The Billionaire's Joyous Weekend: Heartwarming And Fun Christmas Romance Read online

  The Billionaire's Joyous Weekend

  Tara Brent

  Published by Tara Brent, 2019.

  Copyright 2019 by Tara Brent - All rights reserved.

  In no way is it legal to reproduce, duplicate, or transmit any part of this document in either electronic means or in printed format. Recording of this publication is strictly prohibited and any storage of this document is not allowed unless with written permission from the publisher. All rights reserved.

  Respective authors own all copyrights not held by the publisher.

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Other Books by Tara Brent

  Chapter One

  Chapter two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Other Books by Tara Brent

  Other Books by Tara Brent

  The Billionaire’s Surprise Heir

  Curvy Dilemma

  Curvy Attraction

  Curvy Indulgence

  Curvy Delights – Box Set (3)

  Cooper

  Bad Best Man

  Games On

  Bad Boy Billionaire Romances - Box Set (4 Novellas)

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  Chapter One

  I sat cross-legged on the park bench as I sipped my coffee and tried to lose myself in the music pounding in my ears. It's my favorite time of year, Christmas, but for some reason, I wasn't excited about this year's festivities.

  My sister’s words kept replaying in my mind on an endless loop and I turned my music up, trying to drown out the pestering words.

  You’re 25 years old Trish, you can’t keep living like this. Working this much isn’t healthy, take a vacation, find a boyfriend and by boyfriend I mean Steve and be happy. I mean it Trish, don’t come to the cabin without a date for Christmas and not coming isn’t an option!

  "Annoying bitch," I grumbled and then grinned sheepishly as an elderly couple walking by looked at me curiously.

  I rolled my eyes once they passed me and allowed my head to fall backwards onto the bench as I stared up at the blue midday sky above. Why did God have to give me a sister that’s the perfect little miss prissy?

  Katherine’s pretty, popular and happily “married” while I work long hours, rarely get laid and only use plastic plates for my apartment. She's the favorite while I'm the wild child and black swan of the family since I hadn't walked forward with a smile on my face in the direction my family had wanted me to and now everything I do is under constant scrutiny.

  There was a time when my sister and I had been close but once we became teens, she discovered her love for the color pink and fashion and I discovered rock music and embraced Goth fashion.

  I pushed my glasses up onto my nose and turned my attention back to the pond before me as the chilly wind kissed at my cheeks. Looking at me now you’d never think there was a time when I wore thick black eyeliner, combat boots and fishnet stockings and I think if there’s one thing my family’s happy about it’s the fact that I broke out of that phase.

  I smirk and unfold my legs, stretching them forward. My fashion sense and taste only evolved. I no longer dress the part of a Goth but I had discovered something better, lingerie. Expensive black lingerie in all styles is my addiction.

  My hair was still bone straight to my waist and my eyes a striking pale grey but I now rock a tan and sensible clothing.

  Steve.

  That name echoed in my mind and my mood grew even worse. I had drawn the short stick when I dated Steve. Steve Washington, now CEO of Washington Enterprise is my ex, a family friend and my sister’s husband’s best friend. Do you see my dilemma?

  To my sister Katherine, Steve has never and can never do anything wrong and so for her, he’s the perfect man for me. I sighed, remembering the days when he was the moon and star for me as well.

  “Finally, I found you.”

  My eyes shot wide open and my body went stiff, “Please God, don’t do this to me.” I groaned.

  There is a saying that if you speak of a person that has passed away their spirit will visit you. Steve wasn’t dead but maybe just maybe thinking about him was the wrong thing to do. His shadow washed over me as he stepped out from behind the bench and crossed his arms over his broad chest, “Hellooo beautiful.”

  He flashed me a wide wolfish grin capable of making nuns strip and I rolled my eyes in return, “I think I just threw up in my mouth a little.”

  "It's a good thing I didn't kiss you then, you would have full-on vomited."

  He took a seat beside me and threw his arm over the back of the bench. I'm suddenly hit across the face with the smell of his expensive cologne, the one he knows I like and my brows pull together as memories I tried to suppress force themselves to the forefront of my mind.

  “How did you even find me?” I grumbled.

  “I tracked you on Snapchat.” He replied matter-of-factly and I shifted to the side to see him better.

  “What?”

  He reached out and held onto a few strands of my hair, watching as his fingers slid down its silky length. I smacked his hand hard and poured as much hate into my eyes as I could but he only smiled in response, his dimples making an irresistible appearance. I watched as he combed his fingers through his own black cloud of hair and I realized just how much more tanned he was than the last time I saw him, which was three months ago and not at all long enough.

  “You can see exactly where your friends are on Snapchat. Didn’t you know that? You’re younger than me Trish, get with the times.”

  How dare he, “Steve, you’re one year older than me.”

  He hunched his shoulders and pulled a face, “I’m older in spirit.”

  Shaking my head I closed my eyes and turned away, feeling a sudden urge to choke him, "Go away, Steve."

