A Christmas Temptation

by Karen Booth

  Not wanting to scare her, he cleared his throat. She stirred, but then snuggled up with the pillow again. The second time, he coughed. That was enough to make her open one eye.

  “Jake.” Sophie sat up, blinking, adorably sleepy. Her vision narrowed on him. “Why are you here?”

  It wasn’t exactly the greeting he’d hoped for, but honestly, it just felt good to be near her. He sat on the edge of the sofa near her feet and looked into her beautiful eyes. “I’m here because I’m a jerk.”

  “You are?” She sat up straighter, waking up. “Actually, you’re right. You are a jerk.”

  Again, not what he’d wanted to hear, but better to face the music than lose out on a second, or technically a third, chance with Sophie. “I never should have doubted that you were just as surprised as I was by what was in your grandmother’s will. But more important than that, I never, ever should have put a deal before my friendship with you. I never should have let it matter when I had a chance at more with you.”

  “Then why did you do it?”

  Still unsure how she was feeling, he fought his deep longing to take her hand. He needed her to understand how much he meant what he was about to say, but he’d have to let her decide on his sincerity for herself. “I did it because that was the part I knew I could make work. Give me numbers and a business or a piece of property and I will turn it into more. It was us that I didn’t know how to turn into more. And frankly, I was terrified of more. I was scared of hurting you, or you hurting me, or something coming along and ruining everything. I played it safe, Sophie, and you know that’s not me.”

  “I’m so happy to hear that you’ve figured it out. Really. I am. I’m happy for you.”

  “I was hoping you’d be happy for us.” Jake looked into her warm eyes, hoping and praying that there was forgiveness in what she’d said. He wanted his third chance. More than anything. “Say something.”

  “It’s kind of amazing that after all of that, I still missed you.”

  “You did?”

  She gently swatted him on the arm and moved closer, her sweet scent making the moment that much more powerful. He wanted this more than anything.

  “Of course I did. I missed you all those years we were apart. I missed you when I’d only known you for a day. That’s what you do to me, Jake. You make me miss you, even when you’re a jerk.”

  “Does that mean you’ll give me a third chance?”

  “That depends. Are you going to be needing a fourth one? Because if you are, I might have to pass. I can’t do this again. It will kill me.”

  “I don’t need a fourth chance. I promise.” He bundled her in his arms and kissed her deeply. It was more than passion or heat; it was his chance to tell her without words that she was his world. “I love you, Sophie. I nearly said it weeks ago and I really wish I had.”

  “You do?” Tears welled in her eyes. He tried to kiss them away.

  “I do.”

  “Thank God. I love you, too. And it has not been easy to convince myself otherwise. I have failed completely.”

  He smiled. “That’s one thing I’d like to see you fail at.”

  Sophie glanced over at her desk and her brow furrowed. “What’s that?”

  Jake hopped up from the couch. “I brought you a gift.”

  “I told you that you didn’t need to bring me presents every time you come to my office.”

  He picked up the tree topper and handed it to her. Her mouth went slack with surprise. “Oh, my God. The star from the market. You got it for me?”

  “It’s insurance. I didn’t want to risk you not having a good Christmas, and I knew that having a star on the tree was important to you.”

  “That was so sweet of you, but you know, Christmas is already pretty much ruined. My mom and Mindy aren’t coming.”

  “I know. I spoke to Mindy today.”

  “You did? Is that what finally made you get off your butt and get over here?”

  Jake laughed. “Something like that.” He put his arm around her and kissed her forehead. “And you know, we can save Christmas. Together.”

  “But you hate it.”

  He shook his head. “I am determined to change my thinking. But I’m going to need a few days at Eden House with you if I’m going to do it right.”

  Sophie’s expression was one of happiness, delight and sheer thankfulness. “You’ll come with me? You’ll save Christmas?”

  “As unlikely as that sounds, I don’t want anything else.”

  Thirteen

  The sky was pitch-black by the time Sophie and Jake made the trip down the driveway at Eden House. This was not how Sophie had envisioned arriving this year, in the car with Jake, looking forward to several days of just the two of them, alone. This holiday was going to be very different. There was no denying that. Nor was there any denying that it was a good thing. Everything else in her life was changing—why not Christmas, too?

  “Good to be back?” Jake asked as he pulled under the porte cochere and parked the car.

  She took a moment to look at him, still in awe that several hours ago she was out cold in her office, having lulled herself to sleep by trying to wish away the holiday she loved so much. Thank goodness Jake not only recognized the error of his ways, he had the nerve to show up at her office and apologize, just in the nick of time. There really were Christmas miracles.

