"I'm not at all lovely," she said. "I'm—"
She never got to finish her sentence. He swooped down and kissed her. Before she could press her lips primly together, he'd slipped inside.
At the first touch of his tongue on the inside of her lower lip, her body froze. As he brushed the tip of her tongue with his, her heart stopped. She'd expected to like kissing him; she hadn't expected to be moved to another dimension.
He circled her, stroked her, teased her. Sensations filled her being. The feel of him, the textures, the sweet taste, the heat, the closeness. One hand continued to stroke her hair and scalp. The other dropped back to her hip. But this time, instead of staying still, it slipped around and cupped her behind.
There was too much to think about, too much to experience. She would perish from sensory overload. She would perish if he ever stopped.
He continued to kiss her, so she continued to live. Gradually he withdrew his tongue. She waited for him to return. When he did, it was just to tease, then escape. They played that game several times before she realized he wanted her to follow him.
The concept should have overwhelmed her. Instead, she found herself eager for the experience. This was her first adult kiss, and she was determined to enjoy every minute of it.
She did to him as he'd done to her. She slipped into his mouth, pausing to taste his bottom lip. He felt unfamiliar but exciting. She wanted more. She continued forward and touched his tongue with hers. They began a sensual dance that made her skin burn and her blood heat.
Before, her mind had raced as she tried to figure out what she should be focusing on. Now she couldn't think at all. She could only drift along on a current of need and excitement.
So this was passion, she thought as he drew her closer and her breasts flattened against the hard plane of his chest. This was desire. This was sex.
Jordan moaned low in his throat. She wondered if everything felt as good to him as it did to her. He must have kissed hundreds of women. She probably didn't measure up at all. But she couldn't find it in herself to care. All she wanted was for the moment to go on forever.
But eventually it had to stop. Jordan broke away, then rested his forehead against hers and stared into her eyes. They were both breathing heavily.
He gave her a crooked smile, then brushed a strand of hair from her face. "Amazing," he murmured, his voice thick and husky.
"You think so?" she asked, hoping he wasn't just being kind. The kiss had been a miracle for her, but she didn't have anything to compare it to.
"I know it was." Some of the light faded from his eyes. "I'm sorry, Holly. I shouldn't have done that."
Sorry? Because it was so hideous? She straightened and tried to pull away. His left arm was still around her, and he didn't release her.
"Wait a minute," he said. "I'm not sorry I kissed you, I'm sorry that it might have scared you away. I want you to come stay here. If you agree, I don't want you worried that I'm going to be attacking you. I can control myself."
She blinked several times, but none of it made sense. "You didn't scare me," she said finally. "I know you wouldn't, well, you know, do anything bad." She could feel the heat creeping up her cheeks, and she ducked her head. "I trust you."
Damn. Jordan stared at Holly and didn't know if he should be flattered or take off in the opposite direction. She trusted him. Great. Right now he was hard and hot from wanting her, and he didn't feel like being noble. But he would be because she was innocent. It was unlikely that Holly was actually a virgin, but she was the next-closest thing. He hadn't been sure before, but he was now. Her kiss had been tentative. At least at first.
Just thinking about her shy foray into his mouth made him want to bed her right here. If he'd had the strength, he might have hauled her next to him. But he was battered and sore, so she was going to escape unscathed. Just as well for both of them. He liked Holly. He didn't want to screw up her life. Or worse, destroy it. And that's what would happen. He knew the dangers of getting involved. He knew the price everyone paid. He didn't want that for her, and he wouldn't risk it again for himself.
He released her, and she half turned away from him. Her spine was straight, and her hands rested neatly in her lap. But he knew she was still aroused. He could see it in the outline of her nipples through her bra and blouse, and hear it in her still-rapid breathing. She'd wanted him. The thought both frustrated and aroused him.
"You never agreed to stay," he said.
She glanced at him. Her blue eyes darkened with confusion. "Jordan, I—"
The front door opened, and the sound of familiar voices filled the house.
