Her Billionaire Santa

by Allen, Jewel

  Arm in arm, they walked down a hall floored with marble. They passed large ancestral portraits, giant porcelain jars, and guards in white-and-blue uniforms. When they came to a set of gilded double doors, Jay opened them.

  Katy’s heart stilled.

  By the fireplace, a man with a posture familiar to Katy stood facing the fire.

  Marcus James turned his head with a crooked smile. “Hello, Katy.”

  CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

  MARCUS

  Katy stopped short at the door and stared at Marcus. “What are you doing here?”

  “You two know each other?” Jay asked.

  “Yes,” Marcus said. To Katy, he said, “Jay had invited me to visit. I wasn’t planning to come…until your mother told me you were going to be here. So I came. It’s much faster to fly straight here.”

  Katy paled. She twirled around and ran from the room.

  Jay and Talia stood there with their mouths open.

  Marcus chased after Katy. She was halfway down the hall. “Katy!”

  She stopped but didn’t turn.

  “You knew I was going to be here, and you deliberately came,” she said, her voice low.

  “Yes. I wanted to see you again.”

  She turned slowly, her eyes wet with tears. “And I wanted to come to have a peaceful Christmas.”

  “I’m sorry. I…I don’t have a good excuse for my bad behavior. I should have at least asked you if it was all right for me to come. I suspect I know what you would have answered. Maybe that’s why I didn’t ask.”

  “I wanted time to myself,” she said. “With you around…it’’ll be different.”

  “I certainly don’t want to ruin your holiday. I needed to apologize for another stupid mistake.”

  She held herself rigid, not trusting him.

  “Alessandra came to my hotel room to interview me. She saw the Jacuzzi and invited herself to stay.”

  The way he said the reporter’s name made Katy bristle. “Not very professional.”

  “No, it wasn’t. And it was, like I said, stupid on my part. I’m so sorry. It meant nothing. You, on the other hand, mean everything.”

  “It was like my dad all over again,” she whispered.

  Regret flicked in his eyes. “I can see that.”

  “Thanks for coming all this way to apologize.”

  He gazed at her tenderly. “I’m glad to see you, even for a moment.” He stepped back. “I’ll leave you to your holiday.”

  He turned.

  “Wait,” she said.

  He faced her, hope surging in his chest.

  She took a deep breath. “You can stay.”

  “Not if it makes you miserable.”

  “You have every right as I do to be here.” Katy studied her hands. “I thought you didn’t want to have anything to do with me…not after Amanda.”

  “I fought it for the longest time. I’m still fighting it.”

  She flinched.

  “Hear me out, please.” He searched for the right words. “I don’t even know my own heart. I’ll be honest. I’m still running scared. Am I ready to jump into another relationship? I don’t know. I do know I didn’t want to lose you forever. It’s asking a lot, but I’m begging for your patience……and another chance.”

  Katy rubbed her arms. “I can’t guarantee anything.”

  “Of course. I understand.” He looked over his shoulder. “Shall we join our hosts before they think we’re both lunatics?”

  Her lovely mouth twitched. “I’m perfectly sane, thank you.”

  He smiled and allowed his eyes to convey how much he cherished her. He wanted to hold and kiss her, but he needed to give her time and space.

  ***

  KATY

  When the two joined the royal couple, Katy took her seat beside Talia on a loveseat.

  “I take it he’s the billionaire who broke your heart?” Talia whispered.

  “Yes,” Katy whispered back.

  “He’s cute.”

  “He’s in the doghouse.”

  “You’ll have to tell me more.”

  Jay looked from Marcus to Katy. “Do you mind explaining what’s going on?”

  Marcus cleared his throat. “My company sponsored a Christmas prize, and Katy’s charity was one of five selected.”

  “Thank you so much, by the way,” Katy said, her eyes glistening. “Sorry I missed the benefit.”

  Marcus shrugged. “That was nice of your mother to accept on your behalf.”

