A Match Made Under the Mistletoe

by Diana Palmer

  “What you are, Elise, is mine. My woman. And my woman does not go to her half brother’s wedding—or anyone’s wedding, for that matter—without me.”

  Her panties were suddenly wet. He went all caveman on her and she loved it. But still. She didn’t want her family to know that she spent her nights in his arms. Not yet, anyway. It was much too soon to be anybody’s business but hers and Jed’s. “If my family knows that I’m more than just your assistant, they’re going to worry about me. You know I’ve made bad choices. They know it, too. I just don’t want to deal with that.”

  “Deal with what, exactly?”

  “Oh, come on. Most of the time you read my mind, but now I have to draw you a picture?”

  “Just say it, Elise.”

  “Fine. I can’t deal with knowing that they know I’m sleeping with the boss.”

  “But you are sleeping with the boss. It’s a fact. And you just said that it’s damn good between us. It’s nothing to be ashamed of.”

  She couldn’t hold back a pained cry. “You don’t know them. They’re so protective—especially of me since I screwed up my life. At least one of my brothers is going to get you aside and tell you that you’d better treat me right, or else.”

  “Well, I do treat you right and I’m happy to tell your brothers that I do. No problem.”

  “And Nell. God, who knows what Nellie will do? I love her and I’m grateful for all the ways she’s got my back. But she thinks she’s big mama grizzly or something. She’ll be threatening to kick your ass if you break my heart.”

  He waved a hand. “It’s not a big deal. Nell has already threatened to kick my ass in regards to you. Twice.”

  She wanted to scream. “Excuse me? I didn’t know that. Why don’t I know that? You never said a word about it.”

  “I knew it would only freak you out and I was happy to reassure your sister. End of story.”

  “When?” she demanded.

  “‘When’ what?”

  “When did my sister threaten to kick your ass?”

  “The first time was when I called her and asked her to make this cat patio.”

  “What? No, she didn’t. We weren’t even sleeping together then.”

  “Yes, she did. And no, we weren’t. That time she only meant I’d better treat you right on the job.”

  “Oh, great. Fabulous.”

  “The second time was a week ago, after she and her crew had been working on the patio for three days. She called me outside under the pretense of approving some tweak she’d made to the outdoor kitchen layout. I joined her by the grill, at which point she grabbed my arm, dragged me into the trees and said she wasn’t an idiot and it was crystal clear to her that you were doing more for me than typing my book.”

  Elise facepalmed. “Just shoot me now.”

  Jed went right on. “She threatened to make a eunuch of me if I ever made you cry. I reminded her that you were a hell of a woman and thus bound to cry now and then. I told her I planned always to be there to dry your tears.”

  Elise lifted her face from her hands. “You did? You do?” Now she definitely felt like crying.

  “Yeah.”

  “How can you say such wonderful things?”

  “One, I mean them. Two, I have a certain facility with words.”

  She blinked away the tears and sat up straighter. “It’s beautiful, what you just said. But I really think I need to remind you that it’s much too early to be saying such things to other people, even my sister, about you and me.”

  His sexy mouth twitched at the corner. “I didn’t know there was a schedule I was supposed to be following.”

  “It’s only been two and a half weeks since that first time. We shouldn’t rush into anything.”

  “I’m not rushing anywhere. I’m right where I want to be.”

  “And I’m glad.” Her throat clutched with emotion. “I’m where I want to be, too.” Her food was getting cold. She picked up a chicken thigh and had a bite, then she ate some of her potato.

  “Elise.” His voice had that tone. Absolute and unwavering. “You’re not going to that wedding without me.”

  She wanted to cry again. “If Nell knows, Jody knows. And Clara, too, probably. And maybe my cousin Rory. And possibly Chloe, my half brother Quinn’s wife. All my brothers probably know too, by now.”

  “So it’s a done deal. Move on.”

  “Easy for you to say. You’re not the family screwup.”

  “You’re no screwup. Your family loves you and that makes them protective of you. And you’re far too proud for your own good.” He said it softly. Tenderly. And that made her want to go jump in his lap, wrap her arms good and tight around his neck and beg him to take her to bed right this minute. But then he added, “And you can look at it this way. If I don’t go with you, they’re all going to think you mean so little to me that I didn’t even bother to take you to Carter’s wedding. Your brothers will beat the crap out of me and Nell will cut off my—”

  “Stop it. All right. I give.”

  He sent a glance heavenward. “Finally.”

  “You won’t need a tux. A suit or a sport coat and slacks will be fine. It’s outdoors. One of those scenic wedding venues not far out of town.”

  He gave her a look that smoldered and teased at the same time. “You haven’t even asked me yet.”

  “Right. A minute ago I wasn’t allowed to go without you. Now, suddenly, you need an invitation.”

  Those eyes of his swept over her, heating all her secret places. “I want you to ask me. Do it.”

  “You realize I have no privacy in my life. Somehow, my family always knows whatever’s going on with me whether I want them to know or not. And you can read my mind.”

  He put his napkin by his plate and stood. She gazed across at him looming over her. Beneath her irritation that he couldn’t just accept her defeat on this without rubbing it in, she felt that special shiver. It was glorious, that shiver.

