Mistletoe Mischief (Falling in Mistletoe #2)

Chapter Six

W ednesday evening had taken an unexpected turn for Pike when their friend group finished helping Nick get the Christmas tree farm ready for the Friday after Thanksgiving. They’d headed back to the house to find out what Mrs. Winters was making, only to discover Merry, Holly, and Delilah planning the holiday bachelor auction. Since he and Anthony were going to be a part of it, Pike was completely invested in how it should turn out. After they’d gone to Anthony’s trailer to clean up, the group of men returned to brainstorm. Even Victoria and Chris Winters got into it, tossing out names like trivia answers.

Getting Delilah alone had been impossible until this point, but the plan he’d devised in the meantime was sure to score him a date. Fingering the sprig of mistletoe he’d slipped in his pocket, Pike waited for Delilah to finish her goodbyes with the Winters. Like all their children’s friends, Victoria and Chris treated Delilah like one of their own.

“Delilah, you are allowed to call us by our first names.” Victoria gave her a hug, a sheepish grin on her face as she added, “Pike and Anthony have been calling me Victoria since they were seniors, and I like you better than them.”

“That hurts me!” Pike gasped.

Victoria scoffed. “She doesn’t come in and eat all my food.”

“It’s a compliment to your culinary skills,” Pike protested.

“Thank you, Victoria,” Delilah said, giving the rest of the room a wave. “Good night, everyone. Holly, I’ll text you when I make it home.”

Holly hopped up from the couch to hug her, whispering something that Pike couldn’t hear. But as Delilah responded, “Of course. That’s what besties do,” he assumed it was to thank Delilah for her help .

As everyone else called out their farewell, Pike stood up. “I’ll walk you out.”

Pike rounded the couch, his steps faltering when he caught her expression. Why did she look like he’d offered to walk her into the woods and leave her there?

Despite her less than enthusiastic response, Pike grabbed the front door and held it for her. “I’ll be back in a minute,” he said, catching Anthony’s stony expression. Pike thought he’d at least have gotten a thumbs-up or some form of encouragement from his friends, but only Noel was smiling.

He shut the door behind them, pulling at his bow tie as he caught up to Delilah at the bottom step. She was facing him with her hands in her pockets, her breath fogging from the cold.

“What’s up?” she asked.

Straightforward and to the point. A lackluster segue, but he’d take it. “I just wanted a chance to talk before you took off. It was crowded in there.”

“It always is when the family gets together,” she said, starting to walk down the pathway.

He chuckled. “Fair enough.” Her pace was brisk, and when she started pulling ahead, Pike took a few longer steps, stopping in front of her. She pulled up short, that wide-eyed deer-in-headlights look making his palms sweat.

“I know you’ve got places to go,” he joked, nervousness tickling the back of his throat, “but I need to get this out there. I want to make plans with you before another man beats me to the punch.”

A shadow passed over her face, and she frowned. “Why are you suddenly interested in me, Pike?” she asked, her voice laced with annoyance. “I mean, why now? I wasn’t exactly subtle in my adoration all these years.”

His mouth flopped open, completely stunned by her honest assessment. He couldn’t fault Delilah for her suspicions, but had she needed to bring them up so bluntly?

It took him several beats to collect himself, and then he stammered, “I mean, it’s hard to pinpoint the exact moment—”

“Come on, be honest,” she broke in.

“I am! You’ve always been an attractive woman”—her eyes narrowed, and he realized that was the wrong thing to say, so he pressed on—“but I guess if I had to give you a reason, you caught my attention the night at Brews. You walked in, and it was like seeing you for the first time.”

Delilah laughed bitterly. “Do you understand how insulting that is? I mooned after you for years. I’ve been the same size for at least ten of them, so it’s not that I lost weight or something. All this pursuit is because of a dress?”

Rising irritation at her tone warmed the skin on the back of his neck, and he frowned. “I’m confused. Did you not wear that dress because you wanted attention?”

