A CHRISTMAS COLLECTION

by Wilton, Patrice

  He’d already sent photos of her home to Office Ware and they were printing up a hundred glossy brochures for him to pick up this Friday. He’d also booked an open house for that Sunday and had meant to tell her about that this evening. With all the commotion going on it hadn’t entered his head.

  He’d already invested good money on advertising, and it would be foolish to cancel the event. If there was no action this weekend, then he could suggest to Cindy that they might wait the holiday season out.

  That would be a win-win situation. He’d come out looking like a reasonable guy, which he was—but he was also a smart businessman and the number one real estate agent in town. He had a reputation to uphold.

  A side benefit to all this was that it gave him another opportunity to see that pretty face of hers again. If he had any desire for a serious relationship—one that might outlast a month or two—Cindy would sure fit the bill. But since he didn’t, he’d have to be very careful around her for two obvious reasons. One, she was probably looking for a husband and a father for her son, and secondly, she got his motor running faster than a Ferrari.

  Red hot and dangerous.

  When he got back to his empty apartment, he checked his mail and messages, wondering where the frig Regan was tonight. The thought of him drifting from shelter to shelter or sleeping on the street—on any given night—was distressful enough, but the temperatures were dropping below freezing, and he didn’t think his brother had the good sense to simply come home.

  Was he punishing him for giving him an ultimatum? Brad wondered. It would be unfair of him to do so. They’d both made their choices in life. Regan had always stepped up to bullies and had never been able to turn down a fight. Brad was quite the opposite. He’d always preferred negotiating with his head not his fists.

  Now he preferred building his career to chasing women. It required less of a commitment, less hassle, and less heart-ache. He hadn’t always been a confirmed bachelor, there had once been a time when he’d been crazy about a girl, planned to marry her in fact—until he stumbled upon her in bed with his best friend.

  He’d been twenty-three at the time, and it had hit him hard. He’d lost his girl, his closest friend, and his trust in human nature, all in one fell swoop. He wasn’t a betting man, but if he had been, he’d bet against the odds of making one person happy for a long and fruitful marriage, and he certainly didn’t want to put all his eggs in one basket. So from that day forward, he’d played the field, dating this girl and that, never letting his heart get in the way of a good time, and had done his best to make sure the girl enjoyed herself too, and didn’t get swept away with emotion.

  He played it fast and he played it loose. A single mom was off-limits, and yet, he had never met one before that he wanted to be with. It was probably the holiday season that was getting to him. People everywhere seemed happier this time of the year, and being alone at Christmas truly sucked. So you were either a family, or a couple, or alone and despondent. What other choices did you have?

  It was eight o’clock and he figured this would be a good time to call Cindy and update her on Nikki’s condition. Tyler would be in bed, and she would have a few minutes for him to tell her about the open house, and share his new ideas.

  He kicked off his shoes, and lay down on the sofa as he placed the call. The instant he heard her voice, her beautiful face flashed to mind. She had soft, full lips that needed to be kissed, a shy smile that could melt a man’s heart, and eyes to lose yourself in. A man not as tough as himself would find her very difficult to resist. Impossible, really.

  Good thing he’d had ten long years to harden his heart, and keep his emotions under wrap. He was no pussycat around beautiful women.

  “Brad. I was just thinking about you.”

  She sounded pleased, and in spite of himself, he felt a surge of warmth, and not as alone as he had only minutes ago. “You were?”

  He straightened up on the sofa, putting his feet down, hunching his back and leaning forward. A pebble of something—perhaps it was excitement or just plain horniness—stirred in his belly. “I’ve been thinking of you too.”

  “How is the woman doing—with the baby?”

  The pebble turned into a flat stone. Of course, she’d been thinking of the couple, and not of him.

  He cleared his throat, and his head. Get back to business. Forget those rosy lips and the glimmer in her eyes. They were meant for someone else—not the likes of him.

