Your Christmas Love Read online

  “No problem.”

  “You’re heading back to the office?” I asked, pointing to his take-out bag.

  “Yeah. Just bought something to eat.”

  “Doing overtime already, boss?” I grinned, even though he cocked a brow.

  “Told you I’m on a tight schedule.”

  “Yes, of course. I’ll leave you to it.” I was still grinning when I got in my car. I might have just fallen a little for Winston and his gruff ways. He’d stood up for me. The man was getting a huge-ass Christmas present, whether he wanted it or not.

  Damn. I didn’t want to be attracted to my boss, no matter how good-looking he was. Or how smart. His brain was fascinating to me. Yes, that was a weird thing to say, probably, but for me, smart was sexy. I liked working for him while we were elbow-deep in presentations and brainstorming sessions.

  I was still reeling from tonight’s events, and so, so happy that I was meeting Pippa. She was one of my favorite people in the world. My sisters, Chloe and Victoria, were supposed to join us on our shopping trip this evening, but Chloe’s school had called a parent-teacher conference at the last minute, and they were both stuck there. They were joining us later for dinner.

  I had a huge family. Victoria was twelve years older than me, Chloe thirteen years younger. We also had a brother, Lucas. He was seventeen and currently doing an exchange year in London. I missed him like crazy.

  We’d lost our parents when I was seventeen, and Victoria had become our guardian. The huge age difference between all of us was because my parents had adopted Lucas and Chloe. After Victoria married Christopher Bennett, the term huge family took on a whole new meaning.

  I was meeting Pippa—Christopher’s sister—at Union Square, and then we’d scour the boutiques in the area together. On the way there, I reviewed the list of gifts I’d made on my phone.

  There were a dozen kids to buy gifts for, and even more adults. There were nine Bennett siblings, and their parents, Richard and Jenna. All the siblings had married, and most had kids. Some of the spouses also had extended family.

  Buying Christmas gifts was honestly a project in and of itself. Pippa was spearheading the effort. We had a spreadsheet with shopping days, and she’d divided all the adults into six teams. I loved buying gifts, especially for the kids. It was a lot of work because I had to keep up with the latest entertainment trends for children between three and seventeen. Last year I made the mistake of buying DVDs of a movie I’d liked as a kid. I was still scarred by the looks of disappointment on their little faces.

  I was determined not to repeat the mistake.

  There was a light mist in the air tonight. Just barely visible, but enough to make me wrap my jacket tighter around me. I loved San Francisco, even though it was a bit colder than other parts of California at this time of the year. But living here had its perks, and sometimes I visited touristy spots for no reason other than to soak in the energy of the city. Pier 39 was among my favorites. On lazy, sunny days, I loved watching the sea lions there.

  When I arrived at Union Square, Pippa was already there, eating a donut. She had another one for me.

  “You’ve read my mind,” I said.

  “Carbs and sugar. We need both for the shopping session.”

  “Hear, hear,” I mumbled through mouthfuls of the sweet treat.

  We were both silent until we finished eating, watching the palm trees adorned with twinkling lights in the square.

  Pippa usually wore stilettos and either a dress or a pencil skirt and a shirt. Today, she was dressed in shopping attire: sneakers, jeans, and a brown jacket over her white sweater. Her blond hair was pulled back in an elegant ponytail.

  She was overall the most fashionable person I knew. She was warm and feminine, and I just loved her.

  She was also a successful matchmaker. So successful, in fact, that I hoped Pippa would turn her focus on me any day now. Any day now. I was happy with my life, but I wouldn’t mind having a man to go home to. Someone who gave good foot rubs and excellent bear hugs. Someone who could make my panties catch fire with a single look (Winston did that in spades, but I quickly dismissed that thought). Most of all, I wanted someone to take care of and love.

  “How is work?” Pippa asked as we headed to the first shop on our itinerary.

  “The boss is even grouchier in person.”

  I kept the part where he proved he had a knightly side to myself, because I didn’t want anyone knowing about my ex showing up at work.

