Barbara Dunlop - Christmas Secrets

His touch was featherlight, but she felt herself sway toward him.

He leaned in, slowly, surely.

Then he touched his lips to hers.

He tasted like fine wine, his lips warm and firm. The scented steam rose between them while his fingers slipped back, delving into her hair.

The kiss deepened, and her desire skyrocketed.

“Gak,” called Zachary, his hand smacking her ear.

She jerked back in shock.

“Gak,” Zachary repeated, pressing his feet against her as if he needed space.

“All right, partner,” said Cole. “You have my attention.” But his gaze stayed fixed on Amber.

Embarrassment flooded her. “I don’t know what happened there.”

“I do,” said Cole. He held her gaze for a long beat. “And I’ve never taken a single psychology course.”

Then he backed away to the bathroom door, leaving her awash in arousal and confusion.

Cole sat across from Luca at a small table in the festively decorated lobby lounge in the East Park Hotel. A blue-and-silver Christmas tree towered thirty feet above them. Lit reindeer bracketed the entrance. Strings of garland and clusters of icicles cascaded from the high ceilings, while the windows were frosted with scenes of ice and snow.

Carols played softly in the background as guests enjoyed the breakfast buffet.

“There’s not a doubt in my mind that Amber is the right guardian for Zachary,” said Cole.

He couldn’t help but worry about Amber’s description of her stepsister, and how Roth’s legal team might use Coco’s background and reputation. Amber was definitely going to have a fight on her hands in court.

“This is what I’m talking about,” said Luca, seeming not to have heard Cole’s comment as he swiveled his laptop around to face Cole. “That’s Samuel at the age of thirty-three, a year older than you are now.”

Cole focused on the picture of his biological father. The eyes were similar, but Samuel’s hair was lighter, his chin narrower and his nose had a bit of an upturn.

“It’s only there if you’re looking for it,” he said. “And nobody’s looking for it.”

“You’ve been outed by a nine-month-old baby.”

“Yeah, well, I think we can count on him to keep quiet.”

“He’ll learn to talk someday.”

“Not before I leave town.”

“And listen to this.” Luca turned the laptop and punched another key. “It’s Samuel giving a speech twenty years ago.”

“…once the plan is fully implemented, the new routes will take us to Britain, France and Germany…”

“Okay, that’s a bit uncanny,” Cole had to admit. He’d heard his own voice recorded on numerous occasions, and Samuel’s was very, very close.

“The kid knows you’re family.”

“At least that explains why he’s latched on to me.”

Luca took a sip of his coffee. “But you’re still just going to walk away?”

“No.”

Luca drew back in clear astonishment. “You’re not?”

“First, I’m going to make sure Amber wins custody. Then I’m going to walk away. Involving myself in the Henderson family was never part of the plan.”

Cole was heading back to his life in Alaska just as soon as things were under control here. Showing up in Atlanta was about him doing his duty. It wasn’t some family reunion, and he wasn’t about to upend his and Zachary’s lives by acknowledging their biological connection.

Kissing Amber last night might have momentarily thrown him off track. He still couldn’t believe he’d done it—in a purple bathroom of all places, with Zachary in his arms. How ridiculous was that?

His plan was to keep complications to a minimum. Not that a single kiss had added some huge complication. In fact, he’d already put it into perspective.

Sure, Amber was pretty. She was sweet and kind and compassionate. And she’d had a rough time of it growing up. Her stories had engaged his sympathies.

But lots of people had a less-than-stellar upbringing. She was fine now, and she loved Zachary. And Cole was right to leave the two of them to get on with it.

“You’re sure that’s what you want?” asked Luca.

“I’m positive it’s what I want.” Cole pulled his thoughts back to his earlier point. “Roth will try to prove that Coco was unfit to name either a guardian for Zachary or the person to control Coast Eagle.”

“On the bright side,” said Luca, “I don’t think many wills are overturned because they’re foolish.”

“I hope not.” Just then, Cole wished he knew more about the law.

“So what do you think of Destiny?” he asked Luca. “I mean, other than she’s hot. Can you see past the fact that she’s hot? Because you should declare a conflict of interest if you can’t be objective.” Cole wanted to be sure Amber was getting the best possible legal advice.

Luca was all but laughing as he cut into his waffle. “I don’t need to declare a conflict of interest. I know she’s smart.”

“Are you sure? How do you know?”

“I asked her a few questions last night.”

“And?”

“And she had a ton of technical information at her fingertips. But she wouldn’t tell me anything about Amber specifically.”

“You didn’t make her suspicious, did you?”

“No. I pretended I was curious about what I’d read on social media. There’s a lot out there on social media.” Luca set down his cutlery and pressed a few more keys on the laptop. “For example, this, here. There are new rumors that Roth Calvin will be named interim president of Coast Eagle.”

Cole reached out to turn the laptop to face him again. “I thought Amber was in charge?” Letting Roth step up as interim president couldn’t be a good move for her.

“It’s a board decision,” said Luca.

“Which tells us Roth has the ear of the board.” Cole didn’t like the thought of that.

“It does seem like he’s got the power at least temporarily.”

Cole dropped his napkin onto the table and stood. “I need to get a handle on the guy.”

“Where are you going?”

“Coast Eagle’s corporate headquarters. I want to look Roth Calvin in the eyes.”

“Right now? Without an appointment?”

“I’ll talk my way in. I’m a fellow airline owner.”

“You want some help?”

Cole considered the offer. But then he shook his head. “He’s less likely to have his guard up if it’s just one guy.”

“Whatever you want.”

Cole shrugged into his jacket. “See what else you can find out about the law.”

“Can I talk to Destiny again?”

“As long as you’re oblique.”

Luca’s eyes lit up. “Covert operations. Roger that. This is kind of fun.”

Cole couldn’t help but grin in return. “Seduce her if you have to.”

“I’m all in for you, buddy.”

Cole skirted the Christmas tree, made his way past the reindeer and exited to the sidewalk. It was easy to hail a cab, and it was a short ride to Coast Eagle.

He took a few fast steps across the lobby, purposefully blending in with a group of employees to pass unnoticed by the security counter. Then he entered the elevator, pretending he knew exactly what he was doing. Taking the chance that Roth’s office would be on the top floor, he pressed the button.

The rest of the group exited on twelve. Cole continued up to a big, brightly lit reception area. It had gleaming hardwood floors, a bank of windows overlooking the city and a pair of immaculate saltwater fish tanks bracketing a long reception counter staffed by one woman.

“Good morning.” She was immaculately dressed and thirtysomething, and she smiled as she greeted him.

Cole strode forward and held out his hand. “Good morning. I’m Cole Parker, owner of Aviation 58. We’re a midsize commercial airline out of Alaska. I was told Roth Calvin was the man to speak with at Coast Eagle.”