“Oh, none of this Mrs. Stiles formality. It’s Marion.”
He nodded. “Marion, I have a small favor.”
“Sure, what can I do for you?” Marion asked eagerly.
“I’ve been on the road most of the day. Please tell me you have some of your famous Christmas gingerbread cookies in the kitchen.”
Marion smiled. “Of course I do. I made a fresh batch earlier this evening, just for you. And I also made some gingerbread biscotti and planned your favorite meal for dinner tonight, so I hope you’re hungry,” Marion said, smiling as Carmen’s head popped up.
“I’m starved,” he said, looking right at Carmen.
“Well, I guess I’d better get you checked in. Carmen, why don’t you show Dean around? There have been a lot of changes in the last ten years. I’ll grab those cookies and get dinner started.”
“Mom, actually, I think I’d better . . .” Carmen began, then paused and smiled, grateful for the fortuitous interruption. The front desk phone’s ring had perfect timing. “. . . answer the phone,” she said, but was quickly interrupted by her mother rushing past her.
“No, no, no, I’ll take care of the phone. It’s probably for me anyway. I’m expecting a call. You stay, talk to Dean and catch up.” Marion hurried to the office and closed the door behind her. Something she’d absolutely never done before.
Chapter 4
The sound of the door solidly closing meant they were very much alone. Carmen glanced around the open area, then toward the front door. She mentally ran through a gamut of exit strategies. She could pretend to faint, fake a dire emergency, or just run out the room, but all were the coward’s way out and none of them remotely plausible. Besides, being rude to a guest was unthinkable, though Dean Everett wasn’t just any guest. She groaned inwardly. This was not going to be pretty.
The air around them seemed to crackle with electrified energy. Like a magnet pulling against its nature, she resisted the need to go to him. It was obvious the connection between them was still there, at least for her. She quickly turned her back and continued with the floral display to keep her hands busy. Of course ignoring him wouldn’t work for long, but she needed just a few more seconds to calm her nerves, gather her thoughts and try her best not to still want him so badly.
“Thank you,” he said.
“For what?” she asked turning to him. He smiled, beautiful, straight, pearl-white teeth and sexy, sensuous lips. Her stomach flipped and her insides nearly melted.
“For not running out of here when you saw me. For staying to talk,” he said softly. His voice was calm and soothing. She looked at him and frowned, embarrassed and annoyed that he could still read her so well.
“That’s not what I was going to do,” she lied feebly.
The sly, knowing smirk on his face showed he didn’t believe her. “Yeah, of course it was,” he said.
“I’m not that same timid little teenager anymore, Dean.”
“You were never timid, not with me.”
He was right. She had never been shy and timid around him. For some reason, being with him always made her feel brave and fearless. Maybe it was because he was so confident. But she looked at him and held her tongue. “Ten years is a long time and I’m all grown up now,” she defended proudly.
“Yes, I can certainly see that.” His eyes slowly drifted down her body and his smile broadened. Bold and brazen, he made no pretense about what he was doing.
In equal audacity, and to prove she was still just as bold and brazen, she reciprocated, gazing down his hard body and openly enjoying everything she saw. When she raised her eyes, he was staring at her again.
“It’s good to see you again, Carmen. It’s been a while,” he said as he watched her pick up a flower and stick it into the vase. He walked over to the table and stood beside her. “How’ve you been?”
“Good,” she said quickly, then moved to the opposite side of the table in the pretense of checking the arrangement from that angle. She picked up some greenery and inserted them one-by-one into the foam.
Dean nodded and continued to watch her as she worked. Seeing her now brought back wonderful memories from their time together. “I missed you. I tried to contact you over the years, but you never . . .”
“Dean, I know you have to be here. I get that. Like any other prominent businessman you accepted the town council’s invitation to be the grand marshal. You’re here professionally, so I suggest we keep this strictly professional. We’re not going back to the good old days. You’re a guest here, that’s all.”
