A Lot Like Christmas

by Dawn Atkins

  “Sylvie…”

  “Pick a time and day.” She shoved the note at him.

  He read the options. “Okay. Set it up for Thursday morning. But don’t get your hopes up. This is a long shot.”

  “Good enough,” she said and bounded out of his office. At least he’d made her a little happier. For now at least.

  On his way out later to talk with Fletcher about the broker meeting, Chase noticed the pet shop sported a big, new banner. “Puppies must go! Prices slashed! Impossible to resist!”

  Hmm. He stood at the window watching the dogs play. Only three remained and they were damned cute. Sylvie was right. He could see one of these guys peeking out of a Christmas stocking, like a fuzzy stuffed toy. He recognized the one Sylvie liked best. Dasher, right? Before he knew it, he was inside the store.

  CHAPTER NINE

  THAT NIGHT, SYLVIE SET UP her surprise for Chase, being careful not to be seen by anyone who might think she’d lost her mind. She finished and made it back to her office just before eight when Chase was due to start his security shift.

  If everything went as planned, Chase would want to save the mall as much as she did. Or at least, he’d think of it as more than just a business.

  “Hey, Sylvie.” Sylvie looked up from finalizing the PriceLess proposal to see Chase in her doorway wearing a white security guard shirt tucked into black jeans, an official guard cap on his head.

  “Look at you, all dressed up to protect-and-serve,” she said.

  “I catch anyone with spray paint and I’ll nail his ass with my, uh—” he whipped his cell phone from his pocket “—phone? Randolph was disappointed I don’t have a handgun permit. But don’t worry, I was a brown belt in karate when I was twelve.” He struck a pose and she had to laugh. “He ran me through the paces. Seems like a decent system if it’s implemented the way he claims it is.”

  “Randolph is conscientious.”

  “What are you still doing here anyway? It’s late.”

  “Finishing up the PriceLess proposal. And waiting for you, since I have a surprise.”

  “You do? Because I have one for you, as well. I was going to show it to you tomorrow, but…what the hell. You go first.”

  “Okay.” She came toward him, heading for the door, her gaze slipping over him, noticing how tall he was, how in charge he seemed. There was something about a man in a uniform.

  Yes, Officer. Yes, oh, yes.

  Her attraction hadn’t gone away just because Chase had threatened her world. She half wished they’d managed to do the deed before coming to their senses. It seemed so unfinished, hanging in her head like a musical note held too long.

  Stupid, of course. But that had been her reaction to Chase from the beginning—stupid. Far too much human nature involved.

  She led the way down the stairs, fingers crossed that her plan would work.

  “Where are we going?” Chase asked.

  “You’ll see.” She took him to the plant island in the middle of the mall, hiked herself up onto the low tile wall, then waited while he joined her and took in the scene she’d set.

  “You’re kidding me.”

  “Nope.” She’d placed a two-person tent between the banana trees, complete with a sleeping bag, a flashlight and a book of scary stories. Outside the tent, she’d set out two camp chairs, an ice chest with sodas and a basket with snacks.

  She pointed at a hot plate plugged into one of the light outlets. “That’s for making s’mores.” She’d set her laptop to a screensaver of a crackling fire. “That’s the closest I could come to a campfire without setting off the sprinklers.”

  Chase looked stunned.

  “Bring back happy memories?” She was counting on it. If Chase fell back in love with the mall, he’d think past the bottom line to what really counted, the heart and soul of Starlight Desert.

  “I can’t believe you did this,” he said, turning to her, emotions flying across his face.

  “Since you had to be here all night, I figured you’d enjoy it. Besides, I kind of wanted to see what those campouts were like. I borrowed the gear from Tracer’s. Come on. Check it out.” She dropped to her knees and crawled into the tent.

  Chase took off his guard cap and crawled in with her. The tent seemed tiny with both of them inside, cozy and intimate, and way too personal. Sylvie hadn’t counted on that.

  “You’re on duty, so you can’t sleep, of course,” she said, running her hand across the slippery sleeping bag, “but we needed something to sit on for this.” She picked up the book: A Dozen Spine Tinglers.

