My Christmas Billionaire (The Billionaire Kings Book 7)

by Serenity Woods

  “I don’t think she believes me when I say the same, though,” I reply. “I know I hurt her when I turned her down at Leon’s wedding. I wish I could take it back, but I can’t.”

  Clio looks up at me then. “You have apologized, haven’t you?”

  I frown. “Of course.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I mean, my dear Stefan, have you actually said, ‘I’m sorry’?”

  I open my mouth to reply that of course I have. Then I stop and think.

  “Jesus,” Clio says, and Ryan winces.

  “I must have,” I tell them. “And anyway, I’ve said that I regret doing it, and that I’ll try to make it up to her. It’s the same thing.”

  “It’s not,” Clio replies. “It’s not the same thing at all. I don’t know why—it just isn’t. There’s magic in those words. I swear to you, I’m sure if you say them, it’ll make everything all right.”

  I look at Ryan, who just lifts his eyebrows as if to say, “Yep.”

  “Say it,” Clio says. “Say it every day until she begs you to stop. And mean it.”

  I want to tell her she’s being ridiculous; that saying those words won’t change how Jules feels toward me. But Clio is a girl, and girls tend to know these things.

  “And you have said you love her?” she asks.

  “I said I think I’m in love with her. That’s the same—”

  “Oh my God! Stefan! You need a 101 course in how to behave with women! It’s not the same thing! Being in love means you’re in lust; you want to have sex with her.”

  “Well…”

  “Saying I love you means you want more than that.”

  “Seriously?”

  “Words matter, Stef. A lot.”

  “There are unspoken rules,” Ryan says. “I know it’s tricky for guys because they’re not written down anywhere. But Clio’s right. You don’t have to say these things, and it’s best you only say them if you mean them, but if you do, it’ll make your life a whole lot easier.”

  “It’s a minefield,” I tell them, and they both nod. “How did I not know all this?”

  “Well, it’s worth a try,” Clio says. “Jules told me that she wasn’t sure whether to believe you. I think she’s just uncertain how sincere you are, and she’s terrified of opening up and getting hurt again.”

  “I’ll talk to her,” I reply. “And I’ll do it properly this time.”

  Ryan gestures across the hall. “It looks as if Noah and Abby are winding things down.”

  “They probably want to get Ethan to bed,” Clio says.

  We walk across to them, and sure enough, they’re planning to go back to their suite. Everyone helps them get ready, and Rudi, who’s there with Eva tonight, calls for a sleigh, even though it’s only a short distance back to the Escape. Jules joins us, and as a group we follow Noah—who’s carrying a sleeping Ethan—and Abby outside.

  “The snow’s like confetti,” Jules says, and she’s right—it looks as if someone above is throwing handfuls of white confetti over them as they climb into the sleigh and settle back. We all cheer and whistle, and they laugh and wave as the sleigh slowly departs, its bells jingling.

  “They look so happy,” Jules whispers, a little tearfully. “It’s been such a beautiful day.”

  “We couldn’t have wished better for them,” Clio replies, brushing a tear away herself. She shivers. “Come on. Let’s have a few more dances, and then we’ll all go home.”

  We return to the room, where the DJ plays “I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas” and “All I Want for Christmas is You.” There’s no time to talk to Jules, though, because the dance floor is crowded, and everyone’s chatting as the evening winds down.

  And then, finally, it’s time to go. We spend ten minutes gathering our jackets and wrapping up against the cold, before we finally head out into the wintry evening.

  It’s late, but it’s Christmas Eve, and the village is full of people. As we cross the square, Clio and Jules inhale and say, “Oh, look!” as they spot the carol singers standing at the end of the square, surrounded by passers-by.

  They’re singing “O Come, O Come Emmanuel,” and it’s incredibly haunting, and sends shivers down my spine. We all stop and listen, captivated by the beauty of the moment.

  “Santa’s checking his list,” Jules whispers as I put my arms around her.

  “Twice, probably,” I murmur back. I put my lips near her ear. “Have you been naughty?”

  “Not nearly enough.”

