by Pat Warren
Misunderstanding, Jamie jammed the hat on over her hood, causing both adults to laugh. She laughed with them, then let her father show her that he meant for the hat to go on the snowman. Finally, she managed it, if a bit crookedly. All three stepped back to admire their work of art.
“Not bad,” Kate commented. “What shall we name him?”
“How about Frosty?” Aaron suggested.
“Very imaginative, but I think it’s been done.” She cocked her head at the snowman, considering. “How about Rupert?”
“Rupert? Where’d that come from?”
“I don’t know. I just like it.”
“All right, Rupert the Snowman it is.” He tipped an imaginary hat to him and bowed. Before straightening, he scooped up a large handful of snow and formed a ball. Noticing that Kate had started to walk away, he took the opportunity to whirl the snowball into her back.
Swiveling, she narrowed her eyes at him. “So, that’s what you’re up to now, is it?” Making sure that Jamie was occupied trying to climb into a small red wagon Aaron had brought out, she bent to gather snow with her gloved hands. “Be prepared to say uncle, Carver.”
Grinning, he fired off another shot, catching her on the shoulder. “Is that right, Spencer? Put your money where your mouth is.” He yanked off his gloves, disliking their cumbersome weight, and scooped more snow.
The battle went on until Kate, her hair generously doused with snow and her jacket riddled with hits, ducked around a tree decked out in white and found herself slipping. She fell into a mound of snow Aaron had shoveled earlier to make a path for Jamie’s wagon. Laughing, she rushed to regain her footing, but was pushed back when a heavy body landed on hers, pinning her to the ground.
“Give up?” Aaron asked, panting from the dash over to her.
“Never.” With her free hand, she scooped snow, then thrust it down his back collar.
“Whoa!” he said, shivering as the cold, wet stuff made its way downward. “The lady doesn’t play fair.” Bracing both knees on either side of her, he grabbed her hands, hauling both up over her head and holding them there.
“All’s fair in love and war,” she muttered, wiggling, trying to free herself. But he was too strong, too heavy. Still, she struggled until finally she ran out of steam.
“Say uncle,” he demanded.
Instead of defeat, her blue eyes reflected challenge. “No. I hate that word. Besides, you didn’t win fair. You outweigh me and—”
Whatever else she was going to say was cut off quickly and completely as his mouth covered hers. Stunned, Kate didn’t move, couldn’t have, and not because he held her captive.
This wasn’t the relieved kiss they’d shared in the hospital. His mouth was hard and hungry, as if he’d run out of patience and suddenly had reached his limit. The independence she valued so dearly might have had her struggling to push him away because of the way he held her down, but the need, the hot, fierce desire, propelled every other thought from her mind. Yearning for more, her straining body inched closer to his, closer to the fire.
She felt him release her hands, then felt his fingers in her hair and on her scalp, massaging as hers had earlier when she’d cut his hair. She inhaled the clean smell of pine and the dusky scent of passion as his mouth ground into hers. A moan she couldn’t suppress seemed overly loud in the wintry quiet as she kissed him back with all the need she’d dared not show him before.
He never should have started this, Aaron thought even as his tongue gained entry and dueled with hers. It had happened so quickly, the look in her eyes defying him, her beautiful mouth smiling a challenge, one he could no longer resist. And he’d forgotten the snowball fight, the cold ground and his own name. He’d taken her mouth before he’d realized he’d moved.
It had been so long since he’d let himself just feel, since he’d lost himself in a woman’s softness. Yet she was no hothouse flower who would cringe from the hard-edged passion he was unable to disguise. She matched him, demand for demand, the power of the kiss causing him to tremble.
He’d vowed to stay away from her, for her sake so as not to lead her on, for his sake to save his sanity. He’d promised himself they’d have a casual, fun-filled weekend with Jamie, doing nonthreatening things like building snowmen and hauling out Christmas decorations for the house. He’d sworn he wouldn’t kiss her again, because if he did, he wasn’t sure he could ever stop.
