Snowbound with the Billionaire

Dear Reader,

It’s that time of year again!

Christmas is a special time, for family and for friends, and my own family is no different. All our sons come home for the holidays, and my parents come to stay, too, and for days the house is full of warmth and love and laughter.

I hope that my love of Christmas is shared with all of you when you read my Christmas stories.

Happy Christmas!

Carole Mortimer

Snowbound with the Billionaire

Carole Mortimer

www.millsandboon.co.uk

MILLS & BOON

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Table of Contents

Cover

Letter to Reader

Title Page

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

Copyright

CHAPTER ONE

CARO’S SEARCHING GAZE swept over the sea of happy faces as she left the baggage area at Heathrow Airport, looking for her brother Gavin. It was the day before Christmas Eve, and there were dozens of people waiting expectantly for family and friends to arrive for the holidays. Caro wasn’t in the least surprised when Gavin didn’t appear to be one of them; her absent-minded brother had probably forgotten she was arriving today!

‘I’ll take it from here, thanks.’

Caro froze the second she heard that arrogantly forceful voice behind her, the colour fading from her cheeks, the blood in her veins turning to ice, and her excitement at being back in England again turning to cold dread.

No!

It couldn’t be…

Not here. Not now!

She had been in Majorca for over a year—

‘Have a good Christmas!’ called out the man, who had very kindly offered to push Caro’s luggage trolley through for her, happily as he hastened away to be greeted by a pretty blonde woman and two young children.

‘Could you get a move on, Caro?’ rasped that all-too-familiar voice. ‘We’re holding everyone up.’

Caro turned sharply, eyes wide, feeling numb with disbelief as she looked up at the man who had now taken charge of the trolley and her luggage. It really was Jake! She took in everything about his face in that single glance. Aged in his mid-thirties, Jake had dark hair, green eyes—angrily accusing!—high cheekbones either side of an arrogant slash of a nose, and sculptured lips that at the moment were thinned with displeasure. His firm jaw was tightly clenched.

Jake Montgomery.

Caro’s estranged husband…

Jake gave Caro a steely look—long enough to register the fact that, at ten years his junior, she was as beautiful as ever—before turning his hungry gaze to the baby she carried in her arms.

The baby’s hair was the same red-gold as Caro’s, but eyes the same emerald-green as his own stared back at him with guileless curiosity. The nose was small and snub, and the mouth a perfect bow in a chubby face warmly golden from the Majorcan sun.

Magdalena. His six-month-old daughter that Jake hadn’t even known existed until a few hours ago.

The six-month-old daughter who had absolutely no idea that Jake was her father! Jake’s instinct—need—was to snatch the baby from Caro and hold her in his arms for the very first time. To bury his face in the baby’s silky red-gold curls. To breathe in the essence of her. To feel the solidness of her very existence.

That was Jake’s instinct. Logic told him he couldn’t do that—that he was a stranger to Magdalena and she would probably scream the place down if he were to try and take her from the comfort and safety of her mother’s arms.

Jake’s mouth thinned grimly as he thought of Caro’s year-long deception that had made him a stranger to his own daughter, and he clenched his fingers tightly about the handle of the trolley to stop himself from giving in to the temptation to reach out and shake Caro where she stood.

‘Let’s get out of here.’

‘I’m not going anywhere with you, Jake!’ Caro’s sky-blue eyes glittered with determination, her cheeks aflame with colour now as she stood her ground with her arms protectively about the baby.

‘Oh, yes, Caro, you most certainly are,’ Jake contradicted her, his long-held patience finally at breaking point. ‘Unless, that is, you would prefer to stand here in front of all these people and tell me the reason you didn’t inform me of the existence of my own daughter?’ he added with pointed challenge.

What Caro wanted to do was to sit down and cry. Or scream and shout. But most of all she wanted Jake to just disappear. To not be here at all. ‘We have nothing to discuss,’ she told him firmly, unhappily aware that he easily towered over her five-feet-four-inch height as she attempted to take charge of the trolley herself.

