A Merry Little Christmas

by Melanie Schuster

  Donnie walked slowly across the room and stood behind her stool, leaning in so that he pressed against her back. Their eyes met in the big mirror behind the bar. “Are you thirsty? I can fix you something to drink, if you like,” he said in a husky voice. Still staring into his reflected eyes, she shook her head no. Donnie pressed even closer and wrapped one arm around her. “Are you sure you don’t want anything?” he asked, his warm breath bathing her cheek.

  She whispered, “No, I don’t want anything,” and Donnie nodded absently, removing her red hat and stroking her silky hair while he kept his other arm locked around her. “Well, I want something, Angel. Something only you can give me,” he whispered.

  Instead of tensing up, Angelique felt her body melt against Donnie’s and she leaned back into him. “What do you want?” she whispered.

  He let her go long enough to turn her around on the bar stool and pull her into his embrace. “I want this,” he murmured as he brought his mouth down on hers. He kissed her softly at first. Once, twice, three times their lips touched each other, and then his tongue traced the same path hers had followed earlier. He painted her lips with the moisture from his mouth, softly and thoroughly learning the curves of her soft lips. Then they began kissing in earnest, harder and wilder as they reveled in die taste of each other, the feel of each other. Kissing her mouth wasn’t enough; Donnie pulled her from the stool and held her as close to him as their coats would allow. He kissed her temple, her cheek, her neck, and moaned as her warm scent drove him crazy. Kissing his way back up to her lips, he parted them slightly with his hot tongue and initiated the intimate contact again, the sweet, tender explosion satisfying him like nothing else ever had. They might have gone on kissing for hours, if it hadn’t been for the insistent noise of a cell phone. Angelique finally recognized the persistent buzzing as her own phone, which she snatched out of her pocket with a look of extreme irritation. “What is it?” she snapped into the little phone.

  Paris answered with her usual good humor. “Just letting you know the coast is clear and it looks like the mission was accomplished. I think we have some lovebirds over here,” she said cheerfully. After a monosyllabic grunt from Angelique, Paris’s nimble mind put two and two together. “Ah-ha! You two been gettin’ busy, haven’t you? And it was good, too! Ooh, wait till I get you home!”

  All Angelique could do was stare wordlessly into Donnie’s sexy eyes. Now what have I gotten myself into? And do I even want to get out? Before she could answer her own question, Donnie pulled her back into his arms and his lips put an end to any more thoughts.

  Chapter Nine

  Days after the Super Bowl party, the attendees were still talking about what a good time it was. The food, the company, and the general atmosphere of fun made it a day to remember. The guest list was varied and included some of Paris’s coworkers at Cochran Communications, a few neighbors and those members of the Cochran family who could make it. Renee and Andrew were in Renee’s hometown of Cleveland that weekend for her parents’ anniversary and couldn’t attend; Alan and Andre Cochran had already made plans with their fraternity brothers for Super Bowl Sunday and were also absent. But Adam was there with Alicia, as was the patriarch of the family, Big Benny Cochran, along with his bride, Martha. And of course, A.J. attended with one of his female friends.

  The evening was a complete success in all ways, especially the matchmaking part. Warren and Lisette appeared well on their way to bliss, something Paris continued to talk about to Angelique’s chagrin. “Chagrin” because Paris would start talking about the couple who belonged together, Warren and Lisette, and end up interrogating Angelique about Donnie. No matter how many times Angelique changed the subject, issued outright denials or threatened Paris’s life, the end result was the same. She was being treated to it again this very morning while Paris was having a late cup of coffee in Angelique’s studio on the first floor of the Cochran building. Paris had come back to the building from a business meeting and dropped in to see her cousin before heading upstairs. And, once again, the normal conversation led right into what Angelique thought of as Paris’s Fantasy Land.

  “Angel, I don’t know how you do it, but this is the greatest coffee in the world. You make the best coffee I’ve ever tasted,” Paris said appreciatively. She watched Angelique at work and they talked about this and that, until—like the homing pigeon she was beginning to emulate—Paris went right back to the topic Angelique wanted to avoid more than anything.