  “We’ll have to see if we can rectify that.”

  She chuckles, and I tighten my arms around her. Beside us, the King family watch the singers, the guys holding their girls tightly, as if they never want to let them go.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Jules

  Gradually, everyone starts peeling away from the carol singers and heading back up the hill.

  Stefan takes my hand, though, and leads me in the opposite direction, toward the forest. “Got five minutes?” he asks.

  I nod and wave goodbye to Clio, and follow him through the snow, glad of my boots and thick jacket. It grows quieter as we move further away from the village, until the carol singers’ voices are echoing in the background, soft as the snowflakes falling on my skin.

  “I’m so glad the day went well,” I say, thinking about Noah, and how beautiful Abby looked in her white dress and cloak.

  “Yeah, they won’t forget that day anytime soon.” Stefan walks unhurriedly, his hand tight on mine, even though we’re both wearing gloves. I’m not sure where he’s taking me. I’m a little uncertain about going into the forest at night, although I feel safer that he’s with me.

  But we only go a little way in, to where the brook runs through, crusted over with ice. Icicles hang from the trees. I’m glad of the lanterns that Rudi had placed at intervals, as it would be dark without them.

  “There,” Stefan whispers, and I stop and stare. The Arctic fox is in front of us, on the opposite bank, almost invisible against the snow. He has the tiniest black button nose and small black eyes. He and Stefan study each other, and Stefan murmurs, “Hey, boy.” I glance up at him, seeing his blue eyes fixed on the fox. My heart skips a beat. He’s so incredibly handsome. He looks at me, then back at the fox, and I follow his gaze. The fox observes us for a moment longer, then turns and vanishes back into the trees.

  “Wow.” My jaw drops at the phenomenon I’ve just observed. “That was amazing.”

  “Isn’t he gorgeous? I hoped he’d come out to see you.” Stefan smiles. Then he turns to face me and takes both my hands in his. His smile fades, and his expression turns serious. I hold my breath, suddenly afraid he’s going to tell me it’s over. Has he decided he doesn’t want the hassle of a relationship?

  “Jules,” he says, the word forming before his face in a small puff of white. “There’s something I want to say. I should have said it before, and I don’t know why I didn’t, because I thought it, but I know it’s not enough to just think it.”

  Oh God, he’s going to say it’s over.

  “I’m sorry,” he says.

  I blink, waiting for the next line. But it doesn’t come. He observes me quietly.

  “Is that it?” I say.

  He frowns. “Uh, yeah.”

  “Sorry for what? You haven’t told me anything.”

  He seems confused. “For turning you down at Leon’s wedding.”

  I stare at him.

  His lips curve up a little. “I didn’t say it before,” he tells me softly. “And I should have. I’m sorry for what I said, and how I said it. Sorry with all my heart. I love you, Jules, I always have. First as a friend, and now as much more than that.”

  I’m so taken aback, I continue to stare at him. It’s the first time he’s said it, I realize. He’s skated around an apology, but the fact that he hadn’t actually said it has sat in my subconscious, telling me that he doesn’t really mean the things he’s been sayin
g.

  “I know it’s all happened quickly,” he continues. “We’ve kind of done things back to front. I know that’s my fault, too. We’ve known each other for such a long time, and then we went to bed here, and it’s been great, amazing, in fact, but I want more than that. So much more.”

  “Me too,” I whisper, hardly able to believe my ears.

  “When we get back,” he says, “let’s start dating properly. I’ll take you out to dinner, and we’ll go to the cinema, and have a few weekends away, and see how we feel.”

  Joy fills me. This is what I wanted! A proper relationship, and time to figure it all out. “All right,” I tell him happily.

  “I guess what I’m trying to say is that I’m not expecting anything. I know not everything is going to slot into place just because we’re old friends. But I want this to work, and I’m willing to do whatever it takes.”

  I blink back sudden tears. “That sounds lovely.”

  “I am sorry, sweetheart. From the bottom of my heart.”

  “Don’t make me cry. It’s too cold for tears.”

