Elkin Brothers Christmas: The Complete Series Page 14

  “And,” Chase continued, “I guess I should say that...it’s okay if you’re done with this place. But I hope you’ll at least consider the offer.”

  Tana stepped closer to him. The longer he stood in her house, the harder he was to resist. Don’t just melt into his arms, Tana. Be honest with him. “I was really hurt when you ran out before that meeting. That was one of the most humiliating moments of my life, and you just...you walked away.” There. It was out in the open, and not during a shouting match. “And... I’ll be honest because that’s kind of my thing. The pain hasn’t faded. I can still feel it…” she tapped her chest, “in here. But the fact that you did what you did to clear my name, that means something.” Tears welled up in her eyes. Don’t cry. Don’t do it. She swallowed back a relieved sob.

  “Oh, Tana—” He took a step closer.

  “Wait, I’m not done yet.” She didn’t stop Chase when he put his arms around her. “I realized after the fact that you were in a really awkward position with your family. I should have taken that into account. You were probably just as blindsided as I was.” Another deep breath, this one for courage. “The reason I never mentioned the articles and all those other things is because I never wanted to think about it, or him, ever again. That part of my life doesn’t even seem like it belongs to me. I was another person back then, and that person’s never coming back.”

  “What about this, Tana?” Chase took in all the boxes in the living room. “I don’t want you to leave.”

  “Oh, God.” Tana leaned her head forward until it rested on Chase’s chest and let out a laugh that carried an incredible tension with it. “I’ve never been so lonely in my life. I miss you. I....love you.”

  She felt his shock through the palms of her hands, and then Chase reached to cup her face, tilting it up toward his. “Say that again,” Chase murmured.

  “I love you.” One errant tear fell onto her cheek. “And Lindsey loves you. We both miss you like crazy. She wants to come back here and do her ski lessons. She never wanted to leave.” She laughed, but it made her cry to think about it. “Linds kept trying to get me to make up with you just so she didn’t have to go away. This place is home to us.”

  “Thank goodness.” Chase leaned down and kissed her, his lips soft and manly, confident and sensual. They fit.

  Her arms went around his neck like they were made to do it, and his arms pulled her in close. The heat between them grew until Tana was panting, desperate to be free of her clothes. But the conversation wasn’t over yet. If she tumbled into bed with Chase before they were finished talking, she knew she’d let it be—water under the bridge, something out of the past. And she couldn’t be that woman anymore. He had to know what she wanted.

  “Chase,” she said.

  He paused, resting his lips against her neck.

  “I want to stay at the lodge.”

  “I kind of gathered that,” he joked.

  “I know you want to leave.”

  He pulled back, his expression sobering.

  “I know you have that job offer in LA, and maybe you still want to take that.” Tana wasn’t going to hold him back from doing what he loved. If they had to be apart, so be it—she’d wait for him. Or go with him. They’d figure it all out. “Again, I want to stay here, but if you want to leave, there’s room in my car for one more, though you’ll have to put up with Frozen playing on repeat on the iPad.”

  “What about this?” He kissed her neck, working his way up to her earlobe. “What if we stay here for a bit longer? You have a killer job for as long as you want it, and you could always move into my house.”

  “That’s an Elkin family house,” she said automatically. Those houses were places Tana could only ever dream of owning, because she’d never have the money. Unless…

  “And you would be part of the family.” Chase went still, except for the pad of his thumb stroking her cheek. She leaned her face into his touch. “I love you, Tana. I don’t want to spend another day away from you. Wherever you are, that’s where I want to go.”

  Tana breathed in the scent of him, all cold air and soap, and knew she couldn’t live without him, either. She’d do anything in her power to avoid it. She’d found the perfect man, and she was going to hold on tight.

  “I want to go to the bedroom,” Tana said. “Right now.”

  22

  “Okay, ready?” Chase led Tana to the bunny hill chairlift, and they rode together to the top. But instead of turning right, they turned left toward the base of the closest intermediate slope. “Close your eyes until I say you can open them.”