"Where do you think he's keeping himself?" a man asked.
"In the study," a woman answered. "He didn't want to deal with the stairs."
Holly stood up. "Who are those people?"
"My family. At least part of them." He leaned back and grinned. "This will teach you to keep the front door locked."
She looked around, as if searching for an escape. It was too late. Kyle Haynes, Jordan's younger brother, walked in. He had that damn cat in his arms.
Kyle glanced from Jordan to Holly and back. He raised his eyebrows and grinned. "In here, guys. I found something very interesting."
* * *
Chapter 6
« ^ »
Holly stared at the man in front of her. He looked a lot like Jordan, but there were subtle differences. The stranger had similar features, and he was nearly as good-looking, but his smile was all wrong. Jordan's made her feel as if she were on a roller coaster, while this man's didn't make her feel anything.
"You might as well take a seat," Jordan told her. "They're going to be here for a while."
"They're staying? Then I should leave."
"No. Don't do that. You're going to have to meet them eventually." If you stay here. That was the unspoken part of the sentence.
Her head was spinning. Too much had happened too quickly. His offer, their kiss.
The kiss. The kiss that had filled her body with an incredible need she still didn't understand. Jordan had changed her with just his touch. It was as if he'd disassembled her being, then put her back together, but with everything in a slightly different place. She felt confused and unable to deal with what was happening.
"Holly," he said quietly, "come here for a second." He patted the side of the bed.
She moved closer but didn't sit down. She could hear more voices in the hallway. How many of them were there and what were they going to say when they found her in Jordan's bedroom? She couldn't even rely on the truth to see her through. They had been doing something. Something very intimate. What if their visitors could tell?
She took a step back and bumped into the nightstand. As she turned to steady the lamp, Jordan grabbed her hand and tugged her until she was right next to his bed.
"Your fingers are freezing," he murmured.
"I know. I'm terrified."
"Picture them in their underwear if it helps."
She glanced at the stranger who was still petting Mistletoe. Her cat was vibrating in ecstasy, rubbing her head against the man's chest and demanding more attention.
Jordan's fingers tightened on hers. "Forget about picturing anyone in his underwear. It was a bad idea."
She looked down at Jordan. He shrugged as if to say it didn't matter, then he gave her a wink. She tried to relax.
"You going to introduce me?" the man holding her cat asked.
Jordan grinned. "Maybe I don't want to."
"I can see why."
The man glanced at her, and Holly had to fight embarrassment.
"I might as well get it over with," Jordan said. "Holly, this is my younger brother, Kyle. He's married to Sandy, who is too smart to have connected up with someone like him, but there's no accounting for taste."
"Hey, wait a minute," Kyle said, and moved farther into the room. He put Mistletoe on the bed. Instantly the cat began spitting. Kyle grinned. "I see the lady doesn't care for you, Jor
dan. Can't say that I blame her. What with you being the homely brother and all."
Holly was stunned. Kyle had called Jordan homely? Was he crazy?
Jordan ignored the insult. "The cat knows you're the baby, so she's practicing with you until she has her own."
Kyle picked up the cat again, and Mistletoe snuggled in his arms. Holly sank into the chair next to the bed.
"I told you she was friendly," she said, pointing at the purring feline. Mistletoe seemed like the safest topic of conversation.
"Yeah, right," Jordan muttered as the bedroom door pushed open more.
Two women and one more man entered the converted study. They stared from Jordan to Holly and back. The man glanced at Kyle. "Where'd you get the cat?"
"She's mine," Holly said as she stared at him. He looked just like Jordan. Oh, not exactly. The shape of the mouth was different. They weren't twins, but they were obviously brothers, as was Kyle. Tall, dark and handsome. Apparently it was a Haynes cliché. She could have picked any of the three out of a crowd.
Then she realized everyone's attention had focused on her. She swallowed and wondered if they would think her rude if she ran out of the room screaming.
