The Christmas Groom

by Taylor Hart

  She laughed, shaking her head. “You’re crazy.”

  Spreading his hands, he lifted his eyebrows. “Why not? Worst-case scenario, Sky comes back the day after tomorrow and you get married. Let me take you out tonight. A real date. Well, a date where we don’t talk about all the junk in our lives. A friend thing.” He tried to emphasize, even though it totally wouldn’t be that for him. “We’ll just have fun. Well-deserved fun. On both our parts.”

  She hesitated. “A friend thing?”

  “Please.” He played the pity card. “I have nowhere to go anyway. Remember, my brother ditched me for Christmas.”

  Giving him an uncertain look, she scoffed. “You do know how to sell to people, don’t you?”

  Knowing he had almost closed the deal, he could hardly contain himself with excitement about what he would take her to do this evening. He settled for a gentle smile. “Good timing, right?”

  “Shut up.”

  The air between them grew charged at what he was saying. “Somehow, I wonder if this is our timing changing.”

  She blinked. “I’m marrying him. I have to.”

  He took her hand. “Okay.” He wouldn’t argue with her on this. This felt bigger than both of them, or it could be. “I’ll give you until five to clean up. Then I’ll come get you. Is that okay?”

  She tugged her hand back, looking uncertain. “Only as friends, right?”

  Putting a hand to his chest, he said dramatically, “You have no idea what your do-gooding could mean for a lonely soul. And …” Even though he knew he was pushing it, he couldn’t stop himself. “And I am a lonely soul this Christmas.”

  Rolling her eyes, she threw up her hands and walked away. “You don’t have to sell me, Pennington. I know you’re pathetic, okay?”

  He laughed as she started to walk out. “Wear something nice.”

  He couldn’t believe it. He’d been able to get another day with her, maybe two. It felt like he’d just won the lottery. Funny, he thought to himself, how time was all relative. How much this one night could mean with her. Thoughts whirled in his mind, and he returned to the attendant at the desk, who was clearly paying attention to what had happened. “I need a room for another night. Well,” he said, feeling hopeful, “let’s say another two nights.”

  The attendant grinned. “Sir, I can give you some recommendations for your date if you want them.”

  “Sure.”

  The guy handed over a brochure, and Nathan knew they would be seeing the lights at Temple Square tonight, but not like she’d ever seen them.

  Chapter 13

  Storm looked at herself in the full mirror in the room she’d grown up in. She wore a black dress, boots with tall heels on them, and a red silk scarf her grandfather had given her last Christmas.

  She shook her head. Why had she agreed to this?

  Checking out the back of her hair, she ran a hand down her head and tried to stop the nervous butterflies in her gut. Wishing things had become clearer, but knowing they hadn’t, she realized she still didn’t know what she was going to do.

  Her phone buzzed, and she picked it up, thinking it might be Nathan calling.

  Instead, it was another text from Sky. He’d sent her about ten, demanding she call him. This one read, Storm??? She was too angry to talk or text him at the moment. How dare he already start telling her who she could and couldn’t see?

  Okay. Maybe she wouldn’t like him seeing another girl when they were engaged. But …

  She didn’t want to think about that at the moment. She didn’t know what to talk to him about. Could she tell him her real feelings? He’d devastated her last year. Then he’d abandoned her. She’d always been confused at how he could slip into a relationship with her again so easily.

  Yet hadn’t she done that? Slipped into old habits because it had been easier. She wasn’t proud of it. Could she marry him? Ugh. Moving into the kitchen, she picked up a washcloth and wiped off the counter, taking care to take her cereal bowl from earlier that morning and put it into the dishwasher. There were only bowls and spoons in the dishwasher. Hardly any dishes. It’d been that way since Grandpa had died.

  She never cooked. Truthfully, she hardly ate. Hadn’t been hungry. She put the washcloth down carefully, folding it into the sink, and stood, rubbing her hands together and then gently running her hands down the fabric of the dress. She’d probably dropped fifteen pounds.

