“You are a very good dancer,” she said as he came around to help her out of the passenger side.
“Thank you. My mother insisted we have lessons,” he said.
He held out a hand to her but she sort of slipped off the seat instead of stepping down. She misjudged the curb, her foot dropping between the sidewalk and the car, making her lurch forward. She gripped his shirt. He’d removed his jacket earlier during the aforementioned dancing.
She looked up at him, her fingers twisting in his shirt and pinching some of his skin. “Oops. The sidewalk moved.”
He laughed. “No. It didn’t.” He helped her right herself, ridiculously charmed.
As he shut the door, she murmured something he didn’t catch. He turned, bent his head to hear her but almost lost his ability to listen when her breath whispered over his ear. “Did you see the way Rob and Stacey hurried out of there? Where do you think they went?”
He smiled, put a hand on the small of her back. He’d definitely seen the way Rob was eyeing Stacey as the night went on. “I’m not sure I want to know where they went or why.” They’d been dating for months now and the attraction between them was palpable. “Are you okay? You should have water when you get in.”
He held her arm as they walked up the cobblestone path to her small complex. There were twenty-five units. It was a decent neighborhood but he knew she wasn’t particularly attached to her place. If the deal they were hoping to make in the new year went through, he could offer her first shot at one of the apartments over her shop. She loved his place.
“I’m fine. Don’t go all mommy-hen. I’m tipsy at best. I could probably drink you under the table.”
He laughed at the bravado in her voice. “Maybe if you were sitting under the table with your drinks.”
“Ha. Challenge accepted.”
He took her hand as she walked up the stairs. She dug through her purse, her hand nudging him because they were standing so close. When she looked up, keys in hand, her gaze drifted farther. She kept tipping her neck back.
“Oh.”
Brows arched, concern brewing, he followed her gaze.
The wrought-iron lighting cast only a small glow but other than being old, he saw nothing wrong with it.
He looked down at Hailey, ignoring the way his breath hitched from the look in her eyes.
“What’s wrong?” Why was he whispering?
Her body pressed closer. There might have been a chill in the air but Wes felt like he was insulated with wool blankets. Hot. Uncomfortable. In need of shedding the rest of his clothing.
Hailey gave a wistful sigh. “It seemed like a perfect moment for mistletoe.”
He closed his eyes, tried to breathe past the moment that had been building for longer than he’d admit.
Her hand settled on his chest. He’d finally put all those damn pieces back into the right place and now she was touching him, looking up at him with those eyes, standing in that dress.
He’d never felt this aching need with any other woman. He’d truly believed it was because he had control of his emotions. Now, he knew the truth. No other woman had inspired this type of need. His control had been an illusion. He swallowed. Fine. He couldn’t control his feelings but he still held the reins on his actions. Small peck. Friendly. That’s all. Somewhere between maiden aunt and don’t-hurt-her-feelings.
That was the last thought he had before Hailey went up on tiptoes, the fingers of one hand tightening in his shirt, tugging gently to pull his mouth down to her own.
At first it was just the press of her very soft lips, which tasted vaguely of chocolate. But then it was her mouth opening under his, moving, making it impossible for him to be still, for him to be sensible. He slanted his head, his hand moving to her jaw, his thumb caressing the smooth skin of her cheek. When she made a low, humming sound in the back of her throat, his other hand went to her hip, squeezed, and she pressed her body tight to his with enthusiastic agreement.
When her tongue touched his, his skin all but vibrated, like electricity was rushing through his veins and Hailey was the source. He couldn’t get close enough and from the way she tangled her fingers in his hair, she felt the same. His hand slid around, down, pulling her up tight against his body.
It wasn’t until she whispered his name so sweet and soft on her lips that he came out of the trance. He pulled back gently, listening to her labored breathing as his heart tried to jump over to her chest and take up residence there.
“Hailey.” His tone was jagged.
She inhaled a shaky breath, dropping down from her tiptoes.