  He laughs and hugs me, then takes my hand. “Come on, let’s get back to the suite. I shouldn’t have brought you out here, but I really wanted you to see Archie.”

  “Archie?”

  “The Arctic Fox. I gave him a name.”

  “It’s perfect,” I tell him, as we make our way out of the forest, then back across the field to the Escape. “The whole day has been perfect.”

  “It has,” Stefan says, his hand tight on mine. “Perfect.”

  *

  The next day is the best Christmas Day I’ve ever had.

  We join everyone else in the common room at eight a.m., most of us still in our pajamas, for coffee and croissants. We’d decided that we wouldn’t bring any presents with us, apart from those we’d gotten for Summer’s boys, but we have our Secret Santa gifts to exchange, and we spend a fun-filled hour watching the kids opening their presents, and then everyone else opening their present in turn.

  When it gets to mine, I open the tiny box, guessing from its size that it’s probably jewelry. Yes, it’s a small velvet box, and I flip the lid to discover it’s a pendant. It’s a stylized silver reindeer with curly antlers and a red gem for a nose that I’m sure is a ruby. I look up and my eyes immediately meet Stefan’s. I can tell from his smile that the gift is from him.

  Clio looks over my shoulder. “Did that come out of a cracker?”

  “It’s beautiful,” I whisper. “Oh my God, Stefan…”

  I tip up the box and see the red heart on the inside of the lid, and my throat tightens. It’s all too much. I feel overwhelmed by all the emotion I’ve experienced this week—watching Noah get married, sleeping with Stefan, being with all my family, and now this, a beautiful gift from the only man I think I’ve ever truly loved, who said he’s sorry, and that he loves me and wants to be with me. I never thought I’d hear him say that. I thought I was going to have to find love elsewhere, which was why I was with Connor, but that went horribly wrong, and now everything’s right, and I don’t think I can stand it.

  I put my face in my hands and burst into tears.

  “Crap,” Clio says. “Stefan, this is your fault.”

  Everyone goes, “Aw…”

  My father, who’s sitting on the other side of me, laughs and puts his arm around my shoulders. “You’re such a softie.”

  “Sorry,” I squeak, and he kisses my hair. Then I feel him shift, and the next thing I know, Stefan’s sitting next to me, holding me in his arms.

  “You’re not supposed to cry,” Noah says from the chair opposite as he opens his Secret Santa present. “This is supposed to be a happy occasion, not a—wait, what?” He stares at his present, then turns it around to show everyone. It’s a large button that makes fart noises.

  “That’s from me,” Simon—Summer’s youngest—announces.

  “That’s the last time I leave you to get your own presents,” Summer tells him, as Noah presses it, and everyone dissolves into laughter.

  “Best gift ever,” Noah says, pressing it again and grinning, “thanks, Si.”

  Stefan chuckles, then puts his mouth close to my ear. “I’m glad you like the necklace,” he murmurs.

  “It’s beautiful,” I whisper. “Thank you so much.”

  “It’s only what you deserve.” He kisses my cheek as I try to wipe it free of tears, then kisses my mouth. Someone whistles, then everyone cheers as he holds the kiss, and I end up laughing.

  “Do you like Christmas now?” Clio teases, sliding her arm around me and giving me a squeeze.

  “I’m coming around to the idea,” I tell her, wiping the rest of my face.

  “Good,” she says. “It made me so sad when you said you hated it.”

  “I don’t hate it,” I admit, watching her open her present. “I have a feeling it’s going to be my favorite time of year from now on.”

  She takes out the T-shirt and casts a wry look around the room. It’s red, and it has two Christmas puddings exactly where her boobs will go—a nod to the fact that she has a generous bust.

  “Thank you, Santa,” she announces. “Very funny.”

  I laugh and lean against Stefan as he pulls me back against him. Outside, the snow has stopped for once, and the Northern Lights play across the darkened sky. He looks at me, cups my head, and brings me toward him for a kiss.

  And I let him.

  *

  A few days later, we all fly home. It’s been an amazing vacation, but I have to admit to being relieved once we land in New Zealand.

