The Billionaire's Christmas Desire

Three

The evening was quiet and after dinner Emma stayed in her room. She had eaten alone, experiencing a mix of relief and disappointment that Zach hadn’t appeared. It was wiser that he had not eaten with her. The less they socialized, the better, even though there was a part of her that wanted to see him.

On Friday, he appeared wrapped in business and he kept his distance. That afternoon, he told her to leave at one so she could get to Dallas ahead of the traffic.

“Thanks,” she replied, smiling broadly. “I’ll accept that offer.” Shutting down her computer, she was on the road away from the ranch twenty minutes later. They had gotten through the first week, so she must have the job. They also had kept a distance between them. He had been professional, quiet, but there was no way she could feel she had imagined the chemistry simmering just below the surface. Any time they locked gazes, it flared to life, scalding, filled with temptation, an unmistakable attraction.

Now she could believe rumors she had always heard that he never dated employees, never getting emotionally entangled with anyone on his staff, never even in the most casual way. She intended to keep that professional, remote relationship with him and this job would be a plus on her resume.

If she could just keep from dreaming about him at night—with a sigh, she concentrated on her driving and tried to stop thinking about Zach Delaney. Instead, she reflected on the fun she always had at home with the family and with her nieces and nephews.

Monday when she returned to work, she dressed in jeans, a T-shirt sprinkled with bling, and sneakers. Zach had said jeans were fine and that’s what he had worn every workday. Even so, she felt slightly self-conscious when she entered the office.

He was already there and looked up, giving her a thorough glance.

“You said jeans are acceptable,” she stated.

“Jeans are great,” he said in a tone that conveyed a more personal response. “Yours look terrific,” he added, confirming what she thought.

“Thank you,” she answered, sitting behind her desk and starting to work.

“This afternoon I’m going to Dallas to see my doctor. Hopefully, I can toss this crutch when I come home.”

“You can return to your traveling?”

“How I wish. No. He’s already told me that I’ll have to wear this and continue to stay off my foot except to get around the house. Still, it’ll be an improvement.”

“Sure,” she replied.

He returned to whatever he had been doing and they worked quietly the rest of the morning. When she left for lunch, he stayed in the office. In the afternoon, she read more Delaney letters, occasionally glancing at the great-great-grandson, continuing to wonder how he could care so little about his history.

The next morning the crutch had disappeared. Zach remained professional and slightly remote. She noticed he hobbled around and kept his foot elevated when he was seated.

On Thursday afternoon she dug inside one of the open boxes of memorabilia and picked up a small box and opened it. Yellowed paper was inside and when she pushed the paper away, she gasped when she discovered a beautiful pocket watch.

“Zach, look at this,” she said, turning to take the box to him. He stood by a file cabinet. Today his T-shirt was navy, tight and short-sleeved, revealing firm muscles and a lean, fit body. Dark curls fell on his forehead. As he came around his desk, she handed him the box. Their fingers brushed, sending ripples radiating from the contact.

“This is beautiful,” she said. She looked up from the watch, meeting his gaze, ensnared, while tension increased between them. She could barely get her breath. It was obvious he felt something as he focused on her. His attention lowered to her mouth. Her lips parted, tingled while her imagination ran riot. How long before he kissed her?

“Zach,” she whispered, intending to break the spell, but she forgot what she had been about to say. He shifted, a slight closing of the space between them. His hand barely touched her waist as he leaned closer. She couldn’t keep from glancing at his mouth and then back into crystal blue that held flames of desire.

The air heated, enveloped her, and the moment his mouth touched hers, she closed her eyes. His lips were warm, firm, a dangerous temptation. Her insides knotted, dropping into free fall. Protests vanished before being spoken. Her breath was gone. His lips settled, opened her mouth. His arm went around her waist tightly, holding her close against his hard body.

She spun away, carried on his kiss. A dream kiss, only it was real, intensifying longing, burning with the impression of a brand that would last. Her hands went to his arms, resting lightly on hard, sculpted muscles.

As his tongue probed and teased, her heart pounded. Passion swamped her caution. She wrapped her arm around his neck and kissed him in return. Standing on tiptoe, she poured herself into her kiss. His arm tightened and he leaned over her, kissing her hard and possessively, making her light-headed. She wound her fingers in his hair as she kissed him, barely aware he was tangling his hand in her own hair.

It was Zach Delaney she kissed wildly. The reminder was dim, but gradually stirred prudence. “Zach,” she whispered, looking up at him. Her heart thudded because the look in his eyes scalded, sending its heat to burn her. His mouth was red from kisses, his eyes half closed. His expression held stormy hunger.

“Emma, you like this,” he whispered, winding his hand in her hair behind her head, pulling her head closer again.

