Cinderella's New York Christmas

Sebastian’s voice was tight. ‘Mamma and Papà spent their lives growing this family business. It’s gone from a few tiny shops in Italy to a billion-euro company with worldwide acclaim. You might know business, Leo, but you don’t know this business. And I’m damned if I’m going to let their pride and joy fall apart around you for the next six months because you don’t know what you’re doing.’

He’d had enough. Leo had reached breaking point. He pulled back every emotion that he’d been struggling to keep in check. Business. Sebastian was talking business to him and no one was better at business than him.

‘I might not know anything about the jewellery business, Sebastian, but one business is the same as another. Don’t make any mistake, I don’t want to do this, and I’m not interested in doing this. I don’t need your mamma and papà’s business, and I certainly don’t need their money. I could walk away right now quite happily, but where would that leave you?’

He let the words hang in the air. Noemi’s face was pale as she stood up and reached out and took Leo’s hand, stumbling. Leo caught her elbow but Sebastian was at her side in an instant. ‘Are you okay?’ He slid his arm around her waist, helping to prop her up. It was like she was caught between two brothers.

She gave a shake of her head as she steadied herself for a few seconds, one hand still holding Leo’s. ‘Just a bit dizzy.’ She pressed her other hand against her stomach as she took some slow breaths and the colour in her cheeks started to return.

When she lifted her chin, her eyes were filled with tears. ‘Don’t do this. Don’t be like this.’ Her head went from one brother to the other. ‘I hate this too. But Mamma and Papà want us to work together. They want us to be a family.’ She turned to face Giovanni. ‘You’ve read the will, but I think we should have a little time to consider what it all means.’ She let go of Leo’s hand and reached for his shoulders, turning him to face her. ‘Leo, I want to know you. I want to know my brother. I’ve already missed out on so much of your life, I don’t want to miss out on any more. I’m not asking you to be my best friend. But family is important to me—now, more than ever.’ She squeezed his shoulders. ‘Why don’t you both take a bit of time? This is a lot, I know that—for all of us. We all need to think—to process—and...’ she glanced at Sebastian again ‘...probably to cool off. How about we agree to meet again later?’

Her eyes were pleading as she looked between the two men. Giovanni nodded. ‘Sounds reasonable. Nothing will happen quickly in terms of the will. It will take around six to eight weeks for things to be legally tied up back in Italy, and I can string things out as long as you all need.’

‘Fine.’ Sebastian’s answer was short.

‘We can meet again around Christmastime?’ Noemi said, her voice breaking with distress. ‘Back here?’ She pressed her lips together. ‘It’s what Mamma and Papà always wanted.’

There was an edge to her words. A hint of desperation. It brought it home to him again. She’d just lost her parents. They all had.

He moved from her grasp and collected his coat. The swell of emotion in the room too much for him. He gave the briefest of nods. ‘I’ll get back to you both,’ he said as he walked swiftly towards the glass doors and out into the dark night.

He hadn’t even bothered to fasten his coat again and the Swiss Alpine air bit around him. He could barely register the cold, his body was so flushed with heat.

New York. That’s where Leo wanted to be right now. That was where he called home. He’d left Indiana and his adoptive parents behind a long time ago.

As he tramped along the snow-covered path he quickly realised he had no idea where he was going. The car from the airport had dropped his luggage at the luxury chalet booked by his PA. Trouble was, he didn’t know where that was. He pulled out his phone to search on a map. Around him people were crowding out of bars and hotels. It only took a few glances to realise that the Mont Coeur ski resort was filled with the rich, the very rich and the very, very rich.

He knew how ironic that thought was. He was in that category—as was his newfound family. But Leo didn’t usually willingly mix in these circles. He’d always been picky about who he surrounded himself with, preferring people with their feet firmly on the ground to those who worried about climbing the social ladder.

He could go into a bar—find somewhere to have a drink. But he wasn’t really in the mood for a drink. Distraction maybe—but not a drink.

He checked out the map on his phone and headed down another street, this one a little quieter and leading away from the main thoroughfare.

He probably should have hired a car or tried to find a taxi, as he realised the road towards his luxury chalet was mainly uphill. But the truth was he didn’t really mind. It gave him a little time to think about what had just happened.

