I watched as he dipped his head toward me, then closed my eyes at the first touch of his warm lips on mine. He started soft and slow, brushing his lips back and forth across mine, igniting the fire within. It was when I let out a moan he groaned and deepened the kiss.
The mistletoe fell to the floor as both of his hands cupped my face, tilting my head to the side as he slanted his mouth fully over mine. His tongue slid along the seam of my lips, urging them to open. Without any hesitation, I opened my mouth and felt his tongue surge inside.
My knees weakened, and I started to fall. His hands caught me around my waist pulling me into his arms, never breaking the kiss. My arms wrapped around his neck, holding on tight as his mouth continued its assault on mine.
Warm molten lava oozed through my body, from head to toe, as his mouth left mine and traveled across my jaw, then down my neck. His knee wedged itself between my legs to hold me steady after he plunged both of his hands in my hair, his lips making a pathway back up to my mouth, kissing me once again with huge intensity.
After what seemed like hours, he tugged on my lower lip with his teeth, then ran his tongue over it, heightening the electricity. He then pulled back and pressed his forehead against mine, both of us breathing heavy, trying to catch our breath. My body was humming with a desire I’d never known, and judging by the hardness I felt pressed against my thigh, so was his. I leaned my head back against the wall, my chest rising and falling still trying to catch my breath, then lifted my hand to my swollen lips.
“Wow,” I uttered on a breath.
His heated eyes showed a touch of amusement as he lifted his hand to caress my cheek. “Wow is right, Miss Elin,” he responded.
“If that’s how Santa rewards me for being a good girl, I’ll never be bad.”
He tossed his head back and laughed. “Just make sure I’m always the one to deliver the message, okay?” he asked, beaming back at me.
I lifted my hand to his jaw, finally touching the stubble I loved so much, thrills going through me as I rubbed it back and forth. He closed his eyes, enjoying the sensation. “I never want anyone else to deliver it, Davis,” I whispered.
He opened his eyes and caught my hand in his, moving it to his mouth as he brushed his lips across it. “I don’t either.”
We stood there for a minute, just looking at each other. His face would always be the most beautiful I’d ever see. I’d never grow tired of looking at it, ever.
The sudden shouts of laughter interrupted, breaking our spell. Davis chuckled as he moved back a few steps, running a hand through his hair. “I guess I’ve kept you long enough, huh?”
I smoothed my palms over my thighs, then ran fingers through my hair. The last thing I wanted to do was leave him, but duty calls. “Probably,” I answered. “But I wouldn’t change one-second of it.”
He cupped my face with his hands again, and presses his lips to mine in a short but tender kiss. “I wouldn’t either,” he whispered against my lips.
He finally raised his head and looked in my eyes. “We still on for seven o’clock?”
I nodded, reaching up to feel his stubble once more. “Of course. Nothing could keep me away.”
“Perfect,” he told me with a curve of his lip. “Same here, I can’t wait.”
CHAPTER
TEN
I looked in my body-length mirror, turning back and forth, trying to decide if I liked the dress I chose. He said to dress up, but I assumed he didn’t mean too fancy because if he did, I was in trouble. I didn’t have any evening gowns to my name, and couldn’t get one now, even if I could afford it.
The strapless black dress made of silk flowed to just below my knees, ending in a zigzag pattern all around. The bodice also had a zigzag pattern of sequins running across it. I wore my black-laced thigh-highs and black and silver pumps. My hair was up in a twist and I decided on light make up, a swish of black and silvery eye shadow, mascara, and light pink lips.
I’d just put on my full-length black and white dress coat when there was a knock on my door. Jolts zipped though me knowing he was here, behind the door. I checked myself one more time in the mirror in the hallway, rubbed my lips together, then opened the door.
Davis stood before me in a knee length, dark grey pea coat, tied at the waist. His hair was combed perfectly in its usual messy waves, and his dark stubble covered his jaw, making me weak in the knees. The man left me breathless every time I saw him.
“Hey,” I greeted.
A lazy smile came over his face. “Hey yourself, you look beautiful.”
Pleasure erupted inside me at his compliment. “Thank you, so do you. You leave me breathless.”
I hadn’t meant for that last part to slip out, and immediately felt mortified.
He ducked his head to catch my eye, his hands settling on my hips. “I’m glad because you know what?” he asked. I shook my head, still embarrassed.
“Look at me, Elin,” he told me.
I raised my eyes and looked at him. He leaned in and kissed my cheek, then moved his lips to my ear. “I’m glad because you do the same to me.”
I closed my eyes at the rush his words gave me.
“Should we go?” he asked a minute later, pressing another kiss on my cheek.
