The 6'1" Grinch (9 page)

He wouldn't mind being spoiled rotten by her, he thought, entering the bedroom…not knowing just what to expect.

She was dressed.

In the exact ensemble he'd picked out. And she was smiling, he saw with relief. A quirky little smile of acknowledgment.

“I thought you might like,” she said, opening the velvet case on her dresser, “to pick out my earrings, as well. Then all I have to do is my hair and we'll be ready to go.”

Hell, he was ready to go!

She looked like a sexy dream in the outfit he'd selected for her. Sweet and sexy at the same time.

Was it a trap? Was she ready to blast him for the liberties he'd taken? A little uncertain, he approached the velvet box and looked inside. Every piece of jewelry was whimsical, from angels to hearts to moons and stars.

He decided to give her what she wanted and picked up one of the red-and-green glitter holiday wreaths. He was close enough to see that her ears were pierced. Close enough to want to nibble on them. For starters.

Dinner was way down on the list of what he wanted at that moment.

She smiled at his selection.

“Do you want to put it in?” she asked.

He nearly swallowed his tongue, thinking she'd read his mind.

She turned her pierced ear toward him, waiting, and he realized she'd been talking about the earring in his hand.

Tongue-tied, he did just that, fumbling only a little with the delicate earring.

“Thanks,” she said, handing him the other one. “I touched up my manicure and didn't want to wreck it,” she explained, blowing on her nails.

He thought the gesture interesting. She could have been blowing on her nails to dry them, but it looked to him as if she was congratulating herself on accomplishing something.

He was afraid to think what.

Hell, he didn't want to think at all. And then, giving in to impulse, he didn't.

Running his forefinger from the shell of her ear along her jaw, he passed the pad of his thumb over her lips and then lowered his lips to hers in a moment of spontaneous passion. He coaxed a response from her as he buried his hands in her damp curls. His tongue explored her delicious mouth with a sense of urgency.

“We're going to be late, “ she said when he broke the kiss.

“Do you care?” he asked.

She answered him by reaching up to kiss him back.

A kiss of invitation that made him lose control.

He swung her up into his arms without breaking the kiss and carried her across the room. She clung to his broad shoulders, breathless still from the deep, probing thrust of his tongue.

“What are you doing?” she asked when they broke apart to gasp for air.

“Your bed has fascinated me since the first moment I saw it. It looks like a floating cloud, so high off the floor. I've wanted to see if it would possibly be as soft and inviting as it looks.”

Hollie squealed as he tossed her from his strong arms up on the bed.

She bounced once and then was enveloped in a tumble of plump white pillows.

Hurriedly he loosened his tie and shed it along with his suit jacket, then leaped to join her on the bed. Lying across her, he whispered in her ear, telling her about the dream he'd had about her, about what her lips had been up—er, down—to.

“Is that a request?” she asked.

“Maybe later,” he replied, pushing up her skirt as she arched her hips to assist him.

He cupped her bottom as he ground against her and moaned. His fingers flicked the snaps on the white teddy and he ripped the fabric of the sheer hose easily.

She let out a gasp of pleasure when he slid down on the bed to cover her pulsing sex with his warm mouth. While she squirmed beneath him, he sucked, then alternately raked his teeth against the tender flesh, until she was moaning his name. He upped the ante when he laved her with smooth, broad strokes of his tongue that didn't penetrate only tormented, teased.

And then her hands, which had been clutching the sheets, cupped his ears, guiding him, insisting, until he furled his tongue in swirls of pleasure inside her till she shuddered against him and then went limp beneath him with exhausted passion.

He took her hand and kissed her palm, then stretched out alongside her, listening to her breathing, shallow and fast, until it returned to normal.

“Where did that come from?” Hollie asked, turning on her side and facing him, trailing her fingers over his broad chest.

“Just being a gentleman,” he answered.

“A gentleman? That's an interesting way of putting it, don't you think?”

“You know, returning the favor,” he explained, referring to the dream he'd had about her.

She chuckled. “Yeah …”

He stacked his hands behind his head as he eased over onto his back. His sex was hard and saluting.

