Chapter 14
Chapter Fourteen
Emily
Kristoffer tugged me close and draped his arm over my shoulder as we walked into the hall, almost daring anyone to say a word. He brought me to his side of the table and when we sat, he pulled my chair closer to his. It was as if he wanted to show everyone I was his.
It made my middle heat, and I couldn’t wait to get him alone. He waved in the waitstaff and once the food started coming in, it was all anyone could talk about.
“We can do speeches before dessert,” Kristoffer whispered, leaning closer to David and Charlotte who’d just sat at the head of the table directly to his left. “The meal will take everyone’s mind off what just happened.”
“Good plan.” David clapped Kristoffer on the back. “Thanks, man.”
Kristoffer nodded his chin to Charlotte. “You need ice for your hand, champ?”
She smirked, showing him her slightly reddened knuckles. “Nah, she had a soft nose.”
“I still can’t believe you did that,” David said, his eyes wide. Taking his bride’s hand, he kissed it where it was raw and then turned to Kristoffer. “And what about me? Not gonna ask if I need ice?”
Kristoffer smirked and rubbed his jaw. “Nope.”
“Oh shit. Yeah, I forgot about that. You need some ice, buddy?” he asked, biting back a smirk of his own.
The waitstaff walked around the table offering various dishes and once our plates were full, we dug in. The food was delicious and soon the conversation was lively and light. And then as plates were cleared and coffee and desserts were served, Charlotte stood.
“I know there was a little drama tonight.” She moaned, looking around the room.
“Pretend as we might that it didn’t happen, it did.
So I thought I’d lighten the elephant in the room before we go any further.
My future husband, if he makes it to tomorrow, thought it was a great idea to set his sister up with one of his friends.
It didn’t go well, obviously, and for good reason.
The friend was an absolute ass, and I hope he never gets another hole in one for the rest of his life.
But also, David’s sister had already found her own date in our very own best man, Kristoffer.
” There was some cheering and clapping as she picked up her champagne flute.
“With whom we couldn’t have had such an amazing once-in-a-lifetime destination wedding.
” She put her flattened hand beside her mouth and said, “He’s filthy rich and footing the bill for our food and accommodations here…
” She lowered her hand from her mouth but raised the one holding the flute of champagne.
“So please raise your glass to my new best-friend-in-law, Kristoffer and my new sister, Emily.” Everyone drank and cheered until she continued.
“Now I just want to assure all of you, our family and friends, that I will not be letting my groom and husband-to-be, if he makes it to tomorrow, matchmake anymore. It seems his skills at judging romantic partnerships stopped right after he chose me.” She raised her hands in an elaborate shrug, making everyone laugh and clap, and then reached over and gave his shoulder a squeeze, while fluttering her lashes.
David was looking up at her so smitten it made my chest ache with happiness.
“Anyway, I just thought you should all know you’re safe.
” She pointed at her barely adult brother, and everyone laughed again.
David stood up and spoke too, thanking everyone and touching a bit on his lack of match-making skills while looking at me and winking. And so did Madeline and Kristoffer. But before long it was time to head back to our rooms to get a good night’s sleep so we were all fresh for the ceremony.
By the next morning everyone had forgotten about yesterday’s fiasco and wedding day prep and primp was in full swing.
Charlotte’s mother was buzzing around making sure everyone had breakfast and was hydrating.
Kristoffer had gathered up the groomsmen and Charlotte’s father and brought them to the main chalet where they stayed the night in a family suite, so the ladies were alone in the chalet.
“So, tell me everything,” Madeline said as we sat in a row in one of the huge bathrooms where hair stylists and make-up artists worked on our hair and faces. “How did this happen?”
Charlotte leaned forward to peek around Madeline earning a scolding from her stylist. “Was this all because he spanked you at the bachelorette?”
The four female stylists and two male makeup artists’ eyes found each other’s through the mirror and I laughed.
“He was dressed as Santa at the bachelorette party,” I explained.
“And I was on his naughty list.” I gave Charlotte and Madeline the side-eye.
“Though I’m pretty sure it should have been them on the naughty list.” I pointed my thumbs at them both.
Charlotte covered her chuckle with her hand and agreed. “But if it were us, you might not be together now.”
“And I probably wouldn’t have gone home with him that night,” I blurted, making them gasp excitedly. I shrugged. “He offered me a fantasy I couldn’t refuse. And it lived up to the hype a hundred percent.”
A commotion and raised voices coming from the main floor had Charlotte paling, but after a few minutes of us trying to keep her calm, Charlotte’s mother popped her head into the room.
“Nothing to worry about, ladies.”
Kristoffer popped his head in too, but kept his eyes covered. “It was just me.”
“There’s no need to cover your eyes, Kristoffer. We’re decent and you’re not the groom.”
“I want to be as surprised as David when you ladies walk down the aisle,” he said and quickly disappeared.
“Aww.”
“Who was that delicious-looking man?” Charlotte’s stylist asked.
I bit my lip, but coyly answered before Charlotte could. “That’s my Santa Daddy.”
Charlotte hooted, Madeline whistled, and the stylists joined in with their own catcalls.
A few hours later, we were at the little church, and I was shaking off my nerves as I saw the full pews.
Some of the guests had flown in the night before, but quite a few were local, so the church was packed.
Three of the bridesmaids had already walked down the aisle and I was staring at Kristoffer while waiting for my cue.
He was so handsome in his black suit and his ice-blue tie. I smiled as he said something to my brother, making him visibly relax. And then the pastor’s wife gave me a little nudge.
