A Santini Christmas

by Melissa Schroeder

  She waited for him to change the subject. Most men did. Hell, most people did when she started talking art. They would rather pretend she wasn’t some kind of hippy painter. She knew her parents would have been happy to pretend she wasn’t going to pursue a career in painting.

  “That’s pretty cool. So, what kinds of things do you like to paint?”

  Joey didn’t answer that question. Irritation with him, with herself for “Why are you doing this?”

  “Doing what?”

  “You really want to know about my painting?”

  “Yeah. I do.”

  He said it so naturally, she believed him. There had been no hesitation and his gaze was sincere.

  “Why?”

  “Because it has to do with you.”

  Again, so simple to him and she relaxed.

  “I like to do mainly oils and landscapes, but not a lot of portraits except of people I care about. I have a lot to learn though. I have always wanted to try sculpting, but never have. Not seriously.”

  And then she sat back and studied Stewart. He would be a perfect model in any medium. Of course, sculpting would be best. She hadn’t seen him with his shirt off, but she could imagine the sculpted muscle beneath the olive toned flesh.

  “Earth to Joey,” he said, his tone filled with amusement.

  Joey blinked then refocused on this face. From his expression she could tell he knew what she had been thinking. Her face heated and she tried to pretend she didn’t know why he was amused.

  “You want to talk about it?”

  “There’s nothing to talk about, Santini.”

  He sighed. “Now I know I irritated you. You use my last name when you’re irritated with me.”

  But in her head she used his first name.

  “So, that’s why I always call you Santini.”

  He chuckled. “At least you’re thinking about me.”

  It would be better to change the subject and just move on from the dangerous topic of her liking him or that she thought about him…and his muscles.

  “So, what do you do in your job?”

  He smiled.

  “What?”

  “Women usually don’t ask about that. Not really. Not like they really want to know.”

  “But I do.” And as soon as she said it, she realized she really did. She might not want a romance with the Marine, but she did like him. In a totally platonic way. Like a brother with a really sexy smile.

  “I’m Force Recon.”

  “That means?”

  “We would go out on search parties, look for the bad guys.”

  And there was more to it than that, but he wasn’t going to say it. She could tell by his expression that his one time in country hadn’t been that easy.

  “So, do you think you like me enough to buy me a cannoli?”

  He looked at her for a second or two, then he threw his head back and laughed. After a few moments, he quieted.

  “Listen, Joey, there isn’t much I wouldn’t do for you, and I’ll definitely buy you a cannoli.”

  Chapter Six

  Papa fought the need to wipe his palms against his jeans. He hadn’t been this nervous taking a girl home since his first date. And this wasn’t even a real date. Just two friends grabbing a bite to eat.

  “So, I assume you’re working until closing tonight.”

  She glanced at him then away. “Yeah. I work almost every night.”

  “I should have a talk with Sam about working you so hard.”

  She snorted. “Sam does it out of the kindness of his heart. I need the hours and tips.”

  “What do you mean by that?”

  “You know Sam and Thelma could handle most nights there by themselves. They don’t really need me on the weekday nights, but they both know I need the money.”

  A gust of wind rushed over the two of them and he watched as her ponytail danced. He’d become obsessed with her ponytail. Not since he’d been in junior high had he been this consumed with touching a girl’s hair.

  Sad, Santini. Really sad.

  They turned the corner and her apartment came into view.

  “How did you ever meet them?”

  It was a legitimate question. This wasn’t a place where a lot of locals would hang. It was more for military and those college kids who wandered into town to enjoy the beach.

  Her mouth curved. “They came into where I worked at the time. It was this horrible bar and grill. It was upscale but my boss was the worst. That night, things went wrong, just really wrong. It ended up with me punching him the nose.”

  He stopped walking and just stared at her. She wasn’t a big woman. In fact, with her small bone structure, she was downright tiny. He sometimes forgot that because of her personality. She was…well, bigger than life most of the time.

