After dinner, they had stayed up late watching Christmas movies. Elf was her favorite, and she’d laughed unabashedly at Will Farrell. Then they’d watched The Polar Express and part of a Hallmark movie before Sarah had fallen asleep on the couch. He’d never spent much time watching movies with a woman. Usually after a night out with one of his previous girlfriends, he’d taken them to bed, and they’d left in the morning. It was uncomplicated and shallow.
It unnerved him to realize how much he was starting to dislike that. It was far more entertaining to eat pizza at home, watch movies, and snuggle with the cat.
Don’t get attached, he warned himself. Sarah had been the victim of abuse, and she didn’t need another man in her life right now. It was better to let her go while they were only friends.
And yet, when he watched her sleeping, he wished he could lie beside her.
Instead, he took the blanket and covered her. The barest hint of vanilla fragrance caught his attention, like the sugar cookies she’d baked earlier. If she belonged to him, he would lean down and smooth the lock of blond hair from her cheek. He would kiss her deeply, bringing her body atop his. And he would unbutton that blue silk blouse, revealing her creamy flesh.
He gritted his teeth at the arousal that shot through him. God, he was behaving like a bastard. It didn’t matter how much he was attracted to Sarah—she wasn’t ready for another relationship. He knew that. As for himself, it was simply the loneliness catching up with him. He hadn’t dated anyone in over a year, and he’d felt a connection with her. Knowing that she was not—and never had been—married to Carnell made it that much easier to succumb to the attraction.
Instead, he left her alone and returned to his desk. He’d dropped the file folder there earlier, when dinner had arrived, and now he took the time to go over all the details. But even as he reviewed the contract offer, he couldn’t stop thinking of Sarah’s false marriage. Ben Carnell was one twisted man to concoct such a scheme. Why would he do it? Was there another underlying reason why he would want to control a young woman? Or was he simply that terrible?
It irritated him that he would still have to do business with Venture Enterprises. But he couldn’t afford to turn down the opportunity for the contract. He could sign an agreement with the devil if it meant keeping his hotel properties open. Too many jobs and lives were on the line.
A buzzing noise caught his attention, and he traced the sound back to the kitchen. Sarah had plugged her cell phone in, and the call went to voice mail.
But a moment later, he saw a text message flash on the phone.
You stupid slut. I know you’re sleeping with him.
Alec picked up the phone, surprised to discover that Sarah didn’t have a security password on it. He saw at least five text messages, all from Ben Carnell. Before he could turn off the phone, a sixth message arrived.
I know where you are. And I’ll come find you in the morning.
A sudden suspicion caught him, and he went into her phone’s settings and turned off all location services. It was likely that Ben had discovered that she’d taken her belongings. And now, he was tracking her through the phone.
They were due to arrive at the airport tomorrow afternoon. But it would be safer to change the time of the flight to earlier. He owned the private jet, so it would be easy enough to make the adjustment, even if it meant a layover in Heathrow.
He held Sarah’s phone a moment longer, though his conscience warned him to leave it alone. It infuriated him that Carnell was treating her like a runaway child. Sarah deserved the chance to get away from him.
It wasn’t right to interfere when this was her life, her choices. But neither did he want the man to bother her or make her feel threatened. Alec opened up her phone contacts and blocked Carnell. Sarah didn’t need a man like that in her life.
She doesn’t need you, either, his common sense warned.
But he told himself that this was about giving her the chance to feel safe. He wanted her to enjoy France without receiving intimidating messages from her ex-husband. And if that meant silencing Carnell, so be it.
Sarah woke up early in the morning with a cat nudging her face. She stretched and glanced outside the windows. It was still dark, and when she checked the clock, she saw that it was 5:00 in the morning.
There was a faint light coming from the hall, so she got up and found Alec in the kitchen.
“Morning,” she mumbled. “Sorry, I fell asleep on the couch last night.”
“I thought about waking you but you looked too comfortable.” He held out a mug. “Coffee?”
“Please.” She took the cup, and he passed her the cream and sugar. After a few sips, she started to feel human again. The cat wandered into the kitchen and she asked, “What will you do with Marigold while you’re gone?”
“My assistant, Lacey, will make sure she’s fed and cared for. Marigold despises the kennel.”
“She slept beside me all night,” Sarah said. “I never realized how comforting it can be to have an animal snuggle with you.” During the last year, she’d always gone to bed alone. Ben was usually traveling, and when he did come home, he had often slept in a different bedroom. Sometimes she’d felt the sense of rejection, though he’d claimed it was because he had to get up early for work.
“Having an animal in your room can be comforting, except when the cat steps on your face and demands food at four in the morning,” he countered. “Which has been known to happen.” He reached down and picked up the cat. “When I’m traveling, I sometimes take Marigold with me, but it’s not possible when I go overseas.”
She finished her coffee and asked, “Do I have time to take a shower before we leave?”
“Of course.” He led her down the hall toward one of the bedrooms that had its own bathroom. “I put your suitcase in here last night.”
Sarah walked inside and saw a queen-sized mahogany sleigh bed with a pale beige duvet and two pillow shams. She couldn’t stop herself from touching the furnishings.
