Mistletoe Baby

by Donna Hill

  She jutted her chin. “I was talking about the California project.”

  He nodded. “Let’s talk about it a little later.” He tapped his index finger absently against the desk.

  Tracy frowned. She settled her features into a calm expression. “Sure.” She pushed up from her seat. She held her iPad to her chest. “We can talk later.”

  “Hmm.”

  She started for the door and then stopped. “Is everything all right? Is something bothering you?”

  He swung his chair to face her. “No. Why?”

  She gave a slight shrug. “You don’t seem yourself. I’ve never known you to not want to discuss business. That’s all.”

  He offered up a vague smile. “First time for everything I suppose. We’ll get to it in a day or two. Promise.”

  She tugged in a breath. “Whenever you’re ready.”

  “Thanks. Close the door on your way out, would you?”

  She threw him a look of discontent before she practically stomped out of the office.

  Graham swung his chair back around so that he faced the window. He was pretty sure Alexis was in her office. He was sure if he gave it some thought he could come up with a plausible explanation for marching into her office, locking the door and having her on the love seat. It would be tight considering that they both had long limbs, but it would be worth it.

  He shook his head quickly. Now he was losing it. Fantasizing about making love to Alexis when he should be concentrating on business was becoming more of the norm rather than the exception. He shifted in his seat and stroked his chin. Alexis had gotten to him, unlike any other woman that he’d encountered. But he was her boss and he needed to keep that in the forefront of his head.

  If he continued to pursue the relationship it could cause numerous problems, especially if it didn’t work out. But dammit, he wanted her, really wanted her and he was going to have to find the self-control to keep their relationship under control and out of the way. It was going to be a balancing act. He was game. He hoped that she was, too. He got up from his desk, took the elevator to her floor and strode down the corridor to her office.

  Alexis was sipping on her coffee and reading one of the many articles on R.E.A.L. when she sensed Graham’s presence. She looked up and her heart banged in her chest. He was standing in the threshold of her office door.

  “Mind if I come in?”

  “No. Of course not.” She shoved the article back into the folder and closed it.

  Graham strolled in with his hands in his pockets and gazed casually around taking in the space as if it was the first time he’d been there.

  He stopped in front of her desk. She should have stood up so he wouldn’t have the advantage of standing over her. But her legs felt weak.

  “What can I do for you?”

  He pointed his chin in the direction of the chair next to her desk. “Mind if I sit?”

  “Please.”

  He eased down into the side chair. “How are you?” he asked with such a soft tenderness that it made her heart ache.

  She swallowed. “I’m good. You?”

  He rocked his jaw for a moment while he worked out what he was going to say. He leaned forward and rested his forearms on his thighs. “I’m thinking that I was a bit of an ass last evening on the lift.”

  She bit back her surprise.

  “I came off as indifferent. It’s what I wanted you to think...that I didn’t care.”

  “And...”

  He looked into her eyes. “I do care. But I can’t let that get in the way of our work here. In the office it has to be totally business. And if you want...more...if you want to see where this can go then we have the nights. I need to know if that’s enough for you.”

  Alexis let herself breathe in relief. Although they’d tentatively agreed on how to proceed with this relationship, Graham’s behavior when they’d returned negated all of that. And now here he was presenting his case. She didn’t know what to think or what was real; the man sitting in front of her or the one she’d shared the elevator with.

  She linked her fingers together on top of the desk. “Why don’t we get through the day and...talk about it over dinner.”

  His eyes darkened. “My place or yours?”

  A slow smile moved across her mouth. “I assume you can cook with all the food you bought.”

  “I know my way around the kitchen.”

  “Then I guess it’s your place.”

  “Eight?”

  “See you there. Should I bring anything?”

  “A toothbrush.” He rose from his seat. “See you at the staff meeting.”

  Chapter 12

  The 10:00 a.m. staff meeting was lively and informative. Alexis presented her notes on the meetings with the Secretary of Education and the subcommittee and listened attentively to the feedback, which was wholly positive. Of the team members that were present Tracy was unusually quiet. She didn’t even offer a left-handed comment or try to poke holes in Alexis’s presentation. Alexis made a mental note of it. She was pretty sure that Tracy’s reticence would manifest itself in some other way. How, was the question.

  “Thank you, everyone,” Graham said, effectively ending the meeting. “We’re on track for all current projects and everyone is up to speed on what we have on the table. Have a good week, everyone, and my door, as always, is open. Thanks.”

  One by one the team began to file out, talking among themselves in twos and threes. Alexis watched as Tracy and another associate, Shawn Stevenson, walked out with their heads close together.

  She didn’t know Shawn. She’d only been briefly introduced and in the short period of time that she’d been with R.E.A.L. she hadn’t had the opportunity to interact with her. Apparently Shawn and Tracy were close at least at work. She hoped that over time she would also develop some close friendships at R.E.A.L. She missed having a close girlfriend nearby like the relationship she shared with Naomi. She never realized or appreciated just how much their friendship meant to her until Naomi had gotten married and moved away.

