Revving Up the Holidays

by A. S. Fenichel

  “To the motorcycle shop? No. You can take me home. I have things to do this afternoon. You can come and visit me tomorrow.”

  “Yes ma’am.” He smiled at how her voice had returned to the gruffness to which he was accustomed.

  Chapter Five

  The entire day had been a series of one embarrassing moment after another. As Giada had stepped out of her car in the university parking lot, she’d been met by Sadie. Isaac’s sister had wanted a full explanation about where her brother had been the night before.

  Giada’s blush and stutter had been enough to make her friend laugh and drop the subject. But then she had insisted Giada come to dinner. She must have declined the offer a dozen times. Still, she found herself taking the walk of shame from the house to the shop where she’d been sent to inform Isaac that dinner would be ready soon and he should get cleaned up.

  Of course he was going to think she was some kind of desperate stalker. He probably would have been content to stay away, go back to New York and tuck the memory of their night together into a box of pleasant interludes.

  He didn’t see her in the doorway. She watched his hand slide down the length of the bike’s frame and remembered how his hand had caressed her hips and waist. The wheels and handlebars were back in place and the chrome sparkled in the overhead light.

  “You’ve done a lot of work.”

  His smile when he looked up made her think that maybe she had nothing else to be embarrassed about. He didn’t look as if he was a man who’d gotten what he wanted from a woman and was moving on to his next conquest. If the way his face lit up was an indicator, he was genuinely happy to see her. “I have a long way to go.”

  She stepped closer, looking at the mess that used to be a motorcycle. She didn’t want to say anything negative. “Well, it’s shiny.”

  He chuckled as he got off his knees. “She’s cleaning up nicely.”

  Rounding the sea of parts while wiping his hands on a rag, he moved toward her. His fingers were covered with black smudges. Did he know how sexy he was? Could he see how much she wanted him just from watching him toy with the motorcycle parts?

  She had left her suit jacket in the car. He looked at her white blouse and then at his hands. When he reached her, he leaned down and let his lips drift over hers. His tongue slid along the crease, and she willingly opened for him.

  He pulled back slightly, but when he spoke his lips were still touching hers. “I’m dying to touch you, but then Sadie will know what we’ve been doing.”

  Giada laughed. “She would love that.”

  He pulled away and she saw the slight cringe. “Did she give you a hard time at work today?”

  She shrugged. “A little teasing and she practically dragged me here for dinner.”

  His mouth drew down. He moved as if he was going to touch her arm but then didn’t. “You didn’t want to come?”

  “I don’t want you to think I’m one of those women who would entrap a man with sex. We had a good time last night, but you don’t owe me anything.” She wished her heart would slow down. Wished she wasn’t already crazy about him. She folded her arms so he wouldn’t see how much her hands shook.

  He ran his knuckles along the line of her jaw. “I don’t think that. I was going to call you later. I could never think anything negative about you. I’m glad you’re here.”

  She would have sighed if she could have stood any more humiliation in the same day. She kept her relief to herself and just nodded. Her cheeks warmed. She imagined the blush on her face told him more than she wanted to expose.

  He looked out the open door. “The sun’s going down. We better get inside so the kids can light the menorahs.”

  Daniel and Abigail bounded across the kitchen toward the back door as soon as Isaac breached the threshold. He lifted them, one in each arm, ignoring grease that still stained his hands. They both prattled on about lighting the candles and getting gifts. Little Daniel mostly echoed what his older sister said.

  Isaac laughed happily at the pair and waited a few seconds for the thrashing to wind down. “I’m here now. Let me wash my hands and then we’ll get down to business.”

  He went to the sink and washed.

  While her brother waited for Isaac, Abigail took Giada’s hand. “Come on, Gigi. It’s time.”

  Giada didn’t resist being pulled into the dining room where Mark and Sadie waited near the sideboard. A large silver tray held two of the Hanukkah candelabras.

  “Oh good. I thought I was going to have to go and fetch the two of you.”

  Giada felt her cheeks warm once again.

  “That will do, Sadie. It’s not nice to embarrass your guest and you won’t succeed in humiliating me.”

  It was his sister’s turn to blush. “Sorry, Gigi.”

  With their father’s help, the kids said the prayers in Hebrew and lit five candles with one. They then placed that one in the center of the candelabra they called a menorah. Isaac had told her what the prayers meant and she loved the way the short ceremony brought the family together. One generation passed the tradition down to the next. Her heart ached for her parents and all those small traditions they used to have.

  Taking a step back, she had time to mask her sorrow before the family turned around. If they noticed that her smile was manufactured, they didn’t comment.

  Abigail received a coloring book and Daniel a Hot Wheels car.

  “You can play with your gifts after dinner.” Sadie’s words were followed by groans of disappointment before she carted them off to wash their hands.

  They sat down and Sadie immediately apologized. “I’m sorry we’re having potato pancakes again. I needed something fried and they’re Isaac’s favorite.”

  “They’re delicious,” Giada said. “Why do you need something fried?”

  Mark replied, “It’s a Hanukkah tradition to have fried foods. The oil represents the miracle of the oil lasting eight days.”

