Winter Heat

by Kennedy Fox

  “We had a moment.”

  “Yeah. It was a moment. A nice one.”

  “It was more than nice and you know it.” I stepped into her space and some of her bravado seemed to fall away.

  She shrugged. “I’m not looking for a bit of mistletoe-flavored fun, Callum. Come to think of it, it’s poisonous. Did you know that?”

  “I did. And actually in Norse mythology, it was the single thing that killed Baldr. He was immune to everything thanks to his mother, Frigg. Save for one little plant.” I invaded her space. “An arrow made of mistletoe was his ultimate demise.”

  She licked her lips and stared at my mouth. “I didn’t know that part.”

  “Then again, there were the Druids who used mistletoe in a lot of their rituals. They thought it had special powers. And as most things in pagan religion, the Christians nicked it for their own.” I slid my fingers along her hip. “It went from being used in solstice rituals with evergreen for various fertility reasons to finally becoming little pretty things in doorways and arches to catch a kiss.”

  There were a lot more stories around mistletoe, but right now, most of it was leaving my brain. Probably because most of my blood had headed south.

  “Oh.”

  Her lashes swept down and I went for it once again. Instead of the bite of winter and snow with traces of vanilla, she tasted of sharp mint. But her sigh was the same, and when she melted into me, I took full advantage. I wrapped my arm around her back and drew her up against me.

  The café sounds fell away, and there was nothing but her honey-scented sweetness. I resisted the urge to break a few laws—sex in public was definitely frowned upon, especially in a small town. And I’d already made that colossal mistake with our intimate public moment.

  Instead, I tempered myself into a long, slow kiss. She gripped my shirt, and I was pretty sure a few chest hairs were sacrificed for the cause. I didn’t care. She was with me now, and that was all that mattered.

  Chapter Six

  ELLIE

  For the second time in as many days, I found myself kissing this man. And as with the first kiss, I didn’t really understand why it happened. Only that I liked it.

  A lot.

  At least the first one I could blame on mistletoe. This one? Not so much.

  The crash of dishes behind me finally dented the hormone haze. Callum being an artist and spouting random stories about mistletoe shouldn’t have been a turn-on, and yet here I was.

  I stepped back and teetered on my heels. He caught me and the very sizable hardness he was sporting should have put me off, and yet it so did not.

  Those words and yet were my problem tonight.

  Everything about him should have been in my turn-off column. No roots in Crescent Cove—check. Less than stable artist—check. Not looking for something serious—double check.

  And here I was, dressed up and looking to impress.

  Run, Eleanor Ann Lawton, you run right now.

  Not toward him. Away.

  Ignoring that voice, I leaned in and brushed his lips one more time. “Let’s make this mistake worth it.”

  He frowned. “Why does it have to be a mistake?”

  “You don’t exactly have let’s date in mind, do you?”

  “I could.” He looked away too fast.

  “Yeah, that’s what I thought.”

  “I don’t know what this is yet. I do know I want to spend time with you.”

  I readjusted my purse on my arm. “You want to spend time in my bed.”

  “Well, I’m not averse to that, no.”

  The fact that I wasn’t either gave me a lot of pause. I’d never been the kind of woman who hopped into bed with strangers. I usually ended up having shit taste in men, but it took a while to figure that out. And that usually included five dates or so. “You’re not from here, either.”

  “No.” His eyes narrowed. “Why do I have a feeling you are going down a list in your head, and I’m not getting any checkmarks?”

  “I have a lot of plans, Callum.”

  “Say it again, Ellie.”

  Something fluttered deep in parts of me I didn’t want to think about. “I have a lot of plans.”

  “Callum. Say my name, Ellie.”

  “Stop being charming.”

  He grinned. “Well, there’s one checkmark.”

  “Charming isn’t a virtue.”

  “Is that what you’re looking for? Virtues?” His gaze dropped to my mouth again as he rolled his bottom lip behind his teeth. And that was far too enticing. “Virtues don’t keep you warm at night.”