I turned and shut my door, then locked it. He took my hand and led me to his Audi and opened the door for me. Once I’d settled in, he shut it and jogged over to his side.
“Where are we going?” I asked for the hundredth time. He glanced over and shot me his grin.
“It’s still a surprise.”
Worth a shot.
When we pulled up to Hart Department Store, I gave him a quizzical look. Why were we here? Neither of us was working tonight.
“Did you forget something here?” I questioned.
He pulled into a reserved spot right in front of the offices section of the store, confusing me even more.
He turned the motor off and turned to look at me. “No, I didn’t forget anything. This is where we are eating dinner.”
I shook my head as if to clear it. “But why? I don’t understand.”
“My last name is Hart, baby. I have the whole roof reserved just for us.”
My eyes widened. “You’re a Hart, of the department store?” I’d had no idea. Now things were beginning to make sense.
“Yes,” he replied softly. “My father is Clay Hart, the CEO. My grandfather, Justin Hart, founded the store. Are you upset I haven’t told you until now?”
I thought about that for a moment. Upset wasn’t the word, confused was more like it, and I told him that. “Why did you hide it?” I added.
He lowered his eyes for a moment, then looked back at me. “It wasn’t intentional, at first. I just liked talking to you, you know? You had no idea what my last name was and didn’t try too hard like most girls do because of it. It was nice just being Davis for once, not Davis Hart.”
That made sense, but one thing bothered me. “I hope you don’t think I would have treated you any differently though. Your last name doesn’t make you any more attractive to me Davis, it’s all you. Your looks, your humor, your gentle heart, that’s all that matters to me.”
He lifted my hand to his lips and kissed the inside of my wrist. “I do know that, and it means everything to me.”
We stayed like that for a minute, then he suddenly moved and got out of the car. I watched as he walked over to my side and opened my door. He reached out his hand for me and when I took it, he squeezed tight as he helped me out.
He led me inside and into an elevator. I was still in a bit of shock he was a Hart, and now all the times I wondered about some things, it all came together. He was Davis Hart and he was rich.
Davis was young, hot, and rich.
Did his having money make a difference in how I felt about him?
Not at all.
I couldn’t care less about his bank account. What made me care about someone was how they were inside, and Davis was everything, inside and
out. It was who he was, regardless of the numbers of his bank account.
“What are you thinking about, Elin?”
I pulled my lower lip between my teeth for a minute, pondering. When he let out a low growl, I looked up at him and startled at seeing the flame of desire in his eyes. I released my lip and gave him a knowing smile.
“I’m just thinking that regardless of your last name, how perfect you are. I’m still pinching myself that we are really here, on a date, and that you like me too. Everything about you is a dream come true for me, Davis.”
He put his hands on my hips and pulled me to him. Raising his hand to trace my bottom lip, he pressed his forehead to mine. “You are too good for me, sweetheart. I’m the one who is pinching myself. You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen, and you’re here with me. How lucky am I?”
Luckily for me, the elevator doors opened right then, saving me from having to respond. My head was swirling taking in his beautiful words, trying to absorb them. It was like a dream that he felt that way toward me.
When we stepped out, I froze. The roof was covered with a glass ceiling, and the area was dimly lit with a few lamps and candles. Roses, daisies, and lily’s were everywhere, standing in vases of all sizes. A trio of violinists were playing softly in a corner, and a table decorated with an ivory tablecloth, candles, and dinnerware was set for two. A waiter dressed in a tuxedo was standing next to it, and gave us a short bow at our arrival.
Was this for real?
I turned to Davis, completely stunned. This seemed like a setting for a proposal, not a first date. But the fact he did this all for me? It was perfect.
“Are you okay?”
I saw the worry in his eyes, making me rest my hand on his arm. “I’m perfect. This is too much, though, you didn’t have to go to all this trouble for me, but I love it, so much.
He placed each of his hands on my face, and pressed his lips to my forehead. “I know this may be a bit overboard with us being so new, but there wasn’t anything else I wanted to do to show you how I feel about you. I’ve dated a lot, Elin, but none have made me feel about them the way I feel about you.”
He didn’t wait for a reply, instead, taking my hand and leading me over to the table. The waiter greeted us asking if we wanted a glass of wine. Davis told him yes, so while he pulled out my chair for me, the waiter filled our glasses with a white wine.
“I will be back in a few minutes to bring you your salads,” the waiter told us then disappeared.
I looked all around, glancing at the violinists. They were completely absorbed in their playing, their eyes closed and their bodies moving gracefully in tune with their song. The aroma of the flowers filled the air, adding to the already perfect ambience.
