Bet on a Mistletoe Page 4

  Her eyes slid shut this time. She hadn’t realized the back of her knees were so sensitive. That the spot was so erotic when touched. Her nipples tightened in response.

  Richard’s hand continued their journey upward. He squeezed her thighs right below the hem of her dress.

  Passionate ribbons of excitement danced through her veins, the room around her went dark. She took a step outward, unable to control her response. Right at that moment, she wanted nothing else but for Richard to raise the hem of her dress and kiss her, a full-mouthed kiss and to taste her essence.

  As if he understood her need, his dangerous hands slipped to the center of her thighs and under her dress…just inches away from her pulsing pussy.

  Please, she moaned in her head, too overwhelmed to allow words to pass her lips.

  The pressure of his forehead leaning against her belly caused her to grip the edge of the bar. His thumbs brushed high against her thighs. Any moment she expected to feel him caress the drenched seat of her panties. Her air became tramped in her lungs, her body was tensed with expectation. She tilted her hips toward him, an invitation.

  “So, Richard, what’cha makin?” Doogey’s voice broke in shattering the bubble of ecstasy she entrapped herself inside.

  Everything happened too quickly, Richard moved away and rose with blender in hand. “Lorna wants a pina colada.” Reaching over her, he grabbed a bottle of rum from the display under the mirror.

  Did his words sound heavy and gravelly to anyone else’s ears besides hers?

  She exhaled and blinked a few times. Seeing Doogey’s cocky knowing expression reflecting back at her in the mirror removed the intimate haze.

  Turning she looked at Richard, who chatted with the people now cluttering the bar.

  “You okay, Lorna. You look flushed,” Tasha her best friend in high school asked. Tasha Larson became Tasha Sanders. She and her husband had twin girls.

  Forcing a smile on her face, Lorna said, “I’m fine. Just still trying to adjust to the mountain air, again.”

  “Guess that’s what happens when you leave for so long.” Doogey chimed in.

  “Can it, Doogey.” Richard eyed his friend over the top of the churning blender.

  Doogey didn’t say anything else, just stared at Richard, curiosity filled gaze.

  Lorna looked away from Doogey. The last thing that she wanted was anyone being curious about her and especially not her and Richard.

  The drink complete, Richard filled glasses for Lorna and the other ladies at the bar.

  When he moved toward her and handed her the glass his eyes travelled along her body. As they returned to hers, their gaze locked.

  Could he smell how aroused I was when he kneeled before me? The question echoed in her mind.

  She didn’t realize how shaky she was until her hands brushed Richard’s taking the drink from him.

  Almost spilling it, she was grateful when he grabbed it, steadying it in her hand.

  Placing a small smile on her mouth, she said, “Thanks. I guess I’m more tired than I thought.” She knew it was a lie. Another one of many. It was the experience with Richard she couldn’t stop thinking about. Those thought were making her feel unsettled.

  Lifting her drink she took a sip. The sweet, cool treat was helping to fortify her senses. Bring her body temperature down a level. She took another healthy sip hoping not to get brain-freeze and tasted the subtle bit of the alcohol.

  “Wow, good job, Richard. It could use a little more rum.” Deanna called out.

  “Thanks, Deanna,” Richard called out barely sparing the busty redhead a glance.

  She was just thinking that it was past time for her to leave when Richard stepped to her. He seemed to disregard the fact they were surrounded by people.

  Pressing his lips to her ear, he whispered, “Why don’t you make your excuses and get out of here?

  I’ll meet you in the back in about fifteen minutes with your money.”

  “Are you sure? I doubt if they’ll have it all now,” she said, her voice in the same tone.

  “Let me worry about that.” He stepped away from her.

  She nodded. Placing her drink on the counter, she walked around the bar to Tasha. It was time for her to start mending some bridges. “Tasha, if you’re not too busy with getting things ready for your kids for Christmas. How about you come by for lunch tomorrow?”

