my employees before, but Marisol seemed to have my best interests at heart and I trusted her implicitly...”

  Elise couldn’t relate but she nodded in understanding. She’d never been madly in love, or met someone she could be her true, authentic self with. Giovanni was the first person she’d confided in besides her girlfriends about her disastrous dating history. And the more she admired his handsome profile, the more Giovanni looked like the man of her dreams.

  “Marisol never loved me,” he said, staring down at his hands, his jaw clenched tight. “It was all an act. All she ever really cared about was being Mrs. Giovanni Castillo, meeting A-list celebrities and spending my money faster than I could earn it.”

  “What makes you think that? Was it something she did, or just a feeling?”

  “All of the above.” His face was sour and bitterness seeped into his voice. “I collided with another player during the US Open Polo Championships in Miami last summer, and suffered a vestibular concussion that landed me in the hospital for nine days.”

  “That sounds like a frightening ordeal.”

  “It was. I was in excruciating pain and, for weeks, I felt as if I were in a fog.” Closing his eyes as if to block out the bitter memories, he dragged a hand down the length of his face. “I’ve never been so sick in my life, and if my mom and sisters hadn’t traveled to South Beach and nursed me back to health, I might not be here today.”

  Elise didn’t want to reopen old wounds, but she burned with curiosity and asked the questions at the forefront of her mind. “Where was Marisol? She was your wife, the one you’d committed your life to. Why wasn’t she there for you in your time of need?”

  Giovanni grabbed the remote off the table and lowered the volume on the stereo system. “Marisol claimed she had to work, that her movie-star client needed her on the set of her film in Hong Kong, but it was obvious she didn’t want to be around me while I was sick, and that hurt.”

  “Is that why your marriage ended? Because your ex-wife chose her career over you?”

  “Among other things, such as her selfishness and her inability to acknowledge her mistakes. I wasn’t a perfect husband, but our marriage was my top priority. It wasn’t for Marisol.”

  If you were my man, I’d put you first, no matter what, and you’d never have to worry about playing second fiddle to my career or anything else.

  Silence descended on the suite, amplifying the noises outside. Elise could hear tires screeching, dogs barking and the chug of a snowplow, and wished she’d driven her car to Giovanni’s estate last night instead of leaving it at the polo club. It was probably buried under ten feet of wet, heavy snow, and just the thought of digging it out made Elise groan inwardly.

  “In the Argentinian culture, divorce is still frowned upon, so I did everything in my power to make my marriage work. I suggested counseling, and even a three-week couples retreat in Vermont where we could fix our problems, but Marisol refused.”

  Elise fixed a blank expression on her face but her mind was blown. Spinning faster than a ceiling fan. Some women have it all and don’t even realize it, she thought, shaking her head in disbelief. Giovanni’s confession made her think hard about her future and what she desired most, and it wasn’t having a fat bank account. She’d never been madly and desperately in love, but wanted to be. Marriage is forever, a lifelong commitment, and if I’m ever lucky enough to find my soul mate and walk down the aisle, I’ll cherish my husband all the days of his life.

  “Three days before Christmas, Marisol rented a U-Haul, packed up her things and moved out.” His eyes were sad and his shoulders were bent. “I was shocked and confused and begged her to stay, but Marisol said she didn’t love me anymore and wanted a fresh start.”

  To comfort him, Elise touched his hair and stroked his neck. He spoke and the anguish in his voice took her by surprise.

  “How do you fall out of love with someone after on
ly three years of marriage?” He heaved a sigh. “Sometimes I just can’t catch a break. I lost my health, my wife and now my career, and it’s the worst feeling in the world.”

  Choosing her words carefully, she took a deep breath then spoke from the heart.

  “I’m sorry about your recent setbacks, but you have to put the past behind you and move on,” she said, hoping he’d give her advice some serious thought. “Sometimes life isn’t fair, but you’re strong enough and brave enough to not only weather the storms, but overcome them.”

  A pensive expression filled his face and he slowly nodded.