“It’s your turn, dear.”
I took one step and then the next, trying hard to fight my nerves.
That’s when Kristoffer looked at me. His eyes widened a little as they passed over me in my form-fitting ice-blue dress.
His crooked smile followed, and I noted the filthy sparkle to his eye.
Flutters danced inside me until I got closer and saw his gaze warm and soften, then I near melted.
I knew my sister wasn’t far behind me, but Kristoffer never took his eyes off me.
Not even when I took my place beside the other bridesmaids.
Mouthing ‘stunning’ and ‘I love you,” Kristoffer winked at me.
My knees were weak wondering what it would be like standing up here with him as my groom.
I caught the thought quickly and shoved it away, my brain scolding my heart for such ridiculous thoughts so soon.
Weeks, it had only been weeks, even though it felt like I’d known him all my life and maybe in several of my previous ones.
My sister was next to me a few seconds later but both Kristoffer and I held each other’s gaze.
It was only when the wedding march began that we looked toward the back of the church.
Charlotte glided down the aisle her face glowing, her smile bright, and her dress perfect.
My eyes found my brother’s face and his glassy eyes and barely contained emotion made my own eyes sting.
I hoped someday someone would look at me like that as I walked down the aisle.
Turning my attention back to Charlotte, my eyes snagged on the blue, white, and silver floral arrangements on the end of the pews, reminding me of the day before when Kristoffer and I went to the basement to collect them but ended up fooling around until the pastor yelled down and asked if we were having trouble.
My face heated at the memory of Kristoffer’s hand up my dress, and I snuck a look back at him.
He was watching me, his gaze soft, his lips curved in a gentle smile.
The look on his face made my belly flutter.
How did I get here? With this beautiful man admiring me?
His expression almost as adoring as my brother’s for his bride.
The vows were so touching and heartfelt, Kristoffer had to slip me his handkerchief to spare my mascara. Luckily, neither of our families were particularly religious, so the ceremony was short because Madeline’s eyes started leaking shortly after mine.
“Allergies,” she whispered after David had dipped Charlotte low and kissed her so sweetly the guests gave a collective aw.
Later, after the champagne, food and wine were consumed, and speeches were given, we let loose. The night was filled with laughter, happiness and fun. And Kristoffer kept me on the dance floor until my feet felt as if they might fall off.
“One more?” he asked, holding out his hand as Heaven by Kane Brown came on.
“No more,” I replied, holding up my palms. “It’s not fair you dance all the time with your filthy elves. I’m severely out of practice and my poor feet are ready to revolt. Besides, they’re leaving,” I added when I saw my new sister had snuck off and returned wearing a simple blue dress.
Kristoffer followed my gaze and smiled. “Taking a late flight back to Vancouver tonight and then it’s an early flight to Hawaii.” He squeezed my hand, looked down at me, and sat.
“And what are you doing for Christmas, Little Red?” he asked, lifting his water glass to drink.
“Madeline and Blake are on the same flight as David and Charlotte. They need to get back to Vancouver to be there for the kids for Christmas. Santa’s doing his rounds tomorrow night and they have a whole ritual they do as they watch the Santa tracker.
” I bite my lip, picturing him in his Santa suit.
“It was cheaper for me to fly back on Christmas morning, and I don’t have to be back until the twenty-sixth when Madeline, Blake and the kids are all going to Blake’s parents for dinner.
So, I’m here an extra day if that’s okay. ”
He reached out, ran a hand over my cheek and spoke in a raspy voice, “It’s better than okay. I’d rather not let you go.”
“Do you have plans?”
“Nah, not this year. My family normally comes for Christmas, but this year, they’re all spending it in Nova Scotia with my youngest sister. She’s due on Christmas Day so they’re doing everything there so she can participate.”
“And you’re not going?”
He shook his head. “I try to run things here with minimal staff so as many people as possible can be with their families. I stick close, pick up the slack.” He eyes drifted to my lips.
“Last year I worked housekeeping for three hours, worked the lunch service, and drove the shuttle van to and from church. But every Christmas Eve, I don my suit and play Santa in the lobby for the kids and then I deliver a stocking with treats to every room door where a kid is staying.”
“You really are Santa, aren’t you?”
“No, but I’m really your Santa Daddy.” He leaned down to me, placing a sweet kiss on my mouth.
“Yes, you are,” I said, my belly swirling with warmth.
“Help me deliver stockings on Christmas eve. I’ll take you to dinner after my Santa routine.
And then later after my deliveries, I’ll keep my suit on…
” He waggled his brows. “Don’t go home, Little Red.
Stay with me on Christmas Day. In fact, blow off your dinner on the twenty-sixth, too.
Stay. Spend all twelve days of Christmas with me. ”
I looked at him through my lashes coyly and bit my lip. “If I stay here for Christmas, how will the real Santa know how to find me?”
“Oh, he’ll know exactly where you are,” he returned wolfishly, pinching my chin between his thumb and forefinger, and pressing his lips against mine again. I moaned against his kiss, because beneath the table, he’d shoved my knees apart and his hand was sliding up my thigh.
“The pastor’s watching us,” I whispered when he released my mouth. “Do you think he knows what we did? We should behave.”
Kristoffer turned to wave at the pastor, who wasn’t even looking our way. “Did you just lie to me Little Red?”
I grinned. “Let’s take this back to the room.”
He shook his head. “My room. I’ve got handcuffs and you’re getting chained to my bed tonight.”