It drew her hand. “So what do you think?” she asked, stroking.

“At the moment I'm incapable of thought. All the blood has left my head and gone … elsewhere.”

“I mean, what do you think—is the bed as soft as you imagined? Do you like it?”

“Um …” was all he said as she squeezed the length of him with gentle command.

And then her lips replaced her hand.

“Wait, wait, wait a minute.” He lifted her head. “Why don't we eat dinner first and come back later for dessert?”

She laughed, knowing he didn't really want to wait. “It's like I always tell Sarah—life is uncertain, have dessert first.”

He took control then, flipping her body beneath his and holding both her hands in his. His mouth was on hers as he thrust inside her core, authoritatively and then teasingly slow. The pattern soon broke, however, and they engaged in an escalating race, before crossing the finish line together.

When she opened her eyes moments later she saw that at some point he'd managed to shed every stitch of clothing he had on, while she was still completely dressed, was even wearing her shoes.

For the first time in her life a man had made love to her with her shoes on. It was thrilling.

And somehow she believed he knew it.

He'd picked one of her most favorite pairs of shoes and had scored a hit right out of the ballpark. This was not your average man. But, then, she'd known that from the first time he'd walked into the real estate office and into her life.

And tomorrow afternoon he was probably walking out.

But she wasn't going to think about that. She was going to enjoy her holiday. He hadn't said any sweet words to get her into bed. He hadn't had to.

She'd been ready ever since that kiss at the mall.

If she got her Christmas wish, he'd change his mind and stay. But it wouldn't do to let herself believe, only to wish.

She knew in her heart she could make him have a Merry Christmas.

“I don't know about you, but I'm famished,” Noel said, breaking into her thoughts as he rolled over and nearly fell out of bed, stopping himself just in time.

“I could probably find something in the pantry to nibble on,” Hollie suggested.

“Oh, no. I promised you a posh dinner and it's a posh dinner you'll have. Besides, you already cooked for me once tonight.”

She hid her blush by looking at the clock on the bedside table. “I think we missed our reservation.”

“Then I'll make another one. I'll tell them we were detained. But first I'm going to take a shower. Why don't you laze away a few minutes?”

She wasn't going to argue with him. The bed was too soft and inviting. In a few minutes she'd get up and look for something else to wear.

Or maybe she'd just let Noel pick something out. She'd liked that. How exciting to come out of the shower and find he'd laid out the clothing he wanted her to wear. The idea of him going through her intimate apparel was sexually intoxicating. What had he thought about her penchant for frilly things?

She heard the shower start up and imagined him with the water spraying down on him, sheeting his muscular body.

She was so blissed out that she didn't hear the shower turn off. Didn't hear anything until she heard Noel's pained “Yeow!”

She shot out of bed and raced for the bathroom, thinking he'd slipped and fallen, broken something.

It was worse.

He was clutching the edge of the vanity, grimacing in pain, his face pale.

“What is it?”

“The curling iron,” he gulped, his voice raspy. “I burned myself when I leaned forward—didn't know it was on.”

Oh, Lord, no wonder he was pale. He'd nearly neutered himself. And then she had the wicked thought that she was glad she'd had dessert first, because it was going to be a while before…

Meanwhile, back at the North Pole…

“W
E'VE GOT TO DO
something,” Terrell, the head elf, said to the elves he'd assembled for an emergency meeting the night before their biggest night of the year.

“But what?” a redheaded elf named Sammy asked. “Even Santa doesn't know where his wife disappeared to. She's the reason he's so glum.”

“I'm sure if we put our heads together we can come up with something. He can't go out with the reindeer and sleigh tomorrow night to make all his deliveries to the good little boys and girls. He's too depressed.”

“I know,” Sammy said. “Elf patrol.”

“Elf patrol!” the rest of the elves chorused.

The last time it had been instigated was when Rudolph had refused to lead the way just before his fawn was born. They had tracked down Clarabell, the clown, to borrow her red nose for Prancer to wear to lead the reindeer.

