'Tis the Season (32 page)

“You've done the same for me,” he said, and tipped her chin up to make her look at him. “I was in a deep, dark hole. You helped pull me out. I didn't even realize how deep it was until you came along.”

“Oh, Charles . . .” She lifted her hands to his.

“We're so much stronger and happier together than apart,” he said fervently. “We belong together. We're right for each other. I love you, Lisette. I love you, I want you, and I'll always stand by you. Do you hear me?”

She pressed her lips together to hold back a sob, but nodded.

“Please come home,” he whispered. “It's Christmas. Our first one together. Come home with me.” He caressed her cheek. “Come home
to
me. To all of us. We need you, sweetheart. We all love you.”

“I love you all too.” The tears seemed endless. “But . . . what about the baby?”

His brow furrowed. “What about it?”

“I know it's been a shock,” she said quickly, making herself get the words out. “But do you really want another baby? Are you really okay with it?”

“Oh my God,” he whispered. “Of course I'm okay with it; I'm more than okay with it. It's amazing! It's your little miracle.
Our
little miracle.”

“Really?” she asked. “You're happy? You can love this child?”

“Of course!” He stroked loose tendrils of her hair back from her face. “I'm already so crazy in love with this baby's mother, it's ridiculous.” He cracked a grin. “I'll have another child to love, and I'll do right by him or her from the start . . . It's a new chance for
both
of us, honey. I'm totally on board, and I don't know why you doubted it.”

She flung herself against him, holding tight as she cried. “I'm so sorry.”

His arms wrapped around her and pressed her close. “I am too. I kept trying to dismiss all your fears, your concerns . . . but that didn't make them go away; it just made them fester. I'll work on that, I promise.”

“I want a life with you more than anything,” she said. “I was scared to admit it.”

“How about now?”

“Now? I'll never let you go. My God, Charles, you tracked me down and showed up at the door. After I left like a thief in the night.” She couldn't stop crying. “I'm assuming you flew up here?”

“Gotta love that private jet,” he said with a crooked grin. “If I had driven, it would've taken me six hours or so, and I couldn't wait that long. As soon as I found out where you were, I couldn't get to you fast enough.”

She shook her head in awe. “If you'd do all this, show up here, say these things, ask me to come back, I know you do love me as much as I love you.” She looked up to meet his eyes. “I'm so sorry I hurt you . . . Oh, God, I really messed up.”

“Shhh, it's okay. We all mess up. It's all right now.” He rubbed her back and kissed her forehead, then wiped her wet face with the edge of his sleeve. “You're coming home. And it's going to be
our
home. I love how you love my kids. We're going to have a great life together and welcome a new baby into the mix. We'll be a new kind of family. Everything's going to work out.”

“It's all my dreams come true,” she said, choking on sobs as he pulled her into his arms.

“Then why are you still crying and sad?” he asked.

“I'm not sad anymore!” she croaked between sobs. “These are happy tears.”

He laughed and squeezed her tighter. “Sorry, I couldn't tell the difference.”

“Well, I've been crying so much lately,” she blubbered, “it's understandable.”

“Damn hormones,” he teased.

“They're wrecking me,” she said, laughing through her tears. “I'm usually not like this, crying all the time, I swear. I think I'll get back to normal in a few weeks.”

“I want to be with you every step of the way for this pregnancy,” he said, leaning his forehead against hers and looking into her eyes. “I love you, Lisette.”

“I love you too.”

He lowered his mouth to hers, kissing her tenderly. As soon as his lips touched hers, it was as if a spark ignited. The kiss flamed hot, both of them consumed as they held each other.

“So we might have to find a new nanny.” He interlocked his fingers at the small of her back, holding her close as his eyes twinkled. “Mine's knocked up. Know anyone good?”

She hiccupped out a watery laugh. “I can help out for a while,” she joked, snaking her arms around his neck. “But actually, can we go back tomorrow? I really want you to meet Karen and her family. She'll be home any minute, with my goddaughter. Can we stay for dinner, at least?”

“Sure. I'd like that,” he said. “I'm a little intimidated to meet the famous Karen, though. Think she'll approve of me?”

“I think she might. You can be pretty charming when you want to be,” Lisette said, smiling so brightly her cheeks started to hurt. “And don't lie, mister—nobody intimidates you. You're Charles Harrison III.”

He cupped her chin and looked into her eyes. “Lisette, I'm nobody without you.”

Epilogue

 

The clear turquoise waves of the Caribbean lapped onto the white sands of the beach. On the deck of their private villa, soft breezes caressed their skin as Charles held his girlfriend close and they watched the fiery sunset.

“I still can't believe you brought me here,” Lisette said against his chest.

“Amateur,” he scoffed. “I planned this a month ago.”

“And I still can't believe Vanessa was willing to take the kids for the whole spring break,” Lisette marveled. “How'd you swing that?”

“Believe it or not, I asked.” A crooked grin spread on his face. “She said she wanted to see them more, so I gave her a chance to prove it.”

“Amazing.” Lisette inhaled a deep breath of beach air. “Speaking of amazing, this was an incredible surprise. You've outdone yourself. Thank you so much, honey.”

“My pleasure,” he said, taking her mouth with sultry kisses. They had eight days together at the Parrot Cay Resort, a sumptuous tropical paradise far away from their busy world. Crystal-clear waters, soft sands, a villa with a private pool and direct beach access . . . the five-star luxury resort had been the right choice. He was glad he'd found it, then kept the trip a secret.

