Her Christmas Temptation: The Billionaire Who Bought Christmas / What She Really Wants for Christmas / Baby, It's Cold Outside. Debbi Rawlins
were getting worried,” said Cleveland, scooping Dee Dee out of Kristy’s arms and planting a dry kiss on Kristy’s cheek.
“Gramps,” Jack interrupted.
“Did I forget to mention Kristy was coming?” the old man asked Jack, his face a picture of innocence. Kristy didn’t buy it for a second.
Then all of Cleveland’s attention turned to Dee Dee. “There’s my sweet Pookie,” he cooed, holding the dog aloft and letting her lick his nose. To Jack he said, “Don’t just stand there, my boy. Get the suitcases.”
“She’s not staying,” Jack quickly put in.
“She is. She’s your wife.”
“This isn’t a joking matter. If she moves in—”
“I’ve offered Kristy the use of the workshop above the garage.”
Kristy watched Jack’s eyes narrow, small creases appearing in the corners. “Why?”
“To prepare for the Breakout Designer Contest at the Matte Fashion Event in London. Sierra Sanchez is sponsoring her.”
Jack shot Kristy an accusatory glare.
The man could certainly be intimidating, but she refused to back down. She wouldn’t, not after coming this far. Still, she didn’t want to fight in front of Cleveland. So she arranged her features in a picture of naïveté. “Would you mind showing me to my room?” she asked Jack.
“Great idea,” said Cleveland, tucking Dee Dee into his arm like a football. “By the way, Nanette and I have called it quits. She’s keeping the ring. And the Ferrari as a matter of fact.”
With that, the older man strode from the foyer.
Jack’s dark gaze bore into Kristy. “How did you do it?”
She couldn’t resist. “The same way Nanette did it?”
“Kristy,” he growled.
“I showed him my clothes, Jack. Not that it’s any of your business.”
“This family is my business.”
Okay. She wasn’t going to do this. He was one powerful and sexy man, and he clearly wasn’t used to being crossed.
Not that she was crossing him. Quite the contrary. He was the one who’d crossed her. But she suspected it would be a cold day in hell before he’d admit it.
She tipped up her chin. “I think I’ll check out the workshop. I’ve got a lot to do.”
“This is about revenge, isn’t it?”
She barked out a cold laugh. “Don’t flatter yourself. If not for the career opportunity, I wouldn’t have given you another thought for the rest of my life.”
She was lying. She’d lain awake four nights running remembering him.
THE WORKSHOP was a dream come true. Kristy had been expecting something dark and dusty, since it was above the garage, which was separate from the house. Instead, the room was bright and sparkling, with high ceilings and freshly painted white walls. A bank of windows lined one wall of the huge, rectangular room, while fluorescent lights gleamed off the hardwood floor. It had five oversized, white-topped tables, at least a dozen utility chairs, several padded stools and a long bank of closets stretching from one end to the other.
While she struggled to keep her jaw from dropping open, Jack crossed his arms over his chest. “Tell me again how this isn’t about revenge.”
She snapped herself back to reality. “I don’t have to explain myself to you.”
“I’m the one footing your bill.”
“Your grandfather’s footing my bill. He’s also the one getting revenge.”
Jack drew back in surprise. “You’re Gramps’s revenge on me?”
“Either that or I’m a brilliant fashion designer. Take your pick.”
Jack gave a snort of disbelief.
“Thanks so much for the vote of confidence.”
“I’m going with the mathematical odds.”
“Well, I’d give it a thousand to one that I’m staying.”
“You can’t stay.”
“Oh, yes I can.” She was planting her butt in this dream of a workshop and getting ready for the most prestigious fashion contest in the world.
“My mother will be here tomorrow.”
“So?”
“So, I am not about to explain a wife over the garage.”
“I take it she doesn’t know about your preemptive marriage?”
“Of course she doesn’t know.”
“Then you might want to come up with a cover story.” Kristy turned away, running her fingers over the smooth tabletop, meandering her way through the room.
“I get it,” said Jack with a frustrated sigh. “Go ahead. Tell me what it’ll take?”
“For me to disappear?”
“Of course.”
“Nothing.”
“Really?”
“I mean there’s nothing you can offer. Nothing I want.” Other than what she had here. She had exactly what she wanted right here. Except for Jack’s oppressive presence, obviously.
“Everybody wants something,” he said.
“Maybe. But I’ve already got it.”
“Do you want an apology? Is that it?”
She turned back. “An apology would have been nice four days ago.”
“Okay, I’m sorry. I’m sorry I misjudged you. I’m sorry I married you.”
“What you mean is that you’re sorry you’re stuck with me.”
“Can you be reasonable for a minute?”
“I don’t think so.”
Jack gave a hard sigh.
“You made your bed,” she pointed out.
“And I made a pretty damn fine bed for you while I was at it.”
“And I’m lying in it.”
His jaw tightened, and they stared at each other in crackling silence.
But, despite her best efforts, her sympathies were engaged. She had a mother, too.
“You don’t have to tell her we’re married,” she finally suggested.
“You announced it to the staff,” he reminded her.
“Oh, yeah.” She paused. “Bad luck.”
“That makes this partly your fault.”
“That’s the tack you want to take?”
He’d had her there for a second, but he was quickly losing the advantage. This wasn’t her problem. It was his. And she didn’t need to feel any obligation to solve it for him.
But then he had the grace to look sheepish, and she felt bad again. And his motives, after all, were honorable. He was trying to help his grandfather. Kristy had merely been collateral damage.
“We could tell her the truth,” she offered. “We had a whirlwind relationship in Vegas.”
“And how do I explain that you’re in the guest room?”
“I didn’t work out? We had a fight?”
He