Christmas Romance Volume 2

by Sharon Kleve

“Eeerrr… Gwen?” Sam stammered on the other end. “Are we talking about Rob?”

  “Is there another stubborn, arrogant bastard in my life?” Gwen snarled. “What the hell is that noise?”

  “It’s Honey who needs to be fed,” Sam sighed-

  “Does it have to make that noise while I’m talking to you?” Why was everybody trying to ruin her day? “You called your baby ‘Honey’?”

  “You don’t like it?”

  “It’s a ridiculous name,” she snapped. Why were they wasting time talking about irrelevant things when her life was going from bad to worse? “I’ve been trying to get ahold of Janis…”

  “She’ll be in Dublin by now…” Sam tried to explain, but Gwen was too impatient to listen.

  “She’s not answering her phone. What do I pay her for?”

  “This is her first break for two years, Gwen. She deserves it.” Sam sighed.

  “I need something to do be done about this man. He won’t listen to me.” Gwen ranted.

  “Listen Gwen if you can’t get ahold of Janis, there’s not much you can do, but it’s only for a few days. Today’s Friday and Jan will be back early Monday morning. He’s on a short contract and will be gone when she returns. You can put up with him until then, can’t you?” Gwen worked it out in her head.

  “I don’t suppose you could…?” Gwen began. “Shelly is sensible enough, does she really need you there?”

  “Gwen I’m entitled to leave and I want to be here with my family.”

  “Damn the man!” Gwen threw the phone across the room before she reached for the next nearest thing to throw. Five minutes later, a knock at the door caught her attention from the temper tempest that had enveloped her dressing room.

  Denning stood in the doorway, his massive frame taking up much of the space, a sardonic smile touching the edges of his fine lips.

  “I wasn’t aware tornados were expected in this part of town,” he said as his emerald eyes absorbed the evidence of Gwen’s rage. “Don’t expect me to clean it up.”

  “No one asked you to.” Gwen panted, her breath ragged in her throat. “Sarah…”

  “I gave her the weekend off.”

  “You did what? You had no right. How dare you!” The audacity of the man was beyond belief.

  “You upset her this morning and she told me she hadn’t spent a weekend with her husband since she came to work for you. I didn’t think you’d mind.”

  “Her husband?” Gwen didn’t know Sarah was married. She’d never mentioned it and Gwen hadn’t thought to ask. Besides, she thought she liked working weekends. It was extra money, wasn’t it? “You didn’t think I’d mind?”

  “You don’t, do you?”

  “Do I mind? Of course, I bloody mind!”

  “You have me, and I wanted to know what time we were going out tonight. Will I need to suit up?”

  “You’re not …” Gwen started, remembering Janis had reserved a table for two at the ‘Marquis.’ Tables were almost impossible to book but Janis used up favors to get Gwen and Jeremy a prominent spot on the opening night of the hottest new restaurant in town. Of course, Jeremy ruined it by rushing away to attend yet another state-side audition, leaving Gwen without a leading man. She took a deep breath, swallowed her pride and looked Denning straight in the eyes. “The table is booked for nine. Do you have a decent suit?”

  Denning’s smile widened but it gained no warmth for the effort. He nodded.

  “I think I can find something suitable.”

  “Good. Well, you can go now,” she snapped, half wishing he’d just leave and never come back and half hoping he might come and hold her again. She needed a hug.

  “Yes, milady.” Denning bowed low, his caustic eyes never leaving her face before he left the room. Gwen rushed forward, and slammed the half-open door shut. Her face flushed from his intended insult.

  Bloody bastard.

  Chapter Five

  Denning chuckled at the crash of the door as he flew down the sweeping staircase toward his own room. Ms. Lancaster was easy to wind up and he found he enjoyed their heated repartee even if she didn’t. Perhaps this job wouldn’t be as bad as he’d imagined. He’d considered contacting Janis and telling her he couldn’t continue but the thought of Janis’s mocking laughter held his stay. Besides, he owed her a favor or two and the job offered him a respite from the over-eager ex-girlfriend who’d tried to trick him into a marriage surely doomed to end in divorce. He hadn’t loved Melissa enough—not as much as Melissa loved Melissa. A few days spent in the company of the over-indulged and moody Ms. Lancaster would surely sort out his need to acquaint himself with needy women.