"This is Holly Garrett," Jordan said, giving her fingers a slight squeeze. "She's been in town about six months. She owns that antique store, A Victorian Parlor. She's an expert at restoration and is going to help me with the house."
Everyone started talking at once.
"I hate the wallpaper in the upstairs hall," the woman with long brown hair said. "It's too modern. Do you have sample books at your store?"
"The exterior of our house needs painting," the second woman said. "I just can't decide on the color. I want it to be authentic. Do you have any suggestions?"
The man who had come in last glanced at his brother holding the cat. "You know this is going to mean more work for us."
"I know."
Holly shrank in her chair, glancing from face to face, not sure which question to answer first. She leaned toward Jordan. "Who are these people, and what do they want from me?"
"It's perfectly safe," he told her. "I know we're a little overwhelming at first, but you'll grow to like us."
Holly wasn't so sure.
Jordan held up his free hand. "Let's not scare Holly off in the first few minutes."
There was a moment of silence.
"You're right, Jordan." The woman with long hair stepped forward. She held out her hand to Holly. "I'm Elizabeth. I know this family is terrifying at the beginning. I had it easy. I was the first of the brides. Not counting the failed marriages." She grinned. "The Haynes brothers are starting to get this relationship thing right."
"Oh?" Holly licked her lips and searched the other woman's face, trying to memorize her features. She hadn't expected to get involved with Jordan's family, but if she was going to be living here, she might have contact with them. Especially at this time of year. "You're Elizabeth."
Elizabeth flicked her long brown hair over her shoulders. "I'm married to Travis." She linked her arm through the crook of her husband's elbow. "He's the second of the four brothers. This is Sandy."
Sandy waved. "I'm married to Kyle, who has obviously made a friend for life." She motioned to Mistletoe still purring in Kyle's arms.
"The wives are easy to separate," Elizabeth said. "I have brown eyes, Sandy has green. Jill is a tiny redhead."
"And Rebecca is tall with long dark hair. She's also really skinny," Sandy said, then sighed. "If she wasn't so nice, I could hate her."
"But I thought there were only four brothers," Holly said, confused. She was just starting to keep everyone straight, but obviously she had it wrong.
Elizabeth plopped on the edge of the bed and patted Jordan's knee. "There are. Travis, Kyle, Craig, whom you haven't met yet, and Jordan."
"Then who is Rebecca married to?"
"Austin," they all said at once.
Jordan brought her hand to his mouth and kissed the back. "You'll figure it out," he promised.
She wasn't so sure. Especially not now, with her arm trembling uncontrollably and her heart pounding with the realization that everyone in the room had seen his kind gesture.
Elizabeth tugged at the sleeve of her sweater. Everyone was dressed casually in jeans topped by sweatshirts for the men and sweaters for the women. It was cozy in the house, but the evening temperature would dip to forty degrees.
"Austin is a friend of the family," Elizabeth said. "Not a brother by birth, but he's been unofficially adopted."
Sandy settled on Jordan's other side and grinned. "Interestingly Austin and Jordan are the most alike. They brood."
"You don't brood," Holly said without thinking.
Jordan smiled. "I like this girl."
Elizabeth eyed him speculatively. "It's been a long time since you've brought anyone home."
"Oh, I'm just a friend," Holly said quickly. Attention focused on her. She cleared her throat. "Jordan isn't interested in… I'm not… We're friends. Really."
Knowing looks were exchanged. Holly realized that she and Jordan were still holding hands. She tried to pull free, but he wouldn't let her. She crossed her legs and attempted to act casual.
"How long have you known Jordan?" Sandy asked.
"Yeah," Kyle said, leaning against the wall. He was still stroking Mistletoe. "Interested minds want to know."
"A couple of weeks," Holly said, stretching the truth a little.
Elizabeth leaned close. "So what do you think of our James Dean?"
