The Billionaire’s Christmas Vows: A Jet City Billionaire Christmas Romance (10 page)

T
uesday
, December 23rd

Kayla

The packages were laid in the sample sale wish list fulfillment section with care, in hopes that their buyers soon would be there. Labeled and ready to be purchased and wrapped and put beneath a tree.

My Santa Sample Sale volunteer elves were in position, wearing Santa hats and light-up Christmas bulb necklaces so bright you could even say they glowed.

One corner of the room looked like Santa's workshop, filled with samples of toys Flash had offered in their famous flash sales all fall. Toys and gadgets children were begging for.

There were boxes of glittering holiday costume jewelry and everyday jewelry, some small and dainty, some large and showy. Hoards of purses and accessories. I had my eye out for one with a kiss-lock closure. Boxes of clothes, clearly marked by size. Racks of holiday dresses that caught the light like the moon on new fallen snow. Dresses perfect for Christmas Eve or New Year's. There were stacks of small appliances and household items. Gifts, perfect gifts for everyone!

The big conference room at Flash had been turned into a holiday garage sale with the best bargains in the city on stylish boutique apparel and jewelry, state-of-the-art gadgets, and finds for the person with discriminating taste, or plain old quirky style.

I'd always thought shopping at one of the nearly monthly Flash sample sales was a combination of a treasure hunt and a garage sale, except everything was brand new and in style. All the goods belonged in a classy department store, but usually there was none of the high-end ambience here. No gently playing piano music. No wafts of delicate perfume. No perfectly arranged displays or showcased items. No well-lit dressing rooms and helpful salespeople. The same items, but at prices that made them total steals.

Amazing how atmosphere and a good display influenced a buyer's perception of quality and the shopping experience. It was a psychology I'd studied in college. Which is why I'd had the room perfumed with the scents of Christmas—fir forest, cinnamon, and spice. Borrowed props from the studio to decorate and add holiday cheer. And set up a temporary dressing room in the back. It still wasn't the mall. But it was nice. Christmas piano music even played in the background.

Time and again, I was overwhelmed by the clutter of the sample sales and magnitude of the jumbled goods and the search. While pawing through boxes, nothing seemed as beautiful and valuable as it was. Until you got it home and put it on or laid it out. Then you realized the bargain you'd gotten.

I was trying to create that sense of a treasure hunt for the employee shoppers today. Trying to add a bit of Christmas and holiday shopping atmosphere by playing soft music in the background and setting up the wish fulfillment center.

This sale was the best one of the year and one of the perks of working at Flash. I wanted it to be special and fun. For shoppers to come away with an experience. Happy with their purchases and eager to give them as the exceptional gifts they were.

Did it matter to the receiver of a hundred-dollar crystal necklace that it only cost the giver two? Wasn't it wonderful that even our lowest-paid employees could afford to give gifts of exceptional quality and style to their loved ones this holiday season?

In a way, Jus, Riggins, and all the hardworking people at Flash were Santa Claus and his elves. I was filled with pride and joy and love at the thought of all the people who were going to be happily surprised on Christmas morning.

Everything was neat and orderly. Calm like the early hours of Christmas morning. Once the doors opened, the crowd would charge in and the jumbling, churning, and bargain grabbing would begin.

There was a method to shopping at the sale. Bring large bags—we didn't provide them. Stuff everything you might be interested in into them. Find an empty space and sort through your finds to make your final selections before you checked out. And remember that money went a long way here. That pile of treasures was certain to cost less than it looked like it should.

This was a strictly cash-only and carry event. No tax. Everything was priced in even dollars. All the money raised went to the children's hospital. It was a win for everyone.

When I was in charge, I was always nervous and eager before a big event like this. Making it successful was my responsibility. But today, I was a basket case of nerves. Talk about holiday stress!

After the sale, Jus and I were hopping on a jet and flying into an impending storm with enough strength to make Santa consider cancelling Christmas.
On Dasher, on Dancer. On Prancer and Vixen. Off to New York to get married!
If only I could have rented a plane named Rudolph for this mission.

