by Devney Perry
After twenty minutes of waiting, Cleo had had enough time to get out of the shower and put some clothes on, so I took my muffin wrapper to the trash, nodded a silent thanks to the barista and set out into the Arctic.
My teeth chattered as I made my way to the hotel. My goose bumps had goose bumps. Why hadn’t I brought a damn coat? Right. Because the plan had been to get in and get out.
The hotel lobby was quiet as I walked for the staircase, hoping four flights would warm me up. When I reached the room and slid my key card into the door, Cleo’s scent hit me once more and sent a rush of blood to my groin.
I was tempted to plug my nose. Instead, I opted to breathe through my mouth.
The door to the bathroom flew open and Cleo emerged, her hair wet and twisted in a knot. Her face was bare and flushed from the shower, but at least she was dressed. Her designer distressed jeans fit like a second skin and her black tank top left none of her curves to my imagination.
Fuck, she looked beautiful. Stunning, really. There wasn’t a Hollywood starlet who could rival Cleo’s beauty. My heart skipped and my throat went dry.
I dropped my eyes to the floor. “We missed the morning flight, but there’s another at three.”
We’d get to California late, but at least we’d be home and we could go our separate ways. This was the most time I’d spent with Cleo lately and it was too much. She was too perfect. Too irresistible. I didn’t trust myself not to lose the stern and rude disguise.
And without those acting as a barrier to my true emotions, she would see right through me.
That was not a conversation I wanted to have on Christmas.
“Do you need help with your suitcase?” I asked.
“Oh, I’m not going.”
“What?” My face whipped up as she disappeared into the bathroom. I followed. “Say that again.”
“I’m not going,” she told me through the mirror as she untied her hair and picked up a paddle brush, dragging it carefully through her long locks. “I booked this vacation. I’m taking it.”
“Goddamn, you are difficult.”
“Difficult?” Her brushstrokes moved faster. “How am I difficult? I don’t want to leave. I don’t have to leave.”
“Yes, you do.”
“I’ll call my father and explain. If you’re worried about your job, don’t be.”
“If I don’t bring you home, you and I both know Ray will fire me before the new year.”
“No, he won’t. I’ll make sure he understands this was my decision and that if he fires you, I’ll never speak to him again.”
I believed her.
She’d fight for my job. She’d go head-to-head against her father.
Even though she hated me.
Because Cleo Hillcrest was the finest person I’d ever met. It would be unfair of Ray to fire me, and she knew it. She fought for what was right. Cleo had a pure heart and a kind soul. She put others before herself, which was why this jaunt to Montana was so strange. She might hate the Hillcrest Christmas fiasco, but for years I’d watched her endure it because her father had asked her to.
I didn’t blame her for needing an escape, but I wouldn’t risk her safety for it.
“I can’t leave you here,” I said. I couldn’t leave her, period.
Maybe the real reason I didn’t want to cleave my relationship with Ray was because that meant I’d lose my connection to Cleo. Even on the days when she was assigned to someone else, I had that tether. Cutting it was probably for the best. My sanity was on the brink as it was. But I couldn’t leave her.
Cleo set her brush down, turning to me with a sigh. “I’m going to relax and enjoy this room. I’m going to wander around town and eat too much. Then I’ll come home after Christmas and get back to work. I’m fine alone.”
She stepped closer and the room shrank. My heart raced as she looked up at me with those bright hazel eyes and in that moment, I would have promised her the world for just one kiss of those soft lips.
“Go home, Austin. Please. Go home.”
The plea in her voice did me in. This was one of the few times I’d witnessed Cleo say to hell with what everyone else wanted and go her own way. She wanted this vacation and I wouldn’t be the man who stole it from her.
“Okay.”
“Okay?”
I nodded. “Okay.”
A smile tugged at her mouth. “Thank you.”
I swallowed hard, unable to tear my eyes away. Her lips were soft and pink. The bottom was fuller than the top, but not by much. Just enough for a sexy, natural pout. What would happen if I kissed her? What would happen if I gave in to the temptation?