“Technically, yes—”

“Then why are you mad at me for giving you what you wanted?”

“Because it’s superficial!” She exploded, her voice rising, and he glanced at the doorway, hoping no one heard her outburst. “You don’t know anything about me. You liked how I looked Saturday night, but can you tell me a single fact about myself that makes you think, ‘Wow, I want to pursue that girl’?”

“I—you’re a good dancer.”

“I took dance classes until seventh grade, so fantastic observation,” she said, crossing her arms over her chest. “Anything else?”

Come on, man, think! “I need a minute.”

“You take all the time you need,” Delilah deadpanned. “I’ve had men who weren’t interested in me romantically, but they didn’t write me off as a person. You wrote me off until you liked the way I looked.”

“No, I just thought of you as a kid! The best friend of Nick’s little sister. I was graduating high school when you were just starting. You went away to college for four years and came back when I was with someone. It took me a long time to get over my first love, and now I am ready to find something real. There hasn’t been a time for us until now.”

“Except I’m not feeling it, Pike,” Delilah whispered.

Pike stared at her, disappointment settling in the pit of his stomach like a stone. He’d pinned all his hopes on her, on this chance to find someone who would give him her whole heart and then some, but he’d missed the moment.

Or had he?

Pulling the mistletoe from his pocket, Pike asked, “Are you sure?” He took a step toward her and held the sprig of greenery above their heads. “Should we put this to the test to be sure? ”

Delilah laughed. “Why do you have mistletoe in your pocket?”

“Victoria always hangs a few sprigs around the farm during the holidays, and I thought it might be useful. What do you say?”

Delilah barely finished her nod before his mouth dropped to hers, soft lips melting under his. His tongue swept inside, seeking hers, and she kissed him back sweetly. It was a nice kiss, but there was no fire. No explosion of lust that made him want to back her against the nearest surface and rip her clothes off.

From the way Delilah broke the kiss and stared at him, the little lines of her forehead furrowed, he could tell she felt the same.

“You still not feeling it?” he asked.

“Don’t let me interrupt,” Anthony said, coming down the front porch steps.

Delilah gasped, and Pike wanted to punch his best friend. “You’ve got some timing there, bro.”

“Like I said, carry on. It’s not my fault you picked the only exit to make a move.”

He passed by, and Pike saw Delilah glance after him, worrying her bottom lip. Was she embarrassed that Anthony had caught them?

When she finally met his gaze, she asked, “Sorry, what did you say?”

Ouch. Might as well get this over with. Pike wasn’t sure his pride could take any more indifference.

“I asked if you were still not feeling it.”

“I—” She cleared her throat, the noise inaudible over the roar of Anthony’s truck and the crunch of gravel under tires. “I’m sorry, Pike. I think we missed our boat.”

“Wow,” he said, running a hand through his hair. “I thought the mistletoe was charming.”

“It toed the line between charming and corny. I think it would work wonders with the right girl.”

“But that’s not you, huh?” he asked, slipping the mistletoe back into his pocket.

“It’s not. I’m sorry.”

Pike gave her what he hoped was a rueful smile. “Well, nothing ventured, nothing gained, right?”

“Yeah.”

Delilah stood awkwardly, and he didn’t want to prolong the rejection any longer, so he took a step back toward the house .

“I’m gonna head inside and grab another slice of pizza for the road,” he said.

“Good night, Pike.”

“You, too. Safe travel tomorrow.”

“Thanks.”

Pike backed up as he watched her continue down the walkway and through the gate to where her car was parked. Once she’d driven off, Pike was left with a conundrum. Did he bravely go back inside and admit to his friends and the Winters that he had struck out? Or dip like a coward and head to Brews and Chews for a self-pitying binge?

Pulling out his phone, he chose the latter, shooting Nick a text.

Suffered a painful rejection, so I’m ducking out. Tell your parents thank you and I’ll see you all tomorrow.

