Книга - A Christmas Temptation

A Christmas Temptation
Karen Booth


He used to be her whole world.Sophie Eden refuses to sell her family’s legacy, especially not to Jake Wheeler. He and Sophie have history—a night of passion that first left her elated, then heartbroken. But when they’re snowed in for Christmas, temptation could be too much.







Somewhere behind the expensive gifts and grand gestures...

was the man who had once been her whole world.

Sophie Eden refuses to sell her family’s legacy, especially not to Jake Wheeler. He and Sophie have history—a night of passion that first left her elated, then heartbroken. Now the New York heiress wants him to stay away. But when they’re snowed in for Christmas, they surrender to temptation. Meanwhile, a secret waits to tear them apart...


KAREN BOOTH is a Midwestern girl transplanted in the South, raised on ’80s music, Judy Blume and the films of John Hughes. When she takes a break from the art of romance, she’s listening to music with her nearly grown kids or sweet-talking her husband into making her a cocktail. Learn more about Karen at karenbooth.net (http://karenbooth.net).


Also by Karen Booth (#ua10d3a29-0838-59d1-b94e-94c5a5cdafb7)

The Best Man’s Baby

The Ten-Day Baby Takeover

Snowed in with a Billionaire

Discover more at millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)


A Christmas Temptation

Karen Booth






www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)


ISBN: 978-1-474-07693-7

A CHRISTMAS TEMPTATION

© 2018 Karen Booth

Published in Great Britain 2018

by Mills & Boon, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF

All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. This edition is published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, locations and incidents are purely fictional and bear no relationship to any real life individuals, living or dead, or to any actual places, business establishments, locations, events or incidents. Any resemblance is entirely coincidental.

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www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)


For Melissa Jeglinski,

my amazing agent and friend.

I’m so thankful to have you on my side!


Contents

Cover (#ub7f94d23-9637-5bec-913a-d0072bd11677)

Back Cover Text (#u2183a900-4892-51c3-a82f-b993fb5d4de6)

About the Author (#u5fd21d14-ce45-529f-89b8-e10c2f1957de)

Booklist (#uc53bf1eb-01cb-5695-b0c8-4bfeffa94fcc)

Title Page (#u7c33a37f-5041-5594-bf7b-7f732f851a61)

Copyright (#u83e1190b-67c2-5c35-b002-3fd719971b8e)

Dedication (#u5e8e96e8-1922-5154-88b0-77cf5e19d09d)

One (#u808e1667-5d9f-552f-b290-a333bb99ec5c)

Two (#u4449c01f-d5cb-5733-a9af-8ac100101038)

Three (#u4c6b1dd8-760d-5b15-aab5-0c457a740aa3)

Four (#litres_trial_promo)

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Nine (#litres_trial_promo)

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Twelve (#litres_trial_promo)

Thirteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Extract (#litres_trial_promo)

Extract (#litres_trial_promo)

About the Publisher (#litres_trial_promo)


One (#ua10d3a29-0838-59d1-b94e-94c5a5cdafb7)

Eden’s Department Store offered a dazzling array of merchandise, but in Sophie Eden’s mind, everything started with the shoes. Thus, she always began her workday in the shoe department, surveying the latest and chitchatting with the salespeople as they prepared for the day’s shoppers. Sophie often devoted ten or fifteen minutes to the pursuit before heading upstairs to her office. Some days she’d even try on something new. Not today. With less than a month until Christmas, and the vultures circling, getting right to work was the most pressing matter.

She bustled through the department down the wide center promenade, past the Lucite and chrome displays of sling-backs and stilettos, beneath the splendid crystal chandeliers that dotted the high coffered ceiling. Her delicate heels click-clacked on the gleaming white marble floor. Her shoes were particularly magnificent today—Manolo Blahnik pumps with a slim leather tie at the ankle, in Christmas red. The color choice was no coincidence. The holidays were Sophie’s favorite time of year, and she was going to sneak in every second of cheer she could. She already knew Christmas would be difficult this year. This would be the first without Gram, her grandmother, the founder of Eden’s.

Sophie rounded a turn as the aisle spoked off to the various sections of the department known to fashion editors all over the world as “shoe heaven.” Tucked back in the far corner was the vestibule with the private elevator that would take her upstairs to the true guts of the Eden’s operation. She sucked in a deep, cleansing breath as she took her short ride up one floor. Normally, she loved her job, but right now it was much farther from heaven than the number on the elevator door suggested.

“Good morning, Lizzie,” Sophie said, greeting her assistant. She shrugged off her cream-colored wool coat and slung it over her arm. Considering the dirt and grime of the city, such a light color was a stupid idea, but Sophie loved the way it showed off her red hair. It was one of her best assets.

Lizzie popped up from behind her desk, all sunshine and raw energy. Her platinum pixie cut was extra spiky today. “Good morning, Ms. Eden. How are you?”

“Depends. How’s my day looking?”

“You’ve already received three gift baskets from real-estate developers this morning.”

“It’s barely nine o’clock.”

“The couriers start delivering at eight.”

Sophie shook her head. This had been the drill for the last month, ever since her grandmother, Victoria Eden, had passed away. Everyone knew that Sophie and her sister, Mindy, would inherit Eden’s. Their grandmother spoke of it often, at runway shows and cocktail parties and even to the press. Eden’s was a business built for women, by women, and it would be run by women for as long as Victoria Eden could see it through.

The will was to be read the week before Christmas when the heirs could gather. It was viewed as a formality, though. Sophie and her sister, Mindy, would own the store. Thus the influx of gift baskets, flowers, phone calls and emails. It wasn’t that anyone was particularly interested in Eden’s as a business. They were after the building and the land. Everyone assumed Sophie and Mindy would want to sell. Mindy was desperate to do so. Sophie was diametrically opposed to the idea.

“Oh, and your sister called to say she will not be able to come by today after all,” Lizzie said as she trailed Sophie into her office.

“Lovely.” Sophie made no effort to disguise the unhappiness in her voice. She and Mindy were at odds right now. “I’ll have to give her a call and see what her problem is.” She got settled in her chair, which was custom upholstered in peacock blue velvet with gold nail-head trim. She pulled her laptop from her bag and set it on her sleek white glass-topped desk. “Anything else?”

“Everything’s in your calendar. You have a meeting with the department heads at two this afternoon. Also, Reginald will be up to do the holiday decorations in your office soon. I tried to get him to come earlier in the morning, but it just wasn’t possible. I think they’re all still recovering from installing the holiday window displays.”

Sophie waved it off. “Yes. Of course. My office is definitely the bottom of the priority list. And I’m glad they’re coming while I’m here. I’d like to be able to pitch in.” Sophie loved decorating for Christmas. It was one of her absolute favorite pursuits.

“Do you think Reginald will actually let you help? You know how he is.” Lizzie bugged her eyes and whispered, “Control freak.”

“And I’m about to be the president of Eden’s Department Store. Plus, he loved Gram, and he knows how close we were.” Sophie wasn’t sure who had cried harder at her grandmother’s funeral—her or Reginald. “I’m sure he’ll be nothing but accommodating.”

Lizzie made her way to the door but stopped before exiting. “Oh. I almost forgot. Jake Wheeler called again last night. Also, he sent the fruit.” Lizzie pointed to the credenza behind Sophie’s desk. Three elaborate cellophane-wrapped baskets sat atop it.

Jake Wheeler. How could one man’s name send both a flash of anger and a flutter of delight through her body at the same time?

“Did he leave a message?”

“He did. He wanted me to remind you that it’s very important he speaks to you.”

“Of course he did. He’s a man accustomed to getting everything he wants.” Sophie picked up the fruit basket. “Put this in the employee lounge. Someone should enjoy it.”

Lizzie held out her arms, which dropped a bit under the weight of the basket. “Don’t you want to read the card first?”

