A Fortunes of Texas Christmas

by Helen Lacey

  Which meant one thing—he was heading back to Texas.

  * * *

  One Saturday a month, her parents requested that all of the children spend the morning together for a big family breakfast. Robin knew her brothers thought the idea cheesy, but if they were in town, they always complied. It made their mom happy, and if Veronica was happy, Cliff was happy, too. Because when it came right down to it, family was everything.

  As rituals went, the Harbin Sunday breakfast was one she’d easily do for the rest of her life. And since it was only a week and a half until Christmas, the family time was acutely special. They had eggs and fried ham, cheese toast and pancakes, freshly squeezed juice and an endless supply of strong coffee. The kitchen was always busy and filled with laughter.

  “So,” Evan said hesitantly as they set the table with their mother’s best china. “Did you hear that Trey got engaged?”

  Robin stared at her brother, cutlery in her hands, waiting for pain or rage or despair to settle in her belly and then grip her heart. But...nothing. Zippo. Not a single, solitary feeling. She was, she realized, completely over Trey Hammond.

  “How nice for him,” she said and laughed heartily. “And awful for her.”

  Evan looked surprised. “So...you’re not upset? You’re really okay with it?”

  She made a face. “Yes. I just feel a dose of good old-fashioned relief that it’s not me.”

  “That’s our girl,” Cliff said and grinned. “Gumption by the bucket load.”

  Robin smiled toward her father. “Thanks, Dad. I love you, too.”

  “She’s getting a prenup,” Reece said, grinning. “Or so I heard.”

  “Smart girl,” Robin said and finished with the cutlery. “Speaking of weddings, isn’t it time one or both of you got married? Mom and Dad will be wanting grandchildren at some point.”

  “Count me out for a while,” Reece said and grimaced. “One marriage, one divorce. I’m not interested in trying again. At least not for a while.” He jabbed a thumb in the direction of Evan. “And no woman in her right mind would put up with Casanova over there. Looks like it’s up to you, sis.”

  Robin laughed loudly. “Please. I can think of plenty of things I’d rather do than get married and have a couple of kids.”

  Liar...

  She pushed the wayward thought aside. She was too young to have a biological clock. And too sensible to waste time dreaming about marriage and babies. One day...but not yet. First, she had to find some sweet, eligible man to sweep her off her feet and make her fall madly in love with him.

  “There’s nothing more rewarding than raising a family,” their mother said from behind the counter. “As long as you do it with the right person.”

  “Oh, no,” Evan said and rolled his eyes. “We’re going to hear the story about how you and Dad met again, aren’t we?”

  “It’s a good story,” Cliff said and winked at his wife. “Very romantic.”

  “No, please, I beg you,” Evan said in mock horror. “Don’t say it.”

  There was an unexpected knock on the front door and Reece quickly moved to answer it so he didn’t have to hear the story of their parents’ first date and the ensuing first kiss. When he returned a minute or so later, Evan was still pleading with Cliff not to say anything more. Robin looked around and saw Reece hovering in the doorway.

  “Uh...Robin...it’s for you.”

  She swiveled on her heels just as Reece moved into the room, and then she swayed back in stunned disbelief.

  Amersen!

  Her stomach did a stupid, love-starved roll at the mere sight of him. Black trousers, white shirt open at the collar, a black wool jacket that fit him so well she knew it was hand tailored...he looked like he’d stepped off the pages of a fashion magazine. She glanced down at her baggy gray sweatshirt, purple leggings and moccasins and realized how scruffy and unkempt she must look. Well, too bad...it wasn’t like she’d been expecting company.

  “What are you doing here?” she demanded.

  He remained in the doorway and scanned the room. From the corner of her eye, she could see Evan had moved a little closer and her mother had come around the counter. Her father remained seated at the table, and Reece was still hovering close by.

  His gaze was blisteringly intense. “I came to see you.” He looked toward her mother. “But I see I am interrupting. My apologies, Monsieur and Madame Harbin. I shall come back another time and—”

  “There’s no need for that,” her father said and waved an inviting hand. “Come and sit down, son. Any friend of our daughter’s is welcome in our home.”

  He’s not my friend.

  She wanted to shout the words at the top of her lungs.

  “If you are sure?” he asked politely.

  “Of course,” her mother said. “You’re very welcome.”

  And suddenly, it was all settled, and now Amersen was sitting opposite her at her parents’ kitchen table. No notice. Not a phone call or a text message. She hadn’t heard from the man in two weeks and he’d been prowling all over Paris, sleeping with every woman he met, but now he was having breakfast with her family as though it was the most normal thing in the world. She’d liked it better when they’d all hated him. Because it was clear that her mother no longer considered him unsuitable and he was back to being all exotic and French and adorable. Even Evan was being civilized, and Reece didn’t appear to have an opinion one way or another. But Robin did. She was so mad she was seething inside.

  And he knew it.

  His blue eyes were glittering, cool and seductive, as though he could read every thought in her head. She could have strangled him. Or at the very least, done some serious damage to his nether regions. Who did he think he was? His arrogance was astounding. How dare he come into her home and seduce everyone with his voice and charm and too-damn-sexy-for-words haircut?

