A Billionaire for Christmas

After a moment he nods once, and he doesn’t play it off like he’s unaffected. He takes a breath and then looks like he’s going to say something, but instead he swallows thickly and looks away.

I’d love to stay here. The setting is an author’s dream and the untold stories of Ketchikan are enough to tempt me, even if Alec wasn’t into me like this. I truly want to stay here. I’m genuinely drawn to the land and the culture. There’s a reason those who visit the island stay.

“I really can’t,” I whisper, both to myself and to Alec.

“One more night then?” he asks me in a low voice as he trails his finger over my shoulder, brushing my hair out of the way and planting a small kiss on my collarbone. I look up and into his eyes, so full of vulnerability and desire, a mixture of both that tempts me in the worst way.

I nod, not trusting myself to speak and close my eyes as he presses his lips against mine.

One more night, and then I have to leave.

He deepens the kiss, and it feels like so much more. Like he’s giving me everything he has.

I’m almost afraid of staying with him. Afraid I’ll never want to leave. But I know tomorrow I’ll be gone. And I won’t let fear keep me from having just one more night with him.Chapter TenLilaThe engine clicks and clacks and snarls. Like it’s spitting, rather than rumbling. I stand on the deck, gripping the handle of my suitcase and watching the waves crash against the shore. They aren’t harsh or threatening like they seemed to be the last time I was here. It’s simply the way it is. It’s never going to end; the waves will always batter away at the shore.

“I’m really sorry, Miss Travers,” Drew says as he walks out of the cabin of the ship and to the very back of the boat, closest to where I’m standing on the wooden deck.

“What’s wrong?” I ask him as the salty breeze whips my hair in front of my face. It’s chilly today, colder than it has been and being near the ocean is only making it worse.

Drew’s face crumples as he says, “It’s going to be a few hours, maybe more before I fix her.” He motions behind him with his thumb.

I glance to my right where three more boats are tied to the dock. “Surely there’s another boat?” My heart beats faster as I think about having to stay here on this island, so close to Alec, for a while longer.

“It’s been a while since they’ve been up and running and on this water,” he says and runs his hand over the hair at the back of his head, looking over to the boats and then back to the cabin. “I’m sorry, Lila,” he says with sympathy, climbing off the boat and onto the dock.

Fuck.

My thoughts immediately stray to Alec.

It doesn’t matter that I want him. Or that he wants me, too.

That can’t be enough, but as I question myself, I can’t think of a damn thing else that matters.

Maybe it’s fate, a little voice whispers in the back of my head, so full of hope.

“How long do you think?” I ask Drew as he takes off his gloves and taps them against his palm.

“No longer than a night I’d think,” he answers and then waits for my response.

Just one more night. I tell myself it’ll only be one more night, but I already know I’m lying to myself. I was able to walk away once. I don’t know if I’ll be able to again.

I clear my throat and look over my shoulder, but before I can ask Drew, he answers the unasked question.

“You need a ride?”Knock. Knock. Knock.

The bitter cold makes my knuckles hurt as I look between Drew, sitting in his car with the engine still purring in front of the Kulls’ estate, and the closed door. My nerves are getting the best of me, and anxiety is racing through my blood.

“Don’t turn me away,” I whisper to the door and raise my fist again to knock harder, just as it swings open. Warmth flows from inside the house, and it makes the outdoors feel that much colder. My arm slowly falls to my side as Alec stands in the doorway, wearing nothing but a pair of slacks on that are hung low on his waist. His broad shoulders fill the span of the door as he takes a step closer to me.

“Alec,” I speak his name just above a murmur. His pale blue eyes peer into mine, filled with questions and then the sound of Drew driving away takes his eyes from mine. It’s only then that I feel I can breathe.

Shit, I think as I turn around and watch Drew pull away... with my suitcase in his car. He’ll be back in a few hours either way, at least that’s what he told me. But he could’ve waited, damn it. I swallow thickly, knowing I have nowhere to go. I’m stuck here and if Alec turns me away, I’ll be all alone. I’ll be leaving this beautiful place exactly how I came here. Alone.