The weather report had grown steadily more ominous with each passing day as Christmas grew nearer. The National Weather Service was predicting blizzard conditions in upstate New York by midnight tomorrow, Christmas Eve.

I considered calling the whole thing off. And I'd worked so hard on this Christmas wedding, too. There was nothing I could do. The storm they were predicting was just too strong.

I kept wondering—was the weather too dangerous to chance the trip? Could we beat the storm? Or would it arrive early and strand us in New York?

I'd called the charter company and asked their opinion. They were reassuring. Our pilot was the most experienced in their fleet. Barring some unforeseen change, their detailed weather maps indicated we would be in and out of New York before the first snowflakes before the wild hurricane flew.

Still, I worried. What if we got to New York and were stranded by the storm? What about
The Nutcracker
? And what would we tell our family? How could we explain flying to New York with Dex in the face of the storm of the century?

I took a deep breath.
Breathe. Just breathe
.

I obsessively checked the weather on my phone. I was distracted as I fielded last-minute questions from volunteers.

My friend, Britt, who was helping with the sale, sneaked up on me and touched my arm.

I jumped.

She laughed. "Jumpy, jumpy! Who's supposed to be texting?"

Oops! Almost caught. How would I explain checking the weather in New York?

I slid my phone into my pocket. "Jus said he'd text when he was on his way down." I was becoming a pro at lying.

Britt looked around the room with a pleased expression. "We've done a fabulous job here, if I do say so myself."

I nodded. "Merely fabulous? It's extraordinary! The team really came together." I took a deep breath. "And according to my elves, we managed to grant almost every wish!"

"It took some fast-talking by all of us in merch, and some help from procurement, but yeah, I think we did." Britt grinned.

She'd been my best friend forever. I'd always thought she would be my maid of honor. And done all those maid of honor things. Like keeping me calm and holding my bouquet when Jus and I exchanged rings. Panic. Who was going to hold my bouquet?

But Britt wasn't in on my secret wedding. And Jus and I had promised each other that no one else could know.

One of the volunteers came up to us. "I just peeked out the doors. You should see the line! I've been here every year since Flash started. This is a record crowd. And recordly jovial, too. They've started singing holiday songs."

There was a burst of laughter from outside the doors.

Another volunteer rushed up to me. "It's time. Justin and Riggins arrived a few minutes ago to kick things off."

Britt frowned as she looked at me. "I thought he was supposed to text?"

"So did I!" I laughed to cover being found out. He hadn't promised to text.
Sorry, Jus! I didn't mean to malign your character!

"That explains the singing! Ten dollars says Jus and Riggins are leading it." I glanced at my watch. "Time to open the doors."

Britt gave my shoulders a squeeze. "What are you waiting for? Let's get this party started." She handed me a silver Christmas bell. "Call your volunteers to order."

I laughed and rang it enthusiastically until the buzz in the room died down. "Everyone ready? It's time to open Santa's Sample Sale for business!"

I strode to the doors and grabbed the handles. "Let the mayhem begin!" I threw the doors open.

Jus and Riggins
were
leading carols. The sight of Jus made my heart squeeze and my pulse race. The guy was hot. And sweet. Totally adorable. The perfect combination. I still couldn't believe that I hadn't seen the possibilities in him in college.

My college self would never believe how life had turned out for us. If I could tell her I was dying to genuinely marry Jus, and worried that a snowstorm would stop me, that I couldn't imagine life without him, that he'd become my best friend, and an excellent lover, she would laugh in my face. And think I was pranking her. It was a lesson I'd learned—never laugh at possibilities and improbabilities. Learn to see past the superficial. And why hadn't I noticed what good basic bone structure Jus had?

Then again, if the college-age me got a look at Jus now, she wouldn't believe her eyes. She would still think I was pranking her.

Jus turned toward the door. Our eyes met. They lit up like always when he looked at me. I didn't deserve that much appreciation and love. I was a lucky girl and I knew it. I didn't take it for granted.

"Santa's main helper emerges!" He gestured toward me.

"Did I miss your holiday speech?" I teased back to him.

