Page 25 of Last Chance Seduction (Montgomery Ink Legacy #9)

She shook her head, her whole face brightening.

“No. I know it’s only been a little while, but he is fantastic.

He listens to me. He holds the door open for me and doesn’t growl when I open the door for him.

And when I walk, sometimes he’ll lead me by putting his hands at the small of my back.

He texts for no reason, and sometimes just shows up with a cup of coffee, making sure that we know we’re on the same page even though our schedules don’t always align.

I mean, I work with dirt for a living, I’m messy, my hands are never beautiful.

I am hell on a manicure. And he loves it. ”

“And you love him,” I said, my heart practically sighing at the look of happiness on her face.

“I think I do. I mean, I think I really do. And well, I’m really glad that you and him are both coming to dinner tonight.

Because I want him to be friends with my friends.

And I realize that a couple of work friends are coming as well, so it’s not just a double date, but going out on Christmas Eve is nice. ”

“You sound so freaking happy.”

“I am. And I want you to be happy too. Not in the condescending I’m in love so I want you to be in love sort of way that some people are.

It’s because I love Lex. He’s one of the best people in the world.

And I like the way you two are around each other.

You butt heads, and yet you just melt into one another. ”

“You really think so?”

“I know so. So, we’re going to pretend he isn’t my cousin for a moment, and I’m going to tell you to ride that man for Christmas Eve. Enjoy yourself. And now he’s my cousin again, so blech.” She gave a full body shudder, and I laughed as my phone buzzed.

Posy:

Merry Christmas Eve!

Me:

Merry Christmas Eve to you. Are you having fun?

Posy:

Oh yes. I have so much to tell you.

Me:

Maybe about a certain man named Cullen?

Posy:

You’ll see.

She sent a photo of the two of them, and I let out a sigh.

“Wait, is that Cullen and Posy?” Brooklyn said as she lifted her hands into the air and cheered. “Finally.”

“I know, right? The two of them have been dancing around each other forever.” Cullen worked at Montgomery Construction, and Posy was one of my best friends.

Another reason I had moved back to Colorado.

They hadn’t been dating at the Christmas party, and now a little over a week later, they were spending Christmas Eve together.

And I couldn’t even comment on that because it seemed that Lex and I were on the same path.

Before I could say anything however, the doorbell rang, and I picked up my bag and practically ran to go answer.

I might not know what the hell I was doing, but I was going to let it happen. For now.

Because there was enough to be fearful of, especially when it came to whoever the hell was after Justin, and therefore me. But I wasn’t going to let any other fear enter my life.

At least for the night.

* * *

I leaned into Lex, laughing at something Dash was saying when I noticed a couple walking toward us.

I squeezed Lex’s leg, and he looked down at me, his eyes dark.

Well, I had squeezed a bit high on his thigh, but thankfully he must have seen the panic on my face because he looked up and put on a broad smile.

Gia and her husband walked past and waved, not saying a word. But the lines between her brows deepened as she took in the group enjoying themselves on Christmas Eve. Friends and family and warmth.

And Gia wasn’t part of it.

Lex waved back, though the others didn’t notice the couple walking past, and I turned my head to kiss his cheek.

Gia met my gaze, and I wanted to growl mine . But we were in public, and I wasn’t that possessive.

Okay maybe I was. But still.

Lex looked down at me once again, ignoring Gia and her husband as they walked away—probably to tell dear old dad that the couple who wanted the contract was indeed a couple out on the town for the holidays—and kissed the tip of my nose.

Neither one of our gestures were fake.

I knew that.

He knew that.

And part of me wondered what we’d do now that the base of whatever relationship this was happened to be based on a lie.

I just hoped that base wouldn’t crumble.

A laugh broke me out of my thoughts, and I turned back to Dash’s story, immediately caught up in the warmth of the table.

Gia long forgotten.

Though the lie still lurked beneath.

“No really, green hair,” Dash said as he leaned back into his chair, wine in hand. “With purple stripes.”

I looked over at Lex, grateful for the distraction, and raised a brow. “How did I not know this?” I asked, warm with my single glass of wine and full after a wonderful dinner.

“It was only for a weekend, and it was very, very temporary dye. I lost a bet, and the rival colors of our college team were apparently Barney colors.”

“Are there photos?” Reece asked, his grin wide, the lines at the edges of his eyes wrinkling.

I didn’t know everybody at the table, but we were a party of fifteen on Christmas Eve.