  She stopped and looked at him.

  “What’s up?”

  “Just hard to see you hit someone.”

  She laughed, a real laugh. It floated over the cool December air to him. His palms started to sweat again.

  “You would have thought a man that big wouldn’t go down so easily, but I hit him square in the nose. The crunch of bone was disgusting. I think it was more the sight of his own blood that made him pass out.” Joey leaned against the building of her apartment and sighed. “I don’t feel like going to work tonight.”

  “Then don’t.”

  She smiled. “I have to. Thanks for dinner.”

  He placed a hand on the wall beside her head and gave into that need, the one that had been keeping him up at nights and turning down his friends’ invitations for debauchery. He didn’t want that. Didn’t need it. He had Joey.

  She was so delighted with herself, her joy so easy to see, that he couldn’t stop from leaning forward and brushing his mouth against hers. He hadn’t touched her since the first night he met her. He wanted to devour her there, just lose himself in the taste of her. But he couldn’t. There was something that told him she didn’t have much experience and he didn’t want to push her.

  So, before he was ready, he pulled back. Her eyes were wide with an emotion he couldn’t discern. Maybe he didn’t want to.

  “You’re very welcome.”

  She nodded, then without another word, slipped away and walked up the stairs to her apartment.

  He’d planned on going back to the base, but maybe, he’d hang out at the bar tonight.

  Joey dropped another glass. At least this one didn’t break. It was the fourth one tonight. If she wasn’t careful, Sam might start charging her for them.

  “You seem to have your mind on other things,” Sam said.

  “Just tired.”

  That sounded right. It wasn’t, but anyone would be tired if they were on hour sixteen of work. Add in a sexy Marine clouding her judgment, most people would understand. Still, she didn’t want to admit it to the man she thought of as a second father.

  “Go, then, you need some rest.”

  She wished it was the simple. A good night of sleep had been eluding her since she’d met Stewart. Every time they met up, it got worse. And the most devastating thing was that she wanted to paint him.

  She heard him laugh across the room and she shivered. Not that she was cold. Sneaking a peek, she saw he was over in the corner with Thelma again. That was one thing she was thankful for. Stewart had kept Thelma out of the way and resting that arm of hers. Her employer probably didn’t realize she was getting the cast off tomorrow. Stewart had kept Thelma occupied during their busy times. Joey knew Sam had been grateful.

  There was a kindness about him that got to her. She saw it every day and not just with her and Thelma. She saw the way he talked to some of the old timers who wanted to talk of their days in the Marines. He showed amazing patience with them and they were some of her favorite customers.

  “Joey?”

  She shook herself when she realized that Sam had said her name several times.

  “Sorry. I guess I was day dreaming.”

 
She looked at the glasses on the bar. All of the sudden, Joey realized Sam had gotten her order ready and had been waiting for her to put it on the tray and take it out. She did that and made her way back to the bar.

  “Are you sure you’re alright?” Sam asked.

  When she glanced up from adding up the bill for one table ready to leave, she noticed he wasn’t kidding like he normally was. Sam was seldom serious and when he was, she took notice.

  “Yes. I’ve been busy.”

  “Yeah, I know you have. If you don’t like Papa bothering you, let me know. I’ll have a chat with him.”

  Joey had told Thelma of her rape in high school. It had been the worst night of her life and every now and then, it came back to her. She’d had a reaction to one of their customers and Thelma had realized the situation. Before she knew what was happening, Joey was pouring her heart out to Thelma. From what Joey knew of their relationship, she was pretty sure Thelma probably told Sam.

  She shook her head. “No. He has been a perfect gentleman.”

  Sam sighed. “How about you take tomorrow night off? You know once Thelma gets that cast off, she’s going to want to be out and about with the customers.”

  Normally, she would panic because of the loss of tip money, but it had been a good few weeks. Christmas was usually a good time to work in a bar, at least at the Hideaway.

  “Sounds good.”

