What to Read After FSOG: The Gemstone Collection (WTRAFSOG Book 8)

by Sabrina York

  Her eyes glistened with tears. She cleared her throat and tried to steer the conversation away from topics guaranteed to make her cry. She didn’t want to have to completely redo her makeup. “What happened after you dropped out?”

  He looked at his watch. “I worked a series of crappy jobs for a few years, until Father got sick. Brendan was too young to take over, so he brought me into the company.” Dom’s lips twitched. “The old bastard that he was, it was the lowest position. I started out drilling rivets into steel beams on the skyscrapers the company erected.”

  “Then—”

  He kissed her nose again. “I’m afraid that’s all the history lesson we have time for. There isn’t much of interest beyond that anyway.”

  She quirked a brow at him. “I doubt that.”

  Dom gave her an innocent smile. “I’m an open book and hardly worth the read.”

  They went downstairs a little after eight to find several people milling about. Caris clutched Dom’s arm as she eyed a sea of new faces. She grimaced when she saw the avid expressions of some of the guests. A few immediately formed huddles, and a small buzz of conversation swept around the room.

  “Straighten your spine and walk proudly,” Dom said from the corner of his mouth, around a wide smile. “Only a few people here matter at all. The rest can think what they like.”

  She tried to mimic his way of speaking, but bit her tongue. “Ouch,” she hissed. She turned her head in his direction. “I’m trying to be brave.”

  Dom took her hand and squeezed it. Then he lifted it to his mouth and kissed her palm as they stepped off the last step. Celine and Jim gravitated toward them, as did a few others, who eagerly pushed forward.

  She kept her chin up and breathing level as she greeted Jim. After a brief air kiss for Celine, she turned to eye the crowd. Most had lost interest, but a few eyes still bored into her. She tried to meet each stare with forthright determination, but was relieved when Dom pulled her to the small bar set up in one corner of the large room.

  After fortifying themselves with gin and tonics, Dom led her around the room to meet various people. Most were friendly, if overtly curious, and few said anything other than giving congratulations as news of the engagement spread.

  Two hours passed, and Caris found herself wishing Elena had organized this party too. Last night had been filled with fun and laughter, unlike this boring meeting of executives from both Jim and Celine’s worlds. She stifled a yawn behind her hand.

  “Bored?” Dom bent his head to whisper the question in her ear.

  She nodded and flipped over his wrist to see his watch. “When can we leave?”

  “Ten-thirty,” he said.

  She sagged with relief. “Just thirty minutes more.”

  Dom laughed and pulled her against his side. He kissed her on the cheek and the lips. “Sorry it’s not much fun for you. I didn’t realize it would be so dull either. Celine told me Jim’s trying to hook a new client and decided to mix business with socializing. Unfortunately, none of the people they work with have anything in common.”

  They both looked up as a man and his wife approached. Caris heard Dom groan quietly. She forced a smile, disconcerted to see the man eyeing her so intently.

  “McNeil.” He inclined his head. “You remember my wife, Doreen?”

  “Mrs. Heally,” Dom said, taking the hand she extended and shaking it quickly. He used the arm he had around Caris’s waist to bring her forward. “This is my fiancée, Caris Reese. Caris, this is Mr. and Mrs. Heally.”

  She smiled at them and could feel her lips trembling. “How are you?”

  Mr. Heally’s brows shot up. “How many fiancées do you have, McNeil?”

  Caris gasped at the question. Her face instantly felt like it was on fire, and she pressed a hand to her hot cheek.

  Dom straightened his spine. “Excuse me, Mr. Heally?”

  “We saw your fiancée at a Christmas party just two nights ago in Los Angeles. She was with her manager. She explained away your absence as family obligations.”

  “Lisa,” Caris mouthed, trading looks with Dom.

  “Lisa and I were never engaged,” Dom said bluntly. “In fact, we broke up the night she made the announcement. My apologies if you were misled because of her machinations, but Caris is the woman I plan to marry.”

  Mr. Heally frowned. “I see. Why would Miss Bonham do such a thing?”

