Unwrapping The Holidays. Sheryl Lister

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      You are an idiot.

      The last thing on earth Cole wanted was company this holiday. Jamison Reed kind of company. Especially not since she practically screamed Christmas, with the red-and-green-colored stripes in her hair and her reindeer sweater. Oh yeah, and she signified everything he wanted to forget about that time in his life.

      But where the hell else is she supposed to go? Yes, that. And this was Jamison. Matt Reed’s little sister. Back in high school, Matt had been his tight end on the football team. And his sister had always been around at team functions. And she’d outsmarted him for half the scholarships the school had to offer. Every time an academic competition was announced, the two of them were right there, neck and neck. Until his life turned upside down.

      They hadn’t exactly run in the same circles, but she’d always been there. As Cole walked her back to the suite, the bellboy trailing in their wake, he tried not to remember all the little details he knew about her.

      Things he didn’t need to remember. Like she was only eleven months behind her brother so they’d been in the same year in school. Details like how cute she was. Spunk and brains in a tiny package. Barely five feet three inches, she’d been a little dynamo.

      But the number one thing he really didn’t want to remember? That smart mouth of hers. Yeah, probably best he didn’t think about her mouth.

      She was one of those happy, bubbly kinds of people. Always looking at the positive slant on things. Always optimistic. He’d never understood her. Mostly, he’d kept a wide berth. Until that party.

      Sure, he and her brother had been teammates, but they hadn’t been super tight. Even then, he’d understood the rules of the team. No one messed with anyone’s family. Too bad you broke that rule.

      And now like a moron, he’d invited her to stay with him. As in, within feet of him. The scent of her apple-and-ginger shampoo would drive him nuts. Not that he had been trying to pay attention to what she smelled like. Whenever she was standing right next to him, it was impossible not to notice.

      She was exactly like he remembered, different streaks in her hair maybe, but her skin was the same brushed cinnamon and her dark eyes still all knowing.

      She’d looked at him with such focus that he was convinced she could see every thought. But the thing that still got him were her lips. They were full and soft. And he wondered if she still used strawberry lip gloss.

      What? No. He was not going there again. The last thing he needed was that kind of distraction. Hell, she’d probably forgotten all about that night anyway. But the masochistic part of him hoped she hadn’t.

      He opened the door for her and she whispered a “Thank you.” The bellboy went in next and Cole directed him to the loft bedroom just up the stairs. After he’d tipped the young man and Jamie set her laptop case on the counter, he shrugged, ready to show her where things were. But she spoke first.

      “Th-thank you for this. I wasn’t entirely sure what I was going to do. Probably camp out in the lodge or something. You saved my behind.”

      “Like I said, I have the room. And it’s no problem. We messed up the reservation so it was my responsibility to fix it. Besides, you’re a friend, of sorts.”

      Her eyes went wide and his skin pricked with heat. Was she going to call him on what happened with them all those years ago?

      But she didn’t. Instead, she said, “I—uh notice you haven’t decorated yet. You want some help putting all the stuff up?”

      Her smile was overly bright and it was apparent that, unlike him, she was looking forward to Christmas. “Uh, well, I just got in myself. Besides, I’m not really a holiday person.”

      “What?” Her mouth hung open.

      A chuckle burst forth before he could stop it. She just looked so gobsmacked. “Sorry. You act like I just personally killed Santa. Not really my thing.”

      “No tree, no lights, no gingerbread houses? No mistletoe or eggnog?”

      “Sorry. No.”

      “I just—” She shook her head. “Okay, fine. You just show me where all the stuff is and I’ll get it all set up for you. It’s the least I can do. Bring in a little Christmas cheer.”

      Silent alarm bells clanged in his head. Oh no. Not going to happen. “No, it’s really not necessary. I’m really here to work anyway so—”

      She waved a hand at him dismissively. “So am I, but working doesn’t mean we can’t do Christmas. I love the holidays. Show me where it all is. I’ll do the setting up. If you can make sure I’m not sleeping in my car for the holiday, I can do a little decorating. And we need to get you an ugly sweater. Maybe there’s one in the gift shop.”

      Cole stared at her, caught somewhere between laughter and bewilderment. She hadn’t changed a bit. She still talked a mile a minute with a determination that was unstoppable. Problem was, he wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or not. Either way though, he knew it would be easier to let her have her way. He could deal. And it wasn’t like he needed to wrap presents or anything. “Fine, all the stuff is in the storage closet down the hall, next to the garage. If you want a tree, I can have one brought in.”

      “A real tree? I brought my tiny miniature one, but that would be even better.”

      He blinked. “You travel with your own Christmas tree?” He put his hands up. “You know what? Never mind. Okay, I’ll call and have it brought in.”

      She grinned and in that minute, she looked every bit the fun eighteen-year-old she’d been. “Cool, you just let me take care of everything.”

      He stared after her as she pranced down the hall. This was a mistake. He could feel it in his bones. But there wasn’t much he could do to stop the train.

      * * *

      Jamie rested her hand on the wall of the storage room, the dust particles dancing in the streams of light. Holy hell, she’d just agreed to stay here with Cole. You. Are. An. Idiot.

      You were thinking you have work to do and don’t have time to run around trying to find a place to sleep. But Cole? This was stupid. How was she supposed to ignore that undercurrent for a week? Let alone ten days. Was it possible to die from embarrassment? Or longing? That had to be a real thing right?

      Focus, Jamison. Get the decorations up and then you can work. And maybe even enjoy a little bit of Christmas. She’d been expecting to be in a basic room. She couldn’t believe Cole had a luxury suite and wasn’t using it to go all out on the holiday celebration.

      The ceiling soared and the color palette was a very contemporary shade of yellow. The furniture was contemporary and light. But there was so much texture. Cotton, flannel throws, a pop of velvet here. And then of course, there was the enormous fireplace serving as the focal point. And the massive iron-and-glass lighting fixture up above made the room dance in light.

      And the far wall was made entirely of glass. If she looked hard enough, she’d likely see deer roaming the property.

      She’d get some stuff set up, then do some work. Maybe bake some cookies as a reward. The kitchen was all kitted out with granite counters and the nicest appliances she’d СКАЧАТЬ