His smile widened. “I have you to hang onto.” He winked, making her laugh and shake her head.
“That’s your excuse and you’re sticking to it, Mr. Grimwood?” she teased.
“Absolutely. I’ll take whatever opportunities I can to be closer to you.” He stopped walking and held her in his nervous gaze as if he waited for her reaction.
Part of her wanted to make a joke and diffuse the intense longing that was rising up inside of her. She wanted his nearness, as well. She didn’t want this week, nor this night, to end. Soon, she’d wake up and have to step back into her real life. What was the harm of enjoying this fairytale evening while she could?
“I love this song,” she tugged on his arm. “Do you know how to dance?” They’d made a full circle and were standing, once again, before the silvery glowing tree that was the only thing lighting up the area.
Duncan gave her a twirl, then caught her in his arms, pulling her tighter against him. The song has an upbeat tempo, and he moved into a slow tango, leading her around the room, spinning her, then leaning into a dip where his face hovered over hers. Ever so slowly, he brought her back up and paused, his dark blue eyes intense, his face so close to hers.
She trembled as his breath caressed her cheek. “I assume your mother made you take lessons?”
He nodded, a small smile playing over his lips that she wanted to kiss again. His last had been intense, full of eagerness. Before she could stop herself, she reached up and ran her fingers over his smooth jawline. He had to be able to feel the pounding of her heart.
The music changed to a slower song. They swayed together, his guiding steps not taking them out of the circle of light coming from the tree.
His hand that had been holding hers, moved up her arm leaving waves of goosebumps in its wake. She wanted to feel the wavy golden-brown hair that hung over his collar. He didn’t seem to mind at all when her fingers entwined around his curls.
Before she knew it, he’d found the clip that held up her hair and unlatched it, causing her own locks to fall around her shoulders. Duncan tossed the clip aside, sending it sliding over the polished marble floor.
“I wish,” he started, his voice barely above a whisper.
“What?” she whispered back.
“That this weekend would never end.”
Elisa started laughing. “I’ve been thinking the same thing.”
His strong hands cupped the back of her head as he pressed soft kisses over her forehead, moving to her temple. She closed her eyes, breath held as his lips lowered to claim hers.
A noise from the kitchen reminded Elisa that they weren’t truly alone, which was a good thing. His kisses were enough to make her lose her senses. He must have heard the noise, too, because he took her hand in his and resumed their dance. Both of them stared at each other, breathless and in a bit of a stupor.
Reason caught up to her and she said, “Unfortunately, I must return to work on Monday. I’m….”
“I know, love. I know. I also have a lot of things I must catch up on. But we seem to be in agreement that neither of us wishes to be done with each other come Monday. Or am I reading things wrong? I have been a hermit for the past six months, so that’s a possibility.”
Elisa shook her head. “You’re not wrong. Not at all.”
His arm around her back tightened. “Good. I hoped that was the case. You’ve become quite dear to me, Elisa Lucken. I want to get to know you better, and let you see that I’m not the monster you first thought me to be.”
“Not a monster at all.” She brought their clasped hands to her lips and kissed his knuckles.
They slow danced to a couple more songs before deciding they both needed some air. Duncan tucked her hand around his elbow as he led her toward the patio doors and back out to the rotunda. “You still need to try my famous Creme brulee.”
Her eyes widened. “I never would have taken you to be a such a talented cook, Mr. Grimwood.”
“Wait and see Ms. Lucken. I’m going to be full of surprises, you’ll see.” His smile seemed confident, and she wondered what had changed him. Not that she really knew how he was before, aside from what she’d read in magazines. One could never really know what a person such as Duncan Grimwood was like in real life, could they?
They took their dessert dishes and sat in the comfortable seats beside the fire pit. Duncan wanted to know all about her family since he’d shared about his own. She loved her family so much, she didn’t mind talking about them at all.
“I’m closest to Belinda, though I love all my siblings. I can talk to her easiest, I guess. She and I have no secrets.”