His phone chirped as he climbed into his car.

Sorry, man. You need me to come meet you?

While he’d have loved Nick coming out to chill with him, being around Nick and Noel’s love would only pour salt in his open wound.

Nah, you hang with your fam. Night.

RYLER

Ryler finished off her burger with gusto, moaning happily. “I think that was the best burger I’ve ever tasted.”

“It was pretty good,” Alia admitted, absently nibbling on a French fry as she stared at her phone screen. They’d taken the groceries home and headed back out to the bar in the pines. While Alia had originally balked at the honky-tonk atmosphere of Brews and Chews, Ryler had ordered her cousin’s favorite cocktail, and all had become right with the world.

Ryler’s foot tapped along with the song blasting over the speakers, although she couldn’t remember the name or artist. The dance floor was empty with the exception of one couple who were getting down and dirty. A few guys sat at the bar, chatting up the gorgeous bartender, and two women sat at a table near the exit. Otherwise, they were the only ones in the place.

“I guess the day before Thanksgiving isn’t exactly a party night,” Ryler joked, watching her cousin for the hint of a smile, but she didn’t even glance up .

By the way her thumbs were moving, Alia was texting someone, but she finally responded, “It’s also eight on a Wednesday.”

“That is true,” Ryler said, pausing to see if Alia would notice her irritation before adding, “Which one of your many admirers are you chatting up?”

Alia blushed, finally looking up from the phone, although she didn’t exactly meet Ryler’s eye. “No one special.”

“Then why is your face so red?” Ryler teased.

“Because it’s really warm in here,” Alia said, suddenly getting up from the table. “I’m going to the bathroom.”

“Alright,” Ryler said, watching her leave. It wasn’t like Alia to be cagey about her conquests. Was she recycling an ex Ryler didn’t approve of? Oh man. The list of sucky former boyfriends was long, and Ryler hoped she was wrong.

Ryler’s notification beeped, and she checked her Instagram DMs. Glad you made it safely. If you and the crew want to meet up, I’m headed to Brews and Chews for a drink.

Rylie’s pulse kicked into high gear. Pike was going to be here? Tonight?

Sure, she’d imagined there was a possibility he’d show up, this being a small town and all, but the knowledge that he was coming …

Not to mention he thought she was a guy and was probably in lust with her cousin, but details.

The pretty bartender waved at someone behind Ryler. “Hey, Pike.”

Ryler straightened at the name, turning discreetly in her chair to get a look at him. He appeared disheveled compared to his Instagram pics, as if he’d just gotten out of the shower. His hair was brushed back like he’d just run his fingers through it. The collared shirt he wore was unbuttoned at the top, and there seemed to be something hanging from it she couldn’t make out. His shirt was untucked, covering up his jean-clad backside.

Not that she was looking.

“Hi, Ricki, how are you?” he asked, taking an empty stool with his back to Ryler.

Ricki shrugged, her smooth tan shoulders exposed in her muscle tank top. “Same old. Want a beer?”

Pike shook his head, and although she could only make out his profile, Ryler thought he may have winced. “Something stronger. ”

“Rough day?”

“I’d say so.”

“Whiskey it is, then.” Ricki grabbed a bottle off the shelf and brought it back over to the bar tap with a glass full of ice.

Alia came out of the bathroom, and Ryler held her breath, hoping that Pike wouldn’t recognize her yet. Ryler wanted to have a little time to watch him before introducing herself … and Alia.

Yeah, that doesn’t seem stalkerish at all.

Ryler could freely admit that she found the guy intriguing and the last thing she wanted was to watch him drool all over her cousin, which was bound to happen. Every guy lost their mind when they met Alia, except for Neil and Kit, but they were atypical. Pike definitely seemed like the type of guy to be struck dumb by big blue eyes and a killer smile.