Riggins elbowed him. "You didn't miss much! It was pointless. It was boring. But it was short!" He laughed and elbowed Jus.

Jus shook his head. "Are you open for business?"

My volunteers stood at the front of the line, holding the masses back and checking employee badges.

I nodded. "Yes, we are!"

The line erupted in applause and tried to push forward.

"Wait, wait, wait!" I held up my hands, palms out, imitating a traffic cop. They only paused a moment when they heard me holler, "Stop!"

I cleared my throat. "A few announcements before we let people in. The wish fulfillment center is in the back across from the dressing rooms. If you submitted a request for a particular item, look for it there. If it has your name on it, you have first option to purchase it. If you no longer want the item, please let our volunteers know so they can put it out with the general merchandise.

"If you see an item that you requested but it has another person's name on it, I apologize. Some very popular items had multiple requests. We drew names at random to select the winner. In those cases, if the winner doesn't want the item, it will be reassigned to the second person on the list.

"My staff worked overtime trying to make sure everyone got one of the items on their wish list. Happy holidays and happy shopping, everyone!" I stepped out of the way to let the first throng of shoppers in.

Jus came over and gave me a quick kiss. I took his hand and led him into the sale.

He whistled softly. "This looks terrific! Like the mall at the North Pole."

"You've been to the North Pole?"

He laughed.

I shrugged. "I had a little help from the photography and merch departments. You picked up on exactly what I was going for! A festive, mall-quality shopping experience."

He put his arm around me and pulled me close. "You look hot," he whispered in my ear. "Tomorrow you'll really be mine."

I smiled up at him. We never mentioned any hint that our marriage wasn't completely legit when we were in public. We both had a healthy fear of being found out. The constant acting wore on both of us. There was always the fear of slipping up.

"If the snowstorm doesn't stop us." I frowned.

"
Nothing's
going to stop us." His voice was deep and sexy with confidence.

How could he be so sure?

He squeezed me tight. "I have to get back to work."

"Oh?" I said.

He nodded and rolled his eyes. "Another emergency. This one's going to take some time to sort out. I can't bail on Riggins. It's a tech issue. My area of expertise. I'll have to meet you at the plane."

Why was I not surprised?

"Have the driver take you to the airport," he said. "Board the plane. If you get tired, don't wait up. I could be late. Get your beauty rest and take care of my girl." He patted my baby bump.

I smiled at him, loving him beyond reason.

"Dex will meet you at the plane. He can entertain himself." Jus paused. "What's the latest we can take off and still make it to opening bell at town hall?"

"Two a.m. At the absolute latest. Our flight plan calls for one. Which gives a margin of error."

"One. Got it. I'll be there." He winked.

"I hope so. I don't want to have to send Dex after you." I leaned in and whispered in his ear, "No cold feet."

"Have I gotten cold feet yet? I'm the one who conned you into this arrangement." He gave me another squeeze and turned toward the checkout lines by the exit door. "What's that they're giving out?"

"Santa mugs with the Flash logo filled with locally sourced organic chocolates."

"Nice!" He grinned at me and was off, stopping to grab a mug on his way out, and thank and hug the volunteers.

I watched him go, incredibly proud of him. Happy he was mine. As far as any government authority was concerned, Jus was legally my husband. But all I wanted for Christmas was two vows. Mine to him. His to me. Fully sober. Fully in control. Fully present.

As Jus turned the corner out of sight, I pulled my phone from my pocket and checked the New York weather again. The Doppler weather still showed New York in the bull's-eye of a major snowstorm.

And then it hit, the worst storm of the century… There's nothing I can do. We're going to have to cancel our Christmas wedding.

I shuddered. I hoped not. Crap, I hoped
not
.

D
ecember 24th
, 1 a.m.

Justin

When I boarded the plane, Dex was grating nutmeg onto the foam of a hot cocktail, humming to Christmas music. Kay was nowhere in sight.

"Hey, dude! You made it." Dex slapped me on the back. "Thank God. I was worried I'd have to drag your ass back and defend my cousin's honor. I'm no good at that shit." He sized me up. "You've got too many inches on me to make it a fair fight." He winked. He was bullshitting.