It wasn’t too late. He could pull back, claim the kiss was merely a prize to the winner of the snowball fight, laugh it off. But suddenly, she shifted, her arms going around him, dragging him closer, her body movements even through their heavy clothes driving him closer to the edge. And he was reeling.
She tasted so sweet, so fresh, yet she wasn’t a spoiled girl who needed pampering and praise. This was a woman made for a man, who would work beside him, lie with him, laugh with him. This was a woman who represented home and hearth, children and forever-after. This was a woman who made him long for all he couldn’t allow himself to reach out for again. For if he lost this time, he’d never recover.
As abruptly as he’d leaned down to her, he drew back and rolled from her, leaving Kate jolted and numb. She lay still, breathing hard, blinking until her hazy vision cleared.
Gritting his teeth, Aaron jumped to his feet and looked around. Jamie, oblivious to what they’d been up to, had finally managed to seat herself in the little red wagon. Not meeting Kate’s eyes, he gave her a helping hand up, then turned. “The baby must be cold. It’s time to go in.” With long strides, he walked over and picked up Jamie before heading for the back door.
Kate gazed up at a pale, wintry sky. Inside, she felt as cold and forlorn as it looked.
When, she wondered, was Aaron going to stop fighting himself?
“I’m not sure it’s such a good idea, Dad,” Aaron said, looking across the desk at his father.
William Carver crossed his long legs. “Certainly it is. I’m not asking you to attend the entire architectural conference. But Saturday night is the farewell dinner-dance, and since it falls on the fifteenth of December, we’re combining it with a Christmas party this year. All the wives and significant others will be there.”
Aaron knew that his father had been involved for years in putting together the annual conference. But last year, Stephanie had been very pregnant and they hadn’t attended. He’d planned to skip it this year, too. But apparently, Dad had other ideas. “I don’t know. Kate’s been a little testy lately.”
William thought he knew exactly why Kate Spencer was testy. Any fool could see she was in love with Aaron and he was holding her at arm’s length. He was impressed with the young woman’s devotion to Jamie, her homemaking abilities and the love in her eyes each time she looked at Aaron. William felt sure Aaron loved Kate, too, but he knew that his son was wary of letting himself care again. The guilt of the survivor could keep a man in a stranglehold if someone didn’t come along to free him, to make him see. William felt he was that someone.
“Aaron, I think Kate’s wonderful with Jamie. But she spends all her time in that big house with only Fitz and a baby for company, with you working so many hours. Give her a break and ask her to this party. She’s a woman any man would be proud to have on his arm, and you’d be doing her a favor by getting her out of the house.” Pleased with his argument, one he’d thought out carefully, William sat back, watching his son consider what he’d said.
Aaron toyed with his pen, his expression noncommittal. “The part I don’t like is that we’d have to stay overnight at the hotel after the evening ends. I don’t know if Kate will go for that.”
“For heaven’s sake, I wasn’t suggesting you share a room. We’ll reserve two rooms, naturally.”
“Yes, I was sure you would. But it just seems so…so odd to ask her out to dinner and then tell her we won’t be returning till morning.”
“Nonsense. Everyone in Michigan knows you can’t trust the weather at this time of year, and the evening usually doesn’t
end until around one. Some of our attendees drink, and I won’t be responsible for them driving long distances after such an event. That’s why the committee decided it’d be best to reserve the rooms. Kate strikes me as a reasonable person. I’m sure she’ll see the reasoning behind our plans.” He steepled his fingers and moved in for the kill. “If you like, I’ll call her for you.”
Aaron frowned. “I think I can handle the invitation, Dad.”
“Good.” William rose, trying to keep from looking too pleased. “Then we’re all set. I’ll see you both at the Woodward Arms on Saturday evening.”
He’d gotten roped in, Aaron thought after his father left. It wasn’t that he didn’t want Kate to go with him. It was more that he thought they both might feel awkward, especially after the way he’d lost his head that Saturday morning in the snow.
