A Steele for Christmas (14 page)

“Better a sore neck than a kicked ass,” Galen said, glaring. “Because that’s what Cohen will do when he finds out that you’ve been involved with Stacey.”

“She’s a grown woman.”

“And you’re a Steele. Cohen knows us well. He knows how the five remaining Steele brothers operate.” Galen then rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “But you have asked Stacey to marry you and that’s a good thing. It will definitely show commitment on your part…even if the whole marriage is a sham.”

“True. The only people who won’t know it’s the real thing is me, you, Stacey and Brittany. I only threw Britt in because I figure you probably tell your wife everything.”

Galen smiled, unashamedly. “True.”

Eli rolled his eyes. “Oh, yeah, and Jared also knows.”

Galen lifted a brow. “Jared knows?”

“Yes. He’s handling the divorce on the back end.”

Galen simply stared at him.

“What?” Eli asked.

“Nothing.”

Eli scowled. “Apparently there is something, Galen, or you wouldn’t be looking at me that way.”

“I can’t believe you’re doing this,” Galen said.

“I’m going to do it if Stacey agrees. It will clinch the presidency for me and get Mom off my back for a while. You can’t do better than that.”

“Yes, you can. You can make it a real marriage.”

Eli looked aghast. “Why would I want to do a thing like that?”

What Eli thought was a silly-looking grin touched Galen’s lips. “I bet by the time the wedding comes around you’ll have figured it out.”

T
he next morning, when Stacey got to work, she saw Eli’s car already parked in the reserved space. Evidently, he’d needed to get some work done and had come to the office early, she surmised, cutting off her car’s ignition and getting out of her car.

She glanced at her watch. It wasn’t even quite eight o’clock yet. She hadn’t been able to sleep last night and figured she would get to the shop early and put out the huge Styrofoam candy canes that had arrived late yesterday.

Everyone who’d entered her shop had commented on how festive it was, perfect for the holidays. Only Mr. Jones, who owned the optometrist shop on the second floor, had complained saying he felt she’d put up the Christmas decorations too early since nobody had celebrated Thanksgiving yet.

Her thoughts then shifted back to Eli since they were rarely off him anyway. And he had pretty much admitted the same thing about her. She figured that lust was a powerful thing. It had the ability to make rational people act irrationally.

And last night and this morning she was still thinking irrationally and blamed Dee for it. Her best friend had set her mind in motion and definitely given her a lot of food for thought. And once she’d slept on it, or at least tried to, she had to agree that marrying Eli for just a year wouldn’t be such a bad idea. And considering she would get to own her shop in the end, it was really a smart thing to do.

Eli would not be a hard man for any woman to easily fall in love with but she didn’t have to worry about doing something as foolish as that. She was grateful that although she was a weakling when it came to his body, she would never allow herself to succumb to his seductive powers or persuasive charms. Marriage to him wouldn’t change a thing. She couldn’t get any more attracted to him than she was now and since she would never trust any man with her heart ever again, she knew her limitations.

Stacey’s steps slowed when she entered the building and saw Eli. He was leaning against the door of her shop and it was obvious he was waiting on her. She gave him a thoughtful look as heat suffused her body. She knew why he was there. The look in his eyes said it all.

No matter what her answer would be to his outlandish wedding proposal, they would share this nonetheless. They were too intimately into each other, too physically attracted not to. And heaven help her, anticipation was rushing through her bloodstream.

“Good morning, Eli,” she said softly, upon reaching her door.

“Good morning, Stacey.”

She wished the texture of his voice didn’t feel like warm honey all over her skin. “You’re early.”

“Yes,” he said, his green eyes holding hers as he reached out to take the key from her hand. “I was waiting for you.”

Stacey swallowed. There was no reason to ask if there was something in particular that he wanted since the look in his eyes said it all. He planned to engage in some early morning delight. Was this how it would be to be married to him? Would she wake up to the promise of scorching-hot lovemaking?

“You look nice,” he complimented her by saying, while his gaze swept over her. She felt it like an intimate caress.

“Thanks.”

“You smell good, too.”

“Thanks again.”

He opened the door. “After you,” he said.

She didn’t say anything as she walked into her shop and turned off the alarm. She heard the sound of him locking the door and when she reached for the light switch, he said. “Don’t bother.”