  A tall, thin, dark skinned girl with almond shaped, hazel eyes stared at her in shock. “Seriously?”

  “Yeah,” Lorna held her breath. She’d been distant over the years and Tasha had every right to tell her to fuck off.

  “I’d like that. I’ll bring my famous chicken salad if you provide the drinks and ask your dad to make pound cake.”

  “Hey, what makes you think I haven’t learned to cook in nine years?”

  “I heard your mother at the shelter telling my mom how you burnt some bread in the broiler trying to make a grilled cheese sandwich.”

  Small town USA. Holding up her hands in surrender, Lorna said, “You got me.” Hugging her friend, she said, “I’ll see you tomorrow. Bring the kids if you need to.”

  “Are you kidding me? That’s what I have a husband for.”

  “That right.” Rodney came up behind his wife and hugged her. Rodney was one of six mailmen in the town.

  Lorna watched her friend turn in her husband’s arms. She was glad to see Tasha happy.

  Waving at a few other people, Lorna grabbed her coat from the hooks at the front door, she put it on and left the restaurant. She forced her car around the corner and allowed it to idle and warm up.

  Good thing she had to wait for Richard, her car didn’t get very far cold.

  Burrowing deep in her coat, she waited, trying not to replay the heated moment between her and Richard. She’d process that later when she was alone and in her room. She was thankful when the interior of the car began to warm.

  There was a tapping at the window.

  Wiping the fog away from the glass with her glove she saw her fantasy man and got out.

  “Here’s your part of the bet.” He held out a wad of bills in front of her.

  “Wow, I guess when you’re broke, you never imagine people are walking around with so much money on them.” Taking the cash she slipped it into her coat pocket.

  He shrugged. “It’s Christmas.”

  “Yeah, it is.” She didn’t know what else to say. Richard stood a foot away from her and his nearness once again was muddling her mind.

  “About what happened,” he began. “I hope I didn’t embarrass you too mu--”

  “Don’t worry about it. It was just a bet, a game.”

  Closing the gap between them, he pulled her into his arms. Before she could process what was happening his lips were pressed against hers.

  It was nothing like the kiss they had shared in high school. No fumbling in the dark by inexperienced teenagers. The strength and confidence in this kiss proved to Lorna that she was dealing with a man.

  One of his hands held the back of her head, while the other palmed her ass. Holding on to his shoulders she opened her mouth and gave him entrance, needing to feel him inside of her.

  His tongue slid over hers and tickled the roof of her mouth. She moaned.

  The kiss deepened. Plunging in and out of her mouth, as if he were fucking her lips with his thick tongue, making her thighs quiver. Capturing it she suckled him, imagining it was his dick in her mouth. All of a sudden she wanted to taste every inch of his skin. Her desire for Richard was like no other.

  Grinding his hard length against her sex, her clit throbbed. She was trembling so bad, there wasn’t a doubt in her mind if this moment continued she could come right where she stood.

  Pulling back he nibbled at the side of her mouth and licked her bottom lip.

  The whisper of his words fluttered across her moist lips, “Not a game.” Squeezing her ass one final time he stepped away from her.

  Her gaze met his. The blue of his
eyes appeared dark like sapphire in the lamp light, shining from the back of the building.

  She was speechless from both his words and the kiss.

  Not waiting for a response, he walked to the back door and went inside.

  Astounded she got into her car and pulled away.

  As a jobless woman with very few options before her, was she ready to discover if there was something between her and Richard after all these years?

  Yes, her body said. Hell no, her mind screamed.

  Chapter Four

  Richard leaned against the back door, hearing the sound of Lorna’s car pulling away and the noise of the people in the front room.

  He’d mislead Lorna. There had been a bet, but it was only for two hundred and fifty dollars and it was for any woman in the room. At first he’d planned to tell Doogey and their friends to kiss off. But, he’d eye’d Lorna across the room. He knew she needed money. And he had a need for her.