  “What’s this all about?” she asked.

  “You’ll see soon enough.” Back when Chase was a little kid, he’d been so anxious to graduate to these hills. He still remembered the adrenaline rush now. It was almost that same kind of day—sunny, crisp, clear. If he closed his eyes, he’d be able to take himself back to his former body and back to those limitless days

  “Let me see.” Tana jiggled in place, bouncing up and down on the balls of her feet. “Come on. You can’t bring me all the way out here and then not show me—”

  “Look,” Chase said, pointing up the slope.

  Tana blinked against the bright sun. Chase studied her face, waiting for the moment when she saw her surprise. For when she spotted her daughter.

  Chase had asked another instructor for a favor that morning, and now Lindsey came down the slope with the woman, whose cheering voice carried all the way down the hill. The pair steered their way down, successfully navigating the steep parts and the small rises. He had originally thought he might like to do these runs with Lindsey himself, but he’d also wanted to experience watching with Tana. If only he could have made a clone of himself. Too bad—he’d have to learn to be a patient man.

  “Oh, my gosh! It’s Lindsey,” Tana exclaimed, the excitement in her voice contagious.

  Lindsey looked just like Tana, down to the fierce determination on her face and her natural grace out on the slopes. Chase got choked up watching it. He turned to Tana and noticed her cheeks glistening with happy tears.

  She stood watching for a few more moments, and then raised her arms above her head and let out a loud whoop that he guessed could be heard the next state over.

  “She’s so good!” Tana shouted at Chase. “She’s so good!”

  Lindsey whizzed by, waving a pole in the air. “Hi, Mom,” she shouted. “I’m going again! Watch me!”

  The instructor followed, waving to them, too.

  Tana threw her arms around Chase’s neck and gave him a kiss that was so hot it verged on inappropriate. “You are the best instructor my daughter could ever have. Did you know that?”

  “I do.” Chase grinned. Tana’s comment and laughter made him prouder of the accomplishment than anything else he’d done in his life.

  “I’m so excited to work with you.” The heat in Tana’s eyes was enough to melt him on the spot. “You’re going to make a great athletic director.”

  “I couldn’t do it without you.”

  “Pshhh.” Tana swiped at the front of his jacket, then pulled him down for one last kiss. “You can do anything.”

  Chase was finally starting to believe it again, now that he’d found his footing at the lodge. He’d just been named the director of their new and expanded athletics program. They’d make ski instruction more comprehensive and even offer cross-training classes in the gym. He would oversee all the specialized programs, from the beginner development to expert-level training. He couldn’t have dreamed up a more perfect job. He’d dreamed up the director job, and that was it—that was the peak of his dreams. That, and having Tana there by his side.

  “I got a few sponsorship offers today.” Chase wrapped an arm around Tana’s waist, and the two of them stood side-by-side, watching Lindsey come down the hill again. She’d come so far from when he first met her. Tana had been so scared, but now her face glowed with excitement on behalf of her daughter. “They’re pretty big ones. I�
��m hoping you’ll be impressed.”

  “You know I’m already impressed with you.”

  Chase’s heart pounded, though he’d been planning what he’d say next for days now. “Well, I hope you’ll be impressed because I’m working hard on another promotion, too.”

  “What’s that?” Over at the chairlift, Lindsey climbed back on. Tana searched Chase’s eyes. “Are you looking to take over the Lodge? I don’t think Jonas would like that very much.”

  “No. Actually, I’m going to put all my effort into getting promoted from athletic director to dad.” Tana froze for a dizzying instant. If she said no, Chase would sink into the snow and never resurface. “I’m pretty determined to do whatever it takes to win your trust.”

  Tana burst out with a laugh that turned into a cry, and she pulled him down into another kiss. If this kept up, they were going to have to sneak away to his place. It wouldn’t do for them to jump each other in front of all the guests. “If that’s what you want,” Tana said fiercely, “then you keep doing what you’re doing. Because honestly, Chase, the hiring manager in charge of that position is more than halfway convinced.”

