Alpha Billionaire Series

BAILEY

Christmas Eve arrives in the blink of an eye, and I can't believe our time together is more than half over. I went into the situation nervous and unsure, and now I feel like a part of Jace’s family. No longer a stranger. Of course, I'm still an outsider and I don't truly belong. But it's a nice feeling to be surrounded by a big, happy group of people who love each other as much as this beautiful family does.

Jace told me that they exchange gifts after dinner, so later that evening I sit back with a glass of hot chocolate spiked with peppermint schnapps and munch on a frosted cut-out cookie and watch the festivities. I asked Jace earlier if I should've brought gifts for his immediate family and he said he wrote on the gift tags that they were from the both of us.

That man, think, and watch as he tosses a present to his sister. There's far too much to like about him. Besides being thoroughly gorgeous and the most attractive man I've ever seen, he's fabulous in bed, giving, kind and a total gentleman. He also makes me feel seen and I love that.

Everyone rips the colorful paper off their gifts and laughs and shares stories from the past Christmas get-togethers. Soft holiday music plays in the background, the tree shimmers and a fire crackles. As cheesy as it sounds, I can feel the love in the air.

This is the kind of home and family I've wanted my entire life. Losing my parents so young was hard, but at least I had loving grandparents who took me in and raised me. But ever since they passed away, my holidays have been bleak and lonely. Nothing like this joyous feeling that overcomes me right now.

All because a billionaire walked into my matchmaking office and chose me. I'm still not exactly sure why he picked me instead of the women I chose, but I'm so grateful that he did. It's becoming pretty damn clear that not only do I love Jace’s family, but also, I'm falling for him. Totally and completely.

“Hey,” Jace says and sits down next to me. “Why're you over here by yourself?"

“I don't want to intrude,” I say quietly.

A frown furrows his brow. “They all love you, Bailey, and I'm glad you're here."

“Really?” I ask, unable to banish my doubts.

“Really,” he assures me.

It's nice to hear, but the truth is, I'm not a part of his family and I can pretend all I want. This is Jaces family; mine is gone. He gives me a big, playful scowl. “Are you gonna smile or do I need to tickle you?”

The corner of my mouth lifts.

“Bigger,” he insists.

I plaster a huge grin on my face.

“Good girl,” he murmurs.

From the corner of my eye, Marty appears and she's holding a small, gift-wrapped box out to me. “Merry Christmas from all of us," she says.

I wasn't expecting anything and suddenly everyone is watching me.

“Go on, open it up," Kendall says encouragingly.

Heart in my throat, I accept the gift and look around, trying hard not to cry. They have no idea how much this means to me. I cradle the red and green wrapped present for a moment, not wanting to open it up right away. It's topped with a silver foil bow, and I wouldn't mind keeping it like this for a while longer and just admire it.

Jace nudges me with his elbow. “Open it, sweetheart.”

I nod and very carefully begin to unwrap it, doing my best not to tear the paper. Jace takes the bow from me and sticks it on my head.

“You've never looked more gorgeous,” he teases.

I elbow him in the side and finally get the box unwrapped. Beside me, Jace pretends to snore because I'm taking so long. “Sorry, guess I'm slow at unwrapping,” I murmur. “It's just so pretty.’This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.

With tentative fingers, I ft the lid and see a hand-painted ornament. It's a candy cane with my name written on it in fancy lettering and it's just like the ones that everyone else has hanging on the tree. Don has a gingerbread house, Lori has a wreath, Marty has a poinsettia, Kendall has a stocking and Jace has a train.

And now I have a candy cane.

I'm speechless and so very touched.

“I love it,” I whisper. “Thank you so very much.”

“Put it up on the tree with the others,” Kendall says.

I blink back the tears threatening and Jace stands up, offering his hand. “C'mon, I'll help you find the perfect spot,” he says. We walk over to the huge Christmas tree, and he points to his ornament.

“I think it belongs next to mine, don't you?”

I struggle not to cry, but a tear slips loose as I nod, at a loss for words. Lifting it up, I string the ribbon over the branch and hang it next to Jace’s ornament.

“Perfect,” he murmurs and presses a kiss to my temple.

For a long moment, I look at our two ornaments, side by side, and my heart has never felt so full. I haven't felt this loved or accepted in a very long time. And the fact that his family welcomed me with open arms means the absolute world to me. “You, okay?” he asks. He swipes his thumb over my cheek, wiping the tear away. “What's wrong?"

“Nothing. Everything is perfect,” I finally manage to say. “Your family is...” My voice catches and I can't even finish what I was going to say because my throat tightens with emotion.

“Yeah, they are," Jace says softly, pulling me against his side and dropping a kiss in my hair.

“It's just been a long time since I've been surrounded by so much love like this on the holidays. It means everything to me." “I'm glad you're here," he whispers in my ear.

