Merry & Seduced Read online

  Olivia giggled. “That would be us.”

  “Appears so.” Marcus wandered through his parents’ house, deep in thought. His phone rang and he pulled it from his pocket and glanced at the screen. Sophie Robinson. Again. He hesitated then answered. “Sophie, what do you want?”

  “I forgive you,” she said in a tearful voice. “I forgive you, Marcus, and I want to spend Christmas with you.”

  “What?” He’d dated her twice and hadn’t asked her out a third time because she’d turned into the clingy type.

  “I’ve been invited to the Carricks for lunch and to the Mackintoshs for drinks tonight. I’ve accepted for both of us,” she gushed. “You can pick me up at my apartment. I’ll bring a bag so I can stay with you overnight.”

  “No,” Marcus said in a hard voice. “Sophie, I made it plain we weren’t suited. I’m seeing someone else. I have a child.”

  “But I sent you my favorite underwear.”

  “Unsolicited mail,” he snapped. “Don’t try to contact me again because I’m not interested.” He hung up with a low curse.

  “Problem?”

  “I dated a woman called Sophie Robinson. Twice. I didn’t ask her out a third time because she’s a nutter.” In the past, he would’ve brushed off the question from his sister, but he didn’t consider censoring himself today. It was a measure of how much closer they’d become—all due to Amme and her friends and his daughter. “She seems to think I’m spending Christmas with her and has accepted invitations on my behalf.”

  “Have you mentioned it to Amme and the others?”

  “No.”

  “You should, just in case she turns up at your place. If she’s a bit weird…” Olivia shrugged. “You never know.”

  His phone rang. “It’s her again.”

  “Give it to me,” Olivia said. “Hello. Is this Sophie? Please leave Marcus alone. He’s not interested in you.” She hung up and handed over the phone. “You’re right. She’s weird. Maybe you should report her to the police.”

  “I don’t think it’s bad enough to warrant that sort of step. She’s harassing me by phone, the odd e-mail and sending me packages, but that’s all. Are you done? We should hit the shops.”

  “I promised Gweneth I’d give her some makeup tips and help her color her hair,” Olivia said. “I need to buy supplies. She gave me some money.”

  “Just buy the basics, enough to tide her over until tomorrow,” Marcus said.

  “She’s your person in the secret Santa.”

  “Maybe,” Marcus said, and Olivia offered him a conspiratorial grin and tapped one finger to her nose.

  They arrived back at the house to find everyone clustered in small groups with Christmas paper, tape, ribbons and gift tags in evidence. Amme and Autumn were in the kitchen making some sort of cookies or cake. The scent of ginger and cinnamon and allspice scented the air.

  “It smells like Christmas in here,” Olivia said.

  “What’s going on?” Marcus asked.

  “Everyone is wrapping stuff to go under the tree. They’re also sorting out S. A. N. T. A. things for later,” Amme said with a nod at his daughter.

  “Hello, Daddy.” Autumn smiled at him, splotches of chocolate decorating her pink T-shirt and her chin. His chest squeezed tight with pleasure and he grinned back.

  “We’ve been shopping too. I need to make my own wrapping huddle.” His phone went and he cursed inwardly. “Be back in a minute.” He seized one of Olivia’s bags and his shopping and carried it upstairs, letting the phone go to voice mail. He dropped the bag in Olivia’s room and continued to his bedroom. His and Amme’s room, he thought with a spurt of pleasure.

  The phone rang again. It was Sophie. This time he switched off the phone and placed it in his bedside drawer. It was Christmas break. Anything work related would wait, and his mother could ring the house number if she wanted to contact him. Not that he thought it likely. He and Olivia wouldn’t hear from them until they arrived home again. They probably didn’t even know Olivia had left France.

  He vowed then he’d never follow his parents’ example when it came to Autumn. He thought of the future and a spurt of humor zapped him. He intended to be the stern father terrorizing Autumn’s boyfriends when she started dating, the doting father at birthdays and special occasions, the encouraging father as she grew to adulthood and spread her wings.

  No, he’d never tread the same path. He’d experienced the bite of disappointment when his mother had sent the staff to deal with them instead of coming herself—something he’d never inflict upon his own child.