  Sky had commented she’d gotten too skinny. Which was funny, since there had been a time after her accident when he had complained that she had put on weight.

  Her hands trembled, and she leaned onto the counter. What was she doing, going out with a billionaire two days before getting married?

  Looking down at her left hand, she stared at the ring Sky had given her before leaving for the airport. Slowly, she pulled it off and put it in an ashtray she’d made her grandfather out of clay when she was in the third grade. Even though he’d never smoked, he’d been delighted when she’d given him the ashtray. Gently she touched the clay, wishing he was still here.

  Admittedly, part of her was mad at him. Angry. Why had he done this to her?

  Something else had begun niggling her since she’d met Nathan Pennington. It felt like he’d uncovered so many feelings she’d been holding back, she’d buried deep. She felt something else surfacing, something like happiness woven with excitement. Where would he take her?

  A knock sounded through the air, and she jumped. Her hand went to her chest and she laughed. Man, this guy had her jumpy. Quickly, she moved into the giant cabin-like living room.

  When she answered the door, Nathan stood there, a big present in his hand, wrapped in a blue ribbon. He looked her up and down, and let out a low whistle. “Man, Storm, you do clean up nice.”

  Trying not to act like she cared that much, she cocked an eyebrow and stepped back for him to come inside. “Come in.” She looked at the box. “A present?”

  Hesitating, he let out a breath and smiled—not his real smile, the political smile. “Thanks for taking pity on me tonight.”

  She wasn’t really mad about it, she realized, but there was part of her pride that wished she hadn’t agreed to this date. “It’s payment.”

  “Right. Absolutely.”

  Her heart melted, and she backed up, shaking a finger at him. “And quit with the pity card. Already sold the merchandise, remember?”

  He held out the box. “Take it.”

  She did so, her heart beating rapidly inside her chest. “Thank you.”

  Their hands touched briefly, and their breath caught.

  She forcefully tugged the bow off the present, wondering what it could be, and carried it toward the kitchen. “What is it?”

  He followed. “Where are you going?”

  “In case it’s a bomb, I want to have scissors handy to disable it.” She put it on the counter and finished unwrapping it.

  Tugging the lid off, she uncovered a snow globe of Salt Lake City with a skier in the middle. She picked it up and shook it, watching the snow swirl around the glass ball. “Thank you.”

  He shrugged. “I figured you weren’t really a flowers type of person.”

  She eyed him, wondering what else he’d figured out about her. “Let me put this in my bedroom.”

  “We need to go.”

  His urgency made her smile. “Remember, there’s nowhere in Salt Lake you could really show me I haven’t already seen.” Still, she put the snow globe down gently and rushed back out to the kitchen.

  Dang, he looked good. He’d worn a dress coat, a blue button-down shirt, black pants and dress shoes, and a white scarf around his neck.

  “Let me just finish this.” She picked up the last glass in the sink and rinsed it. His scarf made him look…different. High class.

  “You look nice.”

  She felt him touch the scarf on her neck behind her, and she jumped, shutting off the water and having it splash all over. “How do you do that?” As he picked up a towel and
mopped the water up in front of the sink, she stared at him. “I was just thinking about your scarf when you touched my scarf.”

  Pausing, he looked at her lips then her eyes.

  She wanted to kiss him. Wanted him to kiss her. Remembered that kiss from the night before and wanted more. But she wouldn’t. Couldn’t.

  The side of his lip tugged up. “Are you thinking of kissing me? ’Cause that’s all I can think of.”

  Dang it. Dang it. Dang it.

  She pushed away from the counter. “No!” She shouted over her shoulder as she stormed into the front room, feeling so confused she could hardly take it. “Friends, remember? Let’s go.”

  Grabbing her coat off of the coat rack, she was about to put it on when she felt his hands take it from her and then help her into it. “I do have one rule for this date,” he said. “I mean, if we’re considering it payment.”