He then captured her hand in his as he pulled her around the corner to an area of her shop hidden from view and behind a string of silver bells, overhanging Christmas holly and a cluster of holiday lights.

“Didn’t we do this just last night? This is crazy,” she muttered, but didn’t snatch her hand from his.

“Crazy but needed,” he muttered back. “I couldn’t sleep for thinking of you and wanting this,” he said.

Already he had her backed up against the wall, was pulling up her skirt, pulling down her panties and unzipping his pants. She decided to reach down and offer her assistance and do something else in the process.

Stacey gently shoved him down on the huge ornament storage box and leaned down over him. “You have slow fingers, Eli,” she said, pushing his hand out the way and easing down his zipper. Her face was right there below his waist and the moment she lowered his zipper, the clean, masculine scent of him slid through her nostrils and heated her insides.

She licked her lips while studying the object of perfection that she held in her hand. It was awesome, magnificent, a nice work of art, darn pleasing to the eyes and temptation to her lips. Concentrating on the latter and not able to help herself, she lowered her mouth and took him inside.

Eli just knew he’d died mainly because this had to be how heaven felt. And the thought of his aroused member easing between her lips was just as mind-boggling as easing between her legs. But he would concentrate on this for now as she tortured him, clamping her mouth down on him and driving him crazy.

And when she began tonguing him, he reached out, grabbed a fistful of her hair to hold her mouth in place as she went to work on him. She was right. This was crazy. Madness at its worst but it was also pleasure at its best. And as her mouth moved all over him he knew she intended to drive him insane. She acted as if she was hungry for him. Literally starving. Sensations whipped through him and he thought he would come at any minute. His testicles tightened in anticipation. And in something else as well.

He gritted his teeth and threw his head back. “I’m trying not to come,” he snarled through clenched teeth.

She gently fingered one of his testicles in a way that said
don’t hold back, I want you to come. Now.

So he did and forced the scream back down his throat. His pulse throbbed as every pore in his body seemed to open, become shrouded in sensuality. And she drew everything out of him.

“Oh, Stacey.” And while the orgasm was still flowing in his veins, he shifted, pushed her back beneath him onto the box and eased between her legs. And when he had entered her, he whispered, “Lock your legs around me, baby.”

And then he began riding her, pounding into her with reckless abandon. He rocked back and forth as his shaft throbbed to life inside of her. Every nerve in his body tingled and then something within him snapped. And for the first time in his life he felt a woman, actually felt her in a way he’d never felt one before. All the way in his blood.

And then his body jerked in another orgasm when she cried out his name in her own pleasure. And as he continued to pound hard into her satiny flesh, he knew something monumental had taken place just now. But he was in no frame of mind to try and figure out what.

“I’ve made my decision, Eli.”

Barely able to catch his breath, Eli rolled off her. Sunlight coming in through a skylight overhead made him blink. At the same time, an uncomfortable stirring erupted low in his belly. He hadn’t expected a decision from her so soon and that could only mean she was turning down his offer.

His gaze swept over to her face, studied it for a moment. Her eyes were closed and her features had the look of sensual bliss. His lips curled in a satisfied smile knowing he was responsible for that look. “And what is your decision?” he asked huskily, as his gaze shifted to her lips. He was tempted to lean over and taste them again. Hell, why was he so obsessed with her? Why couldn’t he get enough?

She slowly opened her eyes and his met hers. “I will marry you,” she said softly.

He battled for control as his heart did a happy dance. His body jolted in supreme delight. Something inside of him warned him not to question his blessings, but he couldn’t help doing so. “Why did you decide to do it?”

She didn’t say anything for a moment and then she explained, “I’d rather be a divorcée than grow older as an old maid.”

He thought about what she’d said, just what she’d meant. “In other words, it’s better to marry and divorce than not to have married at all?”

“Yes.”

He glanced back up at the skylight. Strangely, it bothered him that though they hadn’t married yet, she was already planning their divorce. Almost counting on it. Irritation swept through his bloodstream at the thought.

Eli checked his watch. “We need to get dressed,” he said, getting to his feet and then helping her up. He reached down and handed her the panties he’d taken off her earlier.

“Thanks.”

Great view,
he thought as he watched her lift her skirt to slide them over her hips. Everything about her was luscious.