  * * * * *

  The days were passing so quickly. Amme rolled gingerbread dough for Autumn, her mind only half on the mindless task. Soon, they’d leave.

  “You okay?” Camryn asked.

  “I didn’t hear you come in,” Amme said, blinking from her reverie.

  “I know. You looked deep in thought. Anything I can help with?”

  “No. Yes. I don’t know.” Amme gave a helpless shrug.

  “Marcus?”

  She should admit the truth, at least to herself and her best friend. “I don’t want to leave him and Autumn.”

  “What does Marcus say?”

  Amme shot a glance at Autumn who was listening. “I haven’t asked him.”

  “We’ll talk later,” Camryn said. “Should I supervise while you do some wrapping?”

  “I need to wrap presents,” Autumn said.

  “Hey, kiddo,” Olivia said from the doorway of the kitchen. “Would you like to wrap presents with me, once you’re done with the gingerbread men? Maybe I can help here too. Have you made a cat gingerbread yet? I can make those.”

  “Luke likes cats,” Autumn said.

  Camryn chuckled, the sound infectious and Amme found herself smiling too.

  “A lucky circumstance for me, Autumn,” Camryn said.

  Amme felt the weight of a stare and caught Olivia’s speculative glance. Somehow, they needed to fit her with a translator. Nanu kept forgetting even though they’d started sticking him with kitchen duty each time he used the Universal language. The trouble was they’d all become comfortable here with Marcus and had so much fun they’d relaxed.

  “How about we finish this gingerbread and get it in the oven then we can wrap our presents and put them under the tree?” Camryn asked.

  Olivia rolled up her sleeves to reveal a tattoo of a spiral tail.

  “What’s that?” Autumn asked, pointing at Olivia’s arm.

  “Oops, I’ve been keeping that hidden so Marcus didn’t see,” Olivia said and rolled her sleeve back down.

  “Didn’t see what?” Marcus said.

  “Olivia has a tattoo,” Camryn said.

  Amme remained quiet because she didn’t want to say anything dumb.

  “What’s a tattoo?” Autumn shoved a piece of gingerbread dough into her mouth when everyone focused on Olivia.

  Olivia screwed up her nose. “Seems I’m busted. At least I can quit wearing long sleeves. I’ve been roasting in this summer heat.” And with that said, she shrugged out of her shirt to reveal a colorful tattoo in red, blue, black, green and yellow that covered one shoulder and the tail curled around her left biceps.

  “A dragon,” Camryn said. “It’s beautiful work.”

  “I want one,” Autumn said.

  “You have to wait until you’re at least twenty,” Olivia said. “But we can get some that will last for a week, if that’s all right with your father.”

  “They do henna ones at the mall,” Camryn said. “They last for a couple of weeks. We could all get one after Christmas.”

  “Yes,” Amme said.

  Marcus groaned. “Look what you’ve done, Olivia.”

  Amme laughed and the others joined in.

  “What’s up?” Nanu asked. “Wow, Liv. That’s cool.” He traced his finger over the colors then inspected the tip of his finger.

  “That’s a tattoo,” Camryn said hurriedly. “The color is set into the skin.”

  “I want one,” Nanu said.

  “After Christmas,” Camryn said. “But you should know they use needles to make the patterns. It hurts. Also, one like Liv’s can take several sessions with the tattoo artist.”

  “It didn’t hurt much,” Olivia said and winked at Nanu. “A tough guy like you should be able to handle tattoo needles.”

  “Course I can. What do we do with our presents now?” Nanu asked.

  “Make sure they have names on them, so we know who they’re for, then put them under the tree,” Camryn said. “If they’re S. A. N. T. A. ones, then keep them separate. We’ll do something with them tonight.”

  “Okay,” Nanu said and he walked out singing about Santa Claus coming to town. He halted in the doorway. “I’m going for a swim once this is done. Anyone up for a game of water volleyball?”

  There were shouts of assent.

  “You go and play, Amme,” Olivia said. “I’ll finish up here with Autumn and help her with present wrapping.”