  “So, Angel, when are you going to admit that something happened between you and Donnie? I could see the way you two were looking at each other all afternoon; something happened and you and I both know it. Y’all came back here looking like two sixteen-year-olds on your first date and you were all moony-eyed the rest of the day. Lisette didn’t notice because she and Warren were doing the same thing, but I certainly saw it. Even Willis asked me if you two were an item,” she added slyly.

  That gave Angelique pause and she narrowed her eyes at Paris. Willis Gaffney was a friend and occasional date of Paris’s, an advertising account executive who did business with Cochran Communications. “I certainly hope you told him there was nothing between us,” she snapped.

  “Actually, you’d better be glad he thinks there’s something going on. He was just about to make a move on you that night and Donnie put an immediate stop to that.” Paris chuckled. “All he did was look at him, but I think it made poor Willis’s heart stop. That’s when he asked me if you two were a couple.”

  Angelique dropped her head into her hands and gave a muffled shriek. “What did you tell him? You didn’t tell him we’re dating, did you?”

  Paris enjoyed her cousin’s discomfort for a few seconds, and then showed her mercy. “No, I didn’t. All I said was, ‘What do you think?’ and let him draw his own conclusions. He’s not going to say anything to anybody about it because Donnie scared him half to death with one look. I was pretty impressed, actually. Nobody’s ever looked at anybody like that on my behalf,” she reflected. Arching a neatly shaped brow, she gave Angelique a wicked grin and said, “Which brings me back to my original question: what’s going on with you and Donnie? You know how nosy I am; put me out of my misery.”

  Lifting her head up, Angelique shot a mean look at Paris, which didn’t scare her one bit. “I’d like to put you out of your misery, all right. Permanently. For the last time, there is nothing, I repeat, nothing, going on between me and Adonis Bennett Cochran,” she said with a grimace.

  Just then the buzzer sounded. Angelique had a reception area as well as a big office and workroom. Because she did not employ a receptionist, she had the buzzer installed for security. Paris glanced at her watch and said she would get the door on her way out. “I need to be getting back to work anyway.” She left Angelique in the big main room and went to the reception area to find out who was calling.

  When Paris didn’t return immediately, Angelique’s curiosity made her go to the reception area to see what became of her. “Paris, who was that at the…” Her voice faded away as she looked into the amused eyes of Donnie.

  Paris also looked quite entertained as she waved at her cousin, then left, saying, “See you later, Angel. Have a good trip, Donnie.” Angelique made a mental note to do something really bad to Paris at her earliest convenience. In the meantime, she concentrated on looking composed. “Hello, Adonis. What can I do for you today?” she asked politely.

  Donnie was looking better than any man had a right to at that hour of the morning—at any hour of the day, as a matter of fact; the man was ridiculously handsome. He was wearing a beautifully cut, tan cashmere topcoat over a charcoal-gray suit no doubt custom-tailored to accommodate his height. His leather gloves were in one hand and his over-the-shoulder briefcase was sitting by the door. While she took in every detail of his appearance, Donnie was looking around her studio with great interest. Angelique cleared her throat and repeated her question. “What is it that I can do for you?” she said more sharply than she intend
ed.

  “I’m here because I wanted to see you. I haven’t seen you since the party, and I never told you thank you for your hospitality. It was a good time. My dad is still talking about that gumbo,” he said with a smile as he shoved his gloves into this coat pocket.

  “Even though I’m the one who made it?” she said with a slight grin.

  Donnie dropped his head for a moment, and then looked up with a plea in his eyes. “You’re not going to let me live that down, are you? It was a mistake, I admit it.”

  At the party, when the buffet had been laid out and people started eating the wonderful repast, Donnie had looked at Paris and said “Girl, you put your foot in this gumbo. This is the best I’ve ever had.”

  Paris had smiled and said “Well, thanks, Donnie, but I didn’t make that. Angelique is the real cook, I just kind of putter around.”

