“You okay?” Lucian’s expression was wholly concerned. Knowing he wasn’t laughing at her she felt a little better.
“Yeah. Thanks. What the hell’s that crap you’re drinking?”
“Brandy.”
Evelyn made a gagging face. “It’s like trying to swallow melted glass.”
Jamie chuckled, reminding her of his presence. Lucian’s eyes softened and he leaned forward and kissed her temple. The gesture wasn’t unfamiliar, but there was something intimate about it. It surprised her that he’d show such simple affection in front of his friend. When she turned, Jamie looked equally surprised, but also pleased. The smile hovering around his lips also touched his eyes.
“Well, kids, I believe I’ll be taking off. Perhaps I’ll visit Christmas Eve,” Jamie announced, and Lucy, who seemed to always show up at just the right moment, disappeared, then reappeared with his coat. Jamie shifted his long arms into his dapper coat and buttoned the double-breasted panel in the front. The style reminded her of something Parker would look great in.
“Do, Jamie,” Lucian said patting his friend on the back. “I know the girls would love to see you.”
The side of Jamie’s smirk kicked up, “Antoinette’s in her twenties now.”
Lucian scowled. “No.”
Jamie laughed merrily and slapped his shoulder with what appeared as sympathy. “It’s inevitable, Luche. You know it and I know it.”
Jamie kissed Evelyn’s cheek and walked out of the library in high spirits. “She’s got a boyfriend, Shamus. He’s a martial arts instructor. He’ll kick your ass!” Lucian shouted and Jamie’s laughter echoed from the foyer.
Once she was sure Jamie had left, she asked, “Does Jamie like your sister?”
He pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. “Not as much as Antoinette likes him. She used to follow him around like a puppy. Jamie’s always kept his distance, but once he lost a bet and Toni made him give her his word that after she turned twenty he’d stop seeing her as only his friend’s baby sister.”
“You don’t want her to be with Jamie?”
“Jamie’s a great guy. Couldn’t ask for a more loyal friend, but Toni’s my sister, and Jamie’s my friend for a reason. We have very similar tastes.”
A small bit of hurt formed in her belly. Why were Lucian’s ‘tastes’ good enough for her, but not good enough for his sister?
“Hey. What’s that face for?”
She shook her head. “You don’t want a man to treat your sister the way you treat me?”
He opened his mouth, but the tension in his brow faded and he seemed to understand the conclusions she was drawing. “Evelyn, there’s nothing wrong with what we do. My concern with Jamie getting involved with Toni is . . . let’s just say that I’m very private about my appetites around my family. Toni’s a blabbermouth. She likes Jamie because the little girl inside of her said one day she’d marry him. She doesn’t have a clue about what she’d actually be walking into with him. My sister doesn’t have a submissive bone in her body and I’m not sure Shamus has the fortitude to help her be what he needs. The entire thing could end badly and I don’t need Toni running to all her little friends, painting Jamie’s name in a bad light when he does nothing I wouldn’t do.”
His words reassured her. She understood the desire for privacy. “Well, you said she has a boyfriend. I don’t think Jamie’s the kind of guy to poach.”
Lucian’s head jerked with a short bubble of silent laughter. “Baby, Jamie and I are very similar. If there’s something we want, we go after it. It doesn’t matter who’s guarding it from us. Once we set our sights on it, it’s already considered ours. And we always get what we consider ours.”
“Well, what about Antoinette’s boyfriend? Surely Jamie wouldn’t fight—”
“Antoinette’s boyfriend couldn’t kill a spider. He’s a tissue. Jamie would destroy him if it came to that.”
***
Christmas Eve morning Lucian woke Evelyn up by gently making love to her under the covers. They held each other close, tucked away from the chill in the air, and he rocked into her with such intense tenderness she was off balance for a good part of the morning.
Lucian laid out clothes for her to wear, a thick cable-knit turtleneck sweater, long johns, thick wool socks, and new fur-lined boots. When she met him downstairs, he was dressed much the same in boots, a heavy sweater, and rugged jeans. He looked like a lumberjack. He looked delicious.
His broad arms spread, holding out a puffy down coat for her. Evelyn slipped her arms in and he zipped it tight. As he placed a wool cap over her head and wrapped a cashmere scarf at her neck, she asked, “Where are we going?”
“It’s a surprise.”
They went out front. Expecting to see Dugan, she was surprised when Lucian unlocked the passenger door of a luxury SUV for her and got behind the wheel. “You drive?”