A Chase for Christmas

by Candace Shaw

  “You’re very welcome, but it’s not just me. You have a whole committee,” she said, grabbing two slices of pizza and setting them on the antique-white plate with the gold band. She was used to eating pizza on a paper plate or a napkin, not an elegant plate, but she did appreciate the gesture.

  “I’m throwing a thank-you party for everyone on New Year’s Eve at Braxton’s jazz club,” he answered, taking a bite of his pizza.

  “That sounds like fun.” She nearly swooned as he licked his tongue to the side to capture a dab of the tomato sauce that had landed on the corner of his mouth. What the hell is happening to me? This man had never turned her on to this extent—but she’d never spent this much time with him, either.

  “The invites should go out in a few days, I believe. Linda handles all of that. You can bring a date if you want. Maybe the guy with the black truck.”

  Taking a sip of her soda, she pressed her lips together in a smile. “I’m not dating him.”

  “I know, but you said you were friends. You wouldn’t want to hang with him on New Year’s Eve? You have to kiss someone at midnight.”

  His mouth broke into the sexiest smile she’d ever seen on a man. The image of him placing his lips on hers jumped into her brain so fast, as if it was already there in her subconscious. Taking another sip of her drink, she glanced at the flat screen on the wall and checked her cell phone.

  “Ha! Trust me. It won’t be him or anyone else for that matter. The basketball game comes on soon.” She needed to erase that image from her mind.

  “I see you like sports, hence the cap, or do you like to watch the men in shorts sweating and running up and down the court, like my sister?”

  “Well, that’s part of the reason, but I do enjoy basketball. I can’t get into football, but growing up, I would shoot hoops with my dad. He played in college.” She was relieved at the subject change.

  “Cool. I can’t imagine you shooting hoops.”

  “I sucked at it, but my parents had three girls, no boys, and I was the only nongirlie one. Plus, I’m a daddy’s girl, so if he wanted to play ball, we played ball. It was a way to exercise and stay active because, according to my mom, all I wanted to do was sit around and paint.”

  “She doesn’t like the fact that you’re an artist?”

  “Mmm...now, I suppose, but growing up, no. I was an art major in college, but she wanted me to have a career that would make a lot of money such as business or finance, like my father. She said I’d be a starving artist, and for a time, I was—the first two years after college, until I got a job teaching art in a high school. I enjoyed it, but it wasn’t my true calling. However, I did minor in business to please her, so I was able to parlay that knowledge into opening my studio.”

  “It seems to be doing very well.”

  “It is for now, but I know eventually the paint party craze will die down, so I sell my paintings at art shows and save my earnings for a rainy day. Trust me, it was no fun being a starving artist.”

  “Well, whenever you want to do a showing, let me know. You can have it here. I won’t charge you.”

  “Thank you. I have some paintings that I’m putting some final touches on, but not enough for a huge showing yet.”

  They ate and watched basketball for a bit before heading back to finish the penguin mural. They were done two hours later, ahead of the time she’d anticipated if she’d painted alone.

  “So, you aren’t coming tomorrow?” he asked, walking her out to her car as he carried her roses and the box of leftover pizza.

  Opening the passenger door, she stepped back as he placed the items on the floor mat. “No. It’s the holiday season, which means more paint parties, and I have five tomorrow. I’ll be back Wednesday evening. My receptionist is handling the one I was going to have that evening.” She walked around to the driver’s side with him close on her heels. Inside, the paint had drowned out his cologne, but now his scent tickled her nose once again, and she needed to hurry the heck up and speed off before she gave in to her emotions or whatever the hell she was feeling.

  “That’s fine. We have plenty of time. I have meetings tomorrow morning, and then I’m flying to New York City, but I’ll be back Wednesday evening. If you need some help, I’ll be happy to assist you.”

  Pivoting to face him, she ended up in his personal space, and her heartbeat raced. “I should be fine. You put me ahead of schedule by assisting tonight.” And I don’t think I can handle any more alone time with you anytime soon.

