Her Christmas Wish ; Designed by Love

by Sherelle Green

  Still staring at him, her mother said, “People just don’t meet and fall in love that quickly.”

  He smiled. “Actually, they do. My father, whom I respect and is a great judge of character, met and fell in love with my mother in a week. They’ve been married for forty years and their love has only grown stronger over the years. I’m not surprised that the same has happened to me, especially with Serita. Your daughter is amazing. How could I not fall in love with her?”

  Serita couldn’t move. She had never had a man declare his feelings for her so openly and boldly in her entire life. And in front of her parents. It overwhelmed her, and she fought the urge to do what came natural—run to her room, pull the covers over her head and shut down so she could process. Jeremy seemed to sense her plight—she didn’t know how he had learned to read her so well in their short time together—and sent her a reassuring smile. With her parents still staring at her in what appeared to be shock, she placed the ice cream, bowls and spoons on the table and retook her seat. “Since you all are just sitting here, I’ll start things off.” She scooped a portion of the cobbler into her bowl, paused, then added more before placing it in front of Jeremy. She mouthed, Thank you. She fixed her own bowl and added some of the vanilla ice cream. “Dad, I was really hoping you made your homemade ice cream.”

  “I’ll make some the next time you and Jeremy come over.”

  His smile let her know he approved of the relationship, and it gave her a measure of comfort.

  Later, as Jeremy drove her home, Serita sat with her eyes closed.

  “You okay?”

  “Yep. Just need my bed for a while.”

  Jeremy placed a hand on her thigh. “The evening was a little overwhelming.”

  She rolled her head in his direction. Even in the shadows of the car, she could see the concern on his face. “I’ll be alright. This is how I handle things. I have to shut down.” She figured he should know that about her if they were going to be together.

  “We all deal with our emotions differently. I used to disappear from home for about half an hour. Now, I run.”

  “Ugh. That would stress me out even more.”

  His laughter filled the car. “Like I said, we’re all different.” He paused. “Well, I’m about to stress you out a little more.”

  Serita sat up.

  “My parents invited us to dinner tomorrow.” He slanted her a quick glance. “The good thing is they’ve already met you, so I doubt you’ll have to endure what I did tonight.”

  She viewed him skeptically.

  “Trust me. My mom just wants to get to know you. If it gets to be too much, know that I’ll make sure to find you a quiet place to regroup.”

  “I love you, Jeremy.” The words were out before she could stop them and her heart pounded in response.

  “And I promise to protect that love.”

  She knew he would.

  * * *

  Tuesday evening, Serita sat on the sofa reading with R & B playing in the background. She closed the book when Gabby came in. “You look exhausted. I thought the office closed at five.”

  “It did. I stopped by my parents’ house to help with their home improvement project.”

  “Oh, yeah. They’re redoing the master bedroom and bathroom.”

  Gabby dropped down in a chair and laid her head back. “The next time they mention fixing up a room, I’m hiring somebody, even if I have to work eighty hours a week. It was supposed to be painting and getting a few new items. Now, they’re talking about changing the linoleum on the bathroom floor. My dad started pulling up the flooring and it’s a mess. Then they had the nerve to start talking about replacing the tiles in the shower and got upset when I suggested using someone who knows what they’re doing, saying it would be a waste of money.” She shook her head. “I told them I’d send a list of contractors, packed up and left.”

  She laughed. “Well, it would save money.”

  “It won’t when they have to hire someone to fix the mess they made and then do it right. Anyway, enough about that. I’ve been waiting to hear all about the family weekend drama and your interview.”

  Serita set the book on the sofa next to her. Because Jeremy had stayed around both nights after bringing her home and Serita had worked overtime yesterday, she and Gabby hadn’t had a chance to talk. She decided to start with the easier subject. “The interview went well and I should hear something within a week or so.”

  “I hope you get it.”

  “So do I. The thirty days at Jeremy’s company will be up at the end of next week, so I really need to have something.”

  Gabby eyed her. “You know as well as I do that man is going to offer you the job. And please miss me with crap about preferential treatment. You’re probably the most qualified out of the group. You know it, I know it and he knows it.”

  “I didn’t say I wasn’t qualified.”

  “Thank goodness. Now what happened with your parents?”

  She shook her head at her friend’s ability to change the subject on a dime. “My parents took turns grilling Jeremy, but he didn’t seem bothered by it at all. He brought my mother flowers and had her smiling, and my dad invited him back.”

  “I knew he wouldn’t have any problems winning them over.”

  “Especially after telling them he was in love with me.”

  Gabby’s mouth fell open and she bolted upright. “He did what? Oh. My. Goodness. I would’ve swooned under the table.”

  “It was impressive.” The memory of his impassioned words still made her heart race. She told her what Jeremy had said, including the part about how his parents fell in love after a week and that he wasn’t surprised about it happening to him. “You could hear a pin drop when he finished. I had never seen my parents left speechless like that before.”

  “I know you love him, too.”

  “Yes, I do,” Serita said softly.

