All I Want for Christmas

Chapter Three

Dex looked surprised to see her. “Well, hi!” He stopped in front of her. “Doing some last minute shopping, too?"

She surveyed the bundle of elegantly wrapped boxes in his arms, done up in gold paper and gold and white ribbons. He, too, looked elegant, still dressed in his suit and long black overcoat, the satiny tie impeccable and not a hair out of place. Unlike her, with her lank hair, face probably shiny with perspiration, and no lipstick left on her lips.

"Yes,” she sighed. “All my shopping is last minute this year."

"Oh.” He lifted a brow. “You sound discouraged."

She forced a cheery smile. “'Tis the season.” She glanced into the store. “Do they have much left in there?"

"Not much,” he admitted, eyes gleaming. “I ordered these,” he indicated the boxes in his arms, “a month ago. I'm just picking them up."

"Ah. Very smart.” She nodded, wishing she'd done that, too. “Well, I'd better get in there before there's nothing left. Bye!"

She pushed her way into the crowd, and an hour later emerged with a shopping bag full of Belgian chocolates and another large credit card charge. At least she'd get some of that back when she submitted the expenses for the staff gifts.

"Okay, let's get this done.” Erin instructed her team of fellow decorators where to place balloons, streamers and table centerpieces. The decorations were lovely, if she did say so herself. Not traditional but elegant metallic balloons and streamers in shades of lime green, fuchsia and turquoise matched the towering tree in the corner the hotel had provided. Each table centerpiece was a stylized Christmas tree of green, turquoise or fuchsia sequins, surrounded by gleaming curly ribbons and shiny balls.

They worked quickly, everyone eager to go home and get ready for the party. As Erin climbed up onto a ladder to hang balloons, Kayla handed them to her and held the ladder steady. “Be careful,” she warned.

"Yes, Mom.” Erin grinned.

"I can't help it; I am a mom. We don't want you falling and breaking a leg right before the big shindig."

"That would be just my luck right now,” Erin agreed. Crappy presents for her family and coworkers, an appalling credit card balance and endless work at the office that still needed to be done before the Christmas break. Sure, a broken leg would just top that all off perfectly. She'd hardly eaten in two days because she hadn't had time, and her stomach grumbled hungrily. “I need this party tonight."

"Yeah, you do. You need to cut loose and let off some steam. You're not driving tonight are you?"

"Yeah. How else would I get here?"

"Take a taxi, for heaven's sake."

"Oh, yeah, like that'll be easy to do at this time of year."

"Okay, then Brent and I will pick you up. You can take a taxi home."

"You don't have to do that."

"It's no problem. You don't live that far out of our way. We'll pick you up at five o'clock."

Erin glanced at her watch. Lord, how was she going to get ready on time? “That means I needed to leave here an hour ago.” She looked down at her friend as she climbed down the ladder. “How are you going to get ready on time?"

Kayla shrugged. “It doesn't take me long. I'm a mom, I don't have time to get all fussed up. I just hope the babysitter shows up on time, that's all.” She smoothed down the red suit that hugged her petite curves.

Erin studied her work. “I need to move those a little to the left."

"No,” Kayla said. “They're fine."

"No, they're not quite centered...."

"Erin!” Kayla's voice held a friendly warning. “They're fine. They don't need to be perfect."

Erin sighed. “You're right."

"If you weren't such a perfectionist, we could have been done by now,” Kayla added, a smile taking the sting out of her words. “I'm outta here. See you at five."

Everyone else had already left even though there were still a few things left to do. Erin arranged all the door prizes attractively on the table, added a few decorations, then surveyed the room. It looked spectacular, really gorgeous and Christmassy. She beamed with pride at the work of her team then grabbed her coat and purse and headed for home.

It was a rush to shower, shave her legs, blow dry her hair, apply make-up and wriggle into the new dress she'd bought for the party, but she made it, and Kayla only had to wait a few minutes at her front door while Erin transferred some money, her cell phone and lipstick into a sparkly little evening purse.

"You look incredible,” Kayla said enviously, looking her up and down. “That dress is amazing on you."

Erin looked down at herself. She'd fallen in love with the dress on a lunch-time shopping expedition with Kayla, who'd convinced her to buy it despite the ridiculous price. It was black and strapless, fitting her curves from breasts to knees, with a little flippy ruffle around the bottom. Black beads and sequins sparkled on the bodice. The black killer stilettos weren't new, but matched perfectly.

They were among the first to arrive at the party, and Kayla's husband Brent disappeared to get them drinks. The dim lighting in the room sparkled off the decorations and silver and glass on the tables, and everyone looked so elegant in their formal clothes. The software guys were almost unrecognizable in their suits and ties. Erin grinned.