“Don’t say it,” she whispered.
He had to. One of them had to. They couldn’t do this. It could ruin everything. “I’m sorry.”
She closed her eyes, laughed humorlessly. “You said it.”
He did. But worse, he’d felt it. Felt the magnetic pull of everything about her tugging on his common sense. She could make him forget that over 50 percent of marriages ended with not just broken hearts, but unfulfilled promises, resentment, and court-ordered spousal support.
She opened her eyes, looked at him with a sadness he hated. One he knew would pale in comparison to the heartache she’d feel when it ended. Because it would. When whatever they tried to build out of one passionate kiss fizzled, it would destroy a very special friendship.
“When I reimagine this, I’m going to pretend you didn’t.”
He reached out to stroke her jaw but stopped, shoved his hand in his pocket. He didn’t trust himself to touch her again. “Please don’t. I don’t want to lose you.”
Her smile was a watered-down, dim version of its real glow. “Why would you lose me? I’m right here.”
Leaning forward, he pressed a kiss to her forehead, lingered for a second longer than he should have before pulling back.
“Our friendship means so much to me.”
She stared at him long enough to make him want to look away. Then she nodded. “I’m not going anywhere,” she said, her voice crisp and clear, like the tipsy fog had cleared.
His shoulders relaxed a small fraction. “Then we’re okay?”
“We’re okay. What happens at Christmas stays at Christmas.”
He laughed. “Goodnight, Hailey.”
“Goodnight.” He thought he saw a sheen in her gaze but she turned to unlock the door.
He stepped down one step, waiting for her to go in. Once she’d stepped inside, she held the door and looked at him again.
“Wes?”
“Hmm?”
“Thank you for the dress.”
He smiled, unsure why he felt like such an ass for doing the right thing.
28
Hailey was worn out by noon on Christmas day. How on earth did kids get up that early and still have that much energy? It was like Piper and Nick had let them down chocolate-covered caffeine tablets.
“So?” Piper asked, coming up beside Hailey. She was dressed in reindeer pajamas that matched everyone else’s. Including Hailey’s. Her first gift from them today had been a pair that made her feel more included than they could ever know. “Want kids?”
Hailey laughed, leaning her head on Piper’s shoulder. They watched as Alyssa and Cassie circled around the tower Jason was building with their oversized stuffed animals. Nick was “reading” on the end of the couch. With his eyes closed, the book open on his chest.
“One day. I thought watching them while you guys shopped gave me a good sample but Christmas is a whole other beast.”
Piper nodded. “Instead of just sex ed in school, teens should spend Halloween, a birthday, and Christmas with a pack of kids.”
Hailey laughed again, lifted her head. “That would be highly effective. But honestly, I love your kids and I appreciate you guys letting me crash your day.”
Piper turned, fixed Hailey with one of her “mom” looks. “You didn’t crash. You’re family. This is where you should be.” She poked her in the shoulder, the mom brows lowering. “Understood?”
“Yes, Mom.” Hailey bit back her grin.
“Come help me dress the turkey,” Piper said, turning toward the kitchen.
“Surprisingly not the weirdest thing you’ve said to me.”
They worked in tandem, chopping spices, potatoes, and other items for a stuffing that made Hailey’s mouth water. She’d forgotten how much she loved cooking with her cousin.
“Remember when we used to bake cookies and sell them to your neighbors?” Hailey cleaned up the cutting board, dusting the scraps into the sink.
“I can’t believe people paid us for them. Though, they were pretty good, if I remember.”
“You’ve only gotten better at them.” Hailey snagged a gingerbread from the pretty plate on the counter.
“You used to make those coconut ones I loved. Are you ever sorry you went with salads instead of baked goods?”
Hailey leaned against the counter. “No. I think what I have going is unique. Plus, I would not want to be in competition with Tara. She’s a genius.”
“Speaking of geniuses.” Piper gave her another pointed look, making Hailey wish she had not confided about the kiss.
“We weren’t.”