She wrapped both arms around his neck, holding him and kissing him back. Her heart raced as she gave vent again to desires that had smoldered since she met him.

Their breathing grew harsh while he slipped his hand down her back to her waist.

Again, she grasped at control and raised her head. “I wasn’t going to do this.”

“I’ve wanted to since the first minute I saw you,” he declared in a rasp. His blue eyes darkened, a sensual, hot look that melted her and made her want to reach for him again.

Instead, she stepped away. “I came over here for a reason,” she whispered, unable to get her voice. Her gaze was still locked with his and he looked as surprised as she felt. His kisses had shaken her. Desire was a white-hot flame. She wanted him in a manner she had never experienced before and the attraction shook her even more than that first day she had met him.

“Zach, I should quit this job right now,” she whispered. He gave her a startled look and she could feel her face flush.

“Over a few meaningless kisses?” he asked.

She didn’t want to answer him. He stood there looking at her in that sharp manner he had while she struggled to get the right words.

“The kisses—” She paused. She didn’t want to admit more to him, but he wanted an answer. “Kisses weren’t like others. This was different. We have something—” She waved her hands helplessly.

He inhaled, drawing deeply, his chest expanding as longing flared again in his eyes.

“Common sense tells me to walk away now,” she whispered. “You have a reputation for never going out with an employee.”

“I never have,” he answered. “That doesn’t mean I can’t.”

“That wasn’t what I wanted to hear. I want this job.”

“We’ll do something,” he replied, his voice raspy and quiet. “Don’t quit. We’ll try to stick to work.”

She shook her head, looking at his mouth and feeling her pulse speed as they talked. “I can’t. I’m quitting. I don’t think you need more notice than that. You can find a wonderful, efficient secretary soon enough.”

“No,” he replied, jamming his hands into his pockets while a muscle worked in his jaw. “I’ll double your salary and you stay.”

“Double my salary?” she repeated, shaking her head.

“You don’t need to pack and go because we kissed. We’re adults. If we kiss, it’s not that big a deal. There’s nothing between us—no history, no ties. If you don’t want to get involved, we can both exercise control. With my offer, you’ll earn twice as much. Don’t walk out on that over a few casual kisses.”

Exasperated and stung over his dismissal of kisses that had shaken her, she stared at him. “There’s no relationship between us. There’s not even any emotional bond. We’re practically strangers. But those kisses weren’t casual to my way of thinking,” she whispered.

She stepped close, put her arm around his neck and placed her mouth on his, kissing him with all the heat and fury she felt over his dismissive attitude. After one second that probably was his surprise holding him immobile, his arm banded her waist and he returned her kiss. Fully. He pressed against her, his tongue going deep while she kissed him, trying to set him on fire. In seconds she broke off the kiss and looked up with satisfaction.

“I’d say your body’s reaction isn’t casual.”

With his eyes darkened, his breathing was ragged. She had felt the hard throb of manhood against her and his heart pounding.

“Okay. Kisses damn well aren’t casual, but I’m trying to get us back there,” he said. A muscle worked in his jaw. When his attention focused on her mouth, she stepped back.

“Do you still want to double my salary—or do you want me to go?”

“I’ll double your salary,” he replied, grinding out the words.

“You’ll double my salary to get me to continue as your secretary. You know I can’t turn that down.”

“I hope not. You’re a good secretary,” he answered in a more normal tone of voice.

Inhaling deeply, she promised herself she would exercise better control.

“Against good judgment, I’ll stay. I can’t say no. I need the money for my college plans.”

“That’s settled.” They stared at each other until she realized what she was doing.

“I came over here for something,” she said, feeling foolish, struggling against stepping into his arms again, yet determined to regain her composure. She looked around and spotted the small box on the corner of Zach’s desk. She retrieved the box, clinging to it as if it were a lifeline.

“Look at this.”

He was still gazing at her and his blue eyes had darkened again. His expression no longer appeared as impersonal. Her heart drummed while her lips tingled. The urge to reach for him tormented her. With a deep breath he looked down, picked up the watch and turned it in his hand.

“This is a find,” he said, his voice deep, becoming hoarse, and she was certain the husky tone was not caused by the watch he held. “This watch is worth going through the box of stuff.” Turning it in his hand, he studied the gold back. “These are my great-great-grandfather’s initials,” Zach said, extending it to her and she looked down, stepping closer to gaze at the watch, which she had already studied. “Warner Irwin Delaney,” Zach read. “This we’ll keep, thank you, Emma.”

“It’s a beautiful pocket watch. I’m glad you’re keeping it. I’ll research to find one like it to pinpoint how old it is. For the moment, I’ll see what else I can find.”

“I’ll help for a while,” he said. “The watch makes poking around in all the old stuff more interesting.”