They’d been excruciatingly polite to one another since, not avoiding as much as ignoring the other’s presence in a room. It had worked, to a degree. They hadn’t had anything but the most mundane conversation since and had included Fitz and Jamie in whatever they did. However, Aaron realized he’d learned one thing for certain: the effect of the kiss, the memory of that long, long kiss, didn’t go away because he tried not to think of it.
Instead, he found himself recalling that special moment like a teenager reliving his first real kiss. Nights were the worst, when his mind would stroll down memory lane and he’d wake up reaching out for her. For Kate, not Stephanie. No longer Stephanie. Then he’d lie awake drenched in guilt.
One reason probably was that he spent more time with Kate on a daily basis than he ever had with Stephanie, because Kate was home all the time and Stephanie had spent long hours at the hospital working. He’d often worked late, too, and they’d gotten in the habit of turning in early because they both had to be up before dawn. This hadn’t left much time for just being together. Stephanie had worked until two weeks before Jamie was born and had planned to go back, which had been a source of contention between them. But Kate’s work was done at the house.
Aaron scrubbed a hand across his face. He hated these moody spells when he’d start thinking about what had been and what couldn’t be again. It was far easier to concentrate on his work and not his home life. Which brought him back to his father’s request that he ask Kate to the dinner-dance.
All right, so it wouldn’t kill him to spend the evening with her. If it was like last time, half the people there would know Kate, maybe even more, since these attendees were from all over Michigan. They’d have dinner at a large table for ten or twelve, maybe he’d dance with her once and, if things got uncomfortable, he could always end the evening early. He’d walk her to her room and say good-night. The next morning, they’d drive home. And that would be that. His dad would be happy, and Kate would have an evening out.
Or maybe she’d turn down his invitation and not go. Bracing himself, Aaron picked up the phone. Three minutes later, he hung up and stared out the window for a long while.
Kate had accepted.
Aaron, his face screwed up, struggled to knot his black bow tie, watching his mirror image. He wore a tux several times a year to various functions, yet he always had trouble with his tie. Lining up both ends, he tugged once more, then stood back, examining the overall effect. Not bad, he told himself.
He walked over to the dresser and gathered wallet, change, handkerchief and keys, placing them in his pockets. He stepped away, then turned back, grabbing his package of breath mints. Better safe than sorry.
Nervous. He was thirty-three years old, and his palms were damp as he dressed to go out with a woman. Ridiculous. He couldn’t remember the last time that had happened to him. Maybe in high school.
Three days ago, Kate had accepted his invitation, yet other than to ask if the dinner was formal or informal, she hadn’t spoken of it. Of course, he’d made sure that Fitz was willing to watch Jamie while they’d be gone. He’d kept busy most of the day in his study, but he’d noticed that Kate had gone to her room to dress some time ago. She was probably already downstairs.
He glanced at his watch and saw that it was nearly five. Cocktails were to be served at seven, with dinner at eightthirty, though he never liked to arrive early. The drive would take them about an hour and a half, so they had plenty of time. With a last pat to his hair, Aaron went downstairs.
He found Fitz in the kitchen feeding Jamie in her high chair.
As she so often did these days, his daughter looked up at him and called out, “Da-da.”
Her new word never failed to get a smile from him. “How’s my girl? You had a long nap, didn’t you?”
“It’s the fresh air,” Fitz commented. “Kate had her out in the snow. A regular little snow bunny is what she is.”
“That’s good, sweetie. First chance I get, we’ll get a sled and, when you get bigger, we’ll try you out on some skis.”
“Aaron, would you mind helping me with these earrings?” Kate asked from the archway.
He hadn’t heard her come down. “No problem.” He turned and stopped in his tracks, his breath backing up in his throat. Later, he was to wonder if his mouth had actually dropped open.
“My, my,” Fitz said, “don’t you look lovely.”
An understatement if he’d ever heard one. Smashing would have been more fitting. She was wearing a long red velvet sheath with a high neck and long sleeves, the soft material of the dress fitting her like a glove, clinging to every curve. There was very little skin showing, only her hands and face, yet it was the sexiest outfit he’d ever seen. On her feet were some strappy little red heels that definitely weren’t meant for hiking in the snow.
