One Winter's Night Read online

  I can bring a little of Florida to you.

  The man certainly had, hadn’t he? And as she considered that night, she couldn’t help but wonder if there really was such a thing as holiday magic. It definitely felt like a Christmas miracle had found her.

  Brushing it off as silly, she moved to toss the candy in the trash, but something stopped her. A sentimental streak, maybe? The superstitious belief that the little candy might be a good luck charm, perhaps? Either way, she opened her desk drawer and tucked it away for safe keeping. Magic or not, that odd Santa had brought her more than Florida. He’d brought her a whole new life.

  And intent to grab hold of it, she picked up the phone, called Kit and changed the plans they’d made for this evening. Instead of dinner at a restaurant, she wanted something more intimate. And when the arrangements were made, she did something she hadn’t done in as long as she could remember.

  She took the afternoon off.

  KIT CHECKED THE LOOK on Monica’s face as she opened the door to her apartment, wondering whether her change in dinner plans was a good thing or bad. After getting her call, he figured her suggestion to dine at her place meant she either wanted him all to herself—a good thing—or she wanted to deliver her Dear John speech in private—very bad.

  He knew she had reservations about their relationship. Despite his assurances to the contrary, she was still uncomfortable with him being a client of her firm, and he didn’t doubt that she’d used her day at the office today to gain a clearer perspective. But had that worked for him or against him?

  Early indications looked good, judging by the bright smile and the sexy low-slung blouse she wore. Green and silky, it draped loosely over a pair of black nylon slacks that looked easy to slip out of. A pair of simple black sandals exposed red painted toenails, and as he stepped through the door, he decided the ensemble was definitely more suited to celebrating than delivering sorry news.

  He whipped a small box of chocolate truffles out from behind his back. “A hostess gift.”

  Her smile widened. “From a guest who knows the one thing I like better than wine.”

  He took her in his arms. “There are a number of things you like better than wine, and I know all of them.”

  Drawing her in for a kiss, he was greeted with something new. Her touch was still tender and responsive, but underneath it something had changed. There was an eagerness that hadn’t been there before, a blend of certainty and calm laced with an extra dose of affection. He liked it a lot, and as he kicked the door closed behind him, he speculated that tonight might end up bringing him the outcome he’d hoped.

  “I made dinner,” she said when they finally came up for air. “Come in.” Taking his hand, she led him to the kitchen and offered him a beer. “I’ve got chicken parmesan in the oven and salads in the fridge, some crusty French bread and a bottle of cabernet.”

  He raised a brow. “You cooked?”

  She opened her mouth to answer, but instead of agreeing, she stood for a moment with a silly gaping grin on her face. Then she finally sighed and admitted, “No. I ordered it from my favorite Italian restaurant down the block.” Her shoulders sagged. “I guess I should admit that I can’t cook to save my life. I burn toast. About the most I can manage is instant oatmeal.”

  She moved to the dining table that had been set with white linens, festive china and flowers all arranged so perfectly it looked like the cover of a home decorating magazine. “I did set the table, though, all by myself. I figured if we’re going to try our hand at a relationship, I should demonstrate that I can be domestic when called upon. I can’t whip up a meal, but I could fake it pretty good if you ever needed me to.”

  He smiled as the space in his chest warmed. “You don’t need to. I like you just the way you are.” Then he put his beer down and moved close, hoping his ears hadn’t deceived him. “Tell me more about this relationship thing.”

  Looking up at him with serious eyes, she placed her slim hands on his chest and grazed them over his beating heart. “I think this weekend I might have fallen for a tall handsome cowboy.”

  “Would that be the same cowboy who’s already fallen for you?”

  “That’s him. I’m not sure how we’ll make a long-distance relationship work, but I’d love to give it a try.”

  “So you’ve stopped worrying about my relationship with Stryker.”

