Mistletoe Misses

Chapter 15

Carmen

A fter Maddox leaves, I flop my weakened body across the bed and lie unmoving for hours, marveling at my continued good fortune. How in the world, after all this time, did I get him back? How can a glance, a touch, a kiss from him rock my entire body like we’re discovering each other for the first time? How can I prevent him from going back?

The very idea of him choosing Boston keeps me up for the rest of the night. I’m flittering between consciousness and dozing the next morning while brewing the strongest pot of coffee I’ve ever made and almost don’t hear the knock on the door.

“Did you forget your keys?” I call, expecting to see Sadie and one of my parents on the other side. Swinging open the door, my heart slams to a stop. “Maddox.”

I force my eyes from his adorable sideways grin to the items he’s carrying. A bag from Latte Da Café and two steaming cups.

“Is that what I think it is?”

“Chocolate muffins and a caramel macchiato. I heard it’s your favorite morning treat.”

“It is, especially when I’m stressed or worried.”

“Are you either of those this morning?”

I hold his gaze, choosing to ignore my fretting through the night and focus on the positive. He’s here now, and I plan to relish every second I get with him. “I’m happier than I’ve been in years.”

“Good. Me, too.”

Closing the distance between us, I frame his face. “That makes me even happier.”

His head lowers his head, and like our kiss behind the gazebo, he wastes no time showing me what he’s after. He’ll get zero complaints from me. Taking hold of his shirt, I pull him inside and kick the door closed. I don’t dare dislodge my lips from his as I take the drink carrier and bag and set them on the end table. Nothing will stop me from taking advantage of everything he’s offering.

His free hands find their way to my waist inside my open robe and lift me with ease, allowing my legs to lock around him. The decorative cutouts in the door dig into my back as his sculpted body presses against me. Every glorious muscle hardens, holding me in the most satisfying position for a kiss to put our last to shame. It doesn’t take long before I forget a world exists outside of our little bubble.

I’m on the verge of requesting something inappropriate for our new slow-burn arrangement when the doorknob wiggles. Sadie’s voice carries through the wall, and we freeze.

His eyes widen before gently setting me down. Holding the door closed with one hand, I shoo him into my bedroom. I’ll sneak him out while Sadie gets ready for school.

“Mom! The door won’t open.”

“I’m coming.” I give him a moment to find a hiding spot, then swing open the door. “Hi, baby. I missed you.”

She trots in and hugs me, pressing her cheek to my belly. I wonder if she can smell a freshly showered Maddox on my clothes. I certainly can and hope his rustic scent stays with me all day.

“Did you have fun?”

“Yeah.”

Before I can close the door, Trixie slips through the opening and stands on her hind legs for Sadie’s attention.

“Hi, Trix. What are you doing here?” Kneeling, Sadie gives her excited furry friend all the rubbing she desires. “I stopped by next door to see Maddox, but he wasn’t there.”

“He … ugh … must have gone somewhere.”

Shrugging, she drops her overnight bag beside the couch. “Did you go to the coffee shop?” She waves a finger at me. “In your pajamas?”

Glancing over the ivory silk shorts and tank top combo I’m wearing under my equally silky hot pink robe, I have no lie at the ready. I settle on the truth. “Maddox brought them.”

“And he brought my fav.” She wiggles the macchiato out of the holder and takes a sip.

“It’s my favorite, too. Someone must have filled him in on our secret.”

“He’s so sweet.”

And a lot of other adjectives I can’t say right now.

“Shouldn’t you be at work?” she asks, digging into the bag.

“Shoot. It’s Monday, isn’t it?”

“And you’re late.”

“Thank you, my big girl. Hurry up and eat your breakfast. You’ve got somewhere to be, too.” I peck the top of her head and dash off to my bedroom. I’d forgotten about Maddox hiding here until his head peeks out of my closet. I stifle the scream tickling my throat by slapping a hand over my mouth.

“It’s my day to open the store,” I whisper, crossing the room to talk without tipping Sadie to our secret. He grabs my robe and tries to pull me into his tiny hiding spot. Despite my willingness to get up close and personal, I somehow find restraint.

Little footsteps pad down the hallway, and my finger presses to his mouth. She enters the bathroom and turns on the sink faucet.