  “What sounds so good?” Thelma asked. She’d walked up to the bar with Stewart.

  “I said Joey here needs a night off.”

  Thelma nodded. “I agree. In fact, you really need a night out on the town.”

  “What I need is a night of sleeping,” she said with a laugh.

  “Now, you are too young for that.” Thelma looked at Stewart. “You need to take the girl out.”

  Stewart chuckled. “I think I can get my own dates, Thelma.”

  “Oh, come now, Stewie, you know you had a time of it with that…what was her name?”

  At first, Joey had wanted to escape until she saw the flush in Stewart’s cheeks, she had to stick around.

  “I have no idea what you’re talking about,” he mumbled.

  Thelma rolled her eyes. “You know, Sam, that major’s daughter. Real piece of work she was. Betty Sue…dammit what was her name?”

  “Bethany and she wasn’t a piece of work,” Stewart said.

  Thelma ignored him. “So, it took him weeks to ask her out to the prom. You would have never thought he would. When he finally does get the nerve, she agrees and breaks up with that one kid. Wasn’t a brat.”

  Meaning, he wasn’t a military kid.

  “So, what happened?” she asked, unable to ignore Stewart’s discomfort.

  “Nothing.”

  Thelma cackled. “Well, nothing to a Santini. The other boy was so upset that he tried to fight him after school. Got a broken jaw thanks to Stewie here.”

  “That’s nothing to be proud of,” Stewart said. Joey looked at him and realized he was being serious. He might be a warrior but he was one who understood that fighting should be your last resort.

  Someone shouted Thelma’s name and she went over to talk to friends. Sam was busy working the bar.

  “So, what do you think about tomorrow night?” Stewart asked her.

  “Are you asking me on a date?”

  He hesitated then nodded. He looked so cute, his hands in his pockets as if he was trying to control himself. This big, bad Marine who hunted down people for a living was standing there like a teenager trying to ask a girl on his first date. It was funny and sweet at the same time. And for once, Joey decided to take a chance.

  “Okay.”

  His mouth opened, but no sound came out. He snapped it shut a moment later.

  “Is there something wrong?” she asked when he still said nothing. He just kept staring at her.

  He shook his head, keeping his gaze locked with hers.

  There was a shout from the folks who had wanted to close out their tab. “I need to take care of this.”

  “Is six-thirty too early?”

  “Nope.”

  “I’ll pick you up then.”

  She nodded, unable to fight the smile that curved her lips. It might not be the smartest thing, but at least she knew she would have a fun time.

  Chapter Seven

  Papa watched the way the streetlights played over Joey’s blonde hair. She had worn it down for their first real date and he hadn’t realized how much he had wanted to see it dripping over her shoulders. He knew from touching it the night before when he kissed her that it was as soft as it looked, and thick. The only thing he could think about all night long was how it would feel against his bare flesh as he fell asleep.

  “Are you planning on going home for Christmas?” she asked.

  “No. Not much leave. I took off some time before coming here.”

  It wasn’t exactly a lie. He could get home if he wanted to, but at the moment, it didn’t seem that important. His mother had been disappointed. Still, there was something in her tone that told him Thelma had called and tattled on him. If he showed up for Christmas without Joey with him, there would be inquiries.

  He shrugged that idea away and decided to worry about it later. Right now, he wasn’t ready to give up what little headway he had made with Joey. He had finally talked her into dinner out…as in making plans ahead of time. He had wanted to kill his mother’s friend when she told the story of Bethany Lewis, but he knew that had been part of what had won Joey over.

  “I don’t know when I had steak last,” she said, breaking into his thoughts.

  She kept saying things that intrigued him in different ways. Her past wasn’t open for discussion. He got that from the first night he met her. He craved to know more. Papa hated to admit that he hadn’t spent that much time getting to know a lot of the women he dated. He knew them…but not like he wanted to understand what made Joey act the way she did. When she spoke of art, she held nothing back.

