Falling In (28 page)

Chapter 40

Christmas Cards

Once they arrived at the house, their things were brought in and Jamie joined them for a late lunch. Evelyn found it difficult to look at Jamie after the last time they were in the dining room together, but his easygoing disposition helped. It was almost impossible to associate the carefree man with the one who watched her come with nothing but pure lust and intensity in his eyes. It was easier to forget about what he'd seen when they were at the penthouse, but when they were at Lucian's home the past came hurtling back to her.

“Are you enjoying your holiday, Scout?” Jamie asked as they sat in the library after lunch. Lucian was called away for a few moments with an important business call.

The library wasn't overly formal, which didn't really match the name. Rather, it was like a cozy living room, but a television was absent and the walls were covered with books. She sat cross-legged on the overstuffed sofa facing Jamie. “Lucian has a way of making every day feel like a holiday.”

Jamie's cheeks were dusted with freckles that made his pigment appear darker than it was. He was actually quite pale. When he smiled, like he did now, twin dimples formed in his freckled cheeks. His smile was quite charming. “Lucian does have that ability when he chooses to use it. I think you've been good for him. I haven't seen my friend this lighthearted since we were children.”

Lucian definitely had an intense side. He brought that side out when they were intimate, but it wasn't the same as the severe side she'd caught glimpses of when he needed to accomplish something important. She had no doubt that Lucian could have anything he wanted, because his determination and tenacity was almost frightening at times.

“I'm enjoying myself,” Evelyn said.

“I'm glad,” Jamie admitted. “I hope that you stick around for a long time, Scout. I like you. I like what you do for my friend and I like the kind of girl you are. Luche's never had a girl like you before.”

“What do you mean, ‘a girl like me'?”

“Tough. You're not a pushover. Lucian's extremely domineering with women. Not everyone can handle a demanding male and draw a line between being submissive and being completely subjugated. You won't lose yourself to him. You've a strong little will under all that beauty.”

“Thank you?” What did you say to that?
Domineering with women . . .
Lucian didn't have women. He had her. There had better not be any other women.

The sound of Jamie's laughter eased the tension weighing on her face. “Relax, Scout, I meant it as a compliment. Oh, yes,” he said holding his trim belly. “I think you'll be quite wonderful for Lucian. As a matter of fact, with the fierce look you just had on your face, I wonder if maybe I should fear for the day that Lucian truly pisses you off, because trust me, love, he will.”

She believed him. When Lucian returned, he seemed flustered. “Evelyn, will you get me a drink, please?”

Caught off guard, because Lucian rarely requested her to wait on him, she did a double take. He wasn't looking at her, so she simply stood and went to the bar. Crystal was incredibly heavy for glass. Evelyn's hand trembled as she tipped the decanter over the tumbler. Lucian and Jamie were speaking in hushed tones over at the sofa. Distracted by trying to hear what they were saying, she almost overpoured and spilled all over the bar.

Amber liquid topped the glass, almost forming a bubble. If she moved the glass, the placid surface of liquor would ripple and make a mess. Her eyes shot to Jamie and Lucian, then back to the glass. Leaning over, she put her lips to the rim of the glass and sipped. Fire burned through her esophagus like tunneling lava. She gasped and choked.

Her eyes watered and she turned, fighting to suck in a deep breath. A bottle of cool water was shoved in her face. Her hands gripped the bottle and drank from it greedily as someone patted her back. Swiping a finger under her runny eyes she turned, totally embarrassed. She was such an idiot. Never a dull moment.

“You okay?” Lucian's expression was wholly concerned. Knowing he wasn't laughing at her she felt a little better.

“Yeah. Thanks. What the hell's that crap you're drinking?”

“Brandy.”

Evelyn made a gagging face. “It's like trying to swallow melted glass.”

Jamie chuckled, reminding her of his presence. Lucian's eyes softened and he leaned forward and kissed her temple. The gesture wasn't unfamiliar, but there was something intimate about it. It surprised her that he'd show such simple affection in front of his friend. When she turned, Jamie looked equally surprised, but also pleased. The smile hovering around his lips also touched his eyes.

