Chapter 15
Fifteen
The next few weeks flew by in a flurry of end-of-year reports, decorating the Brooks family’s massive home, and food tastings.
Her cousin was really nailing the menu, and Holly was confident that the party was going to be a success.
And really, that had to be her attitude, because it was only four days away. There wasn’t any time to second guess any of her decisions, or anything for that matter.
Crystal was handling everything at the office for the day, but would be coming over to help soon, along with about two dozen other people.
Right now, Holly was walking around the grounds, double-checking all the decorations and making sure everything was impeccable and in place.
The plan was to have a photographer come to the house tomorrow—well, her brother was the photographer and doing this as a favor—to take photos and video of everything so Lucas and his sisters could email it to their parents.
She thought their plan was solid and was perhaps the right way to convince them to come home sooner rather than later.
She loved how committed he was to getting his family back together, especially after how semi-indifferent he was a month ago. His sisters were arriving on Friday and Holly couldn’t wait to see them and encourage them and then—hopefully—celebrate with them.
“This is going to be awesome!”
As she walked around, she completely envisioned which photos she wanted taken and what the video should look like. Inside the house, the tree had been delivered and was going to be set up tonight when all the volunteers were here. Everything else was almost in place and coming together nicely.
“Hey, there you are,” Lucas said as he strode across the entryway. “I’ve been looking for you.” He kissed her thoroughly before pulling back with a smile.
“What are you doing here? I thought you’d still be at the office.”
“My schedule is now officially clear through the third of January.” He glanced around. “So, where do you need me to be?”
A sexy image immediately came to mind and something on her face must have given her away, because suddenly he was looking at her with a knowing grin.
“How about we take a break, just the two of us, before everyone arrives?” he asked, his voice low and gruff, and it made her feel all tingly.
“I like the sound of that.”
“I’d say let's go upstairs, but those rooms are all freshly made for my sisters and their family, so we’ll have to sprint over to my place,” he said, already taking her hand and quickly leading her out the door.
They ran like two kids, laughing all the way across the driveway and back to the guesthouse.
No sooner were they in the door than Lucas pulled her into his arms with a searing kiss.
Holly was already kicking off her shoes and reaching for his belt to whip it off.
It was a frenzy of wet kisses, flying clothes, and a few clumsy stumbles to get to his bedroom.
She loved the intensity—the honest and heartfelt need they had for each other.
Actually, she loved everything about them.
They had great conversations, they enjoyed a lot of the same interests, they had a similar sense of humor, and they were beyond compatible in bed.
The connection she felt for him was unlike anything she’d ever felt before.
She loved him.
What had started as a crush had turned into something very real and wonderful. There was so much going on, though, that she didn’t want to pressure Lucas into talking about his feelings or where this was all going between them.
But she really hoped he’d be the one to bring it up eventually.
Although, he was definitely showing her how he felt right now with his hands, his lips, and all the wonderfully hard parts of his body.
It was madness in the best possible way. Holly arched beneath him, wordlessly begging him for more: more touching, more kissing, more…
Love.
Then she couldn’t think at all. She could only feel. And she was more than okay with it.
The sun was low in the sky, casting golden-pink light through the tall windows along the back of the house.
Everything was quiet—for now. Boxes of garland, bins of ornaments, and a half-unrolled spool of ribbon were scattered around, waiting.
Plus the ginormous tree that was still in the box.
In less than an hour, two dozen semi-eager volunteers will show up to help Lucas and Holly finish turning the place into a spectacular holiday wonderland.
But for now… it was still just the two of them.
She was both exhausted and energized after their sexy romp in the guesthouse, but they never got the chance to simply linger and bask in the afterglow because there was work to be done.
So much work.
Rather than stand on a ladder or even a step stool, Holly stood on her tiptoes, trying to hang a strand of lights above one of the lower windows.
She felt festive in her red sweater dusted with glitter and her hair was pulled back with a sparkly green ribbon.
She could feel Lucas watching her from behind, one hand holding the other end of the lights, the other resting loosely on her hip to steady her.