"Since when do you fight fair?" I said.

He laughed. Neither of us ever fought fair. When you grew up bullied and made fun of for being geeky like we were, you learned to use every trick at your disposal. Mostly you lived by your wits. As far as fighting went, even though he was shorter than me, we were evenly matched.

"Crap, Dex. Why would I no-show? I can't believe Kay"—I searched for the right word—"married me." I'd almost tripped up. Even in the privacy of the plane there was a pilot who could overhear our secret.

As if making my point, the pilot came out and introduced himself. "Ready to take off?"

I shook his hand. "Anytime you are."

He disappeared into the cockpit to get clearance from the tower.

"Dude, you got to stop being so damned grateful Lala stuck with you. She's just an ordinary chick. Tom and Jerry?" Dex lifted a steaming coffee cup up.

"Kay's anything but ordinary." I pointed to the cup Dex held. "A
what
?"

"Tom and Jerry. Whipped egg whites, hot water, booze?" He studied me.

I looked at it blankly.

"Still no recognition? Have you lived under a rock all your life? Geez, I knew you were sheltered, but shit. A guy should know his classic, traditional cocktails." He shook his head and clicked his tongue.

"Oh, yeah." Recognition dawned on me. I must have been tired. "Riggins served those during the Christmas Ship Parade."

"Did he? I knew there was a reason I like that dude." Dex went back to nutmeg grating. "Now that you're part of the family, you have to get with our holiday drinking program." He nodded to the coffee cup. "Our grandpa made these
every
Christmas Eve. It's tradition!" He lifted his arm in the air with flair, accenting his words.

I raised an eyebrow. "Grandpa started making these for his parents' friends when he was eight. Back in the days before electric mixers, when you had to whip the egg whites by hand."

Dex's eyes twinkled as he laughed. "And walk five miles uphill in the snow to school." He sliced a piece of thin fruitcake and held it up to the light.

"What are you doing?" I said.

Dex had peculiar habits.

"And where did you get that?" I didn't stock fruitcake.

"Making sure this fruitcake is thin enough. If you can't see through it, you cut it too thick." Satisfied, he laid the piece on a saucer next to the cup. "I brought it myself. As a special treat."

"I can't believe you eat that crap." I shuddered for effect. "Where are the Christmas cookies?"

"If you think fruitcake is crap, you've never had a good one. This one is made from scratch at a nut farm down south. With their own freshly grown pecans. Try it, you'll like it."

I reluctantly took the cup and saucer from him.

He shook his head at my apparent folly. "I took the liberty of dousing it in a little more rum from the liquor cabinet. Good fruitcake has to be soaked in booze starting just after Thanksgiving. Get it just right, it's better than a rum ball."

I was still skeptical. I took a sip of the cocktail and fell into a leather chair, exhausted.

"Well?" Dex said. "What do you think?"

"Not bad." It was delicious and soothing, strong with brandy. I let the hot alcohol linger on my tongue. "Your grandpa gave you and Kay these?"

"Without the booze. Not bad?" Dex sounded affronted. "Damned by faint praise! I make the best Tom and Jerry on the planet."

"And you're modest, too." I paused. "Watch yourself. There's still time to make the naughty list."

"As if! If I wasn't trapped with you on a jet bound for New York, I'd have a damned good shot at that list." He grinned. "Next year!"

I laughed. "Kay asleep already?"

"She went to bed about an hour ago. No idea if she's asleep. She's nervous about the storm. You being late to the plane didn't help."

"I'm not late." I glanced at my watch. "Just last-minute." I set my drink down. I had no intention of touching the fruitcake. "I'd better let her know I'm here." I rolled my neck. "I'm beat. I'm going to turn in."

He raised an eyebrow and laughed. "Right. I'm sure sleep is the first thing on your mind."

I ignored his innuendo. "You'd better get some sleep, too. We have a big day ahead of us." I grinned. We were alone in the cabin. I whispered to him, "It's my wedding day."