  “Giovanni, no minute or breath or moment is promised, so make the most of each day. Cherish the people you love, do what brings you joy and embrace every adventure.”

  “Thanks for the reminder. I needed to hear that.”

  “No worries. I’ll send you my bill in the mail.”

  They shared a laugh and the color returned to his cheeks, brightening his skin tone.

  “Elise, you’re as beautiful as you are wise, and I think the world of you.”

  He took her hand in his, lowered his head and kissed her palm. Tingles rocked her spine.

  “And you’re the sexiest houseguest I’ve ever had...”

  His cell phone buzzed on the table and Elise glanced down at the screen. Narrowing her gaze, she stared at the clock, shocked to see that it was already two thirty. They’d been eating and chatting for hours, and she was enjoying his company, but Elise had to leave. She wanted to be at the nursing home on time for her cooking class and worried that, if she didn’t leave Giovanni’s estate within the hour, she’d be late and would disappoint her students.

  Working fast, Elise piled the silverware onto the wooden tray, picked it up and rose to her feet. “You made brunch, so it’s only fair I clean up,” she said, a smile on her face. “I’ll meet you in the kitchen.”

  Standing, a devilish grin lit up his eyes. “I’d rather meet you in bed.”

  An explicit image popped into Elise’s mind. She pictured Giovanni naked, handcuffed to the headboard, and struggled to breathe. And when he crushed his mouth to hers, the room spun around her. He tasted sweet, of syrup and strawberries, and Elise enjoyed kissing his lips. Remembering her schedule, she reluctantly ended the kiss and backed away from the couch. “Come on, Loverboy.” Elise beckoned him to follow her with a toss of her head. “If we work together, we can have the kitchen cleaned faster than you can say malbec!”

  Carrying the wooden tray, Elise exited the bedroom and walked downstairs and into the kitchen. Giovanni joined her at the sink and helped load the stainless-steel dishwasher. While they worked, he entertained her with stories about his family members and the most embarrassing moments of his polo career, and Elise laughed hysterically.

  Being with Giovanni was easy, effortless, the most natural thing in the world. Her personal life had never been as successful as her professional life, but Elise was hopeful about her relationship with Giovanni. She believed him when he said they were a perfect match, and she boldly flirted with him as they cleaned the kitchen. Spending the night at his estate had not only strengthened their bond, but also enhanced their sexual chemistry. Elise couldn’t look at him without thinking about making love—on the marble counter, against the fridge, in the pantry—and wondered if Giovanni had sex on the brain, too.

  Elise noticed her purse at the foot of the leather armchair and sighed in relief. Eager to retrieve it so she could check her phone for missed calls and messages, she marched through the kitchen, but Giovanni caught her arm and pulled her to his chest.

  “Where are you rushing off to?”

  “I know it’s freezing outside,” she said, relishing the feel of his touch against her skin. “But I need you to drop me off at the polo club to retrieve my car.”

  “Why? I thought we were spending the rest of the day together.”

  “I told you I’m teaching a cooking class at the Hamptons nursing home at four o’clock this afternoon.”

  Giovanni shook his head. “No, you didn’t.”

  “Yes, I did,” Elise countered. “I mentioned it last night at Extreme Sports Dome—”

  “That was before we made love.”

  “Why does it matter?”

  “Because now we’re one.”

  “You’re corny,” she teased, though his words touched her heart.

  “Yeah, corny for you.”

  “And to think, a month ago you couldn’t stand me.”

  Giovanni shook his head. “That’s not true. I liked you a lot. That was the problem.”

  Picking her up off the ground, he put her down on the breakfast bar and draped his arms around her waist. In a playful mood, she clamped her legs around his, pulling him toward her.

  “You can’t leave. I have a romantic date planned for us that you don’t want to miss. We’re going ice-skating at Southampton Ice Rink. Afterward, we’ll have dinner at the Palm, then cap off the night with drinks at my favorite lounge. The drinks are fantastic, the service is top-notch and the live jazz band is outstanding.”

  “It sounds amazing, Giovanni. Can I take a rain check?”

  He shook his head. “No. Sorry. It’s a one-night-only offer.”

