"It's obviously true love. And you have my undying gratitude." Gray brushed his lips across Evelyn's.
"Ugh. You two should get a room," Carolina said.
"We have a room. Upstairs, as a matter of fact. And that hot bath your mother mentioned is sounding better and better. I can't believe it's ten thirty."
Drew arched a brow. "Shopping marathon."
"Well, to be fair, we did stop and eat breakfast. And lunch."
"And dinner," Evelyn added. "So we did get to sit down here and there. But still, my future mother-in-law can shop, and once she gets started, she goes and goes. And goes."
Evelyn yawned.
Gray stood and held out his hand. "Come on. Hot bath time for you. Then we'll cuddle up on the bed and watch movies."
"Sounds like a plan." She waved at Drew and Carolina. "Good night you two."
"Night," Carolina said.
"Good night."
Carolina turned to him. "I'm so tired. I should probably head upstairs."
"You probably should. From the looks of all those bags, you have a lot of wrapping to do."
She laughed. "Yes, there's that, too."
"You had a good day?"
"It was great. I don't get to spend a lot of time with my mom, so spending the day catching up with her was fun."
"Good."
"How was your day? What time did you get in?"
"A little before lunch. And my day was fine. I got to kick back with Gray and your dad. We played some pool and watched television. It was nice to relax, especially after a long stretch of games. Plus I got to catch up with Gray."
"I'm glad you had that time together."
"Speaking of your brother . . ."
She frowned. "What about Gray?"
"He doesn't know about you and me. At least I haven't said anything to him."
"Well, he hasn't heard about it from me. That would be . . . complicated."
"Yeah. That's what I was thinking."
"And really, what is there to tell? It's not like we're dating or anything. We're just--"
He gave her a look. "Just what? Fucking?"
Her gaze shot to the stairs. "Drew."
"I could take you out, you know. If you'd let me."
She shook her head. "I don't have time for a relationship."
He let out a short laugh. "Isn't that what we're having? A relationship?"
"No. We're doing exactly as you said." She paused, then whispered--"Fucking."
"Okay. Call it what you want. I just don't want to complicate things by letting Gray know we're doing whatever it is we're doing."
She nodded. "I agree. So you should probably keep your distance while you're here."
He didn't like the direction this conversation was going. "So you want me to just hang out with Gray and ignore you."
He could tell she didn't like it anymore than he did, which made him feel at least a little better.
"I guess that's probably a good idea."
He stood. "Done."
"Where are you going?"
"To bed. I'm tired."
"Oh. Okay."
"You want me to help you upstairs with your bags?"
"No. I've got them." She got up, grabbed her boots and shoved them under her arm, then started wrangling all the shopping bags.
No way was she going to make it in one trip.
He grabbed the majority of them.
"Lead the way. I'll follow."
"All right." She headed up the stairs, Drew a couple steps behind, which gave him a stellar view of her butt encased in those very tight jeans.
Ignore her, huh? Yeah, like that was going to be possible if she kept wearing jeans that looked like they'd been sewn on her ass. His dick twitched just thinking about the other night when he'd had her bent over, his cock sliding in and out of her hot, wet pussy.
And then he went fully hard.
Shit. He swallowed and counted the number of steps up to the second floor, hoping his erection would be gone by then.
No such luck, because Carolina had a natural sway to her hips that made him groan.
She gave him a look over her shoulder. "Are you okay back there?"
"Fine," he said through gritted teeth.
"It's just down the hall here." She'd dropped her voice to a whisper, no doubt not to disturb anyone.
She opened the door to her room and flipped on the lights. It was spacious, with a big bed he could already imagine seeing her naked on.
Which wasn't helping his pounding dick. He needed to erase those thoughts.
He laid the bags down. "Nice room. Has this one always been yours?"
"Yes. And thanks. Is your room okay?"
"It's fine. I don't need much, and my room here is plenty big enough."
"I'm glad. Which one did they put you in?"
He leaned against the wall. "Why? Thinking of paying me a midnight visit?"