  Dom shrugged. “Some assignment with your company. She wanted to project the image of a family woman.”

  The older man flinched. “Doreen, our idiot son’s been talking again,” he said over his shoulder to his wife, before refocusing on Dom. “That was supposed to be confidential.”

  “It’s not my problem either way.” Dom took Caris’s hand. “Now, if you’ll excuse us, we haven’t danced together yet.” They turned away and headed to the small area where other couples swayed to soft music.

  “Wait a minute, Mr. McNeil.”

  Caris felt him stiffen before they turned back to Mr. and Mrs. Heally. She forced a smile back on her face. It slipped when the other man handed her a business card. Aushon, Clothier. A handwritten number was in the corner. “What is this?” she asked.

  “We like your look, Miss Reese. We would like to offer you the position of spokesperson for our clothing.”

  Her mouth dropped open. “Me? I’m not a model.”

  Mr. Heally shrugged. “There’s not much to it.”

  “Really, I—” She held out the card to return it.

  Dom took it from her and slipped the card in his pocket. “She’ll get back to you.”

  Mr. Heally looked impatient, but Mrs. Heally nodded. “Of course. With the holidays and a baby, business is the last thing you want to think of.”

  “Happy Holidays,” Caris said numbly, before following Dom from the room. “Dancing—”

  “Do you really feel like it? I’d rather get a head start on traffic so we can get home at a reasonable time.”

  She shrugged and followed him upstairs to change clothes and retrieve their cases. When they came back downstairs, Jim and Celine stood on the fringe of the crowd. They walked forward when they spotted Dom and Caris. After hugs and holiday wishes, Jim said, “Heally agreed to sign with my company.” He kissed Caris on the cheek. “I don’t know what you did, but thank you.”

  She shook her head. “I didn’t do anything.”

  “Don’t be so modest. He dodged my attempts at discussing business all night. After meeting you, he was ready to sign. Then he set me to the task of persuading you to take the job.” Jim looked confused. “What job?”

  “Nothing,” Caris said quickly, before Dom could explain. “I’m not interested, but it is flattering.” She turned to look at Celine. “Thank you for a lovely time.”

  Celine’s mouth twisted. “A nap would have been more exciting. It appears my business acquaintances and Jim’s don’t mesh.” She shrugged. “We’ll see you Tuesday. That’s guaranteed to be more exciting.”

  She forced a smile as her stomach churned with the reminder of the wedding. “Let’s hope not too exciting.” She was looking forward to marrying Dom, but part of her believed Brendan would never let it happen. It wouldn’t surprise her if he turned up at the ceremony, bent on causing trouble.

  They had traveled for more than an hour when Caris remembered Aushon Heally’s job offer. “Why did you take Mr. Heally’s card, Dom? I’m not interested in modeling.”

  Dom’s grin bordered on wicked. “Mr. Heally is a powerful man, darling. I have a feeling he’ll deal more effectively with Lisa than either one of us could. It doesn’t hurt to let him think you’re considering his offer so he doesn’t lose interest in spreading the truth about her.”

  She bit back a giggle and tried to look horrified. “That’s a terrible thing to do.”

  He lifted a brow. “Do you mind?”

  “Not at all.” It was no more than the manipulative bitch deserved. Not even a twinge of conscience accompanied the though
t.

  When they got home, Dom paid Lindsay double the rate of the night before for working Christmas Eve before he drove her home. Caris looked in on Jessica, who slept deeply, with her mouth curved into an O. Soft sighs escaped the baby, and her hands twitched. “I wonder what you’re dreaming about?” she asked softly, while tucking the blanket around her daughter. She hoped Jessica had no memory of the traumas she had already been through in her young life.

  Caris went into the nanny room and changed into pajamas before going back into the nursery. She propped open the door and turned on the intercom as she left to make her way to Dom’s room.

  Caris slipped under the bed covers, having every intention of waiting up for him. The night’s events brought her lids down several times, and she found fighting off sleep to be an impossible task. She curled into a ball and laid her head on his pillow. Before he arrived home, she had fallen asleep.

