“We shall see,” Brooklyn responded, sounding apprehensive.
“Yes, sooner rather than later. The guests should be arriving soon.” Pepper rose from the sofa. “Let me check on the caterers. I’ll be right back.”
When Pepper left the room, Brooklyn poured herself another glass of champagne. As she sipped her drink, she heard a pair of male voices. Brooklyn moved closer to the doorway.
“Here, I bought you guys a fruit basket.”
“Thanks, Landis.”
“Man, your fiancée sure knows how to decorate.”
A knot instantly formed in Brooklyn’s throat as she recognized Landis’s sexy baritone voice. He had a distinctive Barry White–type quality to his tone. In college, they’d had a statistics class together. Her ears would perk up whenever he spoke and she would listen intently to his smooth, sensuous voice. Years later, the effect was still the same. Brooklyn could feel herself becoming aroused as she stood in the doorway listening to him now.
“She sure does. She’s made our home into a winter wonderland. Pepper is so creative. That’s one of the reasons I love her so,” Michael replied.
“I admire you guys. You’re lucky to have each other. You have no idea how many horrific dates I’ve had over the years.”
“Aw, it can’t be that bad. You’re a single, successful man in a city full of beautiful women. What’s the problem?” Michael asked.
“The last woman I dated thought she was the man. Jesse was a trader on Wall Street.”
“Wow, she even had a man’s name,” Michael commented.
“Yeah, she sure did. Anyway, she barked orders at me as if I worked for her. Jesse was mean as a snake. The woman before her was pretty as a picture, but had no substance. All she talked about was her Pomeranian- poodle. She treated that dog like he was a kid. She even brought him with her on our dates, saying that he couldn’t be home alone.”
“Man, that’s rough, rough,” Michael said, barking like a dog.
Brooklyn put her hand to her mouth and chuckled.
“Ha, ha. Not so funny. What do you have to drink around here?”
“Let’s go to the lounge and have some champagne. Pepper and I put a few bottles on ice in the lounge earlier this afternoon,” Michael said.
Brooklyn’s skin tingled and her throat slowly began to dry just like it had done at the Grammy after-party. She had wanted to speak with Landis that night but her mouth felt like it was full of cotton balls. Even though she was no longer a shy college student, Landis Keates still made her nervous. She hadn’t even laid eyes on Landis and yet her mouth was getting drier by the second. Brooklyn took two huge gulps of champagne, hoping the cool liquid would dissolve the imaginary cotton in her mouth.
She heard their footsteps coming closer and quickly tiptoed back to the sofa, sat down and casually crossed her legs as if she had been sitting there the entire time. Her heart raced with the anticipation of coming face-to-face with Landis.
Within a few seconds, he was standing in the doorway. Landis was a vision in all black. Brooklyn’s gaze roamed the length of his six-foot-tall frame. His shirt hugged his broad shoulders, and his midsection had remained taut even after all these years. He had been a star football player in college and still resembled an athlete. Brooklyn exhaled and recrossed her legs. Landis was staring directly at her, and his gaze was sending an erotic warmth throughout her body.
Chapter 4
Landis couldn’t believe his eyes. Sitting on the sofa in the dimly lit room was none other than Brooklyn, looking like a vision in red. Landis was captivated by her aura. She exuded sensuality in a mature dignified way. Her dress exposed just a hint of cleavage. Landis stood there and took in her lovely shape. Even though she was sitting, he could see that her breasts didn’t look fake like some celebrities. They had a natural shape to them, and Landis couldn’t help but envision her in the buff. Her beauty was captivating, rendering him momentarily speechless.
“Hey, man, you remember Brooke from college, don’t you?” Michael asked.
Landis locked eyes with Brooklyn as he quickly searched his memory trying to remember a classmate named Brooke. The only person he could recall was the chubby, quiet girl in his statistics class.
No, it can’t be the same person!
