Home for the Holidays

by Darling, Lucy

  “You have no idea,” I say, making her burst into laughter.

  “Show me the clothes.” I lead her to the closet.

  “Damn. He got all of this?” Carey starts to go through them.

  “I thought the same, but I guess if I’m pretending to be engaged to a very wealthy man I need to dress the part.”

  “You’re not his doll,” she says, reading my mind. She pulls one of the dresses off the hanger. “This is totally you. It won’t make you look as though you’re some Stepford wife.”

  The skirt is a soft gold and flowy. It’s paired with a green knit sweater that has little bows on it. It’s adorable and is my style. That said, you can tell it didn’t come from a store that I shop in. I’m sure it cost twenty times more than I usually pay for clothes.

  “Are you finding everything you might need?” Logan asks. He’s been checking on me every thirty minutes. It’s silly, but I swear he just misses me. I know this because I’m feeling the same.

  “There is more than I need, Logan.” I motion to the clothes.

  “I want you to feel comfortable here.” He shifts on his feet, looking adorably unsure. “Is that a problem? Did I overstep?”

  “No. It was really sweet of you. When do we leave?”

  “Soon.” Logan doesn’t look as though he wants to go at all.

  “Okay. I’ll be ready in a little.”

  “Good call on the lipstick, Carey,” Logan tells her.

  “I’ve got your back. Just get our girl back here.”

  “Working on it.” He winks at me before leaving Carey and me alone again.

  “You’re a goner. Stop fighting it.” I’m pretty sure my best friend is right. I am a goner. Hell, I might even be in love.

  18

  Logan

  “This place is amazing.” I keep Angel tucked into my side as I show her around my parents’ estate. We managed to slip in without my mother or brother seeing us. The party is in full swing, and I introduced Angel to some people. We’re already been here over an hour. I’m actually not having a terrible time. “So much history.”

  “Too bad it’s not good history. I bet your house is filled with warm memories. That can’t be said for this place.” I’ve never given much thought to how I was raised. Being around Angel’s family and in their home has made me a little resentful. It’s given me a glimpse into what I missed.

  “It is. My parents came a long way. I have no doubt they can afford a nicer house, but that’s where they raised us. As you can see, my mom is already having a hard time with an empty nest. She said maybe they’ll move when she gets some grandbabies.” Angel lets out a laugh.

  Instantly my mind goes to Angel being pregnant. My cock hardens. Angel will get married one day and have kids. The idea of her doing that with another man ignites an anger inside of me that I’ve never felt before. It knocks the air right out of my lungs.

  “Sorry your parents are jerk faces. You know you can break that cycle when you have kids.” I guide her toward the indoor glass patio. “Wow,” she breathes when she sees all the lights strung up in here. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t talk about your parents like that.”

  I sit down on one of the benches. She starts to sit down next to me, but I pull her into my lap.

  “Not mad at you, Angel. Relax.” She melts into me. “Are you going to move in with me?”

  “You still want me to after I said that about your parents?”

  “Calling them jerks is too nice of a title for them. You haven’t met them yet. When it comes to them, know that I’ll always side with you over them. I should have told you that before we came here. I have no loyalty to them. The same as they have none to me.” She tilts her head. I lean in and kiss her, unable to help myself. “Move in with me. Make this the best Christmas of my life.” I go in for the kill, knowing she thinks Christmas has some magical power to it.

  “Okay,” she agrees.

  I kiss her again. I’ve got her now. “We could get married in the spring.”

  She jerks back at my words. “Wait. What?”

  “Why not? This doesn’t have to be a fake engagement. A marriage between us would be beneficial to both of us.”

  She lets out a laugh. “Marriage isn’t a business deal, Logan.”

  “It’s a contract,” I point out. It is. She gives me a half smile, and I know I’m fucking this up. “Just think about it. I’d be good to you.” I know it’s not what her parents have, but it’s all I’m capable of right now.