  Even if what he’d said a minute ago about always being there to dry her tears were only pretty words, she knew he wanted her more than any man had ever wanted her before. More than she’d ever dared to hope any guy ever would.

  It meant so much, the beautiful, intense, complete way he wanted her. It meant everything. She’d thought she was falling for him the day he told her he would enclose this patio for Wigs. But she hadn’t known what falling was. Every day she fell deeper. There seemed no end to how far she could go. And with Jed, she wasn’t afraid of her feelings. With Jed, she gloried in the fall.

  Wigs, sitting near his feet, looked up at him expectantly. “Mrow?”

  He glanced down at the cat. “It’s only right that she asks me.”

  Wigs tipped his head to the side and replied thoughtfully, “Mrow.”

  And then Jed’s eyes were on her again. “Well?”

  She surrendered a lot more willingly than she would ever let him know. “Jed, will you please take me to my brother’s wedding a week from Saturday?”

  He wrapped those muscled arms across his wide chest and studied her for a moment that went on forever. “Come here.”

  Her heart did the happy dance inside her chest. “Will you or won’t you?”

  “Come here first. And when you get here, I want you to kiss me nice and slow.”

  Like there was any way she could resist an order like that. She rose and circled the table. Taking his face between her hands, she went on tiptoe to claim his lips, so soft and warm. His beard scruff scratched a little. It felt absolutely delicious.

  He kept his arms across his chest. But slowly, he opened to her, let his tongue spar with hers. She did love the taste of him: smoky sweet from the barbecue sauce, with the added promise of any number of intimate delights to come.

  When she drop
ped to her heels again, she asked, “Please?”

  He uncrossed his arms at last and put a finger under her chin. “So we’re understood about this, then? We are together and we’re proud to be together and we don’t give a good damn who knows it or what they think about it.”

  “That’s easy for you to say. You never care what anyone else thinks.”

  “And neither should you. Are we understood?”

  She gave in. Because he was right and because she adored the big lug. “Yes. We’re understood. Will you go to the wedding with me?”

  “Yes, Elise. I will.” And then he whipped out an arm, hauled her good and close and kissed her until her knees gave way.

  * * *

  Carter Bravo and Paige Kettleman were married at six in the evening on the terrace at Belle Montagne Chateau ten miles outside of Justice Creek.

  After the ceremony, they all moved inside for the reception, including a sit-down dinner for eighty. Paige and Carter had originally planned to use Bravo Catering for their reception. But then the business burned down. Elise had helped them find another caterer.

  She’d assumed she would feel low on entering the banquet area and seeing the beautifully set tables, the floral centerpieces that Jody had designed. She’d just known that it would break her heart a little to watch the staff, in black slacks and vests and crisp white shirts, serving another caterer’s menu.

  But she didn’t feel bad in the least. The dinner was beautifully done and Elise knew now that, thanks to Jed, she would have Bravo Catering up and running again, maybe even before the year was out.

  So it wasn’t a sad time at all. As it turned out, she was having a ball. Carter and Paige looked so happy and Quinn’s speech as best man brought several big laughs and also a tear or two.

  Jed was amazing. He looked so good in a gray silk suit that hugged his wide shoulders perfectly and fit just right over his lean hips and muscular legs. He actually visited with people. He was friendly and seemed genuinely interested in what the older lady seated on his other side had to say.

  Elise realized she’d never seen him in a social gathering before. She supposed she should have known he’d be capable of holding up his end at a party, should have realized it wasn’t that he couldn’t say all the right things and put people at ease. It was only that most of the time he just didn’t bother. He was Jed Walsh and he made his own rules.

  But tonight, he was charming. He joked around with Nell and went off to smoke a cigar with two of her brothers—and returned to the table looking completely relaxed.

  She leaned close to him when he folded his big frame back into the chair beside her. “Did they threaten you in any way?”

  “Get over it, Elise,” he replied. “Your brothers are good guys. There were no threats. Not a one—and who’s that blond guy over there, the one who keeps staring at you?”

  The guy in question gave her a wincing sort of smile and a limp wave. “He’s an old friend, that’s all.”

  “Does your old friend have a name?”

  Jed was so protective of her, she hesitated to tell him. But if he wanted to know, he would find out one way or another. Like Jack McCannon, Jed was always on the case. “His name is Biff.”

  “The dirtbag who borrowed money from you and then declared bankruptcy so he ‘couldn’t’ pay you back?”

  “He’s been my friend since we were children.”

  “Some friend.”

  “Jed, he had a very tough time of it.”

  “Lots of people have a tough time of it.”

  “He’s not a dirtbag.”

  “He is from where I’m sitting.”

  She whispered, “Keep your opinions to yourself, please. At least until we’re alone—and I can’t believe you remember who Biff is. I only mentioned him to you that one time.”

  “I remember everything you tell me.” Across the room, Biff had started moving. “And the dirtbag is coming this way.”

