Merry and Bright(38)

Her hands went to his shoulders, but she didn’t push him away. Instead, she sank her fingers into him.

Letting out a breath, his mouth brushed her jaw, and he closed his eyes to better absorb the feel of her in his arms. Then she turned her head, and somehow their lips met.

At the kiss, a soft sigh escaped her, a sound of both excitement and pleasure, and he opened his mouth on hers.

God, yeah. He deepened the connection, and she met him halfway, sliding her tongue to his in a rhythm that took him from zero to full speed ahead, and only when they were both breathless and panting, did she pull away.

Eyes wide, she lifted a finger and pointed at him. But though her mouth opened, words apparently failed her. “That was . . .”

Amazing?

Perfect?

Both?

“Unexpected,” she finally managed, shaking her head as if to clear it. “Clearly a fluke.”

Hell if it was. “Care to test that theory?”

“No.” She stepped clear when he reached for her again, and pointed at him. “You. With the amazing mouth.” She gestured him away from her. “You just stay over there, since obviously, when it comes right down to it, I’m the only one with any control around here.”

And with that, she left the kitchen.





5


“Okay, here’s the plan,” Hope said to Lori and Ben just before noon. Ben was back from his electrical job, helping with snow removal. They all stood outside in their heavy weather gear, being dumped on by more snow as they shoveled the front walk. “We make Danny’s stay miserable.”

Lori stopped shoveling and leaned on her shovel, watching Ben’s butt as he worked. “Why miserable?”

“Because she likes him,” Ben said, still shoveling at a steady pace.

“Because he’s here,” Hope corrected, shooting Ben a dirty look. “Even though I’ve not done anything to warrant being watched over like an errant teenager.”

Lori shook her head. “You’re mad at your * brother. Which is understandable, but you can’t take it out on Danny.”

“Hello, he works for said * brother.”

“If he wanted to hurt you, he’d have done so by now. Give him a chance, Hope.”

“A chance for what?”

“To be the guy I wished for you.”

Hope put her hands on her hips. “Are you kidding me?”

“Well, I did wish on that mistletoe, remember? I asked for a penis for you.”

“I remember,” she muttered in tune to Ben’s laugh.

“Which should be the next logical step, given that you’ve already kissed him.”

When Hope choked, Ben finally stopped shoveling to stare at her. “You kissed him?”

Hope looked at Lori, brow raised.

“Sorry,” Lori said. “But you two were right in the middle of the kitchen. That you never even saw me tells me how good of a kisser he is.” She turned to Ben with a dreamy smile. “He’s a face holder.”

“Easy,” Ben said, and resumed shoveling.

Lori looked at Hope. “Come on, admit he’s hot. In a glasses-wearing, intellectual, sexy professor sort of way.”

“I could be the sexy professor,” Ben said game-fully. “I’ll dress up and put on some glasses.” He grinned when Lori considered that with a cocked head.

“Can we please put aside sex for a minute?” Hope demanded. “This isn’t high school.”

“Hey, you’re the one wanting to play high school games,” Ben said. “Making his stay miserable and all.”

“That’s not even high school,” Lori said. “That’s middle school.” She reached around behind Ben and patted his butt. “Love those jeans on you, big guy.”

Ben’s eyes heated. “Yeah? Or is it what’s beneath the jeans?”

“Oh, my God.” Hope groaned out loud. “Didn’t you already knock it out today?”

“I think it’s time for our midmorning quickie.”

Hope drew in a sharp breath and shook her head. “You two have a serious problem.” She stuck her shovel in the snow and put her hands on her hips. “I just want him gone, okay? I’m this close to making the whole thing work, all I need is some more time with no watch dogs.”

“Let him help. He said he wants to.” Lori tossed up her hands when Hope glared at her. “So I eavesdropped a little.”

“I don’t need his help. Just keep him out of my hair until the roads are clear and if you can make him miserable while you’re at it,” she said, only half kidding. “Just to ensure he leaves ASAP.”

“Hope,” Lori admonished.

“I’m kidding. Sort of. Hey, I know! Get him to help you clean. And you.” She looked at Ben. “Keep him busy doing whatever you’re doing today. He’s a desk jockey, though, so he’s probably worthless out here. Fair warning.”

“I don’t think so,” Ben said slowly. “I think he’s made of sturdier stock than you think.”

“Face it, honey,” Lori said. “Fate brought him. You can’t mess with Fate.”

“Watch me,” Hope said grimly, and struck out for the house to begin Operation: Make Danny’s Stay Miserable.