As it was a friend of a friend’s restaurant, Lexington and the others had long-time reservations.

And everybody who worked here not only got double their normal rate, they all had plans later as a group to celebrate their holidays.

“There are no photos,” Lex said primly.

“I don’t know if I believe you,” I said quickly.

“I’m telling you, there’s none.”

Brooklyn looked over at me, eyes bright. “You’re just going to have to take his phone later. Distract him.”

“And how am I supposed to do that?” I laughed.

“Just show him your boobs, and he’ll give you anything,” Dash said deadpan, and I blushed so hard I could feel heat radiating from my cheeks.

“You’re lucky I don’t throw food in public, Dash,” Lex growled. “And I thought everybody knew I was an ass man,” he said so primly, that I snorted into my wine.

“You know, I’m learning so much about the Montgomerys, I’m a little worried,” Duke said as Brooklyn leaned into him, looking so happy that I could practically see stars and hearts popping above each of their heads.

“You know, it’s getting late, and I should probably get home,” Reece said after a moment, and I turned to the man I didn’t know as well as the others.

Mostly because he wasn’t dating a Montgomery and just happened to work with them.

Honestly, I was surprised he’d even come tonight, but Dash had apparently dragged him.

Lex ran his fingers along my arm, rubbing back and forth as little shivers slid down my spine. I clenched my thighs together, wondering why just a simple touch would do this to me. But as he looked down at me, his pupils dilated, I swallowed hard.

Apparently, I wasn’t the only one wondering how tonight would end.

“You’re right,” Lex said after he cleared his throat. “Let’s head out, let the staff have this table, and call it an early night. It is Christmas Eve after all. I know we all have plans tomorrow.”

We all stood, said our goodbyes, and headed out to our cars. Each of us had only had a single glass of wine and mostly water all night. So even though snow was slowly beginning to fall, we were all okay to get home.

Reece looked over at us, then at the others who had slowly left the table, and then turned towards his car, the one parked the farthest away.

“I know many of the people who came tonight were your friends, but I was surprised Reece was here,” I said, voicing my thoughts from earlier.

“He likes to keep his personal life close to the vest, so I don’t know why he came, other than Dash probably forced him into it. My cousin’s good at that.”

“Brooklyn pretty much dragged me out too. Not that I’m not having fun,” I added quickly.

“But a quiet night at home would’ve been nice too,” he whispered before brushing his lips along mine.

I shivered, and it had nothing to do with the cold, but Lex pulled away anyway and led me to his truck. He helped me into it, since I was too short for it, and we headed back to our subdivision. When he pulled into my driveway, I raised a brow.

“Really?”

“The snow is coming down pretty hard, and I don’t want you to have to walk home. Mr. Darcy misses you.”

This man…he just did something to me. And honestly, I was done waiting. “Are you coming in?” I asked, my voice tight. I really wanted him to say yes, but I wasn’t sure if he should say no.

“As long as you want me to.” He paused. “And I have your Christmas gift.”

“Oh, I have yours too.” I shook my head.

“Well, let’s get inside before we’re trapped in here.” He pulled out his phone and frowned. “A blizzard warning? What the hell?”

“Snowed in on Christmas morning? Well, that’s going to upset a few people. Are you going to be able to make it to your parents?”

A frown covered his face before he shook his head. “We’ll see. Let’s just get inside first.”

The snow had truly started coming down in earnest, the wind turning it sideways as we made our way inside, and I shivered. I set up the new alarm, grateful Daisy had sat me down to learn each button, and let out a breath.

“I am freezing,” I said.

Mr. Darcy wound between my legs, and I bent down to pick him up, nuzzling him to me. “You’re warm. Thank you, Mr. Darcy.”

“I’ve been replaced by a cat. I knew it was only a matter of time,” Lexington teased. He turned on my fireplace, and then my Christmas tree, before gesturing to me.

“Come sit next to me.”

“I love that you just made yourself at home,” I said dryly.

“You make coffee in my kitchen every day.”

I blushed, shrugging. “Well, you need coffee in the middle of the day, and I don’t mind making it for you.

And I like your coffee maker more than mine.

” I set down Mr. Darcy before I took a seat next to Lex.

I pulled his gift out from underneath the tree and pressed my lips together, feeling oddly awkward.

I sat cross-legged, the small, delicately wrapped box on my lap, and let out a breath. “It’s not much, but well, I’m really not good at this.”