Chapter Thirteen

Natalia

“What do you think of this one?”

Samuel asks.

I look over and I can’t stop my giggle. He’s standing in front of what I guess is a Christmas tree. It’s basically gold feathers in the shape of a tree that are assembled over one of those mannequins a tailor or seamstress would use. “I should make you buy that ridiculous thing and put it in the penthouse so that anyone could see it as they come through the front door.”

He laughs, and I have to admit, it’s a really good laugh. I am quickly finding that I like him. He’s funny and easy to be around, but can be just as snarky as I am. We played twenty questions during lunch. I discovered we had a lot in common. Samuel said he admires how I insisted on ignoring my father’s wishes and becoming a doctor. I truly believe he was telling the truth, too. He told me a little about his father, so I think he understands my need to prove the asshole wrong—even if he is dead.

“So, I take it, that’s a no.”

“Um … actually, I do want it,”

I decide, putting a finger up to my cheek and surveying the monstrosity. The top of the tree falls between the breasts with a small start at the tip that lights up, casting a glow on the breasts—fake breasts that actually have nipples on them. The nipples also have miniature candy canes hanging from them.

“Izzy, I’ll buy you anything you want, but please don’t make me put this in our home.”

I blink. I’m getting comfortable by the way he keeps calling me Izzy. Still, when he said our home, I felt a pain in my chest. I pull myself from my thoughts and smile sweetly at Samuel. “But Sammy! It wouldn’t be Christmas without this,”

I whine, giving my best Natalie impression.

I see shock on Samuel’s face for a second, and then he’s right in front of me. His hands are on my ass and he’s pulling me up against him. The man is literally lifting me up right here in the middle of the store—to the point I’m forced to hold on to him and wrap my legs around his body. Who does that? “You like to play with me, Izzy? You might find you’ll get more than you bargained for.”

My heart is running away with me. I stare into his deep brown eyes with the golden flakes sparkling and I bite my lip. “I might like it, Sammy,”

I tease, though my voice is soft. It sounds more like I’m inviting him to kiss me again. I really want him to.

“Fuck,”

he hisses under his breath, right before his lips find mine.

“Get a room,”

someone calls out and I immediately stiffen. What am I doing?

Samuel reluctantly pulls away. “Maybe we should table this until we get home,”

he suggests. I nod. I don’t think I can form words right now. He grins, letting me slide down onto the floor. He keeps his hands on my hips for a minute before giving me a smile. “Do you really want this ugly thing?”

“Definitely. I’m going to give it to Ivan.”

Samuel’s mouth falls open. Shock is written all over his face. Then, all at once, he starts laughing. “Oh, Izzy, you have no idea how well you’re going to fit into this crazy family,”

he says, while shaking his head and bending down to grab one of the mannequin-tree-thingies—which should be the official name of such a monstrosity—from the floor. He puts it in the buggy and for some reason, I feel myself unreasonably happy with Samuel’s words. It’s almost like he’s proud of me. Other than Daniel, I’ve never had that.

Never.