Chapter 2
Aspen
Clearly, I’d been possessed. Maybe it was finding my pack fucking the girl they told me not to worry about, or maybe I was just plain crazy, but either way, here I was, kissing this gorgeous alpha in front of me.
I didn’t even know his name, but at least I’d checked to make sure he was single first. That had to count for something. At least I wasn’t disrespecting some random omega.
His lips were so soft against mine and he tasted like bourbon and sin. My omega was on high alert now, peeking out from where she’d been moping, the ache between my thighs was completely inappropriate but I didn’t give a single fuck.
“I swear I saw her come in here,” Sadie grumbled, before the sound of her footsteps finally receded.
For some reason, the stunning alpha had kissed me back. His tongue teasing against mine as I melted into him.
When I pulled away, he looked just as surprised as I felt. I hurriedly glanced behind me.
I watched the back of Sadie’s head disappear out of the door, still hunting me down, but at least now I was safe in here.
“Can you tell me what that was about?”
“No,” I blurted, more of a question than an answer. How did I explain all this to him?
“I know you’re not going to come in here, kiss me like that, and give me zero explanation,” he challenged. His dark brown eyes were burning now, imploring me to clue him in.
At least I knew he enjoyed the kiss as much as I did. It was one of the best kisses I’d ever had, but that wasn’t a healthy thought at the moment.
I narrowed my eyes, considering my options. I could make up a lie, but for some reason, I found myself not wanting to. I really wished I could breathe in his scent, the one thing missing in this moment.
Damn these venues and their no-scent policies.
I understood why they had them, but right now, my omega was very interested, maybe she was even in desperation mode, doing anything to erase the memory of the pack that clearly didn’t care about the promises we’d made to each other.
All our plans for the future were gone. My entire life, a damn wreck.
Had they ever cared about me? Was I blind and this was going on the entire time?
“Mr. Hawthorne, is everything okay over here?” the voice was accusatory. I guess I hadn’t snuck in unnoticed after all.
My eyes widened as I looked down at him. A small smirk played across his lips as he stared back at me.
“For the love of all that’s holy, tell me you are not Cole Hawthorne,” I begged him.
He arched a brow, clearly amused by this entire encounter.
“I’m fine, thank you,” he told the beta security guard.
“Thanks,” I whispered, still processing what the hell just happened.
“Now you have me at a disadvantage,” he said smoothly. “You know my name, but I don’t know yours.”
The one person I’d chosen to kiss, on impulse, no less, was none other than Cole Hawthorne, the CEO of Pack & Co... and my fucking boss.
Damn, Aspen, when you fuck up, you really fuck up.
“That’s probably for the best,” I muttered as I started to wriggle off of him.
His hands were on my hips now, holding me there, not letting me escape this insanely awkward moment.
“Look, I’m just going to take my Santa suit and get the hell out of here,” I said, pushing against his hold.
Everything I’d heard about this man other than the fact that he was insanely wealthy, was that he was a strict boss, meticulous about what he liked, and not afraid to make everyone around him miserable.
Strict, severe, controlling… an alpha to the extreme.
None of that was something I wanted to deal with. Not after the pack I’d just left behind.
“Oh, Cole, honey! Sorry it took me so long.”
A woman’s voice drifted over, and the way she said it had a hint of knowing, like she’d seen everything we just did.
“Hello, Mom,” he said, his voice holding a touch of amusement now.
I shot him a mortified look before turning to her with a polite smile. She had the same dark hair and brown eyes as her son, the resemblance was unmistakeable. There were faint smile lines around her mouth and adorable crinkles at the corner of her eyes, the kind that came from laughing often.
“Is this the date you were telling me about?” she asked. Her eyes took in my Santa suit and she let out a soft laugh, but didn’t question it quite yet. I knew it was coming.This thing swallowed me whole and this wasn’t exactly a costume party.
My eyes shot to Cole’s again, those deep brown orbs begging me to understand and go along with the lie.
