A Cozy Little Christmas

by Laylah Roberts

  “Isla bought it for me.”

  Their housekeeper was a sweetheart. Shy and quiet, she also had a huge soft spot for Marcus.

  “It’s fine.”

  Marcus pulled a face at him. “Bah, humbug.”

  “Sorry.” He sighed. He hadn’t had a great couple of days. He tended to get crabbier the closer it got to Christmas.

  “I can’t wait to see the event room. Apparently Ivy has been decorating all day. I missed seeing her today.”

  Had that been what the fairy lights were for?

  About an hour ago, Moses had delivered him back his jacket. So much for using that as an excuse to search her out.

  “Remember her? Cute thing, ugly cardigans. Seriously, those things have to go. I was thinking I might take her shopping at the gift shop and get her some other clothes. All she wears is black and hideous cardigans.”

  “Shopping? Why would you take her shopping?”

  “Why wouldn’t I?” Marcus gave him a surprised look.

  “Because you barely know her.”

  “So? Do you have to know someone for a long time before you become their bestie?” Marcus demanded.

  “I’d say longer than ten minutes is preferable.”

  “Yeah, well, I’ve known her for five days now.”

  “Still, not very long. You don’t know what she’s really like.”

  Marcus let out a groan. He sat on the bed and leaned his elbows on his thighs. “Cullen, dude, man, cousin who I love. There are people who are real. Ivy isn’t some secret bitch. She’s not pretending to be friends with me so that she can get her hands on my money or my brains. I mean, she might be after me for my awesome bod, let’s face it, I’m hot. But not everyone is a money-grubbing whore like she-who-shall-not-be-named.”

  Cullen frowned. He didn’t like to talk about Raquel. Didn’t like to think about her. “I didn’t say Ivy was like Raq—”

  “Whoa, whoa, whoa, don’t say her name! We don’t want to summon her.”

  “Marcus.”

  “Evil is always listening,” he hissed.

  Cullen felt his lips twitch. “Dramatic, much?”

  “Come on, you know it’s the truth. Cullen, just because you’ve met people who wanted to take advantage of us, because of who we are, doesn’t mean everyone is like that. There are good people out there.”

  “I know that.” It’s just he didn’t have the time or inclination to filter the good from the bad.

  “Yeah? Sure about that? Then why are you having a fit over me buying Ivy a few cute things?”

  “I’m sure if she wants them she can buy them for herself.”

  “Cullen! I have more money than I could ever spend in a lifetime. It’s freaking ridiculous. If I can’t use it to buy something for a friend, then what’s the point in having it?”

  “Did she ask you to buy them?”

  “Of course she didn’t. You know what, I’ll just get them for her for a Christmas present. Then you can’t complain about it. Ivy is a friend. And if I want to do something nice for her, I will.”

  “Fine. Okay.”

  “Sheesh, it’s just a few sweaters. I bought Isla a car for Christmas and you didn’t say a thing.”

  “You did what?” Cullen barked.

  “I bought Isla a car.”

  “She…what…how?”

  “I told you about it.”

  “When? When did you tell me this?”

  “Oh, when you were doing something for work. You told me, fine, whatever.” Marcus gave him a sly grin.

  “You asshole. You told me when you knew I wouldn’t be listening. I can’t believe you bought our housekeeper a car.”

  “Yeah, I totally made you look bad with your cheap-ass gift certificate.”

  “I bought her a gift certificate?”

  “Uh-huh. You sure did. It was nice, but still, it was no car.”

  Cullen groaned and ran a hand over his face.

  “She deserved it, Cullen. She gets the bus every day to work. It takes her over an hour each way and she goes through some rough neighborhoods.” Marcus wandered into the bathroom.

  “What? Really?” How had he not known that?

  Probably because you’re always working.

  “Did the gift certificate have a decent amount on it?” he asked.

  “Five grand. You were fairly generous.”

  “Good to know,” he said dryly.

  Marcus returned, dressed in the shirt with candy canes on it. “Are you ready to go?”

  Cullen shook his head. “I need to get changed.”