  “Why? Don’t you adore me?”

  “You repulse me.” I countered quickly.

  He leaned over, his face inches away from mine and I was reminded of just how flawless his skin was, minus the scar above his right eye that I had given him some time ago, “You want this dick don’t you?”

  I slid away from him, my face twisting with disgust, “Okay I really did throw up a little just now.”

  He busted out laughing, the sound a deep bass but smooth and a smile found its way onto my face. Our relationship had ended three years ago.

  He had decided he still wanted to date other women. But at the same time he wanted to keep our relationship going. An ‘open’ relationship he had called it. I was shattered-devastated actually. The fact that he wanted us to remain friends with benefits was not going to work for me. But he did not understand what I was upset about. So we called it ‘a mutual decision’ to break up. In the end it was clear we were two different people. He was to inherit his family's company, a successful and internationally recognized car manufacturing business and I had refused to be a part of my own family's legacy in the fashion industry.

  Silence reigned between us for a moment, both of us caught up in our own worlds until he tilted his head to look at me, “I spoke to Katherine yesterday.”

  I folded my lips inwards and nod
ded, "I don't want to know what she said," I actually did, "but I have a feeling you're going to tell me anyway."

  “It’s Christmas at the cabin this year and apparently I’m not supposed to show up without a date.”

  I tried to seem unfazed and pulled my coat tighter around me, “Yeah? Well, I’m sure that won’t be a problem for you.”

  He remained silent and I was forced to look at him. There was a look in his dark brown eyes that I didn’t understand and I crossed my eyes and pulled a funny face, “What are you looking at?”

  He shook his head and chuckled, “Forever a clown.”

  “I learned from the best. You’re King Clown and an undefeated bullshitter.”

  He gasped and clutched at his throat, "Thank you, baby."

  I couldn’t stop the laugh as it slipped from my mouth and his face lit up from the carefree sound, “She told you the same thing right?”

  I bobbed my head, “Yeh, she did.”

  “So, are you seeing someone?”

  I threw him a flat look, “That’s none of your business. You’ll see when I get to the cabin on Friday.”

  “So that’s a no. We should go together then.”

  I squinted my eyes at him, trying to gauge if he was joking but his eyes remained stern, “You’re being serious?”

  “As serious as the crotchless panties I know you’re wearing.”

  My mouth turned downwards, “I’m not wearing crotchless panties.”

  “Too bad, this is the perfect spot to f-”

  “Don’t!” I closed my eyes and heaved a frustrated sigh, “...even think about it. I’d rather masturbate with a hot iron rod.”

  “Damn. You’re into some hard-core shit huh? I like it.” He grinned.

  I decided to simply ignore that, entertaining Steve was like falling down a rabbit hole, it's like you're spiraling forever, "Were you serious about us going to the cabin together?"

  "I was." He turned away to stare at the pond, watching as its calm surface reflected the sky above. His jaws clenched for a second before his chocolate eyes returned to my watchful grey ones, "I'm honestly tired of Katherine pushing me to do this and to win you back. Everyone has accepted us not being together except for her and I don't want a repeat of last Christmas." He touched the scar above his eye and I winced at the memory, "So, let's just go together, we can pretend to be together and have a peaceful holiday."

  “Pretend to be together?”

  “Yes. I think if she thinks we’re together she’ll finally leave us alone.”

  I was getting the feeling there was something suspicious about the plan he was presenting to me, but if this was one way to avoid my sister's pestering I would take it. There was one thing I was curious about, however.

  “Why do you even want to do this? If you show up with someone, Katherine won’t bother you. If I show up with someone that’s not you or without someone at all I get bombarded with her crap. Why not leave me to deal with her alone?”

  He was silent for too long, causing me to frown. Despite how well I know Steve he was still able to puzzle me. We’ve been over for years but I still get a pang of nostalgia from time to time. I don’t quite have an explanation for. He was a serial player and his drama was something I didn’t want to get tangled up in.

  "As I said, I just want to have a peaceful holiday." His face was void of emotion as he continued, "My dad will be coming as well so I'd like to avoid the drama."

  I arched a brow, “William’s coming? Why?” That was a first and considering my parents won’t be there, being that they were in Paris I had thought it would only be Steve, myself, Katherine, her husband Damon and baby boy Nathan. “I thought he was in Italy or something.”

  “So did I," Steve said his voice barely audible. My brow remained arched as I watched him closely.

  I knew what the relationship between him and his father was like and I placed a hand on his shoulder. The tension in his eyes dissipated and the chilly look vanished. Regardless of our romantic history, we had always remained friends. Well, kind of!

  I pulled my hand away then. It was surprising to see that I still affected him like that. Feelings weren’t for me and definitely not feelings for Steve, other than loathing trampled hard on the butterflies trying to flutter in my tummy. When that didn’t work I pulled out my trusty.

