"Truth?" Lila decided confiding in her friends was the better way to go.
"Hey." Dani joined their little circle, her green eyes glowing, her cheeks blooming with color. Her lips nicely swollen.
"There," Lila pointed. "It would be obvious to a blind man what Dani and Alex were doing. See her eyes? The little smile on her face? She's been kissed. With purpose."
"Your brother knows his business," Dani admitted, her smile widening.
"No details, please." Lila sighed. "I've never looked like that, felt the kind of heat that sears your insides."
"Ah, Lila." Rose squeezed harder.
"You have. All of you. All the time. You don't need to be having sex to be having sex. I'd bet you anything, Rose, if your eyes met Jack's right now, I could guess what you both were thinking. Sex. When, where, how. The same for Dani and Alex. Tyler has ten years to make up for with Drew. I'm surprised they aren't in an empty room doing it as we speak."
"We aren't that bad."
All three women gave Tyler incredulous looks.
"Ten years is a long time."
"I don't blame you a bit," Lila told her. "It simply illustrates my point."
"But Sam…"
"Is the perfect man to help me out of my sexual malaise."
"Good word," Rose conceded. She looked at her two oldest friends, unspoken understanding passing between them.
"We need to get Lila laid. You," she pointed to Dani, "have the hardest assignment."
"Alex?"
"Right."
"Oh, God. Alex."
Her brother and his overprotective instincts did not bode well for her.
"Why does he need to know?"
"Trust me. I'm not going to tell him about his little sister's plans to be debauched by a legendary ladies' man." Dani shuddered at the thought. "If the subject does come up, I'll remind him about Portugal. He was a year older than I was, but he was miles ahead in experience. That should give him pause. Alex hates a hypocrite."
"Good." Lila smiled, grateful to her friends for their understanding and help. "Now," she said to Rose. "Please tell me you hung some mistletoe in an out of the way place."
SAM FELT LIKE a teenage boy. It was the last time he remembered sneaking around, desperate for a simple kiss. It was the last time he needed to. Or wanted to.
Here he was in his thirtieth year. He worked hard. Charmed, bulldozed, and hammered his way to the top of an ultra-competitive business. He didn't want his sex life to be difficult. He spent his days pursuing clients, romancing investors.
At night, he was happy to sit back and let the women come to him. He liked their company for a few hours. A few weeks at the most. A few tried to manipulate, play hard to get. Sam walked away, no hard feelings. He told himself it was because he didn't have the time. The truth was he didn't find any of them worth the effort. Until now.
Lila. She slipped through the crowded party like an elusive nymph. He knew she was teasing, at times her smile directed at him. He followed, not too close, enjoying the lightness, the fun of the chase. He wasn't going to grab her in front of everyone; she knew that.
They sipped their drinks, made small talk, laughed. All the while staying away from each other. Letting the anticipation build. He was practically giddy. For a kiss.
"I thought about a career in the movies. Everyone in Harper Falls says I'm prettier than any of those Hollywood starlets."
He knew the woman, whose name he'd already forgotten, was talking to him. Billy, Tilly. Something like that. Whatever she was saying was lost on him, his concentration focused on Lila, who chose that moment to beckon him with a discreet crook of her finger.
Sam grinned, starting toward the door Lila exited through. He only got a few steps when he felt five sharp claws digging into his arm, his thick cream-colored cashmere sweater providing little protection.
"You really need to remove your nails, lady."
"But…"
Sam didn't speak again, giving her a look that made more than one high-powered producer cower like an inexperienced newcomer. Jilly was no match for the intense blue gaze. She snatched her hand back, watching as Sam crossed the room without a backward glance.
"Want a piece of friendly advice, Jilly?" Seeing the wary expression in her longtime enemy's eyes, Rose smiled reassuringly. "No tricks, no nasty comments, I promise."
"Fine."
"Stop trying so hard. You are an attractive woman; you have money. Let those things work for you."