  “I know that, Logan.” She runs her finger down my jaw. I lean into her touch. But I can see the disappointment in her eyes.

  “Logan. When did you get here, dear?” My mother’s voice interrupts us.

  “Mother.” I stand from the bench, putting Angel on her feet. Let the show begin. I grab Angel's hand and squeeze it, reassuring her that everything is going to be okay. My mother plants a kiss on each of my cheeks before she settles her attention on my Angel.

  “You must be my future daughter-in-law.” She looks Angel up and down. You would think those words would be warm and caring, but knowing my mother, they’re far from it.

  “It’s nice to finally meet you, Mrs. Duncan. I’m Angel.” She tries to take her hand from mine, but I only tighten my hold on it, not wanting the evil of my family to touch her. She gives me a look before tugging again. This time I reluctantly release her hand. She thrusts it out toward my mom.

  “Don’t be silly, Angel.” I watch as my mom steps forward and embraces Angel in a hug. “We’re going to be family.” This is when my mother is at her deadliest. She’ll smile in your face while she sticks the knife in your back. In that moment I know without a doubt that I’ve made a big mistake bringing Angel anywhere near her. She places a kiss on both of Angel’s cheeks.

  “You found them.” My brother comes strolling in next. I pull Angel close to my side. He stands back, lighting a cigarette.

  “Not in the house,” Mother hisses at him. She directs one of her scathing glares at him. One that works well on him. Only because she controls his money. I control her, but she has no fear in that for some reason.

  “We’re outside.”

  “We’re not. It’s made to look like the outside.”

  “Then turn the fucking heat on in here.” He drops his cigarette to the ground before putting it out with his shoe. When his eyes raise back up, they lock on Angel, and he smirks. “Told you he really went and got one.”

  “I see that.” Again Mother assesses Angel with her eyes. “We knew he and Kelly weren't real, but you…” There is no hiding Angel’s sweetness and innocence. It’s who she is. It’s then I realize why my mother is so happy about Angel. She thinks she’ll be able to control her, and if she can control her, then she might be able to control me. It’s why she’s always trying to set me up with someone she already has her nails in.

  “The innocence pours off her,” Chad finishes for my mother. They both are salivating at the mouth. Every protective instinct I have inside of me rises up. Even ones I didn't know existed. The need to protect Angel rides me hard and makes my next decision easy.

  “We’re leaving.” I’m getting her the fuck out of here before they try and sink their teeth into her. Only my teeth will know the softness of her skin.

  “Already?” Angel asks.

  “You just got here,” Mother huffs.

  “We’ve been here for an hour.” I’m sure my mother was still getting ready, being late for her own party. Lucky for us. My brother was likely up a server’s dress or a socialite’s. I’ve done what I needed to, making sure I stopped to say hello to a few of the members of the board. They got to meet Angel.

  I take Angel’s hand again. “I wanted a chance to get to know my new sister.” The way he says it makes it sound so fucking dirty. I start to go for my brother, but Angel wraps herself around my arm.

  “It was nice to meet you, but I am tired. I’m sure we’ll get to talk more on Christmas,” Angel says softly like I wasn't about to
punch my own brother in the face.

  “Right.” My mother smiles at her. “We’ll see you then.” My mother’s eyes come to me, and she smirks thinking she’ll get her claws into my Angel then. Little does she know, we’re not coming back for Christmas. It was stupid of me to bring Angel here at all. It won’t happen again. If I want to be Angel’s husband, it will be my job to protect her from people like my own family.

  “See you then.” My brother winks at her. Angel doesn't let go of her hold on me.

  “Take me home.” She looks up at me. I pull out my phone and tell my driver to bring the car around before I guide her back out of my parents’ house and into the back of the car. Silence falls between us as we head back toward my place.