  “More than halfway?” he mused. “I don’t know if I’ll get the job. Unless—”

  “All the way.” Tana kissed him one more time and pulled back, putting space between them and holding her arms up toward the sky as if surrendering to him. “I’m convinced. You’re hired.”

  End of The Billionaire Athlete’s Christmas Fling

  Elkin Brothers Christmas Book One

  Blurb

  One alpha billionaire. One fake engagement. One Christmas they’ll never forget.

  Gabe Elkins, President and CEO of a Silicon Valley digital security tech firm, has just launched another successful app. But instead of celebrating, Gabe learns his grandmother is sick and he has to return home to make her last Christmas a memorable one.

  Gabe’s family has never been impressed by his corporate success and they’re constantly hounding him about marriage. He wants nothing more than to give his dying grandmother the news she’s been waiting years to hear—that he’s finally engaged. If he’s going to pull it off, he’ll need the help of a professional miracle-worker, and he knows just who to ask—his intelligent, gorgeous, and impressive as hell conference liaison, Anna Waters.

  Anna has just been offered the job of a lifetime: Agree to be this bad boy billionaire's fake fiancée for the holidays at his family’s luxury ski resort, and he’ll help her build her private conference consultation business. The idea is more attractive than Anna would like to admit—almost as attractive as the man proposing the charade.

  Once Anna agrees, she is quickly swept up in putting on the biggest show of her career. Except, the more time she spends with Gabe, the less their sweet moments and toe-curling kisses feel like acting. And when the lines between the charade and reality start to blur, Gabe and Anna are faced with deciding if their relationship could work in the real world or if their romance only shines under the twinkling Christmas lights.

  1

  Las Vegas stretched out beneath the Top of the World restaurant, all glittering lights and flashing signs under a night sky tinged orange on the horizon by the glow rising from the city. Gabe Elkin sat back in his seat and took in the Christmastime glow of the city below. It was a great view. But it was nothing compared to his view of the woman who sat across from him—Anna Waters, the conference liaison who’d spent the last several weeks at his side.

  The job they’d just completed had been a massive one for his company, and the adrenaline rush of the conference still lingered in Gabe’s veins. Tech leaders had gathered from across the country, and even the world, for the expo hosted at the Palazzo. Gabe’s own company had demoed a new app to rave reviews.

  “We couldn’t have done it without you,” he told Anna. “Have I mentioned this was our most successful launch?”

  She looked across at him and winked, the glow from the casinos nearby reflected on her face. “You might have mentioned it a couple of times. But I’m still impressed, don’t worry.”

  “You should be impressed,” he teased. “You’re the one who’s seen this up close and personal, and now you’ll see how far we can take it.”

  “Ooh,” she said. “Is it going to have an international presence, then? Are you going to be world-famous?”

  They both laughed. Of course the app would have an international presence—in fact, Anna had been instrumental in planning for its introduction to colleagues from other countries. Honestly, she’d been a godsend, and that wasn’t something Gabe thought about many people. He had been his own godsend when he moved away from his family’s luxury ski resort in Colorado. He’d built his company and his own life, here in Las Vegas, much to the chagrin of those who thought he should have settled in the Silicon Valley. But now that the year’s final expo was over, a hollow feeling nagged him underneath all the adrenaline.

  Which was why he’d wanted to take Anna out for one last dinner. They’d eaten together plenty of times in his office and at the conference hotel, tucked away by the pool or in the lobby. They’d spent so many late nights on the phone, planning the launch down to the last detail. And now he didn’t really have a reason to keep talking to her. She was, after all, a conference liaison, not his personal assistant.

  And if she had been his personal assistant, he would have no business wondering where the night might lead.

  The laughter settled. Gabe wrapped his hand around his wine glass. Anna’s dark chocolate eyes still lingered. Eyes that were a perfect complement to her hair, which reminded him of smooth toffee. He loved the dimple she sported on one cheek, one that far too many times he thought of kissing. And then there were those curves. He wasn’t supposed to be thinking about those, either.