Dex made an exaggerated sigh and shook his head. "You got it bad, boy! This weird arrangement of yours gives you an out. I have no idea why you want to put the last nail in the coffin of your freedom."

I shook my head. "Love is fickle."

Dex grimaced. "Go to bed before you get any sappier. I don't think I can take it." He snatched the piece of fruitcake off my plate. "If you're not going to eat this…"

"Don't stay up too late. And leave something in the liquor cabinet. You're the only witness I have and can trust. I need you completely sober when you do your duty."

"Go to bed, Dad."

Kay was in bed in one of the two bedrooms onboard. The lights were out. The room was dark. Kay was facing away from the entrance.

She turned over when I opened the door. "Jus? You made it." Her voice was soft and sexy with sleepiness.

"Was there ever any doubt?" I slipped out of my clothes and into bed behind her. Just that fast, I was hard and ready for her, pulsing with desire. "I missed you."

"You just saw me this afternoon." Her hair fanned out over the pillow behind her, topped with a sexy red Santa cap.

I ran my fingers through her loose hair. "In the middle of a crowd." I kissed her shoulder. "It's our wedding day."

"Hmmmm," she purred. "Unreal, isn't it?" She turned to face me and put her arms around me.

I tugged on her hat. "What's this?"

"And I in my cap." She pulled my face to hers.

"You're supposed to be in a kerchief."

"Oh? Did I get it wrong?" She pulled the covers back, revealing her beautiful, nearly naked body wrapped in a red satin bow teddy. The top was a push-up bra that showcased her firm, full breasts, tied with a lavish bow. A cross ribbon wrapped over her baby bump and disappeared between her legs.

"What am I supposed to do with this?" I slid my fingers between her legs beneath the ribbon and stroked her until she moaned softly.

"Unwrap me."

"It's not Christmas yet." I kissed the tops of her breasts.

She moved my hand to cover her heart. I felt it beating for me, rapid and excited.

"Doesn't matter. I'm yours now." Her voice was as soft and smooth as the satin of her bow.

Mine, mine, mine.
My dick got harder and harder at the thought.

"You're part of my family now," she whispered.

"Not quite."

"Close enough." She kissed me lightly, running her tongue over my lips until I shivered with pleasure. "We open our presents on Christmas Eve. And I do believe it's Christmas Eve now."

"Technically, it's Christmas Eve day. I always open mine Christmas morning. I don't have to unwrap you," I teased, reaching beneath her bra to expose a nipple. "Mere bows are no barrier to me. I can slip past this ribbon no problem."

I slid the ribbon just off center, exposing her outie bellybutton and kissing it. She loved it when I did that. I licked it and sucked on it. I loved her hard, round bump. "No one will know. Except you."

The tip of my dick was wet. She was moist and ready for me. She climaxed almost as easily as I did these days. Hormones, she claimed. I preferred to think it was mad lust for me.

Finding the right angle of entry and position was becoming more challenging every day. A guy had to get creative. And acrobatic.

Past the baby bump, find the slot. Into the spot that made her hot.

I slid Kay to the edge of the bed until she was on her back with her legs dangling over.

I slid to my feet, standing between her legs, looking at this woman who was the best gift in my life. Wondering how a nerd like me had ever won her love.
She loves me
.

The thought always made my heart race and my dick harder.

"What are you waiting for?" she said, egging me on and scooting closer until my dick was pressed against her opening.

"I like to take my time opening my gifts. Wouldn't want to tear the wrapping." I bent down and kissed her, sliding my kisses down her neck to where her pulse beat for me.

I sucked on her exposed breast.

"
Jus
." She stroked my hair.

As she moaned my name, I speared into her. She was moist and warm, hot and ready for me. That I turned her on like this was another gift I'd never expected.

She gasped and wrapped her legs around my back, her hips rising as I made love to her standing on the floor. As I pounded into her, she moaned.

It was enough to send me over the edge into climax, but I held on. Held out, waiting for her. I set my jaw and drove in again and again. I grabbed her hips to keep her from scooting farther into the bed as I drove into her. And thrust. And thrust as we rumpled the sheets.