Several things burned in his mind. Giovanni had said the will had always included him. That made him feel...odd. His adoptive parents had always maintained that his real parents couldn’t wait to be rid of him. The harsh words had felt as if they’d burned their way into his soul, wounding him in a way he’d never spoken about. He’d spent years resenting both his real and his adoptive parents, feeling as if he wasn’t really wanted anywhere. Finding out now that was all untrue was more unsettling than he could have ever imagined.

He let out a long, slow breath, sending warm air out into the icy night, clouding around him.

Leo reached the end of the street and looked up from the map on his phone. His chalet should be off to the right, but to his left he saw Mont Coeur’s practice slopes. Even though it was nine o’clock at night, there were still a few people getting in that last run.

They were illuminated with bright white lights, reflecting off the glossy snow, smoothed down hard by the constant traffic on the slopes. In most other ski resorts, the slopes were high above the actual towns. Mont Coeur was different. It was built halfway up the mountain, almost right in the middle of the slopes, which made them much more accessible.

He stopped for a minute, leaning on a fence as he watched a single figure head down towards him. Dressed completely in black, the figure zig-zagged down the practically empty slope at an alarming rate of speed. Skiing was something he’d loved to do over the years and he could appreciate the skill and expertise. He frowned. Wasn’t the figure coming down just a little too fast?

There was a loud bang to his right. His head flicked to the side, just in time to see a car with a black cloud of smoke coming from under its bonnet.

He flicked back to the skier. Oh, no.

They’d turned to check out the noise too, and now it was too late. In the blink of an eye he realised they hadn’t slowed their descent enough. That split-second distraction had been too much.

They desperately tried to slow, but it was too little, too late and they hurtled into the tyres at the bottom of the practice slope with a sickening crash.

Leo didn’t think twice. He leapt over the fence and scrambled over the thick tyres. There was hardly anyone around, and it was clear he was the closest.

The figure was lying crumpled on the ground, skis askew and one of their legs in an awkward position. Leo slipped and slid on the snow. ‘Are you okay? Can I do something to help you?’

He knelt down next to the figure in black. Now he was closer he could see it was a woman. The black salopettes and padded ski jacket couldn’t hide the slim curves underneath. She still hadn’t responded. He touched her arm, ‘Hi, I’m Leo. Can I help you?’

There was a groan underneath him. The twisted leg moved and she gave a yelp. ‘Foitrottl!’

He smiled. He may not have understood the language—was it Swiss? German?—but he understood the sentiment. Not quite as ladylike as he might have imagined. ‘Well, at least I know you’re conscious,’ he said.

Her arms shot upwards and she snapped the fastener on her ski helmet and pushed her ski goggles upwards, revealing a mass of ice blonde hair.

‘What on earth was that noise?’ she said, switching to English. She was mad. She was more than mad.

Leo couldn’t help but smile again. As well as the avalanche of blonde hair, this lady had the clearest blue eyes he’d ever seen. She pretty much looked like some kind of ice princess but he could already guess how she would take that kind of comparison.

‘It sounded like a combination of a car backfiring and an engine blowing up. Either way, it was loud.’

She was digging her elbows into the snow and struggling to push herself up.

‘Can I give you hand?’ He stood up and reached out towards her.

For a second he thought she might refuse, but after the briefest pause she pulled one hand from her glove and grasped his fingers tightly.

He tugged—maybe a little more firmly than he needed to—and pulled her straight up into him. His other arm caught around her waist just as her weight hit her feet and she yelped again as her leg buckled beneath her.

He tightened his grip and pulled her against his hip. ‘Do you think something’s broken? Do you want me to call an ambulance for you?’

She was breathing hard and fast but her skin was pale. ‘Just give me a second,’ she gasped.

So he did. And even though it was freezing after a few seconds he was struck by the heat emanating from her slight frame. She was taller than most women he met, but still at least six inches shorter than him. He stood silently, watching a little colour appear in her pale cheeks and her breathing eventually starting to slow. She was holding her left foot off the ground and tentatively put it back down, wincing almost immediately.

‘Want me to carry you?’

