by Hope Ford
Sleighing Mr. Right
An Older Man, Younger Curvy Woman Romance
CURVES FOR CHRISTMAS SERIES
Hope Ford
Sleighing Mr. Right © 2019 by Hope Ford.
Editor: Kasi Alexander
All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the author.
Cover designed by Cormar Covers
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Hope Ford
Visit my website at http://www.authorhopeford.com/
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
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Chapter 1
Candy
I should have known, when I walked to his truck to get in and he didn’t open the door for me, how this night was going to go. I thought he could possibly be the one. He checked off almost everything on my ‘Mr. Right’ list. Well, except for being a gentleman.
I look at his slicked-back hair and the white turtleneck he’s wearing. Didn’t men stop wearing turtlenecks… hell, what am I talking about, I don’t know any man that wears them. “So, uh, Mark, thanks again for taking me to pick up the tree for the office.”
I’m an assistant at an accounting office and I’m picking up the Christmas tree. I don’t mind though. I haven’t celebrated Christmas the last few years, but I used to love it. Give me hot chocolate, sweaters, boots and holiday cheer any day. However, maybe I should have gone by myself to get it.
He smiles, not taking his eyes off the road. “Sure, no problem. Happy to help.”
Okay, I think to myself. This is more like it. Maybe he is a good guy.
He reaches across the console and squeezes my knee. “Plus, you’ll owe me one after this. And I know exactly what I want.” His hand slides up my thigh and I squeeze my legs together and stop his roaming.
I turn my legs away from him, and he slides his hand back to the console. Good, maybe he got the hint. But just in case he didn’t, I tell him, “Yeah, that’s not happening.”
His jaw tightens, but he doesn’t comment.
Damn, now I’m stuck in this truck with him for the duration and he’s going to know where I live. Yep, I didn’t think this one through.
Mark works as an insurance adjuster in the office next to mine. He’s been asking me out for weeks and I finally told him yes. But only after he had checked off some of the items on my list. He’s older than me, but I like older men so that was never a problem. But something always made me tell him no. Obviously, I should have stuck with my gut on this one.
Almost twenty minutes from the time he picks me up, we pull into the tree farm lot. Stupidly I sit in the car, thinking he might come around to open the door, but when he stands at the front of the truck and throws his hands up, like, What the hell are you doing? I get out, shaking my head.
“Sorry, I thought you were coming around to get the door for me.”
He snorts. “What, your hand broke?”
I squeeze the bridge of my nose between my thumb and forefinger. “Okay, so let’s get a tree.”
I walk into the entrance under the sign that says, ‘Mountain Christmas Tree Farm.’
There are twinkling lights everywhere. I hug into my jacket and take in the festive decorations, the families searching for their perfect Christmas tree, the people drinking cocoa, and all the fun things to do here. Memories hit me of my and my granny doing this exact thing and I rub my hand over my chest soothingly. If I had come alone, I definitely would’ve spent some time exploring. But now, I just want to get out of here.
Stalking over to the trees, I can’t stop my hips from shimmying at the Christmas music blaring through the speakers. I don’t look back to see if Mark is following. Honestly, I don’t care if he does.
When I get to some decent size trees, and I think I found the one, I look around for help, already doubting I’m going to get it from Mark.
Cane
As soon as I saw her, I turned the customer I was helping over to my part-time help and followed her through the maze of trees, watching her wide hips sway to the beat of the music. While she admires the trees, I’m admiring her.
Her red hair is in curls hanging down her back. Her fitted jeans cling to her round butt and thick thighs. She has black boots that go all the way up to her knees and a black jacket wrapped around her. It’s bulky, hiding her upper body from me, but I know already that I want to see more.
When she starts looking around, I adjust my cock in my pants and walk up to her. “Can I help you?”
Her eyes widen when she sees me, and I try not to act like I notice when her eyes stray down my body and back up. However, the longer she looks, the harder I get. I swear her eyes pop up to mine, wide and filled with lust, probably because she saw my crotch twitch at her gaze.
“Uh, yeah. How tall do you think this tree is?” she asks, and I swear her voice is the voice of an angel.
I take a step forward like I’m trying to measure it against my height. In all reality, I just want to get closer to her. “Probably around six foot three inches.”
She clasps her hands together in front of her. “That’s perfect. I’ll take it.” The smile on her face is contagious and I can’t stop myself from smiling back at her. Damn, she’s too cute.
A man walks up to her, sliding his arm around her waist, and instantly my fists clench at my sides. “Is this the tree? That’s going to be tough getting it up the steps to your house. Oh, you’ll definitely be putting out for this.”
She struggles to get out of his arms, but he only tightens his grip. “Let go of me, Mark,” she hisses. “And I think we’ve already discussed this. I’m not sleeping with you.”
I guess he doesn’t get the picture, because he holds a twig of mistletoe over her head. “Pucker up…” Since she can’t struggle from his grasp, she turns her head, disgust on her face.
