The Billionaire's Christmas Cinderella

by Carol Marinelli

  Then again? ‘Are you still on a sex strike?’ Naomi smiled, and stretching luxuriously realised she’d slept in for the first time ever on Christmas morn.

  ‘I am,’ he told her. ‘You don’t have to be, though, I’m more than willing to repeat last night.’

  ‘Two can play at that game,’ Naomi said, even if she was blushing to her roots as she said it.

  He sat on the bed and he looked at her, all panda-eyed with mascara and smiling as she examined her ring, and at that moment he knew what true happiness was. ‘We’d better get married quickly, Miss Hamilton,’ he said, squeezing her thigh through the sheet.

  ‘I agree, Mr Devereux.’

  She smiled and then he was serious for a tiny moment. ‘I meant what I said, if you marry me there will be more to come. If I don’t give the press scandal, I don’t doubt they’ll make it up, or drag in an ex to sell her story. There are going to be a lot of people hoping that this marriage fails...’

  ‘It shan’t.’

  She said it with such confidence and assertion because she knew it to be true.

  The morning, of course, ran away with them. His present to her was a key to the door.

  ‘Your home,’ he told her.

  And her present to him... Well, Naomi weakened, and suddenly it was edging too close to nine to even think of stopping at his father’s for a change of clothes. Abe was all right, of course, but Naomi really had nothing apart from last night’s clothes to wear.

  ‘You’re going to have to the do the walk of shame,’ Abe said.

  His driver had Christmas off, so Abe drove them and she looked out at the beautiful streets she was fast coming to love and it dawned on her that this amazing city would be her home.

  ‘I spoke to Barb,’ he told her as they drove alongside Central Park on Christmas morning, and Naomi still felt as if she was in a dream. ‘I’ve spoken to all the staff, and they’ll all be taken care of. But Barb and Bernard...’

  She turned and looked at him.

  ‘They’re going to work for me. Us,’ he corrected. ‘Dad’s place is getting too big for her, and I’ve had renovations done downstairs.’

  ‘The basement?’

  ‘It’s stunning. It’s got its own entrance and garden—I don’t do things by halves...’

  No, he didn’t.

  ‘But not yet,’ he said, ‘hopefully not for ages...’ Because they all still need Jobe to be here.

  ‘Abe, once I’ve finished work we can—’

  ‘You’re not working for my brother any more.’ He glanced over. ‘Absolutely not.’ And, yes, he was being a snob, but what the hell? ‘The only babies you’re getting up for from now on are ours.’

  ‘I can’t just leave them in the lurch.’

  ‘Oh, please,’ he dismissed. ‘They can get a proper nanny if they need one, and you can get on with being Ava’s aunt.’

  ‘We’re here,’ he added, before she could argue.

  Only how could she possibly argue with that?

  He was talking babies already and she had gone from having no one to being a fiancée and soon-to-be aunt...

  There wasn’t time to dwell on it, though, as they were at the hospital and the press were waiting.

  Of course they were, they’d been taking photos on the day his mother had died, so why not now?

  Only they weren’t just here for Jobe.

  They got their shot of Abe Devereux in black jeans and jumper and the mystery woman in a velvet dress and his jacket from last night.

  The same woman he’d been chasing with a shoe he’d retrieved, and who was now wearing a sparkly ring!

  ‘Merry Christmas, Abe,’ they called. ‘And to the mystery lady...’

  Abe made no comment, but then relented. ‘Merry Christmas,’ he said.

  But then the true spirit of Christmas shone, for the cameras went down and their next words were heartfelt. ‘Give our very best to Jobe.’

  Abe nodded. ‘Thanks.’

  They walked along the hallway and came to a stony-faced Ethan, who was clearly looking out for them. He was holding tiny Ava, who was wearing a little elf suit and was thankfully sound asleep in her father’s arms. ‘Where the hell have you two—?’ Ethan snarled, and then stopped himself asking the obvious because, still in last night’s dress and with slightly tangled hair, it was seemingly clear.

  ‘Go and say hi,’ Abe suggested to Naomi, who was thankful to duck into Jobe’s room.

  ‘You’ll take perfect care of her?’ Ethan sneered, as cries of ‘Happy Christmas’ started up in his father’s room. ‘The one time I ask you...’ And then his voice halted again because there weren’t just Christmas greetings being exchanged, there was a cry of delight from Merida, and he heard Jobe actually bark out a cheer.

  ‘Absolutely, I shall be taking perfect care of her,’ Abe said to his younger brother. ‘Naomi has agreed to become my wife.’

  ‘You and Naomi?’ Ethan was sideswiped, sure he’d heard wrongly, but Abe nodded. ‘When did this happen—last night?’

  ‘No, it started on the day this little angel was born,’ Abe said, stroking Ava’s cheek, and then he looked at his brother. ‘Would you mind if I borrowed your nanny on New Year’s Eve?’ Abe checked. Not only was it the hardest night of the year to find a babysitter, there was more bad news to come. ‘Oh, and I shan’t be returning her.’

