The Christmas Date

Tyler had gripped her elbow, and Kate was looking up at him in surprise. Ah, immediate silence. So the technique did work. Tyler had often seen his father merely put his hand on his mother’s arm, and instantly, she’d stop speaking, even in midsentence. Kate’s expression was not one of passivity but of interest. Again her lips were parted, and her mouth was delectable open like that. Definitely kissable.

Tyler continued to hold Kate’s elbow, and her skin warmed where his fingers curled around her arm. Interesting. He decided he liked touching her and made a mental note to continue exploring the phenomenon of touching Kate.

“I told you I would come with you,” he told her. “Let’s go meet this Wendy friend of yours.”

Tyler threw open the door without looking first, the movement receiving Nora’s reproach. He ignored her disapproval. If bullets flying over his head counted, he had definitely been in many more dangerous situations than this one.

“Wendy?” Kate called.

“Kate! Are you outside?” Wendy stood under Kate’s carport, her hand over her eyes as she squinted into the shadows. Normally, Tyler appreciated tall leggy brunettes, but none had affected his equilibrium quite like the shorter blond woman by his side.

“Ah, you must be Wendy,” Tyler said as he and Kate stepped into the light.

“Kate!” Wendy shrieked as she saw Kate’s attire. “You’re not ready! You forgot!” And then, as if realization dawned, Wendy’s gaze registered that Tyler stood there. Her mouth opened into a silent O.

“Hi, Wendy. I’m Tyler.” He held out his hand, and Wendy returned his firm grasp with a limp handshake. “Kate was just telling me about you. It’s true she only now remembered your party. I’m afraid I’ve been distracting her terribly. I just moved in today and—”

Tyler broke off as Kate’s jaw dropped open as though to say something. Tyler put a forefinger under her chin, leaned over and whispered in her ear, “Shut your mouth, darling. I might have to do something to help you shut it.”

Wendy’s mouth closed at the same time as Kate’s, Tyler noted with a grin. Oh, how he loved American women. They were the greatest in the world, and not just because they were so predictable. He knew exactly what thought had crossed each of their minds at his deliberate words. He gave Wendy a devilish smile.

“Wendy, please don’t blame Kate,” Tyler continued. “She didn’t mean to lose track of time. These things sort of happen. She did tell me she could be ready quickly. She needs to grab a shower first.”

Wendy wobbled on her high heels as she eased toward her car. “You could have called, Kate, and let me know about your change of plans.”

Kate found her voice. “Wendy! It’s not like this. We just met. He and I aren’t—I mean, we’re only neighbors. He lives right there.”

Kate attempted to squirm away from Tyler, but he tugged her wiggling body closer and pressed her to him. She fit nicely against his hip, and a current passed between them, sending warmth even lower. To hide his immediate arousal, Tyler drew Kate tighter.

Damn, she felt good. Despite his obvious physical state, Kate didn’t even attempt to pull away but instead seemed almost to sink into his skin, as if she belonged there.

“It’s okay.” Tyler purposely made his tone soothing. She was going to kill him later, but it was a small price to pay. Kate’s body touching his was sending sensual signals to his brain unlike any he’d ever experienced. Being a red-blooded male, he was enjoying every one. “Wendy’s a grown woman who knows how these things happen. Right, Wendy?”

Wendy nodded as she inched backward and Tyler turned his attention to Kate. “Are you with Wendy or with me? If you’re staying with me, there’s still some work to finish in my bedroom.”

“I—” Kate began.

“We’ll talk Monday,” Wendy called as she passed the bumper of Kate’s car. Then, without waiting for Kate’s answer, Wendy jumped into her vehicle and drove away.

Once the taillights disappeared, Kate jerked herself out of Tyler’s embrace. Her fists rose as if to pummel him. Her body shook. Was she…crying?

Remorse immediately overtook Tyler. Was he destined to be an insensitive cad? While it was the truth, he had greatly stretched the situation out of proportion, letting Wendy think the worst. The last thing he wanted was his new neighbor to think that he was some sort of caveman. “Kate, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to…”

Then he noticed the small upturn of her full lips, next her straight white teeth. She was smiling, laughing even, so hard that tears were beginning to run down her cheeks.

“I can’t believe it. Did you notice her expression? Wendy probably assumes I’m sleeping with you. You! She thinks I…We…As if…” Kate’s words dissolved into more laughter and she doubled over, holding her stomach.

Confused, Tyler tossed his arms out in a gesture of Excuse me?” What was going on with her? He knew women liked him. He’d even been told he was a good lover. But Kate, with her cute giggle, had deflated the ego his sister had always claimed was oversize to start with. Maybe coming outside with her hadn’t been a good idea. Maybe he should have let her handle her problem herself. She obviously didn’t need him. And he had been pretty overboard.

“This’ll be all over the office by Monday morning,” Kate explained as Tyler struggled to assess the depth of his mistake. “All over the grapevine. I should be killing you because this is so embarrassing. Still, I’m laughing because it’s the opposite of the truth. As if me…you. I love it.”

Tyler felt wounded. So much for saving damsels in distress. In return, they trashed your pride. He coughed. “Look, Kate, do you want to go to the party? You can still meet Wendy there. I’ve got everything under control here and—”

Kate interrupted him with another giggle. “Oh, no. Now that I think about it, this is much better. Thank you.”

“You’re thanking me? I thought I’d just embarrassed you.” Tyler frowned. Confusion was not a state he found himself in very often. He wasn’t sure that he liked that he could negotiate tiny rebel countries and mercenaries with AK–47s better than he could figure out Kate Merrill.