  His accommodation in the basement wasn’t so bad; it had everything he needed. His suitcase lay on the end of his single bed. The tall bag with his suits hung on the back of the door. He could have taken any of the upper floor rooms, but he preferred his own space, his privacy, and he wasn’t so far away that he wouldn’t hear the harridan screech for him.

  He picked up the jacket he’d laid over the chair and hung it in the small wardrobe alongside his white silk shirts and two pairs of battered blue jeans. He doubted he would have cause to wear them in the next few days. Ms. Gwen Lancaster was most definitely not a jeans type of lady. He glanced down at his phone on the bedside table.

  Having fun yet? Janis had a wacky sense of humor.

  Jury’s still out. He texted back but his smile returned.

  Is everything okay?

  Ms. Lancaster is still alive.

  All good then.

  Don’t worry. Have fun.

  ****

  “Just a minute.” Rob called through the half opened bathroom door

  “Where are you?” Gwen called from the kitchen.

  “Here.” He stuck his head out, his black hair tousled and still damp from the shower. Gwen stood in the doorway between the kitchen and the long pastel hallway.

  “I need your help.” Gwen stepped closer, drawn by the sound of Denning’ voice although she couldn’t see him as he ducked back into one of the rooms. “Oooh, I’m so sorry. I didn’t know…” She paused, only feet from the half-naked man. He stood, clad merely in a towel, his chest glistening and still wet, his hair an attractive mess about his face.

  “I’m sure neither of us will implode at the sight of my chest. You wanted my help?”

  “I can’t reach…” Gwen spun, and felt awkward under Denning’s scrutiny. No matter how she’d tried, she couldn’t hold the dress up, and fasten the zipper at the same time. The beautiful gown was too tight to be fastened from the front and pulled around. It was his fault she needed his aid. If he hadn’t given Sarah the weekend off….

  She could feel his eyes on the skin of her back revealed by her inability to pull the zipper up.

  “Yes,” he said. “I can see your problem.”

  Gwen waited, but the zipper remained untouched.

  “Are you going to do it?” she snarled when he still didn’t move.

  “Would you like me to?”

  “I wouldn’t be standing here like an idiot if I didn’t,” she snapped, turning her head to catch the silly grin on his face.

  “Say ‘please.’”

  “What?”

  “If you want someone to do something for you, you should say please.” His smile revealed straight white teeth and a look of mischief blossomed in his eyes.

  “Are you serious?” Gwen gasped, unable to believe the audacity of the man.

  “Completely serious.” Denning grinned back.

  “Mr. Totally Infuriating Denning, would you please fasten my zipper for me?”

  “I’d love to.”

  Gwen felt the cool pressure of his fingers on the skin that covered the bumps of her spine, before he moved to secure th
e zipper. Goosebumps formed on her skin at the unexpected contact and a shiver traveled upward as she anticipated his touch.

  “Very nice.”

  “What did you say?” Gwen spun, not realizing how close he stood behind her and his arms automatically closed about her as though afraid she would tumble.

  “I didn’t say anything.” She could tell he lied, but guessed he wouldn’t own up to it. She looked up into mischievous green eyes as he grinned like a boy with his hands caught in the cookie jar. She took a deep breath, and inhaled the delicious scent of a man fresh from the shower. The impact of his looks stole her reason. He was incredibly good-looking and any woman would be pleased to find herself in his arms.

  Gwen came to her senses, and jerked back, knocking his arms away and hissing a command she intended to be obeyed.

  “What do you think you’re doing? Get away from me!” Gwen didn’t have time to think as her hand arced out, slapping the shocked man across his left cheek, and leaving an angry red mark on his freshly shaved skin.