  “Thanks,” Amme said and turned to wipe the remnants of dough from her hands.

  “I will be the volleyball judge,” Mogens said. “A tough job since you all cheat.”

  Everyone booed and hissed and shouted insults. Amme grinned before hurrying upstairs to change into her bikini.

  Chapter Eight

  Christmas morning

  “Santa visited,” Autumn shouted.

  She ran into their room and jumped on the bed, astonishing Marcus. He coughed to clear the tightening of his throat and savored the warm emotion seeping to his chest.

  “He ate the gingerbread man and the bottle of beer I left him. My stocking is full.”

  “Really?” Marcus said.

  “You’re awake early,” Amme said, clu
tching the sheet to her naked breasts.

  “Olivia said I’m allowed on Christmas,” Autumn said.

  A laugh came from the door, and Marcus spied his sister. “Why don’t you get Olivia to help you dress? Amme and I will be down soon.”

  “No time for a quickie,” Olivia warned as she took Autumn’s hand and ushered her from the bedroom. “Jannike, Nanu and Kaya have already gone to Max’s farm to help with the chores. Mogens and Gweneth are making breakfast.”

  “What’s a quickie?” Autumn asked.

  Marcus groaned even as his sister laughed and shut the door. “I don’t care what Olivia says. I’m kissing you good morning. Merry Christmas.”

  “Merry Christmas, Marcus.”

  The expression in her beautiful whiskey eyes grabbed him, sent a wave of love soaring through him, and in that moment, he decided he’d ask her to stay when her friends left. He’d ask her to marry him, and he’d propose on New Year’s Eve.

  He smiled and kissed her, putting his emotions into the exchange. Her arms wound around his neck, and she gave back everything in return. When they finally parted, they were both breathing hard.

  “Want a shower before we go down?”

  She nodded.

  “I’ll scrub your back for you.”

  “Marcus, that will slow us down.”

  “Too bad,” he said and reached for her hand. Best Christmas ever.

  Excitement fizzled through Amme as she walked down the stairs. She caught a glimpse of the Christmas tree lights as they passed the lounge and someone had put on Christmas music. It wafted from concealed speakers and Mogens and Gweneth were singing along.

  At the bottom of the stairs, Marcus fell into step with her, holding her close to his side with an arm around her waist. They strolled to the kitchen.

  “Champagne?” Gweneth asked.

  “Thank you,” Amme said.

  “Autumn is in the lounge. She refuses to open her stocking until you and Marcus arrive. We’ll bring in the champagne,” Mogens said and he radiated the same anticipation simmering in Amme. His skin verged on the extreme side of pale, but he still appeared human.

  “At last,” Olivia said when they entered the lounge.

  Amme took a sec to admire their tree. It was stunning with the red bobbles and glittering white lights. The scent of pine filled the air along with ginger and spices from the candles Olivia must have lit before they arrived. A man with a husky voice sang about silent nights.

  Autumn stood by the wood burner, a bulging red Christmas stocking at her feet. Her weight shifted from foot to foot. She paused to bounce on her toes, and when she saw them her eyes glowed. She pointed at the stocking and beamed. “Look!”

  “We need photos,” Olivia said. “Do you have your camera, Marcus?”

  “I’ll get it.” When he returned a few mins later with his camera, his expression was a mask of forbidding.

  “Something wrong?” Amme asked, concern taking her to his side.

  “No. Everything is fine.” He smiled, but she could see it took effort. He snapped several shots, checked the viewing screen. “We’re here. Are you going to show us what Santa brought you?”

  “Open your stocking,” Olivia encouraged. “Never seen a kid so determined to wait. I would have ripped that sucker open hours ago.”

  Autumn reached inside and pulled out the first item. “Santa has the same wrapping paper as us.”

  “Why yes! He does,” Marcus said, laughter threading through his voice. “He must have bought it on sale at the same shop as us. He probably goes through a lot of paper.”

  Amme felt the quiver of her mouth as she fought her amusement. Autumn showed brightness and intelligence, and looking at Marcus and Olivia, Amme knew where at least part of this facet of her personality came from.

  Autumn made quick work of the wrapping paper.