  “You’re only taking me to the other end of the building.”

  “No, I’m coming to the party with you.”

  “Why? You hate Christmas parties.”

  Yes, but he loved Marcus. And he still hadn’t talked to Ivy about that kiss. He had to make certain she knew that he was sorry and that it would never happen again. If Marcus insisted on being friends with Ivy, he couldn’t have any miscommunications or expectations between them.

  “Just let me change into a clean shirt. And put some shoes on. Fuck, I better send this email off.” He nearly smiled as he remembered Ivy telling him off for swearing in front of the gnomes.

  Fucking gnomes.

  “It’s all right. We’ve got twenty minutes.”

  “What did you do today, anyway?” he asked.

  “Not much. Why?” Marcus was giving him a suspicious look. Okay, so it wasn’t like him to ask many questions about what his Little side got up to.

  “No reason, just curious. Did you go outside?”

  “Yeah, we did.”

  Great. He was filled with information, wasn’t he?

  “There’s actually an outdoor playground, but it’s too cold to go and play on it at the moment. I wonder if it will snow. How awesome would that be to have a snowy Christmas? But we went for a walk to see the gnomes.”

  “Gnomes?”

  “Uh-huh. Christmas gnomes. Apparently, they move around every night. The others were excited, well, not the older ones. They said that it wasn’t magic. Pfft. What do they know?”

  “They weren’t being mean, were they?”

  “Dude, no. And I can handle myself.” Marcus eyed him. “If you come to the party, you can’t be mean to anyone.”

  “When am I ever mean?”

  “Oh, I don’t know. All the time?”

  “I’ll be nice.”

  “Do you know how?” Marcus teased.

  “I’ll figure it out.”

  Chapter 4

  Ivy rushed around, putting the finishing touches on everything. She’d been super busy all day getting this party ready. She knew that she was going to pay tomorrow for doing so much today, but right now, she didn’t care. The room looked magical, and that was exactly what she wanted.

  “Ivy, this is wonderful.”

  She turned with a smile toward Jared Stark. “Thank you so much for coming tonight, Mr. Stark.”

  “Please, call me Jared. And there’s no Christmas party without Santa, right?”

  “Right. But I know you’re also coming back on Christmas Eve, so I appreciate it.”

  Every year, Jared played Santa for the Ranch. He made a great Santa too. His wife, Erika, came up beside him, looking around with wide eyes. “Ivy, this is amazing. Everyone is going to go insane when they see this.”

  “Thanks.” Happiness flooded her. That’s what she was aiming for. To make this special for everyone. So many of the Littles here had something sad in their past. She’d set out some mulled wine and spiked eggnog, not too much. Derek didn’t want anyone getting sloshed, but one glass of each was allowed.

  “Well, best I get in position. Erika, you’ll come help.”

  “Of course.” Erika stared up at her husband with such love in her eyes that it made Ivy’s tummy ache.

  “Oh. My. Gosh! Ivy!”

  Sadie came rushing toward her, arms outstretched. She braced herself, knowing they were probably destined for disaster and
that her body wasn’t going to like the impact.

  “Sadie, gentle!” Derek barked, and Sadie instantly skidded to a halt, looking chagrined.

  “Oh shoot, sorry, Ivy. I just saw this place, and it’s so amazing.”

  “It’s all right, Sadie. I’m glad you like it.”

  “Like it? I love it! It looks so good. Can we keep it like this all the time?”

  “Might not be so special if it always looked like this,” Derek told her.

  Sadie gave him a pout. Then she turned back to Ivy. She was dressed in the cutest red and green striped dress that flowed out from the waist, and she had red and green striped socks. Ivy thought the outfit was adorable. And so much better than her own black pants and black shirt. She’d hoped to get back to her room to change, but everyone was due in five minutes.

  Oh well. No one cared what she was wearing.

  “You’re feeling better?” she asked Sadie.

  “Oh yeah, Daddy was just overreacting.”

  “Can’t be too careful with my baby girl.”

  Darn, they were so cute together.

  “Ivy, this must have taken you all day,” Sadie said.