I had no idea what I was agreeing to, but he spoke before I could say a word. “This is my fiancée, actually. I was waiting to surprise you. Introduce yourself, honey.”
Fiancée?!
How did I walk out of one wedding and right into an engagement again?
“Oh, yeah,” I stumbled over the words. “My name is Aspen. Aspen Hollis.”
“Oh, Aspen! That’s a lovely name.” She smiled warmly. “Well, now that I know you exist, maybe you can help me convince my stubborn son that the holidays are important, and meant to be spent with family.”
It was said playfully, but I caught the pleading note beneath it.
“Mom, we talked about this,” he started, but she held up a hand and looked at me, then back at him.
“Cole, please consider coming to the estate for the holidays. It would make me so happy. Your dads are away on business, and you know how busy your brother and North can get.”
I had no idea who she was talking about, and I wasn’t about to chime in. Telling my boss that he should listen to his mother felt like a surefire way to end up without a job. I couldn’t risk losing anything else in my life at the moment.
Now I was the one giving him a pleading look, begging him to say something.
“What about your family, Aspen?” she asked quickly, not ready to give up the fight.
“I don’t really have one,” I admitted softly. “At least not around here. My parents are across the country, and they aren’t exactly a ‘home for the holidays’ kind of family. Once I turned eighteen, we developed a call-once-a-year-and-check-in type of relationship.”
Her face was the picture of horror at my words. I barely knew this woman, but I could already tell she’d never tolerate that kind of distance from her own children.
“Cole,” she said sharply. “Surely, you’re not going to let her spend Christmas alone while you’re busy working.”
“Who said she’d be alone, Mom? She’ll be with me,” he reminded her.
I most definitely would not be with him. Apparently, I also would not be on the beach. I’d be at home alone, wishing I had a couple of cats to keep me company.
Cole picked up his glass and downed the last of his drink, frowning when he realized it was empty. It also just occured to me that I was still straddling her son. This moment couldn’t possibly get any worse.
How the hell did I go from leaving my cheating exes, to this?
“Cole, be a dear and go get your fiancée and me a drink,” his mom said dismissively. She wasn’t exactly letting this conversation go, but she was giving us a reprieve.
Cole sighed and gently nudged me off his lap. His fingers stayed on me as long as possible, almost reluctant to let me go.
“Another white wine, Mother?” he asked.
“Yes,” she said, before looking at me. “What are you having, Aspen? They have some lovely holiday cocktails up there, if you haven’t tried them yet.”
“I haven’t. Can you just make sure they don’t use cherry in them? I’m allergic, remember, dear?”
“Of course,” he said, giving us both a nod before turning and walking away.
I watched him go, appreciating his perfectly fitted suit, and his ass in those tailored pants.
His mom cleared her throat, and I blushed, turning back with an apologetic smile.
“I’m so sorry. This wasn’t exactly how I pictured meeting his family,” I said, a truth hidden within the lie.
“Oh, honey, I get it,” she said quickly, waving her hand between us. “Since my son forgot his manners tonight, my name is Karina. I’ll make a note of that allergy for when you guys come.”
“Come?” I echoed, curiosity getting the best of me. “Remind me, where exactly are we spending Christmas?”
“Despite the fact that my son seems glued to this city, this isn’t where he grew up. We’re actually from Pine Ridge. It’s a small town about an hour south of here, near the mountains.”
“I’m not familiar with it, but it sounds lovely,” I said quickly.
“Oh, just you wait. I can’t wait to show you around town.” Her smile was so hopeful I couldn’t say a word to break her heart. That was her son’s job. “So, tell me about yourself, Aspen.”
“I’m not too exciting,” I said, shifting uncomfortably. Talking about myself was not my strong suit. Of course, she wasn’t having any of that.
“I think you’re plenty interesting,” she countered. “Let’s start with your job.”
She was likely choosing something easy, but if there was anything my family had taught me, it was that my achievements were never quite enough.
Here she was, the mother of the CEO of the biggest lifestyle magazine around, and I was simply one of his employees.