And failed miserably.

‘I really don’t advise that we have this conversation here, Caro,’ Jake reiterated before he strode off, pushing the trolley in front of him.

Leaving Caro no choice but to follow him. All of Magdalena’s food, clothes and other baby needs were in that trolley—as was the suitcase she had packed for their week-long seasonal stay.

Caro almost had to run to keep up with Jake’s much longer strides as he headed towards one of the exits, and she was not in the least surprised when people moved aside to make a path before him—like Moses parting the Red Sea!

What was Jake doing here? How could he possibly have known Caro would be on that particular flight from Majorca?

Gavin!

She ground her teeth in exasperation. Her totally brilliant but equally impossible and absent-minded younger brother was noticeably absent!

Caro hadn’t even wanted to make this trip to England, but Gavin had talked her into it with the claim that with their parents both dead they were now the only family each of them had, and that Christmas was a time for families to be together.

Maybe all with the intention of Jake being the one to meet her at the airport instead of her brother…?

No, Gavin was absent-minded—rarely knew what time it was, let alone which day of the week—but still Caro didn’t believe he would have deliberately put her in this awkward position.

‘Where’s Gavin?’ Caro asked as she unwillingly followed Jake outside into the icily cold wind.

Snow had been forecast in England for Christmas, and Caro had dressed both Magdalena and herself accordingly, the two of them wearing jeans and heavy sweaters beneath their warm coats. Nevertheless, she pulled up the hood of Magdalena’s pink coat to keep off most of the biting chill.

Jake turned to look at his wife and daughter, a fist clenching in his chest as he was once again hit with the likeness between them.

Caro’s long hair was that same unusual shade of red-gold, her skin tanned with the same golden hue, her nose slightly upturned, her mouth a full pouting bow, and her chin small and stubbornly pointed. But her eyes were a clear sky-blue, and surrounded by the thickest, darkest lashes Jake had ever seen. Caro was undeniably still the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.

She was also—no matter how much she might wish it were otherwise!—still his wife.

As Magdalena was undoubtedly his daughter…

‘Will you please tell me where Gavin is?’ Caro prompted again impatiently.

A satisfied smile curved Jake’s mouth. ‘When I last saw him?’

He quirked dark brows. ‘He was grappling with a particularly trouble some glitch in the program for the new security system he’s in the middle of developing for Montgomery Software.’

‘Your doing?’

‘Yes, as a matter of fact…’ Jake drawled unapologetically.

Caro gave a pained grimace as she closed her eyes. Her younger brother was currently, and probably always would be, one of the most brilliant computer programmers in the world. He was also one of the most single-minded. Nothing penetrated his concentration once he was caught up in one of his beloved computer programs. That single-mindedness was the very reason Jake Montgomery had employed Gavin at Montgomery Software two and a half years ago, after he’d left university.

It was that employment that had led to Caro meeting and falling in love with Jake only weeks later…

None of which was of the least help now, with the awkward situation she found herself in!

She attempted a conciliatory smile. ‘It was very kind of you to meet us, Jake, but—’

‘Believe me, Caro, kindness didn’t enter into my emotions at all when I learnt that Gavin had taken the unprecedented step of taking the afternoon off on the day before Christmas Eve because he had to go to the airport to pick up a relative. As you’re the only relative Gavin has…’ He shrugged. ‘I cashed in a few favours with a friend who owns one of the airlines, and he managed to ascertain that a Caroline Montgomery was arriving on a flight from Majorca. Along with her six-month-old baby daughter—Magdalena Montgomery,’ Jake gritted.

Caro eyed him warily, noticing as she did so the lines of grimness beside Jake’s eyes and mouth, the touches of grey in the darkness of the hair at his temples. Neither of which had been there when she had seen him a little over a year ago.