Sophie didn’t really want to read the card, but knowledge was king and she needed to know what Jake Wheeler was thinking. Otherwise, he was a mystery. He always had been.

Sophie grabbed the gold-trimmed envelope and ripped it from the plastic. “Thank you, Lizzie.”

“Of course, Ms. Eden. You know where to find me if you need anything.”

Sophie sat in her chair, her back straight and chin held high as she slid a manicured finger under the envelope flap. There was no telling what Jake had written on this card. When they were in business school together, everything out of his mouth was witty and warm. It was one of the things that first drew her to him. That and his unforgettable green eyes.

Dear Sophie,

You can’t ignore my phone calls forever. Sooner or later, I’ll get through to you.

Best,

Jake

A zip of electricity ran along Sophie’s spine. From somewhere deep in the recesses of her mind, the sound of Jake’s sexy rumble of a voice had been set free. It was like a wild animal, pouncing on her. She’d forgotten the way it made her feel. A wave of warmth started in her chest and rolled back over her shoulders. She reclined in her chair and closed her eyes, recalling the magical moment when he’d first kissed her eight years ago, his insistent lips bringing every fantasy she’d had about him to life. He’d kissed her like he meant it, his arms tight around her waist, pulling her body into his. It was a dream come true in so many ways. She’d spent two years desperate for him to do that, trying so hard to be the kind of woman who would catch his eye. Finally, she’d done it.

Little had she known Jake Wheeler would break her heart and shatter her opinion of him in less than twenty-four hours.

Sophie’s eyes flew open when there was a knock at her door.

Lizzie stood before her, plainly concerned. It was not like Sophie to sit at her desk with her eyes closed. “Ms. Eden? Reginald is here.”

Sophie bolted upright and scrambled out from behind her desk. “Yes. Great. Good morning, Reginald. Please, come right in.”

“Everything okay?” Lizzie asked under her breath.

“Just a slight headache.”

“Good morning, Ms. Eden.” Reginald, Eden’s creative director, floated into her office and began surveying the walls and windows. “We’re here to transform your office into a glamorous winter wonderland.” Reginald was a bald, spindly man with thick horn-rimmed glasses who always wore a suit with a bow tie. His ensemble today was navy blue with a lavender pinstripe, the tie matching the stripes. Reginald did not do quiet, dull or subtle—precisely the reason Eden’s window displays were one of the most popular Christmas attractions in the city.

Two young women rushed in behind him, lugging large boxes overflowing with sparkly silver and white garland. They set down their armfuls in the corner of Sophie’s office and hurried back out into the hall, presumably for more supplies.

“What’s the plan?” Sophie asked, filled with a mix of anticipation and sadness. Decorating one’s office was Gram’s tradition. She wanted Christmas oozing from every corner of Eden’s. It helped to make the most arduous month of the year tolerable.

Reginald cast a doubtful look down at her, his glasses sliding to the tip of his nose. “You aren’t planning on staying, are you? I work best unencumbered. And unsupervised.”

Sophie frowned. “You used to let Gram help you when you decorated her office.”

“That was different. She was the matriarch of the store. A queen. An unparalleled woman.”

Sophie didn’t need any more of this speech. She was well aware of the grand specter of her grandmother. She lived and worked under it every day. Sophie, along with her sister, would eventually fill the matriarchal role, but it wasn’t right to claim it now. That was a position that must be earned, not inherited. “Got it.”

Reginald patted her on the shoulder. “Trust me. It’ll be stunning when you return.” He made a grand gesture for the door. “Now shoo.”

Sophie grabbed her cell phone from her desk and stepped out into the hall. Gram’s office was right next to hers. The door was still open, and Sophie flipped on the light. It still looked so strange with no Gram. Sophie had no trouble sketching in what was missing—her grandmother, with her trademark strawberry blond bob with thick bangs, never a hair out of place. On a day like today, Sophie could imagine her in a tailored dress in a fun color, perhaps a bold floral, accessorized with gold bangles and diamond earrings. She was always glamorous perfection.

Gram’s office was a similarly colorful and pristine place, with everything exactly as it was on the last day she’d worked, at the end of October. Sophie had a lot of regrets about the last time she’d seen Gram. Sophie’s day had been horrible and she’d only waved goodbye to her grandmother when she left the office. If she’d known Gram would have a heart attack in her sleep that night, she would have taken one last time to say I love you. She would have run out from behind her desk, grabbed her and given her one last hug.

Sophie turned off the light. She wasn’t ready to use Gram’s office. She might never be. It would only make her feel sad and inadequate. She could just imagine the looks on people’s faces when they walked into the room and realized that the woman sitting behind the desk did not possess the gravitas of her predecessor.

Instead, Sophie ducked into an empty cubicle hidden behind the reception area. She dialed the number for her sister, Mindy, who answered right away.

“Lizzie said you aren’t coming in today. Why not?” Sophie asked.

“Because it’s December and one of our high-production printers is broken and my team is struggling to fill orders. I don’t have time to spend at Eden’s.” Mindy had her own successful business, By Min-vitation Only, an online shop that sold high-end custom cards and invitations. “Everyone needs their Christmas cards yesterday. It’s a madhouse over here.”

“Oh. Okay. I understand.”

“Don’t sound so disappointed, Soph. You knew this was going to happen. You knew I couldn’t simply drop everything and take on new responsibilities. I appreciate that you’re steering the ship at Eden’s until Gram’s will is read, but I need you to accept the reality of our situation.”

“And what is that exactly?” Sophie crossed her legs and bobbed her foot, stealing a glimpse of her red pumps. God, she loved those shoes. Mr. Blahnik was a genius.

“Today is our reality. I am too busy to play a role in the store. Today I’m dealing with Christmas, but after that is New Year’s and Valentine’s Day. There is no downtime for me. I’ve worked hard to build my business, and I’m not stepping away from it.”

Sophie understood her sister’s predicament and her argument. She did. She just wished it wasn’t the case. Now that Gram wasn’t around to offer advice and solve problems, Sophie was perpetually out of her depth. And alone.

“Eden’s is a lost cause, Soph. You’ll be much happier when you just admit it,” Mindy said.

“It is not. Gram didn’t think so, and I don’t think so, either. We can turn it around. Our earnings were up two percent last quarter.”

“And my earnings were up twenty.”

Way to rub it in my face. “I get it, Mindy. But this is our family business.”

“I’m family. And I have a business. I’m telling you, as soon as the will is read, you and I need to sell Eden’s to the highest bidder, pocket the cash, and then you need to come work for me. Easy peasy. We’ll both have it made.”

Mindy made it sound so simple and obvious, but she hadn’t made promises to their grandmother. She hadn’t spent the last three years working for Gram, learning and growing and soaking up every drop she could of her genius. “I’m not prepared to talk about anything until after Christmas. It’s in poor taste.”

Sophie stepped out of the cubicle and tiptoed over to her office door to sneak a peek through the tiny gap between the door and the jamb.

Reginald rushed right over. “Oh, no you don’t.” He quickly closed the door, right in her face.

“Fine,” Mindy said, sounding impatient. “But will you at least call Jake Wheeler and listen to his pitch? The man is ridiculously persistent. He’s calling me twice a day.”

There it was—that name again. “I know. He sent me a fruit basket.”

“He’s got superdeep pockets, Sophie. And he sure speaks fondly of you. You’d think you two were exes the way he talks about you.”

Sophie leaned back against the wall, her vision narrowing just as her lips pinched together. “You know that’s not the case.”

“Oh, I know. I know the whole story. He’s the one who got away.”

Sophie shook her head. “He is not. He’s the snake who slithered away. And I hardly had him to begin with.” Just one unbelievably hot night of abandon.

“Regardless. Call him.”

“I’ll think about it.” Sophie already knew there was no way she would call Jake. There was a lot of wisdom in the adage about not clawing at old wounds. He’d hurt her. Badly. She would never, ever forgive him.

