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What? No. He was not going there again. The last thing he needed was that kind of distraction. Hell, she’d probably forgotten all about that night anyway. But the masochistic part of him hoped she hadn’t.
He opened the door for her and she whispered a “Thank you.” The bellboy went in next and Cole directed him to the loft bedroom just up the stairs. After he’d tipped the young man and Jamie set her laptop case on the counter, he shrugged, ready to show her where things were. But she spoke first.
“Th-thank you for this. I wasn’t entirely sure what I was going to do. Probably camp out in the lodge or something. You saved my behind.”
“Like I said, I have the room. And it’s no problem. We messed up the reservation so it was my responsibility to fix it. Besides, you’re a friend, of sorts.”
Her eyes went wide and his skin pricked with heat. Was she going to call him on what happened with them all those years ago?
But she didn’t. Instead, she said, “I—uh notice you haven’t decorated yet. You want some help putting all the stuff up?”
Her smile was overly bright and it was apparent that, unlike him, she was looking forward to Christmas. “Uh, well, I just got in myself. Besides, I’m not really a holiday person.”
“What?” Her mouth hung open.
A chuckle burst forth before he could stop it. She just looked so gobsmacked. “Sorry. You act like I just personally killed Santa. Not really my thing.”
“No tree, no lights, no gingerbread houses? No mistletoe or eggnog?”
“Sorry. No.”
“I just—” She shook her head. “Okay, fine. You just show me where all the stuff is and I’ll get it all set up for you. It’s the least I can do. Bring in a little Christmas cheer.”
Silent alarm bells clanged in his head. Oh no. Not going to happen. “No, it’s really not necessary. I’m really here to work anyway so—”
She waved a hand at him dismissively. “So am I, but working doesn’t mean we can’t do Christmas. I love the holidays. Show me where it all is. I’ll do the setting up. If you can make sure I’m not sleeping in my car for the holiday, I can do a little decorating. And we need to get you an ugly sweater. Maybe there’s one in the gift shop.”
Cole stared at her, caught somewhere between laughter and bewilderment. She hadn’t changed a bit. She still talked a mile a minute with a determination that was unstoppable. Problem was, he wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or not. Either way though, he knew it would be easier to let her have her way. He could deal. And it wasn’t like he needed to wrap presents or anything. “Fine, all the stuff is in the storage closet down the hall, next to the garage. If you want a tree, I can have one brought in.”
“A real tree? I brought my tiny miniature one, but that would be even better.”
He blinked. “You travel with your own Christmas tree?” He put his hands up. “You know what? Never mind. Okay, I’ll call and have it brought in.”
She grinned and in that minute, she looked every bit the fun eighteen-year-old she’d been. “Cool, you just let me take care of everything.”
He stared after her as she pranced down the hall. This was a mistake. He could feel it in his bones. But there wasn’t much he could do to stop the train.
* * *
Jamie rested her hand on the wall of the storage room, the dust particles dancing in the streams of light. Holy hell, she’d just agreed to stay here with Cole. You. Are. An. Idiot.
You were thinking you have work to do and don’t have time to run around trying to find a place to sleep. But Cole? This was stupid. How was she supposed to ignore that undercurrent for a week? Let alone ten days. Was it possible to die from embarrassment? Or longing? That had to be a real thing right?
Focus, Jamison. Get the decorations up and then you can work. And maybe even enjoy a little bit of Christmas. She’d been expecting to be in a basic room. She couldn’t believe Cole had a luxury suite and wasn’t using it to go all out on the holiday celebration.
The ceiling soared and the color palette was a very contemporary shade of yellow. The furniture was contemporary and light. But there was so much texture. Cotton, flannel throws, a pop of velvet here. And then of course, there was the enormous fireplace serving as the focal point. And the massive iron-and-glass lighting fixture up above made the room dance in light.
And the far wall was made entirely of glass. If she looked hard enough, she’d likely see deer roaming the property.
She’d get some stuff set up, then do some work. Maybe bake some cookies as a reward. The kitchen was all kitted out with granite counters and the nicest appliances she’d ever seen. Not that Cole looked like he planned on taking advantage of them.
Do what you came to do, not to reminisce about Cole. What happened was stupid kid stuff. It belongs in the past.
But as Jamie pushed away from the wall and started to unpack the boxes of lights, her mind automatically took her back to that long-ago night.
Frank O’Connor’s parties were sort of legendary. That night, things hadn’t gotten into full swing yet because the basketball team had been at an away game and was delayed. So her brother wasn’t there yet. It was mostly a bunch of bored kids sitting around drinking.
Nothing extraordinary until Marcie Gates, Frank’s girlfriend, suggested they make things exciting with some spin the bottle. Or at least a version of it.
A lot of interesting things had happened after that. Frank and Marcie got in a huge argument because he’d had too much fun making out with Carrie Moss in the closet and she’d let Fitz Jacobson touch her boobs.
