The Billionaire's Christmas Fake Fiancée: A Sweet Enemies to Lovers Romance (Christmas Billionaires) by Laura Haley-McNeil

Author:Laura Haley-McNeil [Haley-McNeil, Laura]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Huerfano Press, LLC
Published: 2023-12-18T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 20

It was snowing when Ryan parked at the entrance to the family mansion. Gabby had said little during the drive. She gazed out the window to the front doors that opened. Walter stood at the entrance.

“Don’t come out,” Ryan said to Walter as he climbed out of the SUV. He walked to Gabby’s door. “I’ll take care of the luggage.”

“It’s no bother to do my job.” Walter moved down the steps while putting on his coat, then smiled at Gabby. “Your room is ready and waiting for you, miss.”

“Already?” Gabby looked at Ryan. “I didn’t realize anyone knew I was coming.”

“It’s their job to know.” Ryan smiled at her and offered her his hand. He liked the light in her eyes.

“They must operate through osmosis.” She took Ryan’s hand and climbed from the SUV.

“What can I say? We have the best staff.” Ryan chuckled.

Inside, Walter took their coats. “I’ll have your luggage sent to your room.”

“Thank you, Walter.” Gabby smiled as Ryan thanked him, too.

Ryan rested Gabby’s hand on his forearm and walked her down the hall to the elevator. Upstairs he guided her to a suite of rooms decorated in gold and cream. The king-size bed was piled with pillows. A chandelier hung from the tray ceiling. Bay windows overlooked the snow-covered lawn that glistened. Through an archway was a sitting room with a desk that faced French doors overlooking the balcony.

“If this doesn’t work, there’s a room on the other side—”

“This will be perfect.” Gabby looked at him and sighed. “The room is beautiful. This is the perfect environment for an interior designer.”

“Good.” Ryan had hoped she’d like it. “Once you’re settled, we can check the kitchen and see what Susan made for dinner, then I’ll see how Mom—”

“I should go with you,” she said.

He was surprised when she touched his hand. She flushed. Dropping her gaze, she moved her hand to her side.

He tipped his mouth at the wave of disappointment that rushed through him like cold water. He didn’t want to release her. He wanted to hold her closer. He filled his lungs. The deep emotions that burrowed through him were foreign and surprising. All his life he’d focused on business. Nothing prepared him for what he was feeling now. He wasn’t sure what he was feeling—strange and pleasurable as it was.

“I can wait if you want to see your mother now.” She lifted her gaze to his. “I’m not hungry.”

“But you will be. Eating doesn’t take that long,” he said. “Freshen up. I’ll meet you downstairs.”

He left her room and strode to the opposite wing toward his room. He went to the bathroom and splashed cold water on his face, which did little to ease the sensation that was powerful and compelling and too outlandish to contemplate. He stared at his dripping wet face.

“Get it together, man,” he said firmly to his reflection. “You know where your priorities lie.”

The words rang hollow. Had his priorities been wrong?

He shook his head. Grabbing a towel, he dried his face.

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