  She held her breath. He wouldn’t … this couldn’t be …

  “Not that.” Gently taking her hand, he put it into the crook of his arm and motioned to go out the door. “You let me treat you like a lady, and you don’t talk about Sky.”

  Irritation passed through her, but what could she say? Demand he not treat her like a lady? Not to mention the fact she didn’t want to talk about Sky. “Fine.”

  They moved out, and she pulled the door shut before locking it.

  Carefully, he kept her hand on the crook of his arm.

  That was when she noticed the limo sitting in the driveway. “What is this?”

  “Fun surprise—remember? Have you ever ridden in a limo?”

  “Yes.” She lied, just wanting to be contrary.

  Giving her a doubtful look, he moved them down the steps, careful to help her not slip in her high-heeled boots. “You’re lying, and it doesn’t become you.”

  She scoffed. “I’m not a politician’s wife, remember?”

  Opening the door for her, he grinned and helped her in. “No, you’re sure not, and I like it.”

  His words stirred butterflies in her stomach. She climbed in and shook her finger at him. “Don’t do that.”

  Innocently, he put his hands up. “What?”

  She knew she had to nip this in the bud. “Say things like that.”

  “Like what?” He put up a finger. “Hold, please, I’m freezing.” Shutting the door, he rushed around the car. She knew it was futile to even tell someone like him what she meant. He opened the door and slipped in. “Brr.” Motioning to the driver, he said, “Okay, we’re ready. Please take us where I told you.”

  “Where is that?” Storm asked suspiciously.

  “Now hold on.” He put his hand gently over hers. “Let’s start with what you don’t want me to do. When you were doing your finger shaking thing.” He moved his hand and rearranged his coat, buttoning it up.

  It was unnerving that he’d just done it again by touching her hand. “I think you know.”

  “No, I can guarantee you that I don’t know.”

  She let out a frustrated laugh. “Right, so when you compliment me or touch me, you don’t feel the zing thing that happens between us that makes me lose my brain for a second.” As she finished speaking, she realized she’d just crossed the friend boundary.

  A wide grin filled his lips, and she wanted to throw something at those perfect teeth and tanned face. “You think you lose your brain when I compliment you or touch you?” Quick as sin, he scooted closer to her, touched her face, and gazed into her eyes. “Like this?”

  “Stop it.” She batted at him, trying to push away, but he stayed next to her, leaning into her neck. “I’m only with you as payment.”

  “Like this?” His breath tickled her ear, and she couldn’t help but laugh and bat at him harder.

  “I mean it. Get away.”

  He held her hand, and the scent of his cologne filled her senses. It was musky and smelled expensive. “Whether you like it or not, you’re attracted to me. You don’t have to admit it. I can see it. You’re pretty easy to read. For good or bad. I happen to find that cute and fun and highly desirable in a woman. I won’t exploit it like I am right now. I’ll move away. I just want you to see that the more you fight me, the more you tend to draw near to me. It’s this strange thing we have between us. I can’t explain it, and I don’t imagine you can either.” Smoothly, he let go and slid back.

  She sat there, her heart racing. All logic had flown out the window. All she wanted was to feel his breath on her ear again, and all that would take was admitting that he was different from any man she’d known.

  Her stubborn pride was good for something. Good for keeping the words inside her mouth. The words would make her stupid and vulnerable, and she didn’t want that.

  She sucked in a long breath and held his gaze, feeling like she was about to race in one of the Olympic trials. Certain she could handle him, she stared at the window and saw they were speeding down the freeway toward Salt Lake. “Where are you taking me?”

  He shrugged. “Like you said, there’s no place I could take you that you haven’t seen before.”

  Crossing her arms, she tried to think where they could be going.

  Nathan leaned back into his seat and smiled at her. “Don’t worry. You’ll love it. So did you get everything up at the Sagewood?”

  “Yeah, I did.”

  “I liked that Shirley lady from the front desk.”

  She laughed, unable to hide her enjoyment of Shirley. “She is a hoot, and she completely loved you. They all did.” The words slipped from her mouth, and she cursed herself for letting them out.