Cleo would knee me in the balls.
I’d lose my contract with Ray, and he’d destroy my reputation.
My employees would be jobless and I’d ruin my company.
Kissing her . . . it would be almost worth it.
“Austin,” she whispered, forcing my eyes to hers.
Cleo’s head cocked to the side. Her eyebrows came together.
And I took a step away.
“I’ll let your father know we’re staying.”
She nodded as I took another step back, but before I could leave the bathroom, her hand shot out and wrapped around my elbow. “Wait. What do you mean ‘we’?”
Chapter 6
Cleo
“What about this one?”
“I don’t care,” Austin muttered.
I frowned and went to the next style on the rack of men’s coats. “This one?”
“I don’t care.”
That was the sixth I don’t care since we’d arrived at Quincy Farm and Feed. “You have to buy a coat.”
“Why?” He crossed his arms over his chest.
“Your lips are blue.” My eyes dropped to his mouth. The purple tinge wasn’t as attractive as their normal pink color, but I wanted to kiss them regardless. Just once. Since that wasn’t going to happen, I focused on the task at hand and took a hunter-green coat off its hanger. “Here.”
He took it from my hands and draped it over his arm.
“Put it on.” It was an extra-large so I was sure it would fit.
“Don’t you think we should buy it first? Unless you have more shopping to do.”
“No.” This was a nice enough store, but I wasn’t in the market for farm supplies and bulk pet food. The only reason we’d come here was because we’d learned at the hotel that this was the only store in town open on Christmas Eve that carried men’s coats.
Austin had argued that if we stayed indoors, the coat was unnecessary. Maybe he was fine sitting on the bed, working on his laptop while I watched TV, but I was most definitely not. Close proximity to Austin was not an option.
Either he’d do something to piss me off and I’d be forced to smother that handsome face in a down pillow. Or he’d give me one of those rare gifts, a small smile or a gentle look, like the one he’d given me in the bathroom when he’d relented to this vacation.
Those precious moments, though very few and very far between, were like pouring gasoline on my crush’s fire.
I lived for those moments. If the two of us were trapped in a hotel room, I might forget myself and do something epically humiliating and stupid. Like lick the stubble on his face as if it were cream cheese frosting.
Yummy.
Smothering and licking were not options, so instead, I’d dragged Austin out of the hotel. My agenda for the holiday had been completely upended. Though I did like to wander.
“Okay, let’s go.” I led the way to the checkout counter. “I’ll pay for it.”
Austin scowled and stepped close, forcing me away from the credit card reader with that beefy physique. He dug his wallet from his jeans, bought the coat and ripped the tags free, shrugging it on before walking to the door.
“Anywhere you want to go?” I asked, looking up and down the sidewalk.
“California.”
“No one’s stopping you,” I singsonged with a saccharine smil
e. Before we’d ventured out of the room, I’d spent a solid twenty minutes attempting to convince him to go home without me. The stubborn ass had refused.
Austin gave me a look that said he wasn’t having that debate again.
“Fine,” I muttered. “If you’re going to stay here with me, is there anything you’d like to see?”
“No.”
“Are you sure?”
Austin stared at me, his mouth clamped shut. He did this a lot. I’d repeat a question, double-checking because double-checking was polite, thank you very much. But he’d just stand there, silently reminding me that he’d already given his answer and it wasn’t going to change.
I threw my hands in the air and spun around. “Then I’ll decide.”
Austin fell in step beside me, still quiet. He stayed on his side of the sidewalk, far enough away that there was no risk of touching but close enough he could shove me out of the way if I was in danger.
The stubble on his jaw caught the morning sunlight. The air was dry and cold, giving his cheeks a pink flush. It was a bright and cheerful day, despite the freezing temperature. Fresh snow glittered under the cloudless blue sky, turning Quincy into a winter wonderland.
