Be My Christmas Treat : A BWWM Christmas Romance

by Nia Arthurs

  “Don’t you dare.” She wiggles her finger at me.

  I throw my arms around her neck. “Thank you, sis.”

  “Get off. You’ll mess up my makeup.” She shoves me and pats the side of my deep red lips with a finger. “I spent hours trying to get that right. You’re not going to ruin it before Mave gets a good long look.”

  “Oh? So you did all this for Mave? Not for me?”

  “Of course I did this for Mave.” She tilts her head. “It’s the only gift I could give him after everything he’s done for us.”

  “What do you mean?”

  She glances away. “Nothing.”

  There’s a knock on the door.

  “Is that Mave already?” I gasp.

  “Maxine!” Levonte’s voice blasts through the air.

  I stiffen.

  Max waves me away. “Go put on your perfume.”

  I remain in place, watching as she skips to the front door and opens it for Levonte.

  The fact that he’s still here after two weeks hasn’t dampened my suspicions. This might be the longest he’s stuck around so far, but I’m still not convinced.

  “Daddy!” Moe races across the room and flings herself into his arms.

  He picks her up. “Hey, sweetie.”

  “Did mom tell you about my Christmas pageant? I’m an angel. I even get to sing a song.”

  “How fun.” Levonte’s eyes drift away from Moe and land on me. A low, appreciative whistle slips past his lips.

  “Right?” Maxine smirks confidently. “My sister is stunning.”

  Tan tugs on my purse.

  I glance down, shaking the scowl that always arises when I see Levonte. “Yes?” I smile for her.

  “Auntie,” she whispers, “who bought you this dress?”

  “Mave did,” I whisper back. The sneaky sweetheart.

  Earlier today, he seemed unfazed by the fact that I finally owned my bakery. I’d signed the papers. Gotten the keys. Everything was official.

  My dreams had come true and he didn’t even care.

  Or at least, he did a great job of acting like he didn’t.

  “Why did he buy this dress for you?”

  “Mm.” I hold my knees. Think deeply. “Because he wants me to know how special I am to him.”

  “Is that why he bought us dresses too?”

  I gently rub her head. “Yes.”

  “I want a dress like yours next.” Her dark eyes slide up my gown. “Can I have Mave when you’re done?”

  I laugh. “I think you’ll have to find your own Mave, sweetie.”

  “Forget Mave.” Levonte falls into the sofa. Swings his arms over Maxine’s shoulders. Grins to himself. “You get a man like your daddy, sweetheart.”

  My glare could bore through cement. “If she does, I’ll be right out there on the steps with a shotgun.”

  Maxine laughs nervously. “You’re in a good mood.”

  “That’s because you came through for me, baby.” He gives her a big kiss on the lips. “How did you get the money?”

  I arch an eyebrow. “What money?”

  “No money.” Maxine smacks Levonte and mumbles, “Sh.”

  Before I can ask more, there’s another knock.

  “That must be Mave.” Maxine’s hands flutter like a hummingbird’s wings. “Where’s my phone? I want to take pictures.” She nearly trips in her haste but balances herself with an elbow on the back of the sofa. “Moe, get mommy’s perfume from the room. Clark, spray that behind your ears. Levonte—”

  “Me?”

  “Get the door,” Maxine hollers.

  A moment later, Mave walks in the room.

  Immediately, every movement stops.

  Maxine’s perfume slips from her hands. She has to scramble to catch it before it shatters.

  Moe’s mouth hangs open.

  Tan just blinks and blinks.

  And I…

  I drink in the handsome man in front of me while trying not to pinch myself.

  Because surely I’m dreaming.

  Surely, this gorgeous, tall hunk isn’t crazy about me.

  In that dark blazer and slacks, Mave’s already magnetic appeal becomes ten times more lethal. His hair looks as thick and lush as always, but it’s stylishly tousled and brushed away from his forehead. Dark brown eyes latch onto me with enough force that it knocks me back a step.

  I see a light flash to my left.

