At a loss for words herself, Olivia stared wordlessly at the three of them. She realized then and there, she’d never seen Alistair this angry before. The only other time she’d seen him lose his cool was couple of weeks earlier when the lumber company not only arrived late, but delivered the wrong wood to the Vanier house. He’d promptly called the lumber company and given them piece of his mind. But that had been tame compared to this. And judging from the scene in the bedroom at that moment, his anger seemed perfectly justified. Olivia had no idea who the man was, but it was obvious he and Alistair knew each other. Marquise’s eyes met Olivia’s momentarily before she looked away embarrassed. Olivia stifled a smirk. She couldn’t deny the satisfaction she felt seeing Marquise get caught with her pants down—especially after the choice words Marquise had for her the day they met. Olivia considered leaving the room to spare the dignity of Marquise and her gentleman friend, but changed her mind. This was far too juicy a scene to walk away from. It was like a scene from one of Jazlynn’s favorite cheesy daytime soap operas and Olivia found it amusing.
“What the hell are you doing back here anyway?” Marquise said, fumbling for her jeans.
“Just put your clothes on!” Alistair demanded, keeping his back turned. “Are you dressed yet?” he asked a few seconds later.
“Yes,” Marquise said in a huff. “I thought you were spending then night at her place.” She said it as though she’d have preferred wallowing in pig swill rather than mention Olivia’s name.
Alistair turned around, facing her now. “Well, there’s obviously been a change of plans,” he said. “And I live here remember?”
Luther was fully dressed now. “Look, bro...I seriously didn’t mean any disrespect.”
Alistair took a deep breath. He pursed lips in an effort to suppress his anger. “No. No disrespect at all. You who made no bones about screwing around behind Pam’s back. You, the one calling yourself my friend while sleazy enough to put moves on my sister. Yeah, that’s right—no disrespect at all.”
“Geez, man. It just happened. She called me and told me she was in town and wanted some company.”
“And you rushed right over here for a romp in the sack with her.” Alistair stepped in closer to Luther. “You’re lucky I don’t knock your ass out.”
Olivia took hold of Alistair’s arm to calm him. “Hey, guys...let’s just calm down, all right?”
Marquise glanced at Olivia, giving her the once over. “And what part of this is your business?”
Olivia’s eyebrows raised in amusement. She could have given Marquise the verbal ass-whooping of a lifetime right then and there, but wouldn’t entertain the idea of stooping to her level. It was clearer than ever that Marquise was the star of her own show.
Alistair looked his sister square in the eye. “What’s my business is Olivia’s business. If you don’t like it, too bad. And while I’m at it, don’t ever let me hear you speak to Liv like that again.
“Whatever...,” Marquise said, turning her back to Olivia dismissively. “Anyway, excuse me,” she said, stepping in between the two men and facing her brother with her hands on her hips. “Do I look like a child who needs your permission to sleep with a man?” She looked more in control now that she was fully dressed.
Alistair turned his attention away from Luther and looked down at his sister. “No. No you don’t. And honestly, Marquise, who you sleep with is your business. But what goes on in my bed is my business. You wanted a key to the house to get away from Ma’s overbearing behavior, that’s why I gave you one. I sure as hell didn’t intend for you to use it like this.”
Luther shook his head and headed for the door.
“Leaving us, are you?” Alistair said, backing up so his body framed the bedroom doorway, blocking Luther from getting through. “Seriously bro...I knew you had your issues, but this is low, even for you. Here I am trying to help you out and you go and pull this?” Alistair shook his head. “This is unforgiveable man...really unforgiveable.”
“What can I say? I told you man...I mean no disrespect.”
“Too late,” Alistair said.
“Guess that’s your choice, then.” Luther looked over at Marquise. “Do you want to go for a drive?”
Marquise tossed a defiant glance in her brother’s direction and rolled her eyes at him before turning her attention back to Luther. “Sure, why not? Anything is better than being judged.” She walked over to where Luther stood waiting for Alistair to move out of the middle of the doorway. Alistair stood glaring at him for what seemed like an eternity before stepping aside. “Let’s get out of here,” Marquise said, locking her arm around Luther’s elbow as the two of the turned on their heels and left.