Maybe if she hadn’t dressed so conservatively around the house for the past three months, he mightn’t have been so stunned. Even the evening he’d taken her to his presentation, she’d worn a simple black dress. But this, this was a side of Kate he hadn’t even suspected. Aaron’s gaze traveled back up to find her amused blue eyes watching him as she held out a gold hoop earring.
“It hooks in back, and I can’t seem to get it right,” Kate told him, enjoying his discomfort.
Aaron swallowed hard and walked over to her.
Holding her hair back out of the way, Kate pushed the post through and angled her head toward him. “Ready.”
He’d suddenly sprouted eight more thumbs, he realized as he tried to anchor the thin post into the small
catch. Her scent, something new and heady, wrapped itself around him, fogging his mind further. It took him three tries, but he finally got it. He took a large step back and almost sighed in relief.
Kate shook back her hair, which had grown longer and now hung a little past her shoulders. “Thanks. Are we ready to leave?”
“Yes, sure.” Aaron took his time saying goodbye to his daughter and giving Fitz a few last-minute, totally unnecessary instructions in order to regain his composure. Odd how Kate could look so motherly holding the baby while dressed in slacks and sweater and look so…so different tonight.
“You two have a wonderful evening and don’t you worry about a thing,” Fitz said. She was holding Jamie as she walked to the foyer with them. “We’ll be just fine.”
Aaron helped Kate with her black cape before putting on his own coat and picking up their two overnight bags. “I left the number where you can reach us by the phone,” he told Fitz.
“Fine.” Fitz held Jamie up so they could both kiss her.
Kate paused to stroke the velvety baby cheek. It was the first time since she’d moved in that she’d left Jamie overnight, and it felt odd. “Bye, sweetie.” She followed Aaron out.
Aaron’s mouth was a thin line. “You didn’t tell me he’d be here,” he told his father.
William frowned as he watched Johnny whirl Kate around the dance floor. “It was a last-minute thing, actually. Guests are welcome, you know, and Johnny asked if he could bring a date. What could I say?”
Aaron saw that Kate was listening attentively to his brother as they
danced, Johnny talking nonstop, and he wondered what farfetched tale he was spinning for her benefit. All through cocktails, dinner and the speeches, Johnny had all but ignored his own date and concentrated on charming Kate. The redhead his brother had brought along looked as annoyed as he felt.
William was annoyed, too. He loved both his sons, but Johnny never had liked to play by the rules, and that bothered his father. “I have two words of advice for you, son,” he said to Aaron. “Cut in.” With that, he walked off.
Not only did it feel peculiar to be on a date again, Aaron thought, after so many years away from that scene. But here he was on the sidelines while another man danced with his date. Of course, he’d invited Kate with the best intentions, so she’d have a night out after being stuck in the St. Clair house for weeks on end with very little social life, as his father had pointed out. But somewhere along the way, possibly when he’d first seen her in that knockout of a dress, all thoughts of his noble gesture had fled. He was simply a man out with a beautiful woman he didn’t wish to share.
Weaving between dancing couples, he reached them and tapped Johnny on the shoulder. For a moment, his brother ignored Aaron, then put on a smile and turned. “I believe your date’s looking for you,” Aaron said, and reached for Kate.
She came into his arms happily, willingly, and suddenly, his tension eased. As if on cue, the band moved into a slow, romantic tune and he found himself holding her close. When she didn’t protest, he urged her a fraction nearer, his face in her hair, breathing in her scent. “I hope you didn’t mind my stealing you back from him.”
“Mind? What took you so long?” Kate was exactly where she wanted to be. She’d decided when Aaron had invited her out that she’d seize the moment, use the opportunity to let Aaron know, if not by words then by whatever other means at her disposal, that she wanted him and only him. By the look in his eyes when he’d seen her in the kitchen, by the way he’d been watching her all evening with that dark, hooded stare and by the way he was holding her so very close, she thought he might be getting the message. She certainly hoped so.