  It’s Maxine snapping photos of us with her phone.

  “I knew he’d be floored.” My sister grins. Grabbing her daughters with one hand, she waves at us with the other. “You two have fun.”

  As I move towards Mave, I don’t really notice my feet touching the floor. I feel like I’m floating. Like this moment isn’t quite real.

  “Hi,” I say shyly.

  “Wow.” His eyes caress me like I’m some priceless painting.

  “Where are we going tonight?”

  He blinks. Swallows. “Wow.”

  I chuckle.

  He shakes his head. “Um, tonight…” The awe in his eyes gets overtaken by a sparkle of mischief. Sticking his elbow out to me, Mave says vaguely, “You’ll have to wait and see.”

  “Now I’m really curious.” I follow him down the hallway.

  He leads me outside and opens the door of the car. “Wait.” He wraps his arms around my waist. Hauling me close, he kisses me sweetly. “Mm.” Mave eases back, his eyes closed. “You look incredible, Clark.”

  “How did you know my size?” I ask, keeping my hold on him as he drapes me against the side of the car and runs a finger down my cheek.

  “Max helped.” His eyes dip to my chest. “Should I scrap our plans for tonight?”

  “Don’t you dare.” I smack him. “I want to see what the surprise is.”

  He grins. Shakes his head as if rising from a stupor. “Okay. Let’s go.”

  On the way, I tell Mave all about my first mortgage. Excitement spurs in me anew and I toss my hands wildly, relaying every detail I can think of.

  He nods. Grunts. Makes little side comments when I take a breath.

  Sometimes, his comments earn him a laugh.

  Sometimes, a kiss.

  Sometimes, a slap to the head.

  But the conversation doesn’t stop at all.

  And, for the first time since I put on the dress, I feel comfortable again.

  Because underneath all this fancy jewelry, clothes and makeup, we’re the exact same people we were before.

  My eyes catch on a familiar landmark. “What’s going on? Why are we heading to my building?”

  Mave grins.

  “No.” My heart thumps rapidly. “Mave, is our date going to be at my bakery?”

  “Just wait.” He grabs my hand and kisses my knuckles.

  I hold my breath.

  The car slows to a stop in front of the building that I just signed the mortgage on today.

  Christmas lights hug the front awning.

  A wreath rests warmly on the door. I can see more Christmas lights twinkling through the curtained window.

  My heart rams against my chest like a prisoner planning an escape.

  The moment Mave helps me out of the car, I wrap my arms around him. “Mave, this is incredible.”

  “Just wait until you get inside.” He grins. Holds my hand. Tugs me into the building.

  I’ve walked this space a million times in the past, but it was always dusty, dark and a little sad.

  Tonight, the hollow bakery has been transformed.

  Christmas trees burdened with ornaments, lights, and garlands stand straight and tall. Presents hug the floor beneath them. Every wall has been draped with something—garlands, stockings, Santa hats. There’s even a nativity scene on the counter.

  My breath hitches. “Did you do all this?”

  “I had some help from my cousin and his wife.”

  “But you… you hate Christmas. I had to drag you to the Christmas tree lighting last week and you held your breath dur
ing the entire sleigh ride tour of Winter Wonderland.”

  “All true.”

  “Then how…?”

  “Because I love you more.” He steps close to me. “I love you, Clark.”

  My eyes fill with tears.

  His words wrap around me, so warm and steady that I want to fall back on them and rest.

  Mave touches my lips. “Just like before, I’m not asking you for anything in return. I just wanted you to know that—”

  “Shut up, Mave.”

  His eyes widen.

  Wrapping my arms around his neck, I pull him down and kiss him passionately.

  My fingers slide through the hair at the nape of his neck. I press as close to him as humanly possible, conveying all of my heart into that insistent caress.

  When I’m so unsteady that I have to cling to Mave’s shoulders to stay upright, I pull back.

  Mave’s lips are as red as mine. Laughing softly, I scrub my lipstick off him.

  “What was that?” Mave asks, breathlessly.