  He took a big bite of potato.

  Sadie watched him and frowned. “It’s the only time Mark gets fried foods.”

  “The rest of the year everything is healthy.” He observed his wife’s narrowing eyes and pinched mouth. He added, “Mind you, I do half the cooking. We eat very well, but the fried food is a treat.”

  Placated, Sadie grinned back at her husband.

  Isaac’s hand slid along Giada’s thigh under the table. Her heart raced at his touch and she found herself at a loss for words to add to the conversation. In fact, she’d completely lost track of what her friends were saying.

  Mark and Sadie managed to fill any awkward silence by regaling them with stories of the children’s antics.

  After dinner the children ran for their gifts and Mark opened another bottle of wine. He stood with his glass. “I hate to do it, but I have work to finish up.”

  Giada thought she saw something cross Isaac’s face. He looked ashamed for an instant. Then he looked at her and smiled. She returned the expression. “Go do your work, Mark. I’ve got to get home anyway.”

  “Oh, don’t go,” Sadie said.

  “I have to. I have things to do. Tomorrow I’m giving my last final at eight a.m.”

  Sadie nodded. “Isaac, will you walk Gigi to her car? I’m going to play with Abigail and Daniel before putting them to bed.”

  Isaac gave his sister a look that might have been some kind of silent sibling communication. Whatever he was telling her was not at all pleasant. Sadie kissed Giada’s cheek, said good night and walked out of the dining room.

  A moment later Isaac said, “Come with me.”

  “Where?”

  He leaned down so that his lips almost touched her ear. “I need to touch you. It’s killing me.”

  Her pussy clenched as his words traveled directly to her clit. She took his hand and followed him through the kitchen and out the back door. “Where are we going?”

  “To the shop.”

  “Won’t your sister and brother-in-law notice that my car is s
till at the curb?”

  “Probably.”

  She tugged his hand. “Isaac.”

  “I don’t care who knows that we’re together, Giada. Are you embarrassed to be with me?”

  His hesitation betrayed a chink in his confidence. They were only a step away from the shop door and she closed the distance and tugged him inside. Once the door was closed and the overhead lights on, she pushed him against the wall and kissed him hard but quickly. “I am not embarrassed to be with you, Isaac. I’m a bit uncomfortable with the idea that everyone knows that after one date, we made love. It would be easier if your sister, who I work with and have known all my life, didn’t know that you slept in my bed last night.”

  One side of his mouth turned up. “Only Sadie and Mark know, and judging by the invitation for dinner tonight, I’d say they approve.”

  “That’s not the point.”

  “Okay, so tell me the point.”

  A dozen things ran through her mind. Most of them had to do with the fact that they were just having a fling and their relationship couldn’t go anywhere. A few thoughts about how the entire thing was just some childhood crush gone awry.

  He waited silently while she searched for something she was willing to share with him. When nothing came to her, she looked down and saw that she had inadvertently backed away from him, leaving space while he’d kept his hands firmly on her hips.

  She looked up into those magical eyes. “There’s no point.”

  “Don’t say that. You obviously have concerns. Talk to me.” He tried to draw her closer but she pulled away.

  The idea that she was going to be heartbroken when Isaac went back to New York swamped her. The previous night she’d only been thinking about being intimate with a man she’d loved for most of her life. A day later, the reality of her imminent disappointment became clear. Her chest ached and she pressed her hand between her breasts, hoping to ease the pain. “I should go.”

  She was walking toward the door when his hand on her forearm stopped her gently but firmly. “Giada, don’t go. Tell me why they call you Gigi. I don’t remember that nickname in high school.”

  The question was so out of context that she spun toward him in surprise. She stuttered a moment. “When I came home last year and Sadie and I renewed our friendship, Abigail couldn’t quite get Giada so she called me Gigi. Mark and Sadie thought it was cute and now the entire family calls me that. Well, except for you.”

  His smile was bright. “My mother calls you Gigi?”

  She nodded and couldn’t help laughing. It had shocked her the first time Barbara had called her the nickname. But it had also made her feel as if she was part of the family. For some reason, having an affair with Isaac had made the evening awkward. Regret started to seep into a night that had been wonderful. Pressure built behind her eyes. She had to get away from him, away from that house.

  Gathering as much courage as she could muster, she turned toward him. “Isaac, I’m going home and you are staying here. We’re not going to see each other again. I had the best night of my life with you and I wish you the best of luck for the future, but this can only end badly for me.”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  She looked at the ceiling for a second, hoping to find inspiration to make him understand. Nothing appeared in the dark rafters. Tears spilled down her cheeks. She wiped them away but more followed.

  She looked back at his chiseled jaw and crooked nose. He was beautiful and confused.

  He reached up to wipe away her tears but she jerked away. His eyes widened. “Tell me why you’re so upset, Giada. What did I do wrong? I’ll make it right.”

  Her own frustration bubbled to the surface. “I can’t have a casual affair with you, Isaac. I’ve loved you for too long. Just let me go.”

  Running for the door, she didn’t give him time to respond. She was in her car and driving toward her condo before she had time to think about what she’d just done. The man of her dreams had walked into her life after fifteen years and she had just pushed him right back out of it.

