by Marian Tee
And as for India, well – she was young, vapid, and stupid enough to hate it simply because her mother hated it, and so she gave hers back to Santa’s elf as well.
Jonathan stood up as soon as he saw his soon-to-be-ex-wife and her parents coming out of the elevator. He used to be a fairly attractive man, but guilt over his infidelity had taken a toll on his appearance, and he had taken to drinking the moment he found out that India had lied about her pregnancy. Now, he was but a shell of the man he once was, and he didn’t care. He deserved everything that had happened to him for betraying Isla, and now…
Jonathan smiled at the way India’s disapproving gaze raked over his appearance. He knew how he looked: eyes red because of his nightly hangovers, unshaven beard, and crumpled clothing that despite being one size larger was unable to hide his paunch.
“You look horrible, Jon.”
“I make an effort to,” he told her truthfully, “just so people can laugh at you for going behind your sister’s back.”
India turned red. “Bastard!”
But Jonathan had already turned his back on her. “You should see this,” he told Thomas as he handed the older man the local daily.
Isabella saw her husband frown. “What is it?”
“There’s a news article about Isla,” Thomas answered reluctantly. “It says she’s asked the court for a reversal of the adoption.”
His wife let out a screech of outrage. “That bitch!”
Theirs was a small town, and Isabella knew people had already started to talk. She had seen the neighbors’ curtains twitch when they had been evicted out of their own home last night, and now – with this damn news article – people would no longer be able to help themselves. They would start asking her questions, and she would never be able to even defend herself because of that damn man’s threat.
“I honestly don’t see any problem with that,” India inserted in a bored tone. “Isn’t it better she’s no longer a part---”
Isabella’s teeth gnashed. “You really are an idiot, aren’t you?”
India gasped. “Mother!”
“You can’t blame her for taking after you, dear,” Thomas murmured.
It was Isabella’s turn to gasp. “Thomas!”
Jonathan wished he had the time to enjoy the scene unfolding before him, preferably with some popcorn to munch on. Unfortunately, he couldn’t allow it to distract him and so he cleared his throat to get everyone’s attention. “That’s not the only thing, I’m afraid.” He checked his watch and saw it was five minutes past eleven.
Isabella’s gaze narrowed at seeing Jonathan check the time. “Are you expecting someone?”
Anytime now, he thought. Out loud, he said, “You could say that.”
“Are they anyone we know?” Isabella cast a frowning look at their rather empty surroundings as she asked her question. It had just occurred to her that the Santa Catalina Hotel, which was usually where all of the town’s wealthiest locals had breakfast on Christmas, was quite empty. Where was everyone?
She had her answer not a second later when the sound of applause reached them as the doors of the hotel’s main ballroom were thrown open. People started coming out, cheering and laughing, and Isabella was stunned to see that she knew all of them.
The flow of people seemed endless, and Isabella turned to her husband, asking, “Do you know of any town event scheduled today?” How can they, the Bouchards, not be invited to an event where everyone who was someone was invited?
“I can’t seem to think of any,” Thomas murmured.
“Mother,” India suddenly hissed. “Everyone’s looking at us.”
Isabella quickly spun back and her face went stiff when she realized it was exactly as her daughter said. Even worse, everyone wasn’t just looking at them. They were talking about them, too. Was this about the news article?
People suddenly started cheering again, and soon after a beautifully dressed couple came out. Their attires gave them away – the man in his tux, the bride in her long, white gown (were those real diamonds attached to her train?).
“Whose wedding could it be?” Isabella muttered under her breath.
Jonathan smirked. “Isla’s of course.”
And then he strolled towards the newlyweds to congratulate the pair. The billionaire had given him the chance to atone for his mistake, and he had taken it gladly. Looking over his shoulder, he told a fuming India, “Karma’s a bitch, isn’t it?”
Isla had a hard time not looking at the Bouchards as she and her billionaire husband walked past them. She wanted to, though, but it was the one and only thing Sean had put his foot down on. He had agreed to Isla’s plea not to do anything against her parents or even India, but Sean had also made her promise not to have anything to do with them.