  He stepped closer, and she hadn’t even thought that was possible. She gasped as his strong hands encircled her waist and drew him toward her. He gave her an arrogant smirk.

  “What?” he asked, puzzled. “I was just going to hug you.”

  “Oh...yes...of course.” She laughed nervously and leaned in for the hug. The warmth of his body oozed right through his sweater, and she could feel his hard muscles. If she didn’t move, she’d be a hot, steamy puddle at the man’s feet.

  Pulling back, he stared down at her. “What did you think I was going to do? Kiss you?” he asked with an amused expression.

  “Um...no. Well, maybe. I can never tell with you. You just surprised me. That’s all.”

  “But you didn’t push me away. I’m still holding you now, and you don’t seem to mind.”

  “You’re crazy.” She shrugged with a slight laugh. “A hug from a friend is no big deal.” She said it in a calm manner, but the butterflies in her stomach were fluttering rampantly.

  “Mmm-hmm.” He lowered his head, and his eyes darkened. “So, we’re friends?”

  She giggled and inwardly cursed herself for doing so. Schoolgirls giggled around their prospective crushes, and she was not a silly teenager whose crush was holding her as if he wasn’t letting her go anytime soon. She shook off the fact that she was completely comfortable in his warm embrace. It was chilly out, but his body on hers had blocked out the cold air, and an electric heat dashed through her veins.

  Staring up at Preston, Blythe gazed straight into his eyes, making sure she gave him full eye contact. She couldn’t appear ruffled by being in his arms. It was just a friendly hug.

  “You are my best friend’s brother. And since I don’t have any big brothers, you could be like one.”

  He chuckled, even though his facial expression was serious. A load of desire washed through her body as he lowered his lips to hers but didn’t kiss her. Her breathing sped up as her chest rose and fell at what she knew in her heart he was going to do. Her lips parted by themselves, which resulted in another curse word in her head. The one she never spoke aloud in front of her parents.

  “I don’t want to be in the big brother category,” he whispered.

  Chapter 4

  Preston had no idea what he was doing. This wasn’t like him. Yes, he flirted with the breathtaking angel in his arms whenever he saw her because she was attractive and he enjoyed their light, fun banter. Plus, her laugh and smile were downright infectious, and he wanted to be the reason to make her smile. But now he was about to cross a line that he knew he wouldn’t be able to step back over. What if Blythe slapped him? Pushed him away? Cursed him out? Not to mention Tiffani. Sure, his baby sister joked about hooking him up with Blythe because she was a good woman, but Tiffani would be devastated if he did anything to jeopardize their friendship.

  However, those luscious lips were calling to him, and her body against his was warm and alluring. She was nestled so close to him, he didn’t know one from the other. They were almost one, and he decided to cross out the almost.

  The first touch of his lips on hers was like a comforting mug of hot chocolate with whipped cream sprinkled with cinnamon on a cold day. The sweet, satisfied moan that erupted from her lips onto his caused him to delve deeper but slowly, circling her tongue with his in an erotic, forbidden dance. He stumb
led with her back against the car, and he was pleased when her hand ran sensually up his cheek to his hair. She hadn’t protested. Hadn’t pushed him away. She met his kiss with the same fervor and vigor that he bestowed on her. He had to admit, he was rather surprised yet elated that she was so passionate. Just because she wanted to take things slow didn’t make her a prude, but he wasn’t expecting her to respond in the way that she was.

  Their tempo sped up, and a sultry purr released from her as he became more ardent with his tongue and she relinquished the control of their kiss. He undid the scarf around her head and heard a few hairpins hit the car and the ground. He wove his hand through her thick, blown-out tresses and pulled her deeper into his mouth. Her lips against his were inviting, causing a rapid wave of pleasure to tremble through him.