  “You know you’re always welcome at Bennett Enterprises, right? We’d love to have you there. Any department you want.”

  Bennett Enterprises was the most successful jewelry company in America. The oldest Bennett siblings had founded it years ago: Sebastian, Logan, and Pippa—she was the head designer. Five of the Bennett siblings worked in the company, including Christopher, Victoria’s husband. It was a family affair, and I couldn’t wait to be part of it.

  “Thanks, Pippa. I promise I’ll take you up on it one day. I just want to gather some experience so I can be of use to you guys when I finally make the jump.”

  “You don’t have to prove anything to anyone.”

  Yes, I did... to myself. I wanted to know that I could count on myself, that I could stand on my own two feet. Losing my parents as a teenager shaped me—I’d had that security blanket ripped from around me. Victoria had done her very best, but I’d been old enough to fully understand our financial worries. I wanted to make sure I had a solid career—one I’d earned, not simply been given because my sister had married into the Bennett family.

  And I meant what I told Pippa—I did want to gather more experience before joining them. Ava, Sebastian’s wife, was leading the marketing department, and she was a genius. She’d cut her teeth in a marketing consultancy, working with various companies for years.

  By the time I finally joined Bennett Enterprises, I was determined to be a marketing and branding ninja.

  “So how is he in person?”

  “Grouchy.”

  “You already said that. I’m gonna need some more details, please.”

  I was conflicted, unsure of what to say.

  “Wait a second.” Pippa slashed the air with her finger, bringing it closer to me in small circles. “He’s hot, isn’t he?”

  And, that, ladies and gentlemen, was the secret power of Pippa Bennett-Callahan. She could honest to goodness read thoughts.

  I had made the mistake of not fessing up right away exactly twice, but I knew better than to try again. It simply didn’t work.

  “Yes, yes he is.”

  “Well, well, well. And you have the hots for him.”

  “No... I absolutely do not want to have the hots for my grouchy boss.” I sighed, closing my eyes. “I’ve dated enough assholes, Pippa. I need to change my type.”

  True, after tonight, I wasn’t sure he was an asshole. Sure, he was grouchy, but an ass wouldn’t have done what he did. It didn’t matter, though. I still couldn’t go there, and he wasn’t even interested in me.

  “As a matter of fact, can you use your matchmaking skills on me? Please?”

  “I think you’re the only one who’s ever asked me that.”

  “That’s because I’m not too proud to admit I need all the help I can get in the dating department.”

  “I’ll see what I can do.”

  I shimmied my hips, clapping my hands. “Awesome. I’ll have a boyfriend by Christmas.”

  Pippa’s eyes widened. “I think you have a little too much faith in me.”

  “Nope. I’ve just had enough proof of your success. I am not picky. I just want someone nice and funny who knows how to laugh.”

  Pippa grinned, rubbing her hands. She flashed me her trademark I’m plotting smile. I could sense my luck already changing.

  “Let’s review the list before we hit the stores,” I suggested.

  “Let’s. I can already feel the energy from the sugar kicking in.”

  I winked. “I think that’
s just the adrenaline.”

  “That too.”

  We put our heads together over my phone. It would have been more efficient to split up and go through my list, but spending time together was way more fun. We discussed the pros and cons of every gift as if we were debating the next presidential election, then ended up buying twice as many things as we’d intended to.

  We met Victoria and Chloe at our favorite Mexican restaurant, Eduardo’s Tacos, just one block away from Union Square.

  Victoria whistled, looking at our hands.

  “I was expecting you girls to have twice as many bags.”

  “Victoria!” Pippa exclaimed in mock offense. “This was just the second round. We’ve already schlepped the first one to the car.”

  Victoria laughed. “My bad. You two really shouldn’t go shopping without supervision.”

  Pippa flashed a grin. I tried not to look too guilty.

  “What did you get me?” Chloe asked, batting her eyelashes.