She rushed over and pulled him inside, then shut the door. "Why don't you broadcast to the entire family? I thought we agreed we were going to be discreet?"
"Yeah, well, that was before you walked ahead of me up the stairs. He palmed his dick through his jeans, and Carolina's gaze went right there, which only made him rub his erection more.
"Drew." Her tone was a warning, but she looked torn herself.
"I can't help it, Lina. You make me hard."
She shuddered out a breath. "We can't do this."
But she didn't back away, and she didn't open the door for him to leave.
"Okay. We can't do this."
He waited. And she came closer.
"Drew."
He slid his fingers in her hair. "Yeah."
She rose up on her toes and brushed her lips across his. He swept his arm around her back and flipped her, pushing her back against the wall next to the door. Then he kissed her, taking what he'd wanted since she walked in tonight--a deep, soul-shattering kiss, pressing his body full-on against hers, letting her feel what she did to him.
She moaned against his lips and he wrapped his tongue around hers while letting his hand roam along her back and lower to cup her butt. He pulled her in, driving his shaft against her.
He wanted her naked, wanted to sink inside her, the need for her driving his desire to a primal level that left him mindless.
She reached for his shirt and pulled it up. He released her lips and tugged the shirt over his head, then grabbed her sweater, doing the same. He undid the clasp of her bra and removed it, her breasts spilling into his waiting hands. With relentless need, he bent and took each bud into his mouth, sucking until she whimpered, pulling at him, kissing him with the same fevered hunger that drove him.
He stepped back and undid the button on his jeans, kicking his shoes off at the same time he shucked his jeans and boxers to the floor. Carolina was already reaching for his cock, dropping to her knees and putting her mouth on him.
He groaned when she took him between her lips, and as he watched his shaft disappear into her hot, wet mouth, he propped a hand against the wall for support, because his legs shook. He pumped his cock into her mouth, then partly withdrew. She lifted her gaze to his and cupped his balls, gently squeezing as she propelled her lips forward and squeezed his cock between the roof of her mouth and her sweet tongue.
He was going to come if she kept doing that, and he wanted inside her pussy. He pulled out and lifted her, undoing her jeans and helping her as she wriggled out of them.
"I'm going to fuck you up against this wall," he said.
"I have condoms." She dashed over to her bedside and reached into the drawer, pulling one out and hurrying back.
He smiled at the thought of her bringing condoms. Maybe she'd wanted this as much as he had. "So did I." He took the condom from her and sheathed himself, then pushed her back against the wall, lifting her arms over her head and capturing her wrists. He took her mouth in a hot, sweet kiss as he spread her legs and buried himself inside her.
She bit down on his lip when h
e entered her. He tasted blood, and that fueled the fire that raged within him. He needed her, wanted her like he'd wanted no other woman before her. That need drove him as he pumped into her, hot and fiery as he ground against her, listening to her rapid breaths, feeling the way she arched against him and begged for more.
He released her hands and grabbed her butt as she slid her fingers into his hair and yanked on it, hard. The pain fired his pleasure and his lips slid across hers, both of them in a frenzied haze of passion and need as he rolled his hips across hers, giving her the friction she needed to come.
And when she moaned against his lips and her pussy tightened around his cock, he knew she was climaxing. He thrust hard and fast into her and his orgasm rocketed through him. He met her cries with groans of his own as he emptied into her, sweat pouring down his back as his lips stayed molded with hers and he rode out this incredible climax that left him spent and breathless.
He held on to Carolina, bracing her against the wall with the last ounce of strength he had left. They were glued together with sweat, Carolina's hands roaming over his back while he kissed her neck, both of them sawing out breaths as if they'd run a marathon.
"You okay?" he asked.
"Yes. God, Drew, what you do to me."
"Yeah." He pulled back and rested his forehead against hers. "So, anyway, I guess I'll ignore you while I'm here."
She let out a soft laugh. "That's a good plan."