“Think harder. I’d like to cross him off my to-do list.”

Sophie stifled a snort. Jake Wheeler had spent two years on her “to-do” list.

Years later, she still regretted it like crazy.

* * *

Granted, expressing condolences was not Jake Wheeler’s strongpoint. He’d found it much easier to get through life by glossing over sad moments and enjoying pleasant ones. But after three unreturned phone calls, a sympathy card that garnered no response and an ignored charity donation in her grandmother’s name, he was certain Sophie Eden was not impressed with his efforts.

Jake’s admin, Audrey, buzzed the line in his office. “Ms. Eden’s assistant is on the line, Mr. Wheeler.”

Jake picked up his phone. “Lizzie, I’m worried that if we continue to spend this much time on the phone, people will start to get the wrong impression of our working relationship.”

“Sir? You remembered my name?”

“How could I not? Is this our fourth or fifth time speaking?”

“I’m not sure, sir. Probably the fifth.”

“And I’m guessing you know why I’m calling.” Jake rocked forward and back in his chair, watching out the window of his tenth-floor office in the luxury steel-and-glass tower of 7 Bryant Park. He had stunning views of the New York Public Library and other midtown Manhattan landmarks, but the one he enjoyed most was that of the building’s namesake. Down on the street, a temporary Christmas market was set up with vendors, music and ice skating. The holiday disruption had been overtaking the normally peaceful green space every December in recent years. Jake couldn’t wait for January, when it would all be gone.

“I do. And I’m very sorry, but Ms. Eden is not available right now.”

“Can you at least tell me when she’ll be back in the office?”

“She’s here all the time, Mr. Wheeler. But her schedule is packed and always changing, as I’m sure you can understand. It’s December. She runs one of the largest department stores in Manhattan. It’s a very busy time.”

“Of course.” Jake tapped his pen on his desk. “Did she get the fruit basket I sent?”

“She did. And she was generous enough to share it with the staff. Everyone has enjoyed it greatly. Thank you.”

Jake wasn’t sure what more he could do to get her to return his phone calls, and he certainly couldn’t arrive at a conclusion about why she was avoiding him. Their last interaction, years ago, at business school graduation, had been nothing but pleasant and cordial. They’d both agreed to let their shared history remain where it belonged—in the past.

“But she’s not there right now?” He purposely added a heavy tone of suspicion to the question. It was the end of the workday. If Sophie was too busy to pick up the phone, she had to still be at the office.

“I’m sorry, but she’s not available right now. No.”

Jake wasn’t sure what that meant, but he knew he was getting the runaround. “Fine. I’d like to leave a message. Again. My name is Jake Wheeler, and my number is—”

“Ms. Eden has your number.”

Jake choked back a frustrated grumble. “Please remind her that it’s very important. I need to speak to her.”

“She knows, sir. I’ve delivered each one of your messages personally.” Judging by the tone in her voice, Sophie’s assistant was losing her patience. That much they had in common.

“Great. Thank you.” Jake hung up the phone, more frustrated now than ever. He had to get Sophie to talk to him. He had to meet with her. Jake was a member of an exclusive investment group called the War Chest. It was run by financier Jacob Lin, and they tackled only the biggest of big deals—ones that required several sets of deep pockets. Jake had suggested Eden’s when Sophie’s grandmother had died. The other War Chest members, hoteliers Sawyer and Noah Locke and real-estate broker Michael Kelly, along with Jacob, had all voted yes on the idea. Jake assured them with a great deal of confidence that he had an inside track with Sophie. Of course, until a month ago, he’d thought he did have an inside track. He and Sophie were best friends in business school. For a brief but memorable twenty-four hours, they’d been more.

“Audrey?” he called out into the void of his office.

In seconds flat, Jake’s assistant snapped to attention in his office doorway. Audrey was fastidious, hyperorganized and very opinionated. “Sir, I really think it’s too late for coffee. You’ll get edgy, and caffeine is disruptive to sleep patterns.”

“I don’t need coffee. I’m wondering if you have any ideas on convincing a woman to call you back.”

“Jewelry. Flowers. Chocolate. A profession of love.”

Jake shook his head. “Not like that. I know that. I mean, in a professional setting.”

“So nothing romantic?”

Jake didn’t have to think about that one. He and Sophie were better off sticking to business. Of that much, he was sure. “Not intentionally romantic, but Ms. Eden does appreciate the finer things in life if that helps.”

Audrey nodded. “Ah, yes. Your unromantic fruit-basket recipient.”

“Precisely.”

“And that didn’t go over well? Who doesn’t love a fruit basket?”

“I have no idea.”

“Flowers?”

“Isn’t that a cliché?”

“Not if you buy a ridiculous amount of her favorites and show up with them in person.”

Jake raised both eyebrows at his assistant.

“That’s what my husband did when he proposed.”

“I’m not proposing marriage.”

“But you are trying to talk a woman into selling her business when it’s been only a few weeks since the family matriarch passed away. You might want to go big.”

“Excellent point.”

“Any idea what her favorite flower is?”

Jake had a recollection of a dinner at a professor’s house and Sophie commenting about the centerpiece. “The ones that look like roses, but aren’t actually roses. I think it starts with a p.”

“Peonies?”

“Yes. That’s it. Pink would be good.”

“I’m on it.”

“Thanks, Audrey.” Jake sat back in his chair and turned his sights to the city again. The sky was dark, snow flurries starting to fall. Could it be as simple as flowers? Jake doubted it highly. Nothing was ever simple with Sophie. But he needed to mix things up or he would lose ground. He knew for a fact that other investors and developers were courting her and her sister. His pitch would work so much better in person, especially if he could get Sophie alone. She’d always dropped the tougher parts of her veneer when it was just the two of them.

Visions of Sophie flashed in his head—her lush red hair, her full lips, the way her brown eyes flickered with gold when she smiled. Each thought of her was more beautiful than the last. They’d been drawn to each other from the moment they met at a business school mixer. She laughed at his jokes and flirted like crazy with him, touching his arm and flashing her gorgeous eyes. They shared an immediate chemistry that was off the charts. In any other scenario, Jake would have taken her home that very first night.

But he made a point of keeping their relationship platonic, even when there had been days where that required superhuman strength. He wanted her. There was no question about that. But he knew how brutal those two years of school were going to be. He couldn’t afford to have a fellow classmate royally pissed at him for seducing her and then calling things off before they got serious, which was what Jake did every time. The panic when a woman started to get close to him was real. There was no erasing the part of his history that made him feel that way.

Still, the night they both gave in to their attraction had been magical. He couldn’t deny that. Two years of waiting and wondering and resisting can make giving in that much more delicious. They’d been studying at the library for hours, preparing for one of their final exams. Exhausted, Jake had asked Sophie if she wanted to go get a beer. She then realized how late it was, and in a panic asked Jake back to her apartment.

“My roommate is out of town and I’m supposed to feed her cat. The poor thing is probably starving. Come to my place. Okay?”

“Yeah. Sure. I just can’t study anymore.”

When they got to Sophie’s, after the cat had been fed, they sat on the couch and had a drink. To this day, he could remember the moment when he’d decided to finally kiss her. She’d put her gorgeous red hair in a pile on top of her head, and she’d laughed at one of his goofy jokes, quite possibly a little too hard, and her hair slumped to the side. She’d pulled at the tie, and it tumbled down onto her shoulders. Maybe he’d been tired. Maybe it was the beer. He only knew that after nearly two years of waiting, he had to kiss her.

So he did.

No woman had melted into him the way Sophie did. Her lips were pillow soft, her sweet smell truly beguiling, and her hands were everywhere. Before he knew what was happening, she was tugging his shirt up over his head and pushing him down on the couch, her body settling between his legs and driving him crazy with desire.