  In the back of his mind, something was screaming at him to stop. This wasn’t right even though it felt like pure heaven. By now, if she was any other woman, he would’ve unzipped his pants, pulled down hers, wrapped her legs around his neck and sexed her right there on the hood of the car. But that wasn’t going to happen, and not because she was his sister’s best friend, even though he respected that. No, it was because he wanted her for more than just sex, and that scared the hell of out him.

  When Blythe pulled away and wrestled out of his arms, her facial expression held regret. He stepped back and stared down at her, confused at her abruptness of cutting off their passionate kiss. He’d thought they were on the same page.

  “Preston...we can’t. This can’t happen.” Her voice trembled, and her eyes were rimmed with tears. “That was a big mistake.”

  “Blythe, I didn’t mean to upset you.” He reached out to caress her cheek, but she stepped away and opened the car door.

  “I’m fine, but we can’t do this if I’m going to help you on this project. I’m not one of your conquests that you can handle any way you want just because you’re a man with money and power. I could give a rat’s ass about that. Did you think the romantic dinner we had was going to get you into my panties? I’m not that kind of woman.”

  He stepped toward her but this time shoved his hands into his pockets. “I never said you were. I’ve never thought of you as a conquest, Blythe. I met you over a year ago. If I wanted you in that way, trust me, baby girl, I would’ve done everything in my power, as you say I have, to get you into my bed the same night we met—heck, or in your office after the paint party—but I didn’t.” He slid his hands out of his pockets and cupped her chin. “I wasn’t ready for a woman like you. Not then. And for the record, I wasn’t trying to have a romantic dinner. I simply wanted to thank you for your help and do something nice for you. Trust me, my imagination is quite vivid, and pizza on fine china and grocery-store-bought roses are far down my list of romantic things to do for a woman.”

  “Well...whatever. It can’t happen again.”

  “Why not? What are you scared of? The way you responded to me wasn’t as a woman afraid to let her guard down and do exactly what she wanted. You kissed me back with so much desire I nearly fell over.”

  “Prez, I honestly don’t know what came over me.” She slid into the driver’s seat but didn’t close the door. “This isn’t like me at all.”

  He nodded because the truth was, he didn’t know what had come over him, either, but it was something he wanted to explore. “Look, perhaps things got carried away.” He stooped down in front of her. “However, I know women and I know me. That kiss signified that we’re attracted to one another. I think we have been for a long while. We’ve never spent any time alone together until now.”

  She gave him one of her normal laugh-offs even though he heard the nervousness in this one, unlike all the others.

  “No...that’s not it at all, and I think it’s best that we just forget about it and continue working on the project for the children.”

  “Okay, we’ll do it your way, but I don’t think you’re going to forget that toe-curling kiss anytime soon.” Standing, he held on to the top of the opened door. “Good night, baby girl.” He shut the door and stood back from the car as she backed out of the space and zoomed away from the parking lot.

  Chuckling, Preston walked to his own car, thought about what had transpired between them and realized he wasn’t going to forget that mesmerizing kiss anytime soon, either.

  * * *

  Preston was right and Blythe hated that. She’d tried like crazy to forget that mind-blowing kiss last night. Jogging on the treadmill, painting and a cold shower did nothing to erase it from her thought process. She could still feel the warmth of his lips and his hot tongue intertwined with hers. She couldn’t believe she’d responded in the fashion that she had. Her head had screamed to stop, to push him away, but her heart had shouted for her to keep going at the top of its lungs. The man was superb with his hands and lips. She didn’t expect anything less from him. But she wasn’t expecting to enjoy it in the way she had, to the point of desiring more. And when the center of her core became heated with lust, she had to pull back before she gave in to her awakening desires. Now she understood why he was one of Atlanta’s most sought-after bachelors. The man’s lips, which she’d always admired from a distance, were a damn lethal weapon that should have been outlawed. Plus, the emotion and passion behind his kiss was knee-weakening, to say the least.