  Oh, dear God. Jed was right, Biff was coming over. Did he have no instinct for self-preservation? “You let me handle this, Jed.” Jed made a low snorting sound much too reminiscent of a bull about to charge. “I mean it,” she warned. “If you can’t say something nice, you’d better not say anything at all.” She turned to Biff as he kept coming—which meant she couldn’t see Jed. But she could sure feel his seething silence behind her.

  “Elise.” Biff, blond hair tousled, blue eyes full of regrets, stopped beside her chair. “It’s so good to see you.”

  “Biff.” She got up and gave him a quick hug and an air kiss, though she knew it wouldn’t go over well with the snorting beast behind her. “How’ve you been?”

  “Not good.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that—Biff, this is Jed. Jed Walsh, Biff Townley.” She turned and blasted a giant, threatening smile at Jed.

  Biff’s hand came out. “So great to meet you. I heard you’d moved back to town. I love your books.”

  “Thanks.” Jed had not risen. His face had that Mount Rushmore look: carved in stone. He did give a nod, but made no move to take Biff’s offered hand.

  After several painful seconds, Biff gave it up and lowered his arm. “Ahem, Elise, I wonder if I might have a minute alone?”

  “Of course,” she said pleasantly. And then she turned to Jed again. “I’ll be right back.”

  “All right.” He spoke without inflection. Then he looked straight at Biff. “I’ll be waiting.” Somehow, he made that sound like a warning.

  Biff actually flinched. “Er, great to meet you.”

  Jed didn’t even nod that time.

  Elise brushed Biff’s arm. “Come on out to the terrace.” She glanced back at Jed as she hustled Biff toward the wide steps that led outside. Jed was watching her walk away, his gaze brooding and dark.

  “I think your boyfriend hates me,” Biff said once they were out on the terrace beneath the tall trees.

  Elise perched on the rock wall that defined the giant circular stone space. She was about to pretend Jed’s reaction was nothing. But that seemed wrong, somehow. Biff had treated her shoddily and she’d never had the guts to confront him about it. Jed did have the guts.

  And she was with Jed now. If he could tell the truth, well, so could she. “Jed is protective of me. I told him about the money I lent you that you never paid back.”

  Now Biff looked crushed. “I couldn’t pay you back. You know that.”

  “No, Biff, I don’t. Not really. Are you telling me that when you borrowed that eight thousand dollars from me, you actually believed you were going to repay it?”

  Biff raked his fingers back through his hair. “Look, Elise. I just wanted to say that I’ve missed you, okay? I miss hanging out now and then. I miss that I could always count on you, on your level head and good advice, on the great dinners you would cook to make me feel better when my life was going all to hell.”

  Elise carefully smoothed her silk skirt. “You didn’t answer my question.”

  “Well, I—I wanted to pay you back. Of course I did.”

  “When will you pay me back, Biff?”

  He stared off toward a granite peak far in the distance. “Seriously? You want to get into this now, at your brother’s wedding?”

  “No time is a good time when you don’t pay your debts.” From where she sat, she could see the archway to the banquet room. Jed came through it. She met those green eyes and gave a slight shake of her head. He took her cue that she didn’t need him—not yet, anyway. Moving to a tree-shaded spot on the outer edge of the archway, he waited.

  And she knew why. Because she was his woman and he took care of what was his.

  Her heart seemed to expand in her chest and great tenderness flooded her. Elise had known she was falling for him, and that she kept falling deeper. But it was not until that m
oment, when he came out on the terrace just in case she might need him, that she realized she had fallen all the way.

  She loved Jed Walsh.

  CHAPTER NINE

  “I didn’t come out here to be insulted,” Biff huffed.

  Elise hardly heard him. She was much too busy dealing with what had just happened in her heart.

  I love him. I love Jed.

  It was real. It was true. It was the most beautiful thing that had ever happened to her.

  “Did you hear a word I just said?” Biff demanded.

  “Not really.” Elise kept her eyes on the big man standing in the sun-dappled shadows by the door to the banquet room. “I don’t think we have much more to say to each other as of now, Biff. You have my cell number. Come up with a payment plan and give me a call.”

  “But I just told you—”

  “You take care now.” With a wave of her hand, she dismissed him. As she started toward Jed, he left his spot by the door and came for her. They met in the middle of the terrace. She needed to touch him, so she reached up and smoothed the lapel of his jacket.

  He caught her hand. “I hope you put the dirtbag in his place.”

  “I think I did. More or less.” She gave a half shrug. Biff Townley hardly mattered, not when every fiber of her being was vibrating with sheer happiness. Music had started up in the banquet room. “Will you dance with me, Jed?”

  He kissed the tops of her knuckles and her heart felt bigger, her knees weaker in the sweetest sort of way. “Never was much of a dancer.”

  “Does that mean yes or no?”

  “You want to dance with me, you got it.” He wrapped her hand around his arm and led her back beneath the archway to where the music played.

  * * *

  That night, she told him she loved him—or rather, she shouted it good and loud as he pulsed inside her. A little later, when he turned off the lamp, held her close and stroked her hair, she wondered if it could be possible that he hadn’t really noticed her yelling, “Oh, Jed, I love you!” minutes before.

  He didn’t say anything about it.