  He stepped into the room and smiled at the sight she presented. Dom’s heart rate accelerated when he thought about Tuesday. Once they were married, she would share his bed every night and stand beside him every day. He shed his clothes and slid into the bed beside her, careful not to disturb her. After clicking off the lamp, he pulled Caris into his arms and kissed her lightly on the mouth. Within minutes, he too was in a heavy sleep. He continued to hold her throughout the night, drawing her close even in his sleep.

  Elena woke them early the next morning. She seemed disapproving of their sleeping arrangements, but didn’t say anything. She held a bright-eyed Jessica propped on her hip. “This girl wants her sleepyhead parents to wake up. It’s Christmas.”

  Caris stretched and sat up, laughing when she saw the sparkle in the older woman’s eyes. “Jessica isn’t the only one who is excited.”

  “It’s been a while since we had a baby around for Christmas,” Elena said with a hint of defensiveness. “I’m anxious to see her reaction to the mountain of gifts.” Her mouth twisted. “Although, if she’s like Dom was at this age, she’ll like the boxes better.”

  They trooped downstairs to the tree overflowing with gifts. Elena handed Jessica to Caris. “I’ll get the hot tea and scones ready.”

  Caris frowned when she noticed how stiffly Elena moved, and how she leaned so heavily on her cane. “I’ll do it. You just relax.” She stood up and passed Jessica to Dom. “Stay with Daddy,” she said in a singsong voice, and then froze. She looked at Dom, who appeared stunned. Elena’s mouth was open too. “I’m sorry. Would you rather not be called Daddy?” She couldn’t disguise the hurt in her voice.

  He cleared his throat. “Uh, no. I was just…overwhelmed.” He cuddled Jessica closer. “It was the first time, you know.”

  A smile curved across her face. “Not the last,” she said softly.

  “No.” Dom pulled her down for a quick kiss. “Now, bring refreshments, Mommy. We can’t wait to tear through the packages.”

  Caris turned and frowned when she saw tears in Elena’s eyes. There was an aura of uncertainty about the older woman. She racked her brain for an explanation as she made her way into the kitchen to heat the kettle. While stacking scones on the tray, she realized why Elena looked that way. She didn’t know what her place would be in Dom’s new family. She groaned when she realized his mother was probably worrying if she would have to move out, or if Caris considered her a burden.

  Caris had just finished mixing Jessica’s bottle when the kettle whistled. She took the kettle from the stove and filled the bone china teapot on the salver. Then she lifted the tray and carried it back into the living room. She poured Elena’s cup first. “Here you are, Grandma.” She passed it along, nervously awaiting Elena’s reaction to the title.

  A tear slipped down Elena’s cheek, and she dabbed at it with a holly-stenciled napkin from the tray. “Thank you,” she said.

  Caris knew she was saying thank you for much more than the tea. She squeezed the older woman’s arm lightly, and they traded a long look before she turned her attention back to the tray. She handed Jessica’s bottle to Dom before she placed a cup of tea and a scone beside him on the small end table. She settled beside him, and they drank their tea in the glow of the Christmas tree lights, taking a moment to appreciate what they had before ripping through the packages.

  As Elena had predicted before Jessica ever opened the first package—with lots of help—she liked the boxes better. She tended to ignore her presents in favor of the boxes that still had wrapping paper clinging to them. The only gift she paid much attention to was a singing ladybug from Santa.

  After they had cleaned up the scattered wrapping paper and boxes, Caris watched Jessica try to manipulate the button on one of the ladybug’s feet to get it to sing again. She smiled at Dom and Elena. “You chose a winner with that one.”

  “Yeah, Mom. She loves it.”

  Elena frowned. “I didn’t pick that out. I thought you or Caris had.”

  Caris shared a look with Dom. “It wasn’t me. I would have thought it was too old for her, too complicated.” She lifted a brow as Jessica successfully restarted the music.

  Dom shrugged. “I didn’t buy it either. Maybe it got in someone’s cart by accident.”

  “You don’t suppose…” Elena trailed off, shaking her head. “No, it couldn’t be.”

  “Not Santa?” Caris suggested with a grin.

