Christmas Billionaire Read online

  Seeing his point but not wanting to admit it, I rolled my eyes and growled through bared teeth.

  “Jesus, Garrett, don’t remind me. I’m trying to put that day behind me, and you have to go bringing it up, in public no less.”

  “I dunno…I thought it was kinda fun.”

  My glare turned pugnacious, which made him back off a little.

  “Okay, okay! I’m sorry. It was a terrible, terrible day,” he insisted, though I knew he was being snide.

  At this point, I didn’t care. I simply wanted him to shut up about it, and thankfully he did.

  “So…did you ever get Mazie’s number off Laura?”

  Unfortunately, he dove right back into something else that I didn’t care to discuss.

  “Wow, you’re full of comments and subjects that I’d rather not talk about today, aren't you?”

  Again, his shoulders rose and fell indecisively, but with a twinge of an apology in his stance.

  “Sorry. I was curious. You know, lately, you’ve been chock full of danger subjects. It’s starting to get annoying.”

  I let out a deep, slightly aggravated breath, realizing he was right.

  “Okay. Fine. You’re right. I’m sorry. Yes, I did get Mazie’s number off Laura, and I am going to dinner with her tomorrow night after I finish up my community service.”

  “Hell yeah! That’s my boy!” Garrett exclaimed, grinning widely as his large fist bunched to collide it with mine.

  “Yeah, I just wish it wasn’t as a result of the sighting,” I rolled my eyes.

  Garrett was aware of what had happened the other day, and he had a good laugh about it. Currently, I could tell he was still trying to hide his humored expression.

  “Yeah, well, if you had taken my advice before you dawned the red suit and rang her surprise bells, you wouldn’t have this problem,” he jeered.

  “I know, I know, but chances are I’d still have an explanation to give,” I retorted.

  “Fair enough, but the conversation wouldn’t be directly related to this instance.”

  “Still, a big part of my conversation is and would always be, please don’t tell your father that got arrested and have to do community service or you could cost me my job. That is certainly not a conversation you want to have with a woman that you haven’t seen in two years.”

  Garrett brushed it off.

  “Dude, you got arrested for getting in a bar fight, not murder, and besides, you’re more…guilty by association…but if you want to play it off, she might be into the bad boy.”

  “I’m not trying to play anything off, Garrett! I really just want to keep her from telling her father about what happened.”

  “Then, I guess you’re going to have to give her a little something to keep her quiet,” he answered, his eyebrows raising with suggesting as he thrust his pelvis out, holding himself in a sexual position. “Show her how Dexter Myers does business.”

  “Stop it,” I grumbled, averting my eyes away from him, “You and I both know that she isn’t like that!”

  “She might not be now, but when you get done with her, she’ll be eating out of the palm of your hand,” his sneer was crude and raunchy, “among other things, of course.”

  “Shut up, Garrett!” I hissed, getting far too protective, considering we hadn’t even gone on a date yet, but I didn’t care. “I’m going there to talk to her, catch up, have a nice dinner, and hopefully persuade her not to ruin my life. That’s it.”

  “That doesn’t have to be it, though. Dex, she’s fucking hot! If you’ve got the chance, why not?”

  I felt my jaw tighten as my eyes darkened.

  “Mazie isn’t that kind of girl, and I have no intention of making her into anything other than what she is,” I answered sternly, meaning every word but if the situation did arise, I knew I certainly wouldn’t mind.

  I wasn’t about to tell Garrett that, though.

  “Pussy,” Garret muttered, but I chose to ignore him, thus resulting in us finishing our workout in silence.

  Chapter 10

  Mazie

  Oh, dear God, what the hell have I gotten myself into? I thought as I changed out of yet another outfit into something that I thought might garnish a little more attention.

  I could hear Laura’s voice in my head as I slipped into a black dress and searched around for the accompanying black high heels that I hadn’t worn in ages.

  “You’re going on a date with the man, not a damn job interview!”

  While I hadn’t actually told Laura or anyone about the date with Dexter, I knew her well enough to know what she would say if she were here.

  I wanted to call her but didn’t want the questions that came along with the help she would undoubtedly provide. This feeling made me certain that I didn’t want to deal with the aftermath of having to relive the trauma via a story if this whole thing crashed and burned horribly.

  Sifting through the wreckage of my emotional state would likely be damaging enough. I didn’t want to have the added torment and Laura’s well-meaning brown nosing to deal with on top of all that.

  I sighed as I finally found my shoes, slipped them on, and stared at myself in the mirror. I played with my hair, a style I had settled on an hour ago, fixing it properly before my fingers danced to my neckline. I gracefully eased over the string of pearls I thought would complement a first date as my eyes sank down to my cleavage.

  The pearls were the bait, but the valley of skin that sank between my exposed bosom, made decent by a scantily fashioned halter top. I ran my hand down the form-fitting fabric that covered my flat stomach before turning around to see how closely the back molded to my frame.

  It fit perfectly, teasing allure with proper discretion. I looked like a lady who knew what she wanted, though I felt like a child who was now unsure.

  Much like the children who were excited to see Santa but nervous to hear what he would have to say about their behavior, I held the same reserve about my date.