  A warm smile brightened her face, revealing that smooth sense of assuredness he’d sensed in the kiss. “I’ve stopped worrying about a lot of things. What I want to do now is enjoy life a little more while exploring this incredible thing we’ve got going.”

  The words were a song to his heart. Cupping her face, Kit brought his mouth to hers and tasted the sweetness of a romance he couldn’t wait to dig into. He caressed the smooth skin under his fingertips, soaked in the flowery scent of spring and sunshine and pressed his body against those long slim curves that fit against him just right. He’d known since the first time he touched her that this woman was the one he wanted to keep, and as he slid his hands down her waist and felt the flames burn deep a sense of joy filled him.

  “You mentioned something about Christmas,” she muttered against his lips.

  He pulled back. “You’ve changed your mind?”

  She nodded. “I’d love to see your niece’s reaction when she sees the furniture we worked so hard on.”

  He eyed her quizzically. “You’re sure?”

  “Yes, but I’ve got a request.” She patted his arm and cleared her throat. “I’ve got to be in Connecticut Wednesday night at the latest. My mother will never forgive me if I miss the family photo. After that, they’re throwing a big Christmas party Friday night and I was hoping you could join me.”

  “I wouldn’t miss it.” He noted the nerves in her gaze and asked, “You’re really okay missing Christmas with your family?”

  She laughed. “My mother will throw a fit. She’ll claim I’ve ruined everyone’s holiday, and I’m not looking forward to breaking the news. But at some point, she has to accept the fact that her children are grown adults who are building new families of their own. She needs to learn to bend a little.” Then she cradled his face in her palms and added, “Just like I do.”

  “Sweetheart, I think you’re damn near perfect the way you are.”

  “But I’m better when I’m with you.” She pressed her mouth to his and offered him the best Christmas present a guy could ask for. It was a kiss that hardened his body and softened his heart all in one, turning him hot and greedy and needing much more.

  “This dinner of yours,” he said, sliding his hands up under her blouse. “How long will it keep?”

  “Hours I’m sure.”

  Spoken like a woman who hadn’t a clue about cooking. But it only made him smile. They were perfect together, strengths and weaknesses combined, and he didn’t doubt that together they would both be better than either one of them were apart. And as he tugged her toward the bedroom, he knew without a doubt that this holiday season had brought him a gift he’d cherish forever.

  “Then let’s put the meal on hold and go create some Christmas traditions of our own.”

  Sleigh Ride

  1

  NICK CASTLE WAS listening intently to a debate about this year’s Super Bowl prospects when John Stryker Jr. strode up and clapped him on the back. “Another year, another trip to Maui,” John said. “Congratulations on the top sales award.”

  Nick grinned and stepped away from the group. “Thanks, John.”

  “I don’t know how you do it. Everyone had their money on Daryl this year after he hit it big with Jackson Pharmaceuticals.”

  “Not big enough, I guess.” Nick spared a glance at Daryl, who was across the room and still looking bent over losing the award, but those were the breaks. Nick had worked his ass off this year—like he did every year. Anyone hoping to knock him out of first place would have to do better than score one major account.

  “In my opinion, you deserved it anywa
y. You work harder.”

  “I do.”

  Nick wasn’t at all dismissive of the long hours he put into his job even though he enjoyed them. Scanning the room, he took in the array of high-priced suits and designer dresses. This was a far cry from the dusty Detroit suburb where his father worked on an assembly line and his mother served lunches at the high school. Where Nick came from, folks didn’t drive Beemers or wear gold on their wrists. And while he’d never disrespect his parents by being ashamed of his roots, he’d spent a lifetime trying to escape it. Now he was settled comfortably on the other side of the tracks and thrilled to be here.

  “To me it’s not work,” he admitted. “When you love what you do it’s like playtime.”

  The pleasant look on John’s face faded. “Must be nice.”