They disentangled and he went into her bathroom to straighten up and get dressed. She followed him in, still naked, her skin marred from his kisses and the rough way he'd handled her.
He touched the marks on her butt and her shoulder. "I'm sorry. I was a little rough."
She sighed, then smiled and pressed a soft kiss to his neck. "I don't recall complaining."
He pulled her against him and kissed her, this time gently. His dick quivered to life again. "I'd better get out of here or I'll still be here in the morning."
She laid her hand on his chest. "Yes, you should."
"Good night, Lina."
She leaned against the sink and gave him a look he couldn't quite fathom. Regret, or wistfulness?
"Good night, Drew."
FIFTEEN
IT WAS A GOOD THING THAT TODAY WAS CHRISTMAS Eve, and Carolina was too busy wrapping and baking and doing a million other things, so she didn't have time to think about last night with Drew.
So much for maintaining their distance and keeping things impersonal between them.
She ached from last night. Parts of her were tender. And she wanted more.
How was she going to survive the next two days with him in the house? How was she going to keep her family--mainly Gray--from finding out about the two of them?
She wasn't certain how Gray would react if he knew there was something going on between her and Drew. Gray and Drew went way back, all the way to their wild partying days at college. Gray knew Drew as well as anyone, knew how Drew was with women. There was something about guys not wanting their best friends to date their little sisters, some unwritten code or honor or some ridiculous man-code bullshit like that.
"Is it safe for me to enter?"
She looked up from her spot in the family room, where she had a wide swath of wrapping paper and shopping bags. She smiled at Evelyn. "I wrapped your presents an hour ago. Come on in."
"Great. I've been wrapping for two hours straight and I needed a break."
"Ditto." Carolina stood and stretched. "Have you seen my mom?"
"Yes. She hightailed it out of here about an hour ago with your dad. They were going to a neighboring ranch--something about seeing some old friends?"
"Oh, right. The Nelsons. How about we hit the kitchen for some tea?"
"That sounds like a great idea. I don't know about you, but my back is killing me."
Carolina laughed as they crossed the foyer and went down the hall toward the kitchen. "Mine, too. And did you notice when the word 'wrapping' is mentioned, all the men are suddenly scarce?"
"Yes. Gray said something about them going to the lodge to play golf since the weather is so nice today. I think they were just trying to escape having to wrap presents."
"Or maybe they're doing last-minute shopping."
They entered the kitchen and Carolina poured two glasses of iced tea.
"God, I hope not. I'd like to think Gray had the presence of mind to have done his shopping weeks ago."
They took a seat at the table. "Seriously, Evelyn? He's a man. They never think ahead."
Evelyn sighed. "You're right. They're probably at the mall now, along with every other guy in town, with that deer in the headlights look they all get because they've waited until the last minute to do their shopping."
"Which means you'll get a toaster for Christmas. Or gloves."
"Or kitchen towels or something equally hideous. Ugh."
Carolina laughed. "Which makes me glad I don't have a man in my life. See? This way I'm not disappointed in gifts."
"What about Drew? Surely he'll give you something."
"Why would Drew get me anything?"
"Because the two of you are in a relationship?"
Uh-oh. "No we're not. He's only here because I found out his family wasn't going to be around for the holidays. And of course, because he's Gray's friend."
Evelyn gave her a look. "Honey, this is me you're talking to, not your brother. I see the way he looks at you, and the return looks you give him. You might be able to fool your mother and your brother, but I've had the hots for a guy before--your brother, as it was. I know when a woman is lusting after a man, and you are definitely in full-on lust mode."
Defeated, she leaned back in the chair. "And I was hoping not to be so blatantly obvious about it."
"Oh, it's not obvious. At least not to everyone. You and Drew did a fine job last night of appearing like you weren't even breathing the same air. But you smiled at him, and then he smiled at you, and I just so happened to be looking at both of you when that happened. Oh, the chemistry between the two of you is explosive."
She sighed. "It is, isn't it?"
"And you two share a history, if I recall. From back in college?"