  “Don’t let them get to you,” she says softly. “They aren't worth it.” I nod in agreement, still angry with myself for bringing her here. “I can handle them. You might not think I can, but I can. I might not be able to be mean, but I know them being nice to me is fake.” I turn my head to look at her. “I know when someone is being genuine.” She pushes her coat off before crawling over into my lap and straddling me. “You need to relax.”

  She kisses me. I take in her sweet taste and start to finally relax as she told me to. Then she pulls back and slips off me until she’s kneeling between my thighs.

  “What are you doing?” My voice comes out rough.

  “I think you know.” She goes for my belt. I should stop her, but I don’t. When she wraps her mouth around my cock, taking me into her hot mouth, I know she’s too good for me. She’s a taste of heaven that shouldn't be anywhere near me. But I’m a selfish bastard and want her anyway.

  She doesn't stop until I’m coming in her mouth and pulling her back into my lap to kiss her. I’m not good with words. Not ones of romance and love, so I try to show it to her. Get her addicted to what my mouth can do to her. Try to make her fall in love with me because I know that is truly the only way I’m going to get Angel to stay with me.

  19

  Angel

  “How was the party?” Carey asks as she decorates another cookie. She’s failing pretty badly at it. I should stick to the decorating, and she should stick to making the cookies. At least it doesn’t matter whether they look good. They’ll still taste good, and that’s all that matters.

  “Yes, tell us how it went. You met his family, right?” Mom cuts the dough with a Christmas tree shaped cutter.

  “Kind of. It was only for a second and then we left.” I lick the icing off my thumb. “He got weird when they showed up at the party. I don’t think he wanted me to meet them.”

  “If that were the case, he wouldn't have taken you with him.” Carey slips off the chair. “You decorate.” She grabs the bowl of cookie dough in front of me. I take her chair and start where she left off. Her last cookie looks so terrible that I decide it’s beyond saving and that eating it is the only option.

  “I met some of the people he works with, but when his brother and mother finally decided to grace everyone with their presence it was like the cold walls slid into place.” I hated they invoked that change in him. When my mom is around, I feel more relaxed. I bite the inside of my cheek thinking how I got Logan to drop that icy wall that went up because of them. “They aren't good people.”

  “I know,” my mom replies. “He said a few random things about them that I’ve picked up on. No need to worry, he’s got us now.” I smile at that thought, but inside the guilt of not telling my family eats at me. I want there to be an us when it comes to Logan. I look at the ring on my finger, not sure if this is a fake or real engagement anymore. He asked me to really marry him, but his idea of marriage and mine are two totally different things. Yet, I still find myself wanting to be his wife.

  It wasn't how I dreamed of getting engaged, but maybe this is the Logan way. His parents didn't give him the best idea of what true love is. Maybe I could keep on showing him. It’s possible in time that he would learn to love me the way that I’ve always imagined. The only thing I worry about is that I’d stay even if he didn’t.

  “I think he was trying to protect me from them, to be honest.”

  “Your brother doesn't speak kindly of his brother Chad.”

  “Yeah, to be honest, he gives me the creeps.” It wasn't only that he made my skin crawl when he looked at me but the fact that he intentionally tried to anger Logan. I asked Logan about it last night and he said Chad has always been that way. I think it’s because Logan has done so much that his brother doesn't see how he’ll ever live up to it. He’ll always be living in Logan’s shadow. I think he wants approval from his family, but I think that approval is worth shit. It’s based on the wrong set of values.

  “Beau has high standards for everything and everyone.” Carey rolls her eyes as she says it.

  “This is true,” Mom agrees. Beau does like everything to fit into this cookie cutter way. He’s hardest on himself about that. “He needs his life shaken up by a good woman.” I swear my mom stares right at Carey when she says it.

  “Mom thinks love is in the air,” I sing-song. It might be. I think I’m falling in love. I glance over toward the living room. All the guys are in there watching some sports. They are getting along. It’s crazy to me that Logan is more relaxed in my parents’ house than his own.

  “What? I want my babies to have what Dad and I have.”