  “My answer.” I stare into his brown eyes. “I’m falling in love with you.” The words tear out of me, aching and vulnerable.

  I’ve never been this honest with a man before.

  I’ve never felt this way before either.

  It’s terrifying to take this step.

  But it’s freeing too. Every day since his confession, Mave’s shown me that I can trust him. That I can let him in and that he won’t hurt me.

  I’d known for a while, but it felt like it was happening too soon.

  Like maybe I should feel this way in a year.

  Or maybe two.

  Instead, all it took was a few weeks.

  Mave grins. Pulling me forward, he crushes me in a hug. “Damn, Clark. You have no idea how much I love you.”

  We kiss and caress until my stomach growls.

  Mave eases back, laughing. With a toss of his chin, he gestures to the table set up where my bakery storefront will be. “I had food catered. You ready to eat?”

  “Please.” I sling a hand over my stomach. “Max said I should skip lunch in case I get bloated and mess up the dress.”

  “Ridiculous. There is nothing you could do that would mess up that dress.”

  “Because I’m so pretty?” I bat my eyelashes.

  “Sure. Let’s go with that.”

  I shove him. “Hurry up and feed me before I grab one of those garlands and strangle you.”

  “You’re so violent when you’re hungry, Clark.” He pulls my chair out. “Are you ready to open your own place?”

  “Ready? Yes. But I’m still terrified.”

  “Why? You’ve done great at the bakery.” He shares out the food and slides a plate in front of me.

  I dig in immediately. Moan softly under my breath.

  It’s so good.

  Mave stares at me with dark eyes that flicker in the candlelight. “Tell me why you’re afraid.”

  I primly wipe my mouth. “Before, when I was at the bakery, the responsibility wasn’t on me. When things went wrong, HQ sent someone from the company. But now, if it goes south, I won’t have anyone to blame.”

  “If anyone can make it work, you can.” He rubs my knuckles with his thumb.

  “I’ll be happy if I can just pay the mortgage every month.”

  “If you need any help—”

  “I am not asking you so don’t even finish that statement.” I poke my fork in his direction. “Your inheritance should be invested into stocks or something. It’s not like you own a company, you know. That cash will dry out.”

  His eyes hit the table.

  His hand falls away from mine.

  I glance up, surprised to see the way he’s clenching his jaw. “You okay?”

  “Fine.” He looks at me. Forces a smile.

  “Is it the Christmas decorations?” I drop my fork. “Did you have a bad memory?”

  “No. I—”

  His phone chirps.

  Mave frowns. Lifts the device. “Sorry, I should have put this on silent.”

  I wave away his concern. “It’s okay.”

  He moves to turn it off but freezes. “It’s my cousin.” A worried sheen enters his eyes. “I should take this.”

  “Of course.”

  Mave gets up and crosses the room to answer.

  I glance around the space, taking in all the cheerful Christmas decorations. Just imagining Mave working hard to set this up for me warms my heart enough to melt it into a sticky, candy-cane puddle.

  “What?” Mave yells.

  My head whips up.

  My stomach drops all the way to my toes.

  “I’ll be right there,” he snaps.

  I shoot to my feet, sensing the urgency in his stiff back muscles and hardening gaze. “What’s wrong? Is it the bakery?”

  “No.” His chest heaves. “It’s my grandmother. She’s in the hospital.”

  “Oh no.” I scramble to grab my purse. “I’ll take a taxi home. You should go to the hospital.”

  Mave’s big fingers wrap around my wrist. He holds on tightly. “Come with me. Please.”

  “Of course.” My heart lurches.

  Together, we race out of the bakery.

  The drive to the hospital is tense and quiet.

  Mave keeps holding my hand the entire way, only letting me go when we get to the waiting room.

  “Go on.” I nudge him as he hesitates. “I’ll be fine.”

  His hand lingers on mine until the very last second. “I’ll be right back.”

  I nod.

  He jogs through the sliding glass doors.

  I make myself comfortable in the waiting room, tucking my coat closer around my shoulders.