  Nick regarded him curiously. Must be nice? John Jr. was one retirement party from owning the whole damn company. He was filthy rich and had the world by the balls. Nick couldn’t fathom a life much better than being born the son of the Chairman. Yet there was John, slugging his beer and surveying his future empire as if he were facing a life sentence at Marion State Prison.

  “Dude, it doesn’t get nicer than being John Stryker Jr.”

  John shrugged and sighed like only a man who’d never been dirt poor could. “White-collar work has never interested me.”

  “So what? You’re rolling in dough.”

  “There’s more to life than money.”

  Nick laughed. “Says the guy who’s always had it.” He pointed a finger at John’s chest. “Take it from the one who didn’t. Money can buy a lot of happiness. Anyone who says otherwise didn’t grow up on my street.”

  That brought the smile back to John’s face. Nodding in agreement, he held his beer up to toast. “All right. I suppose I can’t argue with that.”

  As “Jingle Bell Rock” wafted over the dance floor the two men stood and watched the festivities. “So who are you taking to Maui this year?” John asked.

  Nick considered the question. So far he’d always given the trips to his parents. If anyone deserved a slice of easy street it was Bob and Grace Castle, and Nick made sure that plenty of his good fortune got passed their way. But now they had his elderly grandmother living with them, and he knew that they wouldn’t leave the woman for a week on a sandy beach. This year, Nick would be taking the trip himself, and until John mentioned it, he hadn’t given half a thought as to whom he’d bring along.

  “I’ve got no idea.”

  “What about the woman you’re dating?”

  “Pam? That ended ages ago.”

  John looked taken aback. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”

  Nick shrugged. “Don’t be. It was fun for a minute but there was nothing lasting there.”

  His fascination with the restaurant hostess had been her beauty. That and a pair of legs he couldn’t seem to pull his eyes from. But like the half-dozen women before her, their relationship had been superficial. Dating beautiful women had been a schoolboy’s test of success that Nick was quickly maturing out of. Now he ached for something real, a connection of body and soul. But finding that special someone was much easier said than done. Once he’d raised the bar above a woman merely having a pretty face, the dating world got a whole lot harder. So hard that it had been months since he’d so much as gotten laid.

  Thus, all the time he had available for pouring that excess energy into his job.

  He smiled at the irony. A vacant love life had helped him inch out the top sales award in an especially tough year, and his reward was a vacation he had no one to share with.

  “What about you?” he asked, thinking maybe a bachelor’s trip might make a decent consolation.

  “Me what?” John asked absently.

  “Maui, you and me and whatever island babes we meet along the way.”

  “Island…right.” John’s voice drifted off and Nick glanced at the man to discover he was no longer listening to the conversation. John’s attention had been thoroughly diverted to someone or something across the room. Following his gaze, Nick found a pretty brunette standing near the buffet watching the dance floor and joyfully tapping her toe to the music.

  “Do you know her?” John asked.

  “The woman in the pale blue blouse?”

  “Yeah.”

  Nick shook his head. “Never seen her before. You?”

  “No,” John said wistfully as though the mere sight of her had sent him into a lusty trance.

  He tapped Nick on the arm as he began to step away. “Let me catch up with you later.” And before Nick could even respond, the man was making a beeline to the mystery girl.

  He watched the two converse, both full of laughs and bright smiles, and when they set down their drinks and headed for the dance floor, Nick knew he wouldn’t be seeing John again that evening.

  Great. How nice of the guy to bring up Nick’s empty sex life before leaving him to go chase down a hottie.

  With a newfound sense of lacking, he sipped his drink and ignored all that was good in his life to focus on the one thing missing—someone to share it with. He’d only been half joking when he told John that money could buy happiness—half joking because life was a hell of a lot more fun with it than without. But he also knew that not every joy could be bought with dollar bills. And true love and family topped that list.

  “Ho, ho, ho!”

  Nick turned toward the sound of the laughter to find an old guy in a bright red Santa suit holding his belly and smiling with glee.

  Nick quirked a brow. “Enjoying the Christmas cheer tonight?” He sniffed the red-faced man for alcohol but only came up with cinnamon.

