Where's a bucket of ice when you need one?
She stopped in front of the table, her back to him and glanced around. All he could see was her firm butt and shapely legs. “Wow! Everything looks great."
Sure does.
“Everyone accomplished a lot,” she said, turning to him.
Before she could disappear again into the crowd of festive partygoers, he cleared his throat and tried to think of something to say. “If you still want to go horseback riding, how about Thursday? We could head out bright and early, around eight. We'd be gone most of the day."
Matt steepled his hands and offered up an angelic smile to his mother. Jared considered doing the same, but decided the ploy was too obvious.
“Sounds good,” she said hesitantly. Her lips formed a smile, but he sensed another emotion as he watched her. He saw doubt-or was it fear-in her eyes?
She worried her lower lip. “Thanks for the invitation.” Turning, she looked away, raised her hand and pointed to the hallway. “We'll move the chains to Matt's bed. Parents are fixing plates for the children to eat in here. The adults can eat wherever they find a place to sit."
After cleaning up the children's tables, they headed toward the stairs. “Where's Paul?” he asked, expecting to run into his scowling face sooner or later.
Her jade eyes glanced at him and lit with mischief. “Want me to tell him you miss him?"
“Hell no,” he replied in a mock whisper.
Midway down the stairs, she stopped and turned to him. “Believe me, Paul doesn't miss you either. My mother and I worked it all out for the party. She's escorting Paul around the party, and I'm escorting you. The stairs we're on are for you to use. The back stairs leading up from the kitchen are Paul's.
He rubbed his forehead and stared at her. “Let me see if I understand. You and Grace have divided the house up, kind of like war zones."
Her eyebrows narrowed. “Don't look at me like I've lost my mind. This thing will work. We're not taking any chances with you two acting like male bulls."
He fought a laugh. “What happens if the two male bulls end up in the same room? I mean, you only have one Christmas tree to decorate."
“Like I said, Grace is escorting Paul. We talked to him and he's to behave, or he'll be cutting his visit short and leaving Houston right away."
Jared smiled faintly. No wonder Thomas looked so sour. Grace is ignoring him tonight.
“And you're escorting me?"
“Exactly."
He placed his hands on her shoulders. “Katherine, I appreciate the company, but I don't need you to protect me from anyone. I'm a big boy."
Her lips parted and rounded into a kissable ‘O'. “Protect you? Jared, please,” she said dryly. “Look at your arms, and… and your shoulders… and your, your…” Her voice trailed off as her gaze followed her words down his body. She jerked her gaze up to meet his. “I just don't want any confrontations at my mom's Christmas party. Understand?"
Jared nodded, desperately trying not to grin and removed his hands from her shoulders. “Understood."
She started down the stairs again only to halt two steps down. He did, too, eyeing her as she scowled at him. “And leave Paul alone tonight."
He frowned. “You're protecting Paul?"
“Hell no,” she whispered. “I want Matt to have a good time and Paul to have time with his son.” He saw the desperation in her eyes. “I'm walking a tight rope here. Cut me some slack, please."
Katherine probably didn't realize she held onto his waist. His libido sure did.
“Nice to know it's not all a bed of roses when Paul comes to the house. Remember, my offer to help still stands."
Her chin lifted. “And I told you, I don't need your help.” She folded her arms. “I've got this problem covered."
“I've noticed. So, Paul is a problem?"
She blushed and checked her watch. “Grace and Paul should have their plates fixed. They'll be eating up here with Matt."
His jaw dropped. “You're timing us, too!” He crossed his arms and leaned back against the handrail. “What war zone are you and I eating in?"
* * * *
They sat on oversized cushions around the fireplace and ate from plates balanced on their legs. Katherine peered at Jared over a glass. “You feel better about the arrangement my mother and I worked out?” She took a sip of tea and set the glass down.
He finished a large bite of chocolate pie. “Most of it. One part makes me mad as hell though."
Katherine rolled her eyes and stared up at the crown molding along the ceiling. “Am I suppose to guess what part you hate?"