Two hours later, with Nat King Cole’s Christmas album playing in the background, Olivia and Alistair sat at the table enjoying their long awaited spaghetti dinner, discussing the matter. “You know, try as hard as I can, I still can’t believe I found the two of them in bed together—my bed, no less!” Alistair said, shaking his head.
“Luther comes across as really shady to me.”
“So you can imagine I don’t want my sister getting caught up with him. He’s had a hard-on for her for years. I would never have guessed Marquise would give him the time of day. He’s a hustler...always has been.”
“Which begs the question why you considered partnering with him in the first place?”
Alistair took a moment to think about it. “Guess I was desperate. And he’s a longtime friend and I thought we might work well together. I thought I might even let him do some work on the house for us. Guess that idea’s out the window now.”
Olivia shot him a warning glance, followed by a smirk. “Oh you’d better believe it, it is.”
“I guess I had to see him in all his sleazy glory and have it knock some sense into me. But Marquise...I can’t believe it. She’s always set her sights so high. Why Luther? Why now?”
“I think it’s just the thrill of it for her.”
“Lord, I hope you’re right,” Alistair said. “And look, I’m sorry she was such a bitch to you.”
“Oh no worries,” Olivia said, smiling. “I already knew she hated me anyway.”
Alistair gave her an odd look. “How so?”
“Since the day you introduced us. Remember?”
“Remember?” Alistair laughed. “How could I possibly forget? The day you likely would have killed me.”
“After you left the table to take a phone call, she confronted me about having an agenda with you and accused me of being after your bank account.”
Alistair gave her a blank stare. “Why didn’t you tell me all of this earlier? Seriously, I would have never let her get away with that.”
“Because you were so happy she was home and I didn’t want to start anything between the two of you. Clearly you guys are close...I didn’t want to look like I was starting trouble.”
Alistair toyed with the food in his plate and thought about it. “Look, I love my baby sister to death, but she can be really full of herself. Pay her no mind.”
“I’m really not trying to start anything,”
“And I know that. Trust me, you’re not the first woman in my life that Marquise’s grilled to death.”
“Protective of her big brother. I can understand that,” Olivia said.
“Well that’s something she’s going to have to get over. She’s incredibly smart, articulate and intelligent, but likes to be the center of attention. Don’t know why, since Ma showered all three of us with the same amount of love and attention when we were growing up—and still does.”
Olivia’s face lit up. “Speaking of which, I can’t wait to meet your mom,” she said, smiling brightly.
“And she can’t wait to meet you either. She’s been bugging me for weeks about meeting you. I’ve been telling her soon, but since she found out you’re coming for Christmas, she’s been beside herself.”
“Sounds exciting,” Olivia said, furrowing her brow suddenly. “I
hope me being there doesn’t cause any friction with Marquise. I’d hate for a scene to erupt over Christmas dinner.”
“You’ve got nothing to worry about, trust me,” Alistair said, reassuring her. “I’ll being taking care of that situation soon enough. And after what you witnessed here this evening, if anything Marquise should hang her head in shame the next time she sees you.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Christmas day and its pending fanfare arrived on a cold, blustery morning. Olivia opened her eyes and saw Alistair’s side of the bed empty. She surveyed the space surrounding her in the massive king-sized bed, smiling as she recalled their night of passion. They had explored each other over and over again, their sexual energy so charged there had been nothing left to afterward but collapse into each other’s arms and fall asleep. She couldn’t recall a single moment in her life when she’d felt more content. She’d become consumed with this man. And the best part it was, it felt right. All her apprehensions were gone and her heart was exposed, open and raw. She couldn’t turn back now.
Alistair appeared in the doorway wrapped in the robe she’d given him holding a silver tray topped with breakfast. “Merry Christmas, my sexy ebony sleeping beauty,” he said with a sly grin as the natural light of the room danced off his smiling hazel-brown eyes. He set the tray down on the bed and slid in beside her. Their lips fused together and they kissed, long and hard.