Alia managed to make it back to the table without being recognized by Pike, probably because she was bundled up in a sweatshirt and jeans, her blond hair haphazardly thrown on top of her head. It wasn’t her normal look, but he also seemed distracted by the need for another drink and was hyper-focused on the bartender, Ricki.

“Are you about ready to go back to the house?” Alia asked, standing behind her chair with her back to Pike.

Ryler glanced from her cousin to Pike’s impressive shoulders. “Not particularly.”

“Really? Because I’m feeling kind of funky.”

Ryler noticed her cousin’s pallor and wanted to kick herself for being a selfish tool. Alia obviously wasn’t feeling well, and Ryler kept railroading her into staying because Ryler wanted to check out their guide.

“Of course, we can go. Sorry, I was just people-watching.”

“That’s okay, you stay. I’m sure I could get an Uber to take me back to the house.”

Ryler laughed. “An Uber here? I doubt it.”

“Oh, you want to bet?” Alia said, holding up her phone. “Check that out.”

Ryler saw the little white car that would cost Alia fifteen dollars to hail and shook her head. “You don’t have to do that. I’ll just finish my food, and we can bounce.”

“Ryler,” Alia exhaled. “I am giving you an out. I know I have been a crabby Patty all day and you are sick of my ass. I will go back to the house, take a Tums and a bath, and go to bed. If I don’t wake up rejuvenated and cheerful, you can push me out a window tomorrow.”

“Man, that is a tempting offer,” Ryler joked. “You’re sure you feel safe?”

“With the Uber driver named Tessa?” Alia asked, smirking. “Yeah. I’m still gonna be watching the tree line, though, for bears and cannibals.”

“Alright, I won’t be long.” Ryler handed her the key. “Text me when you get inside and lock the door.”

“The whole point is to stay long, you weirdo.” Alia grinned when her phone beeped. “And she’s here.”

“Damn, she’s quick.”

“I actually ordered her when I was in the bathroom.” Her smile widened, eyes sparkling mischievously. “You seemed to be in your element among the mountain folk, and I didn’t want to disturb.”

Ryler shook her head with a laugh. “Be safe.”

“You, too.”

Alia got up and headed for the door, leaving Ryler alone at the table, her gaze flicking to Pike’s flannel-clad back and shoulders. He was turned in the stool, speaking to the man next to him, and Ryler realized how crazy this was. What was she hoping to accomplish by staying behind and watching him?

Ryler got up from the table, heading to the bathroom. She passed through the door with the Cowgirls sign and locked it behind her. She stared at herself in the mirror, a small part of her wishing she’d at least put on a little makeup today. She took her ponytail out, fluffing her hair around her shoulders. The natural waves hid the kink the band had made in her strands. Her simple cropped tee stretched across her breasts and dipped into a V, giving a hint of cleavage.

Oh my God, have you lost your mind? You can’t hook up with this guy!

Ryler shook her head, reaching for the door. The little voice was right. She had booked five excursions, and it was a small town. Besides, what if she hit on him and he rejected her? Or worse, he hooked up with her but spent the remainder of the trip drooling over her cousin.

Ryler opened the door and stepped out, running smack into a wall of muscle that smelled like whiskey and cedar. Ryler bounced off him, catching herself on the wall. A soft, strong hand cupped her elbow and she looked up into heavy-lidded blue eyes .

“Sorry, I didn’t see you,” Pike said.

“Yeah, I kind of charged out of there, huh?”

“I had tunnel vision myself,” he said, reaching for her other arm to help her upright. “You good?”

“Thanks.” Ryler noticed that the string she’d seen hanging from his collar earlier was an undone bowtie, and she smiled. She’d noticed the bow tie in some of his pics, but thought it was due to special events. The fact that it was part of his style was adorkably hot.

He returned her smile with a nod. “Sure. Have a good night.”

Pike continued down the hallway to a door at the back of the building. “You, too.”