"Excuse me?"
Sandy chuckled. "Oh, Jordan's the mysterious brother. Didn't you know?"
Holly shook her head.
"Craig is the oldest," Elizabeth said. "So he's responsible and a little uptight, but Jill is curing him of that."
"And fast," Sandy added.
"I hate this part," Travis interjected. He leaned against the doorjamb and folded his arms over his chest.
"Me, too," Kyle said.
The women ignored them.
"Travis is next. He's the ladies' man." Elizabeth glanced at her husband. "He does a fine job, too, but now it's just for an audience of one."
For a moment they stared at each other. The love between them was as tangible as the floors. It filled the room and made Holly feel as if she were spying on something intimate.
"Next comes Jordan," Sandy said, breaking the spell. "He's the loner."
"Am not," Jordan said mildly.
"Then why are you always on the outside looking in?"
"I'm not. It's a matter of perception."
"Oh, sure. We all believe that." Sandy brushed her bangs out of her eyes and smiled. "Finally we have Kyle. He's the baby and the charmer. My prince who came to rescue me."
"You sure resisted," her husband muttered.
"Not anymore."
Holly shook her head. There was too much to take in. Names, relationships, faces, histories. She would never get it right.
Elizabeth stood up. "I'm going to make coffee."
"I'll help," Sandy said.
The two women started from the room. The men watched them go. Elizabeth came back and physically tugged Travis and Kyle after her.
"Give them a minute alone," she said under her breath, but Holly caught the words. Then everyone was gone.
"You okay?" Jordan asked.
She shook her head. "How do you keep them straight?"
"It's easy for me. I grew up with my brothers, so I'm used to them. I was about ten or twelve when I met Austin. As for the wives, they came along one at a time. I'm sorry you're going to have to meet everyone at once."
She turned in her chair and faced him. "I don't understand. If you're all so close, why aren't you staying with one of them instead of here alone?"
He grimaced. "They argued over who was going to take me in, but I would rather be in my house. It's the holidays. I didn't want to be in the way."
"They love you very much," Holly said.
"I know. I love t
hem."
"That must be nice. My mom loved me a lot, but there was only her. I used to wish for brothers and sisters." Especially at Christmas. It was the time she most disliked being an only child.
"You can borrow mine," he said. "Then you never have to worry about being alone again."
The idea tempted her. She studied his dark eyes. "Is that the best part of a large family?"
"Sure. Plus I know they're here for me. I can depend on them."
She studied their joined hands. His fingers were long and tanned. Sometimes he made her feel small and delicate, a miracle of sorts. She wondered what it would be like to depend on someone. She'd never been comfortable with the concept. She didn't depend on anyone. Life had taught her it wasn't safe.
"I envy you that," she said.
They shared a smile, then heard noise in the hallway.
"Ready for the next assault?" he asked.
She nodded.
He squeezed her fingers. "I'll be right here," he promised.
For that moment she believed him.
* * *
"Hey, gorgeous. Want to run off to the Bahamas?"
Holly glanced up and stared at the man in front of her. Her brain clicked slowly as she assembled the individual features in her mind. Tall, dark hair, good-looking. Haynes brother. One she'd met. Which one? The man grinned, and she had her answer.
"Hi, Kyle. What are you doing here?"
He unzipped his leather jacket, exposing the shirt of his khaki sheriff's uniform and leaned against the counter. "Was that a no?"
"To what?"
He looked hurt. "My illicit offer to run away."
She laughed. "What would Sandy say?"
"Oh, we'd have to bring her with us. Otherwise, she'd get really mad."
"As tempting as that sounds, I'm going to have to pass."
He winked. "Let me know if you change your mind." He glanced around the store. "Great place. Do me a favor. If you see Sandy coming, close up shop. I don't mind spending the money, but I know she's going to talk me into doing work."
Holly laughed. "You could always hire someone."
HOLLY AND MISTLETOE Page 7
