British Black Sheep - Lauren Smith Page 0,60

to check his watch and then flung himself back down on the bed. “The bagpipers will start in a few minutes.”

“What? I thought that wasn’t until ten?”

“It is nearly ten.” He retrieved his Breitling watch from the nightstand to show her.

“Oh God. Your mom must be waiting for me!” Brie threw the covers back and sat up.

“Probably, but you shouldn’t worry. Get dressed. I’ll have someone take Ainsley out for you.”

Brie slid out of bed. “Thanks.” Alec folded his arms behind his head as he enjoyed the view of her delectable backside as she bent to pick up her clothes off the floor and put them in her suitcase before retrieving a fresh outfit to wear.

His phone buzzed and he leaned over to grab it from the nightstand. A dozen emails were bolded in his inbox. He groaned. The office was bugging him on Christmas day of all days to start the acquisition paperwork. This was why he hadn’t been home for Christmas the last three years. Whoever stayed in London to work on whatever deal was going down always got the bonuses, raises and recognition. It was also far easier to bury himself in work on Christmas day and not think about losing his grandfather.

“What is it?” Brie asked. She was dressed now, her lovely curves half hidden beneath the deep cranberry colored sweater.

“Work. I need to go handle this. If you want to take Ainsley out early, her leash is in her crate.”

“I’ll take her.” Brie pulled on her boots and picked the puppy up. She collected the red leash and carried the dog out of the room. Alec got out of bed and dressed. He’d have to work for a few hours but then he’d be able to enjoy some of the day with Brie and his family.

As he left Brie’s room, he thought back to last night and how Brie had been everything he’d wanted. Yet even as she drifted to sleep, he’d seen a flash of something in her eyes. Resignation? Reservation? Some combination of the two?

It shouldn’t matter. Last night was simply that. The last night. They would both go back to their separate lives. It shouldn’t bother him, but it did.

For the next two hours he worked on his laptop in his room, unable to shake the knot of worry in his chest. He could hear the distant Christmas music and knew everyone was downstairs having fun while he was working. Wasn’t that how things were supposed to be? Wasn’t that how he’d always wanted it to be?

Brie spent the first half of the day taking pictures of the bagpipers and the Christmas turkey, roasted chutney, and artichoke soup that were served for the main meal. She laughed as everyone popped the brightly colored Christmas crackers and wore the flimsy paper crowns will they shared the jokes from their crackers.

Nearly twenty people filled the massive dining room table, but one seat was empty. Alec’s.

Julia and Byron both attempted to pretend the vacant seat didn’t exist. It was depressingly clear that they were used to the eldest son not attending Christmas activities. Morgan, on the other hand, was the life of the party. He, and many of the others, wore terrible Christmas sweaters as part of an ugly sweater contest. Yet when he glanced toward Brie, she saw a hint of something in his eyes that warned her his charm was a cover. He looked…disappointed, not that she could guess why.

By early evening, Alec finally come downstairs and slipped in to join the celebrations. His parents wished him a happy Christmas, but Brie didn’t miss their disappointment. Alec moved through the crowds until he was standing next to her. The kids drank hot apple cider while the adults enjoyed various dessert drinks like sherry and port.

“Did you get your work done?” Brie asked.

“Mostly. I’ll be busy for a week or so, and then it’s another couple weeks until the next big deal comes our way.”

Brie didn’t reply. In a way she was glad. Her foolish heart had so desperately wanted to connect itself to him, but this was a stark reminder that it would never have worked out. The last few days have been a nice vacation but that’s all it was: a vacation.

“So, you leave tomorrow?” Alec asked. “That’s Boxing Day. Don’t you want to stay for that?”

“I can’t.” Brie knew she could, but she wasn’t going to draw out the goodbyes more than she had to. She had everything she needed for