His fork waved enticingly below her nose. “It's the last bite. You want it?"
Without hesitation, her mouth opened and closed around the pie. His lips curved upward as he withdrew the plastic fork and set it on his paper plate. The dimple in his cheek seduced her into staring at his mouth. Such a strong, inviting mouth.
“Tell me why you're escorting me and Grace is escorting Paul and not the other way around."
She forced her shoulders back and sat up straight. “You don't want to be with me?"
He gave her an arched glance. “You know better than that. Stop avoiding answering me."
“I wanted to discourage Paul,” she whispered. The words sounded worse when she said them aloud.
He crossed his arms. “That's the part I hate like hell."
She jerked to her feet. “What have you got to be mad about? You aren't the one jumping through hoops.” Swinging away, she snatched dirty plates and wads of napkins from tables, from mantles, from people's hands, and stalked into the empty kitchen. He followed close behind her. Neither of them hearing slight sniggers and giggles behind them.
Jared threw a stack of used cups into a garbage bag, holding it open for Katherine. She glared at him as she shoved the pile of trash in. He took a twist tie from the counter and sealed the bag.
“I'll tell you why I'm mad.” He moved toward her. She backed up flush against the refrigerator.
With his hands on either side of her, he leaned into her. His breath fanned her cheeks. “Men don't like to hear a woman's with them because of another man. Makes the man she's with feel used."
“I found her!” Matt yelled as he burst into the kitchen.
They jumped apart, but not before Katherine saw the hurt in Jared's eyes. Hurt she'd put there. A lump swelled in her throat.
Matt ran to her and handed her a box. “Grandma says it's time for you to come put the angel on the tree before anything else goes on."
Katherine mouthed the words, “I'm sorry,” as she laced her fingers into Jared's. “We'll talk later.” She wanted to try and make it up to him in some way. He didn't resist her urging him forward. She gazed up into his deep blue eyes. “Mother asked me to put the angel on the tree. Will you help?"
Jared shrugged, reached and took the box from her. “Of course."
Matt grabbed her other hand and they walked together from the kitchen into the living room.
Jared stood in front of the ladder. “That thing won't do us any good. It's too small for this big tree."
With “O Come All Ye Faithful” playing softly in the background, Jared carefully removed the angel from the box. His gaze moved from the porcelain figurine to Katherine. “I don't want my big hands to break anything. You hold onto her, and I'll lift you up so you can put her on the tree."
She reached out and took the angel. “You're going to lift me way up there?” Her gaze moved the full length of the tree and she chewed on her bottom lip.
“Trust me, Katherine."
She realized that she did trust Jared, so she stepped forward with her arms lifted. Katherine held their special angel aloft with both hands. Jared stood behind her and placed his hands on her waist. He hoisted her above him and moved her within easy reach of her goal.
His warm hands splayed around her waist. She shuddered as his large palms rested on the top of her hips and inched her upward. M
aybe this man could support her.
She carefully placed the figurine on the top branch and stopped to adjust the angel's beautiful gown. She paused a moment to savor the warm sensation of Jared holding her.
“Okay, you can let me down,” Katherine whispered.
Ever so gently, Jared lowered her to the floor. They backed away from the tree, Katherine's body humming with a strange, new feeling. She stayed at his side. Her mother moved forward, bent and plugged the cord into the socket. The angel glowed with a warm light of Christmas hope.
“Look up!” her mother suggested.
Directly above their heads, a large clump of mistletoe dangled from the ceiling.
The room filled with hoots of laughter, and catcalls, except for Paul. He glared disapproving daggers at both of them.
Her gaze flew to her mother, who wore a satisfied expression. Katherine's eyes narrowed suspiciously.
“Go for it,” someone from the crowd called out.
“It's a tradition,” Reverend Whittaker murmured. “Can't break from tradition."
Her still-narrowed gaze scanned the throng. Her matchmaking mother had put that mistletoe up here and asked her to put the angel on the tree. They're all in on getting me and Jared to kiss.