  Derek frowned. “I hope you asked for help.”

  “Lawson helped me hang the high stuff.”

  “She only asked for my help right at the end,” Lawson said as he came forward.

  “Ivy,” Derek said warningly.

  “I’ll take that hug if it’s still on offer,” she said to Sadie.

  “Of course.” Sadie hugged her tight.

  When was the last time she’d been hugged like this? She couldn’t remember.

  “I know you’re just trying to deflect,” Sadie whispered to her. “But Derek has a mind like a steel trap. You’re in trouble.”

  “Awesome. I really could do without the lecture right now.”

  “I’ll try to distract him. But it might only work for a short time.”

  “Anything you can do, I’d appreciate it.”

  Sadie drew back with a cry. “Daddy! I demand a photo on Santa’s knee.”

  Derek’s eyebrows rose. “You demand?”

  “Uh-huh.”

  “Are you allowed to demand things, baby girl?”

  “Hmm. I’m gonna go with yes.”

  “And I’m thinking someone needs a session with my whip.”

  “After my photo, Daddy.” Sadie grabbed his hand and tugged.

  “Nice deflecting,” Derek said, then gave Ivy a stern look. “We’ll talk later.”

  “Of course, boss. Looking forward to it.” Not.

  Then the doors opened, distracting her, and she turned with a big smile as Nanny J led in a group of Littles. The looks of awe on their faces and the way they gasped with delight sent joy through her heart. Even the other guests looked shocked and happy as they moved through the room. Some went straight to line up for a photo with Santa. There was currently the sweetest Little called Emily, who was sitting with Santa and shyly telling him what she wanted.

  Over in the corner, two of the other Littles, Callie and Megan, were standing in an ornate picture frame she’d managed to find at a thrift store. Behind it, she’d gotten a backdrop of a snowy Christmas scene printed. And she’d put fake snow on the floor. They were currently having fun getting their photos taken. Others were chewing on Christmas cookies that Chef Connor had made for everyone. His girlfriend, Hayleigh, was standing with him in front of the Christmas village that Ivy had set up on two large tables in the middle of the room.

  He was in Christmas hell.

  And yet, he was still here. Watching her.

  Did she ever stop? She’d been moving around all night, talking with people, organizing games. She hadn’t stopped to have a drink or sit down.

  And she looked absolutely exhausted.

  Had she done all this herself? She better not have. He crossed his arms over his chest, frowning as she walked over to the hot chocolate table. His gaze slid to his cousin, who was standing in the line to speak to Santa.

  After making certain Marcus was all right, he turned back to her. He understood why Marcus wanted to buy her some clothes. Seeing her in something other than black would be refreshing. At least she wasn’t wearing a hideous cardigan today.

  Her face was flushed, her dark hair was coming out of her very sensible low ponytail. The one piece of color on her was her headband. This time, it had an off-center, bright red, sparkling Santa hat attached to the top of it.

  “I see you’re having a good time.”

  He looked over at Derek Hawkins. Great. He’d been hoping to avoid the guy. The owner of Rawhide Ranch was entirely too nosy for Cullen’s peace of mind.

  He shrugged. “Marcus is.”

  “You ever do things for yourself or just for him?”

  “No offense, but I don’t need the psychology 101. I’m fine. And so is Marcus.”

  “Marcus is more than fine. He’s awesome. I’m not worried about him.”

  “You don’t need to worry about me, either. Excuse me, I’ve seen someone I need to speak with.”

  He wasn’t letting Ivy get away from him without talking to her about the other night. He walked over to where she stood at the hot chocolate station. She was currently arranging gingerbread sprinkles on the mound of whipped cream on her hot chocolate. Picking it up, she turned. Suddenly, it slipped from her hand and smashed on the floor. Mortification filled her face.

  Immediately, she crouched down and attempted to pick up the shards. He moved swiftly over and knelt in front of her. “Ivy, are you all right? Are you hurt?”

  “I’m fine. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to. Really. I’m sorry. Oh no, you’re getting hot chocolate on your pants. Give them to me, I’ll clean them for you.”