  Halfway home it hit her. Oh my God, did I tell him that I love him? I’m gonna die.

  The rest of the drive was a fight to keep her tears from blurring her vision and her shaking hands from driving her off the road. She pulled into the parking lot, grabbed her keys and purse and ran for her door. She couldn’t keep her hand still enough to get the key in the deadbolt. She’d lost her mind. She had a doctorate for God’s sake, yet she couldn’t open her front door. At that moment it occurred to her that he had tried to spare her. He had tried to walk away the night before and she had practically thrown herself at him. He’d been right. They should have kept some distance.

  She hadn’t heard anyone approach. His hand closing over hers caused a brief scream, before she realized who it was. Isaac took her keys and opened the front door. He waited for her to enter then silently followed her inside.

  Her heart was in her throat. Mortification swamped her as she dropped her purse on the small table in the foyer and made her way to the couch, where she collapsed and put her head in her hands.

  He sat down next to her but didn’t say anything for a long time. “You shouldn’t drive when you’re that upset, Giada.”

  She didn’t know if she was relieved or disappointed that he’d only followed her to make sure she’d gotten home safely. She sat up straight and dashed away the remaining tears. “You’re right. Thanks for checking on me.” She couldn’t look at him. “I’m fine now. You can go home.”

  “Why don’t you have any Christmas decorations?”

  Once again, his incongruous question disarmed her. “I don’t know. It’s just me here. Without my parents there doesn’t seem to be much point in decorating for the holidays.”

  He got up and walked around the living room. “Did you mean it?”

  “Yes.” The whispered word hardly sounded like her voice at all. She could have lied and pretended she didn’t know what he was talking about, but she did know.

  “I never knew.” He looked everywhere but at her.

  She watched his broad shoulders move around the room. “How could you? I never said. I shouldn’t have said anything now. I’m sorry.”

  He turned and looked at her for a few seconds then looked back out the window, which revealed only a parking lot.

  She didn’t know what to say. He was obviously upset and had every right to be. He must think she was some kind of lunatic, declaring her love after one night together. She was a complete idiot in spite of all those years of education.

  There was no course for this situation at GW.

  Finally, he turned and sat down beside her. His thigh touching hers, he took her hand and kissed the palm. Then he held it near his chest, and she could feel his heart thumping harder than she thought was probably normal. Could he be as nervous as she was? Outwardly he appeared calm, almost serene.

  Blood rushed through her ears, blocking out the sounds outside the condo. He leaned over and his lips brushed hers for a brief moment before he devoured her mouth. His tongue battled with hers and her body trembled with need. He reclined her until his much larger body pressed her to the cushion. His hard shaft against her thigh told her that he was as needy as she.

  One of his large hands cupped her cheek and he deepened the kiss, moaning into her mouth.

  She couldn’t help arching into him. Her head told her to push him away, but her pussy screamed to have him inside her.

  The choice was taken out of her hands. He broke the kiss and sat up, shaking his head.

  “Giada.” He said it so softly she thought she might have dreamed it.

  When he left a moment later, the entire incident left her wondering if she’d had a hallucination.

  Chapter Six

  He had ruined everything with Giada. He had no idea how to make her a part of his life and worst of all he couldn’t decide if that was what he wanted. He’d made the decision after Leslie that he never wanted
to be that close to anyone again. It had been too painful to lose her.

  The last thing he wanted was to hurt Giada, and he’d already done that. She deserved better. He’d tried to tell her that.

  She kept her emotions under such control that he would never have known if she hadn’t broken down tonight. He certainly never knew she has such strong feelings for him.

  He’d hoped to sneak into the house unnoticed but Sadie was waiting for him when he entered the kitchen to pour himself a stiff drink.

  He went directly to the high cabinet above the refrigerator and pulled a bottle of Jack Daniel’s down. She narrowed her eyes when he didn’t say anything. He took out a glass and tipped it toward her. She nodded and he took out a second glass, filled them both with ice and poured a double for each of them.

  He sat across from her and took a sip. The amber liquid warmed him from the inside out but did nothing to settle his mind.

  “What exactly are your intentions with Giada?”

  He’d been asking himself the same question all the way back from her condo. He had no answer then and he didn’t have one for his sister either. He sipped more whiskey. “I have no idea.”

  “That’s not exactly the answer I was hoping for, big brother.” She took a long pull on her drink.

  “No, I expect it isn’t, but it’s the best I can offer you at the moment.” He expected an argument. She could get nosy and he was in no mood to discuss the situation. Besides the fact that Giada would be mortified if he did, it was none of Sadie’s business.

  She looked at him for a long time. “Okay.”

  Was it a trap? “That’s it? Just okay and you’re letting it go?”

  Sadie smiled and swirled her glass, making the ice tinkle musically. “Yes. You seem to be thinking about something and I can’t ask more than that. Giada’s a big girl and though she’s been through a lot, she can take care of herself.”

  He downed the last of his drink and kissed his sister on the cheek. “I’ve got work to do. I’ll see you tomorrow.”