  Closing his eyes and taking a deep breath he attempted to calm his body. He couldn’t resist kissing Lorna anymore than he could stop the erection in his pants from reaching dramatic propositions.

  Hell, it was already passed that point and into painful length and size.

  Shit, that was what being around Lorna did to him all the time. Usually, he didn’t have to worry about a business full of people. Normally, he was at home alone where he could relieve himself. He needed a moment alone with Lorna to show her what he wanted from her.

  “You really do have it bad.”

  Those words were what he was feeling, but that wasn’t him saying it. Richard lifted his head from the door and peered across the room and spotted Tasha walking into the door leading from the front room. “Have what?” He moved away from the door.

  Meeting him in the center of the kitchen, a confident smile pulled at her lips. “A thing for Lorna.”

  Not confirming or deny her words, Richard assessed Tasha. Tasha wasn’t normally one of the gossip-seekers in town, but he wasn’t sure how much he should admit. too. Lorna was really sensitive where their old school friends were concerned.

  He shrugged and began to walk passed her toward the dining hall where the other people were.

  “I could help you,” she called after him.

  Stopping, he turned and eyed her. “How?”

  “I’ve known Lorna just as long as you have. The only difference is while you and the popular crowd were ignoring her or making fun of her, I was her best friend.”

  Refusing to comment about the past mistake of his friends, he said, “And?”

  Closing the distance between them, Tasha smiled again, “Richard, I can see how much you care about Lorna. You need someone in your corner pleading your case.”

  His mind flashed back to the kiss outside. “I think I’m pleading my own case just fine.”

  “Maybe,” she giggled. “If what was going on at the bar was any example…,” waving her hand away, she continued, “Lorna can be a little blind when it comes to matters of the heart.”

  “What’s in it for you?” He crossed her arms over his chest.

  “Nothing, just a friend who will hopefully stay in town.” The smile slid from her face and a small shadow of sadness clouded her features.

  Believing her motives, he nodded. “Thanks, Tasha.”

  Without another comment, they joined the few people remaining in the restaurant.

  “So, we’ve talked about my spoiled darlings. Your parents. My parents. My brother Simmons and his no good cheating wife.” Tasha continued to count across one hand. “Oh, discussed Ms. Huntley who is going to design a blanket for your mother and Mr. Huntley who’s fashioning a cane for your father.” She paused, “There’s only two things we haven’t talked about.”

  Lorna stood up and put their chicken salad plates in the sink. Stepping to the cabinet she reached inside for two saucers, “More coffee?” She turned and smiled at her friend.

  Raising an eyebrow, Tasha nodded. “Yes, thank you.”

  Stalling, that’s exactly what Lorna was doing. For the past hour and a half, she’d been dancing around the only two conversations she didn’t want to talk about, work and Richard.

  Moving back to the table, she sliced the pound cake, still warm from the oven. Her father had whipped it up this morning before he headed out.

  “How long are you staying?” Tasha’s mind had always been like a steel trap. Once that girl latched on to something it took the Jaws of Life to pry her off it.

  Barely settling into her chair, Lorna assessed Tasha. This was a girl who knew all of her secrets from school. Could she still trust her? Or had time changed the girl she once knew.

  Tasha forked through her cake and sipped at her coffee, waiting.

  Lorna knew the answer. Tasha and her parents had been her champions when she talked about moving to Washington to live and work. Once in D.C., she had been the one too busy to call or write, not Tasha. Deciding not to ponder questions of Tasha’s sincerity, Lorna began talking.

  When it was over, Tasha did what she always did when Lorna had an emotional burst, hugged her.

  “Well, I’m sure your parents are happy to have you here either way.” Tasha leaned back.

  Taking a big bite of her cake, Lorna mumbled. “I haven’t told them.”

  “Why not?”

  “I don’t want them to be ashamed of me.”

  “Lorna?” Doubt filled Tasha’s voice.