She glanced at Jared, who didn't seem to mind the situation at all. In fact, from the glint in his eyes, he thoroughly enjoyed it. A hint of his tantalizing cologne fogged her thinking. His eyes said, ‘I'm going to kiss you.’ Her mind warned, ‘Don't kiss him back. Not here.'
Her body shuddered when Jared bent slightly and claimed her mouth. His lips moved over hers tentatively, his tongue entreated her to open, refusing any answer but yes. When she opened to him, he slanted his mouth and deepened the kiss. Her tongue darted to find his and she tasted chocolate delight. She dipped her tongue to taste him again. Her legs weakened and she slipped her arms around his waist for support. He held her secure, lifted his mouth, delivered a light parting kiss on her lower lip and drew back. She gazed into eyes dark with desire and stepped out of his embrace.
“Way to go. Now, that's how you kiss a woman,” someone yelled.
Paul muttered a curse word and stormed out the front door.
“That should discourage your ex,” Jared whispered.
Heat flooded her face. She raced to the empty kitchen. Jared followed close behind her. After the door closed, her hands flew to her hips. “You kissed me like that to discourage Paul?"
He moved to put his weight against the door, blocking any entry. “No, that's why you kissed me like that."
Her foot tapped a staccato beat on the tile. “I did not kiss you like that to discourage Paul.” She stared at the ceiling, the floor, anywhere but his eyes. “I couldn't help myself."
The corner of his lip turned up. “That's the first honest emotion you've shared with me. To be equally honest,” he said, the other corner of his mouth turning up in a disarming grin, “I couldn't help myself either."
She licked her dry lips. “Oh."
He blew out a deep breath. “What's this personal thing you wanted to talk to me about?"
She hesitated and bit her lip. “My mother feels you have a need to… rescue me all the time. It has to stop. I'm capable of handling my own problems."
“Sweetheart, I'm the one who needs rescuing. You haven't the foggiest idea how you stir up a man, and suddenly drop him in the middle of an Arctic climate."
She ran the tip of her tongue over her lips.
Seeing that pink tongue glancing over those pouting lips, he groaned. “I'm going to get Matt's presents.” He turned, put his hand on the door and stopped. Coming back into the room, he leaned by her ear and spoke in a rough whisper. “And if you don't stop doing those kinds of things with your tongue, I'm going to kiss you again. Hard."
* * * *
“I had a good time at the party. The tree looks so great. I like Harry Potter, Mom,” Matt said with a yawn as he lay in bed. “I read good, don't I?"
She rubbed his forehead. “Yes, you do, but you need to go to sleep. You've had a full day."
He closed his book and handed it to her. “I thought about it. When I go to school, I don't want to live in a castle."
Paul again? She clenched her fists. The only castle she knew about was Castle Academy, a boarding school. No way in hell that would happen. “Did your dad talk to you about living at Castle when you shared dinner? Did your grandma hear him, too?"
“Grandma went to the bathroom. I don't think I'd like living in a castle. I wanna stay with you."
She ruffled his hair, pulled his covers up and kissed him good night. “The only castle you'll ever live in is in your imagination.” He smiled and closed his eyes.
Turning to stare out the window, she sat slumped on the side of Matt's bed, her hands pressed against her cheeks, trying to fight her anger. Whatever Paul was interested in, it was obviously not having his family back. Not if he wanted to send Matt away to boarding school.
After Christmas, though, she might just send Paul away. Back to one of the bubble-headed blondes he preferred. Preferably, one who resided in Alaska.
She left Matt's room and went to unplug the Christmas tree lights. Looking up at the top, she smiled as her mind relived the sensations of Jared's hands on her body. Her lips tingled remembering his heart-stopping kiss and her heated response. “We couldn't help ourselves,” she whispered, bending and unplugging the cord.
