The Billionaire's Marriage Proposal (Billionaire Bachelors #4)(30)
They went to the grand mountains where the opening of the movie was filmed and went around Lake Fuschl. He even allowed her to lead him onto a bus that took them through the area, though he grumbled and his guards didn’t look too happy with her, either. She smiled and told them to lighten up and live like real tourists.
She even managed to get the entire bus to sing ‘the hills are alive’ on the ride around the lake, even the always non-smiling guards. Trenton was amazed at how her enthusiasm managed to pass through everyone around her.
The snow continued to fall lightly throughout the days and since there wasn’t much of it in Seattle, she enjoyed it. When they were waiting for the bus to turn around, Trenton was staring at the pureness around him when he felt a snowball come from nowhere and smack him in the side of the face.
He turned around and stared at Jennifer, incredulously. He couldn’t believe she’d dared to hit him with snow. He looked at his guards, who looked back and shrugged at him, telling him he was on his own. They, in no way, were going to protect him from the wisp of a girl.
Before he could figure out how to respond she pelted him again, right in the face, and then bent over, laughing so hard she was having a hard time breathing. He heard a chuckle come from his guards and turned to glare at them. They didn’t even try to hide their glee, which irritated him. He was becoming much too soft in her presence.
He started stalking toward her and she looked up in time to see his menacing look and then turned around and ran, slipping and sliding on the icy surface. It didn’t take him long to catch up to her and he lifted her in his arms and tossed her into a soft snow bank. She looked up at him in shock, halfway buried in the cold snow.
She grabbed a handful of snow and lobbed it at him, and reached down for more. He tackled her before she was able to release the snowball and then they were wrestling around, both getting soaked, and his body quickly hardened at the feel of her body. He took her cold lips in his, warming them both up instantly.
The bus came back and he reluctantly released her. She got one last round of snow shot off, before quickly running to the safety of the bus. He vowed to make her pay later. He glared at his guards as they walked past him, actually chuckling under their breaths.
They had lunch and visited the home of Mozart, called Mozartplatz. They also went to the beautiful plaza Residenzplatz, adorned with a historic fountain. He showed her the Salzburg Cathedral, with its wonderful beauty and history. They went through ancient cemeteries and her heart was heavy with sadness for unknown children who died too young. There were so many of the small graves.
Jennifer’s other favorite place was the fortress high on the hill above Altstadt, which was built to secure the city. It was actually never used to fend off enemy attacks, but it was a very impressive place.
They had the best apple strudel high atop the hill. She found it fascinating the delicious desert was invented in Austria. There was so much rich history in the area and she wished there was an unlimited time to explore. Maybe, someday she’d be able to bring Molly there and take her to around.
After exploring the fortress, she finally allowed Trenton to lead her back toward the hotel. They were so exhausted they ended up eating in the hotel the remainder of their tour days.
Trenton grumbled a few times he’d never walked so much in his life. She ignored him, since he was obviously in incredible shape.
When the touristy part of the trip was over and they had to get back to work, Jennifer was extremely disappointed. She’d wanted to see so much more of the region and knew she’d need at least a month.
They finished their business in Vienna, much to Trenton’s satisfaction, and soon it was time for them to head home. She was sad to see her trip end, but excited to see Molly. They had been away for only two weeks, but it felt like months. She couldn’t wait to hold her niece in her arms again.
When they boarded the jet for home, Trenton seemed to be the one who pulled back from her and although her heart ached at the distance, she knew it was for the best.
They returned home and he had to leave again for the East Coast, where he’d be gone for about a week. She found herself actually missing him in ways she didn’t think would ever be possible.
Chapter Eight
Jennifer loved Christmas more than any other time of the year. She loved everything about it, the lights, decorations, food and the happy atmosphere almost everywhere you went. She knew she tended to take things over the top a bit, but she didn’t care, and she refused to change.
She got to work early, trudging to the office, with her arms full, and two security guards behind her, barely able to walk - they had heavy containers, they insisted on carrying for her.
“Thank you for the help, guys. I really appreciate it. I could’ve made a few trips and gotten all this up here, eventually,” she told them as they set the totes down by her desk.
“We couldn’t let you carry this on your own, Ms. Stellar,” one of the guards said, as if he was affronted by the very idea. It made her happy to know there were still true gentlemen in the world.
“Well, I do appreciate your help, it simply isn’t Christmas without loads of decorations,” she said.
“I don’t know how the boss will feel about this. He did send out a memo, reminding the staff the holidays were no excuse for tackiness,” the guard said a bit warily.
“You let me take care of the boss, I won’t allow him to be a scrooge and ruin my holidays,” she told the men as she pushed them out of the office. She immediately got to work hanging decorations and lights throughout the area.