They stacked their hands one on top of another and sang, “All for one and one for all—everyone under four feet tall. We're on our way. It's off we go. For there is no Merry Christmas without Santa's ho, ho, ho.”

The oak chest was opened and elf patrol helmets dispatched. Magic was afoot.

December 24

H
OLLIE HADN'T REALLY
known what she'd wanted for Christmas until last night, when Christmas had come early, she decided with a wicked laugh as she lazed in bed. She should get up. There were all sorts of chores vying for her attention. But she wanted to linger longer. To enjoy reliving last night—well, right up until Noel had stepped out of the shower, reached for a towel on the vanity and leaned into pain.

That had ended dinner.

The evening.

Romance.

He'd limped out, to her profuse apologies.

She pulled the pillow next to her over and hugged it tight, inhaling the scent of him, all wood smoke and fresh citrus. She was naked beneath the covers save for one accessory: the earrings he'd selected. She'd left them on when she'd undressed after Noel had left. After unplugging the curling iron and putting it in a safe place to cool down, she'd showered and gone to bed, but not to sleep.

She'd been too keyed up. She'd been with a man who'd known what he wanted and hadn't been shy about taking it and giving back. At that moment she'd bet her cheeks were as red as the glitter on her wreath earrings—or “ear bobs,” as Elena called them. Love-making had never been so exciting as with Noel. He'd seduced her without touching her by selecting what he wanted her to wear and laying it out for her on the bed as if she were some harem girl being prepared for a pasha.

It excited her to know he'd been going through her things while she'd been naked in the shower. To wonder if he'd watched her secretly while she'd showered.

From any other man that would have been an unforgivable liberty, but Noel had done it in such a romantic way that she'd been pleased rather than angered.

A glance at the clock beside her told her she was going to have to get up no matter how delicious the lingering. But she was enjoying reliving each caress, the murmured words in a foreign language that had lent a fillip to the lovemaking, a fillip of mystery. What had he said to her? What had he said in the words that had been so full of emotion and desire?

Had he said “I love you”?

Could he have?

Her growling stomach rudely interrupted her girlish musings. They hadn't gotten to the restaurant last night, and she'd forgotten to eat. Her stomach was putting up a fuss. She stretched and sat up, and the comforter fell down to her waist, revealing her nudity.

She laughed. Noel couldn't have said anything that sounded like a commitment, wouldn't have—he hadn't even seen her breasts. She couldn't imagine. They would not have escaped the notice of any other man she'd ever dated.

That made Noel special indeed. She slipped from the bed and searched out a long white shirt, closing it with the tie Noel had forgotten.

Padding barefoot to the kitchen, she checked her answering machine to see if he'd called.

A little moue of disappointment caused her lips to pucker downward.

Hunger pangs ruled and she searched the cabinet for something to eat. Since she felt celebratory, she fixed her favorite breakfast—Belgian waffles and ice cream. The combination of hot buttery waffles and cold smooth ice cream quieted her growling stomach.

“Come on, call,” she said, wiping her mouth with a napkin as she stared at the telephone that didn't ring. That was one of the things she hated about being a woman in a society that let men make all the moves—all the choices. Waiting.

The doorbell rang and her heart jumped.

Noel!

This was even better than a phone call.

She hoped he'd come to tell her he had changed his mind about going away for Christmas, so she could invite him to Sarah's later.

When she looked out the window, however, she saw she'd leaped to the wrong conclusion. There was a deliveryman coming up the walk with a package and a clipboard.

She grabbed one of the extra-festive packages of homemade Christmas cookies for a tip and opened the door, wondering who'd sent her, a present.

After signing the clipboard, she exchanged her cookies and “Merry Christmas” for the package the deliveryman had brought. Before he had made it back to his truck, she had the package open. Maybe patience wasn't her strong suit at this time of year any more than it was Elena's.

It was the Barbie in the pink dress, just as Noel had promised. He'd saved the day. Elena would have been really disappointed not to get her number-one request.

When Hollie went to get wrapping paper to wrap the gift, the phone rang.

Finally.

She went to answer it.

“Auntie Hollie, Auntie Hollie, Santa's coming
tonight!”