Her frown was fierce but she didn’t bite his head off. Instead she leaned a little into him. ‘Nope, definitely not. Sorry to be a pest, but I’ve got a bit of an old injury. Would you mind just helping me limp back to the ski hut? There’s a buggy I can use there to get back to my chalet.’

‘Can you stand for a second?’ She nodded and he bent to retrieve her skis and poles before sliding his arm back around her waist and taking some of her weight. ‘Okay, then. What were you doing, practising so late? Most people are in the town by now.’

She gripped onto his arm with her other hand as she limped alongside him, being careful not to put too much weight on her foot.

Leo couldn’t help but ask again. ‘You’re sure that’s not broken?’

She shook her head. ‘I’m sure. Believe me. I’ve broken a few bones in my time.’

It was just the way she said it. He couldn’t help himself. ‘What—yours or other people’s?’

She threw back her head and laughed, then obviously put too much weight on her bad foot. ‘Ouch.’

Leo actions were instinctual. He dropped the skis, bent down and swept her up into his arms.

‘What are you doing?’ Her eyes were wide. She glanced around but it was late, the slopes were quiet, and there wasn’t really anyone else watching.

‘I’m carrying you,’ he said simply. He strode towards the large ski hut. ‘No point hurting yourself when you don’t need to. I’ll come back for those in a second,’ he said, noticing as she craned over his shoulder to look for her abandoned equipment. He looked down at her curiously. He could tell she was just about to object again. ‘So, have you broken a lot of bones? What are you—a ski instructor?’

There was a flash of something on her face as they approached the ski hut. She sighed. ‘Yes, I guess I am.’

He moved around the side of the building. Just like she’d said, there was a large SUV with snow tyres. ‘Want me to drive?’ he asked as he set her gently down next to the passenger door.

‘Will you carry me round to the other side if I say no?’ she quipped.

Leo smiled. Whatever else had happened today, things were definitely looking up. He winked at her. ‘Your wish is my command, Ice Princess.’

Ice Princess? Had he actually just called her Ice Princess?

If she had been feeling herself she’d toss her head and stomp off. Trouble was, she wasn’t feeling herself. She actually felt as if she might be sick all over her ski boots.

As her rescuer disappeared to retrieve her skis and poles, she wondered if maybe it was the shock of the noise of the backfiring car. Maybe it was her current feeling of stupidity for allowing herself to be distracted when she really should know better. Or maybe it was that whole host of memories that had come flooding back as she’d tumbled down the slope, too quickly and completely out of control.

She dug into her ski jacket and pulled out her key. As he returned, leaning her equipment against the SUV, she steeled herself to say words she’d never thought she would. ‘Actually, would you mind? I promise I only live a five-minute drive from here.’

The guy—Leo he’d said he was called—gave a quick nod as she pressed the button to open the doors. ‘Not at all,’ he said graciously.

He was being a gentleman. There was obviously a cheeky demeanour hiding under there, but for now she’d take the gentleman. Anything to get home as soon as possible.

She slid into her seat, suddenly aware she’d been a little rude. ‘And it’s Anissa—not Ice Princess.’

He smiled as he slid into the driver’s seat and pressed the button to start the engine. ‘Anissa.’ He gave a nod of approval. ‘Sounds like a kind of ice princess name to me.’

‘Do you know many ice princesses, Leo?’

He laughed and held out his hand. ‘Leo Baxter. From New York. Just here for a few days on...’ his face gave a little twist ‘...family business.’

She shook his hand. ‘Anissa Lang. And this Ice Princess has the illustrious other titles of part-time ski instructor, part-time chalet maid.’ He smiled. He had a nice smile, dark, curly hair a little longer than average and bright blue eyes that could stop a girl in her tracks. Just as well she was sitting down. She held his gaze just a few seconds longer than she meant to.

He didn’t look away. His grin just got wider and she felt colour rush into her cheeks. What on earth was she doing? She took a deep breath and focused on the view through the windscreen instead. It was safer.

He pulled the car out of the parking lot and stopped at the road junction.

‘Right.’ She pointed.

‘Were you doing a lesson?’ he queried. ‘I didn’t notice any students on the slopes with you.’

She shook her head. ‘Too late for lessons. And students wouldn’t be allowed on that slope. Too dangerous.’

