Blame It on the Mistletoe (15 page)

Alex smiled down at her. “I knew they’d be. Thank you for agreeing to let her do this.”

“How could I not, it was a brilliant idea. Even better, it got you to stay in town a little longer.”

He smiled and moved aside so a few more people could enter. He didn’t miss the way their eyes settled on him and his grandmother, and he was even more shocked when she didn’t hesitate to introduce him to several couples, including the current mayor. After a moment she turned back to him and whispered, “I see you picked up the corsage I told you to get.”

He held up a plastic box containing a small arrangement for Brooke’s wrist. “I guess I’m making up for not going to prom, huh?”

“Looks like it. That is a beautiful corsage. She’ll love it.” She laughed and stepped away to chat with a group that entered behind them.

He glanced down to the plastic box, hoping she was right, that Brooke would in fact love what he’d chosen. After his grandmother had informed him that corsages were a tradition at the ball, he’d gone to Bloom n’ Twig on Main to order it. He’d been very particular about the fact that it be delicate and contain mistletoe since that had sort of become their theme. The thought made him smile. The night he’d stuffed that ornament in his pocket, he wouldn’t have guessed he’d be escorting Brooke Abbott to the Mistletoe Ball.

“Well, my goodness, Mr. Coleman, you clean up nicely.”

Alex shoved the box behind his back and turned to find Brooke coming down a hallway toward him. His mouth instantly went dry. Her dress was silver and sparkly, the ivory skirt swished against her thighs, revealing her toned sexy legs. His eyes roamed the expanse of her skin all the way down to the shiny high heels. Her long hair was off her neck, pulled into some sort of tousled up-do that was soft around her face. She had never looked more beautiful.

“Close your mouth, I know I look like a cupcake.” She touched a piece of hair resting against her temple. “My mother insisted I spend the afternoon at the salon with her. She’s lucky I got the last necklace done at three this morning. Do I look tired?” She smiled.

“No, holy shit, you look amazing,” he whispered.

He noticed her cheeks redden a little, and he remembered the box he was holding and pulled it out for her to see. “Here, I got this for you.” He opened the plastic container and removed the little arrangement. Brooke was silent, her mouth had dropped open a little.

“Give me your hand, Brooke.”

She met his gaze for a moment, her green eyes sparking beneath her sooty lashes. She held out her arm for him to slide the little band over her perfectly manicured hand and onto her wrist.

“It’s a mistletoe,” she whispered.

“And succulents, though I confess I have no idea what that means. The florist told me it would be pretty.” He felt like a moron, a grown ass man putting a corsage on a woman.

“I love it.” She leaned up and gave him a quick, soft kiss, then ran her finger down his cheek. He felt a little better. “This is quite a change,” she teased, stroking his cheek.

“I figured I couldn’t come looking like a lumberjack.” He’d completely shaved, gotten his hair a trim, and even used gel in it. He hadn’t done that in years.

“I kind of liked the lumberjack look. It was sexy, but of course this is too.”

He grinned. “I may have to grow it back for you then.”

Her smile faltered a little before she pasted on a grin. “You’ll probably be long gone before I’m able to enjoy it.”

Neither of them spoke for a beat, finally he cleared his throat and changed the subject, not wanting anything to ruin this night. “Well, I’m new to this, what do we do?”

“Well, basically we go in, find our seats, eat an overpriced dinner, and make small talk with people who are mostly full of themselves. Oh, and we definitely drink heavily. Open bar and all that.”

“Nice.” He held out his arm, and she wrapped her fingers around it. It felt good to have her there, like they were meant to enter a room together. But he was nervous. This was not his world; these people would wonder what the hell he was doing here. And yet, somehow with her by his side, it didn’t seem to matter, especially since she appeared to have no problem being here with him. He hoped.

Once they joined the festivities in the ballroom, time went quickly. Each debutante entered on her father’s arm when their name was announced. There was a lengthy father/daughter dance that bored him to tears, but at least it was a chance for everyone to admire the way Brooke’s jewelry looked with the dresses. Dinner was served and eaten, and then it was time to mingle. Several people had stopped to tell Brooke how beautiful the necklaces were, and the smile on her face the whole night had made him want to pull her into a corner and have her all to himself. She was radiant and happy, and that made him happy.