Brent handed her a glass of wine, and she took it with a smile of thanks and tossed it back. “Whoa,” Kayla said. “Slow down, honey."

Oops. Erin made a face. “I've been rushing for the last week. It's kind of hard to slow down now.” She was hyper, practically vibrating as they stood there. “Let's find a table."

She set down her purse then headed to the bar for another drink, deciding to be efficient by ordering two at once.

"Well, you said I needed stress relief,” she told Kayla upon seeing her friend eyeing the two drinks.

"You go, girl,” Kayla said with a grin. They started making small talk with some others from the department as more and more people streamed into the ballroom.

They were still standing near their table when Erin spotted Dex Mitchell arriving. He looked as yummy as ever, his golden-brown hair stylishly tousled, his dark suit perfectly fitted to broad shoulders that tapered down to a slim waist and narrow hips. Apparently the finance group was sitting at the table next to theirs, and he started weaving around tables to cross the room.

Dex spotted Erin the minute he walked into the room, over there talking with Kayla and a few other people. Wow.

She'd left her hair down, and he was happy about that because he loved her long, silky dark hair. But that dress ... holy shit. It hugged her curves the way he'd fantasized doing, sparkling as she moved, talked and laughed. A little ruffle at the bottom of the skirt drew attention to her long, slender calves, looking so smooth and silky he wanted to run his hand over them, down to her feet, wearing shoes that were probably illegal in some states.

His mouth grew dry as he took in the sight of her, and he had to refocus on what his boss, the VP of finance, was saying to him.

"Uh, yeah, I'll talk to you tomorrow about the auditor's report,” Dex replied to the older man. He turned his attention back to Erin and started moving toward the Finance table which, praise the Lord, was right next to the table where Erin appeared to be seated. She stood beside a chair, a glass of wine in her hand, laughing at something someone had said, and it took his breath away.

He recalled how he'd trailed her through the mall last night. Jesus, he was a sick puppy. He'd spotted her and had followed her up and down the mall at a distance. When she'd stopped to watch the kids on Santa's lap, smiling and laughing, he'd studied her from the doorway of a nearby store. God, she was sweet. Something had expanded almost painfully in his chest.

Her long dark hair had hung down her back in silky tendrils, her long camel coat open over her red silk blouse and snug black skirt. She'd changed the black pumps she wore in the office for a pair of knee-high black boots with high heels that made him think evil thoughts involving leather and bondage.

He'd lost her in a department store so he'd gone to pick up his chocolates and lo and behold, like a star in the East, there she was right in front of him, all glowing and pretty. He'd feigned surprise at seeing her, knowing he wasn't that great of an actor, but she didn't seem to realize.

"Hi, Erin,” he said, approaching the table. Joe and Marty were already seated there, and he gave them a smile and a salute. “How are you?"

She turned to him and those dark, melting chocolate eyes sent a wave of warmth over him. He resisted the urge to tug at the knot of his tie. “Hi,” she replied, smiling. Her mouth was all red and glossy, leading to thoughts of her mouth on him, sucking him ... he shook his head. “I'm fine.” She seemed a little tense still, her fingers moving restlessly on the back of the chair, fidgeting a bit on her high spiky heels.

"Everything got done? Your work is finished?"

She nodded. “Barring any unforeseen disasters, we're all set.” She glanced at the table next door. “Are you sitting there?"

He nodded.

"Oh, great.” She smiled brightly and took a big sip of her wine, managing to not spill any, to his great disappointment.

"I should get a drink,” he murmured. “What are you having? White wine?"

She nodded and started to say something but, before she could, he turned and made his way to the bar. He'd buy her a drink. That was a nice, friendly thing to do.

Dex had bought her a drink. Whoa. She accepted it from him, saying, because she felt she should, “You didn't need to do that."

He shrugged. “I know. It's Christmas. And you put a lot of work into the evening. You should enjoy."

"I intend to,” she said, finishing one glass of wine and setting it down on the table. She took a sip from the glass he'd just handed her. She saw Kayla eying them.

"Did you get your shopping done last night?” he inquired.

She sighed. “Not all of it. I'm not having very good luck with my gifts this year."

He looked interested so she told him about all the stuff she'd ordered and how it hadn't arrived and how she had nothing except a big fat credit card bill. He laughed as she told the story, making her feel mildly better about things.

"And tomorrow's Christmas Eve, which is when the family exchanges presents, and I've got crappy gifts for some people and nothing for others.” She sighed. “And I've got a million things to do at work so I don't know when I'm going to have time to shop."

"Work can wait,” he said.

She looked at him in surprise. “I thought you were a workaholic.” She sipped her wine.

