“Get it over with already!” she barked.
Gael frowned. “What are you talking about?”
“Don’t give me that. I know you’re just dying to do it.”
“Do what, pray tell?”
“The thing you did last year, in the bathroom … on the plane.”
“Why would I screw her? I have no interest in her,” was his remark.
“Liar, I saw the way you smiled at her.”
Gael resolved within himself not to allow Zoe to rile him. He knew she would do anything to annoy him now that they were no longer together. What he couldn’t figure out was why she ended the relationship without explanation.
From what she told him a few minutes ago, she thought he cheated. How could she think such a thing? They spent most of their free time together at his penthouse. Other times they spent at her apartment when they were not working. The idea that she thought he was seeing someone else confused him.
He wanted to ask her a few questions, get a feel for what was swirling around in her mind, then that darn flight attendant interrupted, and the moment passed.
He was hoping that things would get resolved if he followed her to New York, but she was upset about that too. Had he known what was going on with her, he could have pacified her earlier. Now, he was left with the task of making her see that he had no interest in anyone else. He had a plan, and he hoped that it would work.
A movement beside him made him opened his eyes. Zoe was standing and trying to get out of the seat.
“Excuse me,” she said.
“What’s the matter?” he asked, concerned.
She snickered. “Can’t a girl go to the bathroom without something being wrong?”
“Sure.”
Closing his eyes, he rested back his head. He’d expected her to go and quickly return, but after about eight minutes he decided to check on her. She was exiting the washroom when he walked up.
“What took you so long?” he asked.
Rolling her eyes, she tried to pass him, but his wide shoulders blocked her in the narrow passage. “Let me pass,” she hissed.
“What’s eating you?”
“Nothing,” her voice rose a few decibels. He detected some amount of venom in it.
“Let’s get this over with, now,” he replied, grabbing her wrist and pulling her into the tiny cubicle.
“What are you doing?” she asked as the door snapped shut and he leaned his back against it. “Look, it’s what?” She looked at her tiny wristwatch and noted the time. “It’s 3:22. I’m tired. Let me go.”
He shook his head. “Not until we resolve this.”
“There’s nothing to resolve. You are free to date whomever you please.”
“Stop already, Zoe. You know damn well I haven’t been seeing anyone else,” he snapped.
“Don’t lie to me Gael; I know what I saw,” she replied in a brittle tone.
Her eyes became glossy as though she was fighting back tears. Biting down her bottom lip, she stared at a spot on the floor. His heart wrenched seeing her this way. Was she serious? Did she really think he was cheating on her?
Placing a finger under her chin, he willed her to look at him. “You believe this thing is true, don’t you?”
“Isn’t it? I saw you with my own eyes,” she said, her voice almost a whisper. “I saw you, Gael.”
“What did you see?”
“The girl from accounts …”
“Ruby?” he asked before she finished her sentence.
“I saw you with her at the restaurant on Sutton Drive. You were very cozy together.”
“It’s not what you think,” he replied. “Did you see anything else?”
She connected her hazel eyes with his. “Does it matter?”
“Yes, it matters.”
“Gael, I’m not in the mood for your games.”
“I’m not dating Ruby or anyone else,” he insisted.
She pursed her lips and breathed deeply before replying, “Then tell me what you were doing with her at that restaurant.”
“I can’t tell you that.”
“Then let me out. We have nothing to talk about.”
His disappointment at her mistrust made him withdraw a little. Maybe he should just let her be. He didn’t know what possessed him to follow her across states. But before he could let her go, he needed to get her out of his system.
Without notice, he pulled her into his arms and sealed their lips. She pushed hard against him, and he let her go. Her palm came up and landed hard, stinging his cheek. They stared at each other for minute or so before he closed the gap and crushed his lips to hers.
He found her tongue and wrapped his around it, but her teeth came down hard, making him pull away.
“You son of a bitch!” she spat.
“Okay,” he held up his hand. “I give in. Have it your way.”
As he turned to leave, her voice stopped him. “That’s it. You’re just going to leave like that?”
“You made it clear that we are over. What else do you want from me?” he asked, turning to face her.
“Nothing,” she declared, her tone quiet. “Absolutely nothing.”
Pushing him out of the way, she dragged the door open, and half ran to her seat. He took a few minutes to settle his mind before joining her while accepting the fact that things were over between them.
19. Chapter 18
Zoe remained silent as Gael drove carefully along the icy road that led to his father’s house. When they left California, she was under the impression that she was going to David and Marla alone. His father had informed her that he had turned down their the invitation to spend Christmas. Imagine her dismay when he told her where he was heading and offered her the ride.
She had no other choice but to go with him as it would have been childish to refuse a ride in this weather. As the vehicle rumbled along, she glanced his way a few times. His features were set in a hard line and his mood definitely turned dark.
Hardly had she seen him this way. It made her wonder if perhaps the breakup affected him more than she realized. He didn’t seem to have taken it seriously until the incident on the plane.