Chapter Ten
An incessant buzzing like a pesky mosquito woke Jared from the first sound sleep he'd had in two days. He shoved the covers aside, grabbed for the lamp and switched it on. It toppled over, hitting the carpet with a thud. He blinked at the harsh light. His sleep-deprived brain finally registered that the phone was ringing. He snatched up the receiver.
“Who the hell is this?” he growled, yawning full force into the phone.
“Who the hell do you want it to be?” the voice asked with a chuckle.
“Carl, is that you?"
“That's right, it's your Fairy Godfather."
Jared sprang up to a sitting position and slammed his head against the headboard. “Ouch!” He rubbed the rising bump on the back of his head and squinted at the digital clock. “Do you know what time it is?” He bent forward, lifting the lamp from the floor and setting it back on the table. “It's Thursday, three o'clock in the morning, Houston time,” Jared croaked.
The voice on the other end cleared its throat. “Okay, now we've gotten the news bulletin out of the way, let alone my little bit of pay-back, do you want a progress report on the case?"
Jared's voice rose. “You found something already?"
“Does a bear mess in the woods? The lowlife who's supposed to have changed and wants Katherine to remarry him is this very minute bopping his beautician girlfriend for the third time."
Jared rammed his hands through his hair. “I'll be damned."
Carl chuckled. “Yeah. At my age, I find that pretty remarkable, too. If you want sound effects, you can have them at no extra charge. The walls are thin here. Her name's Ann Young, by the way. I got some steamy photos of them locking bodies in the halls and kissing at her door. I'll nose around again today and get the pictures to you Friday."
Jared ran his fingers across the stubble on his cheek. “Any idea why he really asked Katherine to remarry him?"
“I've been looking into his background. He has a younger brother named William. The man walks on water as far as the community and his father is concerned. Family man, kids. It's got to be tied up with William and their parents in some way."
“Good job. Keep digging."
Carl grew quiet. “You still seeing this lady?"
Jared felt a lecture coming from the detective who treated him like his son. “Yeah.” He yawned again. “She and her son are coming out to the ranch in Katy with me. We're going horseback riding most of the day. If you need to reach me, that's where I'll be."
Carl coughed. “Those wise-ass remarks I made about you and Katherine w
ere way out of line.” He paused huffing a deep breath into the phone. “But don't take this lady so serious, in case she dumps you, too. My ulcers can't follow you around bars for days to make sure you keep your nose clean."
“I've no intention of going off the deep-end again,” Jared snapped.
Carl snorted in apparent disbelief. “Oh, and you owe me a bonus. About the sneezing."
Jared frowned at the phone. “Sneezing?"
“Yeah, sneezing. Remember? Allergy-boy."
“Paul."
Carl went on. “I borrowed a dog from a friend and found out lover-boy's not allergic. His mistress is. You should have seen her sneeze her fool head off in the elevator."
“That means-"
“Right on. Paul stored Matt at a nursery and brought Ann Young to the home he had with Katherine while they were still married. His mistress couldn't be around animals, so Matt couldn't have any. I've already confirmed with neighbors that his mistress visited the house numerous times."
Jared rubbed his neck. “None of the neighbors said anything to Katherine about Paul having a woman over?"
“Hell no. They thought she was a relative, until Katherine came home early one day because her business flight was cancelled. She walked into the bedroom and found her husband and this bimbo screwing. All hell broke loose and the neighbors almost called the cops. Nice guy, huh?"
Jared felt like someone gut-punched him. He fisted the pillow. “Yeah. A real charmer,” he snarled. “Keep digging,” he said and hung up the phone.
* * * *
“Trust me.” Jared extended his hand to Katherine as he sat on the black gelding. “I'll pull you up and you can ride behind me or in front of me, whichever you prefer."
Katherine stared at the dust rising around the pawing, snorting, four-legged giant of a beast and hesitated. She shook her head. “I don't think it likes me."
“Flying Leap likes everyone-especially beautiful ladies.” Jared held the reins in one hand and placed his other hand on the gelding's rump.
The Mistletoe Affair Page 13