  “Are you okay, ma chérie?”

  His question silenced all other conversation.

  She could barely look at him, particularly since she knew her family were all waiting for her response. When she did look up, she glared. “Ma chérie?” she echoed incredulously, heat burning her skin as it crawled up her neck. “How dare you call me that.”

  “Robin, if I have—”

  “Who the hell is she, Amersen?” she demanded as she stood and pushed her chair back, tossing her napkin on her plate, ignoring the stunned faces of everyone at the table. “Who’s the goddamned redhead?”

  Before he could reply, she was away from the table, through the doorway and out of the room. She grabbed a Mexican blanket from the hook by the door and wrapped it over her shoulders as she left the house and kept walking until she was outside and striding toward the corral, heaving in great big breaths, trying desperately not to cry. It wasn’t long before she heard the screen door open and close and saw him striding toward her. She raced into the barn and waited, knowing he would follow. When he found her, he stopped a few feet away, hands on hips, feet apart, his eyes bluer than she’d ever seen.

  “You need a coat,” she said. He’d taken it off inside and hadn’t bother putting it back on. She didn’t want him catching pneumonia on her conscience. “Idiot.”

  “Do I get the chance to defend myself?”

  “You can’t defend the indefensible,” she shot back and decided she didn’t care if he did catch pneumonia. “Big stupid jerk.”

  His mouth curled at the edges. “So...the redhead? Care to explain that comment?”

  Robin scowled, then fished her cell phone out of her pocket and within seconds found the incriminating photograph. “That redhead!” she spat and held the phone in front of his face. “Looks like you two had quite the night.”

  He glanced at the picture and then waved a dismissive hand. “I did not sleep with that woman...if that’s what you�
��re implying.”

  “I’m not implying anything,” she retorted, fueled by adrenaline and hurt and humiliation. “I’m stating a fact...she’s got that look on her face.”

  “What look?”

  Robin wanted to slug him for being so obtuse. “The I’ve-been-screwing-Amersen-Beaudin-all-night look. I know that look... I’ve seen it in the mirror.”

  He took a moment and then laughed. “You’re...jalouse? Jealous?”

  Her humiliation increased tenfold. “I am not.”

  “Oh, yes, you are,” he said, still chuckling. “You are green with it. But it is misplaced, Robin. I do not even know who she is.”

  “Charming!”

  “I mean,” he said and took a step closer, “that I cannot recall that photo. It could have been taken some time ago. But it certainly hasn’t been taken in the last two weeks.”

  “How can you be so sure?” she demanded.

  “Because this,” he said as he stepped toward her and curled a hand around her nape, “this is the closest I have been to another human being in the last agonizing two weeks.”

  Robin’s legs weakened. Oh, he talked a good game. And she wanted to believe him. So much. “But the picture...”

  “Forget the picture,” he insisted and moved closer. “And tell me why you are jealous.”

  She melted. “I’m not.”

  “Shall I tell you why?” he asked, dropping his head a fraction, his intent clear. “It is because you and I...we are not done. You know this. I know this.”

  He kissed her, and she was lost. Robin clung to him, taking the firm yet soft exploration of his tongue in her mouth as he deepened the kiss. He was so wonderfully familiar. If she’d had any doubts that she had serious feelings for him, they quickly disappeared.

  We are not done...

  What did that mean?

  “You’re confusing me,” she muttered against his mouth. “Why are you here?”

  “I couldn’t stay away,” he admitted, kissing her again. “Have you missed me?”

  “Like a hole in the head,” she replied as she took a breath. “God, my family must think I am off my rocker.”

  “Who is the bigger fool?” he murmured, nuzzling her neck. “The fool who runs, or the fool who follows, hmm?”

  “I wish you would go away. I was just starting to forget you.”

  He pulled back and grasped her chin, raising her eyes to his. “Truly?”

  “Truly,” she lied. “And don’t think just because you’re back and looking all sexy that we are simply going to pick up where we left off. First, you haven’t really explained what you are doing back in Austin, and second, I’m not sure I want to spend any more time with you.”

  “Of course you do,” he said with so much self-assured arrogance she could only gape at him. “Have dinner with me tonight.”

  “I can’t just drop everything and—”

  “Or better still,” he said, cutting her off, “spend the day with me. There is still much of Austin that I haven’t seen. And I wish to get to know this city of yours a little better. And you.”

  He wanted to spend time with her. With her. She desperately wanted to refuse him. But she was also so deliriously happy to be with him. Like a love-struck fool. Sure, she might end up with a broken heart. But in that moment, the reward outweighed the risk.

  “I’ll think about it,” she said and wrapped the blanket around them both. “First, I have to go back to the house and explain to my family why I behaved like such a fool before.”

  “Simply blame me for everything,” he said and chuckled.

  “Oh, I intend to,” she said before she dragged his head toward hers and kissed him like crazy.

  Chapter Ten

  “So, the deal is done?”

  They were in Austin later that afternoon, picking up a few gifts for his sister, including a T-shirt that said Keep Austin Weird, since he knew Claire would get a kick out of it.