  “I don’t need a man to keep me warm at night. I’ve been taking care of myself for a damn long time. I even pay my own heating bill.”

  “That little bite in your voice doesn’t do anything to turn me off, Ellie. It just makes me want you more.”

  “You have some weird standards.”

  “I’m pretty sure it’s just an Ellie standard. You’re ruining me for all other women, remember?”

  “That endless charm is going to get you into trouble.”

  “I don’t really have a lot of charm for anyone but you.”

  “Oh, I witnessed plenty of it during my shift today.”

  “You were paying attention.”

  I tossed my hair over my shoulder. “I didn’t have to. The crowd around you told the tale no matter where I was in the café.”

  “Ah, but you still looked for me.”

  I huffed out a breath. “You are incorrigible.”

  “So my mother tells me. She’d like you.”

  My gut twisted. I didn’t want to think about his family or the three brothers he’d mentioned. It seemed big and intrusive and…warm. I was used to my solitary life. I had a few friends, but somehow I’d never really gotten too close to anyone in the years I’d lived here. My mom had landed here when I was seventeen. By the time I was eighteen, she’d lit out with bum number twenty-three and left me behind. Not that she’d ever really been a mom. But once I was eighteen, she didn’t have to legally stick around anymore.

  “Hey.” He slid his fingers into my hair and brushed his thumb over my cheek. “Where did you go?”

  “Nowhere fun.” I brushed his hand away.

  “I’m just asking for you to give me tonight. If you still think this is a mistake after that, no harm no foul.”

  “What’s the point? You don’t even live around here.”

  “But I’m not far from here either. Less than an hour.”

  I sighed. “Might as well be five. I’m starting a new job on Monday, and I won’t have time for two-hour long booty calls. And that’s hoping it would be more than fifteen minutes.”

  “Oh, it would be. Not sure I can go two hours, but I’ll give it a go.”

  I arched my brow.

  He frowned then tipped his head back. “Oh, you mean to and from.”

  “Exactly.” I toyed with the buttons of his goldenrod and soot colored shirt. The plaid suited him. A little traditional, but somehow not. His gray eyes were darker now. Stormier and intense in a way that made me want to make those mistakes. To throw caution out the window and live a little.

  Especially with that lure of more than a fifteen-minute one and done.

  No. No, that’s not on the menu.

  We could have a nice evening together without sex. It would be easier to walk away if I didn’t know exactly how we fit together. Some fun might be good for me.

  Hmm, how much longer than fifteen minutes would be take?

  “Isn’t it exhausting to think so much?” He played with the hem of my sweater, the backs of his knuckles brushing along the skin of my midriff. “Just jump in with me. Just for a few hours.”

  I sighed. I really was tired of thinking all the time. “Gonna buy me a steak?”

  “Is that what you want?”

  I laughed. “Macy said I should make you buy me an expensive dinner.”

  “I’d do it if that’s what you want.” He trailed his fingers
over my hip to get to my hand and laced our fingers. “What do you want, Ellie?”

  I let myself consider the possibilities. “I’d like to walk around the festival. I’m usually working and never get to enjoy it.”

  “Then that’s what we’ll do.” He drew me closer to the couch and grabbed my coat. “Now aren’t you glad I had your coat?”

  “Is that what we’re going to call it? And not ransom?”

  “I’ll do what I have to so I can spend time with you.” He twirled me around. “Now let’s get you dressed for outside. Even if I really like this one-shoulder deal.” His thumb caressed my skin before he held up my gray wool coat for me to put on.

  I shivered when he flipped my hair out and draped it over my shoulder to make sure it didn’t get tangled in my hood. When I glanced back at him, he was so damn close.

  Indecision lurked in his eyes. It would be so easy to just let this wicked chemistry lead me upstairs with him in tow. He seemed to understand that as much as we both wanted it, maybe it wasn’t a good idea.