The moment when she sat back up, took his hand and led him to her bedroom was one of the most surreal. He’d fantasized about Sophie plenty, but she was also one of the only female friendships he’d managed to not only build, but maintain. He’d thought about it for a second that night, considered telling her it wasn’t a good idea for them to go to bed together, but once she took off her top and her stunning red hair tumbled back onto her shoulders? He was a goner.

They’d made love three times that night. They even took a shower together in the morning, which should have been enough to convince him that Sophie might be the one worth trying for more with. But when the time came for him to think about going back to his place, and it was clear that there were expectations for the two of them to discuss where this next went, Jake panicked just as he always had.

“You know, Sophie, last night was amazing, and I will always remember it. But we’re such great friends and we both have so much we want to do in our careers. I think it’s best if we chalk this up to two friends blowing off a little steam together.”

He knew the instant he’d said it that she deserved better. Sophie had wrapped her robe around her tight and nodded, forcing a smile. “Oh, yeah. Of course. A couple of friends hooking up, right? Happens all the time.”

He’d heard the hurt in her voice, but he told himself that with time it would go away. Sophie was too special—too smart, too funny, too beautiful. Some amazing guy, somewhere, would meet her and snatch her up and treat her the way she deserved to be treated. Jake wasn’t that guy. He didn’t possess the trust to let someone in like that. He’d tried and failed. He was self-aware enough to understand this particular shortcoming.

After their one night together, his friendship with Sophie quickly returned to its previous state, or at least close to it. Neither of them mentioned what had happened, they helped each other study, and soon enough, it was time to graduate. They’d hugged for a very long time that day. They’d wished each other luck. It was all perfectly normal and uncontroversial, except for Sophie’s parting words.

“I love you, Jake.”

Stunned, he ignored what she’d said and simply let her walk away. A few times during the eight years since then, Sophie’s words had resurfaced in his memory. He always fought them back. I love you was something a woman said right before she left forever. And sure enough, that was exactly what Sophie Eden did.


Two (#ua10d3a29-0838-59d1-b94e-94c5a5cdafb7)

Once again, Sophie had to start her workday by rushing through the shoe department, but she didn’t make it far before she stopped dead in her tracks. A stunning pair of chartreuse-green Blahniks had appeared since yesterday. Perched on a tall pedestal, with small bundles of sparkly beads and intricate lacing up the front, they were like a phoenix rising from the ashes of the other, lesser shoes. They stole her breath. She had to have them. They were sexy as all get-out. If only she had a man to test them out on. Her dating calendar had been tragically light since coming to work at Eden’s.

“Marie,” Sophie called out to the department head. She was training a new salesperson. “Can you set aside a pair of these for me?”

Marie smiled generously. “I thought those might catch your eye. They’re already in your office, sitting on your desk. Just have Lizzie buzz me if you don’t like them and I’ll have someone come by to pick them up.”

“Do you really think I might not like them?”

Marie shook her head. “Not a chance.”

Sophie grinned. Her job was sometimes overwhelming, but this was one of her favorite perks. Without another second to waste, she rushed back to the elevator and up to the top floor.

“Morning, Lizzie. What’s the gift-basket count today?”

“Five, I’m afraid. I think people are trying to outdo each other now.”

Sophie trailed into her office and set down her things, bypassing the baskets and zeroing in on the beautiful heels nestled in a box and tissue on her desk. She sat down and removed her pumps and worked her feet into the new shoes. “Did we at least get anything good?”

“How do two dozen gourmet caramel apples slathered in chocolate and sprinkles sound?”

“Like I need to skip lunch. Which is perfect because today is crazy.” Sophie stood up and took the new pumps for a spin around her office. “What do you think?”

“Honestly? Sexy. Super sexy.”

Sophie admired her feet again. Sure her toes were pinched and her arches would be screaming by the time the day was over, but she didn’t care. Right now, beautiful shoes were the only things that were making her happy. “If Marie comes by, tell her I’m keeping them.”

“Will do. Now, back to your crazy day. There’s a long list of fires that need putting out all over the store.”

“Great. Can’t wait.” Sophie gave the statement all the sarcasm it deserved.

“All six employees of the coat check have come down with the flu. We got someone from housewares to fill in, but you know how people feel about working the coat check. The ladies’ lounge on the fourth floor flooded at some point late yesterday and nobody noticed. There’s some water damage on three, but I have maintenance on it. Lastly, the perfume counter somehow managed to run out of Chanel No. 5, which seems like a problem at Christmas.”

“A huge problem.” Gram would’ve been horrified.

“Unfortunately, the distributor can’t get us anything for a week.”

“I’m on it. Can you call a temp agency to see if we can get somebody else to cover the coat check? People stay a lot longer in the store if they don’t have to carry around their winter gear.”

Lizzie left and Sophie wasted no time getting to work, first taking care of the more urgent matters, like the critical depletion of the Chanel No. 5 supply. After that, she pulled up the previous day’s sales numbers, which, although good, weren’t where they needed to be. This was one of those instances where she really needed Mindy to help her brainstorm on new marketing and store ideas for next year. But, of course, Mindy hadn’t merely expressed her disinterest; she’d said she absolutely refused to help out.

Lizzie rapped on Sophie’s door. “It appears that Jake Wheeler has taken things to the next level.”

“What now? Giant gourmet fortune cookies?”

Lizzie shook her head. “No. He’s here. With flowers. Lots and lots of flowers.”

“Here? He’s here?” Incomprehensible excitement rushed through her, followed quickly by a dizzying dose of jitters. She hadn’t seen Jake in eight years. It had taken three of those to get over him, and even then she wasn’t totally sure she’d managed to get him completely out of her system. Knowing what the mere mention of his name did to her made it seem that much more unlikely she’d accomplished the task. “What did you tell him?”

“He knows you’re here. Sorry, but Marie stopped by to check on your shoes and he heard me say that you were wearing them right now.”

“Lots of flowers?”

“Lots and lots.”

Sophie sucked in a deep breath and decided it was best to just get this over with. She couldn’t hide from him forever, even though she desperately wanted to. “Okay. I’m coming out.” She straightened her clothes, admittedly happy she’d worn a sleek, curve-hugging black dress. Jake didn’t need to know that it was one of the more comfortable work outfits she owned. All he needed to know was that she looked amazing in it, and unless he’d lost some visual acuity in the last eight years, he should have no trouble seeing that.

The problem was she wasn’t prepared to see him, especially not as she marched into the reception area and was confronted by his face, somehow more handsome eight years later, poking out above an armful of her favorite flowers—pink peonies. It was as if her subconscious had constructed this scene to disarm her. To leave her as a puddle on the floor. Between the heady smell of the flowers and the mind-blowing sight of Jake, she was surprised she could still stand.

His dark hair was just as thick and unruly as ever. Good God, she’d spent an embarrassing amount of time fantasizing about running her fingers through it. And when she’d finally had the chance, it was even better than she’d imagined. “Hi, Sophie. It’s been a long time.” His penetrating green eyes broke her down as he unsubtly checked her out from head to toe. His unforgettable mouth pulled into a self-assured grin, one that said he was greatly enjoying the fact that he’d made it into her office. They were finally face-to-face.

“It has been a long time, hasn’t it?” Sophie stood a little straighter, but it was just a defense mechanism. She’d forgotten how vulnerable it made her feel to meet his appraisal. Aside from a beautiful pair of black leather wingtips and the hem of charcoal-gray trousers, every other part of Jake was obscured by the flowers. The war that raged inside her whenever Jake popped into her head, or now, her world, was reignited. He knew what he was doing. He knew exactly how weak she was for sweet gestures and sentimentality. This wasn’t about expressing his feelings. This was about Jake Wheeler getting what he wanted—his hands on Eden’s Department Store.

“I brought flowers.”

