Unwrapping The Holidays. Sheryl Lister

to do some skiing this afternoon before the work began. “What the hell is the matter now?”

      “The latest offer to Cyberpunked was denied.”

      He pinched his nose. “Seriously? What the hell is their problem? The last package was beyond generous. Hell, it was practically a Christmas gift. I even made concessions for the engineering staff to be hired on.”

      Jake was silent for a moment. When he finally spoke, his words were slow, as if he’d measured each one before speaking. “Cole, maybe it’s time to think about letting this one go. At least for the time being until they fall apart on their own. The terms are better for us if they come crawling for a bailout. I don’t like this version of Teched, us chasing after a nothing game company. Hell, they have less than fifty employees. They aren’t worth the effort. This is all ego to them.”

      Give up? The hell he would. “No, Jake. J.L. Reed is a genius. You played the game. You should understand.”

      “Look, I’m not saying the designer’s not good. I’m just saying, we’re getting nowhere. Right about now, the resources you’re expending trying to get that company to pay attention to us are far outweighing the benefit. You don’t usually get so stuck on something. This is going a step above and beyond. Maybe—”

      Cole was quick to jump on the hesitation in his friend’s voice. “Maybe what?”

      “I’m just saying that maybe some of this has to do with Clarissa. You weren’t able to hold on to her, good riddance by the way, but now you’re desperate to attain this company. Maybe because the owner is female you think she should fall in line just like every other woman in your life.”

      Jake had been spending too much time with his psychologist girlfriend. That’s what Cole thought. “You know, I appreciate the concern, but I know what I’m doing. We’ve been talking about a game division for years. This is the best foray into that.”

      Jake sighed. “I hear you, but what about the company that split from Cyberpunked? They are one-half of the outfit. And maybe they’ll be less of a pain in the ass.”

      Cole was silent for a minute as he poured himself a glass of Scotch. Most guys his age were indulging in craft cocktails. He had zero patience for adding basil and egg whites to a drink. And his tolerance was low for Jake right now. “Jake, have you ever known me to take less than the best?”

      His friend sighed. “No.”

      “Then why would I take second best when the real brains are at Cyberpunked?”

      “Okay. I hear you. I’ll have another offer drawn up. Maybe it’s time you asked for a personal appointment. Persuade the CEO to meet with you. Maybe she’s old-school and needs a face-to-face. I know she declined to meet with the proposal team. But a meeting request from you directly could tip the scales.”

      For the first time in the conversation, Jake was saying something that made sense. Cole could really state his case then. And in person, there were few people who would tell him no. “Best thing you’ve said to me all day.”

      “Okay, I’ll get on it. And Cole?”

      “Yeah?”

      “For once, try and enjoy the holiday.”

      Like hell that was happening. “Not likely, but you get me that company for Christmas and it’ll go a long way toward improving my mood.” Everywhere he went, people tried to insist he should be festive. Relax. But they didn’t understand how much he hated the season. It had been years since he could enjoy it.

      “Working on it.”

      As soon as Cole hung up, he didn’t even get to pick up his glass before the room phone rang. “Yes?”

      It was the front desk. “So sorry to disturb you, Mr. Nichols, but there is a problem that needs your attention.”

      “Really? Can’t the on-site manager handle this?” He’d hired a management company so he could stay in the background of everything. If his mother had her way, she’d have nothing to do with the place. Too many memories of his father.

      “Not this time, sir.”

      “Fine, I’ll be right there.” So far his relaxing vacation was anything but.

      * * *

      This was not happening. “What do you mean you are overbooked? That is not possib—” Jamie had to stop herself from cussing out the guy behind the reservation desk. He looked young. Like just-out-of-high-school young. Screaming at him would get her nowhere. And she was so worked up she might trigger an asthma attack.

      She tried some yoga techniques to regulate her breathing. Nope, that didn’t work. She was still furious. “So what do you suggest I do? You’re looking at my reservation aren’t you? I mean it’s there, but somehow you’re telling me that you have nowhere to put me?”

      His hands shook as he stammered. “I—I—I’m so sorry, miss, but there are no empty rooms. One of the guests extended a week and that was meant to be your suite. I’m terribly sorry. We’d like to comp you a free stay—”

      She could feel the pressure building and could almost sympathize for the kid...almost. Except now he was offering her something that would be useless. Forget Zen. She needed to work. Right now. “Okay. Sure, what’s going to happen is you’re going to comp my next stay, though why I would ever stay here after this is beyond me.”

      “I wish I had a solution for you. If I had a room available I’d rent it to you.”

      Still mad, she was feeling punchy and so exhausted from the trip. “Well, then, you’re going to go and get in your car and take me to your place and you will find some other accommodation for the week.”

      His eyes went wide. He thought she was kidding. Or crazy. Truth was she was that desperate. “M-m-my place?”

      Jamie nodded. “Yep. When do we leave?”

      “But—but where would I stay?”

      Jamie smirked. “Well, since you don’t seem to care about where I’ll stay, I am finding it hard to give two figs about where you’ll stay.” She shouldered her bag. “Okay, I’m ready to go when you are.”

      Poor kid looked ready to pee himself. Be nice, Jamison. It’s not his fault. She sighed. “Okay, look, I’ll let you have the couch.”

      Somehow that didn’t mollify him. Go figure.

      “You can’t stay with me.”

      “What happened to the holiday spirit? You’re going to turn a defenseless woman out onto the streets with nowhere to go?” She was far from helpless but he didn’t know that. Her mother had sold their house three years ago to move to California. Otherwise she’d just go home. She could hack her way into some hotel’s reservation system, but since it was the holiday season, hotel rooms were scarce. She wouldn’t do that to someone.

      “No, I—”

      A deep baritone came from behind her. Smooth as silk, and low and mellow enough to warm her from the outside chill. “What seems to be the problem?”

      The kid’s whole body sagged in relief as if thrilled to be able to hand her off to someone else to handle.

      Jamie, on the other hand, tensed. She knew that voice. Knew it well. It had been years, but she’d never forget it. She whirled around. Cole. Freaking. Nichols. The object of every schoolgirl fantasy. Come to life...in the flesh. But unlike her fantasies...he was clothed. Bummer.

      Also, unlike her fantasies, he was likely to speak...which would ruin everything.

      He blinked at her and his brows quickly furrowed.

      Jamie tipped her chin up. Was he really going to act like he had no idea who she was? Not that she should be surprised, but still.

      He stared at her for a moment too long, but Jamie was determined not to