  “Plus, socks so we can slide down the tile.” She showed him the two fuzzy pairs she’d bought.

  Chase laughed. “You thought of everything.”

  “Oh, and this.” She reached into her back pocket and held out a screwdriver. “So you can show me how you sneaked into the stores. Just unscrew the vents, right?”

  “Yeah.” He grinned. “That’s how we did it.”

  She’d actually tested the entry by the restrooms, opened it and peeked inside. “That sounded so fun I had to try it.”

  “You’re telling me you’re spending the night with me?”

  The idea spiked her pulse. “Just long enough to hit some stores, make s’mores and read a scary story or two.”

  “This doesn’t sound like you, Sylvie.” His gaze chased over her, affectionate and intrigued. “Adventurous and downright silly.”

  “That’s because you put me in a box labeled All Serious, All The Time. I know how to have fun, Chase.”

  “As long as it’s at the mall.”

  “Tonight, sure. But not always. I enjoy my free time.”

  “I’m glad to hear you say that,” Chase said with a new twinkle in his eye. “Considering my surprise for you.”

  She’d forgotten about that. “What is it?”

  “Wait here and I’ll get it out of my office.”

  Sylvie sat in one of the camp chairs to wait, looking out at her mall in the dim light from the orange security lights. The cross-hatched metal gates that blocked the store entrances made the place seem cold and lonely, not at all like it was during the day.

  If the mall closed, these gates would never lift. She would miss it so much. Her stomach flipped at the prospect.

  “Surprise.” Chase’s voice came from behind her. She took in a pile of gear, a shopping bag and Chase with a leash. A leash? She followed the leash with her eyes to the collar of a furry ball with scrabbling paws.

  “You bought a puppy?” She jumped from the planter to meet them. “Is that Dasher?”

  “He’s on loan for now. One of those try-before-you-buy deals.” He scooped up the tiny spaniel and held him toward her.

  “Wait a minute.” She froze, though Dasher wiggled frantically, trying to get at her. “He’s not for me, is he?”

  Chase shrugged, plopping the dog into her arms. “They were closing out the puppies and I knew he was your favorite.”

  “I can’t keep him. I told you I work too much. He’d be lonely. And I have dollhouse parts and screws and delicate things…no way.” She held the dog out to Chase.

  Chase crossed his arms so she was forced to hang on to the puppy. “Lots of workaholics have pets, Sylvie. Hell, bring him to work with you, make him the mall mascot.”

  Dasher was now licking his way across her cheek with his pink tongue.

  “You go, little dog,” Chase said in a low voice. “Is that not the softest skin ever?” He caught her gaze and heat flashed for a moment, slowing time.

  “Chase…I…can’t do this. It’s impossible.”

  “When you love something, you find a way.”

  “That’s romantic and sweet, but no.” She looked down at the dog, trying to harden her heart against this canine maniac squirming against her and moistening every inch of her face. “You’ll have to take him back.”

  “Give him a week. If you really can’t stand it, then the McCanns will adopt him. It’d be good relationship practice for Fl
etcher.”

  “I don’t know…”

  “Don’t deny yourself this, Sylvie. Look at him.”

  Dasher had locked his melting brown eyes on her like she was his entire universe. His little tail wagged his entire body. “You’re milking it,” she said to the dog who squirmed even harder at her words.

  “He loves you,” Chase said.

  “That’s not love. That’s a crush. Love takes time.”

  “You have to start someplace,” Chase said softly. “He wants you. You want him. Go with that.” Chase’s lips parted and his eyes held flickers of golden heat. Surely he wasn’t going to kiss her again….

  She shifted away, afraid she’d lunge for his mouth herself. “I thought you didn’t know how love works.”

  “I’ve seen a few movies, read some books.” He was studying her as if she was the most fascinating woman he’d ever seen. Chase was always so present, so there, as if he would never leave. But of course he would. Chase always moved on. He was a heartbreaker, for sure.