“Are you sure that’s all?” he asked.
“Yes,” she said definitively.
He nodded and smiled. “Okay, if that’s what you want.” He looked around the foyer, then into the large living room and conservatory as he rounded the table to move closer to her again. “The place looks terrific. I see a lot of changes since I left. But like you said, ten years is a long time.”
She nodded and eased away again, continuing to check the arrangement from all sides specifically those as far away from him as possible.
“I was sorry to hear your father had passed away. He was a good man—didn’t like me much, but he was a good man.”
Carmen nodded silently a second time. She remembered he had sent a huge bouquet of flowers when her father died. She was tempted to smile with his last remark, but held tight to her professionalism. He was right. By all appearances, her father hadn’t liked him much. He had been one of those who’d thought Dean was trouble and he hadn’t wanted his daughter anywhere near him.
“Carmen, the last time you and I were in this room . . .” he began.
“Well, it looks like my mother is going to be a while, so I guess I should check you in,” she interrupted him and then walked over to the front counter and looked at the computer. “I’m sure you’re tired from your long trip.”
Dean followed and stood opposite the desk. “So, that’s it? You’re not going to talk to me or even look at me for the next few days?”
She looked up at him with a professionally trained smile plastered on her face. “Of course I’m going to talk to you. You’re a guest of Stiles Bed and Breakfast, and we’re delighted to have you staying with us.”
He shook his head. “Why are you being like this?”
She grabbed a key. “The town council always reserves the grand suite for the parade’s grand marshal, so that’s where you’ll be staying. I hope it’s okay.”
He nodded. “I’m sure it will be fine.”
“Do you have any bags?”
“They’re in the car. I’ll bring them in later.”
“Okay, here’s your key. Enjoy your stay. I’m sure you remember where to find the grand suite.”
He looked around and slowly shook his head. “Actually, I don’t. Would you show me the way?”
Knowing he was lying, she opened her mouth to protest, then closed it and swallowed hard. Then she smiled tightly. “Sure. Follow me.”
“Always my pleasure.”
She nodded curtly, then headed to the small elevator. Then, on second thought, she walked past it to take the stairs to the third floor. The last thing she wanted was to be enclosed in a tiny space with Dean.
Her four-inch heels and knee-length fitted skirt weren’t exactly climb-the-steps-wear, but she’d have to deal with it. Then she heard Dean clear his throat behind her. She turned to see him standing by the elevator. “Is the elevator working?” he asked.
She smiled again. “Yes, of course.”
He pressed the button and the elevator doors opened instantly. He stepped aside and held the doors to allow her to enter first. She walked in, then stood in front of the floor panel. As soon as he stepped in, she pressed the button to the third floor. The doors closed.
“We really need to talk,” he said, standing way too close.
“No, we really don’t.”
“Your mother told me you had moved back here to Hayden permanently,” he said, just over her shoulder
. “I was glad to hear it. You were right—this was always where you belonged.”
Carmen closed her eyes, knowing she definitely had to have another chat with her mother about sharing her personal life.
“There’s so much I want you to know.”
“There are a lot of changes in town. I’m sure you’re going to be impressed when you see them,” she began, cutting him off. Then she continued talking about the weather and all the plans the town had for the festival and parade. She knew he already knew about the festivities, but she wasn’t ready to hear what he was going to say.
As soon as the elevator doors opened, she hurried down the corridor to the grand suite at the end of the hall.
Dean followed and she knew he was watching every move she made, but she couldn’t think about that right now. She just needed to get him to his room and put as much distance between them as possible. She opened the door to the suite and held out the key for him to take. But instead of taking it, he stopped and stood right in front of her.
“God, it’s so good to see you,” he whispered. “You look even better than I imagined.”
“Imagined?” she repeated. “You imagined me?”
He nodded slowly. “Oh yes, so many times, so many very inappropriate times. It’s been so long, too long. I missed you.” He reached up and stroked her face tenderly.