  “That’s a fairy tale,” I point out. Carey nods her head in agreement. “Logan wants me to move in with him.”

  Mom stops cutting the dough. “Like now?” Both she and Carey stare at me, waiting for an answer. I nod. They both start screaming and jumping up and down. The men all run into the kitchen like it’s on fire.

  “You brought her back.” Mom hugs Logan. “Look at that. Already getting better at the hugs. This is the best Christmas gift.”

  “So a spring wedding,” my dad says folding his arms over his chest. My brother stands next to him and does the same.

  “Whenever she’ll let me marry her.”

  I glare at Logan. He only smirks. Carey gives me eyes that say we better talk soon or she’ll murder me. I haven't updated her much. I feel kind of bad. I’ve kind of fallen down a hole with Logan. I’m here to catch up with everyone, but I suppose I’m moving back now, so I’ll have lots of time.

  “We’ll talk about it later.” I grab Logan by the front of the shirt and pull him down for a quick kiss before the men retreat back to the living room, leaving us girls alone again.

  “I’ll hold off on the wedding talk till next year.” I laugh at my mom because that's really only a week away. “Oh, I forgot to turn all the lights on!” She half runs from the kitchen. Heaven forbid the house isn't lit up like a Christmas tree.

  “This is getting real,” Carey whispers to me.

  “Yeah.” I lick my bottom lip. “We still haven't.” I trail off, not able to say the word sex with my dad in earshot.

  “But you’re moving in.”

  “I think tonight will be the night.” Last night was heavy petting and then I passed out. I head over to the coffee machine to make me a cup, not caring that it’s getting late. That man is not knocking me out with his mouth tonight, and I kind of want to wait till after midnight.

  “I think he’s in love with you.” I almost spilled the creamer. The man should love me if he wants to marry me, but I’m not sure that’s how things work in Logan’s head. He’s different, and I know that has so much to do with how he’s been raised, but I do think in time he will love me in his own way. He’s letting me break through some of his walls in ways I know he’s never let anyone else.

  “Why do you say that?” I ask, still wanting to hear about him loving me.

  “He keeps looking in here to check on you. Man can’t keep his eyes off you.” I peek over my shoulder to see Logan is looking my way. I pucker my lips, giving him an air kiss that makes him smile before turning back to Carey.

  “I’m in love with him.”

  “I know.” She gives me anot
her plate of fresh cookies to design. “You wouldn't move in with a man unless you loved him.”

  “This still might be all business to him. He likes me, so why wouldn't marriage work with us? His company wants him married.”

  “Stop,” she orders. “It’s only been a few days and look at you two. This is real. I know it.”

  “Or it’s lust? The whole exciting crush thing. I mean we barely know one another. How could it be love?”

  “You really believe that?” She calls me out. I shake my head no. I don’t think men like Logan crush. He knows what he wants. It’s not that for me, either. I know I’m in love with Logan, and tonight I’m going to show him that. I’m going to give myself to him in ways that would make me belong to him forever.

  20

  Logan

  Angel bounces in her seat as we make the drive back to my place. Can I call it our place now? Home even? She told her family she is moving in with me. That got me death glares from her brother when he wasn't trying to steal looks at Angel’s best friend. Yes, I noticed, but I notice everything. It’s a habit for me to always be reading a room.

  “Too much sugar?” I place my hand on her thigh, not caring if she is bouncing it, but it gives me a reason to touch her.

  “Maybe. We can take these to your parents’ tomorrow if you like.” She pats the basket of cookies she brought home with her. She even gave my driver a box to take home. I’d be almost jealous, but it’s how Angel is, and I don’t want to smother that. I still haven't told her that we won’t be going to my parents’. Then she might ask if we need to stop faking the engagement. She still hasn't given me an answer if she thinks we should really wed, but she’s allowed her family to believe we will, so it seems we’re headed in the right direction. The one that has her being mine forever.