Not able to stand by any longer, I reach over and dig my hand into his neck, causing him to release her and buckle to his knees. “I don’t think the lady appreciates the way you’re talking to her or manhandling her, son.”
Okay, he’s probably only five or ten years younger than me, but his behavior reminds me of a kid. He grimaces in pain, but I don’t let up. I grip him harder, all the time wondering what in the world she’s doing with this pansy. “Apologize.”
I hate to see a man mistreat a woman. I peer over at her and I can tell she’s embarrassed… but maybe also a little relieved. He glares at her, then at me, before nodding his head. I let him up and he backs a few feet away. “Fuck that, I’m not apologizing to that fat bitch.”
He’s got balls, I’ll give him that. He takes off running toward his car, and I turn to go get him. The woman wraps her hand around my bicep. “He’s not worth it. Honestly, you saved me from a terrible ride home and an awkwardness trying to get him to leave.”
“He shouldn’t talk to you like that,” I tell her. “No man should treat or talk to a woman like that.” Plus, that guy is dense if he thinks she’s fat. She’s breathtaking. Her curves have my mouth wat
ering and the crotch of my jeans working harder to contain my hard length.
Her blush colors her face prettily. She blows out a cold breath. “Yeah, well, I didn’t know he was like that. He checked off everything on my list.” Her face pinches when she realizes what she just said.
I smile at how cute she is. I should wipe the smirk off my face to not embarrass her anymore. “Your list?”
Chapter 2
Candy
Sometimes I don’t know when to keep my mouth closed. Trying to change the subject, I tell him, “My name’s Candy, by the way. Thank you for your help.” I wave my hand, gesturing to the truck squealing its tires as it pulls out of the lot onto the road.
His smile gets deeper and he strokes his hand along his salt and pepper beard. Lumberjack. That’s the first thing that comes to my mind. The man is built like a lumberjack. I mean, he looks like he bench presses Christmas trees for a living. His flannel shirt is covering his arms, but I can almost imagine what they look like. “Cane, my name’s Cane. It’s nice to meet you, Candy.”
You have got to be kidding me. I can tell he sees the reference by the way he stresses the words Candy and Cane. His eyes look me up and down. “So you want this tree?” His voice is husky, almost filled with lust, and my lower belly tightens at the sound.
I shake my head, trying to gather my wits about me. “Yes, well, no actually. He was sort of my ride. I’m going to call an Uber and I’ll come back another day to get the tree.”
I should walk away. I mean, I’ve made my excuses… but I don’t want to. I pull my phone out of my coat pocket, getting ready to open the ride app.
His hand circles my wrist, pulling me closer. My head tilts back to look up at him, and it pushes my breasts against his firm chest. Biting my lower lip, I try to stop the moan from leaving my mouth.
“I’ll deliver your tree. And take you home.” He brushes a stray hair off my face, and I can’t look away from him. His bright blue eyes are holding me hostage.
Without even blinking, I tell him, “I can’t let you do that.”
His eyes go to my lips, and he stares at them - hard. “I want to.”
I should tell him no and find my own way home. But a part of me wants to forget my list for finding Mr. Right and just live in the moment. One night of not weighing a list of do’s and don’ts, one night of not trying to calculate my whole life. I mean, look where the list got me with Mark. Obviously, it’s flawed.
I feel his chest expand, and he takes a deep breath before stepping away from me. “This one? Is this the tree you want?”
I nod my head, unable to speak because my body is trembling from the loss of his heat against me.
He hefts the tree up on his shoulder and starts to walk away. Just seeing him standing there with a damn tree on his shoulders has my core tighten. I follow him, watching the way his butt moves in his jeans. I almost run right into the back of him when he stops suddenly and turns toward me. Luckily I didn’t run into the tree. That would’ve been embarrassing.
“I’m going to strap this in the truck,” he says. “Do you want to look around for a minute? I can get you a cup of coffee or cocoa to help warm you up.”
Thinking maybe I do need a minute, I tell him I would like to check out the décor and I’ll get us a hot drink. He asks for a coffee and I watch him walk away before heading to the other side of the lot.
Taking a deep breath, I try to control my racing heart. I’ve never felt this kind of attraction to someone. It heats my whole body and awakens things I’ve never felt before. I stroll through the displays, picking a beautiful wreath and paying the vendor before I walk to the drink stand. I order a coffee and a hot cocoa, but when I reach into my purse, the man holds his hand up.
He winks when I look at him. “The boss man already called. He said the pretty lady gets it free.”
Surprised, I thank him and put some money into his tip jar.
I walk back toward the parking lot and once I get to the truck, Cane is standing there, holding the passenger side door open. I hand him his drink and he thanks me.
“No thanks necessary. You didn’t even let me pay for it,” I admonish him.