Not that Caro thought for a moment that it had been her walking out of their marriage that had brought about those changes in Jake. As she knew only too well, he simply hadn’t cared enough about her or their marriage for that to be the case. He’d found someone new to occupy his time with, and she hadn’t been able to bear that.

‘It was easy enough after that to come up with something that would distract Gavin so that he totally forgot he was going anywhere this afternoon,’ Jake added with an evil smile. ‘Don’t worry—I’ve left a message with my secretary to assure him of your safety once he does emerge from his programming trance.’

Gavin was now the least of her worries. ‘Jake—’

‘I don’t intend continuing this conversation now, Caro,’ he stated.

‘When, then?’ She stubbornly stood her ground.

‘When I’m good and ready!’ His eyes glittered dangerously.

‘I hate to burst your bubble, Jake, but I no longer give a damn— Where are you going with my luggage?’ Caro demanded as Jake turned away to push the trolley across the road.

He didn’t even glance back as he answered her. ‘Wherever it is I’m going, I would advise that you follow me!’

‘I— But— Jake!’ Caro protested, making no effort to follow him—her days of following where Jake led were long over!

Jake drew in a deep controlling breath as he came to an abrupt halt on the island in the middle of the road, appreciating the fact that if he did follow his instinct to shake Caro right here and now there were enough policemen and women milling about the airport to arrest him on the spot!

How could she have done this to him? No matter what their differences were, how could she have kept her pregnancy from him—let alone the birth of their daughter six months ago? Did Caro really hate him that much…?

Jake had been asking himself those same questions for the last three hours—since learning of Caro and Magdalena’s imminent arrival in England. Since he had learnt of his daughter’s existence…

He still had no answers to those questions.

But Caro did. And before this day was out she was going to give Jake those answers. Just not here. And certainly not now.

He turned slowly, steeling himself not to be affected by how young and defenceless she suddenly looked, with her hair flowing about her shoulders and her coat buttoned up against the cold. Fitted jeans emphasised her slenderness, and her expression was once again defensive as she held Magdalena to her tightly.

Caro was wise to feel apprehension! ‘My car is parked over here,’ Jake informed her abruptly.

‘Your car?’ Caro shook her head, her expression be-coming stubborn. ‘Magdalena and I can easily get a taxi to Gavin’s apartment.’

Jake’s eyes narrowed. ‘You and I both know there is no way I’m going to let you go anywhere until the two of us have had a chance to talk.’

She swallowed hard. ‘You can’t stop me—’

‘No?’ Jake challenged softly.

Caro felt a shiver of apprehension run down the length of her spine as she saw the cold and ruthless determination on Jake’s handsome face.

A face she had fallen instantly in love with over two years ago…

But she hadn’t fallen in love with just his face, Caro accepted heavily. She had fallen in love with the whole package. The self-assurance that bordered on arrogance. The air of power that his incredible wealth gave him. The athletic fitness of his six-foot-two-inch frame. The experienced and mesmerising lover who had held Caro so totally in his thrall that she hadn’t even noticed that Jake had never, ever—not even during the height of passion—told her that he loved her.

No, she wouldn’t even go there!

She couldn’t go there.

It would remind her all too painfully of how her father had damaged their whole family with his fickle behaviour…

‘I’m not about to argue with you on this point, Caro,’ Jake bit out as he saw stubborn resolve return to her expression. ‘You’re going to come to my car with me. Then I’m going to drive us somewhere private, so that we can talk about this like two rational human beings.’

Sky-blue eyes warred with his for several long seconds as Jake waited for Caro to capitulate to his demand. And she would capitulate. Jake simply wouldn’t accept any other outcome to this conversation.

Yes, Jake wanted answers from his wife. Explanations for what she had done—if she had any! But he also wanted to sit somewhere quietly and hold his daughter in his arms for the first time. To familiarise himself with the weight and feel of her. To check all of her fingers and toes. To see her smile—

Damn it—Caro had better have a really good explanation for denying him knowledge of his own daughter for all these months.