  Denning stepped back, hands held out in front of him as though trying to reassure her that he was no threat. The smile dropped from his face and a wary expression replaced it. .

  “It’s okay. I’m not doing anything,” he whispered as though to a frightened child, hands still raised as he stepped farther back.

  “Let’s get one thing straight. I may have to put up with you until Janis gets back, but I will not tolerate you or anyone else touching me. Do I make myself clear?” She hissed like a cornered cat.

  “Crystal clear.”

  ****

  Denning waited until Gwen marched out of his bedroom before he moved. He pushed the door shut, and patted himself dry before he reached for his white shirt, confused.

  What the hell just happened? He pulled on the shirt, his agile fingers slipping the buttons through the holes, his mind on the embrace and the kiss which almost happened.

  Was he mad?

  Gwen Lancaster was nothing but trouble wrapped in a very pretty package. She wasn’t someone should get involved with, especially so soon after the manipulative Melissa. Surely one lucky escape was enough for any sane man?

  But, oh the scent of that sweet perfume, those fine wisps floating from where she’d pulled her hair into a delicate chignon, and the feel of that pale, smooth skin. Any man would be tempted.

  Rob paused in his dressing as a thought occurred to him. Hadn’t Gwen overreacted a little? He knew he’d disregarded the line between client and staff but her unreasonable response caused alarm bells to ring in his head. What was the beautiful Gwen so afraid of?

  Pulling on the expensive charcoal gray suit, he made two promises to himself—he would keep his thoughts and hands away from the lovely Ms. Lancaster and he would uncover what made her react so violently. He never broke a promise to himself.

  ****

  What the hell just happened?

  Gwen raced back down the hallway and up the stairs to the living room where she threw herself down into a plush, upholstered chair. Had she really allowed that infuriating man to touch her? Had she really slapped him?

  Tears raced unwanted to her eyes and she reached over to snatch a tissue from the box before her finely applied make-up was ruined.

  Damn the man. Did Janis have any idea what he was really like? She should call her. She stood up but then remembered her phone was upstairs in her dressing room on the carpet in bits.

  Damn him again. It was his fault her phone was broken. If he hadn’t annoyed her, she wouldn’t have gotten angry and thrown it. He had a lot to answer for. It was a good job she had a spare mobile phone for emergencies although she didn’t have any contacts in it.

  Had she really thought about kissing him? Was she mad? She’d decided several years ago not to get involved with any man. They simply weren’t worth it— especially the good-looking ones. They always seemed to think their looks entitled them to favors a woman might not want to give.

  Denning might be that kind of man, but she couldn’t tell since she hadn’t known him long enough. But she’d be willing to bet he didn’t have any problems filling his bed. He was definitely handsome, she didn’t deceive herself about that, but handsome didn’t always make for a nice person. And damn, hadn’t she met enough of those?

  Jeremy was handsome, in a different way, but handsome nonetheless. And despite the rumors flying around about them, Gwen felt safe in his company. He knew she wouldn’t betray his secret, and in return, he squired her around whenever she needed an attentive beau on her arm. Even Janis didn’t know. Gwen didn’t tell her everything.

  A tap on the door announced Denning’s appearance.

  “Ms. Lancaster, I’m very sorry…” he began, but Gwen’s raised hand stopped him

  “I would rather we didn’t speak about it again.” Her voice was cool and calm, very different than how she felt inside. “We will be late.”

  She led the way to her car, waiting patiently for him to open the door before climbing in.

  “Where are we headed?” he asked, twisting in the seat to look at her. .

  “We have a table reserved at the ‘Marquis’ for nine.”

  Denning grinned.

  Chapter Six

  “This is nice,” Denning bent his head to whisper into Gwen’s ear.

  “I think it’s a little tacky.” Gwen nodded to the over-sized champagne flutes filled with bubbling water. The golden Koi inside swam oblivious to the attention they attracted.

  “Okay,” Denning agreed, “the fish is a little overkill.”