  Sylvie looked behind Chase and saw the items he’d brought with the puppy: a padded bed, a roomy kennel. “What’s in the sack?”

  “Bowls, food, chew toys. Puppy gear.” He pulled out the things one by one to show her.

  Dasher struggled to get down, so she bent and released him. He galloped off a few yards, trailing his leash, then turned back to yip, as if urging them to follow. When they didn’t, he squatted and looked at them over his tiny shoulder as a puddle of liquid spread on the tile, shining silver in the orange glow of the security lights.

  “He did that on purpose,” she said, while Chase laughed his deeply pleasurable laugh. “I’ll have to potty-train him, too.”

  “Guess that’s part of the deal.”

  “Maybe I’ll turn him over to you for that.”

  They mopped up the mess and settled Dasher in his kennel, with his bed, food and water. He set about gnawing a chew toy. “Pretty cute, huh?” She had to admit the little guy was darling.

  “Very,” Chase said, but he seemed to be looking at her.

  “Ready to explore?” Sylvie produced the screwdriver again. “There’s a flashlight on my key chain.”

  “Why not?” Chase was intrigued. So far so good. Soon enough, she hoped, he’d be in love.

  SYLVIE WAS A WONDER, for sure. Her scheme to prowl the mall and fake a campout together was endearing. She figured dredging up fun memories would make him reluctant to sell. Simplistic but sweet. Chase would go along for the ride. This was Sylvie, after all.

  He’d been right about the puppy. She plain lit up when she saw him. He hoped she’d give the dog a chance.

  When you love something, you find a way. Big talk, of course. Could Chase ever make room in his life for someone else—a pet or a person? Most people managed to. They settled down, got married, had families.

  But he wasn’t most people and he knew his limits.

  Pretty soon he was unscrewing the entry vent while Sylvie held the small flashlight like a pair of burglars. In seconds, he had the thing open and motioned Sylvie ahead of him. The ductwork looked the same—dusty, high enough to walk bent at the waist, but more comfortable on hands and knees, and nearly wide enough to move side by side.

  He crawled inside. She turned back toward him, aiming the flashlight overhead so they wouldn’t be blinded. “This is so cool.”

  He grinned at her delight. “Where do you want to go first?”

  “The candy store’s just over there, right?” She aimed the light down the duct, then headed in that direction. Together they pounded on the screen into the store until it rattled open. He jumped down, then helped Sylvie to the floor. They dusted off their knees and looked around at the fishbowl bins with brightly colored treats.

  “This place always seemed magical to me,” she said. “Like something out of Willie Wonka.”

  “True.” He spotted the dish with blue-and-white gummi sharks and held one out to her. “Your favorite.”

  “We shouldn’t take anything,” she said.

  “Come on. One little shark.” He ran it along her bottom lip. “You know you want it.” He wanted her mouth even more.

  “Just one,” she said, taking the candy with her teeth. Her tongue brushed his finger and he sucked in a breath, a charge hitting his parts. That tongue.

  She arranged the shark in her mouth with the tail hanging out. “This what you remember?”

  “Chew it a bit.”

  “Right.” She munched away.

  “You make that look better than it could ever taste.”

  “Try one.” She picked up a shark. He opened his mouth and she aimed and tossed it in.

  He chewed. It was like a rubber eraser dipped in berry-flavored chemicals. “Must be an acquired taste.”

  “Color check?” She stuck out her tongue.

  “Very blue.”

  “Gross.” She scrunched up her nose.

  “Nah. It’s kind of cute.” And what that tongue could do. Damn, Chase had only so much willpower.

  As they wandered the aisles, Sylvie told him that the shop owner had inherited the store from his grandfather, that he donated stockings full of candy to homeless shelters each Christmas and loved to watch kids sample any new candy he found.

  They compared notes on the treats from their childhood—the way Pixy Stix burned your tongue, whether Skittles or Starburst had more true fruit flavors and what a mistake it had been to add blue M&M’s.

  The entire time, Chase was aware of Sylvie’s body, how she moved, the feel of her hair brushing his arm, and how damn good she smelled.