  Exhaling, he reached for his sweater on the couch and shrugged it on. He should have looked stodgy. Instead, he was all broad shoulders and sinful muscles. A thin leather bracelet peeked from his cuffs. It consisted of a heavy silver bead with some sort of intricate knots that clung to his wide wrist. He was far too intriguing in too many ways.

  He pulled on his coat and handed me my red scarf. “Shall we?” He crooked his arm.

  I couldn’t stop the smile as I slid my arm through his. “We shall.”

  Even walking through the door made me feel like there was a change in the air. Evening had descended on the town. Just the barest hint of setting sun peeked from the trees over the water. The café was kitty corner from the park. The street lamps had been capped with lanterns to give the street an old world feel.

  The gazebo—and scene of the crime—was lit up with white twinkle lights and fat retro bulbs in traditional colors, never mind the glistening tree itself. It reminded me of when I was really young, before my mother forgot what holidays were. When we tried to eke out an existence in the shabby apartment in a small town that was more famous for the waterfall and old factories than anyone who lived there.

  My mother had actually made an effort to give me a good Christmas that year. She’d been clear-eyed and not focused on some jerk to take care of her for once. She’d found decorations in the shed behind the old two-family house. We’d strung the ancient lights on the tiny Charlie Brown tree, and we had draped the remaining strings over the window ledge in my bedroom.

  The lights on the gazebo shimmered in my vision, and the slap of cold singed my lungs.

  Suddenly, I was twirling, and the lights seemed merry rather than sad. Callum caught my hand on the twirl out, and then I was overwhelmed with his cedar scent carrying on the cold breeze. A flashback to yesterday. No snow this time, but just like last night, he was nearly irresistible.

  “I don’t like that faraway look.”

  His lips were so close that each word was a small puff of air against mine. Part of me wanted to blurt out the sadness that sneaked up on me this time of year, but the rest…

  I didn’t want to be the woman with the absentee parents. I was a strong, single woman who was just starting her career.

  And I’d be strong and brave right now too.

  I leaned in and closed the gap. His tongue was warm and a little too talented, but that was exactly what I needed.

  A man who knew what he was doing. If I was going to act a little crazy, then it should be with a guy who knew what the hell he was doing.

  The sound of a clearing throat had us pulling apart. Callum dragged his thumb over his lower lip right before he stepped away.

  “Sorry to interrupt.” The jangle of keys dragged my attention away from the best kisser in the known universe. Well, at least my universe. Goodness.

  Dare Kramer held up the keys. He had on a heavy tan jacket and an obviously homemade hat. There was no way he picked that blue out for himself. “We have the order in for the customization we talked about, but for now, we’ve got you all fixed up.”

  “Fixed up?”

  Callum flushed. “A guy in a truck backed out without looking, and I slid into a ditch.”

  “Oh. Wow, so that’s why you’ve been hanging out.” Disappointment hit me harder than it should have. Of course he’d have a reason besides trying to get me to go out with him.

  He took the keys from Dare. “Thanks, man. Do I need to sign anything?”

  “Nah. We’re all set. I put the receipt in the glove box for your records or if you want to submit it to your insurance.”

  “Thanks, but my premiums are enough.”

  Dare chuckled. “I bet. It’s a sweet ride. We’re excited to work on it. We’ll give you a call in a few weeks.”

  “Sounds good.” Callum pocketed his keys then tucked my arm through his. “Heading to the festival?”

  “Kelsey dragged me over there earlier for the kid stuff.” Dare palmed the top of his head and settled his hat farther back. “My wife.”

  “Sorry I missed them,” I said. “Sean sure is cute in his snowsuit.”

  “The kid is Houdini. He’s always squirming out of it somehow.” He shrugged. “I’ve got tow truck duty, and some asshat already needs my help.”

  “This asshat appreciates that you guys are so quick.” Callum grinned.

  “Not touching that one.” Dare looked between us. “See you after the New Year.”

  “Pretty sure that’s the most I’ve ever heard Dare say,” I said after Dare ambled off. “He must like you.”