‘Well?’ he pressed. ‘What’s it going to be? A slanging match here? Or a more civilised conversation somewhere less public?’ He gave a pointed glance at the stream of people constantly leaving the airport building, several of them shooting curious looks their way as they obviously sensed the tension of their exchange.

Caro’s earlier sense of dread returned with a vengeance. She knew that Jake was more than capable of carrying out his threat. That he was more than capable of simply picking up both her and Magdalena and carrying them to his car if necessary.

Her chin rose as she met the challenge in that emerald-green gaze. ‘Very well. But wherever we go I’m only staying long enough so that we can sort this situation out.’

‘Whatever.’ Mocking humour darkened glittering green eyes.

After all, Jake mused wickedly as Caro finally fell into step beside him to walk across to the car park, she hadn’t specified exactly to whose satisfaction the situation had to be sorted out…

CHAPTER TWO

‘HOW DID YOU MANAGE that so quickly?’ Caro stared in surprise at the baby-seat that had obviously been professionally fitted into the back of the sleek dark green car that Jake had unlocked, before opening the door so that she could strap the now dozing Magdalena safely inside.

Jake mouth twisted humourlessly. ‘It’s amazing what can be achieved in just the few hours I’ve known of Magdalena’s existence.’

Caro knew it wasn’t so amazing when you were multi-multi-millionaire Jake Montgomery!

She straightened after securing the sleeping Magdalena into her seat, realising as she turned that Jake was standing far too close to her. Far too close for comfort. For her comfort, anyway!

Jake looked down at Caro through narrowed lids, taking his time as he noted the subtle changes in her. Her hair was longer. The lines of tension that had been beside her eyes and mouth a year ago when she’d walked out on him and their marriage were no longer there. Instead her make-up-less face was tanned a deep, healthy gold, her eyes were a clear blue.

He couldn’t resist reaching out to touch the softness of her tanned cheek. ‘Motherhood suits you, Caro…’

‘Don’t!’ She shied away from that reaching hand.

Jake’s mouth tightened as he allowed his hand to drop back to his side. ‘You never used to complain about my touching you,’ he said dryly.

Caro was finding it increasingly difficult to deny the memories of Jake that she had managed to keep at bay for at least six months of the last year.

It hadn’t been so easy to do during the long months of her pregnancy, but since Magdalena’s birth Caro had been kept too busy caring for her baby daughter to allow thoughts of Jake to disrupt her increasingly calm existence.

Any existence would be calm after living in the maelstrom that was Jake Montgomery’s life and consequently had become Caro’s own for the year she had been his wife.

She had been physically and emotionally drained when she’d arrived in Majorca, but the much more relaxed lifestyle on the island, and the friendliness of the people, had eventually acted as a balm to those broken emotions.

A balm that had swiftly disappeared a few minutes ago at the first sound of Jake’s arrogant voice!

She shot him a narrow-eyed stare before climbing into the front passenger seat of the car. ‘Motherhood isn’t the only reason for the changes in me, Jake.’

Cold anger blazed in the depths of his green eyes. ‘You—’

‘Could we just go, and get this over with?’ Caro interrupted wearily. ‘I’ve been travelling since early this morning, and what I need more than anything is a hot bath and something decent to eat.’ She leant her head back against the seat, her eyes closing.

Jake continued to look down at her for several long seconds, his jaw clenching as he recalled the way Caro had flinched away from him just now. As if she found his slightest touch distasteful.

What had he ever done to Caro to make her feel that way…?

Jake’s inner frustration with the situation filled him with a need to make Caro talk to him and tell him what was wrong.

But the obvious exhaustion on her face told him that she really was tired, that it hadn’t been at all easy travelling with a six-month-old baby.

Not that Jake would know anything about that, of course, never having been allowed to travel with his baby daughter!

Jake slammed Caro’s door, his expression stony as he strode round the car to get in behind the wheel, his movements automatic as he backed the car out of the parking space to drive towards the airport exit.