  * * *

  It was a true family Christmas.

  Naomi’s first.

  And a true family Christmas meant happy bits, amazing bits and more sadness than you dared to show, because grief and its journey was the price of love.

  But a life well lived garnered wisdom, and there was plenty still to be shared.

  Between the celebrations, congratulations and festivities was a man they all loved, who watched quietly as they chatted about the upcoming nuptials that were now scheduled for New Year’s Eve.

  Or rather he watched Naomi.

  She didn’t want a church, and she didn’t want anyone other than her and Abe present, even when he suggested they get married here at the hospital.

  Ethan would be best man, Ava a flower baby, Merida the matron of honour...

  But no.

  ‘We’ll get married quietly.’ Naomi shook her head as she smiled. ‘Just us, and then we can have a drink back here.’

  And that suited some. It worked for Ethan but...

  ‘Can I speak to Naomi?’ Jobe said. ‘Alone.’

  ‘Are you kicking us out?’ Abe checked.

  He was.

  ‘Why no fuss?’ he asked when everyone was gone. ‘Is it because of me?’

  ‘I don’t need a big wedding.’ Tears were pooling in her eyes and she did not want to spoil the happiest day of her life, but he had such wise eyes and they had clicked on that very first day, so she told him the truth. ‘Jobe, there’s no one to give me away.’

  ‘Could I?’ Jobe asked, and he looked at the kindest, sweetest woman who had come into their lives and changed them all. ‘Because nothing would make me prouder.’

  * * *

  It wasn’t such a tiny wedding.

  There were an awful lot of nurses and doctors all helping them to achieve this day and there was Bernard in a suit and Barb in a hat and even a sheikh prince, but today he wore a suit.

  And as for the bride, she wore white, because she deserved to.

  ‘It’s a myth that people with pale skin can’t wear white,’ Felicia had told her. She had been forgiven for losing Naomi at the ball.

  Just as Abe had moaned about the many shades of black, Naomi had, with Felicia’s help, pored over whites and found the perfect one. A snow white that was as pure as the love that had saved them, in the softest silk faille.

  The dress hugged her curves and silhouetted her fuller figure, and a Bardot neckline revealed her cre
amy décolletage to perfection.

  She wore her dark hair down and it fell in shiny coils, with only minimal make-up. There was no point in wearing more as she knew she’d cry.

  Merida looked gorgeous in a lavender dress and she had taken care of the flowers herself. Purple lilacs for first love, lavender roses for love at first sight, and white heather for protection. ‘It also means wishes that come true,’ Merida said.

  ‘They’re beautiful,’ Naomi said, taking her wedding bouquet with shaking hands.

  And less than a month after she’d met Abe Devereux, Naomi took the walk to become his wife.

  The walk through the hospital was happy one, with smiles and encouragement every step of the way as doctors, patients and relatives alike first stood back to let them pass, and then followed the entourage to steal a peek of this most unexpected wedding.

  The music came from a speaker, but was beautiful to all ears as Naomi walked into Jobe’s room and saw Abe, standing by his father’s bed, smiling for her, encouraging her, as he always would.

  He wore a charcoal-grey suit, as did Ethan.

  Two brothers, who had both known privilege and hell, smiled when the bride arrived, but when he saw she was struggling Abe came over and held out his hand for her to take so he could walk his bride down their makeshift aisle.

  It was then Naomi started to cry because, twenty-five years later than most, Naomi found herself loved.

  And, thirty-four years later than most, Abe let himself be loved.

  They kissed before the service.

  This backward love they’d found, which was both instant and savoured and would be confirmed at a time of their choosing.

  When her nerves had calmed somewhat, he released her from his embrace and walked her to the bedside, and Naomi found another hand waiting to hold hers.

  Jobe.

  He was in bed but wearing a silk dressing gown, and pinned to it was a lilac rose. He looked so happy and proud and gave her hand a squeeze.

  ‘You look wonderful,’ he told her.

  ‘Thank you,’ Naomi said, and squeezed his frail hand back.

  ‘Today,’ the officiant said, ‘we celebrate the union of Abe and Naomi...’ And then she smiled. ‘I have to ask if anyone has an objection.’

  There were none.

  ‘Who gives this woman to be wedded to this man?’

  ‘I do,’ Jobe said in a strong, clear voice that told how much this day meant to him. He gave one more squeeze of her hand, and then let her go to his son and closed his eyes and savoured their vows.

  ‘I will love and protect you,’ Abe said, and he meant it with every beat of his heart.

  He pushed the ring onto her finger and there could be nothing more valuable to Naomi than that simple band of gold, for she belonged to another at last and in the nicest of ways.

  ‘You may now kiss your bride.’

  He cupped her cheeks with his palms and he looked deep into her eyes, and he would not be rushed, for they had waited for this moment, neither having really expected it to arrive.

  Bergamot, wood sage, juniper...and another scent she could not decipher yet it would always and for ever be his.