Jamie hadn’t even wanted to play really. She’d just been down there holding her first beer, trying to blend in with the cool kids before Matt arrived. If he’d seen her he’d have flipped out and told their parents. And there would have been a ban on all future parties. As big brothers went, he was pretty overprotective.
Usually, she didn’t even go to parties unless Matt was there. Not like anyone thought to invite her. Sure, she was Matt’s sister, so she was accepted into the cool-kids crew by his insistence, but she wasn’t one of them. Not one of the pretty people. But when Marcie had asked her if she was going, she’d said yes and dragged her friend Claire with her. Too bad Claire had ditched her in favor of giggling with one of the hockey players.
Cole had been there. Hell, he was always there in the background. As was the way with banes of existence. If he told her brother that she’d been drinking, she’d be toast. Just her luck, when it was her turn, the spinning bottle had landed on the empty space that he walked right into. Even now she could feel the heat on her face as he’d studied her.
A moment later, he’d been dragging her into the closet to read her the riot act about being irresponsible, and drinking and how she should know better. It was like dealing with Matt. Of course he’d pointed out that she’d been drinking at a party with no one looking out for her. He’d gone on and on about how things would be perceived by other people. She could still remember struggling against his hold and muttering, “I’m not drinking. I’ve been muscling through the first sips of this beer to fit in with everyone. I don’t know how you guys can drink that stuff.”
He really hadn’t liked it when she pointed out that by dragging her into the closet, things didn’t look good for either of them.
It was clear to everyone on the outside that they weren’t making out so Frank insisted they could come out only if they actually made out.
Jamie’s skin still burned at the memory. It was like they all knew she was the squeaky-clean good girl. As if she wore it like a brand.
Cole had just rolled his eyes and told her to sit down and be quiet for a few minutes and Frank would eventually let them out.
“Are you serious right now?”
He’d scoffed. “Frank’s being a prick, but you’re Matt’s sister so he won’t mess with you too much. Just moan at the door or something.”
Jamie frowned. “What?”
“You know, moan, like you’re doing something fun.”
She’d tried, but she sounded more like she was in pain than any of the sexy moans she’d heard in movies.
“Geez, Jamison, it’s like you have no idea how to pretend like you’re having a good time.”
Frank had banged on the door again to remind them of what they were supposed to be doing.
She threw up her hands. “I have no idea how to do it. I’ve never hooked up with anyone before,” she spilled. “So why don’t you try your hand at moaning?”
He blinked. “Bull.”
She shook her head. “No bull. So, I’m sorry I don’t have it right or whatever.” Jamie recalled Cole’s eyes raking over her inducing a wave of heat as if it were yesterday.
Cole had banged his head against the back of the closet and squeezed his eyes shut. “You have to at least have kissed someone right? I heard you were going out with Adam Sinclair or something.”
She ducked her head. “I—uh. I’m not too sure Adam likes girls. At least he doesn’t like me. He didn’t want to kiss me.” She shrugged. “I figured I just didn’t do it for him or something.”
“What?” He’d brought his head up. “You think it’s you? No. It’s not you. It’s him.”
“Yeah, well it feels like it’s me. Heck, no one’s asking for my number or seems particularly interested, so...” Jamie let her voice trail.
Cole had run his hands through his hair. “I get it. You want to be noticed. But people notice you. Right now, I bet there’s some poor guy wishing you’d look at him. I’d rather you talk with him than one of these drunken varsity kids. Sometimes guys can take advantage.” Then he peered at her through thick lashes. “What are you waiting for anyway? A kiss is no big deal.”
She’d ignored his last question. “You’re one of those varsity kids. Are you taking advantage of me?” she asked.
“Unlike you, I haven’t been drinking. And you’re Reed’s little sister. It’s different.”
“Great. Just what I need. Another big brother. I keep going like this and I’ll never get my first kiss.”
Cole groaned. “Just stop. It’ll happen. You know, when you’re at college. Far away from anywhere Matt can kick someone’s ass.”
She’d licked her lips nervously and gathered every ounce of bravery she possessed. “Or maybe you could do it.”
His eyes had locked with hers, but he’d shaken his head. “No can do, Jamison.”
“It’s Jamie. And why not? You obviously know what you’re doing if Rebecca Watts can be believed. And you said it yourself, it’s not like it means anything. I’m not going to be some dopey girl that chases after you. And bonus, not like I’ll be chasing you around begging you to do it again.”
She had been lying through her teeth of course. Because sometimes when she was all alone, she wondered what it would be like to kiss him. It was silly. He never even noticed her other than as competition. She could count on one hand the number of one-on-one interactions they’d had. But she’d always been hyperaware of him.
“If you do it, I’ll stay away from jocks at parties and I’ll stop pretending to drink.” Beer tasted like piss to her. “I just want to know.”
Cole swallowed hard, his brows furrowed. “If I do this, you never tell Matt? And you stop trying to make out with varsity assholes.”
“Yeah, okay.”
“And promise me. No more even holding a can of beer. And beware of frat boys bearing fruit punch. You understand me? You’re way too trusting.”
“Deal.”