“Michael!” Pepper exclaimed entering the lounge. “You let the cat out of the bag!” Pepper gave her fiancé a shove on the shoulder.
“What?” Michael asked, looking dumbfounded.
“Brooklyn wanted to tell him herself,” Pepper replied.
“I don’t see what the big deal is,” Michael said, looking from Landis to Brooklyn. “We all went to school together.”
Oh shit! That is her! Landis thought. He went over to Brooklyn and extended his hand. “Uhh, I didn’t know… uhh…” Landis’s words were all jumbled; he was caught totally off guard.
“Hey there. Long time no see.”
“Hello, Landis.” Brooklyn smiled and shook his hand.
Landis held her hand in his for a few seconds. Her hand was as soft and smooth as velvet. He couldn’t help but wonder if the rest of her skin felt the same way. He released her hand but kept his gaze locked on her.
“Let’s toast before everyone else gets here,” Pepper said, pouring champagne. Once everyone had a flute of bubbly, Pepper held her glass high and said, “Here’s to old friends.”
Landis peered over the rim of his glass at Brooklyn as he sipped the champagne. He couldn’t believe his luck. The star client that he was trying to woo was standing before him. Landis would have never guessed in a million years that the woman he had admired from afar at a Grammy after-party was the same person he had gone to college with. Brooke’s drastic transformation had him intrigued.
“Why don’t you two catch up while Michael and I tie up a few last-minute details,” Pepper said, tugging Michael out of the room by the arm.
Once they were alone, Landis stood there for a moment trying to decide what to say. He remembered her manager mentioning that Brooklyn didn’t want to discuss business while she was on holiday. Although Landis was anxious to land her as a client, he wasn’t going to broach the subject—at least not yet.
“So…you and Pepper have stayed in contact over the years,” Landis finally said.
“Yes, we’re close, like sisters.”
Landis wasn’t going to mention his agency vying for her business, but ignoring the fact that she was a megastar felt like trying to ignore a roaring tiger on the loose. “I must say that I’m a huge fan of your music.”
“Thanks.”
Landis watched as she finished her champagne. As her ruby lips touched the glass, he envisioned them brushing softly against his cheek. He felt like a nervous schoolboy trying to strike up a conversation with the prom queen. Landis took a moment and also finished his drink. He then asked, “Would you like another glass of champagne?”
“Sure.”
He crossed the room, retrieved the bottle and returned to where Brooklyn was standing. “May I have your glass?” As he took her flute, his hand lightly touched hers, and this time when their skin touched, a spark of excitement rushed up his spine. There was no denying his strong attraction to Brooklyn.
“Here’s to Michael and Pepper and their impending nuptials.”
“I’ll drink to that,” Brooklyn said, clinking her glass to his.
As they stood there toasting, Pepper appeared in the doorway. “Hey, guys, come into the living room. The other guests have arrived.”
Landis and Brooklyn followed Pepper out of the lounge, into the festively decorated living room where Christmas carols were playing softly in the background and a uniformed server was carrying a silver tray of seared ahi tuna on toast points. Another server was passing around crystal flutes of champagne. Landis recognized a few faces from college
, but the only face he was interested in was Brooklyn’s.
He watched Brooklyn glide across the room, greeting the other guests. The slinky red dress she wore hugged her body in a sensuous way, and the towering heels made her legs look a mile long. Landis quickly imagined those legs wrapped around his back while he and Brooklyn made mad, passionate love. His eyes were fixed on her. He decided right then and there that he wasn’t going to make the same mistake that he had made at the cocktail party a few years back and allow her to slip away without at least engaging in a conversation.
Landis waited for the right moment to approach her. After speaking to the other guest, Brooklyn made her way over to Pepper. The two women had their heads together, talking softly. He couldn’t hear what they were saying, but whatever it was had Brooklyn blushing.
After a few minutes, Brooklyn and Pepper had finished their conversation, and now Pepper was standing in the middle of the room with Michael by her side.