“It’s a beautiful room,” she said. “It’s a shame I slept on the couch. But it was comfortable there, too.”
He ventured a smile. “If you don’t mind eating breakfast on the plane, it will save us a little time.”
It was clear that, despite his assurance that she had time to shower, he was in a hurry. She wondered if Ben had caused any trouble but decided not to ask. “That’s fine.” She thanked him, and he left her alone.
She locked the door and unzipped her suitcase. For a moment, it seemed strange to go through the clothing the stylist had chosen for her. How had she allowed Ben to eliminate her wardrobe and erase that side of herself? She picked out a pair of tailored trousers and an emerald cashmere sweater, hardly looking at them.
After she was dressed, she brushed her hair and put on make-up to hide the bruise. The foundation and powder helped, and she added eyeliner and a rose lipstick to make herself presentable. It wasn’t great, but at least she didn’t look like a battered woman anymore.
It was a shame she couldn’t cover up the invisible bruises under her skin. She’d been just as responsible for the abuse because she’d allowed it to happen. She’d never stood up to him. Marriages were about compromise, she’d always thought. Only, in Ben’s case, it had to be his way all the time.
Her emotions knotted in her gut as she packed up the rest of her belongings and rolled the suitcase into the hall. “I’m ready,” she told Alec as she put on her coat.
He took her suitcase for her, and they barely spoke on the way downstairs. The car was waiting for them, and he held the door open for her while she climbed inside. He was giving instructions to the driver when her phone buzzed. A text message flashed on the screen from an unfamiliar phone number.
Did you think you could block me? I know where you are.
She closed her eyes and set down the phone. Alec got inside the car, and at his questioning look, she said, “Ben just texted me.”
His expression darkened. “You
should change phones and get a new number.” He thought a moment. “I have an idea. May I?”
She gave him the phone, not knowing what he intended. Alec took her phone and started adjusting her phone settings. He confessed, “I blocked his number when he texted you last night. I also turned off your location services. But it might be better to let him think he knows where you are. I can leave the phone in my driver’s car and let him drive around the city today.”
An uncertain emotion caught her stomach, and Sarah chose her words carefully. “Though I suppose you were trying to protect me, you shouldn’t have touched my phone. Not without asking me.”
Alec handed the phone back to her. “You’re right. But when he was threatening you last night, I didn’t want him to have that power.”
She set the phone down on the seat. “Yet, you decided it was okay for you to take that power? What makes you any different from Ben?”
His face turned stony. “Because I’ve given you choices. If you don’t want to travel with me, then don’t. Stay in the car, and my driver will take you wherever you want.”
She knew she’d offended him, but she couldn’t simply behave as if he’d done nothing wrong. This was about setting boundaries.
“I’ll go with you,” she said quietly. “But in the future, please ask me before you make decisions on my behalf.”
He gave a nod, but the atmosphere between them grew strained. Within a few minutes, they arrived at the airport. After she’d shown her passport and they were through security, Alec escorted her up the steps and into his private plane. The sleek jet was spacious with leather seats and a couch that could fully recline into a bed. Chilled champagne and orange juice were waiting for them, and Sarah chose a leather chair.
Alec poured a mimosa for her and held it out. “To new beginnings.”
She clinked her glass to his and sipped the champagne and orange juice. The flight attendant offered her breakfast choices and took her order. Alec spoke with the pilot quietly, and then he took a seat across from her. For a moment, he busied himself with the seat belt. But then he met her gaze. “I can arrange for another cell phone, once we reach Paris.”
“You don’t have to,” she protested. “I can get one after I return home.”
He paused a moment. “I’m not sorry I blocked him from your phone or turned off your location. Any man who tries to intimidate a woman should be blocked.”
“What about a man who takes a woman’s cell phone without her permission?” she pressed.
“He was stalking you. You don’t need that right now. I won’t apologize for protecting you.”
She leaned back in her seat as the plane prepared for take-off. Alec’s expression held concern, but there was something else beneath it—almost a faint note of interest.
Her heartbeat quickened, for she had no desire to be involved with any man at all, much less another man who wanted to control her life. But from the way he was watching her, his stare became an invisible caress. She pushed back the unexpected flare of her own response and steeled herself. “Is there another reason you’re interfering, Alec? Something else you want from me?”
Her words sparked an unbidden response, and his body reacted out of instinct. Damn it all, he was trying to do the right thing by giving her an ocean away from Carnell. But Sarah’s voice had a softness to it that allured him. He couldn’t deny that there was most definitely something he wanted from her.
“No,” he answered. “There’s nothing I want.”
Lies, his mind chided him. If he could have his way, he would lock the door to the cabin, giving them time alone. He would kiss those full lips, pulling her body into his lap. He would slide that emerald sweater from her curves, baring her until he could have her skin against his.
The physical desire became an unbearable ache of wanting. She didn’t belong to Carnell anymore. She wasn’t married.
But she also didn’t want to be involved with anyone.