  “You’re not going to find out until Christmas morning,” I warned, fully knowing I had failed to surprise my baby sister for the past four years. I didn’t even know how she found out every time. I fiercely guarded my lists.

  Chloe sighed but didn’t insist, which only confirmed my suspicion that she already had a plan to find out anyway.

  “Hope you didn’t buy me a kid gift though,” she said.

  “You’ll see.” She was twelve and had declared that she wanted to be included in the teenager group.

  “What kind of tacos are you girls in the mood for?” Victoria asked.

  “How about one of everything?” I said. The aromas of freshly baked tortilla and chili, and the displays with guacamole, chicken, chips, and salads were making my mouth water.

  Victoria rubbed her belly. “I like how you’re thinking.”

  “I’ll go order at the cashier,” Chloe offered.

  “How was the parent-teacher conference?” I asked once Chloe was out of earshot and Pippa, Victoria, and I headed to a table for four at the back. She was a great kid and never got into trouble, and yet I couldn’t help worrying about her.

  After our parents passed away, I’d desperately wanted to shield the little ones from hurting. Lucas was a few years older than Chloe, and there had been no sugarcoating the loss for him. But it had been a blessing that Chloe had been so young. In many ways, Christopher and Victoria were the only parental figures she knew.

  “The usual. She hates math, reads fantasy books under the desk. I pretend I’ll be stricter; the teacher pretends she believes me. What’s new with the two of you?”

  I glanced sideways at Pippa, who gave me a small smile. Aha! She’d keep my secret, thank goodness.

  No need to get Victoria involved in the matchmaking game as well. Unfortunately, my sister completely lacked any skill in that department, but she persisted, which had resulted in several cringe-worthy dates.

  But I had a lot of faith in Pippa. She could somehow sense when two people had that spark together.

  I was in such an excellent mood that I’d nearly forgotten I’d be chained to my office building for the next few weeks.

  After downing the last taco, I made the mistake of checking my email. Winston had sent me a calendar invitation. He’d blocked the meeting room next to his office from six to eight p.m. every evening until Christmas.

  That wasn’t my favorite meeting room. It was small, and it was the only one I hadn’t decorated for Christmas yet.

  As the VP of branding, part of my job was spearheading the department store’s Christmas program, and that included decorating every floor and window display.

  I’d loved, loved, loved going with Mom and Dad to Statham Department store as a kid during the Christmas countdown weeks, and now I was part of creating that magic. How amazing was that?

  Since we’d bought new decorations this year, I’d used the old ones to decorate the offices. Why let them go to waste? Everyone loved them.

  I’d skipped the small meeting room because no one used it, but I’d take care of it first thing tomorrow morning.

  I always felt like a kid around this time of the year. It was perhaps why I loved decorating everything. I always felt much closer to my parents. I surrounded myself with a Christmas feeling for as long as possible.

  I cringed as I looked at the calendar entries for the next few weeks. At least he’d left Thanksgiving free.

  I couldn’t deny that I was inexplicably drawn to him. All that masculinity and knee-weakening sex appeal. And I’d felt so protected with him by my side tonight.

  Maybe working so closely with him wasn’t smart. I could easily say no. It was against company rules to do more than two hours overtime a week. But I liked the work. I’d learned so much until now, and we’d only been communicating via email and phone. A few weeks in which I worked one-on-one with him for two hours every day? That was fuel for my nerdy soul (and for my lady bits, but I wasn’t ready to admit that even to myself).

  Chapter Four

  Winston

  I loved being back in San Francisco. I’d been gone for too long, but this city was home. Hell, this store was home. The first few years out of college, I worked in banking before joining Statham Stores. I should have accepted my father’s offer to take over the company three years ago, but I’d felt too young. I wanted more experience.

  Dad handed the reins to his years-long general manager, who meant well but wasn’t equipped to lead this business. When he’d retired last year, the financial status of this unit had been in shambles. It still was.

  I was determined to turn things around, to save this store. It was the pinnacle of my parents’ work.

