It suddenly dawned on me that he was answering like a person whose job it was to be seen and not heard. Perhaps he preferred it that way.
I nodded mildly and moved to the trunk of my car. “Well, I have to get my things out.”
“Miss Henderson, please do not worry with the luggage. Our staff will bring it to your room and unpack for you.”
Unpack for me? I wasn’t really keen on people rifling through my personal things.
“We promise the utmost discretion,” he said, apparently reading my expression.
I had to fight the urge to pass on the special treatment. Not only could I carry my own bags and wheel my luggage to my room, even if I had to perform a balancing act to do so, but I could also unpack my things. However, the look on my face was concerning my vibrator, which was packed with my folded panties and bras. Whoever was tasked with unpacking my bags would know that I had to use an electronic penis to get laid these days. Not that it was a bad thing. My vibrator never failed to satisfy. Most of the handful of men I’d been sexual with had failed in that category.
I pressed my lips into a tight smile and let William handle all my bags except for my computer and purse. He was going to escort me to my room, but I insisted on finding it myself. So he instructed me on where to go.
Carefully, my feet climbed the steps at the back of the house. The door was nearly as large as the one out front. I opened it and entered a wide-open space with white marble floors. Gentle instrumental music played in the background. It almost sounded like elevator music. The curving stairwell that William had mentioned was ahead of me. For some reason, the right side of my face burned as if I could feel someone staring at me. I quickly looked in the questionable direction. No one was there. Perhaps my mind was playing tricks on me. I so desperately wanted to see Jasper Christmas again, though… or maybe not. I would probably get tongue-tied again. I should have been thinking about what questions to ask him before meeting his parents so as not to come off like a total dweeb. Why do I even care?
I headed up the stairs and followed William’s instructions exactly. My room would be to the right and at the end of the hallway. However, he hadn’t mentioned that there would be two doors side by side. I had no idea which one to enter. Since he’d said “the right” a few times, I decided to open the one on the right. I cautiously entered the bedroom then stopped to observe the tall king-sized bed with an opulent gold silk bedspread and a golden-tufted backboard. It was the sort of bed that I pictured the Queen of England sleeping on. Two thick curtain panels with beautifully draped valances sectioned off the sleeping area from the sitting room. My eyes gravitated toward the beautiful chandelier hanging not too far away from me. Then I turned toward the wall of windows. The elegant drapes and valances were made of golden brocade fabric. They were open at that time of day, and I had a view of the snow-covered lawn that gave way to an expanse of water. Next, I turned to look at myself in the standing mirror, which was outlined with a decorated golden frame. I appeared so out of place with my heavy black coat and dark messy hair. Then I spotted Jasper Christmas sitting in one of the high-backed chairs in front of the window and jumped.
“What are you doing in here?” he asked sharply.
My mouth fell open, and for one of those rare moments in my life, I was speechless.
Chapter Two
My face burned red with embarrassment as I explained how William had instructed me to that particular room. However, even I could hear the shadow of doubt in my voice. Apparently, instead of picking door number one, I’d picked number two, and that had been the wrong decision.
“This is not a guest room,” he said.
My feet felt glued to the floor even though I wanted to run the hell out of there as fast as I could. “Oh,” was all I could muster. Then I cleared my throat, realizing I could do better than that. “I mean I apologize if choosing the wrong room upset you so much. People make mistakes. Apparently, that’s what I did.”
I didn’t expect his eyes to soften, and they didn’t. However, they widened just a tiny bit, transforming from anger to confusion. I truly didn’t understand his overreaction. It was strange and uncalled for.
I was still immobilized by his intense blue-green gaze. Goodness, he was a sexy man. His soft black sweater, definitely made of cashmere, lay deliciously over the ripples of his chest. His strong neck was so manly and alluring. Oddly, I found myself wondering how it would feel to be under him, my arms wrapped around his neck while his solid cock plunged in and out of me, filling me with scrumptious pleasure.