  Gabe cleared his throat. “I wanted to thank you for everything you did.”

  “You’re welcome.” Her smile got wider. “I take pleasure in a job well done.”

  “It was a job very well done. I wish I could steal you away for my own company.”

  She waved this off with a grin that tugged at something deep within his chest. “You promised—no work talk at the celebration dinner.”

  “I would never promise that, and you know it.”

  Anna laughed again, sending a bolt of joy straight into the middle of Gabe’s chest. Making her laugh—he was going to miss that most of all. It was a low, sweet sound, and he’d heard it plenty over the past few weeks, both over the phone and in person.

  “Okay, fine.” She smoothed her napkin over her lap. “Can’t get anything by you.”

  From the way she was looking at him now, all big eyes and pink cheeks, she didn’t want to get by him. Gabe wouldn’t mind taking her back to his penthouse apartment. He wouldn’t mind it at all. The air heated between them. Dinner was only half-done, but at the end of it, he had the feeling he wouldn’t be going home alone. Anna leaned forward, one hand beneath her chin, and watched him.

  Yes.

  Gabe’s phone buzzed in his pocket. Irritation quickly replaced the heady feeling of anticipation that had spilled over him like fine wine. Whoever it was could wait. He dipped a hand into his pocket and silenced the call.

  But Anna had heard it, or she’d seen the movement, and her wide smile had turned to a concentrated look. “Someone from the hotel?”

  “It can wait, whatever it is.” His phone rang again, and worry crept in at the edges. “All right—maybe it can’t. I’m so sorry. Let me take this.”

  “Of course, but I’m not going to let my dinner get cold.” Anna shooed him away and picked up her fork. She’d ordered steak, medium-well, and butterflied to perfection. He’d ordered the same, and the green beans had come dripping in butter, reminding him of long-ago family dinners at the Elk Lodge.

  Nothing, however, reminded him of his home so much as the sight of his brother’s name on his phone screen. Gabe headed for the restaurant’s lobby, bypassing a couple wrapped up in each other on the ben
ch. He found the first available quiet spot near the restrooms.

  “I’m at dinner, Jonas. Can I call you back?” Typically, his brother would say yes and that he was only calling to strategize.

  “No, I’m afraid not.” His brother’s tone shook Gabe out of his rushing thoughts. “I need you to come home.”

  “What? Now?” A hundred possibilities tumbled into his mind. An accident with one of his brothers. A fire at the lodge. Or worse, something about his grandmother. “Is everything all right?”

  Jonas sighed, and Gabe felt that sigh in every bone in his body. “It’s okay for now.” He recognized his brother’s careful tone. It was the one Jonas used when hedging—when he didn’t want to tell the whole story or wanted to hold something back. “You know about Grandmother’s lung cancer.” Of course he knew. Jonas himself had called him late one night to drop the bomb, following it up by telling him everything was under control.

  “Yes, yes.” Gabe hated how impatient he sounded, but his heart beat fast and hard. If Jonas had something to tell him, then he should say it now. Right now. “Did something happen?”

  In the beat before Jonas’s answer, dread fanned out in the pit of Gabe’s gut and clenched hard.

  “I don’t want to make it seem worse than it is,” Jonas told him. “But it’s not good. The cancer has progressed, even more since Thanksgiving. She might not make it through to Valentine’s Day, and she—” There was a pause, and Gabe held his breath. If Jonas was struggling through this, then it was bad. “Look. She’s asking for you to come home and spend the time before Christmas with the family. She wants all of us to be together.”

  “I’ll be there.” It surprised him how easily the words slipped from his mouth. Gabe had avoided going home for long stretches since he moved out to Vegas. It would be too easy for the Elk Lodge to reel him back in, and he didn’t want that. He had his own life now, and a place like home—with all the gravity of its family relationship and traditions—would threaten to suck him back in. “Of course I’ll be there. I’ll get a flight in the morning.”