“Well, kids, I believe I'll be taking off. Perhaps I'll visit Christmas Eve,” Jamie announced, and Lucy, who seemed to always show up at just the right moment, disappeared, then reappeared with his coat. Jamie shifted his long arms into his dapper coat and buttoned the double-breasted panel in the front. The style reminded her of something Parker would look great in.

“Do, Jamie,” Lucian said patting his friend on the back. “I know the girls would love to see you.”

The side of Jamie's smirk kicked up, “Antoinette's in her twenties now.”

Lucian scowled. “No.”

Jamie laughed merrily and slapped his shoulder with what appeared as sympathy. “It's inevitable, Luche. You know it and I know it.”

Jamie kissed Evelyn's cheek and walked out of the library in high spirits. “She's got a boyfriend, Shamus. He's a martial arts instructor. He'll kick your ass!” Lucian shouted and Jamie's laughter echoed from the foyer.

Once she was sure Jamie had left, she asked, “Does Jamie like your sister?”

He pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. “Not as much as Antoinette likes him. She used to follow him around like a puppy. Jamie's always kept his distance, but once he lost a bet and Toni made him give her his word that after she turned twenty he'd stop seeing her as only his friend's baby sister.”

“You don't want her to be with Jamie?”

“Jamie's a great guy. Couldn't ask for a more loyal friend, but Toni's my sister, and Jamie's my friend for a reason. We have very similar tastes.”

A small bit of hurt formed in her belly. Why were Lucian's ‘tastes' good enough for her, but not good enough for his sister?

“Hey. What's that face for?”

She shook her head. “You don't want a man to treat your sister the way you treat me?”

He opened his mouth, but the tension in his brow faded and he seemed to understand the conclusions she was drawing. “Evelyn, there's nothing wrong with what we do. My concern with Jamie getting involved with Toni is . . . let's just say that I'm very private about my appetites around my family. Toni's a blabbermouth. She likes Jamie because the little girl inside of her said one day she'd marry him. She doesn't have a clue about what she'd actually be walking into with him. My sister doesn't have a submissive bone in her body and I'm not sure Shamus has the fortitude to help her be what he needs. The entire thing could end badly and I don't need Toni running to all her little friends, painting Jamie's name in a bad light when he does nothing I wouldn't do.”

His words reassured her. She understood the desire for privacy. “Well, you said she has a boyfriend. I don't think Jamie's the kind of guy to poach.”

Lucian's head jerked with a short bubble of silent laughter. “Baby, Jamie and I are very similar. If there's something we want, we go after it. It doesn't matter who's guarding it from us. Once we set our sights on it, it's already considered ours. And we always get what we consider ours.”

“Well, what about Antoinette's boyfriend? Surely Jamie wouldn't fight—”

“Antoinette's boyfriend couldn't kill a spider. He's a tissue. Jamie would destroy him if it came to that.”

***

Christmas Eve morning Lucian woke Evelyn up by gently making love to her under the covers. They held each other close, tucked away from the chill in the air, and he rocked into her with such intense tenderness she was off balance for a good part of the morning.

Lucian laid out clothes for her to wear, a thick cable-knit turtleneck sweater, long johns, thick wool socks, and new fur-lined boots. When she met him downstairs, he was dressed much the same in boots, a heavy sweater, and rugged jeans. He looked like a lumberjack. He looked delicious.

His broad arms spread, holding out a puffy down coat for her. Evelyn slipped her arms in and he zipped it tight. As he placed a wool cap over her head and wrapped a cashmere scarf at her neck, she asked, “Where are we going?”

“It's a surprise.”

They went out front. Expecting to see Dugan, she was surprised when Lucian unlocked the passenger door of a luxury SUV for her and got behind the wheel. “You drive?”

His eyes crinkled. “Of course I drive. Buckle up.”

She snapped the buckle and watched as Lucian navigated his way through the back roads. He drove like he did everything else, in complete control. They listened to carols on the radio and Lucian quietly sang along with the chorus.

“You know all of them,” she said and he glanced at her without fully taking his eyes off the road.

“All of what?”

“The carols.”

“Doesn't everyone?”