She looked up into his soft brown eyes. She knew exactly what he was thinking. She shook her head. What she saw in his eyes made her heart skip a beat. “I need to go,” she said quietly, more for her own benefit than his.
She felt the tiny ignited spark in the pit of her stomach begin to flare, and every part of her body seemed to tingle at his touch. Her thoughts were spinning. She’d woken up this morning to an ordinary day and now everything had changed. Her world was turning upside down. She knew she’d never be able to get far enough away from her feelings for him. “Dean.”
Then impulsively she reached up, wrapped her arms around his neck, and kissed him. It surprised him and shocked the hell out of her. She hadn’t planned it. She just did it. Then she felt his body react and she melted into his arms. Strong and powerful, they encircled her holding her tight.
Her lips parted, his tongue entered, and the delectable kiss stepped up to mind-blowing insanity, sending tingles to every nerve in her body. She moaned and yearned for more. She pressed closer backing him against the doorframe. Raw and urgent, she reeled in blissful abandonment.
Right now there was no right or wrong; there was only what she wanted and she wanted to taste all of him. A guttural groan rumbled from his throat sparking him to surge deeper. The sensation was pure ecstasy.
This wasn’t a couple of teenagers like years ago when they’d kissed. This was something very different, something more real than she’d imagined. The simple act of longing and desire was amped up to fierce hunger and intense passion. The need to be with him right now was beyond overpowering.
If she didn’t stop now . . .
Suddenly the kiss broke with a yearning plea. “Come inside with me,” he rasped huskily.
In shock, she shook her head to stave her lustful inner desires. She wanted him, but she knew she couldn’t do this. Breathless, she backed off, shaking her head and staring at him. “Oh my God, Dean,” she gasped, “I can’t believe I just did that. I shouldn’t have . . . I never . . . I’m sorry.”
His usual charming smile had faded to stone-cold sincerity. His eyes seemed to pierce right into her soul. “I’m not.”
“No, this was a mistake. It was wrong and reckless, and I can’t . . .” she said then looked up at him and stopped midsentence.
She watched as he shook his head and slowly licked his lips as if to still taste her. If his intention was to entice, it was working. Her heart pounded like a jackhammer gone wild. She felt him stroke the side of her face; then he tipped her chin up. She could see in his eyes he hadn’t had enough. She closed her eyes, willing the moment to have never happened. But it did. She’d started this and she had no intention of his finishing it. “Um, I need to go.”
“Carmen, open your eyes,” he said pointedly.
No! she screamed in her own thoughts, but remained silent to him.
“Open them,” he repeated, more demanding.
She did. “Dean . . . I . . . we . . .” she began again. He stepped closer. She placed her hands on the solid firmness of his chest to hold him in place. But it didn’t matter. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. Her lips parted in a silent gasp. An instant later, her world exploded a second time as he leaned in and took her thoughts away.
If the first kiss was the promise of madness, this was the fulfillment of pure unadulterated insanity. But there was no escaping even if she wanted to. Her body melted into him as he pressed her back against the open door. Nothing had prepared her for this. There was no control, no sanity, only the dizzying sensation of being captive by his hard body and kissed senseless and loving every minute of it.
Her thoughts whirled in excited delirium. But she knew this wasn’t supposed to be happening. She wasn’t supposed to feel this way. One kiss and she was melting into a puddle of desire. The sensation was mind-boggling. The room spun in every direction. She moaned, savoring the out-of-control passion. Need and desire mingled as want and longing took her to places she only dared imagine.
She felt his hand ease down her back and cup her rear, grasping hard. Her legs weakened as her thigh rose up of its own volition. She felt his hard erection pressing against her. Her body reacted in readiness for more.
Blinded by desire, she was lost in the heat of the moment. Her hips pushed hard, grinding into him. Her hands held tight to his neck, biting hard into his shirt. She wanted it off.