The car entered the driveway and came to a halt. “Here we are. I’ll see you back in Santa Cruz to finalize the end of our deal,” he said, keeping his eyes forward.
“Aren’t you coming in?” she asked.
“I don’t think that’s such a good idea.”
Sensing his aloofness, she didn’t pursue it though she thought it silly that he was not staying. Where was he going in the storm? She worried about him. Instead, she unbuckled the seat belt and debarked the vehicle.
The moment she pulled her luggage from the backseat and shut the door, he drove off, not bothering to stay until she was safely inside. When she met Gael, this was the man she’d pictured him to be, but as she got to know him, he was different. This behavior just now was not the man she dated for the past year.
The front door opened and out came David in his Christmas patterned sweater and hat.
“There you are!”
“Hi,” she greeted, being embraced in a bear hug.
“Who was that?” he asked looking after the SUV slowly making its way along the white path on the street.
“Gael,” she replied, her voice strained.
David looked surprised. “What? Why didn’t he come in?”
“Why are you questioning her outside?” Marla came out and hugged her. “It’s cold. “You can ask her all the questions inside where it’s warm.”
All three entered the house, but Zoe’s mind was left in the snow. After removing her boots and coat, she followed David, who was carrying her suitcase, up to the pink room.
For the past year, she’d told herself that what she shared with Gael was just physical attraction. When she broke the relationship, it was hard, but somehow she’d taken it for granted that he wouldn’t care and that gave her the excuse she needed.
Just now, in the vehicle
and thinking of their encounter on the plane, it was different from what she thought. After leaving the restroom and returning to their seat, he’d become silent. When the flight attendant returned, he was cold to her that she hadn’t bothered to stop by their seat for the rest of the flight.
He only spoke to her when the car arrived for them to leave and even then, his voice was devoid of emotion. His face was set, and his eyes hard as nails.
A shadow came over her as a feeling of trepidation presented in the pit of her stomach. The more she thought of him, the worse the feeling became. The roads were treacherous. She worried about his safety driving in his current state of mind and the weather. She would never forgive herself if anything happened to him.
Rushing back down the stairs, she grabbed her coat which hung by the front door. Quickly pulling on her boots, she hoped he hadn’t gone too far.
“Where are you going, my child?”
“I need to borrow a snowmobile,” was her answer to David’s question.
“Yes, but be careful. The roads are dangerous,” he warned.
She nodded. “That’s why I have to go after him!”
“I don’t …” David began, but his speech was cut short as the door opened.
Zoe turned to see Gael covered in snow. He removed his coat and stomped his boots. Relief washed over her, and she stepped toward him with a smile, only to stop short at his hostile stare.
“I’m glad you came back,” she said while he removed his boots.
Ignoring her, he placed the boots in the designated spot by the door and stepped past her.
“What happened? You’re wet!” she heard David inside the living room.
“The car broke down a mile away.”
“How did you get here so fast?”
“I ran,” was his curt reply. “I’m going to change.”
Feeling disheartened at Gael’s antagonistic demeanor, she was still rooted to the spot near the front door. She held herself responsible for his behavior and needed a way to pacify him. It wouldn’t be easy now that he seemed to have decided she was once again the enemy.
“What are you doing still standing there?” David asked. “Are you two having a fight?”
She sighed, removing her coat and boots. “Yes, kind of.”
“Why won’t both of you admit how you feel and get it over with?”
“What do you mean?” she asked, following him into the living room.
“It’s obvious you love each other, what else is there?”
Love? That was the silliest thing she’d ever heard. But the word did bring warmth to her face and chest.
“Pft!” she scoffed. “You are way off,” she added with a hollow laugh.
They’d arrived at Central Avenue at around eight that morning. After leaving and returning due to the failure of the SUV to return him to the airport, he spent most of the morning in his room.
He was angry and felt like he was living the nightmare he tried to avoid for the past two decades. Watching his mother walk out and later seeing his father’s wife walk out left a scar on his heart. He spent all his adult life avoiding committing to a relationship until he met Zoe.
As far as he was concerned, the relationship was going great. That was until she dumped him. At first, he thought she was toying with him, perhaps a new game in their relationship. He never thought for a moment she was actually serious.
What was it about the Matheson men that made their women leave them? Was there some inherent trait from his father swirling around in his blood that made women not want to stay? In any event, he was just waiting until he could get a service to retrieve the vehicle so he could leave.
He eyed the jeans he was wearing which now hung over the closet door. Rising from his position on the bed, he walked over and dug his hand in the pocket, extracting a box with the gift he bought for her. He’d have to return it as soon as he got back to Santa Cruz.
How foolish he was to want to surprise her. He stuck the box in the pocket of the pants he now wore and picked up his cell phone; the service was down. He knew the power was out because the house was now running on the generator he bought his father a few months ago. He left the room close to noon because he needed coffee.