  There’s no one else in the ward except for me.

  Weird.

  Time passes slowly.

  I watch the news from the television suspended in the corner and play a few games on my phone.

  Suddenly, I hear a commotion from my left.

  Through the locked doors, a crowd of journalists descend with mikes and cameras.

  My eyes bug. What’s going on? I ease out of my seat, my heart thudding with unease. Should I call someone or…?

  Just then, guards march into the room. They’re led by the same bulky man who’d been by Leanne’s side a few weeks ago.

  Pieces of the news filter into my head as fear swarms me.

  “Leanne Antaya, the owner of Aunt Lee’s Bakery, has passed away tonight…”

  My chest turns hollow.

  I spin on my heels.

  Stare at the television with dawning dread.

  Next to the pretty anchor’s head flashes a photo of Leanne Antaya.

  “The company will be passed over to her grandson, Mave DeMarco…”

  The picture of Leanne changes.

  Her grandson’s photo appears.

  I stumble back.

  My phone crashes to the floor as I cover my mouth.

  On the television is a photo of Mave.

  26

  Mave

  I’m not reliving this moment.

  I’m not losing someone else that I love.

  Clinging to Gran’s hand, I plead with her. “Come back.”

  She remains frozen on the cot. Cheeks white as snow. Eyes closed. Unmoving.

  “Hey.” My voice cracks. “I said come back, Gran. You’re not leaving me alone. Come back.”

  A hand touches my shoulder.

  Brendon.

  Behind his square glasses, his eyes are red. Glazed over with tears.

  I shake him off.

  No.

  Gran’s going to wake up. She’ll open her eyes and scold me for something. Anything. And then I’ll wrap my arms around her and get away with whatever she got so angry about in the first place.

  “Please.”

  But her hands are cold.

  They don’t smack my back in mock indignation.

  They don’t cup my face and tell me that everything’s going to be alrigh
t.

  “No.” I cover my mouth with the back of my hand. Stumble away from the cold body on the bed. “No, Gran.”

  Brendon grabs me and gives me a hug. “I’m sorry, Mave.”

  My cousin’s embrace doesn’t last long because I push him away. “Why didn’t they tell me?” I yell, my body pulsing with tortured emotions. “Why the hell did she keep her sickness a secret?”

  “I don’t know, man.” Brendon sniffs. Shakes his head. “I don’t know.”

  Damn.

  I’m letting my anger out on the wrong person, but I don’t have the energy to apologize. My heart’s been tossed into a shredder. Torn to pieces by a monster I can’t fight. Death.

  Heavily, I let my hand drop to my side.

  Turn.

  Leave the room behind.

  I can’t be there anymore.

  It’s hard to look at Gran when she’s not moving, working, snapping at me. It’s hard to think that she won’t do any of those things ever again.

  My steps slog as I remember Will’s whispered confession.

  “She’s been in this state for a few hours now. The doctors say she doesn’t have long.”

  “Since when has Gran been sick?”

  “It’s been eight months.”

  My nostrils flare. “And you didn’t tell me?”

  “She didn’t want you to worry.”

  “A heads-up would have been really freaking nice, Will.”

  “She’s dying, Mave.” His eyes flash. “She’s dying soon.”

  “What?”

  “Leanne wanted to fight. At least until the holidays were over. She didn’t want you to lose someone else at Christmas.”

  Gran’s intentions were pure. Sweet even.

  But I did end up losing her in the same season that I lost my parents.

  And she slipped away just like they did.

  No warning.

  No time to prepare myself.

  I would’ve preferred to have known.

  I would have done things differently.

  My mind travels far away.

  I just keep walking, my body on auto-pilot.

  It’s not until I hear a thump that I glance up.

  Heart lurching, I realize I found my way back to Clark.

  I stare at her. The light brown skin. The long, honey-blonde hair. The red dress secured beneath a long coat.

  Emotions rise in me again.

  Tears burn behind my eyes.

  But horror and anger burns behind hers.

  I blink once. Twice.