He takes both the drinks and reaches inside his truck to set them in the cup holder. He then takes the wreath out from under my arm and puts it into the back seat. Then he holds his hand out and I grab it to heft myself up into the tall cab. When I have trouble getting in, he releases my hand, grips my hips and puts me up into the truck, fastening my seatbelt around me.
I’m stunned. He doesn’t even seem winded from lifting me. “Uhm, thanks.”
He stops with his face close to mine. His hand brushes my cheek. “Anytime, sweetness.”
Cane
She sure is tempting. Too bad I’ve sworn off relationships. When my ex-wife cheated on me, it sort of ruined me for other women. Candy is the first woman that has piqued my interest in a long time.
As soon as I get in my seat, her scent hits my nose. She’s not only beautiful, but she also smells good.
I already had the truck running, and I welcome the warmth as I rub my hands together. “Where are we going?”
She turns sideways in the seat to face me. “Well, the tree is for my office, but I don’t want to have you go to two places tonight. We can just take it to my house. I live downtown.”
I almost laugh because she thinks it’s a burden for me to spend more time with her. “No. Let me help you get the tree set up in your office. Maybe later I can take you to dinner before taking you home?”
Indecision crosses her face and I worry that she is about to turn me down, but she surprises me with a lift of her shoulders. “Why not? My office is on Bruce Street.”
I turn to the road, put the truck into gear and take off toward downtown. “Okay, so I have to ask. What is the list?”
She feigns ignorance. “What list?”
I look over at her and she’s looking in the opposite direction out the window. “The list you mentioned earlier. When you said your date checked off everything on the list.”
She groans and puts her hand to her temple. “Okay, fine, I’m a list person. I like to make lists. I have a list of what I’m looking for in Mr. Right.”
I laugh and when she looks my way with her eyebrows raised, sort of like I’ve offended her, I explain, “I think you need to work on that list – especially if your boyfriend aced it.”
“He’s not my boyfriend. It was our first date and I’ve known him for weeks and finally agreed to go out with him. I have never seen the side of him that I did tonight.” She sighs.
“I hope you’re not going to go out with him again?” Surely she’s smarter than that. She’s too damn good for him.
She looks at me disgustedly. “Of course not. It was definitely a mistake. I usually don’t date men that call me a fat bitch. Of course, work might be a little awkward.” When I look at her questioningly, she shrugs her shoulders. “He works next door to my office.”
My chest tightens. I don’t have any right to, but a possessive feeling consumes me. I don’t want him talking to her—hell, I don’t want him to breathe the same air as her. “Maybe I should pay him a visit. I’m not going to let him harass you.”
She looks at me with surprise. “Cane, I can take care of myself. I’ve done it for a long time now.”
I decide to leave her alone about it. It’s not in my nature to stand by and let a woman take care of a problem on her own. But obviously Candy is independent. Hopefully, she’ll tell me if she needs my help. “Fine, but promise you’ll tell me if he bothers you.”
She rolls her eyes at me. “Cane, we just met. I’m not going to get you involved.” She looks out the window again.
I reach over and touch her hand, giving it a quick squeeze. “I’ll be around… Promise me.”
She looks shocked, but finally nods her head agreeably.
“I’m at the corner of the next block.” She interrupts my thought, pointing ahead of us.
I p
ark in front of her office and immediately jog around the truck to open the door. She hesitates before she climbs down and I can’t stop myself from picking her up from the seat and lowering her slowly to the ground. I wanted to slide her body down mine, but I figured she’s already had a rough night. I don’t want to pressure her or try to take advantage of her.
I walk to the back of the truck and pick up the tree stand I brought with me. “Can you carry this if I grab the tree?”
“Sure.” She takes it from my hands and goes to unlock the door.
I flick the strap and pick up the tree. When I walk through the door she’s holding open, she points to the big bay windows at the front of the office, and I lean the tree up against the wall.
I stalk over to her and put my hand out for the stand. When she holds it out, I take it from her and go to set it up. Picking up the tree, I set it on the base and take a step back to look at it. She did well. The tree is a perfect fit.
“Do you want to decorate it?” I ask her. I’m grasping at straws to extend my time with her.
Instantly, she shakes her head side to side. “I don’t know about you, but I’m starving.”
Chapter 3
Candy
We agreed on dinner and walked the two blocks to the restaurant. I can’t stop myself from ticking off things on my list. He’s handsome, he’s kind, he’s smart and funny, and he’s a gentleman. I haven’t opened a door since I’ve met him. How is it that I’m already feeling this attraction to him when I only met him a few hours ago?
He opens the door for me, and I can’t stop the smile that crosses my lips.
He puts his hand at the small of my back. “What are you smiling about?”
I lean my head back to look up at him. We walk up to the hostess stand and he tells her we need a table for two. As she leads us to our table, the hostess keeps looking back at him, her interest shining in her eyes. But him, well, his eyes are trained on me.
He tugs on my hair and I shake my head to focus on what he’s saying. He asks again, “Huh, why are you smiling?”