"You think I should buy a man?"
Rose realized the other woman was considering it. Oh, boy.
"No, Jilly. I think a change of scenery. New blood. Harper Falls has always been too narrow-minded to appreciate your… unique brand of charm."
"I do have a cousin in Dallas."
"Texas? All those cowboys and oilmen? Perfect."
"Unique charms?" Dani asked. She and Tyler, after not so discreetly eavesdropping, joined Rose.
"How would you describe them?"
"Nonexistent?" Tyler offered.
"If it gets Jilly out of town, I would tell her she could charm the birds from the trees. I'm tired of her showing up at my parties. She brings down the fun factor exponentially."
"Mmm," Dani shook off thoughts of Jilly Underwood. "Sam has risen in my estimation. He brushed that parasite off without a second thought. If asked, I doubt he could remember her name."
"The way he's been scoping out Lila, I wonder if he knows his own name. Can you feel the sexual chemistry between them?"
"Are you kidding? I thought that last look was going to leave a trail of scorched hardwood."
Rose sighed, linking arms with her friends.
"We are doing the right thing? Backing off, not interfering?"
"She's an adult, Rose." Tyler couldn't keep a touch of worry from creeping into her voice. "He wouldn't hurt her? Physically, I mean."
"God, no. Sam is one of the good guys."
"Enough. I'm officially letting my little chick fly from the nest."
Rose lifted her glass.
"To mind-blowing sex, long may it reign."
"I SEE YOU found some mistletoe."
"I found some mistletoe hidden from public view."
Sam entered the room. An office? Den? Like every other room in the house, there were tasteful touches of the holiday season. Boughs of pine decorated the mantle above the gas fireplace, filling the room with its earthy scent. Lights twinkled in the windows, welcoming those inside and out.
Sam didn't care about any of that. Take away the glitter, the shine. Lila could light up any room with just her smile. Right now, it was turned on him — he was dazzled. He felt an unfamiliar catch in his chest, ignoring it in favor of the feelings she generated in another part of his body.
Lila waited for Sam, letting him cross the room at a slow, almost predatory pace. This was something she had waited for. Not only since their meeting yesterday. Most of her life. A teenage girl, writing flowery love stories about things of which she had no real knowledge. When she was thirteen, all her stories ended with a kiss. This one, she hoped, would go much further. A bed, two naked bodies, afterglow.
She wasn't expecting happily ever after. When Sam left town, she wanted happy memories. Multiple orgasms, please.
"I like that look on your face."
Sam was closer, only a few feet away.
"How do I look?"
"Sexy. I want to eat you, and then go back for a second helping."
Lila laughed, a little surprised by its husky quality. That was new. Like the way Sam made her feel. New — exciting.
"I meant, how am I looking at you?"
This time when Sam spoke, he was closer, right beside her. She could see the silvery sparks in his clear, blue eyes. She noticed a slight stubble coming through the close shave he gave himself earlier. And his scent. Clean, masculine. She wanted to lick his neck, curious if he tasted as good as he smelled.
"Tell me," she breathed.
"Us." Sam moved in, his mouth hovering close to her ear. "Naked."
Lila gasped.
"I can feel it. Jesus, I haven't touched you and I know how good it will be."
"I doubt Rose would appreciate us taking advantage of the empty room. You never know when a guest might come in and catch you… decking my halls."
Sam laughed, the heat of his breath sending shivers through her body. His mouth grazed the curve of her ear as he whispered, "You want to trim my tree?"
"Yes."
"Unwrap my package?"
Sam slipped an arm around Lila's waist, his hand running up and down her back. He gave her neck a light, teasing kiss.
"Had enough?"
Lila tipped her head, encouraging his lips to taste.
"Aren't we just starting?"
"Oh, lovely Lila, you have no idea."
Sam kissed along her jaw, her check, the corner of that full, tempting, slightly parted mouth.
"I meant Christmas metaphors. Had enough?"