  Remembering the scene, Angelique gave him a grudging look of amusement. “Hard as it is to believe, I can do a few things, Adonis.”

  Now it was his turn to smile. “You know something? I never liked my name. Never could stand it, it was just too affected for me. But I like the way it sounds when you say it. I know you use my name to irritate me, but it sounds really sexy coming from your mouth.”

  Angelique’s eyes widened and she took a step backward even though they weren’t standing close. She was still in the entrance to the reception area and he was in the middle of the room. Donnie could sense her nervousness and he wanted to put her at ease as soon as possible, though that might be difficult, given what he’d come to say. It was his turn to check her out and he liked what he saw, very, very much.

  “You’re looking very stylish today. Beautiful, in fact,” Donnie said appreciatively. He enjoyed the faint pinkness that spread along her cheekbones at his compliment, but he meant every word; Angelique looked like a high-fashion model. She was dressed in a stunning black outfit: a pair of slacks with a kimono-styled jacket over a white tunic with an asymmetrical, mandarin-styled collar. She looked courant and avant-garde, yet professional. Her hair was once again worn in a updo, but this time it was sleekly styled off her face and had two abalone chopsticks stuck though it. She smelled differently, though, and Donnie tried to place the scent. “You have on a new perfume today, what is it?” he asked.

  Angelique was so surprised by the question that she answered him without hesitation. “Cashmere Mist.”

  Donnie filed that information away for future reference. “I like it. It’s as nice as the other one you wear.”

  “I’m so glad you approve,” she said snidely. “I live for that, you know.”

  He liked the look of her studio; it was done in calming neutral colors and had a clean, minimalist effect, due to the lack of doodads. The walls were done in eggshell and the taupe furniture consisted of a long sofa and two chairs. Aside from a coffee table with magazines, a simple but elegant floor lamp and two ficus trees, there was nothing in the room except a few photographs on the walls, all in black and white. The space looked sophisticated and artistic.

  “This is a nice place, Angel. But it doesn’t look like you,” Donnie said honestly. “It’s too cold, too impersonal. I don’t know you as well as I should, but I can tell you that this room isn’t anything like you.”

  Angelique blinked and then shook herself quickly. She crossed her arms as if she was chilly and needed the warmth. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Adonis. This room is exactly like me. Cold and impersonal, that’s me all over,” she said hotly, as she returned to the main work space. To her displeasure, Donnie followed her.

  This room was neat as a pin, but it was much more colorful, with some color shots on the walls as well. There was a large table in the center of the room with a big zipper portfolio laid on it, neatly stacked prints arranged around it. The walls were lined with cabinets that stored her equipment. She was trying to look busy at the table when Donnie’s voice stopped her movements.

  “Oh, no, you’re not. You’re as far from being cold and impersonal as it’s possible for one person to be. This room looks more like you. This room and your house, that’s you. Warm, vibrant and creative,” he told her. The look of confusion in Angelique’s eyes touched him to his heart and also made him get to the point. He wasn’t here to torture her; quite the opposite. “Look, Angel, I’m going out of town. I’ll be gone all week, but when I get back, I’d like to take you out. I think it’s time we stopped ignoring this attraction and did something about it, don’t you?”

  Angelique was so surprised by his words, she couldn’t answer at first. Then she said the first thing that came to her mind: a resounding no. “No, I don’t. I don’t think that’s a good idea at all, Adonis.”

  He closed the gap between them in one step and put his left hand on her shoulder. With his right hand he tilted her chin up, then placed a soft, moist kiss on her lips. “I told you, I like the sound of my name on your lips. I like a lot of other things about you, too. And I think you like me, at least a little. Say you’ll go out with me, just for dinner,” he coaxed.

  “I... I...” Angelique valiantly tried to remember why this was a bad idea. He was standing so close, the warmth of his body was igniting hers; his body chemistry was making his aftershave into an aphrodisiac and his lips felt wonderful, even for that short moment. Just as she was about to say no again, he touched his lips to her cheekbone, and the warmth spread over her like a blanket of passion.

