She nodded. “I promised my mom I’d help her bake cookies for the Christmas bazaar. It’s been a while since I’ve been home for Christmas.”
I already knew that since she’d spent the past two Christmases at my place outside LA. She and Ryan had flown in from Seattle and we’d split our time between the beach and skiing up in Big Bear. I’d been looking forward to a threepeat until Ryan fucked it all up.
“I’m headed to the lounge. Want to join me? It should be much quieter and we can get all caught up.” Even as I issued the invitation, the rational part of my brain wanted to back out. I didn’t listen. We were two adults. Nothing was going to happen. I might be attracted to her, but she was way out of my league. Winter would never want to be with a man twice her age, especially the father of the asshole who’d broken her heart.
“Sure. I’ve been trying to find a place to sit down for the past fifteen minutes. I guess it pays to have friends who have an airport lounge pass.” The smile she gave me lit up her entire face. My fingers itched to trace the curve of her lips and brush over her cheeks.
Forcing myself to keep my tone neutral, I wrapped my fingers around the handle of her bag and tugged it from her grasp. “Great. Let’s go.”
She fell into step next to me. I shortened my stride as I led the way to the lounge. Once we’d checked in, I scouted the room for a table. The only one I could find was a curved booth for two against the back wall. Winter slid infirst, and I followed. Being this close to her, the faint scent of peppermint filled my nose. She smelled like a candy cane—one I’d like to lick from head to toe.
“So, come here often?” she teased.
I relaxed against the back of the booth, vowing to keep my thoughts out of the gutter. “One of the perks of traveling so much for work, I suppose. At least it makes the time I have to spend in so many airports a little more bearable.”
“I read an article recently that mentioned you signed on a big client in Austria. Congratulations.”
“You’ve been keeping tabs on me?” The thought of her checking up on me made heat slither through my veins.
A wave of pink washed over her cheeks. “Not necessarily. It’s just nice to see good people have success.”
“And what makes you think I’m good people, Winter?” I was playing with her now, but I couldn’t help myself. She had no idea the levels of success I’d attained or what I’d had to give up in my personal life to reach them.
Her fingers fiddled with the cocktail menu, betraying her nerves. “You’ve always been nice to me.”
“It would be impossible to be anything but nice to you.” Being around her brought out the best in me—a side of myself I rarely shared with anyone.
Our server appeared, diffusing the tension between us. As Winter ordered a chocolate peppermint martini, I studied her face. Dark lashes fluttered against her soft cheeks. Her long brown hair framed her heart-shaped face,and I was tempted to tuck it back behind her ear so I could better appreciate the pale column of her throat.
If she were mine, that’s where I’d leave my mark… right at the base of her neck where her pulse fluttered. I cleared my throat and ordered the best single malt scotch they had. Holding myself in check would take a concentrated effort, and I couldn’t afford to let myself slip.
CHAPTER 2
WINTER
Though I’d spenta fair amount of time around my ex’s dad, we’d never been alone together. Sitting next to him in the cozy booth, I realized that was probably a good thing. He’d always seemed distracted and grumpy when Ryan and I had visited his huge house in LA. Maybe I was a little under the influence of the vodka in my second martini, but tonight Cole was downright charming.
“Tell me more about this Christmas bazaar.” He lifted his glass to his lips, and I watched his Adam’s apple bob up and down as he swallowed. Unlike his son, who needed constant reassurance, Cole oozed confidence. Was there anything sexier than a man who was sure of himself? At that moment, I couldn’t think of a single thing.
I pulled the miniature candy cane from where it hooked over the rim of my glass. “It’s a typical small-town celebration. They have a cookie decorating booth and lots of games like pin the nose on Rudolph. You grew up in a small town, too, right?”
He nodded. “I’m surprised you remember. Broken Bend isn’t too far from where you’re headed, but I haven’t been back in a long time.”
Ryan told me how his dad had grown up in foster care. That made it even more impressive that he’d built such a huge business empire for himself. “When’s the last time you were there?”
Cole tilted his head like he had to think about it. “It’s probably been at least ten years. Mama Mae keeps trying to get me to come back, but it’s hard to find the time.”
“If it’s important to you, you’ll make the time.” The words left my mouth before I realized what I was saying. It wasn’t my place to chastise a grown-ass man like Cole. “Sorry, that was out of line.”
His eyes met mine and his mouth curved up on one side. “Don’t apologize. You’re right. I’m not sure what’s been keeping me away.”
It was refreshing to be able to speak my mind and not worry about hurting his feelings. I hadn’t been too excited about heading home either. Maybe we actually had something in common. “I’m not really looking forward to going home this time.”
“Why not?” A line appeared between his brows, and he leaned forward. “I’m sure your family will be happy to see you.”
“Yeah.” It would be nice to see my parents, though I wasn’t looking forward to telling them I would be moving back to Texas for good. Since Ryan and I broke up, I’dmoved out of his condo and hadn’t been able to find a place I could afford on my salary as a massage therapist.
“What’s the issue?” Cole asked.