“So what’s next? Do you still want to make our announcement at Cohen’s going away party this weekend?” she asked.

“Not unless you want to tell Cohen beforehand and not catch him off guard.”

Silence fell between them and he could tell she was considering his suggestion. A low stirring went through his gut at the way she was nibbling on her bottom lip and how her brows seem to arch together whenever her expression turned serious. His gaze then shifted back to her mouth and he felt blood rush through his veins at the illicit memory of what her mouth had done to him a short while ago.

He had a feeling her mouth would be imprinted on that particular body part for life. He then forced the very thought from his mind. No woman could make that kind of an impression on him. That wasn’t possible.

“Either way, he’s going to have a hard time believing it,” she finally said, breaking into his thoughts.

Eli nodded. “Same goes for my family. But we’ll just have to do our best and be convincing.”

She stared at him, all wide-eyed. “And how will we do that?”

He couldn’t help smiling as he reached out and gently brushed the back of his hand against her soft cheek. “Just follow my lead that night, sweetheart.”

S
ince she was the hostess, Stacey had arrived at the party site early with Dee in tow. Her best friend had flown in that morning and had shown up on her doorstep at the exact moment Eli was about to leave after having spent the night.

Stacey’s cheeks warmed at the difference just a few days had made. Since deciding to execute their plan to announce their engagement and pending marriage, they had spent more time together than before.

He continued to show up at her shop each morning for a hot and titillating quickie, as well as drop by her place in the evening. She had gotten into the routine of expecting his visits and would have dinner prepared. It was during those times that she would get to see another side of Eli, when he would discuss his various cases with her while they shared a meal.

And she would tell him about her life back in Memphis and about her aunt Maggie and how she had helped raise her when her mother had died. If he’d gotten bored with the conversations, he’d never let on.

They had decided that they would live in his place after they married and when she mentioned she would continue to pay for the lease on her own apartment and keep it intact, since she would be returning there in a year’s time, he had agreed with that arrangement.

Now she glanced across Tyson’s living room and smiled when she saw Dee and Cohen standing alone talking. Dee had loved Cohen forever and she had a feeling that Cohen had feelings for Dee, although he’d never admitted such a thing.

Stacey figured he was allowing his belief that he was way too old for Dee get in the way. She thought a ten-year age difference wasn’t a big deal. Besides, Dee always acted more mature than her years. Even Cohen had commented on that very thing numerous times.

She knew Dee was tired of Cohen not making a move and would make her own move soon, which was probably why she was over there offering to fly to Florida to help him settle in. Stacey could only wish her best friend the best of luck with her game plan.

She glanced at her watch and wondered why Eli hadn’t arrived yet. All of his brothers, as well as his parents, were here already. His mother had approached her a few minutes ago to compliment her on how well she’d put the party together. She’d also heard from several people how beautiful the holiday display was in her shop, and she would have to drop by one day and see it.

Stacey took a sip of her wine as she studied Eli’s parents. They were the epitome of a happy couple who had spent over thirty years together, and it was evident that they were still very much in love. And she could understand why. Eden Tyson Steele was a former internationally known model who looked half her age. The woman was simply beautiful and elegant. And Drew Steele was a very handsome man who’d passed those genes on to his six sons.

And as Stacey continued to observe the couple and how they interacted with each other, she knew there was more that held their marriage together than just great looks. There was also that chemistry that radiated between them that she could feel from across the room. The same heated chemistry she detected between Galen and his wife, Brittany.

She had met Brittany Thrasher Steele when Stacey had first moved to Phoenix and found her to be friendly and very likable. That was good since Brittany would be her sister-in-law for at least a year. She hated deceiving everyone into thinking she and Eli were marrying because they were madly in love but that had been part of the agreement they’d made.

Stacey nervously nibbled on her bottom lip. Not for the first time this week she wondered if she had done the right thing in consenting to marry him. Although he seemed pretty confident, she was convinced that no one was going to believe they were madly in love and had kept their relationship a secret until tonight…when they would announce their engagement.

Less than a half hour later while standing talking to Cohen, Dee and Mercury, she felt a stirring in the pit of her stomach. She glanced across the room and her gaze landed on Eli the moment he entered the house. Her pulse began racing upon seeing him, dressed casually in a crisp blue shirt and pleated dark slacks.