He folded his arms. “You’re an investigative reporter, aren’t you?”
I quickly banished the image of the two of us fucking like Fabio and one of his heroines out of my mind. “Yes, I am.” I gulped nervously. I’d seen that look on his face before. He was assessing how much of a threat I was to whatever secrets he and his family were keeping. I had no doubt the Christmases had a multitude of them.
“How long will you be staying?” he asked.
“Until the twenty-sixth.” For a moment, I thought I saw his eyes veer to my collarbone.
“We value our privacy here,” he said.
“I’m not here to investigate your family. Plus, I would never choose your family as my subject matter—conflict of interest. I’m still paying the debt I owe you.”
That look in his eye was unreadable, which was odd because I was an expert at reading expressions and body language. It was how I knew what the right questions were as well as when and how to ask them. But all I could do was wonder what in the world Jasper was thinking.
“I hope you’re telling the truth,” he said.
I winked, smirking. “Just keep your shit in the closet, and we’ll be peachy keen.” His severe frown illustrated that he didn’t think my joke was funny. So I extended my arm for a handshake. “Sorry, that was a joke. I can’t help myself sometimes.”
He looked at my hand as if it had dung on it. Is he really that much of an elitist? I was about to withdraw my offer, but his large, strong hand took mine in his.
I had no idea what happened to me. My feet floated off the ground; at least, that was how it felt. Volts of tingling molecules soared through me. At first, I thought my eyes were closed, but they couldn’t be when I saw blue-green eyes looking back at me the whole time. Suddenly, Jasper quickly let go of my hand and let his arm drop to his side. But I saw how he stretched his fingers, opening and closing his hands. Did he feel what I felt?
I waited for him to say something else while I restrained myself from fanning my flushed skin. The look of confusion on his face made me extra nervous, so I thought maybe I should say something.
“Is this your bedroom?” I asked.
“No.” His voice was gruff again.
I folded my arms while my gaze rolled around the space. “It’s quite stunning.”
“I still find it alarming that Bronwyn didn’t say anything about your visit,” he said.
Oh, great, we were back to that again. “And I as well, especially since you seem so affected by my being here.”
He turned his head slightly and leaned toward me. “Miss Henderson…”
“Miss Henderson,” William’s familiar voice said from behind.
I quickly whipped my head around to see him.
“A room is being prepared for you next door. I apologize for not being clearer with my instructions.”
“She’ll stay in this room,” Jasper said.
I quickly looked at the sexy Christmas son then back at William. I suspected not showing emotion was a trait William had mastered over the years. However, I caught his brow wrinkle ever so slightly, and I could see the hint of bewilderment in his eyes.
But without questioning Jasper’s decision, William nodded once. “Your luggage is on the way up.” Then he bowed before walking out of the bedroom.
I wanted to say something cynical like, “Really, Pompous Mac Christmas? You all make the house staff bow around here?”
“
I’ll be keeping an eye on you, Miss Henderson,” Jasper said and gusted past me.
His energy hit me like a whirlwind, but I swept myself around fast enough to say, “It’s Holly.”
He looked over his shoulder to glare at me, and without addressing my offer to refer to me on a less formal basis, he walked out of the bedroom.
I stood there for a moment, wondering what in the world had just happened. But then two women who appeared to be close to my age entered, wearing maids’ uniforms and carrying my luggage. We spent a very brief time folding my clothes, putting them in drawers, and hanging other items in the huge, empty walk-in closet. Then we arranged my personals and toiletries on the counter and drawers in the attached bathroom, which was also fit for a queen. It felt strange not to have enough items to fill all the space.
“So,” I said to the maid who had been the most cheerful. “What’s so special about this bedroom?”
“All the rooms in the Christmas mansion are special, Miss Henderson.” Her answer sounded forced, rehearsed.
I stretched my smile wider. “It’s Holly.”
Her expression didn’t match my intensity. “Miss Henderson, I thank you for your modesty and kindness, but my job is to make you feel at home.”