I took in a long breath, blowing it out in a white stream of frozen air. A bell dinged as a woman stepped out of a shop ahead. I slowed and looked inside the front window decked out in Christmas bows and greenery. The scent of apples wafted from the door, mixing with the fresh mountain air.
I veered to the door, knowing Austin would follow. It was a kitchen shop, its back wall lined with a row of glass containers filled with flavored oils and vinegars.
“Good morning,” the clerk greeted, removing a pair of spectacles perched on her nose. “Happy Holidays.”
“Happy Holidays.” I smiled, my eyes wide as I took it all in. This was certainly not the kind of store I’d expected to see in such a small town. Hand-carved cutting boards made an artful spread on a round table in the center of the small space. Along one wall, an array of hooks held different utensils and kitchen embellishments.
I walked to a cutting board, my fingers running across the smooth wood grain. “This is beautiful.”
“Thank you.” The woman came around the cashier’s counter. “Would you like some apple cider?”
“Please.” I nodded, taking the cup from her when she brought it over. Austin—typical—shook his head and declined. I sipped the hot drink, the flavor bursting on my tongue. “This is delicious.”
“My own recipe.” She smiled, tucking a lock of gray hair behind her ear. “Shopping for anything in particular today?”
“Just browsing. We’re from out of town and exploring today.”
“There are quite a few of us open,” she said. “Mostly for the, er, gentlemen around town doing some last-minute gift buying.”
As if she’d conjured one from thin air, the bell on the door dinged and a man came inside with a wave. “Morning, Sandy. I’m in a bit of a rush. I, uh—”
“Haven’t bought anything for your wife yet,” she finished. “Or your mother.”
The man shrugged with a sheepish grin and Sandy went about pulling items from tables, getting his okay with each before ringing him up and fancying up two different gift bags.
I lingered, sipping my cider and choosing three spatulas and one board to take home.
Austin was standing stoically beside the door, his shoulders pinned, when his phone rang. He dug it from his pocket and looked at the screen, his frame relaxing at whatever he saw. I expected him to go outside, but he just put the phone to his ear. “Hi, Mom.”
I tried not to eavesdrop on his quiet conversation as I perused, but it was hard not to catch his every word in a store this size.
“Merry Christmas Eve,” he said. “I know. I’m sorry I’ll miss it too.”
He was missing Christmas with his family because of me. My heart sank. Damn it. I’d been so worried about myself, I hadn’t thought of what this would do to him. Maybe I was as selfish as he’d proclaimed.
“Okay, Mom. Enjoy. I’ll give you a call when I get home.” He paused. “Yeah. Dinner sounds great. Love you.”
I’d stopped shopping when he ended the call and slid his phone into his pocket. I was staring.
Austin’s gaze came to mine, holding it for just a moment before looking away. The cheese grater seemed to pull his focus.
I sighed and went to the register, letting Sandy package my things now that the other man had his gifts and was headed out the door. When she had everything bagged, I thanked her again for the cider.
Austin appeared at my side with a cutting board in his hand.
“That’s nice,” I said.
“Yeah.” He took out his credit card and paid before I waved goodbye and led the way outside.
“Mind if we walk some more?” I asked, already knowing his answer. But I asked anyway. Because despite what he thought of me, I was considerate of his feelings. At least, normally.
“Fine by me.” He shortened his strides and let me set the pace.
“Who did you buy the cutting board for?” I asked as we walked down the block.
“My mom.”
“Why don’t you go home? Give it to her tomorrow.”
“She works tomorrow. We celebrate Christmas Eve together.”
“Austin.” I stopped, shaking my head. “Go home. Please. Be with your family.”
“By the time I get there tonight, she’ll be asleep. She works early.”
“Oh.”
He waited for me to continue walking. He always did that. I wasn’t sure if that was part of the bodyguard handbook or if he was simply being respectful, but I liked that he always had my back.