  “Good news,” he told her. “I saw Kevin at the hospital and he’s greatly relieved. The doctors want to keep her in the hospital for a few days, and then bed rest until the time’s right to deliver a healthy child.”

  “Oh, that is good news.”

  “Yes, and in all the confusion earlier,” he said, “I forgot to tell you something important.”

  “What is it?” she asked. “Nothing much could have happened between now and then.”

  “I’ve arranged an open house this Sunday from eleven to three.”

  “At my house?” she squeaked. “You can’t do that. I need notice. At least a week or so. Besides, it’s just getting so busy with the holidays near.”

  “I know, and I understand that too. Truthfully, I wish I could cancel but I’ve already paid for advertising and pamphlets to be made. It’s too late to get my money back.”

  “But I…what will I do with people walking through all day?”

  “I gave that some thought, and I have an idea. Why don’t you take Tyler into the city? Go see a play or look at all the decorated windows. Have a wonderful time—on me, of course. And then I’ll join you around five. We could meet at the Rockefeller center, and all three of us could ice-skate, and then grab a bite to eat at Rock Center Cafe.” She was silent, so he pressed further. “I haven’t been skating in years, and when I saw Tyler’s hockey pictures in his room, I was immediately reminded of how much I like being on the ice.”

  “What on earth are you talking about?” She sounded angry. “I’m not taking your money. I still owe you for the cash I took and spent on cookie dough.”

  “No you don’t. I told you that. And I’m the one disrupting your life, or your day in this instance, and I expect to be compensated down the road. Right now, I’m happy to foot the bill and let you enjoy yourself a little while I show your house. It’s a win-win.”

  “For who?”

  “For all of us. We can have that dinner we were talking about. Tyler can have a great day in the city, and I can still do the open house and meet with you later. Everything will work out nicely, and all of us will have a successful day.”

  “I’m starting to think that you’re more than a little crazy. First I meet you wearing a Santa suit, and now you seem to think you can gift us money and good times, and we will accept it with gratitude. I don’t take charity, and I don’t take presents from strange men.”

  “I’m not strange. I’m your real estate agent.”

  “For now.”

  Her voice was cool and crisp, and he preferred it warm and friendly. What the heck was he doing wrong? Most women liked his generosity. He couldn’t remember a darn one that had turned his cash down.

  “What does that mean?” he asked warily. “You’re not firing me, are you?”

  “Not yet, but I have to think about all this.” She sighed. “If you insist on holding the open house, I suppose I could go visit my sister. I was already planning to shop for a bridesmaid dress for her up and coming wedding.”

  “Your sister’s getting married? Nice. When’s the big day?”

  “New Year’s Eve.”

  “That’s right around the corner, and you haven’t bought your dress?”

  “No. It was on the To Do list for this weekend.”

  “They why don’t you invite your sister along, and all three of you go shopping in the city? Better shops, more things to see. I can still meet up with you later. Take you all out for dinner.”

  “I don’t need to take my sister and Tyler into New York
. There’s plenty of local malls here.”

  He was finding out that she was one stubborn woman. “What would be more fun?”

  “Hanging up on you.”

  “Now, was that nice?”

  “No.” She giggled. “But it did make me feel slightly better.”

  “I’ll make arrangements for dinner at Rock Center Cafe for four people at six o’clock. You know Tyler would love to go skating and see the big tree. You can’t say no to that.”

  “Are you always this persuasive? Is that how you sell so many homes?”

  “You discovered my secret,” he said with a chuckle. “I figure out what people really want, sometimes before they do, and then I soft sell the idea that’s already harboring there.”

  “Seriously?”

  “Would I lie to you?” He laughed. “Never. One thing I am, is honest. And this is not some kind of trickery. It’s just a matter of paying attention—taking the time to figure out what’s important to your client. After that, the rest is easy.”

  “You don’t know what I want,” she said softly.

  “I know better than you.” He hesitated for a sec, not wanting to push too many buttons at once. But—single, successful man that he was—he couldn’t stop there. “And I want to give it to you.”

