Chapter Four

Alaric

Ifucked up. I learn that lesson acutely over the next four days. December avoids me at every turn. If I enter the design studio, she scurries out. If she's in the lounge, she quickly vanishes out of another exit.

I think she even hides out in the bathroom to avoid me. It'd be cute if it weren't infuriating. And it's not even the biggest problem—though it's driving me up the fucking wall.

The biggest issue is the fact that she's scared of her own shadow and a complete disaster as an intern. I'm pretty sure that's my fault. She's hiding behind her sister's name for a reason, and I tried to force her to confess. I didn't offer her any assurance that her secret is safe with me or that she wouldn't be tossed out of here on her ass.

I have it on good authority that I'm an idiot. But I have a plan to fix it, starting with the Christmas party tonight. She's going with me. She just doesn't know it yet.

"Do you ever actually work?" Blaze asks, stomping into my office with a garment bag in his hands and a scowl on his face.

"Nope." I catch the stress ball I was throwing at the ceiling before launching it into the air again. I haven't gotten a fucking thing done because I've been obsessing about December. "You won't let me see the pictures of Georgia, so I'm on strike."

Blaze growls a wordless warning. He's been staring at the new photos of her since they landed on his desk, but he won't let anyone else see them. I'm guessing that means she looks great, and he's mad as hell about it.

"Jealous bastard." I flash him a shit-eating grin, my gaze sliding toward the suit in his hands. "What the fuck is that?"

"Georgia sent it. Apparently, she thinks I'm playing Santa at the party tonight."

"You're serious?" I sit forward in my chair so fast my legs fall off the desk, thumping against the floor. The ball lands beside my chair with a soft thud as a crack of laughter escapes my lips. "Oh, this is fucking great! I was planning to skip out early, but now I'm definitely staying for the whole shit show."

"I'm not playing Santa," Blaze growls.

"Yeah, you are." I grin, amused for the first time in four damn days. "As soon as she smiles at you, you're going to cave like a sandcastle, bro. I can't wait to see this shit."

"I'm not playing Santa."

I only laugh harder. We both know he's playing Santa tonight. He can't tell Georgia no. He's completely incapable of it.

"I hate you," he mutters.

I laugh again, pounding on my desk.

He turns and storms out, muttering under his breath.

I chuckle again and then pull up the cameras to figure out where the hell December is in the building. To my surprise, I find her right outside my office doors, talking to Ruby. I watch her like a fucking creep for a long moment, my dick lengthening in my pants. She looks beautiful in her black slacks and frilly red top, her hair in two buns on top of her head. She isn't a scared little lamb as she chats with Ruby. She's the same sweet angel I've never been able to forget. Only she's more. So fucking much more.

I know she remembers me. It drives me crazy that she won't admit it. Especially after what happened in my office the other morning. She felt what was between us. I know she did.

I shove my chair back and hop up, striding across my office.

"I've dreamed about coming to work here for the last six years," December says softly, her back to me. "I never thought I'd get the opportunity. Now, I'm messing it all up."

"Nonsense, dear," Ruby says, patting her hand. "You may have had a rough start, but that's not the end of the world. You're doing great with the designers, and you've still got plenty of time to win Blaze over to your side."

"I nearly took his finger off with his boots," December whispers, mortified.

"He has too many fingers anyway," I say.

December stiffens, spinning to face me. Her big blue eyes and pink-stained cheeks bowl me over. Goddamn, she's ravishing. Has she really been dreaming about coming to work here for six years? Because of me? In this unguarded moment, I see the truth painted across her gorgeous face and know that's exactly why. She's here because of me. She never forgot me either.

So why is she running? Why is she hiding behind her sister's name?

"Alaric James," Ruby chides. "Don't tease the poor girl. She's had a rough morning."

"I heard," I say, crossing the outer office toward the two of them, my gaze locked on December. The pulse in her throat jumps before speeding away from her. "Is my brother giving you trouble, angel?"

"No, of course not," she hurries to assure me. Her blush deepens to a rosy red. "I, um, I accidentally hit him with his boots when I tried to hand them to him." She swallows hard. "He makes me nervous."