  “Yes, it was.” Katy bit her lip. “I was watching your gala as I flew over on the plane. You must have left pretty quickly after?”

  “I took my own private plane, yes,” he said.

  She cast her eyes down. In the past, she might have criticized him for throwing his billionaire status around. But now, she was floored that he’d come all the way here, so fast, simply to be with her.

  He said he didn’t know his heart. Well, she didn’t know hers either. This was going to be an interesting Christmas.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

  KATY

  “Darling,” Jay told Talia, “Marcus and I have some business to discuss. Do you mind if we do that now before all the festivities?”

  “Go,” Talia said. “Katy and I will have a heart-to-heart.”

  Marcus gazed at her like a puppy before he and Jay left the room.

  “What was that all about?” Talia asked.

  Katy sighed. “It’s a long story.”

  “We have all the time in the world. Spill it.”

  “He and I traveled through Guatemala together,” Katy said. “And we…I…” she blushed, “…fell in love.”

  Talia swooned.

  “First,” Katy said, “we met horribly. I chewed him out when I was looking for parking. He stole the spot at the curb. Fortunately, a cop helped me get one.”

  “But that sounds cute.”

  “Well.” Katy shrugged. “I wasn’t my best self, believe me. Then I marched into his office, asking him to go to Conchilla. When he hemmed and hawed, I told him he needed to walk in someone else’s shoes.” She closed her eyes at the memory.

  “That’s so true, though.”

  Katy shook her head. “My message wasn’t the problem. He said he knew about walking in someone’s shoes, and I dissed him anyway.”

  “Katy Stevens, I could see you haranguing the poor man to go to your beloved Guatemala.”

  Katy chuckled. “He surprised me by going.”

  “Well, you can be pretty…stubborn.” Talia smiled. “And I say that in a loving way.”

  “Of course, we had another testy exchange because I just don’t know how to keep my thoughts to myself.” Katy winced. “And then he got very sick.”

  “Uh-oh.”

  “He ate strawberries washed in tap water, and he had food poisoning. I…I helped him get better.”

  “As in…?”

  Katy blushed. “I stayed in his room until he felt better.”

  “Wow.” Talia’s eyes got huge.

  “I need to explain something,” Katy said. “The reason I helped him.”

  “Because he’s hot?”

  Katy giggled. “Aside from that.”

  “Then I give up.”

  Katy took a deep breath. “Four Christmases ago, his wife and unborn baby were killed by a drunk driver.”

  Talia’s face crumpled. “Oh dear.” She reached for Katy’s hand.

  “Yes.” Katy squeezed her hand back. “So, with this great beginning, we go to the Tikal ruins, which were amazing. From there we took a bus to Flores that was waylaid by a landslide. And then we finally made it to Conchilla.”

  Katy paused. “It was a cool night. We came woefully unprepared. He held me in his arms to keep me warm. All night.” Her cheeks burned at the memory.

  Talia’s eyes shone. “That sounds so romantic. What went wrong?”

  “The next day, a helicopter arrived with a reporter and cameraman.” Katy watched the firelight in the grate.
“I accused him of throwing his billionaire status around and for caring only about a photo opp.”

  Talia bit her lip. “Harsh.”

  Katy nodded miserably. “He went his way in his helicopter. I took the bus to the next town over. I thought about us during the ride. When I got to Flores, I humbled myself enough to go to him. I knock on his hotel door at this amazing resort, and the reporter opens the door. In a bathrobe.”

  “What?” Talia’s eyes bugged out.

  “Behind her, Marcus was standing in the jacuzzi.”

  Talia was silent for a long moment. “I’d ditch him too, frankly. That would make me steaming mad.”

  “He texted me that they were waiting for the cameraman.” She watched the fire. “He said it was all innocent.”

  “Oy.” Talia sighed. “I don’t know. I think you were right to say goodbye.”

  “He wanted to talk so he could explain.” Katy ran her fingers through her hair. “I told him no. Of course, you know about the benefit which I didn’’t attend.”