It wasn't Noel, but it was the next best thing—the little girl who always made her smile. “Are you sure it's tonight?” she teased. “Maybe you counted wrong.”

“Nope. Mommy says it's Christmas Eve tonight. And I have to go to bed early after we put out the milk and cookies for Santa. Rick's coming over tonight, too.”

“I like Rick,” Hollie said, hoping Elena did, also.

“He's gots a spotted puppy at the firehouse named Shana. And Mommy says he's the one who cooks for the fire guys.”

“Shana cooks for the firemen?”

“No, Auntie Hollie, a dog can't cook. Rick cooks firehouse chili and stuff. He said he'd make some for me.”

“Well, I'll see you tonight, too, okay?”

“Uh-huh, and Mommy wants to talk to you.”

Sarah came on the phone with the question Hollie wished she could answer.

“Is Noel coming with you tonight?”

“I don't know.”

“What kind of RSVP is that? You did ask him, didn't you?”

“Uh…well, there wasn't a good time, and he had to leave early.”

“What do you mean?”

Hollie relayed what had happened with the curling iron and hung up on her best friend when she wouldn't stop laughing.

Having had enough of waiting, Hollie decided to act. With every house sale, she made up a special gift basket tailored to her client, as a thank-you. She'd make one up for Noel and deliver it to his hotel room, giving her an opportunity to invite him to Sarah's. At the very least it would let her check on Noel to make sure he was okay.

Since he was leaving at two, she had to hurry. Most of the fixings for the basket were on hand. She had the iridescent paper and ribbon for a bow to wrap around the basket. All she had to do was gather up the gift items. She quickly washed and dressed and headed out.

A good bottle of wine, crackers and cheese were all gleaned at the same market. The drugstore yielded a box of neon adhesive bandages she couldn't resist adding.

By noon she had the basket assembled and was on her way to Noel's hotel.

S
HE WAS DETERMINED
to get in his room.

She waited until the girl who was at the desk took a break and a man replaced her. The girl would have seen right through her lie, but the man, she knew from experience, would be susceptible to her flirting.

“Excuse me, I have a surprise for my boyfriend and he isn't answering my knock on his door. Do you think he's still in his room and has maybe fallen asleep?” She gave him her best smile, meant to make him feel like a stud muffin.

“Why don't I see if he's still registered?” the desk clerk asked, helpful as could be.

“Still registered,” he reported. “But he's got a seat on the airport shuttle.”

She checked her watch.

“I don't want to miss seeing him and I've got his Christmas present. Do you think I could just borrow the extra key long enough to deliver it?”

“I'm not supposed to—”

She didn't let him get his refusal out. She slid her hand over his, her eyes pleading. “But it's Christmas … and I'll only be a minute. Promise.”

He gave in to her, no match for her wiles. “But hurry up,” he warned, “before anyone notices the key is gone.” Clearly he meant the woman who worked the front desk with him.

“Back in a wink,” she said, taking the key and tossing him a wink.

S
HE WAS NERVOUS
as she stood outside the door of Noel's room with the gift basket.

Did she look dumb?

Worse, desperate?

Maybe she should just go.

Forget about it.

Forget about Noel.

No, she'd come this far. She wasn't a quitter when she wanted something. It was what made her such a good real estate agent. She saw things through to the end, no matter how difficult they were.

Taking a deep breath, she knocked on the door.

“Noel, I—”

The woman who'd opened the door to Noel's room clearly wasn't Noel, but clearly was expecting him. From the look of shock on her face, she was just as surprised to see Hollie as Hollie was to see her.

“Who are you?” she demanded to know. “Is that a parting gift from the hotel?”

Hollie looked down at the gift basket in her grip. “No, I, ah—who are you?” she blurted out, staring at the exquisite black lace lingerie peeking out from the cotton terry robe with the hotel's insignia on its breast pocket. “Where's Noel?”

“Who wants to know?” the woman demanded in a very territorial tone.

“I'm Hollie. Hollie Winslow. I—I sold Noel his house,” she found herself stammering.