  She shrugged. “Okay. They won’t,” she confessed. “Maybe I’m the one that’s ashamed of my own shortcomings. My parents are getting old and I should be in the position to take care of them. Not the other way around.”

  “Things always have a way of working out.” Tasha patted her knee. “Whatever the cause, I’m glad you’re home.”

  “So am I.” Lorna was amazed to know that her words were true. There was something comfortable and familiar about her small town. Things she’d always tried to get away from.

  “Now, we’re at the elephant.” Tasha served herself another slice of pound cake.

  There was only one conversation they hadn’t talked about. “Do I think that Ms. Macready will say yes this Christmas to Mr. Deerjohn? It’s been forty years.”

  “There’s that. Or we can talk about Richard and you.”

  “There isn’t a Richard and me.” Lorna drank some coffee.

  “That’s not how it appeared the other night at the town holiday party.”

  Lorna slowly sipped from her coffee and wondered if Tasha had seen more behind the bar than she knew or perhaps had seen the kiss.

  “Before you try and deny it. Remember who you’re talking to.” Tasha warned. “I know better than anyone about your feelings for Richard, even before he kissed you during spring break. You talked about it for a month. I kept waiting for the moment you’d pass out in the hall if he smiled at you.”

  Damn, she was caught. “Thank goodness he didn’t know it was me.” Setting her cup down, she confessed, “Fine. My feelings for Richard are still there. But, that’s it. We haven’t talked about anything else. Maybe once I figure out the rest of my life I’ll think about it.”

  “Girl, you can’t make love wait…again.”

  “Look, Tasha, I don’t even know if he’s seeing someone.”

  “That’s easy. He’s not. In February he broke up with his last girl friend, Mindy Cooper, who up and married someone from Winston-Salem this summer and moved away. She’s due in January.”

  Lorna laughed at her friend’s report.

  “Small town remember.”

  “Yeah. Well, I’m not committing myself to anything. I’m not going to rush things. If he brings it up, then we’ll see.”

  “Good. Well, as lovely as this has been, I need to get to the store to pick up the supply for holiday crafts tomorrow.”

  “You and your parents still do crafts for Christmas Eve?”

  “Every year. With the girls it’s an adventure.”

  Tasha grabbed her purse and the now empt
y salad dish and headed to the door.

  “How about lunch for the New Year?” she asked.

  “Great. I’ll host this time.” Tasha agreed.

  “Good then I’ll--”

  “The hell you will cook.”

  Lorna laughed. “I was going to say bring sweet tea and a fruit tray.”

  Smiling Tasha said, “Perfect. It is good to have you home.”

  She hugged Tasha, then watched her pull away.

  “Good night, Mr. Huntley.” Lorna stepped off the porch of the Huntley’s green and white L-shaped rancher and pulled her bomber jacket tighter around her neck. The temperature had dropped in the thirty minutes she’d visited with the older couple and collected her parent’s gifts.

  “Be careful on your way home the snow has started.”

  Lorna noticed as her boots made prints in the light covering on the ground as she headed to her car. “I will.”

  Getting into her car she started it up and backed out the drive way. It was just beginning to get dark when she pulled up, now it was pitch black. The last thing she wanted was to end up in a ditch.

  Once she reached the rode she honked her horn as she drove off.

  The snow was coming down steady and sticking. Mr. Julian most likely was sitting in his front yard with his snowplow already warming, waiting for enough to accumulate so he could clear the roads.

  Even with them in the mountains it very rarely snowed at all, then not enough to plow. She remembered when he bought it her senior year and everyone laughed.

  “Well, you got the last laugh, Mr. Julian.”

  The Huntley’s lived at the very outskirts of the county and with the current weather conditions it seemed even further. The weatherman had predicted snow but when she headed out she hadn’t conceived that it would be this bad.

  Thirty minutes later she was still trudging along miles from home. She knew she’d have to pull over soon at a neighbor’s house until Mr. Julian got the roads clear. Her parents would be worried and she would need to use a house phone. Cell phones rarely worked in her county.