Lila looked up. Sam did the same. Mistletoe.
Without another word, their lips met. Their worlds exploded.
Sam knew how to kiss. He prided himself on his finesse. Not too hard, not too soft. The proper turn of the head, the touch his tongue against his partner's. He didn't thrust; he coaxed. The pleasurable hours he spent perfecting his technique. There was a time to be an animal, kissing a woman was not it. The second his mouth touched Lila's, experience flew out the window. This was primal. Ten seconds in, he knew without a doubt — this was better.
Lila's head swam. This wasn't a kiss. She knew what a kiss felt like. Pleasant, warm. A prelude to pleasant sex with a pleasant man. No, this wasn't anything like that. Sam… possessed her. Took control. Pushed her to someplace she never dreamed existed.
She wasn't worried about bumping noses, or when to breathe. She didn't care if she ever breathed again.
"What are you doing to me?" Sam pulled back, resting his forehead against hers. His breathing was ragged, his heart pounding like a jackhammer.
"Me?" Lila asked, amazed any words were possible. "You did this. I've never… I don't…" Apparently, words were possible, just not coherent ones.
"Together." Sam took her mouth again, making long strokes with his tongue along hers. "Us, combined."
"Yes."
Lila became the aggressor. She didn't want to talk — she couldn't. She didn't want to analyze. This felt too good. Right now, she wanted to feel.
Threading his fingers through her hair, Sam let the kiss go on and on and on. Lila tasted like the headiest wine. Subtle, intoxicating, irresistible. He couldn't stop sipping, taking more until his head spun, his body primed to take the next step. To take her.
"God, Lila."
She needed to touch him, feel the heat of his skin against hers. Sliding her hand under his sweater, her knees weakened. His back was all smooth-skinned muscle. Long, lean. Hot. Her fingers burned as they explored, teasing the waistband of his jeans. Would his butt feel this good? The temptation was too much. One hand ventured under the denim, seeking.
"Stop."
Sam jumped back. He couldn't take any more. One more minute — less. He could have her dress up, her panties down in a heartbeat. There would be no turning back after that. Tempting. He shook his head. No, they weren't doing this here.
"Let's go."
"What?"
Lila looked at her hands, wondering why the palms weren't scorched black. With the sudden removal of all that heat, she felt cold — confused. Go? Go where?
Sam smoothed back her hair. He knew how she felt. His arms felt empty without her, strangely bereft, if that sort of thing was possible. Cautiously, he pulled her close, rubbing his check against the silk of her hair.
"Your place, Lila. Let's go to your place."
"I'm staying with Alex and Dani tonight. Christmas Eve."
"Right." Family. Sam hated messing with that.
"Alex will understand."
Sam chuckled. His libido was under control enough for him to see the humor in her observation.
"Understand that you would rather spend the night having sex with a virtual stranger? I doubt it."
"You’re not…"
Lila was going to say he wasn't a stranger. He was. They met just over twenty-four hours ago. Had one conversation. Spent the last ten minutes making out. She didn't know him; it only felt like she did.
"Tell you what." Sam straightened her dress, doing the same for his clothes. "Go with your brother. Have a nice Christmas morning. I will call my family, and do the whole present opening thing here."
"All those little girls?" Lila wondered if he knew what was about to come.
"Kids make it special." Sam grinned again. "By noon, I will be ready for a break."
"Me too," Lila said, knowing where he was going. Hoping.
"Twelve-thirty, your place. We can take Cooper for a romp in the snow; tire him out. Then spend the rest of the day in bed."
"My bed. You and me." Lila didn't want any loopholes or crossed wires.
"Naked." Sam gave her one more thorough kiss, and then stepped back well out of range.
"Dream of me."
Lila watched Sam leave the room. She lifted her fingers to her mouth. It felt different. She felt different.
Dream of me.
It was funny. Something she could never tell him. Lila was afraid she had been dreaming of Sam Laughton her entire life.