  He heard an audible gasp, and a loud click. She’d hung up.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  Face flaming, Cindy ran into the bathroom to splash cold water on her face and cool her cheeks down. Had he meant what she thought he meant? No, of course not! It was only her own longing and secret desires that made his remark seem…well…like it may have been sexual.

  No way could he know how much she’d come to miss a man’s body in bed, and that lately she’d been squeezing her pillow a little harder than usual, or that her head was filled with terrible thoughts and wicked ideas.

  He couldn’t possibly know that only last night his face had popped up in her dreams, and how she’d tossed and turned as though seeking his touch.

  Couldn’t happen. Man would have to be a mind reader, and he hadn’t been present so even if he could read minds, he couldn’t read them from way across town.

  She was quite safe. He had only meant it in general terms—like with all his clients. He knew her wants—a safe neighborhood where she could raise her son amongst other children his own age, and where they both could be happy. That’s what he’d meant. And he was going to give it to her.

  Oh, my! The thought of him giving it to her sent delicious tingles right through the core of her, and ended up in the triangle between her thighs. This would so not do. She should fire him—that’s what!

  Find a lady realtor who would wait until January to list her place. A lady would listen to her needs and not want to “give it to her” like she knew that man in a Santa suit did. She shivered in spite of herself.

  This sexy Santa was going to make Christmas a very trying affair. How often would she have to see him? Perhaps she should simply call him back and decline his invitation to dinner, and tell him that after this Sunday her house would no longer be shown until the first of the year.

  She picked up her cell, and almost hit redial, but common sense told her to leave it alone. The less contact the better, and that meant phone conversations too. She called her sister instead and asked about her plans for Sunday.

  “Just the usual. I’ve got chores to do during the day, and then I’m meeting Adam for dinner.”

  “Well, how about going dress shopping with me and skip the chores?” Quickly Cindy told Brooke about the sweet deal that Brad had suggested.

  “Oh, well. He is a generous man, isn’t he? Or he’s making way too much money on commissions. Either way, I wouldn’t give him up if I were you.”

  “I don’t have him to give up, dear sister. He’s only my agent.”

  “Well then, I’d be working on that.” She snickered. “Seriously. He wouldn’t be going to so much trouble for you, like traipsing into the city, offering to take you and Tyler ice skating, and for dinner, if he wasn’t interested. Really! What guy would do that?”

  She had a point. In all her years as a single woman, she’d never met a man who’d put himself out needlessly for a woman that he had no interest in. It didn’t happen. Which meant…absolutely nothing. He worked for her. He was smart, savvy, and good at what he did.

  Which took her mind right back to the bedroom. She could only imagine what he did well, and her entire body was on fire wanting a part of that action. Her mind however, was a whole lot smarter than her body, and she’d just have to keep her more basic instincts under firm control.

  “What are you thinking?” Brooke asked.

  “You don’t want to know,” she said with a laugh.

  “Oh, yes I would. And hopefully I can guess. So you like him, don’t you?”

  “Well enough,” she answered cautiously. Last thing she wanted was her sister getting carried away, thinking that this could be the answer to her and Tyler’s prayers.

  “In that case, I’ll definitely put my chores on the backburner and we can go shopping in New York. I would like to meet him, but I won’t stay for dinner. I have a date with Adam, so that means that you can have dinner with him alone. Well, you and Tyler. But it’ll be cozier this way.”

  “It’s hard to be romantic when you have a five-year-old boy with a dear daddy wish. I need to be very careful.”

  “I know you do, and you always put Tyler’s needs ahead of your own. Just once, perhaps you could switch those two around. After all, you need a nice Christmas present too.”

  Cindy laughed. “Oh, I would enjoy unwrapping Brad under the tree. Or anywhere in fact.”

  “So then you should.”