Something small fell out of his pocket, and Ryler trailed behind him, picking it up from the ground. It was a bushel of mistletoe.

Ryler followed him out the door, realizing she’d left her coat inside. The minute she stepped into the dimly lit courtyard, the icy breeze pricked along her skin. She spotted Pike along the edge of the fence, a lone figure in the dark.

“Hey,” she called out. He turned around to face her, smiling quizzically.

“Hey again.”

“You dropped this,” she said, crossing the patio and holding the greenery out to him.

Pike looked down at it and laughed. “You keep it. Maybe it will bring you better luck than it did me.”

“Oh, what? Were you walking around trying to get a bunch of girls to kiss you, and they said no?”

Ryler noticed his strained smile and wished she hadn’t been so flippant. “Just one girl, but it didn’t work out.”

Ouch. “I’m sorry.”

Pike shrugged. “You can only have one soul mate, right?”

“You believe in soul mates?” she asked, her stomach doing a little flip. It was such a romantic notion she wouldn’t expect from such a burly guy.

“Sure. There are people out there we can be happy with but only one person who truly matches us.” He leaned against the table with a heavy sigh. “Mine just seems to be eluding me.”

Ryler liked that he was only five inches or so taller, not a huge difference, so she didn’t have to break her neck to meet his eye .

She fiddled with the little plant in her hands, her mind screaming to turn back, but she ignored the warning. “So, you just hold this up above your head”—Ryler lifted her arm above them, dangling the leaves from her finger—“and you’re guaranteed a kiss?”

Pike’s gaze flicked from the mistletoe to her face, his expression unreadable. “Is that what you’re looking for out here?”

Ryler’s heart hammered at the gravelly edge in his voice, like the Big Bad Wolf tempting Little Red. “Yes.”

Pike hesitated, his gaze traveling over her face, and when it dipped to her lips, heat swirled in the pit of her stomach. His hand cupped the side of her neck, warm fingers tangling in her hair.

“What’s your name?” he whispered.

She smiled softly, stepping into him. “Does it matter?”

Ryler’s eyes fluttered as he dropped his head, soft lips crushing hers. The whiskers of his beard tickled her skin, and gooseflesh exploded along the surface. He tasted like whiskey, and she opened her mouth wider, taking his thrusting tongue. His hands slipped over her shoulders and down her back, pressing her body flush with his, and her nipples puckered against the cups of her bra. She arched closer, kissing him back, returning each drive of his tongue.

Shit, Pike can fucking kiss.

Ryler wrapped her arms around his shoulders, lost in his taste and touch. How long had it been since she’d made out like this? Since a man had made her lower back tingle and her body ache for more. Being physical with someone was about release, satisfactory and efficient, but the way Pike’s hands splayed against her back, gliding over her denim-covered hips, made her think there was something missing in her sex life.

She gasped when he lifted her onto a nearby chair, holding on to her thighs and stepping between her legs. She’d had a few one-night stands and on-the-road hookups, but this was the first time she’d ever initiated intimacy with a stranger. Ryler wasn’t sure what it was about Pike, but even before she’d seen him headed for the bar, his pictures, his profile, the way he talked about his friends and family had drawn her to him. To Mistletoe to meet him. While yes, the idea of a snowy, traditional Christmas setting for the podcast had sounded perfect, she could admit that meeting Pike had also been a draw.

Ryler locked her ankles against his back, relishing the hard bulge of his erection pressing into her. She couldn’t remember the last time a man had kissed her like he couldn’t get enough of her, and here was this virtual stranger giving her the type of kiss she’d only ever heard about.

Pike jerked his mouth from hers abruptly, his breath rushing out hard and fast across her lips. “Fuck, I’m sorry.”

“For what?” she whispered.

“You asked for a kiss and I practically assaulted you.”

Ryler tightened her ankles. “Trust me, if I didn’t want this, you’d be a sobbing heap on the ground.”

Pike chuckled. “Is that a fact?”