He gave a nod of his head as he continued down the dark road. ‘You don’t say.’

A wave of nausea rushed over her and she put a hand to her mouth. ‘You okay?’ he asked quickly, his cheeky quips instantly replaced by concern.

She swallowed and pointed a little further down the road. ‘Take the next left, please. I’m just at the end of that road.’

She leaned back against the seat and gave a sigh. ‘Maybe I hit my head. I’m feeling a bit queasy.’

His eyes were laced with concern, but he didn’t say anything else until he pulled up outside her staff chalet. A few seconds later he’d stopped the car, jumped out, rounded the car and opened her door. ‘Let’s get you inside. Maybe if you sit down for a few minutes and get some water, you’ll feel a little better. If you don’t, I’m sure I can find a doctor in the resort to check you over.’

She really wanted to argue with him, but getting inside her chalet seemed like the priority right now, so she let him help her out and up the steps to the chalet, not even objecting when he took the key from her slightly shaking hand and opened the door for her. He flicked on her lights and slid his arm around her waist, helping her inside.

She sagged down onto her sofa in relief, unzipping her ski jacket and taking a few deep breaths. When she opened her eyes a few seconds later, Leo had already started the fire.

‘Well, if I’m Ice Princess, you must be Prince Charming.’ She smiled.

It was odd. She didn’t feel threatened by the complete stranger who was currently inside her temporary home and finding his way around. She was actually feeling relieved there was someone else with her right now.

‘Oh,’ she said in surprise as he sat down on the coffee table opposite her and lifted up her ski boot.

Those blue eyes twinkled. ‘Prince Charming? Isn’t that the guy obsessed with shoes? Let’s get these ski boots off and you can see if you’ve done any damage.’ He really was too handsome for his own good.

He undid the clips, loosened the boot then gave it a gentle tug, pulling it off. She clenched her jaw, waiting for wave of pain she’d normally feel if she’d done some damage. There were a few twinges but nothing severe.

He pulled off the other boot, holding her foot for a little longer than necessary. ‘Okay?’ His question seemed sincere, so she nodded as he moved so her feet could rest on the table in front of her. ‘You still look really pale.’ He glanced around the room. ‘How about something medicinal? I think you’re in a bit of shock. Do you have any brandy?’

Her brain really couldn’t think straight. Brandy. Yes. She had some of that. She waved her hand. ‘Cabinet behind you.’

Two minutes later she heard the clink of glasses. She leaned forward and peeled down her socks. No obvious swelling. Thank goodness. She gave both of her feet a cautious circle. Whilst one was definitely sore, it wasn’t as bad as she’d initially feared.

A glass was pressed into her hand and Leo lowered himself into the seat next to her.

She took a sip of the brandy and pulled a face. ‘I’m not sure if giving someone alcohol for shock is really the official treatment.’ She gave her head a shake. ‘You know, St Bernards don’t really have brandy around their necks.’

He smiled and raised his glass. ‘What can I say? I’ve always been one for old wives’ tales.’

She looked at him curiously. His face was a tiny bit flushed in her rapidly warming chalet, but there was no question that this was one of the most handsome guys she’d seen in a while. Mont Coeur was no stranger to numerous jet-set playboy millionaires, but he didn’t seem quite the type. She took another sip of her brandy, which warmed on the way down.

‘I’m not sure I believe you—you don’t look like an old-wives’-tales kind of guy.’ She sighed. ‘But then again, I’m not the type of girl to let a stranger drive her car—or come into her chalet—so I guess it’s just a night of firsts.’

There was a definite twinkle in his eye. She nudged him.

At any other time alarm bells would be going off in her head. But the one thing she instantly felt around this guy was safe. That was it. He had a safe kind of smile. She liked that—that and those bright blue eyes. ‘Want to take that wool coat off before you die from heat exhaustion?’

Her heart skipped a few beats. Had she really just said that? More or less invited him to stay a bit longer?

Deep down something was flickering inside her—and it was nothing to do with the fire. Everything about this was so out of character for her. Under normal circumstances she would probably have tried to hound her rescuer back outside the door. But Leo just seemed...different.

