Page 17 of Forever His This Christmas

“It is…they’ve been there for almost two hours,” their mother stated. “It’s the calmest and happiest I’ve ever seen your sister so no matter how much we might not like this man, it’s clear that your sister does.”

“You’re approving of her choice?” Gerald asked. “You’re giving up on getting her and Colin back together?”

“And okay with this guy being a bartender?” Ashton added.

“Do I think he’s the right man for her? No, the last thing she needs is someone that enjoys partying. Do I think Colin is the right man for her? Not anymore, but do I think for the first time she’s home and happy? Yes, and I want her to stay that way. Perhaps we can convince them to both come here and work with us. Your sister is doing very well in her job, and I know she could help us with the financials here and who knows maybe he’ll surprise us but if nothing else he could run the bar while we keep an eye on him,” Elaine suggested.

“I don’t know,” Kirby said lifting a brow in skepticism.

“Your sister has always needed to find a man who can rein in her wild ways and seeing them together last night and then today I think Corey is just that man,” Edward stated surprising the others. “Being a little reckless every now and then isn’t a bad thing and I’m sure they can find plenty of things to have fun doing, but he’s a bit more grounded than I expected. I honestly think together they could do well.”

“So, what? We’re supposed to ignore the fact that he’s a bartender, sleeping with our sister, and probably after the family’s money?” Gerald asked.

“That’s exactly what you’re supposed to do,” Edward replied. “Let’s get through Christmas without any issues and then I’ll sit down and have a chat with the boy.”

“For now, go work…we’ll keep an eye on them,” their mother stated shooing them back out before Lisa noticed them.

Corey did and kept her from seeing the group as they watched them. Something about the way her brothers looked at their parents made him wonder what exactly they were discussing. Ways to get him out of town and away from Lisa possibly. Or did they see what he knew—that she was made for him. He needed to figure out which it was but for now he wanted her in his arms and happy.

He stroked her hair dropping a kiss onto her forehead then nose and a soft one on her lips. She opened her eyes and smiled up at him.

“Why do you have to be so damn perfect?” she sighed. “I don’t want to like you.”

“Why not?”

“Because you’ll leave or get bored with me…or want to change me into someone I’m not.”

“I would never do that baby. Do you know how long I’ve looked for a woman exactly like you?” he questioned staring down into her beautiful grey eyes. “I gave up on ever finding you, then you walked into my bar, and I couldn’t help but try to figure out how to get you to notice me. That night was beyond words and every night since then has only gotten better. You have to have felt that.”

“I have which is why it terrifies me to think of when it’ll all end.”

“What if it never ends?” he asked, not understanding the flare of panic that welled up in her gaze before she closed her eyes to him. “Wouldn’t that be worth the risk? To have each other no matter what else is going on around us, knowing there’s someone there that will have your back?”

“We’ve barely gotten to know each other, Corey. All of this is happening so fast.”

“I know but I can’t stop it. I don’t want to stop it. You’ve shown me everything I’ve ever dreamt of, and I want to give you all of your dreams,” he admitted willing to risk her panicking a bit because she couldn’t run far right now.

“I don’t know what to say Corey. I…I sabotage things, run from them, when they start getting too serious because I don’t want to be my mother. I don’t want to be one of those women who have to rely on the man for things she wants or needs.”

“But sometimes it’s nice to let someone else be in charge, isn’t it? To not have to make all of the decisions…the way you do at work,” he said trying to relate it to her in a way she’d understand. “You want control in your personal life, yet you freely give it up in your professional. You don’t find that overbearing, but a relationship isn’t like it. A real relationship is built on give and take,” he added, before silently cursing himself with the use of the word take. He dropped a quick kiss onto her lips to stop her from spouting off at him for it. “I don’t mean take as in take away your choice. I would never take away your choice. I would never tell you that you had to or couldn’t do something. I’m simply asking for you to let me lead occasionally. Let me have control of the little things. It’s nice to be surprised, right?”

“Sometimes,” she agreed as her head said no while her heart begged for her to open it. “I just…”

“One day,” he said when she paused. “Give me tomorrow to show you what I mean.”

“Okay,” she stated wondering why it wasn’t as scary as she’d expected to say yes to him.

Dinner that night was again amusing but her family was taking large strides to fight the need to say something rude. She had no idea why, but it was nice to not get into a fight with them for once. She woke up early the next morning to find that Corey had already been up and out to get breakfast for her, and she smiled seeing all of her favorites laid out on the tray.

“See surprises can be nice,” he told her with a kiss once they’d finished the food.

“Breakfast in bed is definitely one way to wake up,” she agreed, smiling as she dressed. The day that followed amazed her with the constant stream of surprises that didn’t make her feel as though she had no choice. It also showed her that he knew her far better than she thought, and she settled into hiskiss before they headed for dinner that night. It was Christmas Eve, and she’d put on her fancier dress, then took time for her hair and makeup.

The look on his face when she’d come out of the dressing room was perfect and she slid her coat off letting herself relax into him. He looked incredible in his suit, and she didn’t even mind the stares from the other men for once. She honestly liked being admired when she was with him. The women that shot him coveting looks were another story, and she staked her claim with a kiss under the mistletoe.

“Now that’s the way to kiss under the mistletoe,” Trina teased as she made her rounds.

“What can I say the man certainly wears a suit well,” she replied with a smile as they walked through the dining room towards her family’s table.

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