Chapter 6 #2
I shrugged. “It was a long time ago. I was only ten, and I was lucky enough to have siblings thirteen and fifteen years older than me, so we didn’t have to deal with the foster care system. Blake and Madeline were already married, so they took me in.”
“Ugh, I ruined our shopping trip.”
“No, you didn’t. And we don’t have time to put this off anyway. I leave in eight days, and we still need to find you something to wear to your father’s ten-year anniversary party.”
“And you something for any formal evenings.”
“I don’t think there will be anything formal besides the wedding, and I’m covered there. Being a bridesmaid made that easy.” I ran a hand across my forehead as if wiping sweat from my brow.
“Fine, hurry and drink up then.” Kayla pointed at my cup.
I did, although when I was finished, I was glad I wouldn’t be trying anything on, because it instantly made me feel bloated.
“Where should we go first?” she asked, tapping her chin. She wasn’t talking to me though.
I answered anyway. “I’m no dress shopping expert like you, but I saw something vintage in the window of a boutique consignment shop that looked as if it was designed for you.”
Giddy with the prospect of finding her something show-stopping to wear to her father and stepmother’s anniversary party, we called an Uber and headed to the boutique.
Thankfully it was a store that wasn’t overrun with Christmas shoppers so the owner had no problem pulling the gorgeous dress out of the display so Kayla could try it on.
When she walked out of the dressing room, my eyes widened and I gasped. “It’s stunning.”
“It is,” she agreed. But she wasn’t looking at herself. She was looking at a rack behind me. “Look!” She pointed and I spun to see the most gorgeous emerald-green sparkling evening gown.
“Ohhh,” was all I could manage as I grabbed it from the rack. “It’s wow.”
“You have to try this on! It’ll be perfect for New Years Eve.”
I ran my hand along the dress’s hip-length slit. “Of course, but this is too sexy for me. And too long.”
“Nope. It’s not.” She grabbed it from my hand and headed toward the single changing room. “Come on, what else were you going to wear for New Years Eve?”
“The same black sequin dress I wore last year.”
Her brows rose. “And the year before?”
I stuck my tongue out at her. “Yeah, so what? We can’t all be models like you.”
“I’m not a model.” She narrowed her eyes on me.
“I’m blessed, yes, but so are you. You have an adorable figure and a gorgeous rack.
And besides it’s bad luck to wear the same dress every New Year’s Eve.
And you need to bring that dress with you on the trip just in case, and you’re wearing it to ring in the new year when you get back! Maybe you’ll meet someone.”
“At my brother’s wedding?”
“There, or at the New Years Party.”
“I know everyone who’s going to be at the wedding, except Kristoffer, my brother’s elusive billionaire best friend. And the few plus ones. And it’s in poor taste to steal someone’s plus one. And who goes to a resort over the holidays when they’re single?”
“Meh, you’re going to a beautiful resort. You’ll meet lots of people. And the ones you do will likely have money since it’s a five-star resort. And there are plenty of people that go places to avoid family obligations during the holidays.”
I pulled a face. “But do I want to be with someone who avoids their family? That means they’re either the black sheep or have a horrible family.”
“Or maybe they don’t have one at all. Or they’re overseas and can’t travel there for whatever reason. This guy I know has family in the States, but he can’t cross the border because he has a criminal record.”
“Oh great. I’m so desperate I should keep my options open for criminals?”
“Oh, don’t be ridiculous. It was an assault charge because someone got handsy with his girlfriend and he broke the guy’s nose. Totally deserved.”
I groaned. “Let’s go back to talking about the men at the resort, please.”
“Yes, hot, rich men at the resort who wouldn’t take half your condo because they have their own condos…and yachts, lake houses, and Italian villas…”
“Stop. I don’t want someone for what they have. I want them for who they are.”
“Either way, you’d definitely have your choice of men in that dress. Odds are at least one of them would be a good guy.”
I pressed my lips, considering this. “Fine, I’ll try it on.”
She clapped her hands. “Here,” she said shoving a pair of sparkly matching shoes under the door of the dressing room. “These will be perfect.”
When I walked out, I wasn’t surprised when her jaw dropped.