“We're going to do nothing this week but relax and enjoy each other,” he said, moving lower to kiss and nibble her neck. Her breath caught as her breasts, fuller from pregnancy and more sensitive, brushed against his chest. He smiled against her skin, reaching down to dig his fingers into her lush hips and press her closer. “You know . . .” He continued to devour her neck, knowing where she liked to be kissed and bitten. One hand lifted to thread his fingers through her hair. “This morning, you went out, and when you got back, you said you had a surprise for me tonight. But then I surprised you by putting you on a plane and bringing you here.” He drew back to look into her eyes and flash a playful grin. “Well, it's tonight. I want my surprise now.”

She laughed and said, “Okay, okay. You're in luck; I brought it with me. But it's nothing nearly as extravagant as a getaway to paradise.”

“Please tell me you don't think I care.”

“I know you don't. That's one of the many reasons I love you so much.” She kissed him before pulling out of his embrace. “Be right back. Stay here.”

Charles smiled as she disappeared into their private villa. He turned and watched the clear blue waves just beyond and thought about his life. He was the luckiest man in the world. He'd lost sight of that for a while, the years when he'd been depressed and lonely and overworked. But once Lisette had come into his life, it was as if the sun had started shining on him again. She showered him with her warmth and light, and he blossomed under her radiance. He loved her so much it astonished him.

Other aspects of his life had improved too. Vanessa was more involved with the kids, which was nice for them—but not too involved, which was nice for him. Business was booming. He'd stayed at the company; he'd realized he was born to run the Harrison empire, and when things were good, he really did love his work. He'd lessened the stress and the volume of his insane workload by assigning different projects to several of his very capable executive vice presidents, and so far, the new system was working well. His father was so grateful Charles had decided to stay on that he kept his grumblings to a minimum.

Charles II had softened a bit after the heart attack. Being suddenly frail had humbled him, and perhaps he'd had something of an epiphany himself, because he wasn't as nasty, domineering, or controlling as before. It'd only been three months since the heart attack, but so far, Charles II had behaved decently. All Charles could do was hope it was a permanent change.

As for him, Charles was wildly in love with Lisette, who glowed more from her pregnancy every day. After the first trimester had ended and she felt well again, they told everyone. The household staff had been surprisingly supportive—luckily, they all loved Lisette, so they were happy for her happiness. Tina and Eileen, of course, were like excited aunts, and Charles was grateful. His siblings were equally supportive and happy for them. His father had been livid, and Charles didn't care. And when they had told the children about their soon-to-be brother or sister, the children had been over the moon about the baby, and happy that Lisette was going to be an official part of the family.

Charles grinned to himself. He intended to make that permanent. Discreetly, his hand went to his pocket to feel for the small velvet box. Yup, still there, safe and sound.

“I'm back,” Lisette said from behind him. “Close your eyes.”

He did as she asked. “They're closed. Are you naked?”

“What?” She laughed hard. “You're incorrigible.”

“Well, this is a private villa,” he said. “No one can see us. I thought maybe you were going to seduce me out here on the deck or something.”

“No, that's not my surprise, but I can do that later.”

A hot surge of lust rushed right to his groin. “Ohhh. Yes, please. Now, can I finally have my surprise?”

He felt her brush up beside him, felt her lean into him. “Okay,” she said. “Open your eyes.”

He opened them slowly. She was holding a picture of something in front of him. He peered at it closer, then felt his breath hitch. “Another ultrasound?”

“Mm hmm.” She smiled, luminous and happy. “Charles . . . we're having a girl.”

His eyes flew to hers. “It's a girl?”

“Yup.” Her smile widened, the sweetness and joy in her expression enveloping his heart with love. “Surprise.”

“Best surprise ever!” He pulled her into his arms, kissing her hard and holding her tight. “Another girl. I'm so excited!”

“I'm so glad you are,” she said between kisses. “I hope Ava will be happy.”

“Are you kidding? She'll be thrilled.” Charles looked into Lisette's warm brown eyes. His sweet, beautiful Lisette. This woman had brought so much light and joy into his life. He only hoped he could give her half as much as she'd given him. He planned to spend the rest of their lives achieving that balance.

He reached into his pocket and palmed the velvet box. “Sweetheart, there was a reason I wanted to bring you to such a magnificent place. I have a surprise for you too.”

J
ENNIFER
G
RACEN
hails from Long Island, New York, where she lives with her two sons. After spending her youth writing in private and singing in public, she now only sings in her car and is immersed in her passion for writing. She loves to write contemporary romance for readers who look for authentic characters and satisfying endings. When she isn't with her kids, doing freelance proofreading, or chatting on Twitter and Facebook, Jennifer writes. She's already hard at work on her next book. Jennifer is a member of the Romance Writers of America and is active in the Long Island Romance Writers, as well as being a member of CTRWA.

 

Hotel owner Dane Harrison, middle brother of a wealthy Long Island family, needs a lounge singer for his new luxury property. With her stunning voice and amazing curves, Julia Shay is perfect. She also seems to be the only woman in New York City who isn't falling at Dane's feet. And despite her feisty attitude and his rule against workplace affairs, he wants her—in his arms, in his bed, anywhere and everywhere.

 

Julia loves her new job, and she knows better than to think she can keep it
and
Dane. Even if he wasn't her boss, Julia's painful history has given her ample reason to steer clear of rich, powerful charmers. Still, their chemistry is unlike anything she's known, and when it becomes too much to resist, they agree to one no-strings night together. But instead of quenching the fire, the intense encounter only proves how much they have to lose—or win . . .