Cole shook his head and patted the carpet next to him. “It’ll be easier if you sit. Because you’re practically puppet-sized.”
She wrinkled her nose. “I am not.”
“Uh-huh.” When she sat, he wrapped an arm around her shoulders and she relished his warmth. “You want the guy to treat you like you’re special. Be gentle with you. Never coming on too strong, okay?”
She nodded. Taking mental notes. “Got it.”
Then Cole had caressed a cheek with his thumb and cupped the back of her neck under her hair and angled her head. Her heart was thundering so loud, she could barely hear him when he spoke.
“Okay. I’m pretending it’s not you, Jamison.”
Her first kiss had turned molten hot in seconds as he schooled her in how to kiss. How she should expect to be touched. Everything had been so gentle, passionate, and she wanted more.
Blood rushing in her head and heart hammering, she’d decided to take matters into her own hands. She pulled back, and he frowned but let her go easily. “Are you okay?”
At first all she could manage was a nod. But then she blurted. “Yeah, but I want you to really kiss me. I know you’re holding back.”
Cole tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. “Jamison. You don’t want—”
“Yes, I do. Or some other guy is going to teach me and he won’t have my best interest at heart...” When it looked like he might not kiss her properly, she pushed herself into a crouch and levered herself onto his lap facing him. “Please show me.”
“I—” Then he sighed and kissed her again. The second time around hadn’t been quite so gentle. His lips had been far more urgent, his hand skimming up her tank top to run his thumbs just over her ribs. The tease of his thumb over each ridge sent a shiver through her body.
His hand clamped on her hips and he set the tempo of the kiss and their rocking bodies.
The sensations zipping through her body weren’t just new. Try explosive and mind changing. She knew she couldn’t go back. Not to boring, bland her. Not when she knew it was possible to feel this way.
The tingles wrapped around her spinal chord tight and forced her muscles to bunch. Forced her body to arch, searching for...something.
Cole kissed her deep. His hand on her hip moving her until their bodies rocked into each other again and again. But then he threw his head back against the wall and tucked her against him.
She’d tried to ask him why he stopped. Or what she’d done wrong. The evidence of his arousal was hard to miss. And the idea that she’d managed to excite him was heady. But when she tried to talk, he hushed her, then held her for what felt like an eternity.
They didn’t move until the sounds of the party were in full swing. Then he’d gently lifted her away. His motions stiff and jerky. “You okay?”
She lied as smoothly as she could. “Yeah, I’m fine. You?”
“To tell you the truth, I have no idea.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t—”
He’d kissed her forehead then. “You have zero reason to be sorry. None. Let’s go.”
He’d taken her out of the closet and it seemed like everyone had forgotten the game. She left that room with him feeling anxious and curious. But the longing was most prevalent.
That party had marked the beginning of winter break. And considering her parents had dragged them to Saint Louis that Christmas, she hadn’t seen him again until the following January.
And then it was like it never happened. She wasn’t sure exactly how these things should go, but he was silent. The weird part was, he ignored everyone. Quit track, didn’t run soccer and left all his academic clubs. She’d easily made valedictorian after that. Not exactly how she’d wanted to do it. It was obvious something was wrong. But the one time she’d tried to approach him, he’d looked through her. Like she didn’t exist. She hadn’t tried again. And now, he was playing savior to her damsel in distress? How the heck was she supposed to survive a day with him, let alone ten days?
Chapter 5 (#ub59fae73-bcbd-52ed-b61e-3e691f735c26)
Jamie was a Christmas-decorating expert. A pro short on time, so, she did the basics. Stuck some battery-operated candles in the windows, put up the wreaths. Strung some garlands and pinned a few snowflakes to the ceiling. She pulled out the nativity scene to place under the tree.
It only took her about an hour after the tree had arrived. The whole time Cole had been absent. She hadn’t seen a glimpse of him since he’d brought her in. After she was done, she settled in to get some work done. Working, for her, was like going into another zone. She didn’t even like people around because it messed with her flow too much. She usually employed noise-canceling headphones and played nature sounds. She changed to music once she got her groove. Today, for sure, called for Christmas music.
After picking her spot on the couch, and setting up the router configuration, she was pretty much up and running. She was so deep into issues to mark for fixing that she didn’t notice when Cole had come out from one of the rooms down the other hallway.
It wasn’t until his shadow loomed over her that she snapped her head up.
When she jumped he grinned. Tugging the noise cancelers off, she smiled sheepishly. “Sorry about that. When I’m working I go total focus mode.”
“Yeah, I caught that. I’ve been trying to get your attention for five minutes. Of course that was before I realized you’d gone into la-la land or whatever.” He glanced around. “I see you were dead serious about decorating. Looks like a Christmas vortex in here.”
“Bah humbug, Scrooge.” She rolled her eyes. “I can’t believe you don’t get into Christmas.” Shoot, unless he was Jewish. “Damn, I didn’t even ask if your family even celebrated Christmas. Maybe you do Hanukkah or Kwanzaa or something and here I am with my nativity scenes.”