“Come on.” Grabbing the front of his shirt, I pull him through the apartment and out the door. “If you need a break later, come see me downstairs,” I whisper and go to close the door.

“Wait,” he says, stopping the door with a hand.

Before I can ask why, his lips are on mine again, tormenting me in the best possible way. He makes me want to shout his praises to the rest of the town and destroy all the boundaries he’s set for our relationship. It would be his fault for melting my resolve with his unforgettable kisses.

“Just needed one more to hold me over.”

Pure torture. As he leaves me wanting like it’s no trouble at all, I curse him and hold my weakened body up with the doorframe. “Never stop doing that,” I whisper-yell.

He pivots to face me, all smug with the status as top man in my life, and the corner of his mouth tips up. “Don’t worry. I plan to do that and more next time I see you.”

“Is that a promise?”

Walking backward, he holds up two fingers in a pledge, then folds them into a fist over his heart.

And that’s just one reason why I will always love him.

◆◆◆

“I’m here.” Kaitlyn waltzes through the store, her arms held wide to absorb all the praise for gracing us with her presence.

“You’re crazy.”

“Not exactly the welcome I expected for saving the day, but whatever.”

“You haven’t saved anything yet. I’ll reevaluate your worth once we’re finished.”

Her hands pop up to her hips. “Tough crowd today.”

With a laugh, I hand her a tray of paints. We have exactly one day to decorate the front windows for the annual Spectacular window decorating contest, and we’re wasting time. “Let’s get to work.”

“What’s the theme for this year? Snowy mountain views? Dog frolicking in the snow? Snow-covered forest with a tree decorated for Christmas?”

“Why all the snow scenes?”

“White is easy … no color mixing.”

“And lazy,” I tease.

“I prefer efficient. You only gave me one day, and great artists can’t be rushed.”

“You’ll live.” I flash her a playful grin, but it’s met with an eye roll. “Anyway, here’s what I want. I’d like a young Santa and Mrs. Claus under mistletoe on one window, and a little girl and white dog sitting by the Christmas tree, watching the happy couple on the other.”

Kaitlyn’s eyes narrow at me. “Is there something you’re trying to tell me without telling me?”

“Why would you think that?” I say in my best innocent tone, putting my acting skills to the test, and she buys it. Damn, I’m good.

“Because you’ve avoided anything remotely romantic, especially mistletoe, for the last four years,” she explains like I haven’t been present for my own life. “Wait a minute. Have you been withholding some hot news from me? Did you go to the kissing booth? I heard Maddox was there.”

I survey the store over my shoulder to make sure no one snuck in while I was occupied before returning to her, a sly smile peeking through. “Maybe.”

“Carmen Delilah Bennett. You kissed Maddox and didn’t tell your best friend. What the hell?” Her arms cross in protest.

“Sorry, a lot has happened over the last few days, and I’ve been busy.”

“Too busy to tell your friend the news of the decade?”

“You’ll understand why when I fill you in … but later. We have some painting to do.”

“Fine,” she concedes with a loud sigh.

Climbing onto the base of the wide picture window, I whip the stick-figure drawing out of my pocket and hold it up for her to admire.

“You want me to draw that?” She points at the paper. “On there?” Her finger moves to the window behind me.

“Not exactly like this. You’re the artist. Use your imagination.”

“Does this Santa happen to have delicious chocolate tones, hazel eyes, and muscles that melt panties, or do we have to stick to regular, boring Santa features?”

“Kait!”

“Just askin’ because my imagination is stuck on Santa Maddox.”

“Shhh,” I get out before a fit of laughter takes over. Envisioning Maddox in a traditional Santa suit is quite amusing until I start picturing him in something more modern and form-fitting.

My hand jumps into action to fan my flushed face.

Kaitlyn’s eyes narrow, studying my physical reaction to my thoughts. “Did you and Maddox …”

“Don’t I wish? But no.” I lower my voice, dying to tell someone. “We just kissed … a ton.”

She squeals, and I panic. We’re supposed to be discreet, and here I am word-vomiting our secrets to the first person I see. Granted, she’s not just anyone. She’s my best friend, and with that title comes the responsibility of keeping all my secrets. Not that I have many of those, making this one, as grand as it is, a light carry.