Not even an important enough one to get an invite to this Christmas Party.
It was obvious only for management and above.
“My degree is in journalism,” I said. “I’m currently with the Home and Hearth section of Pack & Co. Magazine.”
“That means my son is your boss,” she clarified, biting back a laugh. “That sounds like something out of a movie or something. Is that what you wanted to do, or are you working your way up?”
“Honestly, I’d love to do something that required a bit more passion behind it. There’s not much passion to be found in trending color palettes and influential designs.”
“Oh,” she said, clearly surprised by my candor.
Part of me knew I should probably shut the hell up, especially since I was talking to my boss’s mom, but, apparently, I’d left my filter back on that balcony.
“Don’t get me wrong,” I added quickly. “I love my job. Working for Pack & Co. is incredible, they really do take care of their employees and make it feel like one big family. But I’ve always wanted to work more with people, covering big stories, chasing leads.
I love the mystery of it all. I’d love to cover current issues or influential people versus just where they live. ”
Karina was smiling from ear to ear now.
“Sounds like my son has met a good match. You’re nothing like the other omegas he brought around in his younger years. Not that he’s brought anyone home in a long time... but I guess you explain why, huh?” she added with a wink, just as Cole returned.
He handed her a glass of white wine, then turned to me, offering a drink with swirling red liquid.
Before I could ask, he reassured me. “Don’t worry, no cherries. I triple-checked. The only thing in there is cranberries and winter spices. Apparently, it’s one of their most popular.”
“Thank you,” I said, oddly touched by the fact that he’d made sure I wouldn’t have an allergic reaction.
I took a sip and hummed happily. At least the drink was potent enough to chase away the wild fucking day I was having.
I knew at some point reality would crash back in or they’d try to come find me, but for now it felt like I was in an entirely different world.
A parallel life I wasn’t sure I wanted to return from.
“You know,” Karina said. “Your fiancée and I were just getting to know each other. Why didn’t you tell me she worked for you? Isn’t that a bit of a conflict of interest?”
“Oh, like you care,” he said, chuckling softly before sitting beside me.
We were so close now our thighs were touching, and it took everything in me not to react. I wasn’t used to casual touches, and somehow, I’d gone from runaway bride to fake fiancée in a matter of minutes.
With that thought, I tipped my glass back and downed the entire drink.
Cole watched me, no judgment, but definite concern in his eyes.
He didn’t need to worry about me. I’d be fine, especially once I figured out how to get myself out of this godforsaken venue.
For the first time in a long time, I wished my life were different, that I had a family, or a best friend to help me get out of this mess.
The closest people I had were probably across the hall, looking for me.
My eyes flickered around the room, searching for a clock. When I found it, I winced when I saw that I should be walking down the aisle in just a few minutes.
That thought had me adjusting the Santa hat still perched on my head, which, of course, drew their attention.
“Now I have to know what’s going on with the Santa suit,” Karina teased. “I didn’t think they hired entertainment for soirées like this.”
“We don’t,” Cole said, sounding amused. “But my omega here marches to the beat of her own drum.”
My omega melted at the pride in his voice, like he thought that was something to be proud of, not hidden away.
“Good,” Karina said definitively. “She’ll fit right in with our family. Maybe she’ll loosen you up a little.”
She shot him a pointed look.
“Mom,” he groaned.
“Don’t ‘mom’ me. Now, when are you coming to the estate? I’ve already texted your brother, he’s beside himself.”
“Oh, I’m sure he is,” Cole replied with a roll of his eyes.
It was such a candid gesture that it took me by surprise. I didn’t think the big, bad CEO had it in him. Honestly, it made him seem almost human. Everything he’d said and allowed tonight, did.
Cole looked at me for a long moment. To an outsider, it might’ve looked like one of those pack things, silent communication without words, but I knew better.
This was Cole trying to find a way out of this. Or maybe to ask permission.
Nothing could’ve prepared me for the words that came out of his mouth next.
“We’ll be there this weekend.”