“Then she knows you’ve been here for the past few days?”
“Oh, they all know. Mom and Dad were glad I was safe and told me to enjoy staying in a mansion.” She hid her smile with the back of her hand. “They acted like I’d won a trip to Disneyland.”
Duncan set his dish down on the side table, then took hers. “Poor thing. This place is a far cry from Disneyland, for sure. Did you tell them that only my House Managers and I live here?”
“No, I didn’t want to give away anything too private. They’ve heard the name Grimwood before, but I don’t think they made the connection that I had a job working for you. Belinda, who lets nothing escape her notice, knew before I came here. She wanted details but was more excited that I had a chance to wear the first editions of the Woodwind clothing line, than anything else. So, I was spared her drilling questions for now.”
His smile widened as if that news pleased him for some reason. “Suzette is a legend, no doubt. She and I are similar to you and your sister. I speak to her most compared to the rest of my siblings.” He reached for her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “I’m eager for you to meet her.”
Elisa swallowed hard. Meet his family? Belinda would go ballistic to find out Elisa had a chance to meet Suzette Grimwood. It didn’t affect her like it did her sister, but perhaps because she worked for so many wealthy families, they weren’t as amazing as other people found them. Most leaned on the arrogant and snobbish side, though she’d met many who were down to earth and good hearted like Duncan.
“That would give me a chance to let her know that I’ve appreciated the chance to have such a fine selection of clothes to wear during my stay. Hopefully, she won’t be put out—”
“No. Especially if you brag about her early lines. She’s always wrought with doubts about her designs, despite their popularity. Though I have no idea why.”
“Humm,” Elisa smirked, remembering his own trepidations over showing her his pieces. “What a mystery.”
His mouth dropped, then he threw back his head and laughed. Standing, he tugged her to her feet. “Touché. You’re absolutely right, I can be just as bad.” He pulled her toward the window where they had a clear view of the sky full of stars. “If it wasn’t so cold, and if my leg was in better shape, I’d take you back to the cliffs where there isn’t any light pollution like there is here.” His arms circled around her waist from behind as he rested his chin on her shoulder. “But that will definitely have to be something we do when the weather warms up.”
Elisa blinked, her vision starting to go a little blurry. He seemed serious about this and truly wanted to develop a relationship with her. Despite the fact that they come from such different worlds. Dare she hope? More than likely, after some time apart, his ardor would cool.
Yet, deep down, she hoped not. With each minute of closeness, and with each soft kiss, her heart sank deeper and deeper in falling for Duncan Grimwood.
Chapter Twelve
“George, do you think you can squeeze in a meeting Monday afternoon?” Duncan spoke into his Bluetooth as he quickly dressed, eager to get down for breakfast so he could see Elisa. Last night, at their parting, they’d agreed to spend Sunday together. The whole day. No phone or work interruptions. He’d planned to take her out on the snowmobile again. She wanted to build a snowman.
“You’re serious?” The mana
ger of the Grimwood Jewelers exclaimed. “Does this mean you’re finally on the mend? Man, you’ve been missed here at HQ. We’ve been so afraid that any day we’d walk in to find out all the stores were shutting down. That’s been the rumor going around, anyway.”
Duncan was seriously considering selling the stores, but he needed to do a bit of homework first. “Not shutting down, I promise that, but there might be some changes on the horizon. It’s imperative I speak to you, and I’d like to meet with every craftsman we have available. Tell them that I apologize for the short notice, but I’ll make it up to them.”
“Absolutely, Mr. Grimwood. I will clear tomorrow’s schedule and get the New York guys rounded up. Can’t promise the west coast—”
“No, that’s perfect. They are good workers, I think they’ll be enough.” At least Duncan hoped. He knew that they all wouldn’t show up, but those who did would be the first he called upon when, and if, he followed through on his plan. “I’ll see you at two sharp.”
