Alpha Billionaire Series
A Fake Fiancée for Christmas Chapter 16

JACE

After slipping back into my plaid pajama bottoms, I pad down the stairs in my bare feet and wander through the quiet house. Everyone is asleep and it's after two in the morning. Walking over to the window, I place a hand against the cold glass and look out at the falling snow. I didn't mean to be an a*****e to Bailey but talking about Selene is the last thing I want to do.

Just the mention of her name puts me in a sour mood and Bailey, and I have had such a good time. I don't want to ruin it, but it seems like I just did. Bailey turned away from me and I don't blame her. I lose all sense of cool when Selene comes up. You'd think after enough time, the wounds would lessen.

You would think.

Looking out over the sparkling, pristine snow, I guess I can admit that it's my fault because I refuse to talk about it. The moment anyone mentions Selene, I close up tighter than a Pitbull's jaws. Keeping it all bottled up inside is f*****g unhealthy, but I've never wanted to open up to anyone about how that day made me feel- unwanted, unloved, abandoned and less of a man.

I pinch the bridge of my nose then lean my forehead against the frosted window. You're an idiot, Montgomery. I have the most beautiful, amazing, perfect woman up in my bed and I'm down here thinking about what a bitch my ex is and wondering if there's any way, I'll ever come to terms with what happened.

Truthfully, it would be a miracle.

The cut Selene inflicted runs too deep and I'm really fucking sensitive about it. Kind of hard not to be, though.

I feel bad for pushing Bailey away, but I'm protecting myself. At least, that's what I try to convince myself as I stand down here alone, wondering what the hell is happening between me and Bailey. The moment I saw her, I wanted her. But somewhere along the way, it evolved into more than just that. I'm not even sure I understand it.

All I know is that I want Bailey Briggs all the time. Every day, all day. When this charade is over and we go back to our regular lives, the idea of not seeing her leaves me feeling all out of sorts.

I don't fucking like it, that's for sure.

But what am I supposed to do? She's a relationship kind of woman who wants to replace her soulmate and she lives and breathes love. I'm an eternal bachelor who's scared to give his heart away again. Rejection got me good and, yeah, I'm scared. Because after what I went through...well, it isn't fucking worth it.

Right?

I can't sleep at all and end up lying down on the couch, lost in my thoughts for the rest of the night. When morning rolls around, I'm stiff and grumpy. By 6AM, I'm sitting on a stool in the kitchen, downing black coffee, and I've come to a very scary realization: even though I'm terrified of being hurt again, Bailey might be worth the risk.

Hell, there's no maybe about it.

I think it's time to take a leap of faith. Only problem is it feels like I'm about to jump blindly off the damn Empire State Building. What if I tell her how I'm feeling, and she doesn't reciprocate? What if I messed up too badly last night to make amends? What if Bailey tells me she isn't interested?

My heart clenches. I can't handle another rejection. At the same time, I need to get my shit together and not be such a fucking pussy. If she doesn't want me then...well then f**k it all to hell. I'm going to lock my emotions down and never open up to anyone ever again. It'll be the final nail in the coffin that used to be my heart.

The family starts waking up and appearing. We all exchange Merry Christmas wishes and Mom starts cooking a huge breakfast, but still, there's no sign of Bailey. I wonder why she isn't coming down and then realize it's because of me.

Pulling in a deep breath, I excuse myself and jog up the steps. I open the door to our room and see her in the attached bathroom, brushing her hair. She's in a pair of dark leggings and an oversized sweater and, the moment I step into the room, her vanilla perfume fills my nose.

I walk straight over and lean against the door jamb. She eyes me in the mirror but doesn't say anything. "Merry Christmas," I say.

Bailey sets the brush down on the countertop then steps around me, walking back into the bedroom. "Merry Christmas," she returns quietly.

I turn and follow her. "Bailey..."

She sits down on the edge of the bed and pulls a pair of boots on her small feet. "Hmm?"

Even though I know that I deserve her coolness, I hate it. "I was an asshole last night." She looks up at me with big, blue-gray eyes that make my chest tighten. "I'm sorry."

"I appreciate that," she says slowly. "It's just..."

I sit down next to her, my thigh pressing against hers. "Just what?" I ask.

She swallows hard. "I didn't know your dating history was off-limits to discuss."

My jaw clenches. Relax, I tell myself. Don't close yourself off. "Normally, it is."

"Even with a woman you're sleeping with?" she presses.

"I shouldn't have gotten so defensive, and I apologize." Even though she's waiting for me to say more, it's like my mouth is glued shut. I couldn't get the words out even to save my life. "I'm sorry, too," she says, surprising me.