  “It’s absolutely fantastic to be back.”

  Jake brought in their suitcases and took them up to Sophie’s room while she unloaded the groceries they’d bought at the market in town for their Christmas Day feast. Luckily, they’d grabbed dinner during their drive up, so she wouldn’t have to cook tonight. For tomorrow, she planned to prepare the same elegant meal Gram always made—beef tenderloin roasted with carrots and fresh herbs, along with a homemade potato gratin and sautéed green beans. For dessert, she needed only to reach into the freezer.

  “Ooh. I forgot there were cookies.” Jake wrapped his arms around her from behind as she placed the tin on the counter to thaw.

  “Now you’re happy I made you bake with me.”

  “I am.” He kissed her neck. “I’m also wondering when we get to go upstairs and make up for real.”

  Sophie turned in his arms, fighting a smile. That smoldering look in his eyes was going to kill her. “There’s a protocol to the Eden family Christmas, and that will have to wait just a little bit longer.”

  “Well, that might need to change if I have anything to say about it.”

  “I promise you the to-do list is much shorter now than it was the last time you were here.”

  Jake cast his sights up to the ceiling. “Thank God. So what do I need to do?”

  “Nothing too arduous. It’s tradition that we build a fire in the sitting room, drink champagne and talk about what we’re thankful for.”

  “That’s it?”

  Sophie nodded. “Hardly any trouble at all. It’ll mean a lot to me, though. It’s exactly what we would be doing if Gram was here.”

  “I’m on fire duty.” Jake disappeared into the utility room.

  Sophie pulled out a bottle of Krug and placed it on the silver serving tray along with two champagne flutes. She also took a handful of cookies from the tin and put them on a plate. Once the fire got going, she figured they’d no longer be frozen. By the time she reached the sitting room, Jake was already hard at work placing the logs and crumpling newspaper. Sophie sat and opened the champagne as the fire started to crackle and pop.

  “It’ll be going in no time,” he said, joining her on the couch.

  “You seem remarkably happy.” She poured them each a glass of champagne.

  He picked up his glass but didn’t drink from it yet. He simply looked at her, scanning her face, breaking her down with his eyes. “I am happy. I think this is the one time in my life I’ve ever felt ho
peful. Truly hopeful. I can’t explain it. I guess it’s just being in love.” He leaned forward and kissed her softly on the lips. “Which really just means that it all comes down to you. You make me feel hopeful.”

  Sophie smiled and kissed him again before raising her glass. “To feeling hopeful.” With a soft musical clink, they toasted, then each took a sip.

  Jake predictably went for a cookie soon after. “These really are good. Is there some reason you can’t have them year-round? I mean, are they just for Christmas?”

  Sophie laughed. “If you like them that much, I will make them more often. Valentine’s Day. Easter. Whatever you want.”

  “Thanksgiving. Arbor Day. There are a lot of holidays we could exploit in the interest of cookies.”

  She sat back on the couch and watched him as he happily polished off his treat. She loved seeing him like this—relaxed, fun Jake was the absolute best. “Do you feel like you already said what you’re thankful for? Or is there more?”

  He cast a look at her that was one-half genuine warmth and one-half seduction. It sent zaps of electricity down her legs. “I have a feeling there will always be more to be thankful for if I’m with you.” He scooted closer to her on the couch. “What about you?”

  Sophie sighed. This year had been crazy. A roller coaster unlike anything she’d ever experienced. Losing Gram, gaining a half sister, inheriting Eden’s and having Jake return to her life. It was hard to believe she’d not only crammed it into twelve months, but this had been only the last three. And there was no sign of things slowing down anytime soon. Luckily, she’d have Jake by her side.

  “I’m thankful for love. I’m thankful that I had my family’s love and I’m thankful that I now have yours. That’s the greatest gift of all. It’s all I’ve ever wanted.”

  He put his arm around her and pulled her close. “That’s so perfect.”

  “Yeah? It was pretty simple, but that’s all it boils down to.”

  He nodded and looked off at the fire. “How are you feeling about the challenges ahead? Your sister. Emma. Eden’s. It’s a lot to think about.”

  She could only nod in agreement. “It is. I’d be lying if I said that I wasn’t worried at least a little bit. The unknown is scary. I don’t want to spend the next two years waging battle with Mindy. And Emma? There’s no telling what that’s going to be like. She sure didn’t seem warm and fuzzy at the lawyer’s office that day.”

  “Well, as someone with their fair share of family upheaval, and a dad who wasn’t in their life, I’m guessing there are probably some pretty big scars there. I’d try to give her the benefit of the doubt if you can.”