  I couldn’t even imagine the look of disappointment on Mom’s face if we lost it. She knew every employee by first name. Knew their life story too. If I didn’t save this, I wasn’t letting down just the loyal employees who’d been with us for years. I was letting my parents down too.

  Saving the store had my full focus. Despite loving it, I’d been dreading to come into the office... until I met Sienna face-to-face. That permanent smile that lit her up was branded in my mind. She was fascinating.

  Two hours after the incident in front of the store, I was still riled up. That asshole had some nerve, showing up here. I was so lost in thought that I didn’t realize my phone was ringing right away.

  I chuckled at the screen when I saw Mom was calling.

  “Hi, Mom!”

  “Winston, hi. I want to cook dinner tonight for all of us. Can you make it?”

  I ran a hand through my hair. “Can we do it on the weekend? It’s crazy at the office at the moment.”

  “That’s nonsense. We can have a late dinner.”

  “Weekdays are really busy,” I insisted.

  “You moved back, and I see you just as much as I did when you were gone.”

  I’d been back for two days.

  “Mom, don’t guilt me into coming over for dinner.”

  “Why not? It’s a mother’s prerogative to use guilt against her children. Late nights, sleepless nights; I have a whole lot of arguments.”

  “I bet you do.”

  “Did I mention morning sickness? I had my head in the toilet for months when I was pregnant.”

  “Mom.” I chuckled but didn’t give in. I couldn’t. There was too much at stake. I hadn’t told them just how precarious the situation was. There wasn’t anything they could do about it. They’d just worry.

  “It’s the countdown to Christmas, Mother. We’re under pressure to fulfill all orders.”

  There, that wasn’t a lie. It just wasn’t the whole truth. That wasn’t the only reason I was under pressure.

  “At least you know Christmas is coming. Wasn’t sure you did. Don’t forget to relax.”

  “I won’t.”

  After hanging up, I googled a delivery service. Mother loved flowers and chocolate. I placed the order before going back to work. Two hours later, she called again.

  “I ju
st got your gifts,” she exclaimed. “This is not a replacement for you not coming to dinner, young man.”

  “No, it’s not.”

  “Also doesn’t mean I’ll pester you less.”

  I grinned. “Wouldn’t dream of it.” Checking my schedule, I made a spur of the moment decision. “I’ll drop by the house this week in the evening, but not for dinner. Just a glass of wine.”

  I could practically feel my mother’s joy.

  “I knew I’d guilt you into it eventually.”

  Chapter Five

  Sienna

  The next day, I arrived before anyone else at the office, so I could take care of the meeting room. It wasn’t that hanging decorations was frowned upon... but the way I did it might raise a few brows. I didn’t just hang them. I made an experience out of it.

  Case in point, I put a Christmas playlist on my phone, not bothering with earbuds because my floor was empty anyway. I tapped my foot along to the rhythm, mouthing every line to every song: “Jingle Bells,” “Frosty the Snowman,” and even some commercial Christmas songs that I loved: Mariah Carey’s “All I want For Christmas,” Bill Nighy’s “Christmas is All Around Me,” and my all-time favorite, “Santa Baby,” the Kylie Minogue version. Eh, that one was more sensual than Christmassy, but hey, grown-ups needed to have fun on Christmas too.

  I kept that one for last and put it on repeat as I hung the last of the twinkling lights along the windowsill. There, the room looked so much better now. I could see myself spending two hours a day in this little box.

  “What’s going on here?”

  I froze mid hip shimmy, drawing in a deep breath.

  Shit, shit, shit. Winston was here. It was still only seven thirty. No one arrived before eight.

  Slowly, I turned around, wishing I could turn off the music by sheer force of will, because Kylie was just singing a particularly suggestive lyric.

  My face was red, I was sure of it. It felt on fire. Damn it. My goal was to impress him so he’d hand me more responsibility. Dancing unrestrainedly around the office was not going to help. How was he going to take me seriously from now on?