“So I gather. First fruit, now this?” Sophie planted both hands on her hips, wanting to come off as powerful. Invincible. Certainly as someone who could never be hurt. She dug the heel of her shoe into the office carpet, noting that he couldn’t resist the chance to look at her legs. Once again, Mr. Blahnik had done his job.

Jake laughed. “I’m working my way through all the best gifts that start with the letter f. Not sure I’m prepared to invest in a Ferrari, though, judging by your reaction to the flowers. I might just go with a ferret.”

Sophie was trying to contain her smile. His quick wit had always gotten to her, but it was yet another of his considerable assets, one that he would likely use to soften her defenses. “You’re terrible. You think you can just show up at my office with the world’s largest arrangement of my favorite flowers and I’ll just talk to you?”

“As a matter of fact, I do.”

The heat was rising in her cheeks, making her all the more determined to keep this a short visit. She had a million things to do and Jake was nothing but trouble, however nice it was to look at him. “Ten minutes. That’s all you get.”

“How about ten minutes to catch up and ten to talk business?”

“This isn’t a negotiation. We’ll spend ten talking business and then you can leave.” She wasn’t interested in catching up or reliving old times. It was too painful to think about how over-the-moon she’d been for him and how effortlessly he’d rejected her.

“Okay. But what about the flowers? It would be nice to put them down somewhere. Or at least feel like you appreciate them. Peonies are not available in Manhattan in the winter. I had to have them flown in.”

His words hit her in one fell swoop. This man she had once cared about deeply had been jumping through considerable hoops to get to her. His motives might be questionable, but perhaps she needed to stop being an ice queen about it. “I’m sorry. I do appreciate them. They’re beautiful.”

She took two careful steps toward him, not sure whether she should look at him or the peonies. With every inch closer to Jake, she felt herself fall under his spell a little more. She reached for the flowers, but they were so bulky that he had to lean unimaginably close to lay them in her arms. The penetrating gaze of his green eyes left her wondering if this was a dream. Somewhere behind the veneer of expensive gifts and grand gestures, the well-made wool coat and tempting five o’clock shadow, this man who had once been her entire world was still living and breathing.

“Thank you,” she muttered. “They really are gorgeous.”

Jake didn’t step away. He didn’t break the connection between them either, his warm hand on her bare elbow, his lips just as kissable as they’d always been, maybe even more so. “They’re nothing on you, Soph. I have to say you look amazing. All this time apart has done you well.”

Sophie’s knees wobbled. His voice caused a deep tremor that resonated through her entire body. “You look great, too. But you were always handsome. You know that.” Handsome was such an inadequate word for Jake, it was ridiculous. Perhaps it was because he was so much more than good-looking. There was the swagger. The easy confidence. The glint in his eye that made you feel like you were the only woman in his orbit.

“Doesn’t mean I don’t like hearing it.”

Sophie held her breath. If this were a movie, this would be the part where he’d throw caution to the wind, take her into his arms and kiss her, crushing what might be a thousand dollars in flowers between them. She couldn’t let herself get carried away with that particular mental image, so she cast her sights down at the arrangement in her arms and gave them a sniff. “I’d better get these in some water.”

She hurried over to Lizzie and deposited them on her desk. “If you could put these in some water, that would be great.”

“Absolutely.” Lizzie looked past Sophie and eyed Jake. It was easy to see how much she was appreciating the view. “Would you like me to hold your calls?”

A good interruption would make for an easier escape if she started to feel overmatched by Jake, but she had to get through this. She had to listen to his pitch, try not to let the past creep in and send him on his way. “I think I’ll be fine.” She waved Jake on to her office. “Come on. We’ll meet in here.”

A certain sense of pride hit Sophie when she stepped inside. Yes, this job was her birthright, but she worked hard and her office was impressive, especially now. Reginald and his team had really gone all out. Each of the six windows in her corner office had its own fresh wreath decorated with flocked pinecones and berries, tied with a wide white velvet bow. Sparkly white and silver garland framed the views of the city beautifully. But the tree was the real showstopper, decorated with silver glass balls, tiny white-and-red birds wired to the branches and more twinkle lights than Sophie had ever seen in a single application. Every time she looked at the holiday iteration of her office, her heart swelled.

“Please. Have a seat,” Sophie said, offering one of the two upholstered chairs opposite her desk.

“It looks like Christmas exploded,” Jake said, sounding a bit stunned.

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” Sophie stepped behind her desk, surveying the room and ignoring his poor choice of words. Surely he didn’t mean it in such a crude way.

“Who did this to your office?”

“Reginald. Our creative director. He really outdid himself. I don’t know how I’m going to get any work done at all. I just want to stare at it.” She folded her hands in her lap, deciding it was no longer time for small talk. “Now, why don’t you say what you came to say.”

He slowly unbuttoned his coat and draped it over the back of one of the chairs, still admiring the room. Meanwhile, Sophie was trying not to stare at how incredible he looked in his impeccably tailored suit. He cleared his throat, crossed his leg and sat back in his chair, nothing less than pure, casual confidence. “As you know, you and your sister are in a very unique situation. You are not only set to inherit one of the largest commercial buildings in Manhattan, your grandmother had the foresight and the means to purchase the land, as well. You don’t come across that every day. I’d like to buy the property. I’ve already told your sister that I’m prepared to pay 4.5 billion for the land and the building.”

Sophie worked with a lot of numbers every day, but that one was a doozy. She knew how much the property was worth, and Jake had clearly done his homework. The offer was in line with market value, but just sweet enough to make her have to think twice. She drew a deep breath through her nose to calm herself enough to deliver her answer. “Thank you, but no.”

“You can ask any appraiser in the city. It’s a very generous offer. I’m willing to move quickly. I have a small group of partners on this deal and we’re prepared to do an all-cash sale.”

Sophie found a lump in her throat. That was more money than she could likely ever spend, but this wasn’t about cash in the bank, at least not for her. This was about carrying out Gram’s wishes. Still, it was a good thing Mindy wasn’t here right now because she would strangle Sophie for what she was about to say. “Again, no. But thank you.”

Jake smiled and nodded as if she’d just agreed to everything he wanted, a tried-and-true negotiation tactic. She wasn’t surprised he was resorting to it. “Maybe it’s best if I just let you think about it for a few days. Let that big, fat, delicious number tumble around in your head. Because I can guarantee you that any of these other companies and developers are not in a position to pay what I’m willing to pay.” His voice held an edge of determination that betrayed the pleased look on his face.

Still, Sophie had to be firm. “I understand what you’re saying, but the answer is no. My grandmother worked too hard for me to simply walk away from it.”

Jake nodded slowly again. “I know. She was a legend. At one time, she was one of the most successful businesspeople in the city.”

“In the country,” Sophie interjected. “Quite possibly the world. There were seventy-six stores in twelve countries at the height of Eden’s.”

“Yes. And now you’re back down to this one store. It was the 1980s. It was a different time. Retail isn’t what it once was. Frankly, owning a store this big, at this time, is a disaster waiting to happen. You’re going to die a very slow, painful death.” He was no longer trying to butter her up. Now he was resorting to cold, hard facts, and Sophie didn’t like it at all.

“Always the pessimist, aren’t you? You know, I think I’ll do just fine on my own. And if I don’t, I’ll just have to die trying.” Sophie pushed back from her desk and stood, sucking in a deep breath. This wasn’t how she wanted things to end between them, but end they must. She had to put him on notice that she would not waver. She would not sell to him. She would not allow herself to fall under Jake’s spell. “Thanks for coming by. And thank you for the flowers.”

He cocked his eyebrows and stood. “And the fruit.”

“And the fruit. But none of that was necessary, nor is it necessary in the future. I don’t need to come into my office to find a flamingo or feather boas.”