Marla and David were huddled close together on the sofa speaking in soft tones. The wind howled fiercely on the outside, and he knew in that instant that he wasn’t going anywhere.
“Scooch, are you hungry? You haven’t eaten all morning.”
“I’m fine.”
“There’s hot spiced cider if you like,” Marla informed him.
“Coffee,” was his reply.
Marla rose. “I’ll fix it.”
He stopped her. “No need. I can make it myself.”
“Okay,” she said returning to her place beside her husband.
Zoe was not around. Shrugging it off, he noted that it was no longer his concern where she was. He fixed the percolator and waited for it to brew. When ready, he poured a mug and sat at the kitchen table. A few minutes later, his father came in.
“We need to have a talk, son.”
“Dad, please. I’m not in the mood.”
“It’s for your own good, son,” David insisted.
“Dad, don’t mess this up between you and me with your lectures. After so many years, we’re finally getting along. I’d like it to stay that way.”
“You need to fix what’s happening between you two. That girl loves you.”
He jerked himself up from his seat, scraping back the chair and upsetting the table. The coffee mug jolted, splashing a small amount of the tablecloth.
“Enough, Dad,” he barked.
“Don’t raise your voice at me; I’m still your father. Now sit down and listen to what I have to say,” David commanded, facing him squarely. “Sit.”
Gael returned to his seat while his father took the opposing chair. The tension was palpable during the few minutes of silence that ensued.
“I know you are having a hard time dealing with relationships,” David started.
“Dad, I really don’t want to do this right now,” he complained, though his voice had lowered.
“I need you to listen and listen carefully. A woman like Zoe only comes once in a lifetime. Don’t let what happened between your mom and me mess that up.”
“I tried, Dad.” The dull ache in his chest became an open wound.
“What do you mean?”
Shoving his hand in his pocket, he brought out the box and shoved it across the table. “Her Christmas gift. But she broke up with me before I could give it to her.”
David stared wide-eyed at the box and its content and then his face broke into a wide smile. “It’s not too late. Go to her.”
“Dad, it’s over. She doesn’t want to be with me.”
“Did you know what she was about to do before you showed up?” David asked. Gael stared at him with a frown. “She was going to search for you because she was worried that something would happen to you on the perilous roadway.”
That would have been a stupid move, he thought. The idea that she would have risked her own safety to go out into a snowstorm only proved how unthinking she was. Maybe ending the relationship was for the better, he’d have less to worry about.
The coffee was still warm, and he downed it in one gulp. He took the cup to the sink and started toward the door.
“Think about what I said,” his father advised. “Just think before you do anything you may regret later.”
He’d thought about nothing else since three thirty that morning. It was all he could think about. Zoe wasn’t willing to trust him, and he wasn’t sure he was willing to open his heart to have it ripped apart by any woman. He was better alone.
He made his way back up the stairs, and as he reached his bedroom, the one across the passage opened. His heart raced at seeing her, but the wound of their ended relations grew wider.
She glanced at him, and then lowered her eyes. But that brief moment told him a lot. Red, p
uffy, glossy eyes were what he saw, and he knew she’d been crying. She moved in the direction of the stairway, avoiding his eyes. He would have gone into his room; however, the idea that she was in distress jarred him.
Grabbing her arm, he gently pulled her back. “What’s the matter?” he asked.
Shrugging him off, she replied, “As if you care.”
That biting remark stabbed at his already damaged core. He made to turn away, but the deep-seated need to make one last attempt won. This time when he grabbed her wrist, he didn’t quite care that she cried out in pain. The few purposeful strides to his room were done within the space of a couple of seconds. Pulling her inside, he slammed the door shut and turned the lock.
“Let me go,” she cried.
He did loosen his grip but did not let her go. “What is it you want from me?” he asked, his voice thick.
“You’re the one holding me captive,” she retorted.
“Why’d you break up if you were going to be like this?”
With her eyes cast on the floor, she yanked her hand away. “Like what?” she asked, turning her back.
He gripped her hand, pulling her back. Her body collided with his chest, and he held her against his body. She still avoided eye contact. Feeling her breasts crushing into his chest ignited the fire he was trying to quench. His heart pounded heavily as he studied her face.
“Look at me,” he murmured.
She gave her head a vigorous shake. “No.”
“Why won’t you look at me?”
“I can’t!”
There was only one thing left to do, he thought; therefore, he did it and damn the consequences. He cupped her head with one hand while the other encircled her waist. He then kissed her forehead, then one cheek. She struggled to get free. He kissed the other cheek, and she closed her eyes. When he covered her lips with his, she groaned as her struggles lessened.
He plunged his tongue into her mouth, half expecting her to bite him again, she didn’t. The kiss grew ardent, and soon he felt her arms wound around his neck.
The Billionaire X-MAS Wonder: A Billionaire Christmal Novel Page 12