She returned to her chair, mindful of him pulling one up nearby. The awareness of him was sharp, intense and disturbed her concentration. She wanted to take a long look at him, but she didn’t want to get caught studying him.

She tried to focus on a letter and realized her concentration was on Zach only. His kisses had been fantastic, setting her on fire in a blaze that still burned. She wanted more kisses, wanted to dance and flirt and make love—reactions that shocked her. Ones she had never experienced before in this manner. The men in her life had always been friends, family-oriented guys she had been comfortable with. Never anyone she had been very serious about either. Why did he hold such appeal for her?

She could barely think about the jump in salary for thinking about the man. Any other time in her life she would have been overjoyed at the increase in pay, but now it kept slipping her mind, replaced by thoughts about Zach.

The wise thing to do would be to pack and go no matter what salary he offered. She couldn’t do it. The salary was important. College—and her classes on the internet—was expensive. This boost in salary filled a great need. Without thinking, she glanced at him. He was studying her openly and she felt her face flush as they looked into each other’s eyes.

The glance had the same effect as a touch.

They worked in silence. As he methodically shoved aside letters, she realized he was looking for more things like the watch. She became absorbed in her reading.

“I feel as if I know part of your family,” she said, folding a letter. “After the Civil War, Warner Delaney started building this ranch house. He brought his family out here. Earlier, he met a woman in Kansas City and is going to ask her to marry him.”

“My great-great-grandmother? Her name was Tabitha, I think.”

They heard a commotion in the hall and a tall man in Western boots, jeans, a navy sweater and a Stetson entered the room. He held the hand of a little black-haired girl who smiled broadly at Zach and then glanced shyly at Emma.

“Will. Caroline. How’s my prettiest and favorite niece?” Zach asked, lifting her up and holding her to kiss her cheek. She laughed and giggled as he set her on her feet. “Hey, Will. Where’s Ava?”

“Stopped to talk to Rosie and leave Muffy with her. Muffy is a dog,” he explained, glancing at Emma.

“Emma, this is my niece, Caroline, and my brother Will Delaney. Ah, here is Ava. Emma, meet Ava Delaney. This is Emma Hillman, my secretary.”

As she shook hands with the adults, Emma gazed into warm welcoming green eyes of a sandy-haired blonde. Caroline, holding a small brown bear, could not stop smiling.

“C’mon, let’s go into the family room where it’s more comfortable and Caroline has things to play with while we talk,” Zach suggested.

Will smiled. “We were on our way back from Dallas and stopped for a few minutes to see about you.”

“Zach, all of you go ahead,” Emma said. “I can stay in here. I don’t want to intrude—”

“C’mon, Emma, or we’ll all have to sit in here on these hard chairs,” Zach said with a shake of his head.

“Please join us,” Ava said. “Don’t leave Caroline and me alone with these two.”

Emma smiled and nodded, knowing Ava was teasing and it was nice that they would include her. Will was strikingly handsome without the ruggedness of Zach. She would not have picked them out of a crowd as brothers because Will’s dark eyes were nothing like Zach’s vivid blue ones. Their facial structure was as different as their hair.

“Well, the offer is still open for you to have Thanksgiving with us,” Will said.

“Thanks. I’ll still stay here. You know Rosie will cook a big turkey.”

“You should join us, Zach,” Ava said. “The snow will be beautiful and we’ll have a great time.”

“Thanks, Ava. I’ll do fine here,” he replied without glancing at Emma.

When they entered the family room, Emma mulled over his turning down the offer for Thanksgiving. How could he turn down Will and stay alone on the isolated ranch? She would never understand how Zach could possibly avoid being lonely and miserable. Was this all a carryover from childhood hurts, seeking isolation because it was a shield against times he had been left alone and deeply disappointed?

“So how are you doing with the memorabilia?” Will asked.

“I want to show you what Emma found in that box of old letters. I’ll put it with anything else of value we find.”

“I’ll get it,” Emma said. “You talk to your family.” Before Zach could protest she hurried from the room. In minutes she returned to hand the box to Zach.

As she sat down, he took the watch and held it up. “Look at this.”

“That looks like a fine watch and something nice to keep since it belonged to a Delaney ancestor,” Will said. Zach carried it to show it to Ava and Caroline who crowded around them. Will got up to join them.

“If this isn’t just like Dad,” Zach said. “I’ll bet he found the watch and stuck it back in with the letters to let us find it.”

“I don’t know. I had the feeling he had never gone through that stuff before,” Will remarked.

“Maybe not. No telling what else I’ll find. Or Emma will find.”

“I hear you’re the one reading the letters,” Will said, smiling at her.

“Yes, most of them.”

“She’s far more interested and views them as sacred chunks of our family history and Texas history, but I don’t have quite the same respect for them.”