I lifted my glass and took a sip, thoroughly enjoying the taste and fragrance of the wine. “Davis,” I said barely above a whisper. “I feel like we’re in a dream. I’m speechless.”
He raised his glass, his eyes looking directly at me. “This is real and it’s all for you. It’s just the beginning.”
The warmth that seemed to always come when he was around flooded me once again. I started to question if I deserved it, if he really meant it, then stopped myself. The doubts needed to be put to rest, once and for all. He was sweeping me off my feet and I needed to enjoy every second.
We both took another sip of our wine when the waiter appeared placing our salads in front of us. Davis thanked him then told him to check back with us in a few minutes. I placed my glass back on the table and took hold of the cloth napkin that was set on my plate. As I undid it, something fell from it onto my lap. Confused, I picked it up and saw that it was a small piece of paper made to look like a scrap of lace.
Looking up at Davis, I saw he was looking intently at me. “Open it up, baby,” he said softly.
Doing as he asked, I opened it and read the words written on it:
Elin,
Everything beautiful reminds me of you.
But, nothing in this world is more beautiful than you, sweetheart.
Thank you for coming into my life and bringing your beauty with it.
I’m the lucky one.
Love,
Davis, your not-so-secret admirer
The tears formed and a few fell down my cheeks. It had been Davis; everything good in my life is Davis. When I looked up, he stood and walked over to me. He bent down on his knees and took my hands into his. “You have no idea how fun it was sending you those gifts, baby, knowing you had no idea it was me. To give you things that were meant only for you, for you to spoil yourself with, was so fantastic. You deserve to be spoiled, and I’m the one who’s going to do it.” He raised his hand and wiped the tears from my cheeks, then wrapped his arms around me and pulled me into his embrace, both of us kneeling on the floor. He gazed down into my eyes then lowered his head and took my lips in a searing kiss. His hands moved up to my face as his tongue swept in my mouth. The violins continued playing, giving us the perfect setting. His tongue danced with mine as he pulled me closer to him. When he finally raised his head, he gave me a look of such love and compassion; it robbed me of all speech.
We definitely weren’t to the point of declaring our love, but after tonight, I knew I was close. From the first moment I saw him, I’d fallen under his spell. And getting to know him? Well, that just sealed it for me. It’s one thing to be amazing on the outside, but when you are on the inside too?
There was nothing better.
He pulled back and stood, holding out his hand to help me up too. He gave the violinists a nod, and they suddenly changed what they were playing and started to play, “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.” When he saw my confusion, he just smiled and pulled me into his arms and then started to dance.
“You don’t remember?” he asked.
I knew he was referring to the song but I had no idea. I shook my head and answered, “No, should I?”
He gave me a tsk then pressed his mouth against my ear. “This was the song that was playing over the malls sound-system the first time we met.”
The surprise and pleasure coursed through me. “Oh Davis,” I uttered. “I had no idea, I can’t believe you remembered.”
His mouth was still at my ear, which he nipped, sending fire down my veins. “Of course I remember, sweetheart, I remember everything about you since the first time we met.”
I smiled up at him, then rested my head on his chest as he moved us lightly around the roof. I had definitely fallen for this man. This man who in the short time we’ve known each other has become more important to me than anything, who has made me feel so special I never wanted the feeling to end. Yes, I’d fallen for him.
I’d fallen for my Santa.
THE END
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Shannon Passmore Words cannot express my love and thanks for you. From the moment you appeared in my life via Facebook, I KNEW I had found a loyal friend for life. You have been there for me every step of the way; nothing you do for me is ever unappreciated. Thank you for your patience, your support, your love and treasured friendship. I don’t know what I’d do without you. You knew I needed to step back and take that break, which ended up being for two years. When I started talking books again, you listened. You never once got impatient when I kept talking but didn’t start writing right away. You have always been my cheerleader and go-to girl. You are stuck with me lady. I love you to pieces. Yo!
Hilary Suppes Thank you for taking my little project on at such a last minute request. Being out of the book world for a few years, I lost touch with almost everyone. When Shannon recommended I contact you, I was so grateful. You have been a delight to work with, and I thank you for helping make my novella the best it could be. I look forward to working on more projects with you.
Karyn Luke Where do I begin? My sister-from-another-mister. To the lady who doesn’t love reading, thank you for always reading my projects and giving me encouragement. Thank you for your never-ending love and support o
f me. Our friendship has brought me such gifts, mainly YOU. Thank you for everything. I love you.
My Family Thank you for being excited when I told you I was writing again. Thank you for supporting my passion and for being so happy it’s back. You four are my greatest blessings; I’m forever in awe of my luck that you are mine. I love you all very much.
BOOKS BY
LAURA DUNAWAY
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