I don’t like seeing you hurt, he had told her grimly, and people like them will always hurt you. If you don’t want me to destroy them – then keep away from them for their sakes.
She had of course said yes, and while she had loved how protective he was towards her – no one had ever cherished Isla the way Sean did – ignoring her family turned out to be easier said than done. It was simply not in her nature to hold grudges, and as they stepped out of the hotel, she lifted her face to Sean –
His mouth took hers in a sweet, hard, toe-curling kiss.
“What was that for?” she asked dazedly when Sean finally let her breathe.
He raised a brow. “I thought you were asking me to kiss you.”
A giggle escaped her at the utter seriousness of his tone. “Umm, no.”
He dealt her a curious look as he helped her down the steps. “What is it then?” Their bridal car was already waiting for them, a yet-unreleased model of Rolls Royce that had their guests excitedly taking photos.
“Don’t you think we’re being unnecessarily cruel?” she asked uneasily under her tone.
His handsome face softened. “No, sugar.” It was just like Isla to forgive her family at the first sign of their torment. “They’re the ones guilty of that.” And as far as he was concerned, turning the Bouchards into social pariahs was nothing compared to how they had mistreated Isla her entire life.
The chauffeur opened the door for them, and Sean pressed a hand to the small of her back. “Isla?”
She gnawed on her lip. “Can’t we---” She stiffened. “Sean?”
He couldn’t possibly…
“Sean?”
And then she felt it again.
Oh my God, he really was unzipping her dress.
“Sean!”
“Distraction,” he whispered into ear – just before biting it – and she cried out. There was time enough for her to think about the Bouchards. For now, though, the billionaire made sure that his Christmas bride thought only of him as he took her mouth in a deep, hungry kiss.
The last glimpse the wedding guests had of the newlyweds were the bride falling on her back and her handsome groom looming over her, and as the door shut closed, the last thing they heard was the bride moaning, “Sean, no---” followed by the distinct sound of something ripping.
Dear Readers,
I hope you enjoyed my second Western romance, which is also the second book in my Evergreen’s Mail Order Bride series. This is also my first ever Christmas romance, and I hope it can help make the holidays just a bit more romantic for all of you.
Until our next journey,
Marian Tee
P.S. Most of my books are interconnected so if you are new to my work or you wish to know more about the characters you’ve met in this book, you might want to click on this link, which contains a regularly updated character database and a list of my books arranged according to reading order.
P.P.S. If you enjoy my work but have never reviewed a book of mine, pretty please consider making an exception and write a review for The Billionaire Rancher’s Christmas Wife ? I would truly appreciate hearing your thoughts, and while I do not as a rule reply to reviews, please do know that I read each and every o
ne of them. Of course, you are also more than welcome to share your personal review with me, and you may do so by emailing me or using any of the social media links below to drop me a message.
CONTACT ME.
Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Instagram
Want More Hot Alpha Billionaire and Biker Romances from Marian Tee?
Enjoy exclusive excerpts about my newest and upcoming releases by signing up for my newsletter.
About the Author
Marian Tee is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of steamy romantic comedies. She is Filipino-Chinese, has lived all her life in the Philippines, and is a frustrated mangaka. She is addicted to horror flicks, misses hip-hop dancing, and loves all things Japanese.
Enjoy exclusive excerpts about my newest and upcoming releases by signing up for my newsletter.
Also by Marian Tee
Want More Hot Alpha Billionaire and Biker Romances from Marian Tee?
Enjoy exclusive excerpts about my newest and upcoming releases by signing up for my newsletter.
Standalone Novels
Savage, Broken, Beautiful
A contemporary and sizzling-hot retelling of the Beauty and the Beast, this story starts when Arabella sells herself to a mysterious French billionaire who has her whisked to his remote island.
Eternal Night
This is a retelling of Hades and Persephone’s love story, but this time the God of the Underworld finds himself falling for a mortal girl.
Captivated: 4-in-1 Friends Romance Boxed Set – Enjoy four standalone romances between passionate, domineering billionaires and the women who were their friends first before becoming their lovers.