That would give him time to fly to New York and get to the headquarters. The next call he made was to his sister, who didn’t bother to answer. She never did. He left a message that he would be in town and wanted, no needed, to meet with her.
“Let’s have dinner, Suze. Please? It’s very important. Love you, bye.” He figured that she’d either send him a text back later or have her assistant call with a place and time to meet.
She’d expect him to meet on her terms, or he’d not be able to see her. That was fine, he was used to playing by her rules.
Sitting on the edge of the bed, he secured the brace around his leg, then slipped into a pair of comfortable jeans. He’d called his physical trainer yesterday and did some major apologizing. Luckily, he was a good-hearted fellow who agreed to meet him Tuesday evening.
Duncan would need to make his little trip a fast one. Barbara promised to arrive early in the morning before the helicopter came to fly him to the airport. Taking today off would cost him, but Elisa was worth pushing everything back one more day. He’d decided to not allow himself to become stressed over the upcoming gala.
There were several older pieces at the Headquarters that he could show. Whatever new designs he completed, or his employees helped him complete, was what he’d highlight for his presentation. There was only one set he personally wished to finish and put on display, the rest was gravy.
By the time he made it downstairs, Elisa was sitting at the kitchen bar with a bowl of fruit and a half-eaten granola bar.
“That’s not a proper breakfast,” he stated while rummaging in the refrigerator for some eggs.
“It’s what I normally have,” she defended. “My dad called this morning to inform me that the wrecker would be here early tomorrow morning. He has a rental car ready for me in town. I hope Kelly gets here first, or I might need to call a taxi.”
“Nonsense. I’ll drive you to town myself if necessary. That might be better than waiting for the helicopter to get out here.”
“Are you leaving tomorrow, too?”
Duncan chopped up a pepper and some leftover turkey while the skillet heated up. “Yes, for New York. Would you like an omelet?”
Elisa shook her head, looking a little down and distracted. He bet she thought this was some kind of weekend fling, and once they returned to their lives, he’d be too busy to pursue her. But he had no intention of letting her go.
He cracked the eggs over the skillet. “Where is your next job?”
Her lips turned up into a crooked grin. “Florida. At least I don’t have to worry about getting snowed in. It should take the whole week, we’re preparing for a wedding reception. One that’s costing a quarter of a million to put on.” She shook her head. “That’s outrageous, don’t you…never mind.”
He flipped the omelet onto a plate. “Yes, I think that’s an outrageous amount to spend on a wedding. Now if you’re talking about the honeymoon, then that’s a different matter.”
“Such a guy thing to say.”
He loved bantering with her. He also loved that she wasn’t one of those prima-donnas who had to have the best of everything. His father had always said that even if they had a lot of money, it didn’t simply appear out of nowhere. Marcus Grimwood was a never a miser, but he was practical with how he handled money matters and taught his children to do the same. Duncan was sure that was the reason behind the trust provision that required each of them to make a profit from their inherited businesses or lose their full inheritance.
Father wanted his children to work for what they had.
Duncan came around the bar to sit beside Elisa. “Let’s not worry about tomorrow.” He dug into his omelet, ravenous this morning. “This week will be crazy for me, but soon as the gala is over, you’ll not get rid of me.” He winked and smiled. “You’ll see.”
The tension melted like the snow outside, and he was rewarded with her beautiful smile. “So, what did you have planned for today?”
* * * *
Elisa enjoyed the ride around the property behind Duncan on the snowmobile. And she loved building the snowman, which ended in a snowball fight that left them both drenched with slushy snow. What she loved most, though, was curling up beside him in the family room while they ate popcorn and watched old movies.
He seemed to like the same classics that she did. They had a simple dinner of turkey sandwiches.
Afterward, they were back on the couch under a warm blanket having found a marathon showing of classic holiday musicals on one of the cable channels. They didn’t speak about the week ahead. Duncan said he would be busy but as soon as he made it through the party, then they’d make plans to do something together. He, at one point, mentioned that he was going to ask his assistant to send her an invitation to the gala.