  Sophie didn’t want to think about it too hard. She would just have to cling to optimism and hope that would get her through. “I can do that. For a little while, at least.”

  “Whatever happens, I want you to know I’ll be with you every step of the way.”

  “What about two years from now? The building and the land will still be there, except then it will be ripe for the picking.”

  “I want what you want, Sophie. I am fully prepared to help you with the store in any way I can if that’s what you want.”

  “It is what I want. More than almost anything. I mean, I don’t want that more than I want you.”

  “I don’t want anything more than you. And as for two years from now, I’m hoping we’ll be in this exact spot talking about our future again, except maybe we’ll be married by then and talking about kids.”

  Sophie was flat-out shocked. “That’s quite the leap for you, Jake.”

  “It is. But I don’t want to put off happiness anymore. We’ve both waited plenty long.”

  “A family? On top of the crazy lives we already have?”

  “Don’t you want this house to be full of love and laughter again? Like it was when you were a kid?”

  “I do. Although one could argue that it’s already full of love.”

  “That is the sweetest thing you could ever say. Now I just need to make you laugh.” He tickled her on her sides and Sophie erupted into laughter, folding in half and trying to get away from his hands. She jerked, falling back onto the couch. Jake climbed on top of her and slid his hand under her sweater, still tickling, although it was quickly turning into more. He planted a hot kiss on her mouth, encouraging her lips apart with his tongue. She wanted him so badly she could hardly see straight. But there was one more thing that had to be done.

  “Jake. We need to put the star on the tree before we can go up to bed.”

  “Who says we have to go up to bed? This couch is working great for me right now. We have all night, after all.” He nuzzled her neck with his nose, driving her wild.

  “I’m serious. Just this one thing. Then I promise you that clothes can come off.”

  She had never seen a human being hop off a piece of furniture so fast in her life. “The star on the tree and that’s it?”

  “Scout’s honor.” Sophie got up from the couch and took the star from the top of the bar, where Jake had left it. “I should probably get the stepladder. Unless you think you can reach it.”

  “First off, you should be the one to put the star on the tree. And second, I do not want to wait for one of us to get a stepladder. Come here.” Jake wrapped his arms around her legs and hoisted her up.

  It felt momentous to do this with him, with the star he had bought for her. It felt like a new beginning. “I love it. It’s perfect. It might even be better than the old one. Gram would have approved.”

  “Good.” He gently set her back down on her feet but kept her in his arms. “Have I told you how happy I am to be here with you? To have you share this with me? It means the world. Truly.”

  “Does this mean you might start liking Christmas?”

  “Are you kidding? With you, Christmas is going to become my favorite day of the year.”

  “You’re saying that so I’ll go upstairs with you.” She rose up onto her tiptoes and gave him a kiss that said that upstairs was the only place she wanted to go.

  “Whatever it takes, Sophie. Whatever it takes.”

  * * * * *

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  In her brand-new series, New York Times

  bestselling author Brenda Jackson welcomes you to Catalina Cove, where even the biggest

  heartbreaks can be healed...

  Keep reading for a sneak peek at

  Love in Catalina Cove

  Love in Catalina Cove

  by Brenda Jackson

  CHAPTER ONE

  New York City

  VASHTI ALCINDOR SHOULD be celebrating. After all, the official letter she’d just read declared her divorce final, which meant her three-year marriage to Scott Zimmons was over. Definitely done with. As far as she was concerned the marriage had lasted two years too long. She wouldn’t count that first year since she’d been too in love to dwell on Scott’s imperfections. Truth be told there were many that she’d deliberately overlooked. She’d been so determined to have that happily-ever-after that she honestly believed she could put up with anything.

  But reality soon crept into the world of make-believe, and she discovered she truly couldn’t. Her husband was a compulsive liar who could look you right in the eyes and lie with a straight face. She didn’t want to count the number of times she’d caught him in the act. When she couldn’t take the deceptions any longer she had packed her things and left. When her aunt Shelby died five months later, Scott felt entitled to half of the inheritance Vashti received in the will.

  It was then that Vashti had hired one of the best divorce attorneys in New York, and within six weeks his private investigator had uncovered Scott’s scandalous activities. Namely, his past and present affair with his boss’s wife. Vashti hadn’t wasted any time making Scott aware that she was not only privy to this information, but had photographs and videos to prove it.

  Knowing she wouldn’t hesitate to expose him as the lowlife that he was, Scott had agreed to an uncontested divorce and walked away with nothing. The letter she’d just read was documented proof that he would do just about anything to hold on to his cushy Wall Street job.