"For what?" I ask.

"For prying. This...us..." She motions from me to her. "I know it's all supposed to be fake. That's what we agreed upon. But we've crossed so many lines and now I'm confused."

"Me, too," I admit. "But there's one thing that's becoming really clear." I reach for her hand and thread my fingers through hers. "I don't want to let you go."

She sucks in a breath and moves her fingers in and out of mine. "Same," she says softly, almost shyly.

"So maybe we should try dating in real life," I suggest. "You already know I can be a bossy pain in the ass, but if you're okay with that then I think it's a chance worth taking. That is, if you want to give it a try." For a long moment she doesn't say anything, and it occurs to me that she might tell me to go screw. Just as my heart is about to plummet, she looks up from our entwined fingers and smiles. "I'd like that."

My gaze locks with hers and a huge sense of relief fills me. "I've never met anyone like you before."

"Is that a good thing?" she asks.

"It's a scary thing," I admit.

"Someone really did a number on you, didn't they?"

"You're far too perceptive," I comment evasively. Before she can ask anything else, I lean forward and press my lips to hers. Thank God. The words reverberate through my mind as I deepen the kiss, coaxing her mouth open, sliding my tongue between her lips. No one tastes as sweet as Bailey.

Losing her would've devastated me in a way I'm not prepared for. Thank God she's here, in my arms, and ready to try this with me. Because whatever is happening between us...

Well, I think it caught us both by surprise and now I can't walk away. Even if I wanted to.

An idea hits me, and I abruptly pull away, breaking off mid-kiss. Bailey's eyes flicker open in surprise, and I give her a sheepish grin. "Sorry, but I just had an idea."

"What?"

"Instead of spending another week here, I want to take you back to the city and ring in the New Year together. Just the two of us."

"What about your family and our deal?"

"My family will survive. And I think this has become more than our original deal. Don't you?"

Bailey nods. "So much more," she says in a soft voice. "And it's scary for me, too. You have 'heartbreaker' written all over your left dimple."

I burst out laughing. "Sorry, but no one's ever called my dimple out before."

"Well, then let me be the first." She reaches over and traces her index finger in the groove on my cheek.

I snag her wrist, drag it up to my lips and kiss her knuckles.

"Will your family be disappointed if you leave early?" she asks.

"They'll understand I need some alone time with my fiancée. At least that's what I'm going to tell them."

"I'm not your fiancée, though," she reminds me.

Not yet.

I'm not sure where that thought comes from, but it echoes around my brain. Instead of commenting, I merely arch a brow then press a quick kiss to her lips. "C'mon. Let's go downstairs and celebrate Christmas Day with my crazy family. My mom made a huge breakfast, so I hope you're hungry."

"I am," she says, and we both get up and head down to the kitchen.

The day goes by more perfectly than I could've planned. We eat, drink, watch movies and play games. It's a lazy kind of day where we all just hang out together. I guess it's what you'd call "quality time."

Bailey doesn't wander far from my side and maybe it's because I don't let her. All day, I have my arm wrapped around her waist or her shoulders. I hold her hand constantly and replace myself with a hand on her thigh, lightly caressing. We steal kisses and it doesn't matter if we're under the mistletoe or not. She makes me feel this protective instinct that I normally don't. I can be affectionate on occasion, but I've never had the overwhelming need to constantly be touching a woman before. To make sure that everyone knows she's mine. Mine. All mine.

Dammit, I really like this woman. Like isn't even a strong enough word. I like the peppermint ribbon candy I'm sucking on right now. My feelings for Bailey are deepening and intensifying. I'm trying not to freak out about it, but it's a little nerve-wracking because I'm way past the crush territory. I'm head over heels, absolutely crazy for this beautiful brunette who makes my blood thrum and my pulse speed up.

Christmas dinner later that evening is delicious, and I break the news to my family that we're leaving in the morning. They aren't thrilled with my decision, but hopefully they understand. It really doesn't matter because either way, Bailey and I are out of here in the morning.

I'm dying to get her all alone. Even though we've had some amazing nights here, my family is far too close for comfort, and we've had to reel it in. I want her to be able to let go completely and scream my name without worrying that someone might hear. I'm also planning on taking her in every single room of my house over the next week and encouraging her to stay naked as much as possible. I know she gets cold easily, so I'll just have to make sure I'm available to warm her up.

After sleeping with her in my arms all night, we wake up, say goodbye and head back to New York City.

I have a feeling that this New Year is going to be one that I will never forget.