Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 95471 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 477(@200wpm)___ 382(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95471 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 477(@200wpm)___ 382(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
We did all the usual things—made cookies and paper chains, hung lights and put up a tree. I waited for the Christmas magic to come back, but I never felt it.
When the couple’s eldest daughter came over with her two-year-old, she brought the magic to them. I watched, but I wasn’t a participant. I was trapped on the outside again. I couldn’t feel any of the magic, but I did realize what was missing.
Family.
They weren’t my family. They didn’t love me.
Christmas is a time for family, and I didn’t have one anymore. Until I had my own someday, there would be no Christmas magic for me.
I thought—hoped—I would feel it when Brady invited me to come home with him, but I didn’t. Brady didn’t love me, so why would his family?
Jasper doesn’t love me either, but he did want me enough to steal me. Maybe that counts for something.
“Yeah?” he asks, understandably skeptical.
I nod, meeting his gaze, hoping he understands. “Yeah.”
Still not entirely trusting my acquiescence, he eyes me like if he looks hard enough, he’ll be able to determine whether or not I’m lying.
I’m not, so I don’t worry. “You wanted to bring the presents I bought for Brady’s family, so I’m guessing you didn’t do any Christmas shopping of your own?”
He shakes his head. “Not really my thing. I did pick up something small when I was at the travel plaza down the road, a little teddy bear holding a candy cane for Nora. I always used to get her a stuffed animal for Christmas when she was little, so…”
I frown. “When did you go to the travel plaza down the road?”
“While you were in the shower.”
My jaw hangs open. “You left while I was in the shower? You said you were out here listening to make sure I behaved myself!”
“Ah,” he says, lifting an eyebrow and holding up a finger. “I didn’t say that.”
“I’m sure you did.”
“I definitely did not. I wouldn’t do that. It would weaken my credibility to lie about something like that. I’ll lie strategically if I have to, but never if it can be avoided, and never over something that’s not worth it. I don’t make empty threats, Autumn. If I make a threat, you need to believe it, otherwise you’ll end up hating me when I do what I said I was going to do—because I will. I’m not some impotent hothead who mouths off and can’t back up his words. I mean what I say.”
I do like that. I got that impression from him, too, that’s why I didn’t signal the guy in the parking lot when I had a perfect chance to.
Jasper goes on, his tone serious. “I did lead you to believe I would be out here. I did want you to think that, because if you knew you were here alone for a few minutes, you would have run.”
“Damn right I would have run,” I say, scowling at him.
He nods knowingly. “Exactly. So I did lead you in that direction, but I didn’t tell you I’d be out here listening. That would’ve been a lie.”
I narrow my eyes at him. “You’re tricky.”
“Sometimes,” he admits.
“I don’t like being tricked,” I inform him.
“I don’t like being arrested,” he volleys back.
My eyes widen. “Is that something you’ve experienced?”
“Nope, and I’d like to keep it that way.”
Shaking my head as I scoot back and climb off the bed, I tell him, “Then I would advise not kidnapping anymore girlfriends.”
“Why would I need to kidnap another girlfriend? Now I’ve got you.”
I think he’s joking, but I really can’t be sure with him. “Just so we’re clear, you only wanted a fake girlfriend, right? Someone to take home to your family and play the role. Like a Hallmark Christmas movie, but infinitely more twisted.”
Before he has a chance to confirm, we are both startled by the sound of a cell phone ringing.
My cell phone.
I stood up to wrap the towel around myself again—it’s too cold not to be covered at least a little bit—so I’m closer to it than he is. For a split second, my captive instincts spring up and I want to lunge for it.
Jasper must expect that, because he launches himself off the bed. The room is so small and I’m so startled by his catlike reflexes, he beats me to it.
He looks at the screen first, his face expressionless.
Then he holds it up for me to see.
Brady’s close-lipped smile flashes across the screen and my stomach sinks.
My boyfriend is calling.
Chapter Nine
Jasper
I never thought I’d be grateful for Autumn’s worthless ex calling her.
I am, though.
I didn’t want to lie to her, but I also didn’t want to tell her the truth. Maybe I’m wrong, but it seems to me that telling her right now I have every intention of keeping her might freak her out.