Page 29 of Miles & Mistletoe

“What am I supposed to tell everyone that was expecting—”

“Make something up. Figure it out. Do your damn job. I’ll be out of touch unless it’s for emergencies between now and the twenty-fourth.” With that, I disconnected the call.

Moving back from the floor-to-ceiling window in the living room space of the hotel suite, I tossed my cell phone onto the leather taupe couch and picked up the hotel phone that rested on the desk. I was immediately connected to the hotel concierge service where I ordered breakfast for myself and the sleeping beauty in my bed.

After hanging up the phone, I moved toward the bedroom and pushed the door open. A smile hit my lips at the sight of Stacia still sleeping peacefully in the middle of the bed. Not only did she like sleeping in, she also enjoyed taking up nearly the whole bed. A fact I’d awoken to on more than one occasion with nearly her entire body resting on top of mine.

“Wake up, sleeping beauty,” I called, using the pet name I’d somehow given her.

“Mmm, let me sleep,” she groaned and tried to turn over when I began tickling her underneath her right ear. Soon her groans of annoyance turned into a fit of giggles. And before I knew it, those chocolate eyes were opening for me to see.

“I should sue you for using my ticklishness against me like this,” she stated around a yawn, covering her mouth.

I grunted. “I’ve had more frivolous lawsuits than that against me thrown out. I’ll take my chances.”

I just narrowly blocked an incoming pillow with my forearm. I tossed my head back and laughed at Stacia’s attempt to throw another pillow my way before I snatched it from her.

“What’s on the agenda today?” she questioned after finally sitting up.

“I’ve canceled all my events over the next five days.”

Stacia’s eyes widened. “Did something happen?”

You happened.

I cleared my throat. “I’ve just decided to give it a rest for the next few days. All of our seasonal brands have had a successful launch. Anything that needs to be handled for business can wait until after the holidays.”

“Oh, so you won’t be traveling for a few days?” Her voice didn’t hold quite the same energy as a moment ago. I watched her carefully as she lowered her gaze to her fidgeting hands in her lap.

“No, I won’t,” I answered.

“So then, you won’t need a date … I mean, to all your galas and museum showcases and events.”

I shook my head. “I won’t need a date for those since I won’t be attending any.”

“Then I guess—”

“Come away with me for a few days.” It was meant to be a question but it came out as an order. Whatever. Either way, she was coming with me. I didn’t take the next five days off to spend them alone. Although, that idea had never disturbed me before.

Stacia’s face went from pensive to perplexed. “Go away with you? Isn’t that what I’ve been doing?”

“Technically, but this isn’t for you to be on my arm as my date. Well, it is, but not for any outings, unless you wanted to go out. But, I mean … aw fuck!” I never got fucking tongue-tied. What the hell was wrong with me?

“Where’re we going then?”

I pushed out a breath through my nose, grateful for the question. If nothing else, it got my mind off the fact that my brain was probably short-circuiting or something.

“A place I go to when I want to get away from everything and everyone.”

“That sounds cryptic.”

I smiled. Those seemed to come much more naturally over the past few weeks.

“I-uh, might have to clear it with my job.”

“Already done.” Yes, I’d already made arrangements with Stacia’s employer to ensure she would be available to me until after the New Year. I was nothing if not thorough.

“Oh, well, in that case …”

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