The flight attendant interrupted their conversation once they reached cruising altitude, bringing them breakfast. Alec unfastened his seat belt and picked at his own food, while Sarah ate. He watched as she bit into a strawberry, her lips closing over the fruit. Living with this woman for the next few days would be pure torture. He’d told her she could enjoy the vacation as just friends, but he couldn’t deny that he liked Sarah. The timing was terrible, and he suspected his business deal with Ben had fallen apart because he hadn’t been able to set his personal feelings aside. And if he did have to close several hotels, it would mean hundreds of people losing their jobs just after the holidays.
“You’re staring at me,” she accused.
“Sorry. I was just lost in thought.” Which was partially true. He stood from his chair and started to walk to the far end of the cabin.
“Something on your mind?”
“Just…hotel business,” he said. “Nothing you could fix, really.”
He reached for his laptop and set it upon a table on the opposite side of the cabin. “I’m going to get some work done. There are movies you can watch if you’re interested.”
She nodded, and he pretended to be occupied with his laptop while she curled up to watch a movie. It occurred to him that today was Christmas Eve. He’d forgotten the date since he rarely had anyone to celebrate with. Sometimes he bought his cat a gift, which was pathetic. Most of the time, he woke up on Christmas morning with a mug of coffee and an empty Christmas tree.
But this year was different. He opened up his browser and started shopping online. He wasn’t entirely certain what Sarah might want, but it was interesting to imagine the possibilities.
She was curled up watching a romantic movie on one of the monitors. There was a softness about her, of a woman who longed for romance of her own. And he wondered if it was possible to help her find a different life, one where she could be safe.
She’d made it clear that she wanted nothing but friendship from him, which was for the best, really. Their lives were too different, and she needed time to get over her ex.
Alec checked his email, but he was fully aware of her presence. The movie ended, but she sat and stared at the screen for a long time, even after it was over.
“Do you suppose Ben is spending Christmas with her?” she asked. “With his wife?”
Alec closed the laptop, and answered, “Possibly.” It was a loaded subject he had no desire to touch.
“Did everyone know he was still married? Was I just that stupid?” She stood from her chair and turned to face him.
“I didn’t know Ben well, so I can’t really say. I don’t recall ever meeting his wife, though I might have seen her a time or two.” The man had kept his home life hidden.
“I’m still angry about it. Every time I think of it, I want to punch something,” she admitted. “It’s hard to just let go.”
“No one can expect you to get over it that soon. You were a victim.”
She stared outside the window, her expression growing distant. “I don’t ever want to be that woman again. I can’t.”
“It may help to get away from New York for a while,” he offered. “You can take some time for yourself and decide what you want to do.”
Sarah paused at that and turned back to him. “That’s a good idea. I just wish it were that easy.” Her shoulders slumped forward, and she slipped off her shoes, drawing up one knee. “I keep trying to block him out of my mind. I want to imagine that I can just move on with my life and act as if our relationship never existed. That it doesn’t matter what happened before.”
“You won’t forget what happened,” he acknowledged. “But you won’t make the same mistake again.”
“I know,” she agreed. “I tell myself over and over that everything will be different now. And yet, I’m still afraid. Ben doesn’t make idle threats.”
Alec wasn’t about to let anything happen to her. “What do you think he’ll try to do?”
“Stalk me,” she admitted. “He already traced my phone o
nce. Even though we left it in your car, I think he could find me easily enough.”
“You’ll be safe,” he said quietly. “I won’t let anyone get to you. I promise.”
She traced her fingers over one of the leather seats. “And yet, here I am, flying to Paris with a man I barely know. I’ve hardly curbed my impulses.”
“Merry Christmas?” he offered.
At that, she sent him a rueful mile. Her eyes warmed with humor, and she added, “I suppose you’re right. I have a lot to be thankful for, and I have no reason to feel sorry for myself. I’m away from Ben, and I’m on a plane to Paris. There will be time to think of the past later.”
Sarah leaned back in her seat, and her gaze drifted to the window. He didn’t press her for more, but he’d meant what he said. Though a part of him knew that he was compensating for what had happened to his mother, he wanted her to feel at ease. And yet, he knew it would take a while for her to feel safe again.
“I’m glad you’re here,” he admitted. “I haven’t spent Christmas with anyone in a long time.”
She couldn’t quite smile, as if the words had made her nervous. Though he hadn’t meant the words to sound stifling, he could understand why it had made her uncomfortable. But once spoken, he couldn’t exactly take them back. Better to just leave it alone.
The flight attendant brought lunch to them, and Sarah seemed grateful for the distraction. She thanked her for the roast chicken, mashed potatoes, and steamed vegetables. They ate, and he poured her a glass of white wine.
“I’ve never been to Paris before,” she confessed. “Aside from the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower, I don’t know what else there is to see.”
“Sacré Coeur and the Arc de Triumph,” he suggested. “Or you might enjoy a day trip to Versailles.”
“That sounds like fun,” she said. “And, in return for this trip, I could give you ideas about what to change in your Paris hotel, just as I did in New York.” Her eyes held a spark of interest. “I’m great at choosing furniture or designing the interior of corporate spaces.”
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