“Do you have something to wear? I can send you—”
“No, I do have nice clothes, Duncan Grimwood. I make a very good living at my job!” She’d not meant to sound so offended, but for some reason, her anxiety shot through the roof just thinking about attending such a party. People would be wondering about her and her relationship with Duncan. Would she be talked about like all those other women he’d been photographed with?
He’d said that he hadn’t been in a serious relationship in a few years, but never said why the previous one didn’t work out.
Duncan wrapped his arms around her tighter and pressed a kiss to the side of her head. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean anything by asking. I’m being a little selfish in wanting you there. You are like a solid rock that I want to hang onto through these storms. I’ve appreciated how you think to walk beside me when I’m going up the stairs without treating me like an invalid. I know you stay close in case I become unbalanced. I cherish you, Elisa. I feel more stable with you at my side.”
She stared up at his mesmerizing wintry blue eyes and saw he meant every word. Leaning in she kissed him, then wrapped her arms around his shoulders. His hands ran over her back as he kissed her back. It started to get too warm under that blanket so she pulled back reluctantly.
They were both breathing hard. “Send me the invitation, and I’ll be here. Promise. And I’ll look amazing.”
He gave a stupefied nod. “I don’t doubt you for one second, love.” Sitting up, he reached for the remote. “Movie time. I need a distraction.”
Elisa settled beside him, grateful he didn’t push for anything more than a few kisses. He wasn’t at all like the man that the tabloids painted him to be.
She wasn’t sure how many movies had shown before she woke up, her head on Duncan’s chest. He’d also fallen asleep, his feet propped on an ottoman. The clock over the fireplace read twenty after midnight. Oh man, she needed to be up early and ready to go when the tow trucks arrived.
Carefully standing so as to not disturb Duncan, she covered him with the blanket. Grabbing her boots, she headed upstairs to her chilly room. Once she changed from her borrowed clothes, she added them to the pile she would take downstairs in the morning to leave in
the laundry room. She’d written a letter to Suzette Grimwood thanking her for the use of her outfits, even though she’d not had a say. The clothes were so nice and comfortable, and she loved the styles so much, she’d wanted to somehow tell Duncan’s sister how talented she was.
“My sister and I are both big fans of your clothing line. She’s so jealous. Anyway, I wanted to thank you for putting your wonderful talent to such good use. Both you and Duncan are so very creative. This world is blessed to have you in it,” she’d written.
Maybe that had been a bit much, but she’d meant every word. Hopefully, Duncan would manage to get it to his sister for her.
When she checked her phone, she found several texts from Kelly. Each one growing in irritation until her boss finally wrote that she’d put Lucy in charge of the project. “You’ll be answering to her, and I better not hear of you changing one plan I’ve set in place or your job will be on the line. If you can’t be a team player, then there’s no place for you at Stewart Decor.”
The next text was from Lucy who’d emailed the design notes. “We’ll be starting first thing Tuesday morning. Your airline tickets will be waiting at the terminal. I’ll see you in Florida. Looking forward to working with you on this job.”
Lucy was probably beyond excited to have this chance to prove herself. Elisa sighed, hating that Kelly was so angry over this mess. Elisa would make it up to her boss. Duncan promised to put in a good word for her. He said that either he or his assistant would be there to speak to Kelly in the morning.
“Oh man, I forgot to give him my number.” Well, she’d do that when they said goodbye tomorrow. She opened the email to pages and pages of notes. “Oh my!” Closing the laptop, she put it in her bag, along with all her other personal items.
The clothes that she had on when she arrived lay at the foot of the bed. Everything else was ready to go. She’d read the notes while on the plane. What she needed was to get some real sleep so her mind would be sharp when she had to face furious Kelly.
My Beastly Billionaire (The Grimwood Legacy Series Book 1) Page 13