“Hello, everyone, and thanks for coming out on this cold, snowy night. Michael and I are elated to have you guys be a part of our wedding. Tonight is all about having fun before the big day arrives. To help kick off the night, I’ve created a game called Tied Up in Tinsel,” she said, holding up a handful of long silver tinsel.
“That sounds naughty,” Michael said, with a sly grin on his face. “What are the rules?”
“Well, for starters, the game is played in pairs,” Pepper said, looking around the room. Everyone was already coupled up, either married or in long-term relationships, except for Brooklyn and Landis.
After surveying the room, Landis made his way over to Brooklyn and whispered in her ear, “Looks like we’re the only two single people here.”
“It appears so,” she responded.
Pepper put the handful of tinsel on a nearby table, except for one elongated strand. She then took Michael by his right hand and tied the tinsel around both of their index fingers. “The object of the game is to go through the entire evening together without breaking the tinsel. The couple who remains tied together wins.”
“Sounds interesting,” Landis whispered. He was standing so close to her that he could smell her perfume. The fragrance was fresh and sexy. In her heels, Brooklyn was almost as tall as Landis. He moved a bit closer to her and took a deep breath, savoring the intoxicating scent.
Brooklyn smiled.
“Don’t be shy. Step up and get tied,” Pepper said with a laugh.
Landis didn’t want to seem too eager to play the game, so he held back and waited for Brooklyn’s lead. He watched as Pepper, with Michael’s help, joined the couples one by one until he and Brooklyn were the only ones left.
“What are you guys waiting for? Get over here,” Pepper said, waving them over with her free hand.
Landis gently took Brooklyn’s hand and made his way over to Pepper with Brooklyn following closely behind.
“Okay, Landis, let me have your right hand, and, Brooklyn, I’ll need your left hand,” Pepper said, taking hold of their hands. She then tied the tinsel around their index fingers. “Let the game begin.”
“How am I supposed to do anything? I’m right-handed,” Landis said, looking at the silver bow around his finger.
“You have a partner, remember? Brooklyn, are you left-handed?” Pepper asked.
“No.”
“Problem solved. Brooklyn will be your right hand. Now go enjoy yourselves,” Pepper instructed and flitted away with Michael by her side.
Landis’s arm was now touching Brooklyn’s, and the unexpected closeness was a welcome surprise. He glanced into her hazel eyes, and she stared back at him. As the seconds ticked by, it felt as if they were the only ones in the room. Landis cleared his throat.
“Do you want a drink?” he asked.
“Sure.”
They made their way over to the server, careful not to break the tinsel. Landis reached for a flute of champagne with his left hand and handed it to Brooklyn. He then took another glass for himself.
“Here’s to getting reacquainted,” he toasted, clinking his glass to hers. Landis eyed her over the rim of his glass like he had done earlier and could feel himself getting excited with each passing second.
Chapter 5
“Well, looks like we’re bound for the rest of the evening,” Landis said.
Brooklyn was silently thanking her lucky stars. She was finally spending an evening with the man she had admired for years. His arm was pressing against hers, and she could feel his muscles. Being this close to Landis was making Brooklyn moist with desire. She wanted to break the tinsel right then and there and jump his bones. Brooklyn hadn’t made passionate love in nearly two years. She was on a self-imposed hiatus from sex. Her last relationship with a record producer had ended badly when she caught him in a compromising position with an intern, promptly ending their six-month relationship. Brooklyn was now long overdue for some heated, in-the-buff, body-to-body affection.
“Are you hungry?” he asked.
Yes, hungry for you! she thought. “No, not really. Can you excuse me? I need to go back to my room. I forgot to put Pepper and Michael’s gifts under the tree.”
“Uhh…I would, but we’re tied together, remember?”
She glanced down at their fingers and smiled coyly. “Guess you’ll have to come with me.”
