Chapter 5
“S eems you certainly know how to push buttons around here,” Corey said as they walked along the path back to the main house.
“It’s my specialty didn’t you know?” Lisa joked leaning into him wondering how much of this she could actually put up with before blowing her top.
“I think you secretly like it. You enjoy putting people on the edge because that’s where you’re at all the time,” he stated wrapping his arms around her. “You’re scared of letting someone see the real you because you think they won’t understand you.”
“Yeah? You’re an amateur psychologist now huh?”
“Just beginning to figure you out, you’re this incredible mixture of sweet and sassy that makes men want to know more about you. You’re worried that people will do what they do here and judge you because of one thing and you refuse to take a chance to let anyone close enough to you to attempt something real.”
“Wow…you’ve just got me all figured out, don’t you?” she said sarcastically.
“I’m starting to,” he repeated, stopping her from running towards the door when she pulled away from him. “What scares you the most when you hear the words long-term relationship?”
“Becoming like my mother,” she stated, letting out a sigh before she shivered slightly, and he began to move them on towards the house once more. “Never having a say in what I do or where I’m going.”
“That would never happen to you Lisa, you’re far too strong to ever fall for someone who wouldn’t listen to you about what you want.”
“Are you trying to convince me that you’re that guy?” she questioned stopping them outside the door.
“I could be. I’ve never met someone like you before,” he admitted sliding his hand into her hair. He loved her hair. It was silky and the strands slid through his fingers with ease. “Have you ever had something like what we have? This is more than just sex baby.”
“We’ll see about that,” she stated opening the door to get out of the cold. Her jacket wasn’t that warm, and she wasn’t about to get sick and let her mother get that look on her face thinking she was right.
At least she didn’t throw me out , Corey mused following her up the stairs. He slid his arms around her when they walked into her room. He half expected her to resist but she slipped into them, and they fell onto the bed. He stalled her when she reached for his belt buckle knowing the others were in the house already. He’d seen at least two of her brothers head this way earlier, and her parents had mentioned having an early night because of everything they needed to get done the next day.
“They can’t hear us, it’s the magic of soundproofing,” she whispered kissing him and laughed when he forgot about anything else but sending them into bliss again.
She woke up with her head on his chest and wondered why it felt so right. She moved up kissing him awake giggling when he rolled her onto her back taking things incredibly slow. She sighed when they finally collapsed, the sweat dripping from them. “Wow…”
“You said it,” he said dropping a kiss onto her lips. “Every time I think it can’t get better it does. You see that, don’t you?”
“Can we not do this right now? I don’t want to try to think about this and deal with my family.”
“Alright then I guess we should figure out what we’re doing today,” he said carrying her into the bathroom turning on the shower.
“What do you say we get some breakfast then we can do a bit of skiing? It’ll be something I actually enjoy doing while also keeping my mother out of my hair.”
“I say sign me up,” he agreed and as the day went on, she couldn’t stop smiling. He was far too intriguing for her to resist.
They reached the resort, and she stepped off her skis as he did his. She let Able take them back inside while she looked at Corey fluttering her lashes at him. He picked her up and swung her around making her wrap her arms around his neck to keep from falling. She couldn’t stop the laugh that tumbled out, and her smile wasn’t about to fade, not even when she saw Colin staring at them.
“Want to head back to the house instead?” Corey asked as they started to move into the resort’s main building.
“No, if he doesn’t like it, he can leave,” she said as they went and took a seat in the largest overstuffed chair near the fire. “So where did you learn to ski so well?”
“Growing up we’d come to a place like this and take lessons…it’d be our biggest trip of the year, a lot of times our only trip of the year. I made my first big break with the bar and from there started to do what I wanted when I wanted to do it.”
“So, it seems we had different upbringings but now you’re out of the galaxy.”
“I acted like a complete idiot when I first had enough money to not worry about paying the bills, but thankfully I didn’t let that last too long.”
“I’m comfortable with where I’m at financially. I’ve made some really wise investments with the money I’ve made. I had college paid for with scholarships because I didn’t want to rely on my parents. I knew if I had to then they’d have an opening where they could insert their input. I wanted to do it on my own, but I never wanted what you have, the responsibility of running your own company…it’s not for me.”
“Well, you certainly know how to keep one running smoothly financially,” he said playing with her hair yet again because he couldn’t stop himself.
She turned a bit more to let him continue doing what he was and couldn’t help but relax further, almost falling asleep simply being with him, in his arms, safe and secure in the place where she’d never felt it. It was far more than she ever expected to find, and she honestly didn’t want to lose it.
***
“What’s up Mom?” Ashton asked walking into the lobby from the back room. He saw the rest of the guys there and lifted an eyebrow their way.
“That’s what’s up,” Kirby stated pointing towards the fire.
“Is that Lisa?” he asked in surprise.