“Morning, gorgeous. Merry Christmas to you, too.” She returned his sly grin with one of her own. “Look at you spoiling me with breakfast in bed. I was about to scold you for leaving me all alone in this massive bed of yours, but you redeemed yourself with this spread. Everything smells amazing.”
“Scolding me is what you do best.” Alistair stared at her suggestively. “It turns me on.”
“Well where’s the fun in that? Scolding you is supposed to make me feel better, not you.”
“Oh, I’m all about making you feel better,” he said, giving her a knowing glance.
After breakfast Alistair got up, went to a bureau drawer, and pulled out a slim package wrapped in gold foil Christmas wrapping paper.
Olivia’s eyebrows raised in interest. “Hey, I thought we weren’t opening any gifts until we got to your parents’ later on?”
“We’re not. This is just a little something. Go ahead, open it up and see,” Alistair said with a look of glee on his face. “Of course this isn’t your actual Christmas gift or anything but I think you’re going to like it.”
Olivia’s eyes narrowed in curiosity. She tore open the package and opened the box. There was a plaque inside, emblazoned with the words Envision Properties. Her face lit up as she removed it from the box.“So we’re registered with the Registry of Joint Stocks, too, right?”
“Oh come on,” Alistair said. “Do you think I could be business partners with a corporate attorney without crossing all the Ts and dotting all the Is?
“Looks like I taught you well,” Olivia said.
Alistair took the plaque out of her hand and held it in the air. “I’m thinking this is going to look perfect on the outside of our offices in the not too distant future, don’t you think?”
“Definitely.”
They’d discussed expanding their partnership contingent upon the success of their first flip. Even with a slight delay they were confident they would have it completed and on the market by the first of the year.
“I guess this really makes it official,”Alistair said.
Olivia reflected for a moment. “I’d really like it if we were official, too.”
Alistair smiled, his hazel brown eyes crinkling at the sides. “I...uh...kind of thought we already were.”
Olivia gave him a fortuitous smile. “I guess I just assumed since we hadn’t talked about it...”
“Well when you know, you know,” he said.
In Olivia’s heart of hearts she’d already known, too. She ran her index finger down the length of his bare chest and down his rock hard abs. Her hand slowly and methodically moved further down. She smiled, realizing his abs weren’t the only thing rock hard as she locked her hand around him. He quickly responded to her advances, leaning in a giving her a kiss. Olivia returned his kiss with equal fervor as his hands roamed her body. She obliged him by allowing his fingers to work their dexterity in all the right places. “I love you,” she whispered in his ear as he took her.
“I love you too...” he said, as they christened their first Christmas morning together.
Three hours later when Olivia and Alistair arrived at Loretta and George’s they were greeted by a cheerful atmosphere. Loretta’s eyes lit up. “Olivia, darling! I can’t believe I finally get to meet you! Lord, look at those cheekbones...you’re beautiful just like your sister. I could smack that boy of mine for keeping you from us for so long. Come on inside out of the cold, sweetie and let me take your coat.”
Alistair removed Olivia’s coat and handed it to his mother then introduced her to George.
“So glad to finally meet you both,” Olivia said with a smile, basking in the warm welcome. She realized that for all the hemming and hawing she’d done about spending Christmas with Alistair’s folks, she felt right at home. Marquise appeared and stood beside her mother, forcing a smile.
“Merry Christmas you guys,” she said to Olivia and Alistair. Olivia had to give her credit. She certainly appeared to be trying to let bygones be bygones.
“You’ve met Marquise, haven’t you?” Loretta asked Olivia.
“I have, actually.” Olivia said, nodding and smiling.
Jazlynn and Trey appeared in the foyer looking like an old married couple. Jazlynn’s smile was about as wide as Olivia had ever seen. Jazlynn shot straight toward Alistair and gave him a hug while Trey hugged Olivia.