  “It’s a festive time of year, it is,” the man agreed.

  Nick fingered the sleeve of the guy’s red silk suit. “Hey, this is nice stuff. The economy up north must be booming. Who handles your insurance?”

  The old man’s eyes sparkled. “My insurance is the joy I bring to people around the world. The sound of a child’s laughter is my treasure.”

  “Right.” Nick nodded, deciding pretty quickly that the guy was a fruitcake. “So what are you doing here, Claus? Making a list? Checking it twice? I’ve been a little naughty and nice. What’ll that get me?”

  Claus pulled a miniature candy cane from his pocket and handed it to Nick.

  “Not much, eh,” Nick said, accepting the token.

  “You need to tell me what you want first. Then we’ll see what I can do.”

  “That’s the way it goes, huh?”

  Nick eyed the odd guy, figuring he was most likely hired entertainment, a poor schmuck just doing his job, and as Nick looked him over, he figured Claus had pulled off a pretty decent rendition of old St. Nick. The guy definitely beat out the half-crocked hobo ringing bells down on the corner. So in the spirit of the season and wanting to cut the man a break, he gave the question a moment’s thought. What did he want for Christmas? For a guy with everything it wasn’t a simple question. But while he pondered, the music shifted to “White Christmas” and those couples still on the dance floor moved close and began a sultry sway. He saw John and the mystery woman pawing over each other as though life beyond their three-foot square of the dance floor had ceased to exist, and a spark of envy came over him.

  That was what he wanted. He’d achieved success in every other aspect of his life, but still needed the one thing that remained elusive.

  “Give me the girl of my dreams, Claus. My soul mate. My happily ever after.”

  Without so much as twitching a white bushy eyebrow, Claus replied, “That’s easy. She’s in the ladies’ room.”

  Now it was Nick’s turn to laugh. “In the bathroom?”

  “Yes, and you’ll want to hurry if you intend on catching her.”

  Through the chuckles he realized the guy wasn’t joking. “Why don’t you just tell me who it is and I’ll give her a call in the morning?”

  Claus shook his head and grinned. “Now, that wouldn’t be fun. Why, it would be like ha
nding out gifts without wrapping them first.”

  “Right.” Nick pointed to the doorway. “But if I run down the hall, I’ll find her in the john.”

  “I’d recommend you wait for her to come out.”

  Nick shook his head and laughed some more, certain this guy was a whack-job and now wondering if he’d even been hired for the party. On second thought, maybe he was—hired by Jeannie but recruited by his coworkers to pull off a practical joke. Heck, maybe Daryl was behind this, hoping to get Nick good for stealing top honors tonight.

  As he eyed the room for onlookers, he decided that had to be it. Only when he turned to tell Claus that he was onto them, the jolly guy was gone.

  “Hurry!” Nick heard over his shoulder and he swung around only to find the group by the bar still arguing over sports and oblivious to anything beyond them.

  He swung left then right, scanning every corner of the ballroom but there was no sign of the white-haired man in the red silk suit. Now, that was weird. But it still wasn’t odd enough to convince Nick that this was more than a practical joke or a bearded screwball loose in the building.

  He shrugged the whole thing off. Either way, he wasn’t going to play into the ruse. He polished off the last of his drink and headed to the bar for another, determined to put the whole thing behind him. The only problem was curiosity kept needling him, urging him to go out there and see what awaited him down the hall. Despite the certainty that he’d show up at the restrooms as the brunt of a big fat joke, he couldn’t help but wonder.

  What if it wasn’t a joke? What if he had a secret admirer who’d gone through the trouble to set all this up? Maybe his dream girl really was out there and had planned an elaborate scheme to make her feelings known.

  Then he remembered that the Christmas wish had been his idea. He was the one who’d asked for a soul mate. If he’d asked for a Ferrari would the guy have still sent him down the hall?