  Although she had male companionship and had embarked on the relationship with Ian, it wasn’t the same. There was a bond between women that was just as integral to their well-being and sense of balance as a good diet. She was missing her sisterhood meal.

  “Nice job,” Graham said, coming up to her side as she gathered her belongings.

  She briefly glanced up. “Thanks.”

  “I find that I enjoy watching you at whatever you do,” he said soft enough for only her ears.

  Her pulse jumped. When she stole a glance at him he was checking his cell phone, before walking out as if he hadn’t just tossed a lit match on her very combustible insides. She smiled to herself, walked out of the conference room and turned down the corridor toward the staff lounge.

  The instant she walked in she sensed the immediate shift in the vibe of the room. Tracy and Shawn were sitting at a round table and Alexis had the distinct impression that she’d been the topic of conversation.

  “Hello, ladies,” Alexis greeted and then walked to the coffee machine.

  “Getting settled in?” Shawn asked.

  “Pretty much. It’s a lot to take in. R.E.A.L. has a great deal of moving parts.”

  “Yes, it would be more difficult for an outsider to grasp all of the nuts and bolts,” Tracy said, before bringing the cup of coffee to her lips. She kept her gaze lowered.

  Alexis gritted her teeth to keep from saying something out of line. She poured her coffee into a paper cup and grabbed some sweetener. “Yes, I have a lot of work to do but I believe that I was hired because I’m up to the challenge.” She looked directly at Tracy. “Like all of us,” she added to soften the sting. “Have a great day, ladies.” She turned and walked out.

  She retu
rned to her office. Maybe what she needed to do in addition to understanding the nuances of the company and her boss was get to know what made her staff tick—who they were and how they’d gotten their jobs. However, if the taint of animosity went beyond Tracy, she didn’t want to disturb the hornets’ nest. Rather than contact HR for the personnel files, she’d do things the old-fashioned way: girl talk over lunch. And if that didn’t work, pillow talk was bound to do the trick.

  When she returned to her office she checked with Claire to see if she had any lunch plans. She did, so they scheduled lunch for the following day. Alexis felt that she could trust Claire. At least she hoped that her instincts were correct.

  The rest of the day sped by filled with reading, phone calls and scheduling site visits to the schools under the R.E.A.L. umbrella in the coming weeks. Before she knew it the staff was starting to head home for the day.

  Claire stuck her head in the door. “I’m going to leave. Do you need anything before I go?”

  “No. Thanks. I’m right behind you.”

  “Okay. Have a good evening.”

  “You, too.” She saved the files she was working on, shut down her computer and gathered up her belongings. Three hours until dinner with Graham. She left the building with an extra bounce in her step.

  * * *

  If Graham had wound up in any other profession he would have certainly been a chef. He loved to cook and shop for food—in abundance—a desire born of never having enough to eat, to drink, to wear, to love. His young life, the part that molded him was filled with unmet want, a never-ending hunger that he struggled daily to fill. When he came of age he promised himself that he would never be hungry again, that he would never want for anything again, and he wanted the same for all the other little boys and girls whose lives were relegated to that of deprivation.

  He took two steaks out of the refrigerator as soon as he’d arrived at his apartment, checked his wine cabinet for the right bottle, selected a handful of baby potatoes, and the fixings for a mixed green salad. Simple but delicious, especially after he added his special homemade steak sauce. He smiled while he worked anticipating the look of delight on Alexis face when she sank her teeth into the steak.

  He put the wine to chill while he seasoned the steak and prepared the potatoes and salad. Once everything was done he had time to take a quick shower, select some music for atmosphere and wait for Alexis’s arrival.

  At seven-thirty his doorbell chimed. Early. He liked that. He set down his glass of wine and went to open the door fully anticipating taking the kiss he’d been thinking about all day.

  “Tracy...what are you doing here? How did you get in the building?”

  “The doorman was busy. I know I should have called first.” She almost looked apologetic. “But I really need to talk to you face-to-face and you’ve been...distant and distracted. I thought that maybe away from the office we could talk...like we always do. I thought maybe we could walk down to that new café on First...”

  “Tracy, this is not cool. You need to leave. We’ll talk, tomorrow, at the office.” His tone was pleasant but undeniably firm. “Good night.”

  Her eyes burned but she wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of seeing her cry. “I totally understand. I’m just worried about you. That’s all. And you’re right I shouldn’t have come here like this. No worries, it won’t happen again.”

  His stance relaxed a bit. “Thank you.” He put his hand on her shoulder. “Tomorrow.”

  She gave him a tight smile. “Good night.” She turned and walked away.

  All he could think was that he didn’t want Alexis to walk off of that elevator. Although what he did after hours in his home was his business, it would still be incredibly awkward requiring explanations that he wasn’t inclined to give. Not to mention the position it would put Alexis in.