There was something in his eyes that she couldn’t quite figure. He had the tiniest air of mystery around him—that and a whole load of sex appeal. A lethal combination.

He laughed, unfastened the coat and shrugged it off. ‘A night of firsts,’ he repeated. There was a strange kind of look on his face. ‘I guess it’s certainly been one of those.’

There it was—the air of mystery that just seemed to reel her in. She turned a little towards him. ‘What do you mean?’

He shook his head. ‘Let’s just say I’m glad of the distraction.’

Now she was definitely curious. ‘Well, from my experience, most people come to Mont Coeur to either ski or...’ she raised her eyebrows ‘...to show off how rich they are. Which category are you in?’

For a second he was silent, then he took a long, slow swig from the brandy glass. ‘I can just about hold my own on a ski slope. But I’ve never skied at Mont Coeur before. I came here at kind of short notice. I didn’t bring any equipment with me.’

‘So you didn’t come here for the skiing?’

He shook his head. He really wasn’t giving much away. But the way that he looked at her through those heavy-lidded eyes, it was making her stomach do a whole lot of flip-flops. Never mind skiing. Right now her stomach thought she was a gymnast.

‘But you were watching tonight?’

He nodded. ‘I’ve only been here a few hours. I haven’t even reached my...’ he put his fingers in the air ‘...“luxury cabin” yet.’

Anissa’s stomach gave a little twist. Please don’t let him be staying in one of the cabins I’m cleaning.

‘So, is it business or pleasure?’ She licked her lips, a little nervous at asking the question. For all she knew, he could actually be here with a wife or fiancée, and really only was being gentlemanly by helping her home. She unintentionally held her breath as she waited for the answer.

‘I imagine some people would expect me to say a bit of both.’ He gave another sigh. ‘But the honest answer is neither. In a lot of ways, I wish I’d never come. There’s nothing I’d like more than to jump back on the soonest flight to New York.’

Her stomach gave a little pang. The first interesting guy she’d met in a long time couldn’t wait to get out of Dodge. Typical.

But it was the way he’d said the words that mattered. As if they made him sad. ‘Then why don’t you?’ she asked quietly.

He met her gaze with his blue eyes. ‘Because I’m a bit in limbo. What I do next could affect other people—whether I like it or not.’

Empathy swelled within her. Connection. Because those words were so familiar to her. What she did wouldn’t affect anyone other than herself. But being in limbo? She raised her glass to him. ‘Limbo. I see your few days’ worth of limbo and raise you a whole year’s worth.’

He turned closer towards her, leaning in and letting her see the shadow on his jawline and the tiny lines around his eyes. That tiny movement made her catch her breath at what might lie ahead. The woody scent of his aftershave filled her senses. She liked it. It had a hint of spice mixed with earthy tones.

He leaned his head on one hand and gave her a sexy kind of smile. ‘How did a gorgeous girl like you end up in limbo in Mont Coeur? Have you always lived here?’

Gorgeous. He’d just called her gorgeous. She could almost hear the echoing voices of approval of her fellow chalet maids at her rapidly rising heart rate. For months they’d been telling her to pay more attention to the guys around her. For months she’d told them she had other priorities and that no one had captured her attention. And they hadn’t. Until now.

She shook her head and tried her best to play it cool. ‘I’m Austrian. But I’ve spent most of my life on skis, no matter where I’ve lived.’ She lifted one hand. ‘This last year? Let’s just say it hasn’t been my best—hasn’t been my favourite. Limbo is exactly the right word to describe the last twelve months of my life.’

It hurt. Every memory about it still hurt. From the physical pain of crashing down a mountainside. To the psychological pain of realising her hopes of winning an international skiing championship gold medal had just been ripped from her grasp. Then there was the emotional trauma of her fiancé and coach, Alain, dumping her.

Leo reached out and grabbed her hand, the touch of his warm skin shooting an instant tingle up her arm. His voice was deep. His other hand reached over and tucked a wayward strand of hair behind her ear. It was a personal touch, an intimate touch, and the skin on her face was on fire with it. ‘How about, for one night only, we try and forget about the stuff that’s dragging us down?’

She blinked. Had he actually just said that?

The fire was flickering behind him, sending a warm glow around the room. Her heart missed a few beats.