Mistletoe Baby

by Donna Hill

  Alexis angled her head so that she could look at him. He was even better looking after sex if that was possible. He opened one eye and grinned at her.

  “Your skills clearly extend beyond the boardroom,” he said, his tone teasing, his British accent heavy. He ran his hand along her hip.

  “And you seem to have a full plate of skills yourself,” she said over bubbling laughter.

  He leaned in and kissed her lightly on the lips. His expression grew serious. “I have a whole platter of skills I want to show you. That was only the appetizer.”

  Her eyes darkened with desire. She ran her thumb across his lips. “Let me be the first to say bring on the main course, and I will provide the dessert.”

  She turned him onto his back and straddled him. “How ’bout I get us started,” she whispered, before covering his mouth with hers.

  * * *

  Alexis slowly unwound and stretched like a cat. Her foot brushed against the hard lines of Graham’s body. She smiled in the semidarkness. He murmured softly in his sleep and reflexively reached out and pulled her back next to him.

  Alexis stared up at the ceiling and then turned to peer at the digital clock. It was nearly midnight. She was suddenly ravenous and wondered if she could still order room service. Gingerly she lifted Graham’s arm from across her waist and stealthily eased out of the bed and tiptoed to the front room. From the desk she took the faux leather booklet that outlined the hotel services, flipped to “Room Service” and released a sigh of relief to see that they made deliveries until 1:00 a.m. She scrolled through the menu. The way she was feeling everything looked good. She had a good mind to order steak and fries but knew that was ridiculous. Instead she ordered chicken quesadillas, two bowls of black bean soup and two iced teas.

  She peeked over her shoulder. Graham was still asleep. She went into the bathroom to freshen up and caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror. She looked like she’d been totally and thoroughly sexed.

  Her copper-colored skin was flushed. Her eyes had a new sparkle in them. Her lips were puffy and her spiral twists were all over her head, and although it wasn’t apparent to the naked eye her insides still vibrated. She turned on the faucets, rinsed her face and did a quick but thorough wash-up.

  “I thought I’d been walked out on until I remembered that this was your room.”

  A smile pulled across her mouth. She turned to face him as he stood naked and gorgeous in the doorway. “That would have been a little awkward.” Her gaze moved up and down his chiseled frame. “I ordered room service. I was suddenly starved.”

  “A woman who orders room service after making love is a woman after my own heart,” he said, pressing his hand to his chest.

  She snorted a laugh and tossed him one of the terry robes from the hook near the shower. “At least try to look presentable.” She sauntered past him and he gave her behind a playful swat.

  * * *

  Room service arrived and they ate like two people who hadn’t eaten a meal in days instead of hours. They chewed and sipped and laughed and talked with their mouths full until every morsel and every drop was gone.

  Alexis flopped back onto the bed spread eagle. She was in total heaven. Both of her hungers had been satiated—her hunger for Graham and her appetite.

  Graham rolled onto his side to face her. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

  Her eyes fluttered open. Her heart beat just a little faster. “Oh, sure.” She made herself smile to push away the funny feeling she suddenly had in the pit of her stomach.

  He pressed his lips to her forehead like she’d become a relative instead of a woman he’d done all manner of things to parts of her body that she didn’t believe was possible.

  Graham pushed up from the bed and went in search of his clothes, putting them on without looking at her, without saying a word.

  Alexis’s throat tightened. She blinked rapidly to ward off the sting in her eyes.

  “Get some rest,” he said in parting as he walked out of the bedroom and closed the door softly behind him.

  Alexis didn’t move. She listened to the sound of her heart beating in the empty room.

  * * *

  Graham had been up with the sun. He’d done the gym, jogged, showered, dressed and found his way down to the lobby. He’d tried everything to shake loose the invisible hold that Alexis had woven around him. The aftereffect of what happened between them last night had shaken him. Making love to a woman was always pleasurable, some more than others. But with Alexis...He sipped his coffee.

  Certainly the dynamics of their relationship was permanently altered. But they were adults, consenting adults. He would expect that she would be able to maintain a professional relationship in the workplace. The truth of the matter was that he should not have crossed that invisible line no matter what his body was telling him. It opened the possibilities to all types of repercussions, the least of which could be a lawsuit. He shook his head. She wouldn’t do something like that. Would she?

  At that moment, Alexis walked into the hotel lobby. Graham spotted her. Flashes of her writhing beneath him, riding him, calling his name played in his head and clouded his thoughts. He felt a stirring in his groin. The question then became, would he be able to remain professional?

  Alexis saw him on the far side of the lobby seated near the window. She lifted her chin, steadied her expression and strode toward him. “Good morning.” She put her purse down on the small circular table.

  “Morning.” His gaze took her in. He inhaled her sensual scent. What he wanted to do was take her back upstairs and say the hell with the meeting. That was the problem, he could easily be distracted and lose sight of his objectives because of his attraction to her.

  Alexis sat down opposite him and vaguely checked her watch. “Do I have time for a cup?” Her gaze settled in on a space just beyond his shoulder.

  “Sure. Light and sweet?”

  “Yes.”