She ached to touch his naked body. She dropped her hand and squeezed between their bodies, grasping the long, hard silhouette throbbing against his pants. He ripped the kiss away and buried his face in her neck. She moaned too loudly. This was going to happen right here in the third-floor corridor. The realization was like a cold shower. No. This couldn’t happen.
No matter how much she wanted to be with him, deep inside she knew she couldn’t do this. So, with all her strength, she pushed and pulled back. Breathless, panting, with her thoughts completely muddled, she shook her head. This couldn’t happen again.
A bell sounded down the corridor. Carmen turned seeing a couple getting into the elevator. Since she knew the couple was staying just two doors down the hall, she knew they had to have witnessed the kiss and everything else. Mortified, she turned away quickly hoping they hadn’t recognized her. She’d never in her life done anything like this before. She didn’t even know what to do next.
“Carmen,” Dean began, his voice still husky and raw.
“Dean, you should stay at one of the hotels in town.”
“Not a chance. I came here for you.”
“No.”
“Yes.”
They stood a few seconds, each firm in their resolve.
“Here’s your key.”
“Thank you,” he said.
She hurried to the elevator and jabbed the button. It was taking too long. She considered taking the stairs, but didn’t trust that her legs wouldn’t give out. Then the bell rang again and the doors opened. As soon as she got on, she turned, seeing Dean was still watching her from down the hall. The look on his face made her want to run down the hall and jump into his arms. Then the doors closed. An instant later, she was back in the lobby. Her mother was at the front counter talking with a guest.
She smiled briefly, maintained the last bits of her composure, and hurried past them to the kitchen. She grabbed a bottle of water, drank quickly, and began pacing. She needed to calm down, but she couldn’t. She still couldn’t believe she’d kissed him, then she’d kissed him back when he’d kissed her. What was she thinking? That’s just it, she wasn’t. Her professionalism and discipline had gone right out the window with her self-control. “Idiot. Foolish. Stupid. Reckless.”
A few minutes later, her mother hurried through the swinging doors. “Carmen, what’s wrong? What happened? Are you okay?”
“No, I’m far from okay. I just did the dumbest thing.”
“Honey, what happened? Did you and Dean argue?”
She inhaled deep taking a long ragged breath. “I wish,” she scoffed, taking another big gulp of water. “No, we didn’t have an argument.”
Marion looked at her. “Then what’s wrong? You look shell-shocked, like you’re about to explode.”
Carmen took a deep breath and shook her head. “I checked Dean in and showed him to his suite and then I kissed him.”
“And . . . ?” Marion said, still concerned.
Carmen sighed. “Mom, I kissed Dean. He’s a guest and I kissed him. I can’t believe I did that. I grabbed him and I kissed him. Then, on top of that, I’m sure another guest witnessed the whole thing.”
“So?” Marion said simply.
“So?” Carmen repeated, completely appalled. “You don’t understand. It wasn’t just a quick kiss.”
“Oh,” Marion said, trying not to smile.
“I just need to get out of here before he comes back downstairs,” she said, looking around nervously. She stared at the swinging doors as if Dean would be bursting through the kitchen door at any minute.
“Honey, honey, calm down. Relax. You know as well as I, Dean is more than just a guest here, right. Right?” Marion asked and waited for an answer. Carmen reluctantly nodded. “You and Dean have known each other for what, over fifteen years? You’ve had feelings for each other since the very beginning. Your father and I always knew that. Maybe you both need to just take some time and sort through what’s always been going on between you.”
Carmen shook her head. “Mom, with everything going on right now, I don’t want to have this talk.”
“Honey, listen to me, I know you’ve been working really hard lately and this Christmas has been nuts to say the very least, but we’ll get through this. We always do, you know that. You’re stressed, so why don’t you take a break? Go read a book, get your nails done, or do some retail therapy. Better yet, take the shopping list. I have a feeling tomorrow’s breakfast is going to be very crowded.”
A Christmas Kiss Page 3