“That’s fine, but you can do your job around me without being Rosie the Robot Maid.”
Her eyebrows ruffled.
“The Jetsons? Cartoon Carnival Network? Late night? 2000s?”
She smiled as she shook her head.
I chuckled. “Well, check them out. I mean, the Jetsons will make you believe there’s life on Mars.”
Her eyes expanded. “Seriously?”
I shook my head, grinning. “Well, only if you’re six years old, but still. It’s good TV.”
Her smile turned warmer. Then she searched over her shoulder as the other maid rolled my suitcase out of the bedroom. Once the other woman was out of earshot, she stepped closer until our noses nearly touched then spoke in a whisper. “My name is Crystal Preacher. I’m new here, but my mother, Sally Preacher, worked as Amelia Christmas’s personal maid for years.” She stepped back again and spoke normally. “Will you be needing any more assistance, Miss Henderson?”
I could feel how narrowed my eyes were. “I’m fine, Crystal.”
“It’s Ms. Preacher,” she said with a gracious smile.
“Right,” I muttered and kept my eyes on her as she bowed and walked out of the room. Gosh, I hated the bowing. No one needed to do that in order to fulfill their duties.
It suddenly occurred to me that all of the paradoxes in personalities I’d encountered so far reminded me of the person who’d invited me there in the first place. At that point, the only individual who could make me feel truly welcome was not there. I wasn’t shocked. Nine years ago when we were freshmen in college, Bryn had had difficulty keeping her word. Even then, I knew it was because she was spoiled and had never suffered any consequences for not being mindful of those who would be affected by her self-centeredness.
I flopped down in the chair Jasper had abandoned. It smelled like his cologne, so I took a deeper whiff of it. A large part of me still wanted to leave the Christmas place. But then I remembered those blue-green eyes. The energy emanating from his palm when we’d shaken hands made my heart flutter just thinking about it. Perhaps the fact that I was so attracted to him was a reason to get in my car and get the hell out of there. Men like Jasper Christmas were heartbreakers. They couldn’t feel authentic love. Life was a script to people like the Christmases. Blue bloods bore the right kind of descendants to carry on the family names and riches. His future wife would have to be obedient, know her place, and bear his sons. I could never be that woman or play that role.
“My goodness, it’s true,” a familiar voice said. The tone had matured some, but it was still youthful.
I quickly rose to my feet as Bryn seemed to float toward me with her arms open wide.
“You’re finally here,” I sang, so relieved to see her.
We hugged.
“You look well, and beautiful as always,” Bryn said. Whenever she complimented me on my appearance, it always sounded as though she didn’t really mean it. I didn’t care, though. I’d always believed that Bryn had to be the prettiest and most interesting person in the room, or else she would rather be somewhere else.
“And likewise,” I said, releasing her.
“So yeah, I couldn’t believe when Jasper told me you’ll be staying in Amelia’s old room.”
I felt my eyes expand so far that they felt as if they would pop out of their sockets. “This is your dead mother’s room?”
“Don’t worry,” Bryn said. “It’s no big deal.”
I felt like an insect trapped between the counter and a fly swatter. It was not okay. It was actually kind of creepy. I was in their dead mother’s room. Now I understood why Jasper had been sitting in that chair when I’d come in. I had infringed on his private and perhaps emotional moment.
“How about I move next door in the regular guest room? Really, I don’t mind.”
Bryn flopped a hand flippantly. “Too late. It’s going to be occupied by another guest. My brother Asher’s girlfriend will be sleeping in the guest room next door.”
I grunted, intrigued. “Are they waiting for marriage or something?”
“Absolutely not.”
“Then why would they sleep in different rooms?”
“I was hoping over the course of six or seven days, you could find out.”
I jerked my head back. “Six or seven days?”
She checked over her shoulder then closed the space between us. “Eight or nine, however long it takes.” She was showing me the same old whispering, secretive Bryn I’d always known.
“However long what takes?” I found myself whispering too.