  He kissed her lips and it was hard and just thorough enough that she could feel its hum on her lips as she sipped champagne.

  And they did not dance and make a fuss because today Jobe was tired, and that was okay, he had given enough...

  Naomi to Abe.

  ‘Welcome to the family,’ he said as she kissed him goodbye.

  And as the stand-in father of the bride he had words for Abe. ‘Take care of her.’

  ‘Always.’

  * * *

  Cars tooted as they drove past Central Park and love was in the cold air as they approached the hotel.

  Abe led her up the very steps that a few nights ago she had run down, crying.

  ‘Mr and Mrs Devereux...’ The door was held open and his grip was tight on her hand as they stepped inside.

  The foyer was as beautiful as she remembered. More so, for all the roses on the tree had opened and their fragrance was splendid, only this time she didn’t linger.

  His hand was in the small of her back and she was terribly conscious of it in the most pleasant of ways.

  And he remained the perfect gentleman as the elevator carried them to the top floor.

  They stepped into the suite and gold drapes were drawn and the lights were dim and they were finally together, alone.

  She was both nervous and shy enough to blush at his seductive gaze but she tried to be bold and reached for him.

  ‘I’ve got this,’ Abe said.

  He kissed her then, but not her mouth. He kissed the eyes that had met him at the door on a night when he’d run out of places to hide.

  He kissed plump cheeks that blushed so readily and moved to the shell of an ear that had chosen to listen.

  Then he kissed slowly down a neck that enticed and he felt the little tremble she gave when her nerves left and the passion they made arrived.

  She was shaking, not visibly, but she tremored inside to his skilful caress, and when he slid down her dress and he stood for a moment, just drinking the sight of her in, she knew why she loved him, for with Abe she never had to try and make herself small.

  Not physically, they were way past that.

  He adored her before he saw her, she knew that.

  And she adored all she had not seen too.

  ‘I love this,’ Naomi said, running her fingers over his flat stomach. His chest she had kissed, and then her hand moved lower.

  ‘Gently,’ he warned, when she cupped him too tightly, but they had fun working that out and then he took her to near heaven with his mouth.

  ‘Abe...’ she was pleading, but in a way she never had before. He had teased and cajoled with soft, slow sucks and a probing tongue that made deliciously sure she was ready for him.

  He moved up her then, kissed her so deeply and weighted her to the bed.

  The first nudge of him had her brave, and the second had her unsure.

  Her nails dug into his shoulders and Naomi didn’t feel so brave now, but this was the first and last time he would willingly hurt her. He could hold back no more and tore in and made her his.

  She felt every searing inch and there was no space even to draw breath and scream, as for a second it felt as if the lights went out.

  Yet darkness never lasted.

  With each slow thrust pain peaked, yet her body welcomed him and he drove in until any discomfort dispersed, building toward an intimacy neither had ever known as she released his shoulders and there was no holding back.

  They moved beyond pain, and he thrust in deep, and when he felt her tense beneath him, and the grip and throb of her intimate flesh, only then did he give in.

  * * *

  Abe climbed out of bed and she watched as he moved the champagne bucket by their bed, opened the bottle and poured them both a drink.

  ‘Are you going to kick me out again?’ he asked, remembering the last bottle of champagne they’d shared in her room.

  ‘Not this time.’ Naomi smiled.

  He removed the silver cloche and there was a feast of delicacies to sate both appetites, but before coming back to bed he pulled back the drapes.

  ‘There’re lights,’ Naomi murmured, still high from their lovemaking, but then she realised there must be a party going on in the park.

  ‘It’s New Year’s Eve,’ Abe reminded her.

  ‘So it is.’ Naomi smiled, choosing from the delicacies to eat. But then came the very inappropriate buzz of his phone.

  ‘You are not checking your phone on our wedding night,’ Naomi warned.

  Not that he listened.

  Abe had planned this night down to the last detail.

  ‘It’s for us,’
he told her.

  ‘Us?’

  Naomi still wasn’t used to hearing that, and frowned when she took his phone.

  And he watched as that frown was replaced with a smile.

  ‘It’s from Merida and Ethan. Happy New Year, Mr and Mrs Devereux, from your brother-in-law, sister-in-law and your still awake niece.’

  And he watched as tears filled in her eyes as another pinged in.

  Happy New Year. Dad.

  This was family.

  There were fireworks lighting up a New York sky and she was in bed with her husband, the person she most loved, but there were others out there, loving them too.

  ‘Happy New Year,’ Abe said, and he kissed her tears and he kissed her eyes and he held her close enough to hear his heart.

  It truly was.

  * * * * *

  If you enjoyed The Billionaire’s Christmas Cinderella you’re sure to enjoy these other Carol Marinelli stories!

  Sicilian’s Baby of Shame

  Captive for the Sheikh’s Pleasure

  Claiming His Hidden Heir

  The Innocent’s Shock Pregnancy

  Available now!

  Keep reading for an excerpt from Pregnant by the Desert King by Susan Stephens.

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