  It wasn’t that I felt the least bit worried about Dexter judging me, but this night seemed to be such a long time coming that I wanted it to go right.

  I had harbored a crush on Dexter since we were children, and while the remainder of that spark was unbelievably jubilant, the adult I had grown into was cautious.

  After all, we had both grown and eased ourselves into two different lifestyles. While he seemed to understand my life choices, where few in my family did, I wasn’t sure I could completely support his.

  Plus, the political retribution of this date, whether it went well or not, could have lasting implications for both their families and the company.

  While being friendly didn’t do anything to our families’ strict plan for continued success, if we dated, the arrangement would become complicated.

  It would invariably muddy the waters of their otherwise pristine plan.

  If things ultimately worked out, it wouldn’t be so bad, but there would always be that chance that the melding of the two families would ultimately be the catalyst that would destroy everything.

  I was sure, even if my father never said something like that, he would feel that way, and the assurance that Dexter’s father would have such an issue was irrefutable.

  That also made me wonder why the hell Dexter wanted me to go out with him so badly.

  Was it only because he wanted to make sure I didn’t tell anyone about what I saw? I wondered, but purposefully kept away from that line of thinking. I knew that if I went down that detrimental line of thought, even for a little while, it would end in me not even wanting to go on the date at all. Yet, after the decade or so I had waited for this opportunity, canceling was not an option.

  Still, it took some convincing to assure myself that Dexter wasn’t guilted into taking me out. He genuinely wanted to catch up with me, if nothing else.

  After all, anything else would be silly, and I hoped, even with all the time that had passed between us, he still knew that I would’ve kept his secret. He was pl
aying Santa Claus at the mall and as odd as that was, I had never been so much of a gossiper that I needed to say anything to anyone, least of all my father.

  While I considered my father and me to have a good relationship, especially after he retired, there were plenty of things that I neglected to tell him and even feigned knowing about. Why would Dexter being Santa Claus at the mall, for any reason be something that was dire enough that I would betray his trust?

  Dinner or no dinner, I was far more loyal than that.

  So, as I turned back around, feeling Mitten’s eyes on me, as though accusing me of being scandalous, I watched her in the mirror.

  Glaring at me, somewhat confused, somewhat shocked at the audacity, or at least that’s what I presumed, her tail flicked menacingly back and forth, but the rest of her body remained immobile.

  “What?” I asked her, turning too sharply and having to catch myself before the damn heels caused me to break something before I had even gotten out of my house. “I can go on a date. Your life isn’t going to change any.”

  Mittens continued her cold stare as if she understood what I was saying and wholeheartedly disagreed.

  Despite the obvious, that she was simply a cat, albeit the closest living thing to me, outside of work and Laura, I still couldn’t help feeling shamed by her obvious disapproval.

  I huffed and narrowed my eyes.

  “Everything is going to be fine, M,” I offered, though it was admittedly more for myself than for the cat, who was probably only reacting to my strange mood.

  Still, I turned around and once again reconsidered my wardrobe.

  Maybe I’m trying too hard, I thought, but before I had a chance to get undressed, there was a knock at the door.

  “Oh God!” I exclaimed aloud, nearly jumping out of my skin as Mittens leaped off the bed and into safety beneath it in one swift, graceful motion, giving only a parting meow before rushing out of sight. “I’m coming!” I called when I finally pieced myself back together and started to ease myself down the hall, toward the door.

  When I opened it, I felt a grin slide across my features that caused me to blush.

  Always the epitome of debonair, the way Dexter looked tonight, with his perfectly pressed suit and tie, clean shaven and smelling delicious, put all the other times to shame.

  Sure, he always looked handsome, but tonight, he was looking handsome for me, and that was something I had waited a long time to be sure of.

  “You look so nice!” I offered, trying not to show the intimidation I felt as he stepped toward me.

  “I try, but Mazie, God, you put me to shame. You look beautiful,” Dexter replied, sounding genuine, though I didn’t truly believe him.

  “Thanks,” I replied, hoping that I could hide the insecurity I felt, “Would you like to come inside?”

  “Sure, if you want me to?” he asked, and I couldn’t tell for sure, but something told me that he was nearly as nervous as I was.

  I wasn’t quite sure how to take that, although I backed up and let him inside.

  “I know, it’s probably a hovel compared to what you're used to, but it works for me,” I offered, not intending to make an excuse for the tiny house that I actually love but after I said it, I knew how it came out, and it sounded pathetic.

  “Oh God, Mazie. This place is beautiful. Perfect,” he retorted, beaming with an earnest sense of excitement as his gaze took in the scope of my living room. When his eyes returned to mine, he chuckled, “It’s great! I always imagined you living someplace cozy like this. Your father's large house never suited your unique style.”

  “Dex, are you calling me quaint?” I teased, and he laughed.

  “If you want to take it that way, sure, but I don’t mean to sound like an ass. Believe it or not, I’m trying to compliment you.”

  “Could’ve fooled me,” I grinned, “Then again, you were never great at giving acknowledgments. I guess some things never change.”

