Christmas on Main Collection

Chapter 2

Chapter Two

VAN

“Calm down?”

It doesn’t take a genius to read the ice in her tone and realize I’ve crossed a line. Then again, that was the point.

From the moment the fussy brunette with the neat bun wearing a tidy cardigan over her curvy frame crossed my path, I had this burning need to tousle her up.

Not completely.

Just enough to shake that prim and proper tone of hers.

Maybe let a few tendrils of that hair loose. I’d love to see it cascading down her shoulders. Falling over her voluptuous breasts. While those bright blue eyes of hers glance up at me. Her full lips pouty and about to wrap around my?—

I swallow hard, my throat—and jeans—suddenly going a little tight.

Now I’m the one who needs to calm down. Before I do something incredibly stupid. Like push Allegra back against the brick wall and nibble my way down her neck. I’ve been thinking about doing that since I saw her. While I pretended to barely notice her, my body was actually clenched tight. Hyper-aware of everything about her.

Her dark hair and blue eyes.

Her full figure.

Her sweet, vanilla and honey scent.

Imagining what it would be like to get my fill of each and every part of her. Twice.

I shiver. We just met, for fuck’s sake. I may be a man who’s used to getting what he wants. But I’m not usually such a possessive and dominating beast. She just brings it out in me.

It has to stop.

Otherwise, she really will call the cops on me. Being mauled by a man she’s just met would be a good enough reason for her to nullify the contract I have with the late Doris, and I’ll be out of the best place in the area to sell trees.

Not that I need the money from the tree sales. But it means the world to my grandparents, and… I can’t let them down.

I’d better nip my libido in the bud. Now and fast.

Shoving my hands in my jacket pockets, I take a defiant yet bored stance. “Hasn’t anyone told you there’s more to Christmas than bottom lines and figures?”

“Says someone who clearly doesn’t have much of a head for business.” She rolls her eyes, and I bite back the urge to laugh.

If she only knew.

Her glare intensifies, which only makes her all the more intoxicating. Glinty eyes. Heaving bosom. “Are you laughing at me?”

I clear my throat in another attempt to hold back my humor. “Of course not.”

“Good. Because I wouldn’t want to be the man who crosses me.”

“Oh, yeah? What would happen?”

She slices a finger across her neck. “Let’s just say your trees won’t be the only thing getting chopped down.”

Damn, but it’s a joy to watch her get riled up. She’s a passionate woman. She’s just wound too tightly now to know it.

It’d be nice to see what happens when that coil finally springs so tightly, it unravels. I wouldn’t mind being on the receiving end of that.

I frown at the possibility of anyone besides me getting to enjoy it. Which is very He-Man of me, but it’s no less true.

I want Allegra St. Clair. The woman glaring at me as if I just stole every present, every tree, and every piece of roast beast from Whoville. I want her so badly, I literally hurt from it.

Groaning inwardly, I shift my stance to ease the pressure in my jeans. “We’ve been selling out of this lot for years. And it’s never been a problem.”

“Somehow, I doubt that.”

“You’ll hardly notice I’m here.”

She rolls her eyes. “As if it would be possible to ignore the fact that an entire forest of Christmas trees is filling up our parking lot. I can already hear the annoyed customers now complaining about the parking situation.”

“You’re worrying too much.”

Her eyes widen slightly. “I’d be careful if I was you. That’s sounding awfully similar to ‘you need to calm down.’”

“Advice I stand by.” I roll back on my heels. “I promise, you won’t have to worry about anything. Scout’s honor.”

“Why do I have the suspicion you were never a Boy Scout?”

My lips twitch. Not much gets past Allegra St. Clair. She’s a sharp one. Sharp and annoying.

Annoyingly arousing.

Maybe I could have her singing a different tune if we snuck into my camper for a few minutes and christen the new mattress I just installed. I bet an orgasm or three would be the chill pill she needs.

And it would start off my holiday season on a bright note.

That is if she didn’t castrate me first for making a move.

I sigh, frustrated with myself—and my cavalier cock who wants to be calling the shots.

My gaze drops to her lips. Those full pouty lips. Practically begging to be kissed.

I take a step toward her. “Look, I?—”

“Oh, honey! Christmas trees!”

We jump apart as if we’ve just been caught with our hands in the cookie jar. Or my hand down her sweater.

A pretty blonde races into the lot. “We should pick up one for your condo. Since we’ll be celebrating Christmas here.”

“How do you know I don’t already have one in storage?” Her companion calls back, as he rounds the corner.

“If you have one in storage, that means it’s artificial.”

“So?”

“How could we possibly use an artificial tree for our first Christmas as a couple?” She appreciatively runs her hand over the only untethered tree. “A tree represents who we are. Do you want people to think we’re fake?”