  Noah organized a couple of minibuses to pick us all up. Most people head home, but I go with Stefan to the Ark, because he wants to see Fred, who’s now back there with Rawiri, recovering. We go into the kennels area, and I can feel Stefan’s nervousness as he waits to collect his beloved Irish Setter. And then out comes Fred, limping on three legs, but absolutely overjoyed to see his master. He manages to spin around twice and then leap on Stefan, who falls backward onto his butt, laughing and kissing the dog, who’s covering his face in wet slobbery kisses.

  “He’s good,” Rawiri tells us, with some relief, I think. “Recovering really well. And I know I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again—I’m so, so sorry.”

  “It’s forgotten,” Stefan says. “Besides, I know what a bastard he can be sometimes. It wasn’t your fault at all.”

  We say our goodbyes and take Fred outside. It’s the height of summer now in New Zealand, and a warm breeze blows across the field by the car park. The sky is the color of Stefan’s eyes. He lifts Fred up into the back of his car and makes sure he’s comfortable, then shuts the back and walks around to join me where I’m leaning on the fence.

  “Well,” he says, “we’re back. Are you disappointed, or happy?”

  “A bit of both,” I admit. “And a bit nervous, too.”

  “Nervous? Why?”

  I turn to face him. He looked gorgeous in his thick snow-covered jacket and gloves and boots, but he’s like a lion—he’s made for a warmer climate, and he looks right now, in his faded tee and well-worn jeans.

  “I just wondered if being back here had changed your mind,” I admit.

  He cocks his head at me. “About what?”

  “About wanting to be with me.”

  A smile spreads slowly across his face. “No, Juliet. I haven’t changed my mind.”

  “Will you saying my full name always send that shiver down my back?” I wonder.

  “I hope so.” He moves closer to me and slides his arms around my waist. “Of course I haven’t changed my mind. I learned a lot while we were away. About how to live life to the full, and how to live for today. And how not to project my fears onto the future. I can’t spend the rest of my life worrying that things are going to be a certain way. I have a life to live—we have a life to live, and it’s only going to be bearable if you share it with me.”

  “Okay,” I say happily. “As long as you’re sure.”


  “You’re coming to dinner with me tomorrow aren’t you?”

  I nod. “I’m looking forward to it.”

  He moves a little closer and touches his lips to my cheek. “And maybe afterward, you’ll come back to my place for the night?”

  “Maybe. If you play your cards right.” I shudder as he brushes his lips along my jawbone, and I slide my hand up into his hair. “Mmm. I can’t wait.”

  “Me neither,” he murmurs, returning to my mouth and kissing my lips gently. “You drive me crazy, Juliet King.”

  “And you drive me crazy, Stefan Rogers.”

  He kisses me, and this time the air is filled with the scent of flowers, as dandelion seeds float around us in the summer breeze like snowflakes.

  *

  Dear Reader,

  I hope you’ve enjoyed the seven-book Billionaire King series. Maybe, like me, you’re sorry it’s come to an end! Because of this, although I write an epilogue to most of my stories, on this occasion I’ve declined to do one, because I’m thinking that in the near future I might well write a follow-up story where you can meet up with all the Kings and find out how they’re doing. Make sure you’re signed up to be a Kiwi Bird below, and I’ll let you know when I write that story!

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  Join the Kiwi Birds!

  Join my Kiwi Birds community and you’ll be able to download my free starter library! This includes a short story about how Summer met Zach at her school ball when she was eighteen – join and you can read it today!

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  Have you missed any?

  Not sure if you’ve read all the Billionaire Kings? How about the Three Wise Men stories about Brock, Charlie, and Matt? Or Casanova, about Stefan’s mom and dad, Nikau and Elise? You can also read about how Rudi and Eva got together in Santa’s Secret, the first book in the Christmas Wishes series! You can check them all out on the Books page on my website, as well as all my other stories!

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  Other Series by Serenity Woods

  For an up-to-date list of available books, please visit the Books page on my website.

  Bay of Islands Brides