  “Ouch,” he groaned playfully, “Are you going to show me the rest of the house or do you want to continue raking me over the multitude of my overbearing, misogynistic qualities.”

  “I’ll show you the rest. It won’t take long, and I’m sure there’ll be plenty of time to rehash your manly misgivings.”

  “Damn,” he hissed as he followed me to my bedroom, where Mittens was making herself comfortable on my bed, thinking that I had already left.

  When we walked in, she froze and glowered toward us, completely discontented by our presence.

  “Oh, and this is Mittens,” I told Dexter, motioning toward the cat.

  “Did you put her in a dryer before you named her or something?” he retorted, but bent down to her level, though he kept his distance. “Hi, Mittens. I know it’s not your fault your mommy can’t name pets for shit.”

  In reaction to his unwanted attention, Mittens swatted at him, hissed, and ran back under the bed, mirroring my own slightly offended reaction.

  “Wow, she’s not too friendly, huh?”

  “She’s angry cause you made fun of her name,” I answered simply, wheeling around and shutting the light off before walking back down the hall, concluding the tour.

  “She agrees with me,” Dexter grumbled, turning around to follow me. “The poor thing’s embarrassed.” Although I couldn’t see him, I was certain he shook his head as he muttered, “Mittens.”

  “Well, what would you name a cat?” I challenged.

  “Easy!” he exclaimed without missing a beat, “I wouldn’t have a fucking cat.”

  I rolled my eyes.

  “Are you ready to go, you pet heathen?”

  “Uh, yeah. I’m ready to leave, but I am not a pet heathen. I am a cat heathen. You bring me a watchdog or a bearded dragon, you’ve won me over…instantly,” with the comment, his eyes illuminated and he sneered.

  I burst out laughing as we reached the front door of my house.

  “A dog or a lizard are your two animals of choice? What the hell?”

  “Is that a problem?” he asked in a suave, overtaking manner.

  I felt my stomach churn with excitement as I was struck by the intimacy of his gaze.

  Instantly, I looked away and blushed, hoping that my reaction wasn’t too obvious.

  “No. There’s no problem. I wasn’t expecting you to say that with such…certainty, is all.”

  “So, you think I’m indecisive?” he jeered, arching a sarcastic eyebrow as he eased himself through the door and offered me his arm.

  “Dex, you are indecisive. That is a fact that everyone knows about you.”

  He chuckled but allowed the playful darkening of his eyes to give the necessary response.

  I took his arm, almost defiantly, and as my gaze stared into his, in that moment, something changed.

  We were no longer two adults with the weight of the world crushing down upon us. We no longer had the influence of our parents weighing on our minds or the consequences that come with this date.

  It was just us; Dex and Mazie, walking out the door to go to dinner.

  I knew the feeling would only last a moment, but the enjoyment of having so many pretenses stripped away was a magnificent reprieve from all the insecurity that plagued us.

  However, when we made it to his car, a flashy Aston Martin with sleek leather seats, everything I tried to hang onto about us being kids had suddenly dissipated. In its place, the disconcerting feeling that the two of us couldn’t be more different started to creep in.

  I hesitated as Dexter slid around me in an effort to open the passenger door.

  Backing up, as though easing away from the cavern that separated our life paths, my eyes grew wide, and I stiffened.

  Oh my God! What the hell am I doing? I thought, suddenly overcome with panic.

  “Mazie, you okay?” Dexter asked, turning toward me and narrowing his eyes with wonderment.

  “Yeah…” I offered, though I wasn’t completely sure.

  His words had stopped me from retreating any furthe
r into my own mind but my thoughts continued to focus on the differences between the two of us rather than the playful innocence that I found in my first crush.

  “You don’t look okay.”

  “I’m sorry, I’m fine. It’s a little strange, being out with you, after all this time,” I answered, trying not to lie without telling him that I was feeling the daunting gape in our social class and was suddenly unsure if I wanted to rise back to his level.

  After all, either way, whether we hit it off or crashed and burned, there would be an exceptional amount of aggravation associated with our being together at all.

  “I know what you mean,” he responded, sounding genuine and surprising me. He must have been able to read my thoughts in my expression because Dexter elaborated as he reached for the door handle, “It’s weird for me too, Mazie, but it’s great to see you. I can be myself around you, and that doesn't happen all that often anymore.”

  I nodded with understanding. While I chose a career path that allowed me to be myself, mine and Dexter’s family had to forgo most individuality to fit into the cookie-cutter business executive that the professional world demanded.

  I grinned as I lowered myself into the car, still unclear as to whether I was doing the right thing.

  This is your life, Mazie, I decided finally. Own it! You’ve been waiting for this opportunity your entire life. There’s no turning back now, lest you regret it.

  “So, where do you want to go? Do you need to go somewhere where no one will see us together, or are you alright with the idea that gossip is simply idle shit?”

  There was something in his tone that made me pause, wondering if he was more aware of what I was thinking than he let on and if he was, my gut was telling me he was offended.

  “No,” I snickered, trying to force all the negativity out in lieu of enjoying my evening. “That’s not it at all. I got all dressed up. Of course I want to go somewhere nice with you!”