“It is…they’ve been there for almost two hours,” their mother stated. “It’s the calmest and happiest I’ve ever seen your sister so no matter how much we might not like this man, it’s clear that your sister does.”
“You’re approving of her choice?” Gerald asked. “You’re giving up on getting her and Colin back together?”
“And okay with this guy being a bartender?” Ashton added.
“Do I think he’s the right man for her? No, the last thing she needs is someone that enjoys partying. Do I think Colin is the right man for her? Not anymore, but do I think for the first time she’s home and happy? Yes, and I want her to stay that way. Perhaps we can convince them to both come here and work with us. Your sister is doing very well in her job, and I know she could help us with the financials here and who knows maybe he’ll surprise us but if nothing else he could run the bar while we keep an eye on him,” Elaine suggested.
“I don’t know,” Kirby said lifting a brow in skepticism.
“Your sister has always needed to find a man who can rein in her wild ways and seeing them together last night and then today I think Corey is just that man,” Edward stated surprising the others. “Being a little reckless every now and then isn’t a bad thing and I’m sure they can find plenty of things to have fun doing, but he’s a bit more grounded than I expected. I honestly think together they could do well.”
“So, what? We’re supposed to ignore the fact that he’s a bartender, sleeping with our sister, and probably after the family’s money?” Gerald asked.
“That’s exactly what you’re supposed to do,” Edward replied. “Let’s get through Christmas without any issues and then I’ll sit down and have a chat with the boy.”
“For now, go work…we’ll keep an eye on them,” their mother stated shooing them back out before Lisa noticed them.
Corey did and kept her from seeing the group as they watched them. Something about the way her brothers looked at their parents made him wonder what exactly they were discussing. Ways to get him out of town and away from Lisa possibly. Or did they see what he knew—that she was made for him. He needed to figure out which it was but for now he wanted her in his arms and happy.
He stroked her hair dropping a kiss onto her forehead then nose and a soft one on her lips. She opened her eyes and smiled up at him.
“Why do you have to be so damn perfect?” she sighed. “I don’t want to like you.”
“Why not?”
“Because you’ll leave or get bored with me…or want to change me into someone I’m not.”
“I would never do that baby. Do you know how long I’ve looked for a woman exactly like you?” he questioned staring down into her beautiful grey eyes. “I gave up on ever finding you, then you walked into my bar, and I couldn’t help but try to figure out how to get you to notice me. That night was beyond words and every night since then has only gotten better. You have to have felt that.”
“I have which is why it terrifies me to think of when it’ll all end.”
“What if it never ends?” he asked, not understanding the flare of panic that welled up in her gaze before she closed her eyes to him. “Wouldn’t that be worth the risk? To have each other no matter what else is going on around us, knowing there’s someone there that will have your back?”
“We’ve barely gotten to know each other, Corey. All of this is happening so fast.”
“I know but I can’t stop it. I don’t want to stop it. You’ve shown me everything I’ve ever dreamt of, and I want to give you all of your dreams,” he admitted willing to risk her panicking a bit because she couldn’t run far right now.
“I don’t know what to say Corey. I…I sabotage things, run from them, when they start getting too serious because I don’t want to be my mother. I don’t want to be one of those women who have to rely on the man for things she wants or needs.”
“But sometimes it’s nice to let someone else be in charge, isn’t it? To not have to make all of the decisions…the way you do at work,” he said trying to relate it to her in a way she’d understand. “You want control in your personal life, yet you freely give it up in your professional. You don’t find that overbearing, but a relationship isn’t like it. A real relationship is built on give and take,” he added, before silently cursing himself with the use of the word take. He dropped a quick kiss onto her lips to stop her from spouting off at him for it. “I don’t mean take as in take away your choice. I would never take away your choice. I would never tell you that you had to or couldn’t do something. I’m simply asking for you to let me lead occasionally. Let me have control of the little things. It’s nice to be surprised, right?”
“Sometimes,” she agreed as her head said no while her heart begged for her to open it. “I just…”
“One day,” he said when she paused. “Give me tomorrow to show you what I mean.”
“Okay,” she stated wondering why it wasn’t as scary as she’d expected to say yes to him.
Dinner that night was again amusing but her family was taking large strides to fight the need to say something rude. She had no idea why, but it was nice to not get into a fight with them for once. She woke up early the next morning to find that Corey had already been up and out to get breakfast for her, and she smiled seeing all of her favorites laid out on the tray.
“See surprises can be nice,” he told her with a kiss once they’d finished the food.
“Breakfast in bed is definitely one way to wake up,” she agreed, smiling as she dressed. The day that followed amazed her with the constant stream of surprises that didn’t make her feel as though she had no choice. It also showed her that he knew her far better than she thought, and she settled into his kiss before they headed for dinner that night. It was Christmas Eve, and she’d put on her fancier dress, then took time for her hair and makeup.