  He got up and went over to the complimentary breakfast bar and prepared a cup of coffee for Alexis.

  Alexis couldn’t remember the last time she’d been this nervous and on edge with a man. The morning after was always a little dicey but the fact that he was her boss added a new level of trickery.

  Graham set the cup of coffee down in front of her and took his seat.

  “Thanks.”

  He wrapped his hands around his cup. “I wanted to stay last night.”

  “You don’t have to explain.”

  “I know, but I want to anyway.” He swallowed. “I left because I didn’t want anyone to see me coming from your room this morning.”

  She blinked back her surprise. “Oh,” she managed.

  “There are quite a few people in town for the education summit. Many of whom know me. I won’t risk your reputation or that of R.E.A.L. by possibly being seen by a colleague coming from your room at sunrise.”

  For the first time since he’d walked out of her hotel room the knot in the center of her stomach began to unravel. She visibly relaxed.

  “I am honored that you were willing to defend my honor, kind sir,” she said in her best Scarlett O’Hara voice.

  Graham laughed from deep in his belly. Alexis’s warm smile matched his. The band of tension snapped.

  * * *

  Graham and Alexis were the third group on the list to make their presentation. Working in tandem, they put on a show that dazzled the committee with their ideas, methods of implementation and long-term outcomes. They worked together like a perfect melody, playing off of each other, supporting the notes, knowing when to reach high and dip low. They harmonized and when it was appropriate they showcased their solo skills.

  When they walked out they knew they’d made a major impression with the committee, but it was the energy that flowed between them and electrified them t
hat was undeniable.

  They both felt it as they packed up and walked out of the conference hall, when they stole looks at each other or casually brushed each other’s hand. It was like rubbing two sticks together: sparks start, sputter, catch, smoke and finally...fire.

  The flames engulfed them both as they made love from the front door of Graham’s hotel room to the back. They tried positions that defied physics and they laughed and kissed and teased and touched until they collapsed in a tangle of damp sheets and limp limbs.

  * * *

  While Alexis rested in the bedroom, Graham went into the living area and made some phone calls and reservations for later that night.

  His conversation with Tracy was productive, but a bit strained. She sounded distant during the call and when he asked her if something was bothering her she insisted that everything was fine; she was “very busy.” He let it go, but he planned to address it when he was back in New York. He’d sent a text to Blake with the time and address for the club. A few days earlier Blake had advised he would be in D.C. for business. Alexis peeked out from beneath the sheet when Graham walked back into the room.

  “Missed you,” she said in a husky whisper.

  Graham chuckled. “No, you didn’t. You were knocked out.”

  She huffed. “I still missed you...in my sleep.”

  “I’m honored.” He plopped down on the side of the bed, intentionally giving it an extra bounce. “Hope you’re up for going out tonight. I made reservations at Smoke.”

  “Sure.” She rose up on her elbow. “Smoke?”

  “Jazz and blues club in Georgetown. And if you’re a good girl I may introduce you to the headliners.” He pressed his finger on the tip of her nose.

  “Really? Who’s performing?”

  “Quinten Parker and Rafe Lawson.”

  She sat straight up in bed. “Get out!” She slapped his thigh. “You know them?”

  He grinned. “Yes.”

  She brought her knees up to her chest and draped her arms across them. She looked him straight in the eye. Her right brow rose. “Now I’m impressed.”

  He chuckled and shook his head. “All this time I thought you were impressed with my dashing good looks, intelligence, wit and prowess in bed, when it’s really who I know. I’m crushed.”

  Alexis rolled her eyes. “Right,” she droned. “Anyway, is this a dress-up place or casual...?”

  “Casual.” His gaze trailed over her face. He pulled the sheet away from her. “Although on a personal note I much prefer this look on you.” He leaned in and kissed her long and sweet and slow before covering her body with his.

  Chapter 10

  By the time Graham and Alexis arrived at Smoke the club was already crowded and the evening was in full swing. The dimly lit atmosphere, the lush leather booths and round tables draped in burgundy linen gave the illusion that the expansive space actually lived up to its name. There was a four-piece band on stage playing some original music. A hostess showed Graham and Alexis to their table that had a perfect view of the stage.

  Graham helped Alexis into her seat. She took a look around. “This reminds me of a lounge in Atlanta, Café 290. My friend Naomi and I used to go a couple of times a month...until she got married.” She smiled wistfully.

  “If you like the lounge scene, good music, adult crowds, there are plenty of places I can show you in New York.”

  Her heart jumped. She hadn’t wanted to think beyond this weekend, this time of make-believe away from the real world. When they returned to New York they’d be back to employer-employee. At some point they were going to have to discuss this thing between them.

  Graham suddenly stood and waved his hand. Alexis looked over her shoulder and watched a damned good-looking man with a sexy stroll come toward them. She barely noticed the woman he was with.

  Graham and his friend did the man hug and the black- man-handshake thing before turning to the ladies.

  “Alexis, this is Blake Stevens. Blake, Alexis Montgomery.”

  Blake extended his hand to Alexis. “Pleasure. I’ve heard great things about you. This is my colleague, Sydni Lawson. We’re working on a business venture.”

