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Once the water was hot, I brought the teapot and cups to the table and then sat beside her, our arms and legs touching. I plucked a strawberry from the platter and brought it to her lips. When she took a bite and then licked my fingers, I made a plan to bring a bowl of fruit up to our room.
Our room. I waited for the feeling of dread I anticipated with a thought such as that, but it didn’t come. Instead, the warmth from her body next to mine, blanketed me against my own guilt or recrimination.
I heard the lift leave the floor and then return a few minutes later.
“Happy Christmas,” I heard Angel say after the door opened. She sat down at the table and rested her folded arms on it. “By the look of you both, I’d say this is a very happy Christmas, indeed.”
Kensington pointed to the end of the table where the Miró painting sat. “Cortez gave me a Christmas gift last night.”
“Yeah?” Angel stood, lifted the paper that covered it, and gasped. “A Miró?”
Kensington nodded. “Isn’t it brilliant?”
Angel’s eyes met mine. “An original?”
I gave a slight nod.
“Wow. I’m impressed, Rile.”
“By what?” asked Casper, coming in from the outside stairwell. “Oh, that? I peeked earlier.”
“Please join us,” I said to the two of them, waving my hand at the table. “There’s plenty of food, more where this came from. Casper, you’ll find a French press in the cupboard and coffee beside it.” I stood and refilled the tea kettle and set it on the stove. “Angel, there is tea.”
“You are such a gracious host, err, boss. We aren’t exactly your guests,” muttered Angel. “Thanks, nonetheless.”
“You are very welcome,” I said, returning Kensington’s smiling gaze.
Her back was to me, but I could feel the sorrow seeping off of Casper. This would be her second Christmas without her beloved husband, and I knew exactly how hard that would be for her. I rested my hand on her shoulder and watched her wipe away a tear.
As much as I wanted to spend the day alone with Kensington, I had another idea that would allow the three women in the room with me to enjoy the holiday a bit more. It would also keep Casper’s mind off her sadness, at least a little.
I went back and sat beside Kensington. “Last night, we spoke about Christmas at the Palacio de la Zarzuela.”
Her eyes lit up. “Do tell Teagon and Casper about it, Cortez. It sounded enchanting.”
“What if I were to show them instead?”
“That would be brilliant,” she murmured.
“Are you certain we’d be welcome?” Angel asked.
“More than,” I said, knowing exactly my mother’s reaction.
As I predicted, the duchess’ exclamation of glee could be heard across the room through my mobile.
“Do hurry, Cortez,” she said before putting her hand over her mic, most likely to announce our impending visit. “Please plan to stay, darling,” she said before we rang off.
I hadn’t considered the notion, but being there would allow Angel and Casper some time to relax, considering the security my family already had on staff.
When we arrived at the airfield in Palma, I went inside the private terminal and made arrangements for our transport. Instead of driving to the DeLéon hangar, I drove to the helipad. When we arrived, I looked at Angel in the rearview. “Would you mind terribly?”
She clapped her hands and let out an exclamation of glee similar to my mother’s. “Seriously?” she said, eyeing the Bell 429 helicopter that sat waiting.
“Are you rated?”
She nodded, practically salivating.