“In due time,” she said.
“I hadn’t planned on being here for more than four days.” Heck, I even thought four days was too long, but Bryn had convinced me to come up early by reminding me how lonely my holiday would be if I didn’t. “But please, Bryn, don’t keep me in the dark here. What the hell do you mean by ‘due time’?”
“It’s best if we wait. Trust me. Dinner starts at six.”
I didn’t know if trusting Bryn was smart. It was definitely a recipe for being blindsided. But truthfully, it was the holidays. I’d just ended a series of arduous assignments. I wanted to enjoy the estate, relax, and eat Christmas ham or something. Suddenly, I remembered how much I was starving and checked the time on my wristwatch. “Six?” That was in about an hour.
“Six.” She walked past me and flopped down in one of the high-backed chairs. “So now that the formalities are out of the way, let’s catch up.”
My eyes lit up as I rubbed my hands together, excited for the opportunity to ask her questions about Jasper. I collapsed into the other chair. “So, your brother…”
She rolled her eyes slightly. “I’m sorry if Jasper left a bad taste in your mouth. His bedside manner needs work. I have no idea how he’s ever going to get anybody to vote for him in any election.” She gazed out the window with a faraway look in her eyes then sighed. “I just don’t know about him.” She faced me, and her eyes were once again alight. “But tell me, are you still single? Or do you have a boyfriend, fiancé?
I still wanted to talk about Jasper, but she had expertly steered the conversation away from him. If I mentioned him again, then she would know that he had piqued my interest in a personal way. I would have to pick my moment and steer the conversation back to her sexy older brother.
“Yes. No. No,” I said in a pleasant tone.
Her chuckle floated delightfully between us, and I remembered how much I loved hearing a happy sound emanating from Bryn. She used to express joy only on rare occasions. But now her eyes were sparkling, and her lips were smiling.
“You were always so picky,” she said. “And to the disappointment of all the boys at Edward Knight Academy.”
I caught a quic
k snapshot of myself in those days. “I would have to disagree with you on that.” I petted her lightly on her thigh. “But what about you? Who’s filling your love tank these days?”
She leaned back and, with a heavy expression, looked around the room. “No one’s filling love tanks around here.”
“Okay. What about work?” I was happy to exit stage left on the conversation regarding our nonexistent love lives. “What are you doing these days?”
Bryn laughed. “Have you ever known me to work?”
I chuckled. “No. But I figured eight years after college, you’d find something to do with yourself.”
She cracked a tiny smile. “Oh, Holly, how I’ve missed you.”
I raised an eyebrow. “So have you found something to do with yourself?”
Bryn smirked. “That’s why you’re here.”
I bit my lip. Oh, goodness, the suspense was killing me, and bringing that kind of anxiety into my life was so like Bryn. “So why won’t you just tell me now?”
Her gaze rolled around the room then landed curiously on me. “Do you believe in ghosts?” She was whispering again.
I turned my chin slightly to the right. Her question seemed to have come out of left field. “Not really. I believe the brain is a very powerful organ. It could make us conjure ghosts, make us see things that haunt us.”
She studied me with one eye narrowed. I waited for her to say something, but she just kept looking at me that way.
“What?” I asked then shifted in my seat.
“You’re still a pragmatist.”
I leaned toward Bryn and kept my volume low. “So you don’t want to tell me why you asked me to spend Christmas with your family because you think a ghost will hear you?”
“I invited you here because I didn’t want you to spend the holiday alone.”
I narrowed an eye. “Is that so?”
“It is so,” she said in a tone that hinted she did not want her intentions called into question.
But a thrown hint had never stopped me. “Well, it was crystal clear to me that you, Bronwyn Henrietta Christmas, looked me up. I’m not a public figure. No one is going to learn my father is in prison unless she or he snoops around in my life. But that’s okay. I’m here to oblige you, especially if it settles the debt I owe to your family.”
Intrigued: The Dark Christmases Page 2