  He was on the compliment like flies on honey. “Oh they did, did they?”

  “Never mind.” She looked out the window.

  “No, wait, you have to tell me.”

  It was silly. She thought of how much Shirley had liked him. “Oh, Shirley just kept telling everyone they should leave a vote for Sky or for Nathan at the desk.”

  “Oh yeah.”

  She pushed his shoulder. “You’re overly pleased with the residents at the care center.”

  “So?”

  Guilt assaulted her. “I promised them I would be there tonight for caroling and hot chocolate, but I’m …”

  “Stuck with a rich billionaire,” he said forlornly, mimicking her tone.

  She laughed. “Exactly.”

  For a few moments neither, of them spoke. They both looked out the windows in silence.

  Nathan leaned forward, flicking on the radio. Christmas music blasted through the air: “Silent night, holy night …” He noticed when tears came to her eyes. “Are you okay?”

  She waved a hand into the air. Man, she hated that she was so emotional in front of him. “Fine. It just makes me think of Grandpa. We always went to the caroling at Sagewood together.”

  He nodded and looked at his phone. “What time is the caroling at Sagewood?”

  “Eight,” she said hopefully.

  “Hmm … I think we can make it.”

  “Are you serious?”

  “If you don’t mind skipping dinner.”

  She was confused. “I thought we were going to dinner.”

  He laughed, a twinkle in his eyes. “Oh, dinner was on the list, but we’re doing something fun first.”

  She saw the driver taking an exit for the airport. “Wait. Where are we going?”

  His grin widened. “Just wait, Goodman.”

  Now the nervous butterflies went up ten notches. She watched as the airport got closer, and she saw planes taking off. She could hardly believe how much fun she was having.

  Fun. Hmm … weird. She almost forgot her problems.

  Then his hand was on hers. “No ring?”

  Guiltily, she pulled away.

  “I thought Sky would have put a ring on it to make sure everyone knew you were his. He was pretty insistent about ownership.”

  She chose to ignore him, focusing on where the limo was taking them. “I thought we weren’t talking about Sky tonight.”

&n
bsp; “Touché.”

  The limo took an exit that said ‘For private charters,’ and suddenly, she knew what they were going to do. As if anticipating them, a helicopter hovered into view.

  “Oh my goodness.” She giggled. “I can’t believe this.”

  “Don’t underestimate me, Goodman.” He teased. “You said you’ve seen everything there is to see in this city, but I’m pretty sure you haven’t seen it from the sky.”

  Chapter 14

  Nathan watched Storm smile widely. They sat next to each other, helmets on, and the chopper lifted them into the air.

  She let out a deep, rich laugh and grabbed her stomach. “This is awesome.”

  It was interesting to Nathan that he found her excitement for this new experience much more important than his own. He would have been happy staying inside and sitting in front of a fireplace with her at his side, but the delight and joy on her face made him want to give her as many adventures as he could.

  When he took her hand, he lifted them in the air. “Just ‘friends having an experience’ kind of hand-holding.”

  Cocking an eyebrow, she didn’t look amused, but she didn’t pull away.

  He nodded to the helicopter. “Do you like it? Admit it, going out with a billionaire has its perks.”

  Her lip went up. “Says the billionaire who took me to Denny’s.”

  He laughed, loving this feeling between them. At the same time, for a brief moment, he felt desperate for her because whatever had happened between them in the last forty-eight hours had come to mean something significant to him.

  He commanded himself to let it go. Tonight, he would enjoy her company. He wouldn’t argue that she could lose the land and it would be okay. It would be better than losing herself. He wouldn’t argue that she had so much. She didn’t have to stay in Midway; she might like it somewhere else like Massachusetts.

  No, all those thoughts were ridiculous.

  As Temple Square came into view, with all the lights and the throngs of people, she turned to him, laughing. “Look at that.”

  He scooted closer and stared at her. “It’s beautiful.”