“Merry Christmas, sis,” he said. Olivia returned his hug.
“Well hun I hate to have to meet you and run, but George and I have to go tend to dinner. Thankfully we have all day to chat and get to know more about you...oh I’m so excited!” Loretta gushed at Olivia.
“Oh, no worries at all,” Olivia said. “If I can be of any help at all, just let me know.”
“I’d rather you just go on into the living room and make yourself at home. Alistair, you go on ahead and take her into the family room. There’s plenty of sweets, wine and that sort of thing to keep you happy. And besides I want to show off my tree,” Loretta said.
“Sure, Ma.” Alistair patiently waited as Olivia removed her scarf and took off her boots. Olivia thought he couldn’t possibly have looked more chivalrous if he tried. She smiled slyly at him, remembering their morning of Christmas passion. He returned the look with one of his own.
“Are we all set?” he asked gently touching her arm as they made their way toward the family room. “As you can tell, Ma’s ecstatic about you being here...and so am I.”
Olivia sighed. She was grateful things had turned out the way they had, that she was there with Alistair’s family. “Thanks for inviting me. I’m really, really glad to be here. I mean that.”
They made their way to the family room, the sounds of Christmas music filling the house. The scent of Christmas tree pine needles blending with smells of turkey dinner and apple pie permeated the air.
“This is going to be the best Christmas I’ve ever had,” Alistair said, giving Olivia a boyish grin. He paused, tilting his head and touching his cheek to hers.
Olivia never felt more a part of his life then she did just then. What they now shared went beyond business partners and lovers. This was something real—and they both knew it. She felt more a part of Alistair’s life in the past few minutes then she had the entire two years she’d been with Theo. Thinking of it gave her pause. She no longer harbored any ill will toward him and Edwina. In fact, she hoped they were enjoying their first Christmas together, too.
Alistair stepped aside in the hallway, allowing her to round the doorway of the family room first. And when she did, she did a double take. There, standing in the mi
ddle of the Davenport family room was none other than Vondrelle. Wearing the broadest of smiles, she rushed over to her and threw her arms around her. “Auntie...oh my God! What...how...oh my goodness, how did you get here?” she asked, choking back tears. Jazlynn came over and joined their embrace.
Vondrelle nodded a glance in Alistair’s direction. “It’s all him, sweetie—this wonderful, handsome man of yours. He convinced me to come. Now mind you—like Jazlynn always says—I thought he was straight tripping to be calling me and begging me to come spend Christmas with strangers.” She bellowed in laughter. “But it’s all good.”
Olivia glanced up at Alistair. “How’d you ever think to do such a thing?”
“I’m all about keeping my woman happy,” he said, giving her a smile.
“Wasn’t that nice of him?” Vondrelle said. “I figured what the hell...I’d miss my girls if I didn’t. Besides, he sounded so handsome on the phone I had to come so I could put face to the voice, and let me say...I’m pleased with what I see.” She winked at Alistair.
Olivia glanced from Vondrelle to Alistair to Jazlynn. “How’d you manage to keep this from me?”
Jazlynn shrugged and laughed. “Well we barely see each other these days...keeping it from you was easy.”
“Yeah, I guess,” Olivia said, still allowing the surprise to sink in.
“Alistair ran the idea by me and I thought it was great, so I gave him Auntie’s phone number,” Jazlynn said, smiling. “I thought it was a great idea but didn’t think Auntie would be able to come.”
“Well exactly.” Olivia shook her head in amazement. “When did you even get here?” she asked Vondrelle.
“Very late last night. And Loretta and George were here wide awake, waiting for me to arrive. God love them both.”
Olivia felt like she must be dreaming. “Well I had no idea...no idea at all.” She looked up at Alistair. “Baby, you have no idea how happy this makes me.”
“Well I knew how badly you wanted your aunt here for Christmas and figured it couldn’t hurt to at least try,” Alistair said, looking over at Vondrelle. “Just glad we could pull it off, eh Auntie?”
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