  “Say yes, Angel. Please say yes,” he said softly.

  “Yes,” she said with a sigh. “Yes, I will.”

  After Donnie left the office, Angelique was ready to sit down for a long time and think about what had just happened. Despite all her efforts to stay in control, she was trembling. And today was just not the day for that, not when she had to go the museum to meet with the director. If it weren’t for the fact that A.J. was coming with her, she’d have been a wreck.

  ***

  He showed up to collect her a little bit earlier than they’d agreed on and she was truly glad to see him. She gave him a big hug and a kiss on the cheek, and then asked him why he was so early. “Not that I’m not glad to see you. I’m glad you’re here,” she said inhaling his familiar scent. “You look very handsome. She’s not going to pay me a bit of attention with you sitting there looking gorgeous.”

  He did look rakishly charming as always, this time in pleated black trousers, a black cable knit turtleneck and his long leather coat that made him look like a model. Although his long dreadlocks were gone as a result of the chemotherapy, he had a start on new ones in the form of a headful of black curls that spiraled every which way. He shrugged off the comment and concentrated on Angelique.

  “I came early so I could see how nervous you are,” he replied. He looked her over from head to toe and nodded approvingly. “You clean up nice. You look very uptown, just like a seasoned professional. Love the chopsticks.”

  “Thanks for the compliment. That’s the second one I’ve gotten today. This is my serious-artist drag,” she said with a short laugh. “Now let’s just hope it impresses Miss Shabazz.”

  A.J. put his long, strong hands on her shoulders and gave her a little shake, quickly followed by another embrace. “Look, sweetie, I keep telling you you’re the real deal. Your talent will speak for itself. Get your coat and your other goods and chattels and let’s get going. You’re going to knock her socks off,” he promised her.

  Angelique gave him a shaky smile of gratitude. “I just hope you’re right.”

  In a short while, they were shown into Aneesah’s sunny office at the museum. She met them at the door wearing a chic navy pantsuit with a beautiful Kente cloth throw over one shoulder. Her smooth brown face glowed and her shining black hair shone with good health; not a hair of her stylish, short coiffure was out of place. “Good morning! I’m so glad to meet you both,” she said with a warm sincerity that immediately put Angelique at ease. She showed them to comfortable chairs and made pleasant small talk while offering coffee o
r tea. Soon it seemed AJ.’s prediction proved correct: she was completely impressed with everything she saw in Angelique’s portfolio. After A.J. and Angelique set the mounted matted pictures on the easels placed in the office for that purpose, Aneesah went into her own little world.

  She was talking softly to herself and blotting moisture from her eyes, and then looked up with a huge smile. “I’m sorry, I don’t usually go off like that, but I’ve never seen anything quite like this,” she admitted. “I’ve seen some of your work in Hour magazine, and in Elle, but these are just incredible. Tell me again how you got started.”

  Angelique took a deep breath and looked at A.J., who raised one brow and gave her a nod of encouragement. “Well,” she began, “my brother Clay was a photojoumalist. That was his passion; it had been for as long as I can remember. He used to have a camera with him all the time. He took pictures of everything and he’s the one who taught me how to use a camera. I used up roll after roll of film taking all kinds of terrible pictures.” She laughed at the memory. “Clay was really patient with me, though. He traveled a lot, but whenever he was home he’d show me something new, how to set up a shot, how to use different cameras and he even showed me how to develop. I never really did anything with it until years later, though.”

  She paused for a moment and glanced at A.J. again. “My family’s company, the Deveraux Group, has about twenty different magazines and about fifteen newspapers, as I’m sure you’re aware. After I tried college, my brothers tried to find something for me to do in the company. I kind of went from place to place, from department, to department, wreaking havoc everywhere.

  “I was the prototype of the spoiled little debutante. In fact, I was the gold standard of the Black American Princess, too cute to work and too rotten to stay in school. Luckily, my sister-in-law Vera had the compassion and foresight to put me with A.J.” She looked at him again, this time giving him a huge smile that lit up the room.