“I’m sorry. Bet you hardly have time to enjoy the Christmas season.”
He reached across the table and squeezed her fingers. “I’m not gonna let this deal ruin Christmas.”
“Good.” She clasped his hand in return. “Why don’t you let me help? I’ve got some time on my hands.”
“Thanks, but no thanks. You’re here to enjoy yourself and that’s what you ought to do.”
“Remember, I’m your Christmas angel.”
“How could I forget?” He felt the soft warmness of her hand and wanted to kiss each fingertip like he’d done at Twin Oaks. Truth be told, he wanted to do a whole lot more than that. But he was in public. Folks were blabbermouths, and he didn’t want to embarrass her or cause talk.
“Come on, say you’ll let me help or at least use me as a sounding board.”
He gave her hand a final squeeze, then let go and leaned back in his chair. He wished he could completely trust her, but he did feel better telling her about his situation. One way or another, Texas Timber would eventually get the message and take a flying leap into the nearest lake. “How about I take you to Christmas in the Country on Saturday?”
“What’s that about?”
“It’s fun. Lots of folks will be in Old Town for the festivities.”
“I won’t need to dress up in old-time clothes, will I?”
“If you’ve got jeans, a shirt, and boots, you’ll be fine.”
“What if I don’t?”
“Shop. You wouldn’t pass up a chance for that type of fun, would you?”
She laughed and her green eyes sparkled. “But I won’t know what to buy. Maybe you’d better help me.”
He threw up his hands, joining her laughter. “Now we’re getting into dangerous territory.”
“I thought we were already there.”
Something in the tone of her voice and the look in her eyes alerted him to the fact they’d changed from talking about shopping to talking about what was building between them. They were headed into deeper water. And he was about ready to take the plunge.
He cleared his throat, figuring he’d better get them back on track. “I’ll be working events part of the time, but we could have fun.”
“I’d love to go. Just let me know when and where.”
“Great.” He thought about the hayride. Too bad the weather wasn’t cooperating for snuggles under quilts. He’d just have to make do another way. He figured he could be creative if it meant getting close to Misty.
“Here you go!” Slade stepped up with a large tray balanced on the palm of one hand held high in the air. He set the tray on a nearby table, and then quickly arranged their orders in front of them.
“Thanks,” Misty said. “Everything looks wonderful.”
“Let me know how that chili suits your belly.” Slade waggled his eyebrows. “That alone will tell me plenty about you.”
“If it’s too hot, she can share my food.” Trey tilted his head toward the kitchen, hoping his cousin would get the message to vamoose.
“I doubt it’ll be too much for me.” Misty picked up her spoon, dipped it in the big bowl of chili, and glanced up at Trey. “I like it hot.”
“Enjoy.” Slade winked at Trey as he turned to leave. “Got work to do before the slave drivers get back. See you later.”
“Nice meeting you,” Misty said.
“Likewise.”
Out of the corner of his eye, Trey saw his cousin walk away, but his focus stayed on Misty as she raised a spoonful of dark red chili to her pale pink lips. The sight of her about to spoon that chili into her open mouth set off his own personal heat wave. “I like it hot, too.”
Chapter 17
Misty looked deep into Trey’s eyes, which had gone dark with desire. She felt the heat between them grow, causing a deep, damp burn in her sensitive core. She crossed her legs in an effort to relieve the itch and bumped him with the toe of her shoe.
He grinned, revealing white teeth in a predatory smile.
“Excuse me.” She set down her spoon filled with chili without taking a bite and picked up her iced tea. She took a big slug and backed off her heat a bit.
“Kick me any time you want.”
“I didn’t mean to do that.”
“Sure you don’t want to play footsie under the table? I’m game.”
“I want to try my chili.” She crossed her feet at her ankles and tucked them under her chair. She didn’t know how almost every encounter with Trey turned sexual, but there was no denying that it did exactly that.
She quickly spooned a bite of Slade’s chili into her mouth. Wow. She felt her eyes water as the chili seared her palate, then her throat, and all the way down to her stomach. Delicious. Not just hot, but a symphony of pepper flavors.
“You like?” Trey pointed at the bowl of chili.
“Yum. Slade’s a chili genius.”
Trey chuckled. “Don’t let him hear you say that or he’ll get a big head.”
“He deserves it.” She took another bite, savored the taste, and swallowed the chili. “How’s your sandwich?”