Jake stood there looking at her, hands in his pants pockets. It felt like he was trying to tear down the invisible barrier she’d tried to build between them, and she didn’t like it. “You know, Sophie. I have the distinct impression that this is about far more than your grandmother.”

“What? My refusal to do the deal?”

“That and your general distaste for having me share the same air as you.”

Sophie froze. All she could hear was the thunder of her own heartbeat in her ears. So this was how he was going to play this. He wasn’t going to politely ignore their history as she’d done. He wanted to dredge it up. Sophie could do that. She didn’t have to let him off so easy anyway. “The way things ended between us is difficult to ignore if that’s what you’re suggesting.”

“The last time I saw you was on graduation day. I thought things were fine. We hugged. We wished each other well.”

That moment was such a permanent part of Sophie’s memories it was as if it was tattooed on her brain. It was still a bit raw, even after all this time. She could still feel the deep longing for him, a tug from the center of her chest that told her he was all she ever wanted or needed, but she’d never have him. With my very beaten-up heart, I told you that I loved you, and you acted as though I hadn’t said it. “That’s not quite how I remember it, but I’m glad you can look back on it so fondly. I was still pretty hurt about the way things played out after our one night together.”

Jake’s forehead crinkled as his eyebrows drew together. “That was for the best. We both know that wasn’t going to go anywhere. I wanted to save our friendship, and I thought I had. Now I’m starting to think I’ve been wrong all this time.”

Sophie shook her head. “Of course you felt as though it was up to you to save us from each other. No need for discussion or a conversation. Just a few parting words to get you off the hook, right? It might take two to tango, but only one person has to call it off.”

“If it upset you that much, you should’ve said something at the time. You seemed completely fine with it.”

“I didn’t really have time to absorb it. You practically broadsided me.”

“Trust me. You’re a happier woman right now than you would’ve been if things had continued.”

Anger began to bubble under Sophie’s skin. He had no way of knowing things would have ended badly between them. If he’d just given them a chance, they could have been happy. They could have had it all. “Ah, well, apparently your crystal ball works great. Mine is off at the shop. But thanks for watching out for me.”

Again, he only looked at her, his mind clearly working hard. “You know, if it wasn’t completely inappropriate, I would ask if I could kiss you right now.”

Sophie’s heart seized up in her chest. A kiss? Was he insane? “I thought you were supposed to be saving me from being hurt.”

“I know, but I’m just thinking that the first time I kissed you, you melted right into my arms. That was the moment I knew I could convince you of anything.”

She dared to peer up into his dangerous green eyes. They swirled with such intensity it was hard to know whether she’d be able to remain standing or if they’d simply sweep her away. She couldn’t believe he would so brazenly use her weakness for him against her. “Get out. Get out of my office right now.”

“You won’t kick out the guy who brought you a bushel of your favorite flowers.”

“I’m serious, Jake. Don’t make me call Duane from security. He’s six foot six, three hundred and fifty pounds, and has a very short fuse.”

“Soph, come on. I’m just kidding. You know me. I’m a kidder.”

With a jab of her finger, Sophie directed him to her office door. The exit. “The problem, Jake, is that I do know you. I know exactly what you’re capable of, which is the reason I have to ask you to leave.”

* * *

In a daze, Jake stepped off the elevator on Eden’s ground floor. He felt a bit like he’d been run over by a truck. His meeting with Sophie had not gone well, but even more than that, he’d forgotten what being around her did to him. Her sleek black dress was enough to make him sign over his entire business, hugging every gorgeous curve of her body, reminding him of everything he’d had and given up. And that was only the start—her trademark red tresses tumbling over her shoulders, her deep brown eyes blazing and her full cherry-pink lips tempting him into making an admittedly bold remark. It was a business meeting and he shouldn’t have brought up kissing. But everything he’d said had been the absolute truth. She had melted into him that night. They were on the same wavelength, completely.

He’d really thought the flowers might do the trick. Sophie was sweet and sentimental. What woman like that doesn’t appreciate that sort of gesture? He hadn’t expected an immediate yes to his proposition, but he had hoped she would at least consider it. Instead, she’d done nothing more than try to create distance between them. If she’d been any more successful, she’d have had him on the other side of bulletproof glass. It was a real shame. There had been a time when Sophie would come running to him. Not anymore.

He met David, his driver, at the curb and jumped into the back of the black Escalade, his mind a jumble of thoughts of Sophie and business as the sights of the city whizzed by in a blur. He had to turn this around. His killer instinct, the one that had brought him success that surprised even him, wouldn’t allow him to back off simply because of one bad conversation. His fellow members of the War Chest were eager to get the jump on this deal, and with each day closer to the reading of Victoria Eden’s will, the more unlikely it would be that Jake’s plan would work. Everyone in the city with a fat bank account would be pursuing Sophie and her sister by then. If Jake was going to bring this deal to fruition, he had to do it now. Wait and lose out. That was all there was to it.

By the time he reached his office, Jake knew that flowers and fruit baskets had been the wrong approach. He needed to go with reason. She and her sister were sitting on a fortune. All they needed to do was cash in their golden ticket. He needed to show Sophie on paper, in hard numbers, why it was in her best interest to sell. Eden’s future was indeed grim. He was certain of it.

“Unless I get a call from Sophie or Mindy Eden, I’m in a meeting,” he said to Audrey as he strode past her desk.

“Yes, sir, Mr. Wheeler.”

He sat at his desk, pulled out a fresh legal pad, grabbed the folder of background materials Audrey had pulled together on Eden’s and opened up a new browser window on his laptop. “Time to figure out just how bad things look for Eden’s Department Store.”

Hours later, Jake had pages and pages of numbers and notes. He’d read two dozen articles about the future of retail, made estimates as to how much space Eden’s was using and wasting with some of their departments. Unfortunately for Jake, the most profitable department, women’s shoes, only stirred up thoughts of Sophie in the ones she’d been wearing today. They were some of the sexiest shoes he’d ever seen. For a moment, he had a vision of them on his shoulders and Sophie at his mercy, an idea he immediately wrenched from his mind, although he might be forced to revisit it later.

He moved on to analyzing Eden’s online presence and the amount of company resources they were devoting to everything from marketing and advertising to store security and, yes, decorating executive offices like the inside of a snow globe.

This was a bit like reading tea leaves, but he had to make do with what he had, and there was a great deal of satisfaction to take from the knowledge that no other money guy or investor was putting in this kind of work. Sophie would see that he was just looking out for her. He had her best interests at heart.

And himself, of course. This deal would be the talk of developer circles for years. Decades even. And he’d grow his bank account considerably.

But first, he had to call the one person who was on his side—Mindy Eden.

“Jake, I told you the last time we talked, I’m not the one you need to convince. It’s all Sophie. I have zero interest in anything having to do with Eden’s. I have more than enough on my plate.”

Jake tapped his pen on his planner and looked out his office window. The holiday market down in the park was again bustling with people. He’d never understand some people’s obsession with Christmas. “Okay. So then tell me how I get through to her. She’s not only digging in her heels about the store, she refuses to have a conversation with me.”

Mindy laughed. “You do know you broke her heart, right?”

Jake froze as Mindy’s words worked their way through his head. “I did not break her heart. Sophie and I had a little too much to drink one night, we had some fun, and I ended it the next day so she didn’t have to. Believe me, I was looking out for your sister. Any other guy would’ve strung her along for months.” Did Sophie truly feel as though he’d broken her heart? He’d only tried to protect her.

“Or he might have fallen in love with my perfectly smart and beautiful sister and lived happily ever after.”

Not this guy. Jake swallowed hard to stuff those words back inside him. It was one thing to get personal with Sophie, and quite another to talk about subjects like this with Mindy. “Something tells me she would’ve gotten tired of me real quick.”

“Hmm. I don’t know about that.”

“Do you think it would help to try to talk to her outside of the office? Maybe catch up with her on the weekend when she’s more relaxed?”