  She placed her hand over her heart and said dreamily, “This sounds like one of those romance novels.”

  That’s the truth. Only Serita had never been one to believe it could happen in real life. Now she knew better.

  “What about his family? I know you were worried about dinner.”

  “Dinner turned out to be better than I expected. His parents are really nice and treated me like they’ve known me forever.” When they’d arrived, Jeremy’s mother had hugged her and gone on and on about how happy she was that Serita and Jeremy were dating and that she was looking forward to her and Serita getting to know each other. While Serita couldn’t have been happier about their acceptance, the woman’s exuberance eventually started to take a toll on Serita. True to Jeremy’s word, he had made sure that she had those quiet few minutes to regroup.

  “Where do they live?”

  “Granite Bay. Their house is stunning and so big they could host a party for fifty or sixty people and it wouldn’t feel crowded.” She had told Jeremy the same thing and he said it had happened before, with most of the people being family.

  “Maybe the next one will be to celebrate your engagement.”

  “I think you’re getting way ahead of yourself.”

  “No, I’m not. It’s about time you found someone who appreciates that cute nerd-girl thing you’ve got going on.”

  Serita smiled and picked up her book. “Yeah, you’re right.”

  * * *

  “Have you recovered from last weekend’s meet-the-parents saga?” Jeremy asked Serita Friday evening as they worked on the console. Elena had been scheduled to work with them, but had to leave early to pick up her sick daughter from school. He had been secretly elated to know they would be alone.

  “Barely.”

  “Just so you know, my family is planning a get-together to celebrate Aniyah’s birth. I was specifically instructed to bring you.”

  Serita eyed him. “Ex
actly how often does your family have these gatherings?”

  A smile played around the corners of Jeremy’s mouth. “Do you want the truth?”

  “As opposed to?”

  “I don’t want to scare you,” he said with a chuckle. “We do it pretty regularly, but they’re not always big gatherings. We have Sunday dinners with my parents about once a month, same with me, Ced, Lorenzo and Alisha. It used to be us four cousins, but now that includes spouses and kids. Then there are the times my LA cousins come up to visit. There are five of them and they’re all married.”

  She held up a hand, bowed her head and closed her eyes. “Okay, okay, I get it.”

  Jeremy sympathized with her. It would definitely be overwhelming, but they would welcome and love her as much as he did. “It won’t be too bad, but I have just the thing to relax you beforehand.”

  “What’s that?”

  He carefully removed the part from her hand and laid it on the table. “Come with me.” He led her to his office, closed and locked the door. “I’ve been fantasizing about making love to you in my office ever since that interlude last week. I promise by the time I’m done, worrying about my family will be the last thing on your mind.” He walked over to his desk, opened a drawer and took out a bottle.

  Serita brought her hands to her mouth and giggled. “I know that’s not the massage oil.”

  He nodded slowly.

  “Jeremy, we cannot do...do...that in here.”

  “Sure we can. I even brought towels.”

  “I can’t believe how scandalous you are.”

  “You’ll believe it soon enough.” He placed the bottle on the desk and whipped his shirt over his head.

  Serita gasped. Then her expression changed. “Okay.” She sauntered toward him and ran her hand over his erection. “Then you might want to hurry up and take these off.”

  He didn’t need to hear anything else. In the blink of an eye, he had them both naked.

  She picked up the oil. “You know, I think I want a turn this time.” She drizzled it along the length of his shaft and slowly rubbed it in. She lowered her head and blew softly.

  Jeremy cursed under his breath. The heat of the oil and the feel of her hands stroking him almost sent him over the edge. And when she took him into her mouth, he swore to let her have a turn. All. Night. Long.

  Chapter 16

  Monday afternoon, while on her break, Serita took a moment to check her email. She had been stalking it daily, looking for news about the job. Her stomach flipped when she saw it. Her thumb hovered over the link for a second before opening it. Her heart sank. She hadn’t been chosen for the position. She placed the phone on her desk and leaned back in the chair. This was the last week of the trial and she knew Jeremy would offer her one of the positions. Serita did enjoy working there, but the rejection made her realize how much she really did want to teach. Back to the drawing board.

  She went back to the design room where Elena and Shane were working.

  “Good, you’re back,” Shane said. “Jeremy wants me to tag team on the surgical arm for the rest of the afternoon.” He finished the part he’d been working on. “Okay, I’m out.”

  When he left, Elena asked, “Do you like working here?”

  “Yes, but it’s complicated.”

  “Not really. I’ve watched you work, Serita. You’re the best person for this job and you won’t find a better work environment. It’s a great company and the boss ain’t too bad, either,” she whispered conspiratorially.

  Serita agreed with that assessment wholeheartedly. The “boss” was wonderful and amazing. But it still didn’t change her disappointment.

  “Hey, ladies.” Jeremy stuck his head in the door. “Serita, can I talk to you for a minute?”

  She searched his face for a clue as to what he wanted, but his face was unreadable. After what had happened in his office Friday night, she had vowed to stay as far away from there as possible. He was too tempting and she didn’t seem to have any willpower when it came to his magical kisses. “Sure. I’ll be right there.”