"Blaze does that to people," Ruby says dryly. "It's that scowl. The man never smiles."

"He's already forgotten about it."

"He has?" December asks hopefully.

"Yep," I say, fairly sure I'm not lying to her. All he's thinking about right now is Georgia. We could drive a fucking herd of elephants through the lobby, and he wouldn't give a shit at the moment. "He's got other things on his mind."

"Oh." December exhales a tiny, relieved breath.

"Speaking of other things," Ruby says. "The caterer will be ready in fifteen minutes. You need to go down to meet them. I refuse to do it this year, Alaric. I gained five pounds sampling all of the hors d'oeuvres last year."

I glance at her to see a knowing gleam in her eye as she looks between me and December. Ruby Goines is a genius, and I don't pay her nearly enough.

"De…Jillian can help me," I say, catching myself at the last minute.

"Oh, I can't do that," December disagrees, eyes wide. "I'm supposed to be helping set up Santa's workshop."

"We have an entire team of interior decorators to oversee that," I say. "But there's only one of me and about a thousand different hors d'oeuvres. You're helping me sample them, angel."

December looks to Ruby for help.

"He's the boss," Ruby says with a shrug. "My life is far less difficult when I don't argue with him."

December gulps.

"You've been avoiding me, sweet December," I growl as soon as we're alone in the elevator. I back her up against the chrome wall, planting one hand over her head to block her in. "I don't like it."

"Back up," she whispers.

"I like it right here." That's a lie. I love it right here, with her sweet curves pressed to my frame, her warmth searing into me. Fucking hell, touching her feels a little like touching heaven.

"Back up, Alaric."

"Why?" I skim my nose down her temple, breathing her in. "Fuck, you smell good."

She exhales a sob, her entire body shuddering.

"Give me one straight answer. Just one, and I'll back up."

"W-which answer?"

"Do you remember me?"

She hesitates as floors tick by one by one, the elevator slowly descending toward the kitchens. And then a shuddering exhale leaves her lips. "I never forgot you," she whispers.

I close my eyes, reveling in her answer. She remembers me. Maybe she shouldn't. Hell, I don't know anymore. Until four days ago, I never thought of her like this, but now I can't unthink it. I want her. If that makes me wrong, fuck it. I'll be wrong. We never forgot each other for a reason. That means something.

"Am I the reason you came to work here, angel?"

"You said one answer."

"I lied," I growl. "Give me one more."

She bites her lip, staring up at me with those pretty eyes clouded with worry. "Yes. I mean, sort of. I mean, maybe?" She huffs out a breath. "I wanted to see you again. But I also want to work here. Can you please back up now? I can't think when you're this close."

"What's your name, angel?"

Her shoulders go back, her chin coming up in a stubborn display that makes my dick throb for relief. "I already answered your questions, Alaric."

I want to gnash my teeth in frustration. I want to bend her over and spank her until she's sobbing for relief. I want to promise her the world in exchange for her secrets. I hardly know which I want more. But I do none of those things.

"You're attending the Christmas party as my date tonight."

"I am not!" she gasps.

"You are," I growl, nipping at her ear. "You're arriving on my arm, and you'll be leaving on my arm. It's the only way I'll go."

"I…I can't go." She shakes her head. "I have things. Stuff. Lots of stuff. My ste…my dad!"

"Fuck your father, December. He isn't invited."

Her eyes shoot to mine. It might be my imagination, but she seems relieved. "He isn't going to be here?"

"No. The party is for employees and their families. Unless you invite him, he isn't invited."

"Oh." She relaxes slightly, leaning into me.

"Come with me," I murmur, nuzzling her neck. Christ, she's irresistible. "Just one date."

"I have conditions."

"Name them." I'll give her whatever she wants if it gets her to agree.

"I don't want to be photographed, and I don't want to talk to anyone important," she says quickly. "And I'm not going home with you."

"Deal," I agree before she can change her mind.

She eyes me suspiciously, but the elevator slides to a stop before she can argue.

"Come on." I reluctantly peel myself off her delectable body. "Let's go sample the hors d'oeuvres."