  “You know, with us pretending to be together we’ll have to lock lips at some point.”

  “I’ll slap you so hard Steve, I’m not kidding.”

  “Come on,” he turned his body towards me, “tell me you haven’t missed these peckers?”

  He puckered his lips and I fake gagged, “I haven’t missed them. At all. By the way, I have chapstick, you’re lips are crusty as fuck.”

  Grinning, he leaned in close, his beautiful face inches away from mine, "Just lick your lips and kiss me, baby, be my chapstick.”

  Sighing I got up, deciding there was no salvaging my relaxing lunch break, "Eat my ass, Steve, since you want something sloppy."

  “Where are you going then? I can do it right here.”

  Chapter two

  The further we drove from the city the colder it got. Since it was 5am as well it had been hard to get out of bed. I picked up Trish at her apartment and she immediately curled up with a blanket on the passenger’s seat with only her eyes and forehead visible.

  She was sound asleep within minutes with more than an hour left of driving. I exhaled a deep breath and smiled as she began to mumble in her sleep. A memory of our past flashed before my eyes of us lying in bed with her sound asleep in my arms and mumbling the same way she was now. My jaws clenched at the memory, at the bliss I had felt in that moment and I white-knuckled the steering wheel.

  She fell silent as I stopped at a stoplight and when I looked over at her I found grey eyes watching me. A second passed with us simply staring at each other before I couldn’t handle her piercing stare and turned away, the longer I stare at her the more my urge to kiss her grew.

  “Sleeping minus the beauty has awakened.” I teased and although still sleepy she rolled her eyes. I loved teasing her, the way she would react to my advances or jokes was just too funny. “I know my car is comfy but don’t drool please, its leather.”

  “Fuck your leather.” I heard her say, her voice tiny and muffled by the blanket.

  I pretended to gasp at her as the car moved forward, “How dare you drool on my car Trish and I promise you, I’m gonna sneak into your room while you’re sleeping and drool all over your sexy little body. You’re gonna feel sticky like someone poured honey all over you in the morning!”

  “Jesus. You’re like a five-year-old." She mumbled as she turned her back to me.

  “Five and three quarters actually.” I countered in an offended tone.

  Her shoulders bounced as she laughed silently and I grinned. Making her laugh always made me happy ever since we were kids. Believe it or not, very few people found me funny.

  “Are you going back to sleep or would you like to listen to some music?”

  She shrugged her shoulder under her blanket and I took that as a go-ahead to play my music. I plugged my phone into the AUX cord and the last song I had been listening to instantly started to play. I adjusted the volume so it wasn't too loud and simply a soothing background sound.

  After a few minutes Trish sat up, her blanket falling to her lap, “I’m hungry.”

  “You’re always hungry.”

  “Give me food or I’m going to crash this car.”

  I threw a look at her sideways, “Okay, Jesus, I packed you a sandwich. It’s in the back.”

  Her face lit up and so did mine as she reached into the backseat and grabbed my bag. I eyed her ass that was somewhat arched in the air and bit down on my lip. Somewhere in the world, there was a woman doing surgery to get the hourglass figure she has.

  Her breasts weren’t overly large but if I was remembering correctly they fitted perfectly in my hands. She had a small waist and beautiful large thighs that
oftentimes left me puzzled because everyone else in her family was slim and here she was, thicker than a snicker and just as addictive.

  My hands were itching to touch her, to see the way her body reacted to me but I also wasn’t fond of the idea of being killed on the side of the road so I kept my hands on the steering wheel.

  I whistled however, as she sat back down and I shook my head, “Good God babe, that ass.”

  “Don’t call me babe, punk and keep your eyes on the road.” She bit back and I shrugged.

  "Okay, babe."

  I couldn’t help the grin growing on my face and she proceeded to ignore me. Ignoring me was something she was exceptionally good at and she began munching on her sandwich. She moaned and slid down in her seat before sitting up and placing the sandwich to my mouth, and I bit into it.

  “Thanks.” I mouthed and she continued eating. I knew despite how much she said she hates me, which was often, she didn’t. Our relationship as a couple had ended but our friendship hadn’t and I must admit that being just friends with her sometimes was hard.

  As a friend, she had just shared her food but the part of me that had remembered her doing that as my girlfriend so long ago ached for it to be that, for her actions to mean more than being friendly.

  “See, you do care about me, you looove me don’t ‘cha?”

  She placed the sandwich on the dashboard and opened a bottle of water, “I was hoping you’d choke on it.” She looked over at me, her small face void of emotion as she drank her water and my mouth turned downwards.

  “You’re especially mean this morning.”

  Her shoulders hunched as she closed the bottle and picked up the sandwich, “That time of the month.”

  My eyes went wide, “You got your period?”

  She tilted her head to look at me, her perfect brow arched, “The fact that you seem more bothered about that than I am is quite disturbing. What, you thought you were going to get laid this weekend?”

  I made a right turn, “No, I would never think about such things.”