thing.”
“You’re not going to call him?”
“Not in a million years. It wasn’t that good.”
“It was so.”
“Okay, it was. But I’m not going to call him. Quit worrying. Phone me from London. And take the cool clothes!”
“Fallen for your wife yet?” asked Hunter, sauntering into Jack’s study in the early afternoon.
For a split second Jack wondered if Hunter had found out about his phone call this morning to Zenia Topaz, and the huge favor he’d just called in. But then he realized his cousin was only fishing.
He pointedly opened a financial report on a beauty products company acquisition that Cleveland was considering. “Don’t you have work to do?”
Hunter shrugged, stopping in front of the desk. “I’m on holiday.”
“Then how come I’m not?”
“Because you’re a workaholic?” Hunter picked up a round, crystal paper weight and tossed it from hand to hand. “Or maybe it’s because you’re trying to keep your mind off a certain knockout blonde who’s making you crazy.”
Jack scoffed away the notion. “In case you haven’t noticed, that knockout blonde is married to me … and sleeping with me.” The last part was only technically true, of course. But Hunter didn’t need to know that.
“Back to my original question,” said Hunter, “have you fallen for your wife yet?”
Jack glanced back down at the spreadsheet, pushing aside images of Kristy asleep in his bed. “Absolutely not.”
Only a fool would fall for his bride of convenience. Naturally, he wanted to make love with her. Who wouldn’t? And he wanted her to succeed—as much for Sierra Sanchez as anything. But he was a long way from feeling more than lust, admiration and respect.
“If you’re sure,” said Hunter.
“I’m sure,” said Jack.
Hunter set down the paperweight. “The moms wanted me to remind you about the sleigh ride tonight. Seven sharp.”
“I’ll remember,” Jack assured him.
Hunter moved to the doorway and stood there for a moment. “Mind if Kristy rides with me?”
Jack felt as if he’d been punched in the solar plexus. He glance sharply at his cousin. “Yes.” Hell, yes. He bit back an order for Hunter to keep away.
A knowing grin grew on Hunter’s face. “Gotcha,” he exclaimed, backing out before Jack could form a response.
Not that there was any response Jack could reasonably form. Because Hunter was right to laugh at him. He was feeling entirely too possessive of Kristy. He was beginning to act as if she was his real wife. In fact, he was beginning to wish she was his real wife.
He turned back to the financial report, forcing the unsettling thought from his mind.
KRISTY SHOVED Sinclair and Hunter, and Sinclair’s cavalier advice from her mind for the day. She had more pressing issues, like struggling to perfect the Irene collection and watching the clock until it was time for Isabella and Megan to head home. She couldn’t wait to talk to Jack.
Jack.
She smiled just thinking about being held in his arms again. Then she got a hollow feeling in the pit of her stomach when she thought about the holidays ending.
Christmas Day was rushing up on them. And she was leaving the day after that. She’d already filled out a dozen forms for London, and her trunks were being shipped at the end of the week. The collection would be sent on a transport plane to meet up with her at the event. Cleveland had insisted on buying her a first-class ticket, accommodations at the luxury Claymore Diamond Hotel and limo service to and from the airport.
As she closed the last of the cupboards and drawers, she heard bells jingling outside. Then footsteps bounded up the stairs and Jack stuck his head in through the doorway. “You ready?”
“For what?”
“A one-horse open sleigh.”
“Really?”
“Well, two horses. We’re going along the river trail.”
The harness bells jingled louder.
Kristy smiled to herself, forgetting about the end of their relationship, forgetting everything but the night stretching out in front of her. A romantic sleigh ride. What a perfect place to tell Jack she was on board, she wanted to pretend their marriage was real for a while.
“Let me grab my coat,” she said.
“I’ve got gloves and a hat waiting for you downstairs.”
Zipping up, she all but bounced down to the driveway where, to her disappointment, she noticed each sleigh held four people.
Cleveland, Aunt Gwen and Melanie were in the front sleigh with Hunter, while Jack and Kristy were riding with his mother and Elaine.
“You’re in for a treat,” said Elaine as Jack helped her up and over the lip of the sleigh. “The neighbors have a decorating competition every year.”
“I can’t wait,” said Kristy, swallowing her disappointment and pasting a smile on her face. “Hello, Liza.”
“I see you’ve been working hard,” Liza responded with formality.
“I have a lot to do,” said Kristy.
“I notice the jet’s been busy—”
“Mother,” said Jack, taking his own seat.
“I’m simply pointing out that Kristy has a fine selection of materials to work with.”
“That I do,” agreed Kristy, deciding to ignore Liza’s jabs. “Thanks to Jack.” She patted his thigh as he spread a plaid wool blanket over their laps.
He shot her a look of surprise. She kept her expression neutral as the horses stepped forward and the sleigh jerked to a glide.
Elaine and Liza were facing rear with an identical blanket covering their legs. A top-hatted driver sat up front on a raised seat, while two tawny-colored, golden-maned Clydesdales shook their heads and jingled the bells on their harnesses.
Settled against Jack’s warmth, Kristy accepted the delay in her seduction plans and sat back to enjoy the view of the Oslands’ gardens as they made their way toward the river trail.
Tiny white lights trimmed the branches of bare oak trees, while swooping ropes of color lined the hedges. Snow-covered spotlights gave the frozen fountains an incandescent glow. And, in the middle of it all, one huge pine tree sparkled color and shine all the way up to a golden star on top.
Kristy rested her head on Jack’s shoulder.