“I’m going to the ladies room,” Brooke said after she ate her dessert. “And then I’m forcing you to dance with me.”

Alex raised an eyebrow, and with a quick peck on the cheek and a laugh, Brooke left him. He couldn’t help but smile as he watched her dress swish as she walked away, but even that sexy dress wasn’t enough to get him on the dance floor—especially not to Christmas music—unless he had another drink.

Alex caught Brooke’s mother giving him an odd look so he politely excused himself from the table and made his way over to the line forming at the bar.

“Alex, good to you see you, son.”

Alex inwardly cringed at the sound of Ted’s voice, but he turned to shake the man’s hand. “Ted.”

“Between you and me, I hate these parties. As far as I’m concerned, it’s just a whole lot of wasted money and time.”

“Maybe, can’t say. This is my first one,” Alex said, hoping the bar line would move quickly so he had an excuse to end the conversation.

“That’s right, you didn’t usually attend functions with your grandparents. That’s a shame.” Ted sounded so damn smug, it was all Alex could do not to punch him. He’d never liked Ted Orsman, and the last couple of weeks had only served to solidify that feeling.

Ted went on. “It’s the thirteenth. Not even two weeks left to make a decision. I would have figured you would have wanted to wrap this up and get out of town. I’m kind of surprised you’re still here. Is it Ms. Abbott? That what you got your eye on? I can see where that would be a little sticky for you.”

“That’s none of your business.”

“No, you’re right, it’s not. But I am on the board of directors at Addison County Credit Union, where Ms. Abbott took out a small business loan. She’s been late on her payment three months in a row. Apparently things aren’t going as well as she’d expected. Maybe you’d be putting her out of her misery.”

“Ted, you’re really starting to piss me off.”

“They’ve upped their offer. One point five million.”

Alex closed his eyes and felt a hand on his forearm. “You okay?”

He opened his eyes and looked down at Brooke, quickly replacing the grimace he was sure was on his face with a smile. “Yeah, fine.”

“Ms. Abbott, you look exceptionally beautiful if I may say so,” Ted said.

No, you may not say so, dickhead.

“Well, thank you, Mr. Orsman,” she said with an innocent smile that nearly killed him. She was too close to his deception right now, and it made Alex sick to his stomach. “It’s been a lovely evening. Your wife and Beverly outdid themselves this year.”

“They certainly did. I’ll pass on your compliments. In fact I see her waving me over—you kids enjoy yourselves.”

“You sure you’re okay?” Brooke asked again after they were alone. “You didn’t look very happy when I walked over.”

“Everything’s fine. But what do you say we get out of here. I’m kind of partied out.”

“Oh, okay. I’ll get my purse.”

When she was back, he grabbed her hand and escorted her through the foyer and out the front door. He gave the valet his ticket and turned to find Brooke with her arms around herself trying not to shiver. He quickly removed his tux jacket and wrapped it around her bare shoulders.

“Here. I’m sorry we sort of left in a hurry. Did you have a coat back there? I can go grab it.”

“No, I didn’t really have a formal one so I went without. Stupid, but better than a puffy down coat with my dress.”

“You would’ve looked adorable.” When the car rolled up he opened her door for her, tipped the valet, and then went around to his side. They drove in silence, and when he pulled into a parking spot in front of the Inn on Main she turned to him, eyes wide.

“This okay?” He wanted her all to himself tonight, needed it. Not inside 100 Main, no thoughts of anything else between them.

“Of course.”

He grabbed her hand and gave the back of it a quick kiss before helping her out of the car and into the little hotel. The same couple had owned the inn since he could remember. They knew his grandparents, and no doubt Brooke’s parents. They would make assumptions about them entering together. Good, let them. Tonight she was all his.

The feel of his hand in hers warmed Brooke from the inside out as they entered the hotel. She had to admit to being a little sad to leave the ball; she’d really been looking forward to dancing with Alex in front of everyone. When she’d seen him tonight, all pressed and polished, she’d almost forgotten to breathe; and then when they’d entered the ballroom together, she couldn’t imagine a more perfect moment. The whole night had been magical.