  “Why do you always make everything sound so simplistic, when clearly it’s not?” Cindy used a free hand to rub the ache between her shoulder blades. She had too much stress in her life and she’d begun carrying it around with her. “I see nothing but peril in this entire scenario, while you probably see champagne and roses.”

  Brooke let out a whoop. “Exactly! Isn’t my way a whole lot better? You’re a young woman—healthy, beautiful, and sexual. This is a good thing. It’s one of life’s basic needs—and you’ve been neglecting it far too long.”

  “Who said it’s a basic need? Food, water, a bed to sleep in, and a boy to love—those are my basic needs. I want for nothing.”

  “Liar. You want for someone to love, someone to hold you at night and make you feel like a woman again. Don’t you tell me for one second that you don’t.”

  “Well, that would be nice,” Cindy conceded, “and I fully expect it to happen to me someday. But I don’t plan on chasing it. I will wait for it, and when the time is right, it will happen. I’m sure of it.”

  “If you sit and wait long enough, you might grow into an old and bitter woman. Ever heard the expression God helps those who help themselves? Well, I believe that’s true to a certain extent. I don’t mean to go help yourself to a truckload of high end TV’s, just don’t be passive, and hang around waiting for good things to happen.” She gave a tinkling laugh. “So—get off your ass, Cindy Harris, and make things happen! Heck, with this cute Brad guy, well, I doubt it’ll take much. Have fun. Stir things up. It’s Christmas, after all.”

  Cindy drummed her fingers on a desk as she listened to her sister. That’s exactly what Brooke would do—she’d never sat back and waited for anything in her life. She’d always had the lead in her high school plays, had always dated the best looking jocks, had become Valedictorian and Homecoming Queen, because that’s the kind of girl she was. She’d breezed through her university courses, and now worked as a lawyer for a big pharmaceutical firm.

  She kicked ass.

  Cindy might be two years older, but she didn’t have near the gumption her sister did. Still, when she had David, she wouldn’t have traded her life for anyone in the world’s. It had been a full and happy life, and she had felt extremely blessed.

  But Brooke did have a point
. If she wanted that kind of life again, she might have to fight for it. Sitting back and expecting it to drop into her lap, well, it certainly wasn’t productive, nor was it an admirable trait. She needed to be more assertive.

  “Okay. You’re right. I’m going to make some changes around here. I will meet Brad Williams at the Rock Center Cafe, and show him a side of me he hasn’t seen before.”

  Brooke laughed. “Oh, I like the sound of this. Need any pointers?”

  “Naw. I think I can handle this. I didn’t lack for dates before I met David, and I might remember a trick or two.”

  “Tricks? You?” she scoffed.

  “Yes, me. I know how to play it. The hair toss, the pursed lips, dropping something on the floor so he gets a good view of my…”

  “Stop right there!” Brooke groaned. “Pulleze, don’t tell me you’re serious? That only works in romantic comedies. You can do better than that.”

  “How?” Cindy asked, curious now.

  “By being the person you are. Intelligent, interesting, a good listener, someone with a sense of humor and an air of confidence. Don’t forget the confidence—its key. And smile, and flirt, and be sure to have fun.”

  “Uh, yeah. I got it. I think.”

  “No thinking. Take a good look in the mirror. Strut your stuff.”

  “I’ll try, Brooke. But I’m not you.”

  “You’re better than me. You just didn’t know it.”

  * * *

  Sunday arrived and Cindy waited until Brad showed up before leaving the house. He already had a key, but she wanted to go over her instructions with him, once again.

  “You baked cookies?” he asked in surprise.

  “Yes. They make the kitchen smell so good, and give the home a warm, welcoming feel.”

  “No one does this.” He sniffed the air. “Must admit, it works. Had a light breakfast hours ago. Mind if I have one?”

  She smiled. “One, but leave the others in the warm oven until your first set of people arrive. While they are writing their names in your book, you can put the coffee on. It’s all ready. Just hit the switch. And then transfer the cookies onto the serving plate right here.”