“What does your mom do?” I asked but didn’t expect an answer. Austin rarely spoke of himself or his personal life.
“She’s a nurse. She likes to work on holidays because they pay her time and a half. And since my brother and I are grown, we don’t care if we celebrate on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day or whenever.”
“Ah.” I nodded. “And your father?”
“He died.”
“I’m sorry.” Way to be nosy, Cleo.
“Don’t be. It was a long time ago when I was young. He was a fireman and was killed in the line of duty.”
“I still shouldn’t pry. I’m—”
“It’s okay, Cleo.”
Cleo. How I loved my name in his voice when he wasn’t angry with me. It was like a deep, resonating note. Musical and sultry.
We passed another open shop and the window display lured me inside. It was a jewelry store that specialized in silver. I found a beautiful cuff with an oval turquoise stone in the center. I bought it for Brynne, then a pair of silver earrings for myself. All the while, Austin stood by the exit, waiting for me to finish.
Traffic on Main Street had picked up by the time we made it to the edge of downtown. The sun had warmed the road and as vehicles passed, their tires slushed through the snow.
“I like Quincy,” I said as we crossed the street, strolling toward the hotel. “It’s charming.”
“Their airport leaves a lot to be desired,” Austin grumbled.
I laughed. “It is very tiny.”
My flight here had required three stops. One from California to Salt Lake, then Salt Lake to Missoula. The last leg to Quincy had been on a propeller plane and I’d gripped my armrest the entire time. Thirty minutes had felt like three hours.
I waved a hand toward The Eloise. “I like that the tallest building downtown is the hotel.”
It stood proud as the focal point on the street, yet it was a pebble compared to the snow-covered mountains in the distance. On the wall that faced our way, a large wreath decorated the brick façade.
Garlands draped over Main Street, glittering in the bright light. Each of the stores we’d passed had a festive window display. Even the offices that were closed seemed full of the holiday spirit.
“This is how Christmas is supposed to be,” I said
. “Festive but peaceful.”
“Agreed.” Austin nodded.
“That might be the first thing we’ve ever agreed on. And this is definitely the longest conversation we’ve ever had.”
“No, it’s not.”
“Yes, it is.”
“What about all the days I was at the bakery getting the security up to snuff?”
“Talking about cameras and exit protocol is not a conversation.” I held up a hand before he could argue. “It’s okay. I know you don’t like me. I just hope that we can get along while we’re here.”
“It’s not that I don’t like you, Cleo.”
“Sure it is.” I shrugged, pretending like the truth didn’t hurt. “But I appreciate your dedication to my father and our family. Especially when that means you have to put up with me.”
“That’s not—” Austin raked a hand through his hair and hesitated. Maybe he wanted to lie, to tell me that I wasn’t a huge pain in his ass. But we both knew it would be a lie, so in predictable Austin form, he simply stayed quiet.
“I think I’m going to head inside.” I pointed to the hotel. Despite my coat and the sunshine, the warmth from my cider had worn off and the cold had seeped into my bones.
“I’m going to head to the gas station down the block. Buy a few toiletries. Are you going to be in the room?”
“Actually, I’m going to hang out in the lobby. Maybe read on my phone by the fire.”
“Please don’t run off. Text me if you change plans.”
“I will,” I promised.
“Then I’ll see you in a bit.” With a nod, he turned and strode down the street.
Austin’s long legs ate up the sidewalk, and with his hands in his coat pockets, his shoulders looked broader than ever.
Don’t look at his ass. I looked. How was I supposed to resist a quick peek? Ogling Austin’s perfectly sculpted behind was my Christmas Eve present to myself.
Luckily, he didn’t notice. He was too busy putting half the town of Quincy between us.
Ugh. This stupid crush. The sad part was, no matter how much he insulted me or how many times I was forced to throw something at his head, I didn’t want the crush to end. I hadn’t met a man worth taking Austin’s place in my fantasies. Even if he was sometimes a jerk and always a grouch, he was still the dream.