“You must know that Sophie doesn’t relax. I’m not sure a weekend will help you. Plus, she’s gone this weekend.”

“To where?”

“Our grandmother’s house in Upstate, near Scarsdale. It’s where the family spends Christmas. She’s heading up tomorrow morning.”

The wheels in Jake’s head were turning. Opportunity was in the air. “Is that the house where you and Sophie spent your summers?”

“That’s the one. Eden House.”

“Sophie used to talk about it all the time. She seemed to have a lot of great memories from being there.”

“We both do, but yes, Sophie loves it. She goes every chance she gets.”

“Are you going up this weekend, too?”

“I told her I’d drive up Saturday night. The weather’s not looking good, but I think she’ll kill me if I don’t show up.”

This might be perfect—drive up Friday and convince Sophie, Mindy arrives Saturday and they would work out the rest of the deal. The commotion of Eden’s wouldn’t be a distraction, and hopefully Sophie would be more relaxed and open to the things he had to say to her.

Also, it was clearly time to smooth her ruffled feathers. He hated that she might have been harboring ill will toward him all these years. He’d truly had her best interests in mind when he’d called off their romance before it had a chance to start. He wasn’t about to delve into specifics or dig up his own past. There were too many unhappy memories to be found. But he could at least remind Sophie that they had once been very close. He could at least show her that they could, in fact, get along and find a way to help each other.

“So, Mindy. I’m wondering if you can help me with something.”

“Sure. What?”

“I’m going to need the address for Eden House.”


Three (#ua10d3a29-0838-59d1-b94e-94c5a5cdafb7)

The instant Sophie turned onto the winding private drive leading to Eden House, she felt more like herself. Her Bentley Bentayga SUV crept silently ahead as the family estate came into view—graying cedar shakes trimmed in crisp white, with three stone chimneys poking up from the gable roof, all of it surrounded by a maze of manicured hedges. Sophie had nothing but the happiest of memories here—endless sunny summer days in the pool, leisurely morning strolls through the rose garden with Gram, rainy days of gin rummy and evenings spent roasting marshmallows over the fire pit on the backyard terrace. Soon this house would be hers, bequeathed to her by her grandmother. Would it ever again be filled with love and laughter? This Christmas was the first big test, and she was terrified that she’d fail.

Sophie and Mindy had spent every Christmas of their lives at Eden House. The family tradition went back to Gram’s childhood when her parents had built the house, although it wasn’t given the name Eden until Gram inherited it years later as a married woman. Her parents had done well for themselves in the 1950s, importing and wholesaling fabrics for the garment industry. The entire country was booming then, and if you were somebody, you had to have a vacation home. It was simply what you did to show the world that you were a success.

Sophie pulled around to the side entrance and parked her car under the porte cochere in order to ferry the groceries straight into the kitchen. As soon as she opened her car door, she was hit by a bracing cold, the wind whipping past her, picking up the tails of her coat and tossing her hair into disarray. The clean but icy smell of snow was in the air. The forecast was for a fast-moving system that would leave behind one to two inches. Sophie wasn’t too worried. In some ways, it would be a dream to get snowed in at Eden House. The power lines were buried, so the electricity rarely went out. She had her cell phone and internet if she needed to get any work done, and there was more than enough wine in the family cellar. A day or two where she was forced to stay away from the store might do her good.

Sophie struggled with the house key, her arms loaded down with shopping bags and her fingers freezing from the cold. She nearly fell through the door and into the kitchen when the lock finally turned. She plopped her bags down on the large center island and opened the Sub-Zero fridge to put away her perishables. That was when the tears started.

The refrigerator was nearly empty, but there on the second shelf were three bottles of Krug champagne. Gram adored champagne, especially Krug. She would’ve sipped it morning, noon and night if it were in any way socially acceptable. Sophie took one of the bottles from the shelf and smoothed her fingers over the familiar gold foil label. This was an iconic image from her childhood, when champagne was an exotic drink meant only for grown-ups. Gram had brought these bottles up in early October in anticipation of the family’s Christmas celebration. And now she wouldn’t be there to enjoy them.

Sophie carefully slid the bottle back into place, wiped her tears from her cheeks and put away her groceries. Countless memories of her grandmother would crop up this weekend, and she needed to pace herself. Gram would want her to unwind and not dwell too much on sadness. She’d had an unwavering belief in the power of positive thinking. Life was so much more enjoyable if you could just find a way to be happy. Bad things would happen, but the sun always came up the next day and, somehow, life went on.

Sophie grabbed her suitcase out of the car and lugged it inside. It was snowing now—fat, fluffy flakes. She’d better call Mindy. Her sister was not the type to pay attention to the weather.

“Are you there?” Mindy asked when she answered her phone.

“Just got here, and it’s snowing. I checked the forecast and now it’s saying at least four inches. Maybe more. I really think you should consider leaving earlier than tomorrow morning. I’m worried the roads won’t be passable.”

Several moments of background noise filtered through from her sister’s side of the line. “There’s no way. Things are crazy busy here.”

“But you’re the boss. You have to take a break sometime, and this is the weekend to decorate the house. There won’t be another one.” With every new word from Sophie’s mouth, she started to feel a bit more panicked. She cared deeply about following through on the family tradition. “I can’t do it by myself. I don’t want to do it by myself. It’s not right.”

“First off, I have no doubt that you can do it yourself. Second, there’s a chance you won’t have to.”

“So you’ll knock off early and get your butt up here?”

“No. I’m sticking to my plan to leave tomorrow. But there’s a chance you might run into Jake.”

“Run into him? Where?” Sophie’s heart leaped into her throat.

“I don’t know. The kitchen? The sitting room?”

“What did you do? Did you send him after me?”

“As serious as you are about not selling, I’m just as determined to change your mind.”

A swarm of conflicting emotions buzzed in Sophie’s head—anger, frustration and the familiar flutter of anticipation that had become synonymous with seeing Jake. How Sophie wished that part of her brain would stop being so hard on her. “I can’t believe you would do this to me.”

“I wouldn’t if it was a stranger. But you know Jake. You’ve known him forever. I just think he wanted the chance to talk to you alone.”

The word echoed all around her—alone, alone, alone. “He won’t come. He has too much pride to grovel.”

“He showed up at your office with dozens and dozens of peonies, didn’t he? Sounds to me like he’ll do anything to make a good impression on you.”

Sophie shook her head and started down the center hall, with its herringbone brick floor and wide white baseboards. She could already smell the fresh pine of the Christmas tree she’d asked Barry, the Eden House caretaker, to deliver. The fragrance alone lifted her spirits, all while the idea of Jake trying to make an impression aggravated her. He’d never really tried before now, certainly not eight years ago when she’d wanted it more than anything. So what had changed? The promise of a big deal. That was all Jake cared about. Any overtures he made were not only designed to manipulate her and pull at her heartstrings, they were solely prompted by money. She couldn’t let him play with her like that. “I have to go.”

“Are you mad, Soph?”

“Of course I’m mad. You put me in Jake’s crosshairs. You know how badly he hurt me. He broke my heart.”

“I know that. I reminded him of it when we talked.”

“You did?” Sophie stepped into what Gram had always called the sitting room. The tree was in the corner, waiting to be trimmed, all while Sophie was overcome with the sort of embarrassment that haunts a teenage girl forever. “He already doesn’t take me seriously as a businesswoman. Why did you have to bring our romantic past into it?”

“Because he’s a clueless man. He couldn’t figure out why you were giving him such a hard time.”

“I don’t want to sell. This has nothing to do with romance.”

Mindy tutted as if she was scolding Sophie. “You really expect me to believe that? Because I don’t. Your history with him is clouding your judgment, and you need to get past that. Not just for my sake, but for yours. I think it’ll be good for you two to finally talk things through. Clear the air.”