  Trying hard not to laugh, Elise rested her hands on his shoulders and met his gaze. “Fine, come to my cooking class, and we’ll go skating when it’s finished.”

  A grin brightened his face. “Sounds like a plan. I’m in.”

  “Seriously?” she asked, bewildered by his enthusiasm. “You’ll come to the nursing home?”

  “Of course. I love seniors and they love me!”

  Cracking up, Elise watched as he admired his profile in the stainless-steel microwave.

  “Paige and Sariah both said I should model professionally, and I think they might be onto something,” he continued. “I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but I’m sexy as hell.”

  His comment jogged her memory and Elise snapped her fingers. Her girlfriends had been mum when she’d asked them about their lengthy conversation with Giovanni at the Holiday Cocktail Party, and bribing them with peppermint-candy-cane brownies hadn’t helped Elise uncover the truth. “I saw you chatting with them at the cocktail party. What did you guys talk about?”

  Shrugging a shoulder, he scratched at his cheek. “You know, this and that.”

  “No, I don’t know. That’s why I’m asking you for answers,” she said, dying to know what the trio had discussed at the event. “Did they mention me? Did they ask you tons of personal questions? Did they tell you that I have an enormous crush on you?”

  He wore an innocent expression on his face. “I’ll never tell.”

  “Oh, really? We’ll see about that.” Feeling bold, she slid her hands under his shirt and stroked his chest. She craved him, desired every inch of him, and loved the idea of having her way with Giovanni in his swanky kitchen. The thought shocked her. Twenty-four hours ago, she’d been dead-set against hooking up with him, and now it was all Elise could think about. All she wanted.

  She absolutely adored him. He was a man of incredible strength and vulnerability, but his playfulness was one of his greatest traits. Pressing her mouth against his ear, she tweaked his nipples with her fingertips. “I have a feeling after I have my way with you on this breakfast bar, you’ll be singing a very different tune.”

  “I sure hope so.” Giovanni took off his shirt, tossed it to the floor then dived on top of her. “There’s only one way to find out, so let the games begin!”

  Chapter 15

  The pastries at Espresso & Confections were so beautifully displayed in decorative cases in the front window that Elise didn’t want to touch them, let alone eat them. It was known as the coolest bakery in the Hamptons, and locals flocked to the establishment in droves to satisfy their chocolate cravings. Every morning, people lined up down the stree
t and around the block for a seat in the small, quaint bakery, and Elise noticed several famous faces signing autographs as Giovanni led her into the shop on Sunday evening. For weeks they’d been inseparable, and Elise was proud to be on his arm. A savory aroma wafted through the air from the kitchen, and although Elise had finished a scrumptious seven-course meal at a nearby French restaurant minutes earlier, her mouth watered for dessert.

  Entering the private room, Elise was impressed by the upscale decor. The silk-draped ceiling, vibrant murals painted on the cobalt walls, dainty glass tables and oversize flower arrangements added to the charm. Classical music played, candlelight flickered and the sultry ambience created a sensual mood.

  “Where do you want to sit?” Giovanni asked, glancing at her. “Do you have a preference?”

  “I want to be as close to Johanna as possible, so let’s grab a table at the front of the room.”

  He wiggled his eyebrows. “Someone has a crush.”

  “Sure do!” Giggling, she nodded fervently. “Johanna Schumacher is the Beyoncé of the baking world, and I just hope I don’t faint when I meet her!”

  “Don’t worry. If you do, I’ll catch you.”

  Giovanni pulled out a chair at table one and when Elise sat, he rubbed her shoulders. Her limbs relaxed and her heart smiled. Giovanni was the most attentive and affectionate man she’d ever dated. He gave her hugs and kisses when she least expected it, and loved to hold hands. These days, Elise was less concerned about her colleagues finding out she was dating Giovanni and more concerned about pleasing him.

  The past two weeks had been a whirlwind, filled with nonstop action, but Elise had never been happier. Not only did she have breakfast with Giovanni every morning at the restaurant, he took her on a date every evening after work.