The dress fit like a glove, showcasing my ample boobs and curvy bottom, all the while, thanks to the hip-high slit, making my legs look longer than they actually were.
And she was right; it wasn’t too long at all.
It was almost as if the dress was made for me. And that never happened.
“Holyfuckingshit, Emily, you look like a curvy goddess with legs for miles.” She shook her head in appreciation. The shopkeeper walked over and whistled.
“I second that.”
Embarrassed by the attention, I grabbed a silly elf hat with pointed ears and popped it on my head. “Are you sure I don’t look like an elf that’s trying too hard?”
“No way in hell do you look anything but ravishing. Even that hat can’t take away from your striking appearance. Although it does add a certain adorableness to it.”
The saleslady disappeared and reappeared seconds later holding a gorgeous emerald-green silk garter and bustier corset with white feathery trim. “This is from the new inventory section — never been worn. I carry a line of brand-new lingerie so we’re a one-stop shop.”
“Oh my god, Emily, feel this. It’s so soft.”
“I’ll throw in the elf hat and the shoes if you get the dress and corset set, post a pic of you wearing the dress to instagram and tag the store.”
“Deal,” Kayla said and pulled out her credit card. “Merry Christmas, Emily.”
I tried to argue that it was too much, but she shot me down. And as we left the store, she hooked her arm with mine and pulled me to her.
“If Santa Daddy could see you in that getup, he’d make you his head elf in less than ten seconds. And by head elf, I mean Mrs. Claus.”
I laughed. “You’re good for my ego, Kayla.”
A week later, I had my face almost pressed against the car window as I was driving up the long road toward the chalet.
“Oh, my God, I knew it would be amazing, but the pictures of the place don’t do it justice. And these mountains.”
“They’re certainly breathtaking,” the driver replied.
“So breathtaking,” I gushed.
“This is the main chalet,” the driver said, pointing at the huge building with a triangle peaked wall of reflective windows giving me a view of the mountains behind us too.
On either side of the peaked windows there were two huge stone columns with large sconces that flickered like fire in the evening light.
Smoke billowed up from a chimney which was made from the same gray river stone as the columns.
The driver turned down a road that branched off the main road.
A sign warned people that it was a private roadway.
The road was banked with thick conifer forests.
But the driveway that appeared a short way down the road was neatly lined with fir trees, their bows covered with snow.
Lights made to look like old lanterns lit the roadway, giving us a view of the forest, which thinned after a few minutes, giving both a protective feel as well as one of openness.
The tall tree trunks were well spaced, their tops providing a private canopy while below felt as if it were a secret hideaway.
“This is Mr. Larson’s private chalet,” the driver announced as we pulled into the circular drive and parked in front of a smaller version of the main chalet, with the same peaked roof and full floor-to-ceiling windows, banked by stone pillars.
“You’re the first to arrive this evening, but you’ll find a board at the door with a map of the house, with your room labelled.
There’s already champagne chilling in the kitchen as well as some light snacks.
But if you need anything else, there are intercom panels throughout which are connected to every main room in the house as well as one to Daniel. ”
“Daniel?”
“Yes, he’s Mr. Larson’s personal concierge, and can be rung at any time day or night.”
My brows rose.
“There is a solarium at the back of the house with a gym, sauna, both a cold-plunge tub and a hot tub, as well as a large, heated pool. You’ll find a juice bar, self-manned of course, which you are also welcome to use.
There are private hot tubs located on your room balconies, but should you fancy a group soak, you’ll find a large hot pool outside.
Leave through the solarium and take the left pathway.
Daniel has already lit the outdoor fireplaces. ”
“Is Mr. Larson secretly Batman?” I whispered and the driver chuckled.
“No, he’s richer, of Scandinavian descent, and…” Another chuckle. “Better-looking.”
I laughed but also felt a little flushed. Mr. Larson sure would be a catch and I couldn’t wait to tell Kayla. I even FaceTimed her so she could take the grand tour with me.
After exploring the main floor with the state of the art kitchen, which had the most delicious looking charcuterie board and champagne in ice buckets set up on the massive breakfast bar counter, the great room with the river stone fireplace that three people could comfortably stand inside if it weren’t already crackling, and the library, I found my room.