“Absolutely. I’ve taken over a dozen self-defense and martial arts courses. I could take you out with a well-placed finger.”

Pike brushed her hair back, grinning at her. “I think I’m already a goner.”

While the line was cheesy as hell, the emotional undertones of awe and desire matched her energy, and she brushed her lips over his. Ryler strayed from his mouth, exploring the skin of his neck, the lobe of his ear. His hands squeezed her thighs when she nipped at his pulse point, and she gasped when he rolled his hips, lust pulsating in her pussy.

“Seriously, what’s your name?” he murmured, one hand now cradling the back of her head. She leaned back into his hand, meeting his gaze and shooting him a saucy grin.

“Hmmm, guess.”

His lips grazed her cheek. “Stephanie.”

“Nope.”

He nipped at her earlobe, and she closed her eyes against the zing of pleasure. “Paula?”

“You’ll never guess.”

The hand still on her hip skimmed up her thighs, and dipped between her legs slowly, giving her ample time to say no. When he finally cupped her, his finger stroking her through her jeans, she arched against his caress with a low moan. Anyone could come out and discover them, but she didn’t care.

“Tell me,” he said, his fingers rubbing against her harder, creating a tingle of need inside her core, “and I’ll kiss you somewhere else.”

Holy shit! This wasn’t her. She didn’t dirty talk with strangers on cold dark nights, and she especially wasn’t tempted to let them do exactly what they promised in a public area .

He pulled down her T-shirt and sucked at the skin of her collarbone.

She gasped, holding on to his shoulders as he withdrew his mouth with a pop, kissing a trail along her chest until he reached the top of her left breast.

“Your name?” he coaxed, rubbing her in an upward motion through her jeans.

Her pussy tingled, her desire soaking her panties, and Ryler forgot why she should tell him any other name. His touch was like a truth serum, and she whispered, “Ryler,” a second too late and froze.

“Ryler, that’s—”

Suddenly, he jerked away, his jaw hanging slack. “Ryler?”

She held on to the stool, nodding.

“With Excursions ?”

“Yes.”

“Shit, I’m Pike.” Pike ran his hands through his hair, staring at her. “I thought you were a guy.”

Ryler laughed softly. “I had a feeling you did.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” he asked.

Ryler slipped off the stool and approached him, frowning when he backed away from her. “I thought it would be a pleasant surprise.”

She reached for him, but he took her hands, shaking his head. “You’re Alia’s assistant.”

Ryler bit her lip. “So?”

“We can’t—you’re here with—” He released her and rubbed his hand over his face, laughing. “Damn it, this has not been my day.”

“Wait, two minutes ago you were fingering me through my jeans, and now you’re dipping because I didn’t tell you I was a girl?”

“No, you don’t understand. I cannot mess this up, and sleeping with you, with Alia Cole’s assistant?” He held his hands up. “You don’t know this, but I piss off nearly every woman I become romantically involved with.”

“At this moment, I can understand why!” Ryler tried walking past him, humiliation gnawing inside her. How had she never considered that Pike would have kept things professional no matter what her gender was?

“Are you going to tell Alia?” he called after her.

A flash of hurt pinched her chest until it was replaced by fury. Was he actually asking her, after offering to go down on her, if she was going to tell her cousin because he what—thought something was going to happen between him and Alia ?

“Why? You think you have a chance with her?” Ryler asked waspishly.

“No, I told you. This is the chance of a lifetime for my business partner and me. Letting him down isn’t an option.”

Ryler deflated and swallowed back her disappointment and humiliation, reminding herself that she’d done this to herself. Why the hell had she made a move on Pike in the first place? Now she was stuck here for three weeks, participating in activities that would throw them together, and all the while, she still wanted to kiss him.

Concealing her barrage of emotions with a wry smile, Ryler gave him a thumbs-up. “Don’t worry, Skip. Your secret is safe with me.”