  Sighing, she pulled out the paintbrushes that had soaked overnight to be ready for her noon paint party and placed them on paper towels to dry. She really needed her usual morning bear claw to go with her coffee, but that would require her to walk next door to Tiffani’s bakery. Blythe usually told her everything, but last night’s kiss was one thing she wanted to keep under wraps. When she’d arrived to work that morning, she’d peeked into the bakery to find Tiffani and her employees swamped with the morning rush. Blythe knew she couldn’t avoid Tiffani all day. They always found a way to chat during the day, often right after the bakery’s morning rush and before the first paint session, which started at noon.

  Once she finished setting up for her upcoming session, Blythe headed to the lobby area, and her eyes landed on the Christmas tree. The lights that Preston had hung sparkled against the ornaments that the art students had placed on it on Saturday. Seeing the tree drew her thoughts right back to Preston’s succulent lips on hers. His scent had lingered on her clothes long after the kiss, and as soon as she’d arrived home, she’d jumped right into the shower to wash off the reminder. But it was no use. The water washed off the scent, but the memory of the woodsy, citrus fragrance still clogged her nostrils. The tender touch of his hands was still fresh and warm on her skin.

  The light knock on the glass door yanked her from her thoughts and her stare rested on Tiffani, who carried a box and a cup of coffee. As always, she was perky, pretty and wearing a smile. Blythe mustered up one as well, and hoped she didn’t blurt out that she’d kissed Preston. If he’d been some other guy, that’s exactly what would have happened. She had to stay focused so that it wouldn’t spill out of her mouth.

  Unlocking the door, she stepped back for Tiffani to enter. “Hey, girl.”

  “Hey, chica. I decided to bring you some goodies. I was surprised I didn’t see you this morning when I opened.”

  Blythe closed and locked the door and followed Tiffani to the seating area. “Yeah, I needed to set up for my paint sessions today. I have one at noon and another starting at twelve thirty, so I’ll be shooting back and forth between rooms.”

  “Well, I figured you’d be busy. So, how is my brother’s project coming along? I’m so happy you volunteered to help.”

  Dang it. Why is Preston the first topic after all? Blythe sipped her coffee, bit into a bear claw and dabbed her mouth with a napkin. She’d hoped they would discuss everything but the project. All it did was remind her that she would have to see Preston again soon.

  “Everything is coming along. Devin’s team pretty much built
the set yesterday, and I did the penguin mural I was telling you about.”

  “Oh, good. I spoke to Preston briefly yesterday. He’s expecting one hundred fifty to two hundred kids.”

  “You better get started on those cupcakes now, girl,” Blythe teased.

  “I know, right? With those and all of the Christmas orders, I have a lot on my plate, but it’s worth it.”

  “Well, so much has happened in your life this past year.”

  Tiffani beamed with delight. “Yes, indeed. I married a caring, loving man. He’s so wonderful to me and KJ that it’s surreal. Sometimes I literally have to pinch myself in the mornings when I wake up and see Broderick’s handsome face next to me. Sometimes he’s already awake, just staring at me with this peaceful expression.”

  “Well, I’m glad you found the man of your dreams who treats you with the respect you deserve.”

  Tiffani’s late husband and her son’s father had been verbally and emotionally abusive during their marriage, causing Tiffani to vow never to marry again. However, meeting Broderick Hollingsworth changed her mind. He truly was a genuine man who loved Tiffani and her son dearly. Blythe was ecstatic for Tiffani when she married Broderick in a beautiful beach ceremony on his private island in the Florida Keys.

  “Me, too,” Tiffani stated with a bright smile. “So what about you? Did Michael ever call you back?”

  Blythe frowned, trying to remember who the heck that was. Preston’s kiss had washed out all other names, and her mind drew a blank. But eventually she did remember her third and last date with the engineer and his eight hands.

  “No, and I don’t want him to. I told you that man turned into a squid after one good-night smooch that wasn’t even all that. I doubt he’ll call and I don’t want him to. As usual wanting to take things slow has its drawbacks”

  “Yeah, but that just means those men aren’t for you if they can’t wait until you’re ready. Men should respect you and your decision.”