Her Santa hat slid off. Her big red bow bounced in rhythm with her fabulous, pregnancy-enlarged breasts.

I was high above her. Looking down. It was a view I could never get enough of. Her face lit up with the pleasure I was giving her. I never took it for granted. I memorized everything about it—the gentle part of her lips. The way she arched her neck and sighed. Her nipples had gotten larger and darker with pregnancy. The exposed one was as round and hard as a holly berry.

Her heels dug into my back, urging me deep and deeper inside. Driving me to keep the pace desperate with desire going.

The muscles of her stomach contracted, making it hard and tight, a beautiful round rock to pound against. Soon the baby inside would rebel and start kicking.

Kay was close. Her eyes rolled upward. She sighed heavily.

I drove harder, grasping her tighter to hold in place on the expensive sheets.

She opened her eyes and stared up at me. "Jus!" She arched and gasped.

I came with an intensity that made me weak in the knees. I shuddered with the force of the climax, standing on legs that became like a bowl full of jelly, quivering. With pleasure and spent lust.

She collapsed, arms overhead, head to the side, breasts heaving. I wanted to hold this picture of her in my mind forever. But damn, it would surely make my dick hard again.

She turned and looked up at me. "That was
wonderful
."

I grinned. "High praise." I'd been a virgin when we married. Insecure because of my inexperience. Kay may have taught me everything I knew about lovemaking. But no one could say I hadn't been an eager student.

I slid out of her and into bed, pulling the sheet and blankets up over our bodies moist with the thrill and exertion of sex. Kay was hot these days. I meant that in the temperature sense, too. She was always flushed. Her cheeks always rosy. Which I found completely sexy.

"So intense," she whispered as she cuddled into me and brushed a lock of hair off my forehead. "So intense since I got pregnant."

"You mean so intense with me?" I teased. But there was a sense of insecurity beneath it. Hard to pound that out of a guy like me that the girls had never noticed until I became rich.

"Yes,
that's
it. That's what I meant. So intense with
you,
Santa baby." She retrieved her hat and slid it on my head, laughed, and kissed me lightly. "You look adorable!"

She paused to study me and laughed again. "It was intense, but then, you're the only guy I've done while pregnant. So I have nothing to compare it to." She winked. She was such a tease.

"You
had
to add that." I leaned on my elbow so I could stare at her and get my fill. "Is that any way to talk to the guy who's going to be your legitimate, legally bound husband in a few hours?"

"Oh, Jus!" Everything about me amused her. "Insecure?" She grinned. "I
love
you. I can hardly wait until you're completely, legally, without doubt, my truly wedded husband."

The tease was still there, but the passion underlying it took my breath away.

She yawned and kissed my shoulder, just a light butterfly brush. "Merry Christmas, you filthy animal."

I smiled. "And a happy New Year." I kissed her again. "I love you, too."

K
ayla

Being a pregnant bride was challenging enough. But getting me and my baby bump into a formfitting wedding dress in the confines of a small bedroom on a plane? With only my eager groom to help me? In the middle of the leading edge of an epic snowstorm?

Insane
. At least we were on the tarmac. There was no turbulence to deal with as I applied the final touches of my makeup—mascara and lipstick.

The cold wind was not only driving the snowstorm toward us at record speed. It was about to drive me into the edge of madness. And yes, until I'd sent him away to get ready with Dex in the next room, Jus had been helpful. In his sweet way.

He was pretty good with tiny satin buttons. But he was more adept at unbuttoning them than fastening them. And his hands strayed to my breasts at every opportunity. He was merry and bright, a right jolly groom. I was simply a jittery bride.

I'd gotten up in the wee hours of the morning while we were still in the air. I wanted to give myself plenty of time to get ready for the momentous event. And spent an inordinate amount of time trying to make my long blond hair fall into perfect waves over my shoulders and down my back. Jus loved it that way, so I had vowed not to put it up, but wear it to please him.

The wet weather was absolutely going to destroy my cascading locks and render them limp the minute I stepped out of the plane. As long as Jus got a look at me first, though, and Dex snapped a picture, mission accomplished.