  “Okay, so I get it now. How do you feel about him?”

  “I…I like him a lot. Maybe I’ve fallen in love a bit. But he hurt me. Oh. I forgot to tell you about his terrible kiss.”

  “How could you leave out such a juicy detail?”

  “Sorry, you’ll just have to imagine it. But he kissed me in anger before we went to Conchilla. Like I said, it was terrible. I felt used, and I didn’t think I’’d talk to him again. He apologized, but it still hurts.”

  “He sounds imperfect,” Talia said, “like the rest of us.”

  Katy nodded and then burst into tears.

  Talia opened her arms, and Katy fell into her embrace. “There. There,” Talia said.

  “I don’t know what’s going to happen,” Katy said, sobbing. “He’s still grieving for his dead wife.”

  “Well, that is a hard thing.” Talia tipped Katy’s chin up. “I’’m glad you told me. I’d hate to be oblivious to all that.”

  Katy sniffled. “Don’t be oblivious like me.”

  Talia shushed her. “Would you listen to yourself, Katy? You are one of the most awesome and selfless people on the planet. The last word I would use to describe you is oblivious. You care so much about others. You are so transparent with your goodness. It’s just that, sometimes, you tend to go a little overboard.”

  “Just a little.” Katy smiled.

  “I’m glad to see that smile. Now, don’t you worry about this coming week. Enjoy yourself and let your Fairy Godmother Talia work her magic.” Talia winked.

  Katy’s eyes narrowed. “What are you thinking, Talia?”

  “Oh?” Talia smiled innocently. “Nothing in particular. Nothing that you didn’t try in Lexington for me and Jay, anyway.”

  Katy shook her head and chuckled. Just telling Talia the story made her feel better.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

  MARCUS

  Marcus got the invitation while he was putting away his luggage in the guest suite after lunch.

  “Come join us for a horse ride on the grounds,” the note said. It was signed by Jay and Talia.

  Marcus hoped Katy would be there too.

  Minutes later, changed into jeans tucked into riding boots, he came down two levels to the front foyer.

  A servant saw him. “This way, sir.”

  It wasn’t frigid, but a stiff wind crept under his fleece-lined leather bomber jacket. He took out his gloves and put them on.

  As he walked, anticipation built within him to see Katy once again.

  The barns were as big as most mansions in New York. He entered the paddock where Talia and Jay were standing, horses in hand. Talia moved her horse, revealing Katy grooming a white horse.

  She was wearing a riding cloak in deep red, setting off her pale skin and rosy lips. White fur trim framed her lovely face. She lifted her eyes to his and gave him a tentative smile.

  Marcus returned her smile, his heart feeling lighter.

  “I grabbed this gray horse for you, Marcus,” Talia said, gesturing to a handsome gelding. “I didn’’t know how much riding you’ve done, but he’s fantastic for anyone.”

  “Sounds perfect,” Marcus said. He walked over and got his horse ready, stealing a glance at Katy, whom he caught watching him.

  She averted her glance and soothed her horse. “There now, how handsome you are…”

  Talia flashed them a knowing look.

  They walked the horses out of the heated barn and into the cool afternoon air. Marcus had been to Mondragón on business trips before. He admired the medieval city, with the sun slanting across the lush forests.

  They mounted the horses, and his horse pranced with excitement. Despite his resolve, he couldn’t help but look over at Katy, whose cloak looked magnificent against her white horse.

  He veered his horse’s head so that Jay and Talia rode between him and Katy.

  Talia broke off, leading the way on a semi-groomed path, followed by Jay and then Katy. Marcus formed the caboose.

  Katy looked over her shoulder at him, her lips curving up.

  Thank you, Lord, for this beautiful and loving woman, Marcus prayed.

  Mondragón was the stuff fairy tales were made of, with craggy mountains and pine trees and little clumps of cottages on hillsides surrounded by sheep and cows. Who knew there would be diamonds under all that farmland?

  They rode into a clearing that led the eye up to a plateau, surprising a herd of horses drinking at a pond.