All stories have either happy-ever-after or happy-for-now endings.
His Fair Lady – Prince Julian knows the blind fortune teller Cass is everything he wants in a woman, but she can never be his bride.
Devoured — Cynical Italian billionaire Luca Valencia buys himself a wife in order to give his little girl the mother she needed and deserved. His choice: innocent Vivian Day, who he knew could ill afford to reject his proposition.
The Marriage Dare
Quintessential girl Friday Jane can’t ever say no to a dare. And so when her friends challenge her to make out with a beautiful stranger, she does it. And when said stranger dares her to marry him – she does it, too.
EVERGREEN’S MAIL-ORDER BRIDES (According to Reading Order)
The Billionaire Rancher She Married (Devon & Hilary)
Greek Billionaire Romance Serials
The Art of Catching a Greek Billionaire (free)
The Art of Trusting a Greek Billionaire
The Art of Loving a Greek Billionaire
The Art of Forgiving a Greek Billionaire
The Art of Wedding a Greek Billionaire
The Art of Kissing a Greek Billionaire (free)
The Greek Billionaire and I (Standalone)
The Greek Billionaire and His Secretary Series
The Greek Billionaire and His Secretary (FREE)
Dear Greek Billionaire
Love, Your Greek Billionaire
Forever and Ever, My Greek Billionaire
That One Time (Standalone)
My Dutch Billionaire Trilogy
Part 1 (FREE)
Part 2
Part 3
Pollyanna and the Greek Billionaire Trilogy (Innocent and Betrayed)
Part 1 (FREE)
Part 2
Part 3
How Not to be Seduced Series / Mediterranean Affairs (According to Reading Order)
Nik & Daria
A Fling with the Greek Billionaire: Prequel (FREE)
A Fling with the Greek Billionaire: Standalone
Eternally Seduced: Contemporary Romance (7-in-1 Boxed set)
Included in this bundle: How Not to be Seduced by Billionaires, How Not to be Seduced by Rockstars, How Not to be Seduced by Dukes Part 1
The Ice Around My Heart (How Not to be Seduced by Dukes Part 2)
The Rockstar and His Fangirl (Standalone)
The Rockstar I’ve Loved for So Long (Standalone)
BBF Series: Christopoulos University (According to Reading Order)
Warning: Love Moderately Duology (Derek & Jaike)
Unwillingly Yours (FREE!)
Meant to Be Yours
Park & Violet (Standalone)
Nick & Lilac (Standalone)
Jason & Keanne (Standalone)
Prince of Darkness Duology
Part 1
Part 2
For Angelo (Standalone)
My Greek Billionaire (Alyx & Nathan)
My French Billionaire (Christien & Kharis)
IN BED WITH A BILLIONAIRE Series
My Russian Billionaire (Sergei & Fredericka)
My Greek Billionaire (Alyx & Nathan)*
My Italian Billionaire Part One (Anneke & Marcus)
My Italian Billionaire Part Two (Anneke & Marcus)
My French Billionaire (Christien & Kharis)*
*also part of BBF series
DESERT SHEIKHS Series
My Arabian Billionaire (Khalil & Harper)
Malik
Rayyan
Tarif
Altair
Heart Racer – Billionaire Biker Romance Series: Christopoulos University (According to Reading Order)
Leandro & Bobby: Duology
Heart Racer (FREE!)
Driven by Love
Helios & MJ Trilogy
Swish (FREE!)
Burn
Click
Kellion & Aria (Standalone)
Yuri & Kalli (Standalone)
Drawn / Russian Stepbrother Romance / Play With Me Sports Romance Series: Christopoulos University (According to Reading Order)
Drawn (Standalone)
Russian Stepbrother Romance Trilogy
When I Moan
When I Hurt
When I Love
Play With Me (Standalone)
This Round I’m Yours (Standalone)
Love You Again (A Standalone Sequel to Drawn)
Visit Marian Tee’s website for her other titles.
Want More Hot Alpha Billionaire and Biker Romances from Marian Tee?
Enjoy exclusive excerpts about my newest and upcoming releases by signing up for my newsletter.