  “Thanks.”

  Serita shared a look with Elena, who gave her an encouraging smile, then made her way to Jeremy’s office.

  “Can you close the door?”

  She lifted a brow. He must have read her expression because he laughed.

  “Relax, this is business. But I have to tell you every time I walk into my office I can’t stop thinking about Friday night. It’s going to be hard as hell not to seduce you, strip you naked and lay you on that table whenever you cross my path.”

  That was what worried her. It didn’t help that she had been a willing participant in his seduction. She’d surprised herself the other night with her inhibition. Sex had always been just okay until she met Jeremy. He unleashed some carnal side in her she never knew existed. And she kind of liked it.

  “Now that you know you’re safe for the time being, you can close the door.”

  She complied, then sat in one of the chairs opposite his desk. “You said this is business.”

  “Yes.” Jeremy studied her. “Everything alright? You seem a little down.”

  Serita sighed. “I heard back from Sac State and I didn’t get the job.”

  “Baby, I’m so sorry. I thought for sure you would.”

  “Me, too.”

  “Is there anything you need me to do for you?”

  “No, but thank you.” He looked genuinely concerned. “Really. I’ll be fine. What did you want to talk to me about?” she asked, changing the subject. She felt down enough and didn’t want to dwell on it.

  “Actually, there are two things I’d like to discuss. The first is I don’t want to hide our relationship anymore. I love you and we are both consenting adults. It’s nobody’s business what we’re doing and if they find about us, fine.”

  She understood his point of view and, most likely, everyone already knew. Elena had figured it out the first week and Serita was sure she’d mentioned it to Shane. More than once, she’d caught him smiling at her when he saw her coming from Jeremy’s office. And Chris... She didn’t even want to think about how he had found out. She had been mortified when he’d walked in and found her sitting on Jeremy’s lap. “What exactly does that mean?”

  “We won’t be having desktop sex during the workday, if that’s what you’re concerned about. But if I want to give you a good-morning kiss—nothing too heavy—then I want to be able to do it. I want to be able to hold your hand and take you out to lunch or eat lunch in here.”

  The things he’d asked for weren’t anything other dating couples wouldn’t do. She remembered a few of the professors and other staff members who dated doing some of the same things. They were affectionate, but not overly so. Serita really had no reason to be embarrassed. “Okay, we can do that.”

  A huge grin spread across his face. “Can we seal the agreement with a kiss?”

  She laughed. “You don’t ever quit, do you?”

  Jeremy shrugged. “I can’t help myself. I’ve never been this out of control with a woman in my life. This is all your fault.”

  Hearing that she could make him lose control put a smile on her face. She’d happily take the blame. “That makes two of us. I’ve never done the things we have with any other man, so you’re just as at fault.”

  He placed a hand over his heart. “I will gladly take the blame,” he said, echoing her thoughts.

  “Didn’t you want something else?” He brought out a side of her very few people saw.

  “Yes. Hopefully, this will counter your bad news and make you feel a little better.” He handed her an envelope.

  Serita’s brows knit in confusion. She withdrew the sheet of paper and read. “You’re offering me the position.” She was admittedly excited, but a small part of her still wondered if he had judged fairly.

  “A
nd before that beautiful brain of yours starts going places it shouldn’t, I decided to hire all three of you.”

  “Can you afford to do that? I’m sorry, that’s none of my business.”

  “You’re fine. Chris and I talked about it and, with a couple of potential contracts in the works, we’ll be able to handle it. You and Darryl will have the full-time positions because you have the most experience. Scott will work twenty-five hours to start, with the potential to transition to full-time once those contracts are secured.”

  She reread the letter. “I’m really glad. I didn’t get a chance to work with either of them very often, but I like them.”

  “Better now?” he asked with amusement.

  Smiling, she said, “Much. Do I need to answer now?”

  “No. You can just tell me yes on Friday, like the letter says.”

  Her mouth gaped. “How do you know I’m going to say yes?”

  Jeremy stood, came and gently pulled her to her feet. “Because I’m making you an offer you can’t refuse.”

  “Oh, really?”

  “Really.” He brushed a kiss across her lips. “Would you like to have dinner tonight?”

  “Yes, but I’d like to go home and change first.”

  “That works. We need to drop off your car anyway.”

  “Or I could just meet you at the restaurant.”

  He stared at her as if she’d lost her mind. “I’m not even going to reply to that nonsense.”

  She burst out laughing, having known that would be his response. Smiling, she walked over and opened the door. “Later, darling.” Yep. She loved this man.

  * * *

  “You really lucked out with Darryl, Scott and Serita,” Chris said to Jeremy as they stood outside the door of Jeremy’s office.

  “I did. And I’m sure both men will be accepting soon, and alluded to that fact. But Serita is the only one who hasn’t given any indication whether she’s going to accept.” Jeremy had sensed her disappointment at not getting the teaching position and didn’t want to add any more stress onto her.