Her boyfriend—who turns out to be someone I’ve done business with for years—slides in beside her and wraps an arm around her shoulder. “I see your point. We should probably pick the biggest, fullest tree so everyone knows how much I love you.”

“That’s the spirit.” She kisses his cheek before turning our way and taking Allegra’s hands. “Sorry to get so distracted. Something about this place really has me in the Christmas spirit. It’s so good to see you. I can’t wait to check out your operations.”

“Oh, well.” For the first time, Allegra looks almost demure. “It’s not a huge corporation or anything.”

“Nonsense. I practically devoured all the photos you sent me. They almost eased the pain of losing you for the holidays.”

“I’m available to help after hours. I can?—”

“You can focus all of your immeasurable talent on your store and we can circle back in the new year. Now.” The blonde darts a curious glance before offering her hand. “Who’s your friend?”

“My friend?”

I give her a nudge. “I think she means me.”

“Yes, introductions.” Allegra scowls at me before turning a bright smile back to the others. “This is my boss—one of the top mergers and acquisitions consultants in the country—the incomparable Samantha Wingfield.”

The blonde rolls her eyes good-naturedly. “You can call me Samantha.”

“It’s a pleasure.” I take her hand.

Allegra points at me with her thumb. “This is Van. Apparently.”

“Van Apparently?” Samantha’s eyes light up with mischief. “Now is that a British last name?”

I smirk. “It’s her way of setting me in my place.”

She scowls again. “And this is?—”

“Zack Strovers.” I release Samantha’s hand to shake his. “Good to see you again.”

Her eyebrows shoot up. “You two know each other.”

“We’re acquainted.”

Zack guffaws. “I’d say we’re more than acquainted. We’ve been working together for years.”

Allegra’s eyebrows practically disappear into her hairline. “You work together?”

“I’ve supplied trees for some of Strovers & Associates properties.” I give Zack a sharp look. Silently warning him that I don’t want him to reveal the full extent of our working relationship.

Luckily, the pretty boy is smarter than he looks.

“Yep, lots of trees.” There’s a slight lift of his eyebrow that reveals his amusement at our subtle subterfuge. “Which reminds me. I have a couple of questions about some… trees that we have in the pipeline. I’ll catch up with Van and meet you ladies inside?”

“That sounds like a plan. Now.” Samantha slides her arm through Allegra’s and pulls her away. “I want to hear all about what you have planned for increasing profits this holiday season”

Allegra casts me a parting warning glare then guides her boss toward the store’s back entrance.

Zack gives a low whistle through his teeth. “If looks could kill… What did you do to end up on Ms. St. Clair’s bad side.”

“I existed.”

“Funny, she’s been nothing but nice to me.”

“It probably doesn’t hurt that you’re sleeping with her boss.”

“It definitely doesn’t hurt.” He grins smugly then chuckles. “Of course, my better half used to look at me the same way.”

“Like you were the bane of her existence?”

“Exactly. Now we’re blissfully happy.”

“Enough with the lovey-dovey talk. I might lose my lunch.” I give him a good-natured nudge. “You wanted to talk business?”

Zack’s expression grows more serious. “I have a client who is interested in opening a second location and is looking for some retail space in the new year. I know it’s the end of the year and the holiday season, but…”

“That won’t be a problem. Where are they looking?”

“The Bay area.”

“Depending on the business, we have plenty of retail spaces.” I nod thoughtfully. “Send me what they’re looking for, and I’ll have someone on our team get back to you early next week.”

“Perfect.” Zack’s face returns to its friendly manner. “Out of curiosity, why didn’t you want Allegra to know the extent of our business arrangement.”

I lift a shoulder. “It’s none of her business.”

“It might change the way she looks at you if she found out you own one of the biggest commercial real estate holding companies on the West Coast.”

“You mean instead of thinking I’m a simple Christmas tree farmer?” I can’t help but laugh. “That’s kind of the point.”

“You want to keep fighting with her?”

“It’s a nice change of pace. The groveling gets old.” Besides, the ten minutes spent spatting with Allegra has been one of the most invigorating moments of the year.

I liked it.

I also like the way her eyes light up when she’s angry. The way her chest rises up and down. The way she plants her hands on those curvy hips…

“Enough of that,” I say as much to myself as to him. “Want to give me a hand with these trees? Or are you trying to stay pretty for the little lady?”

“Want some unsolicited advice?” He asks, reaching for one of the trees. “Don’t let Samantha, or Allegra, hear you call either of them ‘the little lady.’”

“Why’s that?”

“These women might seem like they’re tough as nails. But they can be even tougher.”