CHAPTER THREE
"MERRY CHRISTMAS, LILA."
"Merry Christmas, Alex."
Lila gave her big brother a hug. It was the first time in years they were spending the holiday together. Alex joined the Army right out of high school. He came home that first year. She remembered laughing at his buzz cut. All his lovely, thick hair gone. He wore it that way for the next ten years, until last spring, when he abruptly left the military. The reasons were still sketchy, at least to Lila. That was fine. She had her brother home, safe and sound. Even his hair was back.
"I thought about getting you a blow dryer," Lila teased, handing Alex his present. "You haven't needed one for so long. Then I realized you can use Dani's."
"Mmm," Alex laughed. His eyes lit up when the love of his life entered the room. "It was high on my list of reasons for asking her to marry me. Now you know, sweetheart. I only want you for your blow dryer."
Dani set down the tray, handing Lila a steaming cup of hot chocolate. The little marshmallows bobbed up and down, slowly melting into the liquid. Yummy.
"I suspected."
Dani settled next to Alex, her hand resting on his leg. It was an intimate gesture, natural, loving. Lila felt an unaccustomed twinge of envy. Where had that come from? She didn't want a man long-term. Someday, of course. Not yet. She was only twenty-five. There was plenty of time to find love.
Sam Laughton's face flashed through her brain. What? No. Sam was for fun, nothing more. She was meeting him later. That was why she thought of him. Love and Sam did not now, nor would they ever, go together.
"Hey." Alex waved a hand in front of Lila's face. "Earth to Lila. You looked a million miles away. Why are you blushing? What exactly were you thinking about?"
"Nothing in particular," Lila assured him. Her eyes met Dani's knowing gaze, making her blush deepen.
"Now I know something is going on. You look like a beet. A guilty one."
"I…"
What could she say? Alex, I'm about to have a brief, torrid affair. Wouldn't that go over well? She gave Dani a pleading look.
"Alex," Dani said, drawing his attention. "I know from experience that older brothers love to tease. I think this time you might want to give it a pass. Unless you want the details of your sister's sex life."
"What?" Alex exclaimed, obviously horrified at the thought. "No. Absolutely not."
"Then l
et's finish opening our presents. Mom and Dad are expecting us for a late brunch."
"Are you coming?"
Dani almost choked on her drink, her snort of laughter sending the liquid spilling onto her lap. Alex jumped up to get a towel, leaving the two women alone for a moment.
"After all this, you better be coming," Dani chuckled again. "Over and over and over again."
Lila's blush traveled down her neck. She might be embarrassed, but she was able to join Dani's laughter. Damn straight. She was tired of talking about it. She was ready for Sam Laughton.
COOPER RACED THROUGH the snow, his golden coat gleaming in the sunlight.
Christmas afternoon turned out to be beautiful. Clear blue skies beckoned them with an invitation to play. The man, woman, and dog were happy to comply.
"He loves being out here."
Lila watched as Cooper jumped into a particularly deep drift. He disappeared for an instant before popping back out, shaking off the snow. He checked, making sure Sam was still with him, and then bounded back into the pristine field. The dog left a big, happy trail in his wake.
"He loves being with you."
"I'll admit, he's growing on me," Sam said.
"Does that mean when you go, he goes with you?"
"It means I like him. I don't have room for a dog in my life. I travel too much; my place in Paris is too small." He shook his head with reluctance. "No, Cooper will make someone a great companion. Not me. You on the other hand."
Lila thought about it. Cooper would be a lot of work. He would also be a lot of fun.
"Why not?"
"Really?"
"Sure. A woman living alone? I have a security system, state of the art. A dog would be one more layer of protection."
"Then I could visit," Sam ventured. "Both of you."
Lila didn't answer. When he left town that would be it. Lila would not spend her time hoping Sam would find time to pop in for a day or two, leaving for months, even years at a time. They would have today. That was all.
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