The look on his face when she’d come out of the dressing room was perfect and she slid her coat off letting herself relax into him. He looked incredible in his suit, and she didn’t even mind the stares from the other men for once. She honestly liked being admired when she was with him. The women that shot him coveting looks were another story, and she staked her claim with a kiss under the mistletoe.
“Now that’s the way to kiss under the mistletoe,” Trina teased as she made her rounds.
“What can I say the man certainly wears a suit well,” she replied with a smile as they walked through the dining room towards her family’s table.
“Lisa, you look beautiful tonight,” her mother said, and she didn’t mind that the dress was a bit safer than some of the others she could have chosen. She’d settled on this one because she felt amazing in it, and she wanted to feel amazing tonight. It would simply increase the wonderful experience of the day for her.
“Thanks Mom,” she said as both she and Corey forgot part of their act as he held out her chair for her. She saw the smile that touched her parents’ lips at the gesture and knew they couldn’t keep the act up for much longer. She wanted her family to like Corey because she liked Corey…a lot.
“What did you all do today?” her dad inquired, and she told them a few things they’d gotten up to as the waiter delivered the food.
Corey tried the stuffing and paused, as he tasted the spices in it and something else.
“Don’t eat it,” he said when she started to lift her fork for a taste. He grabbed her hand without thinking, making her pull back, her eyes tightening as she let out a gasp.
“What the hell?” she stated staring at him. After their incredible day together, he was going to tell her what she couldn’t eat?
“Sorry, beautiful, I didn’t mean it like that…the way it came out. It took me a second to realize what I was eating and all I saw was you about to do the same. The stuffing has walnuts in it,” he explained watching her mother’s reaction along with hers.
“Oh goodness,” her mom gasped motioning for the waiter to get the cook. “Lisa, I didn’t know…”
“It’s okay Mom. Thank you, Corey,” she added kissing his cheek when really she wanted to kiss his lips, but nuts were the one thing she was acutely allergic to, even the smallest bit of them gave her intense reactions. She’d told him about it their first night at his penthouse when he suggested food options. There were only a couple Chinese places she knew didn’t use peanut oil and thankfully one was close to his place. She was simply amazed he remembered.
“Anytime,” he stated dropping a kiss onto the top of her head as he cupped her cheek.
“So…what exactly are your intentions for our sister?” Gerald questioned while her plate was replaced.
“None of your business Gerald,” she rebutted.
“Oh, come on, I think it is,” Ashton stated. “We need to know if he’s simply after your money, Sis.”
“He’s not,” she laughed looking over at Ashton when he scoffed. “In case you didn’t realize it, he’s wearing a four, likely five-thousand-dollar suit…”
Corey studied her, giving her a smile when she took his hand and twined their fingers together. She looked back at her family and grinned a bit mischievously. “So, I guess we have something to confess. Corey’s not really a bartender, well not usually at least.”
“What?” Kirby said as the group looked confused.
“We did meet while he was bartending, but he was just filling in for the night. In reality he owns the bar and a few other companies,” she said laughing at their reactions while he slid his arms around her.
“Wait, you all lied to us?” Gerald asked.
“We just didn’t tell you the whole story,” she countered. “And to fully disclose everything…Corey’s company is the one that bought the one I work for. We didn’t realize that until we saw each other in the conference room though.”
“You’re kidding right?” Ashton stated.
“Nope, so in this whole scenario if one of us were after money it wouldn’t be Corey.”
“Why did you lie to us?” her father demanded.
“I was sick of you all assuming the worst. I figured I’d give you the worst and see what you did with it. We haven’t made any plans yet for anything.”
“Not anything concrete, at least,” Corey stated. “I’m hoping for much more of this in the future though.”
“This being sleeping with our sister?” Kirby asked.
“This being simply being with her without wondering who’s seen us,” he replied. “Trying to convince her to go public back home has been a challenge.”
“I haven’t said this is anything yet,” she argued knowing her parents were switching from being angry with them to seeing the perfect opportunity to get her married off.
“Lisa…”
“I haven’t so you two can stop planning the wedding,” she added to her parents. “I’m not about to let anyone push me into something I don’t want.”
“Always so dramatic with you,” Gerald laughed.
“So-what if I like a little drama,” she shrugged.
“It’s just that you always think people are trying to tell you what to do when we’re not,” he stated.
“No? If it wasn’t Mom and Dad telling me to do something or not do something, then it was one of you three. Do you know how absolutely irritating it is to know that you can’t decide anything or form your own opinions, make your own mistakes because people won’t let you?”
“So that’s why you acted like you did growing up?” Ashton questioned.
“Seemed that the only way to make sure I got to choose what happened was by doing the opposite of what you all suggested as options,” she said with a light smile.
“So then how about we simply keep this entirely casual huh?” Corey suggested making her laugh. “No commitment, just simply having fun, hmm?”
“I’d say you’d better watch out before big brothers box your ears,” she teased giving him a kiss on the cheek.