  “Nice to meet you,” Sydni said. Blake pulled out a chair for her next to Alexis.

  “Lawson?” Alexis said, “Related to Rafe Lawson?”

  Sydni grinned and a soft dimple dented her right cheek.

  “Cousin. My dad is Rafe’s great-uncle.”

  “So your uncle is Senator Branford Lawson.”

  Sydni nodded. “Uncle Branford’s name stretches far and wide,” she said in jest. “I don’t get to see the family as often as I would like so when Blake told me he was meeting Graham to listen to Rafe’s set, I had to come. Plan to surprise him.”

  Alexis lowered her voice. “When Graham said that Quinten Parker and Rafe Lawson were going to be here I would have found a way to get here with or without him.”

  Sydni laughed. “I know what you mean. I’ve been following Quinten’s career for years. Then I find out that my cousin is just as bad as Quinten and building a following, which by the way is probably turning my uncle’s hair seriously gray.” She giggled.

  “I can imagine,” Alexis said.

  A waiter approached. “What can I get you all?”

  The group placed their drink and dinner orders, just as the lights dimmed even further and the soft spotlight hit the stage.

  “Blake said that you two were colleagues. What business are you in?” Alexis asked.

  “I’m the VP of Epic International, my area of expertise is international marketing and publicity with a specialization in global branding. It’s a mouthful, but basically my job is to establish an individual, group, business or idea in the global arena.”

  Alexis nodded, intrigued with the concept. “We’ll have to talk. Maybe we can work together.”

  “Sure. I’d love to. I’m based in Louisiana, but I come to New York often. I have several clients there. Next time I’m in town I’ll definitely call you.”

  “Great.”

  Smoke’s MC stepped into the light, greeted all the guests and introduced the Parker Lawson Trio.

  Quinten, smooth and easy with his New York swagger, came onto the stage and sat down behind the piano, his trademark locks falling down to the middle of his back, held together at the base of his neck with a black band.

  Next came Rafe Lawson, the essence of Southern charm, the sensuality that exuded from his every movement was mesmerizing. He carried his sax across his chest and close to his heart. He adjusted the ninety-degree-angled microphone.

  And then Rae Parker walked to the center spotlight. She gave each of the men a short nod and a smile. Rae had begun to make a name for herself as a singer and spoken-word artist when she’d met Quinten—at least that’s what the tabloids and entertainment shows said and it had never been disputed. They’d been married for almost a decade.

  “Good evening, ladies and gentlemen,” Rae said, her voice silky and inviting. “These very handsome men will back me up as we do our own brand of jazz, with some familiar songs mixed in.” She twisted the mic in the stand. “So please, enjoy.” She gave a quick glance over her shoulder and Quinten’s fingers glided across the keys and were joined by Rafe’s soothing sax. After a few chords, Rae’s sultry voice blended in seamlessly with the music crooning a Betty Carter tune.

  The trio played for more than an hour with every number getting better and better. Each member took their moment to shine. It was over all too soon. The trio took their bows and then did two more numbers before leaving the stage to rousing applause.

  “That was worth every minute,” Alexis said.

  “I knew Q’s work, but my cousin really has some skills,” Sydni added.

  “Let’s head backstage for a few while th
ey get ready for their next set,” Graham said, taking out his credit card to pay for dinner.

  They got up and followed Graham around the tables, then waited while he spoke to the security guard at the entrance that led to the hallway and the dressing rooms.

  The guard opened the door and the quartet walked down the hallway until they came to the partially opened door of one of the dressing rooms. Deep laughter rolled out into the hallway.

  Graham tapped on the frame of the door and stuck his head in. “I heard some players were in the house,” he said over his chuckles.

  “G!” Quinten greeted. He hopped down from the side of the table. “You made it. Come on in, man.”

  Graham walked in with Blake, Alexis and Sydni on his heels.

  “Blake. What’s up, man?” Rafe said, clapping him on the back then doing the same to Graham. His eyes widened and his smile froze in place when he spotted his cousin. “Sydni?”

  She grinned and walked over to be enveloped in a tight hug. She kissed his cheek. “Still handsome, I see. Keeping the women at bay?” Her eyes sparkled.

  “Oh, cher, you wound me.” He winked at her and slid his arm around her waist.

  “Quinten, Rafe, this is Alexis Montgomery. Alexis, Quinten Parker, Rafe Lawson.”

  Alexis had died and gone to testosterone heaven. The room oozed manliness, with one handsome hunk outdoing the next.

  “It is so incredible to meet both of you.” Her face beamed.

  “Pleasure is mine.” Rafe took her hand and brought it to his lips. He placed a feather-soft kiss on her knuckles.

  “Watch him,” Quinten said with a twinkle in his eyes. He took her hand from Rafe’s. “Nice to meet you.” He turned to Sydni. “You’re related to this guy?”

  “We all have our crosses to bear.” She grinned at her cousin, just as Rae walked in.

  “This is where the real party is I see.” She sauntered over to her husband who made the introductions.

  “Fabulous performance,” Alexis said to her.

  “Thank you. Working with them makes it easy. Speaking of which, we need to get ready for the next set.”