There were more important things to worry about.
He never should have gone along with the fake-girlfriend lie, no matter what his boss wanted. Although, he couldn’t regret the request because it had led him to Cammie.
He pulled out his phone, planning to send her a text, even though she hadn’t responded to the others he’d sent today. Though he didn’t want to bombard her with messages, he couldn’t resist sending one more just to check in, on the off chance she might reply.
Merry Christmas, sweetheart. Is there any chance I could see you tomorrow?
He pressed send and hoped she’d say yes. If he had to leave his parents’ house a little early to spend time with Cammie, he would-although he hoped she’d just come with him to celebrate with his family. The thought of her being alone on the holiday was too much to bear.
His phone buzzed and he held his breath as he opened the text and read her reply.
Or you could see me right now.
He lifted his head and looked around until he spotted her standing inside the ballroom entrance, tucking her phone into her clutch. She glanced up and met his gaze, a smile on her beautiful face.
Everyone else in the banquet hall faded away until Cammie was the only person he saw. He was glad he hadn’t peeked at the dress when they bought it. She was stunning in the red dress with lace sleeves and a keyhole cutout above her chest, giving a glimpse of her cleavage. The dress was fitted, showing off her feminine curves and the slit up one side went all the way to her hip, revealing her sexy, toned leg.
He stared as she walked toward him, accepting in that drawn out moment that she owned him. With her beauty, sunshine and Christmas cheer, she’d snuck into his heart when he wasn’t looking. And she made him feel something brand new. A connection and a desire for more.
He pushed away from the bar and met her halfway, treating her to a slow smile. “You look beautiful,” he said, taking her hands and kissing her cheek. “I’m so glad you came. I’m sorry about—”
She placed a finger on his lips. “No apologies. I’m not here because I want an interview. I’m here because I just want to be with you.”
“That’s all I want too.” He pressed his lips to hers but kept the kiss brief, not wanting to get carried away in front of all his business associates. But later… he couldn’t wait to get her alone.
Sliding his hand in hers, he led her to the bar and ordered her a fruity cocktail since she didn’t like wine, and spent the next two hours walking around the party with Cammie on his arm.
There was no pretending, no lying, no making their relationship appear more serious. For him, what they had was more than enough, and it didn’t matter how long they had been seeing each other. They might be new and exciting, but their relationship was full of potential.
He squeezed her hand in his. And if what he and Cammie shared wasn’t enough to impress McClain, he’d have to hope his stellar work history would get the man’s attention. But whenhe introduced them, McClain seemed completely charmed, especially when Cammie chatted with him for twenty minutes about how much she loved visiting his amusement parks when she was younger.
The band stopped playing and everyone sat for dinner. The partners of the company each made a speech, all three of them, and there were small gifts given out, shot glasses with the company logo on them.
They’d just finished their dessert, a meringue confection topped with sweet berries, when he placed a hand on Cammie’s thigh and leaned in close. “What do you say about getting out of here?” he asked.
Her eyes sparked with happiness. “Let’s go.”
He drove them to his apartment, and she held his hand in the elevator, leaning her head against his shoulder. The intimacy came easily for her, and he liked how comfortable she felt around him. He wanted to be her safe harbor, always.
When they arrived at his apartment, her gaze fell to the gifts wrapped and sitting on the coffee table in the living room, waiting to be taken to his parents’ house tomorrow.
“You know, that’s why most people have trees,” Cammie pointed out. “It’s a place to put gifts.”
“Or the coffee table can substitute just fine.”
Cammie let her out annoyance with a huff. “Are those for your family tomorrow?”
“All but one.” Walking over, he picked one gift off the top and handed it to her. “For you, Cammie.”
Eyes wide, she ripped open the small box and squealed in delight. “Earrings in the shape of coffee cups! How did you find these?”
“Oh, I went hunting. And since I’ve never seen you wear anything like them, I took a chance. I know it’s not much but—”
She cut him off with a kiss full of pent-up longing. Her tongue swiped against his and they lingered as if they were under the mistletoe until she broke away.
“I love them. But how did you know you’d see me?” she asked.
He had his answer ready. “I planned on making it happen, sweetheart. I wanted to see you on Christmas. I even…” He trailed off, unsure whether to finish his sentence.