  Once they were back in the tunnel, he said, “I choose the next store,” then had to climb over her to lead the way, a move that required way too much contact with legs and breasts and backside. He groaned inwardly, hoping she couldn’t tell how aroused he was. Reaching the store he wanted, he banged open the vent and jumped down, raising a hand for Sylvie.

  She hit the ground beside him. “Heaven Scents?”

  “This is where you get your lotion, right?”

  “Yes. It’s called—”

  “Don’t tell me the name. I want to see if I can find it.” He leaned close and took a deep sniff of her skin, resisting the urge to rest his lips on her neck. “Okay, got it.”

  At the shelves, he sampled anything pink or red. “Not sweet enough,” he said of the first, “sweet, but not fruity,” of the second. A third and fourth missed the mark, too.

  “Hang on. I need a fill-up.” He turned to smell her again. She shivered beneath him. It might be wrong to tempt each other, but it was so much fun.

  He stayed a little too close a little too long, so she pulled away. “Let’s not drag this out.” She marched across the shop to a row of red glass bottles with white flowers on dark tree branches and handed him a bottle. “Cherry Blossom Vanilla Bean.”

  He sniffed it. “Okay…that’s the cherry and vanilla, sure, but the rest, that spice…” He breathed her in. “Must be just you. Your skin. Your own smell.” He ran his eyes down her body, slowing at the other places he’d like to sample, to smell, and touch and taste. “Whatever it is, I like it.”

  She put the bottle back on the shelf with shaky fingers.

  There was an alcove to the left and he stepped in, finding a massage table and shelves with oils, towels and lotions. “What do you know?”

  “Yeah. The owner is trained in massage.”

  “Have you ever had one?”

  “I don’t have time really.”

  “For a massage you make time.” He studied her. “It’s not really about that, is it?”

  She shrugged “It seems so…personal. I would feel lazy just lying there while someone worked so hard over me.”

  “Trust me, it’s well worth it. People don’t go into massage unless they enjoy it. A friend taught me some techniques.”

  “Oh, I’ll just bet she did.”

  “It was completely legit, I assure you.” He turned her back to him and pressed into
her neck and shoulders, making gentle circles with his thumbs, the way Rachel had showed him. No woman had ever failed to dissolve into moans after a few minutes of this.

  “Oh, wow, that feels so good.” Sylvie sagged a little.

  He smiled. “Your trapezius are pretty tight.”

  “Sounds like something I should slap you for saying.”

  “True. Your deltoids are aching for it,” he said in a breathy, fake-sexy way.

  She laughed, then moaned. “Ooooh, don’t stop.”

  “If you lie down on the table I can do it right.”

  “I would just melt away.” She sounded so dazed, not even joking anymore.

  “I’d like to make you feel that good, Sylvie.” He would. In fact, he was picturing it right now….

  She turned around. “Time to go,” she said firmly. “And to a store with no table.”

  Who needed a table when you had the floor…?

  CHAPTER TEN

  AFTER CHASE FINISHED with her, Sylvie’s legs were so rubbery she could hardly walk, let alone crawl along the ductwork. No stores with a table, indeed.

  As he’d squeezed her shoulders, she’d thought of what else those skilled fingers could do…slide across her bare skin, smooth her thighs, tease her breasts, cup her backside and so much more.

  Somehow, she managed to move forward along the echoing tunnel. Knee, hand, knee, hand, aware always of Chase behind her. “What shop is this?” He tapped at the vent to their left.

  “Lucy’s Secrets,” she said, pushing it open a crack to be certain. Chase moved beside her so their faces were inches apart as they peered down into the store.

  “Look at all that sheer, slinky, fluffy stuff.” Chase groaned. “Forget the massage table. I can see you in all of it.”

  A girlish giggle escaped her. She wasn’t used to feeling irresistible and maybe it was silly, but she liked it.

  “Is this where you got those stockings you were wearing when I helped you down the ladder?”

  “You deliberately looked up my skirt.”

  “Not my fault. You flashed me when I was saving you.”