  “Your horses?” Marcus asked Jay.

  “They’re wild,” Jay said. “And they’’ll stay that way, especially if my wife has any say in it.”

  Talia’s sighed contentedly. “Aren’t they the most beautiful creatures?”

  Everyone murmured their agreement.

  “Just don’t let Katy get hold of one of them,” Talia said.

  Katy’s face turned pink. “I got kicked by a retired horse once, right on the eye,” she explained to Marcus.

  Picturing her with a black eye, Marcus felt sorry. “Ouch.”

  “I had to wear an eye patch.”

  “I bet you looked good in one.”

  Katy blushed.

  “Do you feel comfortable running your horses?” Talia looked from Marcus to Katy.

  “I think so,” Katy said, patting her horse on the neck.

  Marcus eyeballed his horse. “Sure.”

  “Let’s go, then,” Talia said.

  Talia led the way once again, her long hair flying in the wind as her laughter echoed in the valley. Jay thundered behind her on his horse, trying to beat her to the lead.

  Marcus’s horse moved with brute speed, and soon Marcus didn’t know where the horse ended and where he began. They flew over little rills and rises, coming abreast with Katy, whose hood had flown back.

  She flashed him a wide grin, and his spirit soared.

  Leaning forward, he spurred his horse on, trying to get ahead of her.

  Katy surprised him by spurring her horse faster too, and soon they were riding neck and neck, Katy’s hair streaming wild behind her, their horses moving as one.

  When they came to the top of the mountain, they slowed and came to a stop. The horses circled each other until they stood side by side.

  Katy’s smiled faltered, and then she turned serious. Color suffused her cheeks. Her beautiful eyes glowed amber.

  His heart crashed like the waves they could see along the coast below, rough and unruly. His hand moved to touch her face and then froze, asking her permission silently. When she didn’t flinch, he trailed a finger on her cheek. She smiled and moved away.

  After the ride, they went back to the castle where hot drinks waited for them in one of the living rooms. Katy moved with her drink to the window, and Marcus brought his cup over and stood beside her. She glanced at him from under her lashes.

  Could he dare hope that she looked happy?

  “What would it be like to grow up here as a child?” Katy asked.

 
“A lot of room to run around,” Marcus observed.

  “I ran like a wild boy,” Jay chimed in. “My brothers and I hunted in those mountains.”

  “For what?” Marcus asked.

  “Stag. Rabbits. Dragons.”

  Katy sucked in her breath. “Dragons?”

  “We never found one,” Jay said, winking, “but it’s legend here.”

  “And there are unicorns here too,” Talia teased.

  “I wouldn’t doubt it,” her husband said.

  Talia walked up to Jay, and he kissed her on the cheek.

  Marcus turned back to the window, a lump in his throat. He missed Amanda, but more importantly, he missed family. Loving someone. A tender touch. Glances meant only for him.

  His gaze crossed and held Katy’s. She could be the one to help him heal again. Her eyes held a promise.

  Reconciliation. Hope. Love. Affection.

  In his excitement, he lifted his mug to his lips so quickly that he burned his tongue.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

  KATY

  Christmas Eve

  Katy woke and stretched in her very comfortable bed and remembered the day and where she was. She glanced at the window. Snowflakes floated from the sky.

  She ran to the glass pane and looked out, propping her elbow on the windowsill and supporting her chin with her hand.

  It was Christmas Eve.

  Simply beautiful.

  She got ready for the day, taking a shower in the very modern retrofitted bathrooms, breathing in the French soaps and lotions, and pampering herself. Then she changed into three different outfits before settling on an off-white sweater and leggings.

  Maybe she was imagining more in Marcus’s gaze, but she sensed a softening. If he would have her again…

  Her hand stilled as she applied a light coat of lip gloss.

  Would she love him this time?

  She listened to her heart.

  Should I love him this time, Lord?

  An answer didn’t come, and Katy took a deep breath. She hoped she could get the gift of discernment for Christmas.