  Cullen didn’t like the stress in her voice or the way her hands shook as she attempted to pick up pieces of ceramic. Yeah, he didn’t like it at all.

  “You want me to take them off right now?” he asked, trying to make her smile.

  “What? Sure, okay, take them off. I’ll clean them. I will. I’m sorry.”

  What the fuck was she apologizing for?

  “Baby, stop. Leave it. Did you hurt yourself?”

  “I’m fine.”

  “Ivy!” Derek called out. “Stop trying to pick that up, honey. It’s fine.”

  Cullen scowled. He didn’t need his interference. “Ivy, stop.” He reached out and grabbed hold of her hand. Not hard. He just needed her to stop and look at him.

  But she let out a cry of pain that made his heart stop. Fuck. Fuck. Cradling her arm to her chest, she curled in on herself.

  “Ivy, fuck, what is it?” he asked.

  “Is she all right?” Derek asked.

  “Ivy! Cullen, what’s going on?” Marcus asked, coming up on their other side. “Ivy, are you hurt? Are you crying? Cullen, why is she crying?”

  “I’m trying to work that out. Ivy, what is it?”

  “Does she need medical help? Here, I can take her to the infirmary,” Derek offered.

  If anyone was taking her to the infirmary, it was him. But before he could tell Derek that, an alarm started blasting.

  “That’s the smoke alarm,” Derek said. “I have to get everyone out. Ivy—”

  “I have her,” Cullen said. Around them, people were panicking. Derek looked briefly from him to Ivy.

  “All right, but you take care of her,” Derek warned.

  Cullen didn’t bother answering. Because nothing would happen to Ivy under his watch.

  Nothing.

  A chill finally penetrated the wall she’d built around herself. She blinked, then looked around.

  What the hell? What happened?

  Oh god. She’d blanked out? Shit. Sometimes she’d do that around Davis when she couldn’t listen to his criticisms without going insane. She took in a deep breath of cold night air, trying to calm herself. And then she realized something else.

  Someone was carrying her.

  Someone that smelled like ginger and
vanilla.

  Oh, jingle bells. How had she ended up in Cullen Cutler’s arms?

  “What’s going on? What’s that noise?”

  “Are you back with us then, bestie?” Marcus appeared in front of them. He peered down at her. The outdoor lights let her see the concern in his face. “Are you all right?”

  All right? Nope. She was far from all right. Her right hand was throbbing painfully. She very carefully didn’t attempt to move it. That would be a bad, bad idea.

  “Of course. What’s that noise? What happened?”

  “What do you remember?” Marcus asked. He was shivering in the cold night air.

  “You’re cold. You should go inside,” she told him. She deliberately didn’t look up at Cullen because that would mean acknowledging that she was being held in his arms.

  And if she did that…well, he might decide to put her down. And that would be a crying shame.

  Bad Ivy. The guy is probably straining to hold you up. You’re not exactly a lightweight.

  “Can’t go inside, bestie. Fire alarm, remember?”

  “What? There’s a fire? Oh, I need to help get everyone out. Where are we? What’s going on? ”

  “What do you remember happening?” Marcus asked carefully.

  “I don’t know.” She frowned. She hated when she blanked out like that. “I was at the hot chocolate table. Put too much whipped cream and sprinkles on my drink, but it looked so pretty and I was thirsty.”

  “Did you remember to drink water today?” Cullen growled. “Did you eat?”

  Yeah, she didn’t think it was wise to answer those questions.

  “And then I…oh, no, I dropped it. Did I make a mess? I tried to clean it up and then Cullen…Cullen offered to take his pants off. Why would he do that?”

  “Yeah, Cullen,” Marcus said. “Why would you offer to take your pants off?”

  “It wasn’t like that,” Cullen grumbled. “Ivy, I want you to look at me.”

  Yeah, no, she didn’t want to do that. Why would he offer to take his pants off? That was weird.

  “There’s no smoke,” Marcus observed.

  “We need to get you both inside where it’s warm. Neither of you have jackets on. You’re going to catch colds.”

  “Does he have a jacket on?” she whispered to Marcus.