“Oh, that explains the basket. You're Noel's real estate agent. That means he found a house for us!”

“‘Us'?”

“I'm Marcy Walker, Noel's fiancée,” the dark-haired woman explained, wriggling her huge square-cut diamond solitaire engagement ring in Hollie's face. “My flight just got in from Atlanta. Noel must have stepped out for a minute, but the maid let me in his room. I'll take that for him, if you like.”

“You're going to the islands with Noel, for Christmas?”

“Yes. He can't wait to get away every December.”

Of course. They were a perfect match.

She'd seen that when she'd opened the door.

She felt like a fool.

“Well, have a good trip,” Hollie said, handing over the basket, suddenly wanting not to see or be seen by Noel. She couldn't get out of the hotel fast enough.

She wasn't going to cry.

She wasn't.

“All right, damn it, I am,” she sobbed when she climbed inside her car.

How had this happened to her
again?

Noel Hawksley couldn't disappoint her because she'd known he was going to disappoint her from the start. He hadn't hidden the fact that he already had one foot on a plane out of town. He hadn't hidden the fact that he hated her favorite holiday. He'd told her so up front and often.

She had a big fat commission check, a check that would buy her a new car.

She should be happy.

Noel Hawksley had done what she thought was impossible. He'd ruined Christmas for her.

And then through her tears she smiled.

She'd ruined Christmas for him, as well. She'd accidentally branded him with her curling iron last night.

He might be spending the holidays with his fiancée, but Hollie knew she herself wouldn't be far from Noel's thoughts the whole while. After the painful accident with her curling iron, he wouldn't be enjoying himself any more than she would be. And neither would Marcy, no matter her fancy lingerie.

Hollie took some comfort in that.

“A
UNTIE HOLLIE
, I thought you'd never get here,” Elena said when she opened the door that evening. “Are those presents all for me?”

“Have you been a good little girl?” Hollie asked, taking off her coat and hanging it up.

“Yes.”

“Well, then put the presents under the tree, and no peeking who they're for. And no shaking, either,” she said over her shoulder as she went to find Sarah.

“Not so much red pepper,” Sarah instructed Rick, who was in the kitchen cooking.

“That doesn't smell like a Christmas ham to me,” Hollie said.

“Elena insisted on Rick making his firehouse chili,” Sarah explained. “Christmas Eve is going to be a little unconventional.”

“What else would I expect at your house?” Hollie said, and asked for an apron to help with the preparations.

“No, you're going to help me with the tree. Rick claims to have everything under control in here.” Sarah steered Hollie to the boxes of lights and tree trimmings set out next to the bare tree. It was Sarah's custom to decorate her Christmas tree Christmas Eve—mainly because Midnight kept stealing the ornaments from the lower branches she could reach. And eating the tinsel. At the moment the dog was lying beneath the tree amid the presents, looking innocent.

When they were out of Rick's earshot and while Elena was peppering Rick with questions in the kitchen, Sarah whispered, “What's wrong?”

“Nothing.” Hollie picked up a string of lights. “Have you tried these to make sure they're working?”

“Come on, Hollie, your eyes are puffy. You've been crying.”

“I watched
Miracle on 34th Street,
okay?”

“If you say so. But what about Noel—is he coming tonight?”

Hollie shook her head and plugged in the string of lights to make sure they worked. “He's going away as planned.”

“I'm sorry.” Sarah touched Hollie's arm.

“It's okay. He was just a client. I sold him a house and …and …” Hollie started to sniffle.

“What is it?”

“He's engaged, Sarah.” Hollie wiped her eyes and sniffed up her tears, gaining control of her emotions. She didn't want to ruin anyone's Christmas by being sad. Forcing a note of cheerfulness into her voice, she said, “And she's beautiful.”

“What do you mean? How do you know?” Sarah took the lights Hollie handed her around the tree, made a pass and handed the lights back to Hollie as they circled them around the tree.

“I saw her. She was in Noel's hotel room when I delivered the thank-you basket I made him for purchasing a house from me.” Hollie picked up another strand of lights and checked them at the outlet.