"Yes. And not a good history, either."
"I remember that somewhat contentious reunion last year here at the ranch. So you've forgiven him for how he treated you back then?"
Carolina shared Drew's apology, and what had transpired between them since then.
"It sounds to me like he's been trying to make amends."
"It seems that way, but my career right now is vitally important to me. I don't really want to get involved with anyone, least of all Drew."
Evelyn nodded. "I understand. The timing of Gray and I getting involved couldn't have been worse. But love happens when you least expect it to."
"Love? We're not anywhere close to being in love. This is just lust and an incredibly hot sexual attraction. It'll burn itself out in due course."
Evelyn gave her a lopsided smile. "Sure it will, honey."
"Seriously, Evelyn. That's all it is. I wanted him for so long back in college. And now that he's reentered my stratosphere and seems genuinely interested in me, it just seems natural for me to want to take advantage, you know? There's nothing else to it. We're so cosmically different in every respect. He's a hotshot athlete, and my future is in fashion. We have nothing in common other than the sex."
"Right. And Gray and I were so well matched, what with me being in politics and him being in auto racing." Evelyn gave her a pointed look.
"That's totally different."
Evelyn arched a brow. "Is it? People have fallen in love and have found a forever together with much less than what they do for a living as a foundation, Carolina."
"I have zero intention of falling in love with Drew. So I'd appreciate it if you didn't tell your brother about this. I wouldn't want anything to come between Gray and Drew's friendship."
"Of course. Anything you tell me stays strictly b
etween the two of us, as long as it doesn't directly harm Gray. And as far as I'm concerned, your relationship with Drew is none of his business."
Carolina laid her hand over Evelyn's. "Thank you."
"Just be careful of your heart, Carolina. You might be surprised what could happen between you and Drew."
"Honestly? I'd be very surprised if we're still seeing each other after Christmas. Other than him being involved in my fashion line, we're just using each other for sex."
Evelyn laughed. "Well, at least enjoy that part."
Carolina smiled. "I intend to."
*
DREW AND GRAY RETURNED SEVERAL HOURS LATER, their faces windburned. Obviously, they had been at the lodge playing golf.
"Was it cold?" Carolina asked as they grabbed a beer and took seats with her and Evelyn in the living room.
She'd finished up her wrapping and all the gifts now sat under the tree.
"Nah. Weather was in the sixties today. Just a little windy," Drew said.
Gray grinned as he pulled Evelyn in closer. "Perfect day for golf. There were surprisingly a lot of people there. You'd think the place would be deserted, since it's Christmas Eve."
"No doubt all those men trying to hide out from last-minute shopping or wrapping duties," Evelyn said with a nudge to Gray's side.
"Ouch. And hey, I did my shopping weeks ago. If you'd check under the tree, you'll see there are gifts for you."
"Hopefully none of those gifts are toasters."
Gray frowned. "Why the hell would I get you a toaster?"
Evelyn looked at Carolina, who laughed. "Why, indeed."
Carolina's mom and dad showed up about four. "Sorry we're late, but we had such a nice time catching up with the Nelsons. And they're coming over for the party tonight."
Carolina stood. "I guess that means we should go get dressed."
"Yes, we should, since the first guests will start arriving by six," her mother said.
Christmas Eve had always been a special event at the Preston Ranch. Aunts, uncles, and cousins were going to be in attendance. Neighbors were invited, too, and since this year her father was the vice president, local media and special guests of the state would also be allowed in, though only briefly, to catch up on what Mitchell and Loretta Preston were doing to celebrate the holidays in their home state.
Which meant everyone was required to dress up. The house had been exceptionally decorated, though that was the norm every year, anyway. Carolina went upstairs, took a shower and did her hair and makeup, then selected a dress she'd made herself, a black cap-sleeved cocktail dress with a curved neckline. She wore her grandmother's pearls and a pair of slinky silver heels. Conservative for a family party and for the daughter of the vice president, yet still fashionable.