“I have so many regrets, Emily,” Kayla said through the phone speaker as I showed her the door to my room.
The door, eight feet tall and made of polished maple, had a name plate on it, which instantly soured my stomach. In beautiful cursive it read, Miss Emily Miller & Mr. Jett Phillips.
Both Kayla and I were staring at it when a tall lanky man walked up. “Excuse me, Miss Miller. I’m Daniel.”
“Hello Daniel,” I said, and he gave me a smile. I turned the phone to him. “This is Kayla.” Kayla waved and Daniel bowed a little.
“Apologies miss, but this just arrived.” He held up a name plate before sliding the other out of the slot and replacing it with the new one. The new one read, Miss Emily Miller.
“Thank you, Daniel.”
“You’re most welcome, Miss Miller,” he said with another slight bow.
“Have a lovely evening. Please don’t hesitate to call should you need me.
” He slid a card out of the pocket of his black trousers and ran it over the pad beside the door.
There was a click, and he pushed the door open, waving me through.
The room held a king-sized four-poster bed with a crisp white duvet and an insane amount of throw pillows.
“Right here you’ll find your communication panel,” Daniel said, and I tried to pry my eyes from the full floor-to-ceiling window with a mountain view to see him pointing at the intercom panel.
“To call me, it’s the white button.” He smiled, bowed again, and disappeared.
I looked at Kayla, signed off, and then ran to quickly jump on the bed.
The rest of the bridal party arrived a few minutes later and there was a lot of excited chatter throughout the house until we all met up in the kitchen.
Charlotte re-introduced her mother and her aunt who I’d met over a year ago at Charlotte and David’s engagement party, but the rest of the women had been at the Bachelorette party.
The group regaled Aunt Poppy and Charlotte’s mother, Jeanie, with the tale of me being draped over Santa Daddy’s lap at the bachelorette and spanked in front of them.
Thankfully I was saved from everyone’s teasing when the doorbell rang and Charlotte clapped her hands.
“We’re in for a treat, ladies! Kristoffer is here!
I’ve never met him, but I’ve heard amazing things, and everything must be true, because look at this amazing evening he’s set up for us.
” Everyone who had been distracted by refilling their champagne glasses suddenly stopped what they were doing and looked to the doorway.
“Kristoffer!” Charlotte called. “Let me introduce you to everyone.”
I froze, my champagne flute halfway to my lip and started choking on the half-chewed cracker in my mouth. Madeline spun on me, her eyes wide and started pounding on my back with the palm of her hand.
“Excuse me a moment,” I said, dragging my sister out of the kitchen, my heart and my stomach dipping.
“Madly, it’s him!” I whispered, while harshly pointing a finger toward the kitchen doorway. Her brow furrowed.
“Who?” She looked back into the kitchen, but everyone was around Kristoffer, and his back was to us.
I held up a finger to my sister, pulled up my phone and video-called Kayla again. “Your dibs just went out the window,” I said by way of hello.
“What?”
“Yeah, what?” my sister added.
I turned both my sister, and then the phone camera as the room cleared a bit and Kristoffer was visible.
“Who’s—”
“That’s Sexy Santa!” my sister shouted, and Kayla gasped through the phone.
And everyone, including the man that had his face buried between my legs a week ago turned to me.
“Oh! Kristoffer, you sneaky devil!” Charlotte said.
Kristoffer’s face was as surprised as mine before he recovered enough to put his hands up in surrender.
“I assure you, Charlotte, I had no idea. I was a last-minute replacement Santa. And when I set things up with Madeline, I didn’t make the connection because she has a different last name than David.
” His deep chuckle hit me right between my thighs.
“But I promise you, what happens at Sexy Santa Inc, stays at Sexy Santa Inc.
“Ladies, you remember Santa Daddy?”
Charlotte’s mother snapped her head around to stare at me. I tried to shuffle behind Madeline, but it was too late.
“Is this the man that had you over his knee, Emily dear?” Jeanie asked with a shrill laugh. And then, faster than I could say Jiminy Christmas, Kristoffer’s eyes landed on mine and his mouth slid into a sexy smile.