“I don't.”

Sometimes she felt like her background was a piece of Swiss cheese with great big holes in it, while Lucian's was some expensive aged kind that had been around long enough to see everything. Rather than comment on her lack of holiday experiences, he simply placed his hand on her knee and rubbed and tapped with the beat of the carols.

They pulled up to a small shed with a large sign and an enormous wreath on the peak. Lucian parked and smiled. He pointedly glanced at the sign and then back at her. She looked at the letters, wishing she could read and then shook her head.

“It's a tree farm,” he said.

“A tree farm?”

“Yeah. They grow trees. We're going to pick out our Christmas tree.”

Her cheeks rose as her grin bloomed. “Really?”

“Yup. Come on.”

They went into the shed, which was actually a store. A man in a heavy flannel jacket handed Lucian a receipt, Lucian took her hand and led her to the back of the store. They stepped out a set of double doors and Evelyn gasped.

An elegant open sleigh with a single horse hooked to it awaited them. The horse drew her near, his glossy black coat tempting and stunning. Clouds of moisture formed in the air in front of the animal's large snout. Its eyes seemed so alive behind the dark side blinds. His nostrils were huge. Heavy harnesses connected to his shoulders, and his mane was a glorious shade of black. She stepped close, needing to touch him to know he was real.

His pointed ears twitched and he whickered, his harnesses pulling, the creak of the leather pronouncing their weight. He was incredibly strong and likely the most impressive living thing she'd ever seen. He reminded her of Lucian.

“Shh,” she soothed as she reached up a steady hand.

His wild eyes watched her, but he stilled as she petted the side of his mane.

“You're quite handsome,” she whispered to the impressive beast.

Turning to Lucian, who was watching her with a soft smile on his face, she asked, “What's his name?”

“Pegasus.”

“Hello, Pegasus.”

Snow crunched as Lucian quietly approached. “He appears as charmed by you as every other male that crosses your path.” His hand smoothed over the powerful neck of the horse.

She stepped back. Pegasus's feet were covered in white fur that resembled snow boots. The sleigh was as sleek and black as the horse drawing it. A driver sat perched in the front seat, wearing a top hat with a sprig of holly tacked in the brim.

Lucian directed her to the rear. There was a black leather upholstered bench seat and a red fleece blanket draped over the back. As she stepped up her gaze fell on a single red rose sitting on the bench. Her cheeks pulled tight as she reached for it. There was a note attached. She unfolded it and tried to read it, but couldn't. It didn't matter. It was still the most romantic thing anyone had ever done for her. She knew it was from Lucian because at the bottom of the note she recognized the signed
L.

Evelyn clutched the rose in her hands and faced him. “Thank you.”

He kissed her temple and they settled into the seat, tucking the blanket over their knees. Her heart raced.

“Ready, sir?” the driver called over his shoulder.

“Ready,” Lucian answered as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders and drew her close. Sleigh bells jangled as the sleigh lurched forward. They moved swiftly over the icy ground. Wind pressed into her cheeks and she shut her eyes, breathing deeply of the fresh air.

As they rode, they passed many displays of lighted Christmas scenes. Although it was daytime, they were still beautiful. When they crossed through a field, the tall pines became denser. They followed a narrow trail, and then the land opened up and they faced a nursery of young evergreens. The driver pointed out trees that he thought were notable, and Lucian did the same. She never had a Christmas before, let alone a Christmas tree, so Evelyn simply sat back and let the men decide.

Lucian had the driver pull over by a tall Douglas fir. “What do you think, Evelyn?”

“It's perfect.” It was. She remembered seeing an enormous tree when she was a child outside of Mackles' department store. It was tall and full and as soft as this one.

Lucian reached in the back of the carriage where a chest was stored and removed a saw. She was completely impressed as he sawed through the trunk. The driver tossed a rope over the top of the tree to direct it away from the sleigh as it went down with a soft thump. They wrapped the branches tightly with rope and secured the tree on a board. The tree was towed behind the sled back to the store, and the men attached it to the top of Lucian's SUV. It was perhaps the most magical afternoon she'd ever had in her life.