Read Online Sweet Cinderella (A Christmas Novella) (The Klaus Brothers Book 4) by Penny Watson - Free Book Online
Authors: Penny Watson
Ads: Link
buzzing and buzzing.
Forever.
“Surprise.” Today he held a bouquet of Paperwhites and Pepperberries in his arms.
She was under siege. And falling under so fast, she was terrified.
On Monday, he’d appeared at their door and whisked Hannah and the twins off to see the sea lions at the Central Park Zoo. Then he took them out for peppermint cupcakes.
On Tuesday, they’d browsed up and down Fifth Avenue to view the holiday windows. Afterward, he’d treated them to a pizza dinner at Gino’s.
On Wednesday, he’d shown up with matinee tickets for
Elf
. The boys had exploded with excitement. It was their favorite Christmas movie. Four hours later, they were covered with greasy popcorn stains and could barely hide their adoration for Gregor Klaus. He’d shot her a smug grin as he kissed her good night.
On Thursday, he’d taken them to the New York Botanical Garden for the holiday display and train show. The boys were spellbound by the model trains, and Hannah was enchanted by the gorgeous flowers. That night he’d ushered them into an Italian bistro where the boys giggled over plates of spaghetti and she and Gregor shared a bottle of red wine. By the end of the evening, his perfect outfit was marred by stains—Matteo had accidentally dropped a meatball covered in sauce on Gregor’s designer slacks. She’d been horrified. He didn’t seem to care at all. Evidently, money was no object for Gregor Klaus. He kept purchasing tickets and food, getting them special VIP entrance to events. Things she could never hope to do.
On Friday, he’d arrived with a crew of babysitters and had spirited Hannah away for a romantic date at the Met. They’d spent hours admiring the dazzling Christmas tree and Crèche, and then exploring the myriad galleries. Gregor had pried out the story about David and his illness. He seemed genuinely concerned about her and the twins.
Every day she fell deeper and deeper into trouble. And she kept waiting for the other shoe to drop. At some point he would look around their ratty apartment and think ‘
What the hell am I doing here?
’ Right? It was just a matter of time.
There was no way that ordinary Hannah and sophisticated Gregor Klaus would end up together. That only happened in her dreams.
She crossed her arms as Gregor entered the apartment. “Don’t you ever call first?”
He chuckled and handed her the flowers. “I’d rather show up in person.”
She took a deep breath and tried to remember her rehearsed speech. She looked away from his probing eyes. They saw way too much.
Hannah cleared her throat. “Unfortunately, I’m busy today. I won’t be able to spend time with you. I have to work. I have a huge backlog of papers to edit. And I’m volunteering at the animal shelter later. So . . . sorry. Maybe we could get together some other time.”
As in . . . never
. Not unless Hannah wanted to get her heart broken into a million pieces.
He said nothing. She fidgeted for a few moments, and then finally gave in and looked at his face. He was furious.
“I don’t understand you, Hannah. Why are you pushing me away?” He took a step closer and backed her up against the wall.
She huffed out a shaky laugh. “Are you kidding me? I don’t understand
you
. You could be attending an opera at the Met, and instead you’re sharing greasy popcorn with my boys at a matinee. You cannot convince me that’s your first choice for entertainment.”
He pressed his body against hers, and she gasped.
“I loved every second of that day. Watching the boys laugh at the movie, seeing your eyes shine with delight.” He leaned down until his mouth was almost touching her.
Almost.
“And I know you enjoyed it, too. I could tell.”
“Of course I did.” She darted her eyes away from his probing gaze. “I’ve been lonely.”
Gregor kissed her softly on the forehead and she struggled not to cry. “It makes me feel better knowing that you enjoyed yourself this past week.”
She finally
Forever.
“Surprise.” Today he held a bouquet of Paperwhites and Pepperberries in his arms.
She was under siege. And falling under so fast, she was terrified.
On Monday, he’d appeared at their door and whisked Hannah and the twins off to see the sea lions at the Central Park Zoo. Then he took them out for peppermint cupcakes.
On Tuesday, they’d browsed up and down Fifth Avenue to view the holiday windows. Afterward, he’d treated them to a pizza dinner at Gino’s.
On Wednesday, he’d shown up with matinee tickets for
Elf
. The boys had exploded with excitement. It was their favorite Christmas movie. Four hours later, they were covered with greasy popcorn stains and could barely hide their adoration for Gregor Klaus. He’d shot her a smug grin as he kissed her good night.
On Thursday, he’d taken them to the New York Botanical Garden for the holiday display and train show. The boys were spellbound by the model trains, and Hannah was enchanted by the gorgeous flowers. That night he’d ushered them into an Italian bistro where the boys giggled over plates of spaghetti and she and Gregor shared a bottle of red wine. By the end of the evening, his perfect outfit was marred by stains—Matteo had accidentally dropped a meatball covered in sauce on Gregor’s designer slacks. She’d been horrified. He didn’t seem to care at all. Evidently, money was no object for Gregor Klaus. He kept purchasing tickets and food, getting them special VIP entrance to events. Things she could never hope to do.
On Friday, he’d arrived with a crew of babysitters and had spirited Hannah away for a romantic date at the Met. They’d spent hours admiring the dazzling Christmas tree and Crèche, and then exploring the myriad galleries. Gregor had pried out the story about David and his illness. He seemed genuinely concerned about her and the twins.
Every day she fell deeper and deeper into trouble. And she kept waiting for the other shoe to drop. At some point he would look around their ratty apartment and think ‘
What the hell am I doing here?
’ Right? It was just a matter of time.
There was no way that ordinary Hannah and sophisticated Gregor Klaus would end up together. That only happened in her dreams.
She crossed her arms as Gregor entered the apartment. “Don’t you ever call first?”
He chuckled and handed her the flowers. “I’d rather show up in person.”
She took a deep breath and tried to remember her rehearsed speech. She looked away from his probing eyes. They saw way too much.
Hannah cleared her throat. “Unfortunately, I’m busy today. I won’t be able to spend time with you. I have to work. I have a huge backlog of papers to edit. And I’m volunteering at the animal shelter later. So . . . sorry. Maybe we could get together some other time.”
As in . . . never
. Not unless Hannah wanted to get her heart broken into a million pieces.
He said nothing. She fidgeted for a few moments, and then finally gave in and looked at his face. He was furious.
“I don’t understand you, Hannah. Why are you pushing me away?” He took a step closer and backed her up against the wall.
She huffed out a shaky laugh. “Are you kidding me? I don’t understand
you
. You could be attending an opera at the Met, and instead you’re sharing greasy popcorn with my boys at a matinee. You cannot convince me that’s your first choice for entertainment.”
He pressed his body against hers, and she gasped.
“I loved every second of that day. Watching the boys laugh at the movie, seeing your eyes shine with delight.” He leaned down until his mouth was almost touching her.
Almost.
“And I know you enjoyed it, too. I could tell.”
“Of course I did.” She darted her eyes away from his probing gaze. “I’ve been lonely.”
Gregor kissed her softly on the forehead and she struggled not to cry. “It makes me feel better knowing that you enjoyed yourself this past week.”
She finally
Similar Books
