“What?” I stared at the shut door.
Dang it, Holly. I know you’re busy, but you could have sent someone else! This situation has your Cupiding written all over it.
I wasn’t sure if I wanted to be right next to Saint as he drove. It would be hard to not glance his way several times or find comfort in that alluring scent of his.
Saint opened the back door for Park, she curtsied and got in. He laughed and shut the door.
“He is a sight to take in.” Park kept her voice low. “I can’t believe you used to play with Chef Saint?”
“He lived next door to me. Holly and his parents would watch me when my parents had date nights.” I held a sad smile. “And then when my father and mother separated for a year, she got a part-time job as a freelance seamstress. Their parents would watch me when Mom worked at night. Sometimes she would have an evening theater job or ballet performance to be on call for just in case costumes were ripped or something needed to be fixed.”
“The boy next door.” Park sighed. “So dreamy.”
“I don’t know about all that.” I checked the rear-view mirror.
Saint lifted the trunk.
“So. . .” Park cleared her throat. “Again, if you need me, then of course I don’t have to go—”
“No way. I’m not getting in trouble with Saint.” I grinned. “And. . .maybe he has a point. Perhaps, you would want to hang with friends instead of work. Did you have plans?”
“Yeah.”
I turned around in my seat and gave her a warm smile. “I know I’m not easy to talk to but. . .actually I don’t know what advice I should give you. I am crazy after all. Just. . .do your best to make sure that I don’t take it too far with you.”
Park widened her eyes.
“I like you. I would hate to lose you.”
Park blinked. “Don’t worry, Ivy. As I always say, working for you is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I’ve met so many people and learned so much.”
“Yeah, but life should also be lived. Just because I bury myself in work doesn’t mean you have to.”
“I’ll take your advice.” She grinned. “Merry Christmas, Ivy.”
Nodding, I stifled my groan and turned back around. “You too.”
“Oh, sorry. I forgot. You’re not a fan of Christmas.”
“It’s alright. I’m just not a fan of December as a whole.”
“All aboard for the Saint Express!” Saint opened the driver’s side, climbed in, and shut the door. “Who’s ready for the big adventure?”
I sucked my teeth. “Would you just get us to the villas?”
Chuckling, he started the car. “In a bright merry mood as usual, I see.”
“I’ll be even merrier when I get out of the cold.”
He switched on the heat and drove us away.
Park’s phone rang. She spoke next, “Would you mind if I answer this? It’s my mom. She always worries when I fly.”
I shrugged. “Go ahead.”
Park answered and held a hushed conversation.
Saint leaned my way as he drove. “Did you get all of my emails and texts?”
I swallowed. “I was pretty busy with the charity event.”
“And what about the roses?”
I lied, “I didn’t see them.”
“Bullshit.”
“How’s your TV show doing?”
His hand shifted on the steering wheel and he snuck a look at me before returning his focus to the road ahead. “You know how it’s doing. Holly tells me you watch it religiously.”
Holly can’t keep a secret to save her life.
I rolled my eyes. “I’ve caught it a few times.”
“She said you sleep in the Saint’s Sweet Sins shirt.”
“It’s comfortable.”
“I would love to see it on you. Did you pack it?”
I grinned. “I may have, but you won’t be in my room to see it.”
“I will. Why do you insist on pretending like I won’t have you in bed when we meet?”
“Saint, my assistant is in the back.”
“She’s on the phone.” He gazed my way. “You look delicious.”
“I’m not one of your sweet sins.”
An odd look passed over his face for a moment before he shook his head as if clearing his thoughts. “Trust me, Ivy. You are the sweetest sin my tongue has ever had the pleasure of tasting.”
I kept my mouth closed and my view in front of me. Meanwhile, warmth spread across my skin.
His voice was a low groan. “As always, I’ve missed you.”
I couldn’t help but lean in to the emotions that his words and his look evoked.
“Ivy?”
“I missed you too.” I glanced out of my window.
A wicked laugh left him. “I can’t wait to unwrap you this Christmas.”
I stirred in my seat.
Damn you, Holly.
“But this year, there will be stipulations before we fuck. Not many. Just one.”
I widened my eyes but didn’t respond.
Park ended her call and let out a long breath. “So sorry.”
I ran my fingers through my hair, needing something to do. “That’s fine.”
“So. . .you’re Chef Saint?” Excitement filled Park’s voice.
Saint smirked. “The one and only.”
“I love your show and your dog, Angel is so cute. Oh, and I love your cooking. I mean you have the best food. I always feel like I’ve gained weight after watching your episodes back to back.”
“Imagine having to eat it all the time. That’s why I religiously stay in the gym. With this job, it’s a battle.”
“Was it easier to maintain your weight when you just had your restaurant?” Park asked.
“Yes. I was always on my feet and managing my staff. There wasn’t much time to snack and eat like there is for the shows.”
Park and Saint continued to talk. I did my best to not think about all the other Christmases where I’d found myself in Saint’s bed, legs spread open, and his chiseled face feasting between them.
What stipulations will there be this time?
Chapter 4
This Christmas
Smiling, I looked out the window and took in Lapland’s snowy landscape.
You’re really going to get your ice princess wedding, Holly.
Holly chose the SnowCastle as the location for her wedding. It was supposed to be a winter-loving princess's fairy-tale venue. The three-story structure was rebuilt every year with ice and snow. Considered the biggest snow fort in the world, the highest towers rose over 20 meters high, and some of the longest walls were over 1,000 meters long. It included a chapel, a restaurant, and a hotel. The SnowRestaurant had ice tables with ice sculptures and seats covered with reindeer fur. The SnowChapel boasted 100 seats.
This will be quite the experience. I just hope it won’t be a freezing one.
After twenty minutes, we arrived at our destination. I made out the massive SnowCastle. My heart seized at how enormous it was.
Damn. Who could think up something like this? So creative.
Saint slowed the car to a stop at the top of the road. Across the way, two huge wrought iron gates stood closed, bracketed by two elegant walls that were carved from some kind of pale stone. The wrought iron climbed up and over the opening, meeting in the center where a large sign said, Seaside Glass Villas.