  “It’s been a while for me too. I’m glad you suggested this place. I would have never guessed it was so good.”

  She shook her head. “If you’re going to spend your life in the military, Santini, you need to experience the place you’re at. I always think it’s a shame that more people don’t get out beyond that front gate.”

  “I think a lot of us are wary. At least the guys with families. The last few years haven’t been the best for us.”

  She nodded in understanding. In his experience, a woman in Joey’s position knew enough about her customers to do her job. He understood flirting was part of it. Tips helped a lot of them pay the bills. With Joey, though, she seemed to really care about the folks from the base. He’d seen her talk to guys, asking them about their families and girlfriends.

  “So, will it be another month before you have a night off?”

  She didn’t say anything for a few seconds. “I don’t get a lot of nights to myself. Of course, I like it that way.”

  They were standing at the base of the stairs to her apartment. He wanted more than anything to follow her up the stairs and spend the night. Papa wasn’t sure how much experience she had, but he knew it wasn’t much. He was pretty sure some bastard had hurt her in a way that made it hard for any guy to get her to go out…let alone share her bed.

  “I take it you’re not going home for Christmas?” he asked. He knew it was stupid because he already knew she was working at the bar. Papa was man enough to admit when he was desperate. He didn’t want the date to end, not now, not ever.

  “No. Working on Christmas Eve and then going to Sam and Thelma’s for Christmas dinner.”

  He nodded, not telling her they were spending Christmas together. Thelma had said something about it earlier, sort of an assumption he would be at her house. It was a definite if Joey was there.

  “I’m glad you finally came out with me.”

  “I’ve been out with you before, Santini.”

  He chuckled. “Grabbing a piece of pizza
or taking a thirty minute walk on the beach is not a date.”

  She tilted her head to one side and studied him. He knew she was going to screw with him. Sadly, he was excited by even that.

  “This was a date?”

  He laughed, enjoying her. She had a wicked sense of humor. She laughed with him and he couldn’t resist. He leaned forward and kissed her. She stopped laughing and stilled. Worried that he might have overstepped his bounds, he almost pulled back from her. In that next instant, she returned the kiss. Tentatively and with little skill. It was the sweetest and sexiest thing he had ever experienced.

  Heat blasted through him, racing in his blood and soon, he wanted more. He needed that flesh-to-flesh contact. Knowing it was his only option; he cupped her face with one hand as he continued to kiss her. When he knew he was close to begging for an invitation upstairs, he pulled completely back. Then, he stepped away.

  “Thank you for the date.”

  His voice was hoarse and it was worse that she looked as stunned as he felt. He hadn’t had a kiss affect him that way before.

  “You’re welcome.” She turned and practically ran up the stairs.

  He shoved his hands into his pockets, waiting. When he heard the deadbolt slam home, he walked to his car. He could meet the guys out tonight, but he felt like a drive—then probably a cold shower.

  One day, he promised himself, he would be snuggled up to the sexy waitress.

  “So, angel, when are you going to give up this life of hard work and become my lady?” one very annoying college kid asked Joey.

  She didn’t roll her eyes but it was close. She hated the last few days before Christmas. It seemed like every annoying frat boy made a stop in Jacksonville on his way home. And they always left horrible tips. She could handle Marines because most of them would tip her well for her troubles.

  “Gee, I don’t know about that. “ It was about all she could muster. She was tired and cranky and she couldn’t think straight most of the night. She’d been thinking more and more of going back to see her parents on the West Coast. She knew part of it was the season. She always grew homesick this time of year. The other part of it…well, she was being a coward. The last month Stewart had been getting under her skin. The few kisses they had shared hadn’t scared her as much as the one from the night before had. That one hadn’t just made her melt. She had yearned for more. She almost asked him up to her apartment. Just a kiss and Stewart almost had her. Dammit. She needed to start thinking of him as Santini. That would make him not a man. Just a Marine. A very sexy Marine who kissed her until she melted.