He looked handsome. Good enough to eat. Savor. Enjoy. Her breath caught on all of the above and she couldn’t help noticing the interest of several single female doctors, all colleagues of Cohen’s, who’d been invited. At that moment, something happened that she hadn’t expected. Her heart rate increased as a tinge of green jealousy flowed through her bloodstream. What on earth was wrong with her? She had no reason to be jealous of any woman where Eli was concerned. It wasn’t as if they were in love or anything. Although she would admit that this week she had enjoyed her time with him so much that every once in a while she had to remind herself that nothing had changed and they were still emotionally detached.

“He looks hot,” Dee leaned over and whispered for her ears only.

Stacey had to agree. Eli Steele
was
hot. And as she continued to stare over at him, he scanned the room, and when their gazes connected she felt her nipples harden against her blouse.

He had specifically asked her to wear a skirt and blouse tonight, without giving her a specific reason why, other than saying he got turned on looking at her legs. Considering how he would act sometimes whenever he saw them, she could believe him.

She swallowed thickly when he began moving toward her, pausing briefly to speak with his parents. Moments later when he continued toward her, she felt the sudden urge to run. But she stood still. She knew their playacting was about to begin.

Something, Eli wasn’t sure what exactly, had his heart pounding in his chest. It had been doing so since the moment his gaze had lit on Stacey, picking her out in the crowded room.

She looked beautiful and had done just what he’d asked by wearing a skirt and blouse. It was a pretty pink blouse with lace trim at the hem and a short black pencil skirt. The outfit looked ultra-feminine on her and the skirt, which hit above the knee, showed off a pair of beautiful legs. The most gorgeous pair any woman could ever own. Her body—in or out of clothes—was what fantasies were made of.

But there was more to it than just his physical attraction to her, more to his obsession with her legs. They had spent a lot of time together this week and all of it hadn’t been in the bedroom. And at that moment he knew what it was. He sucked in a deep breath and nearly lost his step when the truth hit him right between the eyes. Galen had been right. He
had
fallen in love with her.

Damn, damn and triple damn.

He had begun putting the bits and pieces of the puzzle together this week. There had to be a reason he would seek her out every single chance he got just for the feel of not only thrusting into her body, but for the ultimate, overwhelming sensation he felt whenever he would shoot off inside of her. Sharing the very essence of him with her.

He had spent enough time with Stacey to know how she felt about love and commitment. No emotional entanglements. He’d heard it from her several times and for a while he’d agreed with her. Therefore, he knew he had his work cut out for him, but then he hadn’t wanted to fall in love with her. It just happened and he had no regrets. But the fall of Eli would cost her. He intended to make her a victim just like him. Willing or not.

“Good evening, everyone,” he greeted, coming to a stop in front of the small group, but deliberately beside Stacey. Everyone returned his greeting.

“I was beginning to think you wouldn’t be showing up,” Mercury said, eyeing his brother curiously.

“There was no way I would have missed it,” Eli said. His gaze then went to Stacey. “May I speak with you privately for a moment, Stacey?”

He saw the look of surprise and curiosity in both Cohen and Mercury’s features. Then there was the look of downright amusement in Dee’s. Cohen and Mercury were probably wondering what on earth he needed to talk to Stacey about. As far as either of them knew, they were merely acquaintances, definitely not what one would consider as friends.

“Sure, Eli,” Stacey said, smiling up at him.

And Eli baffled both her brother and his even further when he took her hand as they moved toward the French doors leading to the patio.

Stacey’s heart began racing the moment they were outside. In a darkened area of the patio, Eli pulled her into his arms and kissed her. She returned it so hungrily, giving in to the sensations swamping her. Sensations Eli could stir so easily.

She heard the groan that rattled in his throat, felt the hardness of his erection at the juncture of her legs as his hand cupped her backside while grinding his body against hers.

He was devouring her, reminding her of some of the benefits of marrying him, staying on as his wife for hire for a year. That meant twelve months of physical pleasure. Twelve months of letting herself go, indulging and becoming the sensuous woman she knew she could be. The sensuous woman she wanted to be.

He slowly pulled away from her mouth and on the dimly lit patio she could barely make out his features. But she didn’t have to see him to know desire was flaring in the depths of his eyes. And although she didn’t see him clearly, she did hear him when he whispered in a deep, husky tone, “I love you, Stacey.”