  “Ooh, look! A coloring book. And some paints.” She ripped open another parcel. “Some crayons.” She came to a big parcel and made quick work of the paper. “A doll, and look! She has some clothes.” She displayed each new item—books, chocolate and a glossy orange with the same excitement. Finally, she glanced up at them, a sea of wrapping paper surrounding her small body. Spots of pink exhilaration shaded her cheeks.

  Marcus took several photos, and Amme made herself a promise she’d get copies of these photos. Maybe Camryn had enough money to buy one of those tablets. Nanu was clever. He’d find some way of keeping the thing charged so they could look at the photos and remember their visit to Camryn’s family.

  A wave of reluctance filled her at the idea of leaving. Oh, they might manage another visit, but years would’ve passed here on Earth. She wouldn’t see Autumn growing up, changing and blooming into a young woman. That weird achy sensation pushed at her vision, blurring the sharp lines of her surroundings and her throat tightened. She swallowed and it subsided, but she made a mental note to ask Mogens to check her systems, to make sure her cybernetics were functioning as intended.

  “Champagne?” Gweneth asked, motioning to the tray she held.

  Marcus took two glasses and handed one to her. When everyone except Autumn had a glass, he lifted his glass. “A toast,” he said. “To friends and happiness. Merry Christmas.”

  “To friends,” Mogens said.

  “To friends,” Amme echoed the others and shifted her mind from their departure in exactly eight days.

  Breakfast was underway when Camryn, Ry and the others arrived. They’d taken showers after their chores and trooped inside en mass.

  “Merry Christmas,” they chorused.

  “I’m starving,” Ry said.

  “What’s for breakfast?” Jannike asked.

  “Smells great,” Camryn said.

  “If Mogens cooked, I’m not eating,” Kaya said.

  “I helped with the eggs,” Mogens said when the others hooted and teased. “I have improved. There are no shells this time. You have toast though, if you’re worried. I’ll eat your share.”

  Family, Amme thought with satisfaction. She ushered everyone to the festive table Olivia had set and helped Gweneth serve juice, coffee, scrambled eggs, bacon and toast.

  “Did Santa stop by, Autumn?” Camryn asked.

  “He left me lots of things,” Autumn said.

  “You can show me after breakfast,” Camryn said.

  The phone shrilled and Marcus rose.

  “Maybe it’s Mum and Dad,” Olivia said.

  Marcus shrugged, his scowl grim. “I doubt it.”

  What kind of parent didn’t want to spend a holiday with their children? Amme couldn’t understand this, but kept her comments to herself.

  He returned with the phone, grinning. “It’s Max.”

  “Put it on speaker,” Camryn said. “That way we can all wish him a happy Christmas. Hi, Max. Merry Christmas!”

  Everyone spoke at once, offering Christmas greetings, and Max’s and Luke’s voices burst into the room. Even Ellen said hello, and Amme was happy for Camryn because she knew her sister-in-law’s attitude hurt.

  That set the tone for the rest of the day. The sun shone hot and the sky remained cloudless for most of the day. They played cricket, had a boisterous game of pool volleyball to cool down and enjoyed their barbecue lunch and the salads and desserts they’d prepared together in the big kitchen.

  “It must be present time now,” Olivia said, rubbing her hands together once the dishes were done and the remnants of lunch cleared away. “I can’t wait to see what my secret Santa got me.”

  Gweneth jumped up and down in excitement. Amme fought a spurt of humor. Maybe her former charge wasn’t as grown up as she thought. She’d never known this family atmosphere either and was blooming, no longer the timid child Amme had protected from her disappointed father.

  “You do the honors, Olivia,” Marcus said.

  “Yay!” Olivia didn’t waste any time and picked up the first present. “Nanu,” she said and handed the present over.

  “Should I wait or open it?” Nanu asked.

  “Open,” Autumn said, and everyone laughed.

  He opened it to display a black rugby shirt and a rugby ball.

  “That’s the jersey for our national team,” Marcus said.

  “Cool,” Nanu said and tugged his T-shirt off to exchange it for the rugby jersey. He beamed at everyone and did a twirl.