Athroat clears and we both turn to see Kendall holding a stick with a mistletoe sprig dangling from it directly above our heads. I look out over the room, and everyone smiles, waiting in anticipation for us to kiss.

“C'mon, big bro. Kiss your fiancée like you mean it" Kendall says with a giggle.

“You don’t have to tell me twice,” Jace says, lips descending to mine, and the entire room erupts in cheers and whistles. Jace's warm Lips cover mine, moving softly, and I instinctively respond, going up on my toes and completely forgetting about our audience. He tastes minty from the schnapps, and I know we should keep the kiss PG, but it quickly veers off into PG-I3 territory. Before it can turn any more heated, I pull back and look up into his brilliant blue gaze.

“To be continued...” he murmurs.

A shiver runs through my body, and he laces his fingers through mine and guides me over to the couch. We sit down togethe near Marty who is all smiles.

“Jace, honey, I'm so happy for you. And Bailey, you're such a perfect fit for my grandson. Much better than the other one,” sh adds under her breath.

Other one? My stomach sinks and I wonder who she’s referring to. When I did my research online, I saw Jace with a slew of different women, but no one seemed to last longer than a date or two. It's like he had an aversion to a serious relationship. Every article or mention always referred to him as the “Billionaire Bachelor.”

I study the gorgeous man beside me, and he suddenly looks tense, but doesn't comment. And Marty doesn't say another word, so I'm left hanging.

Dying of curiosity is more like it, I think. If he brought someone up here to meet his family, then it must've been serious. And from the way Marty spoke, it doesn't sound like it ended well. Or that maybe his family didn't approve. But they're so welcoming and warm. I can’t imagine them not liking someone Jace is dating.

I have a feeling that there's more to the story and I'm missing it. As his “fiancée,” I would know what happened before me and be familiar with his dating history. If anyone asks, I should have an answer, so it's a little annoying that he didn't bother to tell me.

Later that night in bed, after we're both spent and lying in each other's arms, I work up my courage and decide to ask him about his past when it comes to dating and relationships. Easing into it, I trace a finger along his chest and prop myself up on an elbow.

“Can I ask you a question?”

Instead of answering, he grabs my hand and begins kissing my knuckles.

I don't know if he’s trying to distract me or what, but it's starting to work. I tug my hand away and smile. “You're incorrigible, Isay.

“I'm hard," he instantly responds, eyes gleaming.

“But we just-"

“And I'm ready to go again.’ He starts kissing the side of my neck and I definitely think he’s trying to divert my attention. But V'm really falling hard and fast for this man and I want to know more about him.

“Jace,” I say, trying to make my voice sound stern. Pulling back, I lay my hand on his chest and meet his gaze. “Earlier, your grandma said I was a perfect fit for you. Then she added “better than the other one! What did she mean by that?”

His body goes tense, and he slips a hand beneath the covers, heading straight between my thighs. “Don’t kill the mood. I want to be inside of you, not talking about my ex-fiancée.”

Fiancee? Whoa.

“You were engaged?” I ask, completely taken by surprise.

He pulls his hand back with a frustrated sound, flips onto his back and shoves it behind his head. “Yes,” he grits out. “Once upon a miserable time.”

“What happened?”

“We didn't get married,” he says dryly.

“Clearly,” I respond, not liking how short he’s being. “Why not?”

He turns his head to look at me, eyes narrowing. “Who gives a shit? Things don't work out between couples. It happens. I moved on."

“Why're you getting so defensive?” I don't appreciate his curt tone.

“Why're you prying into my past?”

“Prying?” I echo. “I'm just asking you a question.’

“Yeah, well, don't, okay? Besides, it's none of your business."

His cool words sting, and it feels like I just got slapped in the face. I slide away from him and try to put as much distance between us as possible. My feelings are hurt. I thought we were in a place where he trusted me, but apparently, I was wrong, “Bailey-"

I don't respond, just turn and draw my knees up. All of a sudden, 'm cold and wish I had my flannel nightie and warm socks on. Neither of us says another word and I can feel the chasm between us. We're sleeping together so I think I have a right to ask about his s+ history. But all I asked about was the woman he asked to marry him. Someone he wanted to spend the rest of his life with, and he clams up.

Well, I don't appreciate it. Not one little bit.

His brush-off is cold and unwarranted. Maybe we aren't really engaged or even dating for that matter, but I'm sharing his be; and the least he could do is respect me by answering a simple question.

I hear Jace sigh then roll out of bed. There's a rustling sound as he pulls some clothes on and a moment later the bedroom door opens and closes. Once the coast is clear, I flip back over and see he’s gone. My heart is heavy as I reach out and drag my hand over the warm place where he was just lying.

Maybe I needed this wake-up call. I was getting too comfortable and beginning to imagine more between us than we originally agreed to and that's too flipping dangerous.

I'shouldn't have slept with him, but I couldn't help myself. The attraction is just too damn much to deny. So now here I am- in the absolute last place I wanted to be.

I fell for a man who doesn’t want me.