  “With Kate?” He nodded. “Yes. We are in business.”

  “Congratulations,” she said and patted his hand. “I hope it’s a huge success. I know Kate wants to start working on the fragrance as soon as possible.”

  “Yes, I think there will be sample options available within a month. I admit I do not know much about the process of producing a fine fragrance.”

  “You’ll learn,” she assured him, and strangely, he took comfort in her words. “I mean, what did you know about owning a winery or a nightclub before you jumped in and gave it a shot?”

  “Nothing,” he replied. “You are correct.”

  “You’ll find I am right about most things.”

  Amersen laughed and dropped the parcels on the sofa. He was staying at the same hotel, albeit in a different suite, but it was just as luxurious and well-appointed. They’d been in the room for several minutes, and he figured they were going to end up in bed soon. Their make-out session in the barn earlier that morning had ended abruptly when her nosy brother had come looking for them. They’d returned to the house and spent the next hour with her family. He tolerated their scrutiny, figuring they had every right to ask a few questions. Afterward, he waited while Robin changed, and then they headed into town. They’d had a nice afternoon, one of easy and uncomplicated companionship. And now he wanted to make love to her so much his blood was on fire.

  “Come here,” he beckoned, holding out his hand.

  She stayed where she was on the other side of the sofa. “Oh, no...you don’t get me so easily. You’re still in the doghouse.”

  “Doghouse?”

  She nodded. “I read your blog,” she said, hands on hips. “You know, the one about being single and loving it. The one that said you were painting the town with redheads.”

  Amersen laughed. God, she was so passionate and vibrant and made him insane and aroused and utterly powerless. “I haven’t written a new blog post in weeks. That was something recycled from a couple of months back.”

  She looked dubious. “Why no new posts? Lost your muse?”

  “Lost my mind, more like.”

  She grinned, clearly delighted, and then she looked a little somber. “I know this is ridiculous... I know we didn’t make any promises not to see other people and I know I have no claim on you...but seeing you with that woman made me so mad. And then there was the picture of you with the brunette...”

  He frowned. “What brunette?”

  She shrugged. “I don’t know who she was, just another picture on your Twitter or Facebook.”

  “I haven’t been near another woman since I left Texas,” he assured her. “I promise.”

  She nodded vaguely. “I believe you. Only, it’s got me realizing that maybe I’m not the modern-thinking girl I thought I was. Maybe I’m just as insecure and needy as every other person on the planet.”

  Amersen stared at her, absorbing her beauty and intensity and unwavering honesty. He knew he’d never met a woman like her. She had no agenda—no interest in his money or fame. That was why making love with her had felt so raw and real. And that was why her bailing that morning had wounded so deeply. Because they weren’t over. Not by a long shot. He was, he suspected, at the beginning of the first real relationship he’d ever had.

  “I really want to make love to you,” he said softly.

  “I know,” she replied, her eyes never leaving his. “I want that, too. But first,” she said and waved the shopping bag in her hand, “I want the chance to wear this new dress.”

  Earlier she’d insisted he wait for her outside a small boho boutique while she looked for a dress. He’d complied easily enough, seeing as he’d be stripping the dress off her at some point.

  “Okay,” he said agreeably. “I’ll take you somewhere for dinner, and then we can come back here and make love all night.�
�

  Her brows rose. “All night?”

  He shrugged loosely and smiled. “It’s been a long two weeks.”

  She grinned. “What about jet lag?”

  “I wouldn’t let that stop me.”

  She laughed and twirled and headed for the bedroom. “I’m going to shower and change.”

  “I’ll book dinner.”

  “No need,” she said as she walked. “I have that covered already.”

  When she returned to the main suite about half an hour later, his jaw dropped. She looked stunning. The black dress was modest but flared over her hips and made her sensational legs look hotter than Hades, and all he wanted was to see them wrapped around his hips. She had a purple wrap draped around her shoulders and a pair of purple satin shoes on her feet.

  “Mon Dieu, you look beautiful.”

  “Thank you. Now, go and get dressed and we can get going.”

  He chuckled and headed for the bedroom, showering and changing his clothes quicker than usual because he didn’t want to miss any more time in her company than he had to. Once they were on the road, she gave him directions and he drove a few miles out of the city.

  “You haven’t said where we’re going,” he said as he took a left turn and headed west out of town.

  “It’s a surprise.”

  Amersen looked at a roadside sign. “The Hill Country?”

  “It’s a nice spot,” she explained. “Better in the daylight, but I know you’re just going to adore where we’re going. It will take about half an hour, but it’s worth the drive, I promise you.”

  The excitement in her voice was contagious. Mon Dieu, he loved that about her...

  Loved...

  He almost brought the vehicle to a screeching halt as the word banged around in his head.

  I do not love this woman...

  I can’t...

  It was just desire. Mind-blowing, off-the-charts, out-of-this-world sex that was unlike any he’d experienced before. But still, only sex. Heat, sweat and release. Nothing more. He had the pattern set. Three dates, get laid, a last date, send flowers and then adieu.