  He realized that he and Tracy had a complicated relationship. Not that it was anything beyond business, but there were often times, because they worked so closely together, that he got the sense that given the opportunity she would take it further. Showing up on his doorstep only confirmed what he’d been thinking. He was sure that things would have been even more dicey had he hired her for Alexis’s job. They would have had to spend even more time together. Hopefully, he’d made himself very clear with her just now and they wouldn’t have to address or revisit it again.

  He released a sigh of relief and slowly closed the door.

  * * *

  Vacillating between anger and humiliation, Tracy got in her car and as she turned her head ever so slightly to close her door, her heart stopped. Walking into the building and being greeted by the doorman—whom she’d had to dodge to get in—was Alexis. Her cheeks heated.

  So something was going on between them. She wasn’t imagining things. She knew she took a risk coming to Graham’s apartment like that but men didn’t turn down her advances. The reality that Graham did stung her more than she realized and it escalated her distaste for Alexis even more. What was so special about her? Not only did Alexis take the job that she deserved but obviously had the very personal attention of Graham, as well. She sat there for several minutes more as if she could erase what she’d seen. Of course she couldn’t and the image burned into her brain as she tore away from the curb.

  * * *

  Alexis darted into the building and up to her apartment. She’d made a quick run to the market to pick up a bottle of wine. She was sure that the way Graham shopped he had plenty of wine. But she refused to show up empty-handed or at least more in her hand than her toothbrush. The tickle of expectation made her giggle.

  It was crazy how things had gone from zero to sixty in the blink of an eye. This was so unlike her but she didn’t want to be any other way.

  She checked her reflection in the mirror, slipped her cell phone, toothbrush and keys into the pocket of her jogging jacket and headed out.

  Moments later she was ringing Graham’s bell.

  * * *

  “Thought you would never get here,” Graham teased, pulling her into the apartment and fully up against him to drown in a kiss that would wash away the unsettling memory of Tracy’s unannounced appearance.

  “Well, good evening to you, too,” she said, a bit breathless when he released her. Happiness lit up her eyes. She held out the bottle of wine.

  “Thanks.” He took the bottle of wine in one hand and slid his other arm around her waist. “But I told you that you only needed your toothbrush.”

  She tapped the pocket on her jacket and winked at him. They walked together into his living area. The music was on but so low and gentle that it was part of the atmosphere rather than an attention getter.

  “Mmm, something smells delicious,” Alexis said before slipping out of her jacket and sitting on the couch.

  “Ready to eat?”

  “Starved.”

  “Great. We can eat in the living room or here at the island.”

  “The island is fine with me.” She got up from the couch and crossed the space to the kitchen. “Can I help with anything?”

  “No, not this time. Tonight you’re my guest. Next time you can cook, clean and even take out the trash if you want to,” he said, laughing.

  “I think I’ll milk the guest thing for as long as possible.”

  “Not a problem. Wine?”

  “Sure.”

  He took out two wineglasses from the overhead cabinet. He poured them each a glass from the bottle he’d chilled and lifted his glass for a toast.

  “To a long and unforgettable night.”

  Alexis smiled, tapped her glass lightly against his and took a sip. “Hmm, this is good.”

  “Blake actually recommended it to me a few months back.”

  “The man knows his wines.” She took a good look around his apartment as she’d only gotten a b
rief glimpse the day she’d moved in. The setup was very similar to hers. She wandered over to the massive bookcases and took a closer look at the volumes that covered the gamut of topics from religion, to politics, biographies, thrillers and there were two shelves dedicated to books in French and Japanese. She plucked a book from the shelf. “You speak French and Japanese?”

  “I read better than I speak, but yes. And you do as well. French, oui?”

  She smiled. “Oui. I’m a bit rusty, though.”

  “We’ll have to practice on each other sometime.”

  Why did every other thing that came out of his mouth always ring with double meaning? “Sure.” She returned the book to the shelf and then noticed a medal enclosed in a small glass box. She looked closer. It was from the U.S. Navy for meritorious service.

  She turned to him. “You were in the navy?”

  “Yes.” He forked one of the steaks onto her plate and the other onto his. He barely glanced up.

  “Were you...in battle?”

  “Yes.”

  She crossed the room and came to sit at the island counter. Graham was focused on preparing their plates. “When?”

  “I joined the navy at seventeen.” His eyes took on a hard look. “Right out of high school.”

  “I didn’t know that noncitizens could join the service.”

  He looked at her. “I was born here but I was sent to Barbados when I was two, then shipped off to England. That’s where I spent my growing up. Came back when I was done with school and joined the navy. Did two tours.” He turned toward the fridge and took out the bowl of salad and put it on the counter between them. “While I was enlisted I got my BA, then my master’s. Traveled the world, learned French and Japanese.” The corner of his mouth quirked into a brief smile. “Finally settled down in New York. More wine?” He held up the bottle.

  “Sure. Thanks. You make it sound so matter of fact, so ordinary.”

  “Isn’t it?”

  “Maybe for some people but not for most.”

  He shrugged slightly. “I don’t really think about it.”