They drove in complete silence for several minutes, but it was a silence Caro found oppressive rather than restful.

‘Jake—’

‘It’s the day before Christmas Eve, Caro, and the traffic on roads is insane. With you and Magdalena in the car, I really would prefer to concentrate on my driving,’ Jake cut in quietly.

Caro gave a sceptical snort, knowing that Jake was perfectly capable of driving and talking at the same time. That he was more than capable of doing any damn thing he chose. In this case he simply chose not to.

Her own tension from the situation was increasing by the second, and a single glance at Jake’s rigidly set face was enough to intensify that fluttering of unease in her chest. That Jake was coldly furious under his façade of icy calm she had no doubts. That the fury was directed towards her was also in no doubt.

Because of Magdalena.

Because Caro hadn’t chosen to tell Jake she was pregnant, let alone that he had a six-month-old daughter!

No matter what Jake might be thinking to the contrary, that hadn’t been an easy decision to make. But, remembering her own incredibly difficult relationship with her father, she’d thought she was doing the right thing…

‘She’s beautiful.’

Caro turned sharply to look at Jake, her expression becoming pained as she saw the hunger in his gaze as he shot a glance at Magdalena’s reflection in his mirror before returning his attention back to the busy road.

Caro looked at her daughter. Magdalena was fast asleep now, her lashes long and dark against her rosily chubby cheeks, her red-gold hair in wispy curls about her face. ‘Yes, she is,’ Caro acknowledged huskily, and she turned back to look sightlessly out of the front window, her hands clenched so tightly her nails were digging into her palms.

‘Why Majorca, Caro?’ Jake suddenly asked as his hands tightly gripped the steering wheel.

His emotions were in turmoil, Jake acknowledged wryly. And not just because he had met his daughter for the very first time…

Being with Caro again, recognising the bloom mother hood had given to her beauty, being able to smell the perfume she always wore—which Jake knew he would associate with Caro until the day he died—was churning up his memories as much as he was sure his own presence was churning up Caro’s…if for a completely different reason.

And not good memories, either, going by her recent reaction to him!

‘Why not Majorca?’ Caro countered guardedly.

Jake sighed heavily. ‘Did you go there because you knew it was the very last place I would think of looking for you?’

Caro shot him a surprised look. ‘It never even occurred to me that you would want to look for me.’

His mouth compressed. ‘Don’t be so naïve, Caro. Once I had calmed down enough to be able to think straight, of course I looked for you.’

Her frown was pained. ‘I can’t imagine why…’

‘Can’t you?’ Jake grated.

Caro’s face was very pale. ‘Gavin knew where I could be reached—’

‘And no amount of cajoling, persuasion or even threats of outright violence would make him tell me where that was,’ Jake revealed, his expression tight as he recalled his brother-in-law’s refusal to even discuss Caro, let alone tell Jake where she was.

Even the threat of being sacked hadn’t shifted Gavin’s loyalty to Caro—probably because Gavin, although in a world of his own most of the time, was well aware of his own value in the world of computer software! Whatever the reason, nothing Jake had done or said had managed to shake the younger man’s resolve not to reveal his sister’s whereabouts.

Jake could still remember the knife-thrust of Gavin’s last comment on the subject. ‘If Caro had wanted you to find her, then she would have made sure you could do so by now.’ The truth of that statement had been undisputable. And painfully final…

‘I’m sure that Gavin would have forwarded any correspondence to me, if you had asked him to.’

‘I didn’t want to write you a letter, Caro!’ Jake exclaimed.

‘I was referring to the divorce papers.’

‘There isn’t going to be any divorce,’ he said definitely. ‘Not a year ago, and certainly not now.’ He gave a pointed look in the mirror at Magdalena.

Caro had been afraid this was going to be Jake’s reaction to knowing he had a daughter. Afraid and not a little apprehensive. She knew Jake well enough to know that once he was set on a course of action nothing deterred him from achieving his goal.