She gave an awkward smile to Mr. Bowman standing behind the front desk, knowing that he was shocked to his toes to see her here with Alex Coleman. It almost made her laugh. They made their way up the old carpeted staircase to his room, and just the thought of what she hoped would happen inside sent shivers down her spine. Sex was all she’d been thinking about since the last time they’d been together.

Brooke tightened her fingers around his, and he squeezed back. He’d undone his bowtie, and it dangled from each side of his collar. For some reason it was adorably hot.

He gave her a sexy smile as he put the key in the lock. He’d shaved completely, his strong jaw bones and dimpled chin revealed in all their glory. It was true what Eric had said about him: he really was the most handsome thing to come out of Preston. Once upon a time, some other things people had said about Alex might have been true too, but no longer. He wasn’t trouble, he wasn’t bad. He was good, and sweet, and caring.

It had upset her to know that he’d learned about her relationship with Chad, but after the hurt faded, it had almost been a relief. It wasn’t something you wanted to tell someone, that you’d been so blind. Stupid enough to let someone take advantage of you in that way. But she shook those feelings away. Right now she wanted to think only of this man, and he made sure of that as he pulled her into the room and into his arms, brushing a stray strand of hair back from her face.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered.

Brooke just looked at him quizzically.

“I just realized we never danced. I can promise you weren’t missing much, I’m a horrible dancer.” The corners of his mouth kicked up in a charming smile, and just like that he made all of her disappointment vanish. How did he have that power?

Brooke felt an answering smile spread across her own lips. “I’m okay. I’d rather be right here,” she said. And she meant it.

He leaned down to kiss her. His lips were gentle, yet insistent, and when his tongue touched hers, she moaned. A hand on each side of her face, he tilted her head so he could deepen the kiss. She was almost ashamed at how much she loved him taking control like that, but she did—what a change from the fearful woman she’d been a year ago.

She managed to slip out of his jacket as he consumed her mouth, quickly moving her hands to the buttons on his shirt. He responded by sliding her zipper down and running his cool hands over her back causing goose bumps to rise on her skin.

Each breath, and each touch of Alex’s hand, sent sparks of desire coursing through her, and before she could control herself, she kissed her way up his neck and gently bit his earlobe, making him groan. He’d bitten her playfully the last time, and it had been one of the most shockingly pleasurable sensations she’d ever known.

“We’re not stopping this time,” Alex said against her neck.

“Promise?” she answered as his mouth blazed a trail down to the swell of her breast.

“I couldn’t even if I wanted to. I’ve been dreaming about you all week.”

She smiled as his tongue dipped into her cleavage. He lifted her easily and carried her to the bed, his mouth still attached to her as he laid her down. Finally he stood up and carefully pulled her dress from her body. The bodice had been tight so she hadn’t needed a bra, leaving her now fully exposed. Once her gown was in a heap on the floor, he took off his shirt, undershirt, and pants.

“That’s a lot of clothes you had on,” she teased.

“Too many.” Once he was completely naked, he hooked his fingers on her panties and pulled them down, his eyes never leaving hers. “I want you so bad, Brooke. I’ve never wanted anyone this much.”

“Don’t say that,” she could barely breathe, let alone talk. But she couldn’t hear words like that. It was only going to make it harder for her when he went home, and he’d given her no reason to think that wasn’t the plan.

“It’s true. You’re so beautiful.” He went to his knees on the floor and ran his hands up her legs, her knees, and finally her thighs. He pushed them open and ran a finger down her center. She shivered from the sensation, from her embarrassment, from the chill in the air—all of it. And she’d never had a man look at her so intimately. Never enjoyed having a man kiss her down there … until now.

She gasped at the first touch of his tongue, overwhelming and wonderful at the same time, his strokes light and teasing before becoming more firm and insistent. After a few moments he added a finger and then another, each stroke of his tongue in tandem with their movements driving her crazy. She glanced down, the sight of him doing this to her sent her over the edge and as soon as her legs started to shake he sucked hard on her most sensitive part. She dropped her head back onto the mattress and grasped at the sheets on the unmade bed.