  “He likes my car.”

  “That’s probably the truth.”

  “Now where were we?”

  “You were distracting me. Across the street, sir.”

  He inclined his head. “As you wish.”

  I dragged him across Main Street. “Don’t quote Princess Bride at me.”

  “That’s it. You’re marrying me for real.”

  A giggle escaped before I could squash it. “We’ll see.”

  We wandered around the vendors who were hawking their wares, and we made sure to have cider and donuts from the nearby Happy Acres orchard. They had quite the entertainment lineup.

  When I heard female giggling, I craned my neck. “Look at that crowd.”

  Callum boosted me up and I grabbed hold of his shoulders. He grinned up at me. “What’s happening, do you think? Is it someone famous or one of the three-hundred babies who have overtaken this town?”

  I laughed. “A bit of both actually.” There was a carriage there for sure, but the long dark hair of a tall man holding court told me it was a bit more. There had been a lot of excitement in Crescent Cove, thanks to my friend Ivy’s semi-famous rock producer husband.

  He had quite a few famous friends, including one who spent part of the year at Happy Acres.

  “Pretty sure that’s Ian Kagan over there.” I slid down Callum’s body. His hands firmed around my waist as he set me on the ground. My nipples tingled through a few layers. What was it about this guy?

  He frowned. “Why is that name familiar?”

  “Depends on if you listen to the rock stations.” I rested my palms on his chest.

  “Do you?”

  I shrugged. “I enjoy music. We fight over which channel to put it on at the salon.”

  “Is that right?” He toyed with the ends of my hair. “That’s how you did the Cinderella transformation in less than an hour?”

  “A woman never tells her secrets.” I looked away. Better to remember that I’d be turning back into that pumpkin at midnight.

  He nudged my face back toward him. “Lest you forget, it was you who caught my attention yesterday. The girl with messy braids. I’m pretty sure they were pink too.”

  I blushed. “Yeah, I drew the short straw for testing out a new temporary rinse. Took me four washes to get the cotton candy color out of my hair.”

  “I enjoyed the pink, but I li
ke the real you.”

  “How do you know which is the real me? I could change my hair daily.”

  His lips tipped up. “I’d like to find out.”

  I stepped back and headed for the gazebo, but he caught up to me at the large oak tree and stopped me with a hand on my arm. “Is that so hard to believe?” he asked.

  “What? That you want to get to know me?”

  He nodded.

  “Yes, actually. You’ve got the keys to your shiny ride. What’s keeping you here?”

  “You. Ever since I joined you under that mistletoe.”

  “Why?”

  “Why not?”

  I shook my head. “I’m not the girl who—”

  “Has fun?”

  I blinked. There wasn’t an easy answer for that. I worked. I saved. I focused on the future. On finally doing something I loved and was good at. That was my idea of fun. Being stable for the first time in my life. I never wanted for money because I’d learned to budget from a very young age—because I ‘d had to or I went hungry.

  Fun wasn’t part of my life.

  “Take a chance on me. With an open mind and—”

  “Legs?”

  “Why Miss Lawton, that’s positively scandalous.”

  I frowned. “How do you know my last name?”

  “The very helpful Mrs. Gunderson. She gave me the skinny on most of the town. I didn’t know about the famous rockstar though.”

  “He doesn’t live here. His best friend does, so we see him from time to time.”

  “Such a peculiar little town.”

  “You don’t know the half of it.”

  He took my hand again. “Your hands are ice.” He took my other one and sandwiched it between both of his. He brought them up to his mouth and blew into the cup he’d made around them. “Pretty sure it’s not the only thing thing that’s icy.”

  I stiffened.

  “Don’t get your back up. Just give me a chance. You’ve already made up your mind about what we are. And if that’s really how you feel, I’ll walk away. I’ll hate it, and I’ll always wonder what if, but I’ll respect your wishes, Ellie. Always.”

  Chapter Seven

  CALLUM