Setting aside the tray of paints, she grabs my arms so I can’t circumvent her questions. “How was it? Super hot? Hotter than hot? Panty melting hot?”

“Goodness, Kait. Stop. I’ve already said more than I should.”

“Why? Is it a secret that you two are together together?”

“Yes. Don’t tell anyone. We’re laying low.”

“I bet you are,” she purrs, making me heat from within. “Don’t worry, I won’t say anything, and I’ll paint your sexy Santa with hazel eyes. You just won’t be able to see them because his eyelids will be closed as he melts Mrs. Claus’ panties with a steaming hot kiss.”

“You're incorrigible.”

“You know this, yet you still invite me over to save your ass.”

Picking up the paints, I thrust them into her hands. “Get to work.”

◆◆◆

“Carmen,” Kaitlyn says with concern coating every letter.

“What is it?”

She points out the window. “Is that your man with a … baby carrier?”

I search the sidewalk and street and find Maddox walking toward the hardware store with Trixie snug in a sling tied across his torso. A snicker escapes at the absurdity and adorableness of those two. “Yep, that’s Maddox and his second favorite girl. He lost her the other day, so he’s probably making sure he—”

“Are you his first favorite?” She wiggles her brow and smirks.

“No. That would be Nana. I’m much lower, after his mother, sisters, and Sadie.”

“At least you’re back on the list.”

“Amen to that.”

Once the first window is finished, we break for lunch and settle on ordering delivery.

Maddox: Are you free for a private lunch date? I’ll bring sandwiches.

“Why are you blushing?” Kaitlyn asks, surprising me, and I jostle my phone. The rest of the store had faded away at the first sight of Maddox’s name. “Is that from Hot Santa?”

“Yes. I think I’ll change his name in my contacts to that for the holidays.”

“Wait until he stuffs your chimney with his big—”

“Kait!”

“What? I was going to say bag of presents.”

“No, you weren’t.”

“We’ll never know now, will we?”

With Kaitlyn looking over my shoulder, I roll my eyes and re-read his text.

“Go. I’ll order a pizza and keep working.”

“I can’t let you do all the work.”

“Yeah, you can. Santa is too hot to ignore, and you’d just be in my way.”

“Gee, thanks.”

“I know you remember your so-called scratchy drawing. Compare that to this glorious art.” She fans a hand across the window, her face alight with awe over her superior talent before she comes back to me, expecting the same.

I poke out a hip, my hand perching there as I glare at her. “If I didn’t know how selfless you’re being, I might take offense.”

“Hey, I’m just happy one of us is getting some, keeping us afloat. I almost killed myself during the last four years of your excruciating sex ban, trying to hold us above water.”

“What does that mean?”

She points a long, red fingernail at me, and I have the feeling I’m about to regret asking that question.

“Remember all those late-night talks about my escapades in the city and all the juicy details I had for you when I got back?”

“Yeah.” The word draws out in way too many syllables, and I wait for the bomb to hit.

“That was keeping you wet and ready for this moment.”

“Ugh.” I stalk off through the store to find a place to respond to Maddox’s text in private. “Now, I’m offended.”

“No, you’re not. You’re excited to be finally carrying a load. Or you will be when his big bag of presents arrives.”

Trying not to think about making my own late-night juicy details, I type my response five times before getting my fingers to work without typos.

Me: Name the time and place.

My heart feels like it’s in a jump rope contest with my stomach as I await his response.

Maddox: Your apartment. 20 minutes.

Feeling bold, I add a little spice to my reply.

Me: Will any promises be fulfilled during this private lunch date? I want to ensure store coverage for an adequate amount of time.

Maddox: Might want to call in reinforcements.

Me: Mmm. I love a man who keeps his word.

I hit send quickly before I chicken out and erase the boundary-crossing comment. Several minutes slip by without a response, and I worry I’ve said too much.

Maddox: Good. Over the years, I promised myself I’d do a lot of things if I ever got the chance.

Me: Like what?

Maddox: I’d rather show you.

With anticipation clawing its way through me, I dip into the back storage room and let it out with a scream. Then, coolly, I type my response.

Me: Can’t wait.