The men returned to their seats and Zach placed the watch in the box on a table.

Emma’s mystification about Zach’s solitary way of life grew as she listened to the brothers and realized they were close and enjoyed each other’s company. And Zach was good with Caroline. When Caroline walked over to him, he lifted her to his lap and focused his attention on her.

Shortly she climbed down and went to get into Will’s lap and turn his face so he looked at her. She whispered in his ear.

“Yes, we will right now,” Will said, looking at Zach. “Caroline has some family news to tell you.”

Caroline couldn’t sit still and had a big smile. She climbed down and ran to Zach to stand at his knee. She gave another shy glance at Emma and Emma suddenly suspected she was interrupting a family moment. She wanted to leave them to themselves, but she was afraid that would be even more disruptive, so she sat quietly.

Caroline’s big smile broadened. “Uncle Zach, I’m going to become a big sister.”

“You are!” Zach looked over her head at his brother. “Congratulations!”

“It’s early, but we told Caroline because we want to do some remodeling and build a nursery, not only in Dallas, but at my ranch here and in Colorado.”

“That is great news, Caroline,” Zach said. “Wow! You’ll be a big sister and I’ll be an uncle again.”

She laughed and turned in a circle.

Zach crossed the room to hug Ava lightly. “Congratulations. That’s wonderful.”

“We think so,” she said, her eyes sparkling. She looked radiant as she glanced at her husband and exchanged a look with him. They were obviously so much in love Emma felt slightly envious. Ava reached out to hug Caroline and Will picked her up, holding her while she wrapped her arm around his neck. “We’re thrilled,” Ava added.

“Congratulations to all of you,” Emma said. “You have wonderful news.” She looked at Caroline. “Caroline, you’ll have lots of fun with your little brother or sister.”

Caroline nodded and smiled.

“We’re excited,” Will said. “And we’ll let you both go back to work. We need to get to the ranch. Caroline has been promised to get to ride her horse.”

“It’s been nice to meet you,” Ava said to Emma. “We’re glad you’re working here. Zach needs help with all the old papers.”

“Just keep him from shredding them,” Will remarked dryly.

“I find them fascinating,” Emma said. “I’m beginning to feel as if I knew Warner Delaney. It was so nice to meet all three of you and it was good of you to include me in your family moment.”

“Do you think my unsentimental brother would care who he shares family news with?” Will remarked dryly, grinning at Zach.

As they left the room, Emma stayed back and returned to her desk. She didn’t go back to work, but sat staring into space, thinking about Zach. What a waste of someone’s life to take away the fabulous moments shared with family and friends. How could he turn down Ava’s invitation to spend Thanksgiving with Will and his family? Instead, he would sit in isolation at home on the ranch—a sad choice.

She sat by the box to read a letter, finally concentrating on her work.

When Zach returned, her pulse jumped. He was off-limits, a danger to her peace of mind because her volatile reactions to him had not dwindled even a degree.

“I enjoyed meeting your family. They’re great and that’s fantastic news they shared.”

“My brother amazes me. He’d been as opposed to marriage as any of us, yet he is so in love with Ava, it’s ridiculous. And he’s great with Caroline. None of us have ever been around children and to become her guardian was really tough for him.”

“Well, from what little I saw, Caroline is a very happy little girl.”

“Ava and Will have been terrific for her. Ava was the one who suggested Muffy, a little puff of a dog that brought Caroline out of her grief from losing her father more than anything or anybody else.”

“Did I hear her call him ‘Daddy Two’?”

He nodded. “We’ve gotten used to that. Will is her second dad since her blood father died and I think she wanted a mom and dad. You noticed she calls Ava Mom?”

“Yes, I did. They seem incredibly happy. How could you not want to be with them for Thanksgiving?”

“I’m my own company. I get along fine.”

She shook her head. “Amazing,” she said, reaching for another letter. “Do all of you get together for Christmas?”

He gave her a lazy smile and she guessed his answer. As shocked as she was over Thanksgiving, her surprise was greater this time. “You’re spending Christmas here alone? You can’t do that.”

“Of course I can,” he replied with laughter in his voice.

“I’d think all of you would gather here since this is the family ranch. Isn’t this where you had Christmas celebrations when you were growing up?”

“Maybe twice when Granddad lived here. Never, after he was gone. My mother hated the ranch. Any ranch. If we celebrated together, it was in Dallas. After Mom walked, we didn’t even come home for Christmas.”

“Zach—”

His jaw firmed and an eyebrow arched. She realized she should stop talking about his personal life. She shrugged and turned away, going back to work without saying anything else. He did the same and she fought the urge to stare at him. How could he spend Christmas all alone? She couldn’t imagine anyone doing that through choice.

They worked for the next hour and Zach stood, stretching again.