Sophie trailed over to one of the tall leaded-glass windows overlooking the sprawling yard. What she could see of the grounds was already covered in a thin blanket of white, with the storm steadily adding more layers. In the spring and summer, this was a lush green vista that had always seemed to go on forever—much like her feelings for Jake, the ones that she desperately wished would just end. “There’s nothing for Jake and me to talk about. I already know how he feels about me.”

“And how is that, exactly?”

“He sees me as sweet, gullible Sophie. The woman who would do anything for him. I’m not that girl anymore. I won’t let him trick me into being her, either.”

Mindy grumbled. “Just listen to him if he shows up, okay? That’s all I ask.”

“As long as you promise you’ll still try to come up tomorrow.”

“I’ll do my best. I’ll give you a call in the morning with an update, okay?”

“Fine.”

“Love you, Soph.”

“Love you, too.” Sophie hung up and drew in a deep breath, blowing it out through her nose. She considered calling Jake and telling him to not come, but maybe Mindy was right. Maybe it was time for the two of them to really hash things out. Maybe that would finally let her forget him for good.

In the meantime, Sophie didn’t dare start the decorating until Mindy arrived tomorrow. Plus, after her long drive, and her hellish workweek, she was simply exhausted. A nap wasn’t merely in order; it was a necessity. She grabbed her suitcase and headed upstairs.

Eden House slept twenty people comfortably, which meant that Sophie and Mindy had always each had their own bedroom. Sophie’s was the second on the right in the upstairs hall, directly across from Gram’s master suite. It was beautifully decorated in white and soft tones of gray and pink, with a cloud-like four-poster bed and the most picturesque view of the backyard and woods beyond. Sophie changed into comfy lavender silk pajama pants with a tank top and climbed under the fluffy comforter. Not bothering to set the alarm on her phone, she closed her eyes, let her head sink into the feather pillows and tried as hard as she could not to think about whether or not Jake was going to turn up on her doorstep.

When Sophie woke, the room was much darker. From somewhere beyond her door, she’d heard a banging sound. Bang bang bang. She bolted up in bed and clutched the covers to her chest, her brain slowly whirring to life. How long had she been asleep? She fumbled for her phone. Her nap had lasted for hours. Bang bang bang. Sophie jumped. Then she heard the more pleasant ring of the doorbell and she realized what all that banging was. Jake.

She grabbed a thick cream-colored cardigan, tucked her feet into her boiled-wool slippers and hurried down the hall. As she descended the staircase, clutching the banister, she craned her neck, trying to see through the sidelight. The snow was coming down so fast now it was impossible to make out much more than a dark jacket and a tall figure.

Was it Jake? Logic said yes, but what if it wasn’t? Sophie was not a paranoid person, but if that was a strange man out there, she’d better be prepared. She was all alone in this house, practically a sitting duck. Frantically, she scanned the foyer for something to defend herself with. Nothing too scary. She just needed a little insurance. Unfortunately, everything her eyes landed on was too bulky, like a lamp, or useless, like a book. Then she spotted the cast-iron fleur-de-lis doorstop next to the front door. It was heavy but fit into her hand nicely. It would have to do, although she couldn’t imagine having the nerve to ever hit anyone with it. The threat was most important, she decided.

Gripping it tightly in one hand, she held it flat against the side of her leg. With her other hand, she flipped the dead bolt and unlocked the door.

Icy cold rushed in with a gust so fierce that she fell back on her heels. Before her stood the most handsome mirage she’d ever seen. Jake. In a puffy black coat and a gray stocking cap that made his eyes look even more intense, like he was seeing right through her. “Jake? What are you doing here?” Of course, she knew the answer. She just wanted to hear it from his mouth.

His shoulders were bunched up around his ears. The wind whipped, sending snow flying past him and into the foyer. “Can I come in?”

Her heart pounded in her chest. “Yes. Of course.” She opened the door wider, watching as he stepped inside and stomped the snow from his feet. “What are you doing here?” Again, she waited for the answer. Jake was here because there was no way he was going to give up after their one conversation in her office. He had no problem walking away from Sophie the woman, but he couldn’t leave Sophie the business deal alone.

Her hand dropped to her side. The doorstop plummeted, landed square on her foot and tumbled to the floor with a thud. “Ow!” Sophie’s foot crackled with unimaginable pain. She jumped and raised her injured foot, hopping her way over to the staircase. Jake mercifully shut out the cold behind him.

“Soph. Are you okay?” He rushed over to her. His voice held enough true concern to make her feel light-headed.

Sophie wasn’t sure where to look. At her injured foot or at Jake. “Why did you have to show up and make me drop a doorstop on my foot?”

“Why are you walking around the house with a lead weight in your hand?”

“If you were an intruder, I was planning to knock you out with it.”

“I guess I should have called first, huh?”

“That would’ve been nice.”

He dropped to his knee and tugged off his gloves, setting them on the stair tread. He reached for her foot. He was so close now, his cheeks bright pink from the cold, but the rest of his face had its normal tawny tone, the one that looked so perfect with the dark scruff on his jaw. She had an irrational desire to touch it.

“Can you take off your slipper so I can look at it?” Impatient Jake didn’t wait for her; he simply removed it himself.

“You still haven’t told me what you’re—Ow!” She recoiled from the pain.

He held his hands up in surrender. “Sorry. I just... I think we need to get some ice on this and get it elevated. There’s a chance you broke your foot.” He stood, tugging off his hat and rolling his broad shoulders out of his jacket. To her horror, he tossed them onto her grandmother’s upholstered settee.

“Jake. That’s velvet and there’s snow on your jacket. The water will leave a mark on the fabric.” She knew she was being a pain in the butt, but she couldn’t help it. He was being thorough, determined Jake—the guy who never gives up on what he wants, no matter what it takes. She had to remind him that he was on her turf. If there was an upper hand to be had here, it was hers.

“We need to get your foot elevated. Can I carry you somewhere so you can lie down?”

The idea of lying down near him had her thinking all sorts of crazy thoughts—she nearly answered that her bedroom was right upstairs. Nearly. She needed to retrain her brain to stop thinking about him that way. There had been a time when she was skilled at keeping herself in the friend zone, but she was out of practice. “I can walk.” She had no idea if that was true. Her foot was throbbing like it had its own heartbeat.

“I’m sure you can. But I’m not going to let you hurt yourself when I can stop it.”

“So I’ll sell you my two billion dollars in Manhattan real estate?” She might as well just put it out there. His true intentions would go far in reminding her that however gorgeous and sexy he was, Jake was a threat to the future she wanted for herself.

“No. So you’ll listen to me when I say that I need to hide out here for a few hours until the storm passes.” Placing his knee on the tread immediately below her, he reached out for her. “Come on. Put your arm around my shoulders.”

Sophie was prepared to protest some more, but this close, Jake’s heady scent filled her nose, and that switched her brain into a far too accommodating creature. She’d long ago developed a serious weakness for his heavenly smell of soap and sandalwood, and the years apart had not managed to dull her reaction to it. Sophie raised her arm and he came in closer, making the fragrance even more intense. He wrapped his hand around her waist and scooped up her legs with his other arm. She had no choice but to curl her other hand around his neck and turn her face into his chest as he straightened and picked her up from the stairs.

“Where to?” he asked.

Sophie was too mesmerized by the sensory delights of being this close to Jake to think of an immediate answer. He was wearing the softest black cashmere sweater, which was a delicious contrast to the way his facial hair scratched at her temple. His body radiated so much warmth, she just wanted to stay like this. Everything about him seemed designed to draw her in. “Across the hall. The arched doorway.”

Jake carried her into the sitting room. “I’m going to set you down on the couch.” His warmth quickly evaporated as he let go, a very real reminder of what a disappointment it was when he decided to step away. He grabbed a pillow for behind her back and another to go under her foot. “Now ice?”





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