Brooklyn led the way through the living room, down the long hallway that led to the guest wing of the penthouse. She put an extra sway in her hips as she moved, hoping that Landis was watching. When they reached the room, Brooklyn opened the door and went inside.
The massive bedroom was decorated in all white with a silver metallic duvet covering the king-size bed. White Christmas lights adorned the windows, creating a soft glow.
“The gifts are in my luggage,” she said. Brooklyn had started walking toward the closet, but Landis stopped her.
“Wait a minute. I’ve been dying to do this all night.”
He reached out with his free hand, brought her close and wrapped his arms around her waist. Landis then leaned in and gave Brooklyn a soft kiss on the lips. He then stepped back and said, “I can’t believe you’re the shy, chubb—I’m sorry.”
“It’s all right. You can say chubby, because it’s the truth.”
“But now look at you.” Landis stood back and gave her an appraising look. “You’re gorgeous. And please let me apologize.”
“For what?”
“For not recognizing your beauty when we were in school. I was a dumb jock back then, but I’m a wise man now, and I sincerely apologize.”
“No apology necessary.”
“You’re so sweet.” He kissed her again, but this time more passionately.
Brooklyn’s heart began beating a mile a minute. Although she had fantasized about this day for years, she hadn’t expected him to move so fast. She returned his kiss and soon their tongues were taking over, doing a duet all of their own.
Landis ran his left hand down her back and didn’t stop until he reached her ample rear end. He began massaging her ass, pressing her into his groin.
Brooklyn could feel his rising manhood, which was getting harder by the second. She pressed firmly against him and began grinding her hips.
“I want you,” Landis whispered in her ear.
Brooklyn nibbled on his earlobe, stuck her tongue in his ear and then said, “I want you more.”
Landis untied the belt on her wrap dress, allowing it to drape open. He stood back for a moment and admired her sculpted body. She wore a red lace thong with a matching low-cut bra, which accentuated her breasts.
“Wow, you’re beautiful,” he said, rubbing his hand down her taut midsection.
“You’re not bad yourself.”
Brooklyn hesitated for a moment. She had never been the type of woman to give in
to a man on the first date, but Landis wasn’t just any man. Besides, she reasoned that they had known each other since college. She threw caution to the wind and started unbuttoning his shirt. Once it was open, she mirrored his moves and ran her hand over his well-defined pecs. His chest was hairy, but not overly so. She touched his dark nipples and rubbed them until they firmed up.
“Mmm…that feels good. You think we can make love without breaking the tinsel?” he asked.
“I’m up to the challenge if you are.”
“Challenge is my middle name.” He chuckled. Landis reached into his pocket, retrieved his wallet and produced a condom.
“Look at you, Mr. Ready For Action,” she teased.
“It’s the Man Code to always keep at least one condom on you at all times.”
“Oh, I like that code.”
Once they made their way over to the massive bed, Brooklyn kicked off her heels and wiggled out of her thong while Landis unhooked her bra with his free hand, releasing her ample breasts.
“You’ll need to unbuckle my belt,” he said, taking off his Gucci loafers.
“Gladly,” she said, smiling.
Brooklyn unbuckled his belt and unfastened his pants, allowing them to fall to the floor. She tugged at the waistband of his black boxer briefs. “You need to take those off.”
“With pleasure!” Landis unleashed his massive member and rubbed the head of his penis against her smoothly shaven triangle.
Brooklyn was so moist with excitement that she could barely contain herself. “Stop teasing me and start pleasing me!”
Landis tore open the foil wrapper, took out the prophylactic and rolled it onto his engorged manhood. He eased Brooklyn down on the bed and covered her body with his. Landis spread her legs wide and eased his way into her slippery canal. Once he was inside, he began pumping, going deeper and deeper.
“Oh, yes!” she yelled softly, careful not to be overheard. “You feel so good.”
“So do you,” he said, cradling her head with his left hand.
Hot Christmas Nights Page 18