  “No. I thought maybe Brendan left it for her.” She sighed. “It doesn’t seem like the sort of thing he would do though, does it?”

  Dom shrugged. “Not really, but who knows? Either way, she loves it, and that’s all that matters.”

  Caris forced a smile, but her stomach twisted into knots. If Brendan was the benefactor of the gift, what did it mean? A spur-of-the-moment act of kindness toward his child, or something more sinister? What could be sinister about a child’s toy? She sighed and tried to push the thoughts away. As Dom had said, it didn’t matter who gave her the toy as long as Jessica liked it. Still, she couldn’t help hoping a jolly fat man in a red suit had clambered down the chimney to leave the toy. That far-fetched thought was preferable to any dark intentions Brendan might have.

  Later that morning, the mystery of the toy was solved. Jim called to wish the family a Merry Christmas.

  A few minutes into the conversation, Caris looked up from her position on the floor beside Jessica when she heard Dom ask, “The ladybug?”

  A smile creased his face a minute later. “Tell Sara she has great taste. It’s practically the only toy she’s paid attention to.”

  Relief swept through Caris when she realized Brendan hadn’t given Jessica the toy. She didn’t have to worry about figuring out his motives, or worry about his intentions. Not that she had ever really believed Brendan had bought the toy. That act of kindness would have been too out of character for him.

  The rest of the day passed in a blur of cooking and eating. They went to an evening service at a non-denominational church in Corvallis before stopping for warm apple pie at a diner in town. Jessica, in the green velvet dress Elena had picked for her, was the center of attention.

  They returned home and passed the evening in a game of cards, with carols playing on the stereo. By ten o’clock, everyone was worn out, and they went up to bed.

  Caris waited until eleven to slip in beside Dom. He made love to her slowly. Afterward, they lay together in a comfortable silence. She fell asleep with a smile on her face, remembering the events of her first real Christmas.

  Monday morning, Elena woke Caris at six A.M. “We have to hit the shops.”

  Caris groaned and nestled closer to Dom, who had turned over and buried his face in the pillow when his mother knocked on the door, and then opened it, turning on the light. “I can live without the bargains.”

  “Your wedding dress,” Elena prompted.

  Her heavy lids snapped open, and Caris sat up with a yawn. “Give me a few minutes to shower and dress.”

  Elena nodded with satisfaction. “Don’t forget you’re minding the baby, Dom.”
r />   He muttered something unintelligible, soon followed by a snore.

  She shook her head. “I suppose he’ll remember if she starts crying.”

  Caris stifled another yawn and got out of bed. “It’s not like one can ignore Jessica’s cries.”

  Elena nodded. “Thank goodness she finally got used to me.”

  Caris left Dom’s room and showered in the nanny’s bathroom. She knew it made more sense to move her things to his room now, but she didn’t want to flaunt their sleeping arrangements. She knew Elena didn’t like them sharing a bed before the wedding, and while she wasn’t prepared to give up the comfort of Dom’s arms to make Elena feel better, she didn’t want to seem to be disregarding her views entirely.

  A few minutes later, she met Elena downstairs. She wore comfortable slacks and a loose fleece top since she would be undressing to try on several gowns. “Baby’s still asleep,” she said around yet another yawn. “Maybe she’s taking pity on her daddy and letting him sleep in.”

  “Late night?” Elena asked dryly, handing her a banana. “Do you mind driving?”

  Caris shook her head. “I don’t have a license. I’m sorry, Elena.”

  Elena shrugged on her coat. “That’s okay, dear. We’ll just go a little slower since I’m stiff today.”

  She followed the older woman through the house to the garage and slid into the passenger side of the Prius. Elena got behind the wheel and opened the door.

  “I can drive,” she said to Elena once the other woman was belted in and backing out of the garage. “I took the class in high school, but the family I lived with wouldn’t spring for the money for the license. When I was on my own, I never had enough money for a car, so there was no reason to get a license.” She grimaced, remembering the sports car Brendan bought for her as incentive to learn. She had never driven it. Even early in their relationship—before he showed his violent side—accepting the car had seemed too expensive emotionally.