He grinned. “I am. Normally. But it's Christmas. Christmas and family come before work."

She considered that. “I'm glad you have your priorities straight,” she told him thoughtfully. “What about you? Do you spend Christmas with family?"

"Yup. This year it's my turn to host Christmas. My family won't get here until Christmas day though."

"Where are they coming from?"

"My parents live in Minneapolis. They're driving, and my two brothers are flying in from New York."

"Are you cooking Christmas dinner?” she asked with some amusement, picturing him in a frilly apron holding a wooden spoon. Then suddenly in her fantasy, he was naked beneath the apron, and his shoulders and chest were sleek and bare and really ... hot. She took a breath, quickly sipped more wine.

"Well, sort of,” he said, grinning. “I've kind of got the meal being catered."

"Kind of?"

"Okay, it is. Actually, this hotel is doing it. They do the whole dinner for you and deliver it to your home."

"Wow. That's the way to do it. My mom will be slaving in the kitchen for days."

He nodded. “Mine would, too, if we were at her place. But since it's my Christmas, we do things my way. And the food is really good here."

"Yes, it is. Let's hope tonight is as good as usual."

They stood there talking, almost close enough to touch, and suddenly Erin realized Dex was looking at her mouth. Looking very intently at her mouth. She touched a finger to the corner of her lips.

"Is my lipstick smeared?” she asked hesitantly.

He quickly shook his head. “No,” he said, his voice a bit hoarse. “It's perfect.” He cleared his throat. “You look beautiful, by the way."

"Um, thanks."

This was like the Twilight Zone. Dex Mitchell, the man of her dreams and hot fantasies, was standing with her, complimenting her, talking to her about family, and looking at her mouth as if he wanted to kiss her. Everything inside her melted and pooled in a low puddle of lust deep inside her, making her ache and burn. Even as she watched his face, she could swear his eyes darkened with something ... arousal? Definitely heat. Was that for her?

Oh, God. She needed to fan herself. It was suddenly very warm in the room. Or maybe it was the three glasses of wine she'd had on an empty stomach. Warm and pleasantly dizzy, she smiled back at Dex, unable to resist looking at his mouth, too. Firm lips, nicely shaped, curved in a smile, and she inadvertently took a tiny step nearer to him.

At that moment, the CEO of the company took the microphone on the dais to announce that dinner would be served shortly and everyone should take their seats.

With a smile that looked regretful, Dex said, “Enjoy your dinner."

"You, too.” He pulled out her chair for her, and she slid into it, allowing him to push it in under her in a surprisingly graceful move. For once, she wasn't spilling things or tripping over herself. Dex took his seat at the table next to her, behind her where she couldn't see him, although if they both pulled their chairs back they'd be practically sitting side by side.

"What was that all about?” Kayla hissed in her ear.

Erin smiled and sipped more wine. “Just chatting."

"You saw him last night?"

"At the mall."

"Erin, he's hot for you,” Kayla insisted with a soft little laugh. “Did you see how he was looking at you?"

Oh, yeah, she'd seen all right, and the heat in his gaze melted her. She let a server place a salad plate in front of her. “Yes,” she whispered back to her friend when the server had moved away. “What should I do?"

"Go for it, honey,” Kayla advised, picking up her salad fork. “He's yummylicious."

Erin laughed at the silly word and played with her salad.

Everybody was in a happy holiday mood, and there was a lot of laughter around the table throughout dinner. Delicious food and the bottles of wine on each table compliments of management added to the holiday cheer. Jazzy Christmas music played in the background as they ate and talked and laughed.

Erin was conscious of Dex sitting right behind her the whole time. In the break between dinner and dessert, she and Kayla decided to go to the ladies’ room (together of course), and she pushed her chair back and found herself right beside Dex. He smiled and held her chair for her as she got up.

"Thanks.” She could feel his eyes on her as she and Kayla walked across the carpeted room to the exit.

Once out of the ballroom and his sight, she fell against the wall, letting her head thunk back. “God, Kayla!” she moaned, leaning there. “I can't believe this."

Her friend laughed and pulled her upright, leading her down the hall to the ladies’ room. “Get a grip, girl. Has it been that long since you flirted with a guy?"

"Yes,” Erin groaned.

The washroom was the nicest one she'd ever been in. Each stall was huge, with its own red velvet chair and tiny vanity with a mirror. She collapsed onto the velvet chair and stared at her reflection in the mirror. She took out the shiny red lipstick and touched up her mouth, removed a tiny speck of mascara from one cheek. Eyes dark and shiny, her face glowed with excitement—and maybe from all the wine she'd drunk.

"If you want him, go for it,” Kayla advised from the other side of the wall.

Erin's mouth curved into a smile. “Why not?” she murmured.