“You know,” he says softly, “we have a ladder.”
“I am the ladder,” she countered, finishing the loop and taking a step back. She turned to face him, their bodies close now. She couldn’t help but reach out and rest her hand on his chest.
They both paused—taking each other in. Lucas leaned in without a word, brushing a stray hair from her cheek, his fingers lingering just long enough to make her breath catch.
“We’ve got, what, fifteen before this place is swarming with elves?” she says.
Lucas glanced at the clock. “Twenty. If we hide down in the media room and pretend not to hear the doorbell.”
She grinned. “Maybe we should just lock the door. You know, this way no one just walks in and disturbs us.”
He didn’t need convincing. He gently pulled her toward the couch that was pushed into the corner—out of the way, behind the village-in-progress. It wasn’t exactly private, but it was quiet and safe, for now.
They sank onto the cushions, Holly’s legs draped over his lap.
It didn’t matter that they’d only rolled out of bed thirty minutes ago after being naked and tangled up together.
It was like they were two magnets who couldn’t stay away from each other.
She rested her head on his shoulder while his fingers absently traced slow, lazy circles on her thigh.
“Think they’ll notice that we didn’t finish all the stuff we were supposed to before they arrived?” she murmured.
“Not if we hide your agenda,” he replied, kissing the side of her neck. “And bribe them with cookies.”
She looked up at him then, her eyes meeting his, more serious now. “Lucas?”
“Yeah?”
“I know things have been crazy this past month, and we haven’t had a lot of quiet time for things like… this.” She ran her hand along his chest, resting it over his heart. “But I need you to know—these little in-between moments? They’re everything to me.”
Lucas leaned in and kissed her—slow, deep, and tender. A kiss that says I know. Me too.
When they parted, breathless, he whispered, “Then let’s make this one count.”
They sat there in silence for a while, foreheads resting together, tangled in the warmth of each other and the soft, peaceful light of a moment that wouldn’t last—but would be remembered.
Outside, a car door slammed, and voices approached.
Holly sighed, forcing a smile. “Time’s up.”
Lucas carefully maneuvered her off his lap before standing and offering his hand to her, helping her up. “Let’s make it the most festive, sparkliest chaos this house has ever seen.”
She grinned, squeezing his hand. “Lead the way!”
Within minutes, the house was full of loud, boisterous chatter, and Holly had to stand on the stairs in the two-story foyer to call out and get everyone’s attention. When all eyes were on her, she smiled.
“Hey! It is so good seeing y'all here. As you know, we are going to put on the Christmas party that Mr. and Mrs. Brooks usually do every year. I’m sure most of you are aware of their personal situation and that the party was going to be canceled this year. However, Lucas did not want to see that happen and we have been working hard for the last month to try to get everything done ourselves. Unfortunately, it was more than we could handle, so we are incredibly thankful for all of you being willing to come tonight and help.”
There was a short round of applause that she basked in.
“Because of the shortage of time, we'll get right down to work. One of the first things to ensure a successful party—one that meets Mrs. Brooks’ expectations—is strict attention to details and direction. I have everything mapped out, and I'll keep my directions simple. There are stations set up all over this floor and the lower floor—the basement. I’ve left directions at each station, but know that you can reach out and ask if you don’t understand something.
It's the spirit of the volunteers that counts, the interest that you show in the details and wanting this to be the best holiday party we’ve ever had! Am I right?”
Everyone cheered and Holly felt like they were off to a great start!
“We’re having pizzas delivered in an hour, so let’s get started!”
“Holy crap! It looks amazing! It looks exactly how Mom always has it!” Anna said with wonder as soon as she walked in the door on Friday. “Well, except for the tree. This one’s a little different, but I think I like it better. There are more decorations on it.”
Lucas nodded. “It came pre-lit, but we had to order the ribbon and giant ornaments because they were always supplied by the decorator Mom used. Come on. Let me show you the rest of the house.”
Anna’s husband and kids followed along, and everyone agreed that the place looked like it had been done by professionals. “I can’t believe you got all the employees to volunteer to help with all of this!”