She looked at him questioningly and then glanced around. Although she didn’t see anyone outside on the patio with them, she figured there must have been someone within close range. Someone Eli wanted to hear his pretend words of love. In that case, she decided to go along with the program. “And I love you, too, Eli.”

He surprised her even further when he linked her fingers into his and asked, “Will you marry me?”

She paused for a moment. He had already asked her to marry him. He was definitely laying it on thick to repeat the question, but if that’s what he felt he had to do for appearances’ sake then who was she to argue? “Yes, I’ll marry you.”

At that moment she felt him slide a ring onto her finger and she glanced down. She couldn’t make out the design in the darkness but she saw the diamond sparkle in the moonlight. She blinked. The size of the diamond appeared large but she knew she had to be mistaken. It wasn’t like they were sharing a real engagement so the ring he gave her wouldn’t matter. There was no way he would spend a lot of money on a ring she was destined to keep. It was part of their arrangement that she didn’t have to return any gift he gave her including the engagement ring.

“Now it’s official,” he said, reclaiming her attention. “And we’ll marry on Christmas Day.”

Again she wondered why he was repeating what they’d already decided on that week. But if he needed to be reassured that she hadn’t changed her mind, then she would confirm what he’d said. “Yes, we’ll marry on Christmas Day.”

His fingers tightened around hers. “Come on, let’s go tell the others.”

She dismissed the excitement she heard in his voice and figured the sooner he could let people know they were engaged, the sooner people would assume he had cleaned up his playboy image, which was important to him. And that was the only reason he was marrying her in the first place.

When they walked back through the French doors, coming in from the darkened patio, she blinked at the bright lights and noticed several people had turned to glance their way. Apparently, they had seen him lead her out onto the patio and had wondered what was going on. Some of the women were staring at her and began whispering.

She was about to ask Eli what was going on when he spoke up loud enough for everyone to hear. “May I have your attention, please. Stacey and I have an announcement to make.”

The room suddenly got quiet and everyone, those not doing so already, stopped what they were doing and turned to stare. When Eli was satisfied all eyes were on them, he then said, “I know this is going to come as a surprise to some of you, especially to you, Cohen. But Stacey and I have been seeing each other for a while now and it didn’t take long for me to realize she’s the woman I want in my life. I’ve asked her to marry me and she’s accepted and we plan to marry on Christmas Day.”

Pandemonium broke out. At least among some. Eli’s brothers, as well as Cohen, just stood there with shocked looks on their faces. Eli’s parents, initially just as shocked, quickly recovered and smiled, as if pleased with the announcement.

Dee was the first person to rush over and hug her. Stacey whispered to Dee, “What’s going on? Why are those women staring at me like that?”

She noticed several of the women in the room were still openly staring like she’d grown two heads or something. Did they think her decision to marry Eli was a crazy one?

Dee threw her head back and laughed. “It’s not you they’re staring at per se, but it’s that rock on your hand. It blinded everyone the moment you walked back inside off the patio. Your ring is simply gorgeous.”

Stacey realized that she hadn’t really taken a good look at her ring. She glanced down at her hand and her breath caught in her throat. She nearly passed out in shock. She couldn’t believe what she was seeing.

The ring he had slid onto her finger was the same one that she’d seen that day in the jewelry store window within the Christmas display. A ring by Zion. And it suddenly dawned on her that the one ring she had wished for was now hers.

“When did the two of you start seeing each other?”

“Why did you keep it a secret?”

“Why the rush on the wedding?”

Questions began hitting Eli all at once. Well prepared, he answered them easily, without missing a beat, while keeping his gaze on Stacey. She was staring down at the ring he’d given her. Did she not like it? Did she think it was too large? Too gaudy?

He had seen it the other day in the store window and he’d known it was hers. There was something about it that had made him immediately think of her and he had wanted to be the one to put it on her finger. And he had.

He had deliberately asked her to marry him, just like he’d intentionally told her he loved her. He was well aware she didn’t love him nor had a clue he’d told her the truth. He did love her. But he had to prove to her that he wanted to clean up his image more than just to become president of the business council. More than anything he wanted to clean up his image for her as well. Earning her love was more important than anything.