  “It’s all a little too much,” Gwen flashed a warm smile to the waiter in the shiny purple uniform who offered to take them to their table. The room was lovely. Fresh white lilies adorned the tables and their scent moved through the room in Gwen’s wake.

  “Thank you.” Denning moved quickly to pull out Gwen’s chair before the waiter could move,

  “Could you choose the wine?” Gwen nodded at Denning as the waiter handed him the wine menu, her eyes daring him to get it wrong. His choice was perfect although the complementary glass of champagne took the edge off Gwen’s evening.

  “Don’t you like it?” Denning asked. Gwen leaned forward as though about to spill a great secret.

  “I hate the bloody stuff,” she whispered, before nodding to a passerby who’d noticed the celebrity in their midst. “Janis thought I should be seen drinking it and now people think it’s all I drink.”

  “I can get you something else,” Denning offered but she refused his offer. She didn’t want a fuss made; there was bound to be somebody watching.

  “Rob? Oh my God. Robert Denning, it is you.”

  Both of them turned at the sound of the screechy voice. Gwen turned in irritation because Denning was on duty and shouldn’t be entertaining friends while he worked. Denning spun, moving swiftly to his feet as the dark-headed woman threw herself into his arms. -

  “I can’t believe I’ve found you, my darling. Where have you been hiding?” Melissa wrapped her arms around Denning’s neck as her scarlet lips headed for his mouth. Only his rapid reactions saved Denning from a full-blown kiss as he moved his head and Melissa’s lips brushed along the edge of his jaw.

  “As though I’m going to tell you where I’ve been hiding.” Denning urged the pretty woman away, holding her at arm’s length.

  “But, darling…” she began.

  “Denning?” Gwen stood as a slight flush crossed her cheeks. “What is the meaning of this?” She glanced about the filled room, trying to judge if anyone else was watching. A person of her fame couldn’t afford to be caught in between a lover’s quarrel although Denning wasn’t happy to see this woman if the dark scowl on his face was any indication.

  “Rob, who is she?” Melissa stepped out of Denning’s arms to confro
nt the woman he’d been with.

  Gwen smiled a cold grin. The woman who had thrown herself at Denning was beautiful with her shock of hair which trailed like a dark chocolate torrent of curls past her shoulders. Her eyes flashed dark, like glittery coals in the night, her long eyelashes surely a later addition to her face. Nothing Gwen could see was natural. Long painted talons perched on the end of falsely tanned hands, thin arms and shoulders showed beneath a thin strappy item that barely reached her knees although her breasts seemed out of proportion to the rest of the overly slim frame. Her painted-on black, low-cut gown left very little to the imagination. Ridiculously elevated shoes in a bright cerise gave the woman height as she towered over Gwen. Was this the kind of woman Denning chose to spend time with?

  “She is none of your business.” Rob pushed past Melissa to stand by Gwen’s side.

  “Of course, she’s my business if she’s dating my fiancé!”

  “Fiancé?” Gwen looked up into Denning’s furious face. He looked as surprised as she did.

  “I am not your fiancé. I will never be your fiancé.” Denning shook his head as he slowly uttered the words.

  “Melissa, there you are…” A pale faced man in a cream suit approached them, his eyes taking in the situation but not quite understanding it. “Is there a problem?” The man’s eyes passed quickly over Denning as though determining what kind of man he was and deciding he wasn’t one to tangle with. Even in an expensive suit, Denning’s aggression and innate ability to look after himself shone out.

  “If she stays here any longer, there will be a problem,” Denning muttered, keeping his voice low so as not to attract unnecessary attention.

  “I don’t understand...” the man began but Melissa marched toward him, her hands held out to snatch hold of his arm and maneuver him away.

  “It’s all right, my darling. It was just a misunderstanding,” Melissa oozed, her voice soft and sexy although loud enough for Gwen and Denning to hear. “Rob and I are old friends, and I just wanted to catch up, but his new girlfriend got all possessive over him.”