Christmas Eve (18 page)

She bent her knee, rested her foot on the shower seat, making his pulse race, and lathered her toes. Ran soapy hands up her leg. Caressed her knee.

Her hands eased higher. Then higher, still, until the dark curls of her pussy wore a snowy crown. Then she slowly worked her way down the other leg.

She turned away for a moment, to put the soap away, he saw, a movement that brought her closer to the window, to his pleased delight. She squeezed something from a tube and began washing her face, allowing him a full frontal view of her glorious body.

Yes, he knew it well. He had loved and admired every inch, but never tired of the sight.

He flattened his palms on the window, forgetting for a moment the wall of glass preventing him from touching that abundance of glowing flesh. Eve tilted her head back, letting the spray stream down her face, rush like waterfalls over her breasts, cascade down her legs.

She shook her head, once again flipping her hair back off her face, then opened her eyes. Not in the least upset to see him standing there, she stepped right up to the glass and beckoned to him, smiling.

He didn't need a second invitation. Instead, he flew down the steps and around the corner, his heart pounding, his blood running hot. Sometime or other he'd unbuttoned his pants and wool shirt. He shed his boots on the porch, his shirt just inside the kitchen.

His unzipped jeans puddled around his ankles when he rounded the corner leading down the hall and he nearly tripped. With an aggravated kick he freed one foot. Unhampered now, he hurried on, only to skid to a halt just inside the bathroom where Eve waited, her arms outstretched to him.

He peeled out of his jeans, his briefs and socks.

Stepped into the shower.

And let Eve work more of her magic on him.

* * * * *

Later, dressed only in boots, Eve sat curled up in an easy chair pretending to read by the fire, her thoughts troubled. Nick sat at his desk, the farthest he had been from her in hours.

Every bone and muscle in her body ached. Good aches, though. The kind that could take away the pain of loneliness for a short time. Satisfied aches a woman sleeping alone frequently longed for in the middle of the night.

So why am I allowing my mind to worry with my body this sated
?

A heartbeat away from falling in love, she didn't need to ask herself that question. The answer was painfully clear, or would be, once she parted from Nick.

The reality she faced made her uncomfortable. She shifted positions, let one leg dangle over the arm of the chair. An unladylike position, she thought, but one that allowed cool air to reach the heated juncture between her legs.

For shame!
Recalling her nanny's indignant reprimand so often aimed at her, Eve brought her thighs together, her back upright before glancing across the room to see if Nick was paying any attention to her. Neither of them wore a stitch of clothes.

A roaring fire warmed her skin. Nudity did not bother her, it never had, so it had seemed quite natural to wake from her nap and walk down Nick's hall unclothed.

She knew exactly what was bothering her, what was making it impossible for her to concentrate for long.

She had not once called the office.

Her cell phone didn't work up here.

None of her employees knew where she was, yet she hadn't tried to contact them.

She preferred to keep her whereabouts secret. If no one knew what she was doing, no one could protest. Or chide.

Or judge.

Judging she did not need. She was quite proficient at doing that herself.

For one more day, she intended to let things ride. Then, tomorrow morning, she would drive down the mountain and resume her duties in the real world, take her turn running the office. For today, though, that world simply did not exist.

But what about tomorrow? Was she ready to simply walk away from Nick?

She had to, no matter how difficult it might be. She had long ago learned true love was not in the hand of cards life had dealt her. Her family's money would always represent a stumbling block to romance for her. Every unattached male she'd met seemed determined to win her. Would even profess his love to further his cause.

Eve knew better. Once a man became aware of her wealth, a mere stumbling block turned into a major road block to love. She had long ago given up hope of finding a man who would — could? —love her and not her money. Liars, every one.

Remembering the joys of the past few days, her heart grew unbearably heavy. The likelihood of spending the rest of her life with no hope of enjoying the easy companionship she and Nick enjoyed left a void she had no idea how to fill.

She glanced over at him. Let her eyes linger on his face a moment too long. He looked up from his work and smiled warmly, giving her a short-lived thrill.

How can I possibly walk away from Nick
?

From the thoughtful look in his eyes, his thoughts must have been on her.

* * * * *

Nick's were definitely not on the column of figures before him. They were on Eve.

Over the past few days with an admiring look and appreciative smile, he'd encouraged her to enter a room proudly nude. And had succeeded. Almost too well. Earlier, he had watched her cross the room and seat herself, shoulders back, comfortable in her skin.

Her movement implied, "This is
me
, and I'm proud of who I am." Now, he couldn't keep his eyes off her.

She'd just shifted to another position, this one more prim and lady-like, legs crossed, the toes of that crossed leg pointing down. She could as readily be sipping tea at a garden party as sitting unclothed by his fire.

Even when Eve wore nothing at all, she possessed a sophistication that sometimes took his breath away.
Maybe she's always walked around nude, but is leading me to believe her current state of undress is all new to her
, the cynical part of his mind suggested.

She glanced back at her book and did a double take, then flipped the page. Her expression curious, she turned back. Color climbed up her neck and crept to her cheeks while she read.

"Find something interesting?" he asked, intrigued.

"One of your... naughty books. This one should be banned."

"If it's one of mine, it probably already has been. What's the title?"

"The
Kama Sutra of Vatsyayana
."

"What chapter are you reading?"

"The one about... embraces."

"Wait till you come to what the deer woman has to say about positions."

"Lying down?" Her furious blush meant she'd already read that part.

"Find anything you want to try?"

Eve shook her head, her eyes round.

"Don't look so worried. I'm game."

She closed the book. "Why do men read erotica?"

"Why did you? Was it simple curiosity that made you select that particular book from my shelf?"

She put her hands to her cheeks.

"Tell me, what do you like to curl up with on a cold winter night?" When she was slow to respond, he put her on the spot. "I'll bet it's a good romance."

"So?"

"Think about it. The
Kama Sutra
is just one step away from a good romance. The book in your hand describes intimate things to do with a partner. A romance describes the couple doing those things."

"Not always. Well... at least not all the time."

"Be honest. Which parts do you like the best? The heroine's mundane existence, or the time spent with her prince charming in bed?"

Eve grinned. "That's easy. Their time together that leads up to what they do in bed. The best books get my juices really flowing long before the... uh... pay off."

"Reading erotica does the same thing for me. And love made right after reading those scenes is some of the best to be had."

Strange that she didn't agree. Her reticence made her innocent act almost believable. Almost. Always a lady, Eve refused to flaunt her experience.

Nick shoved his work aside. Much as he'd like to, they couldn't spend all their time in bed. "Would you like to play a game of chess?"

Eve shyly hesitated. Inexperienced at that, too?

"I'm a little bit rusty, I'm afraid."

"Once we get started, the moves will quickly come back to you. Let's give it a try."

Taking her hand in his, he led her to the game table surrounded by four upholstered chairs. While she took apart the completed puzzle and tossed the pieces in the box, Nick took down the carved ivory and jade chess set, the first purchase he'd made for himself after the casino became his.

With loving hands, he carefully set out each piece. He'd learned to play chess in a home for delinquent boys and continued to play while in the service. He'd even carried a small magnetic chess set in his pocket, to help pass the time overseas.

Eve watched as he set out each piece, sometimes reaching out to caress one or exclaim, "Mmm, nice." When he finished, she chose the jade army to defend her queen and moved a pawn forward two spaces.

Feeling kindly toward her, Nick chose not to immediately capture it, convinced she'd forgotten the rules.

After several powder room and coffee breaks, he realized his devious partner had not forgotten a thing. Eve's mind was like a steel trap, her goal to best him at his own game.

Dammit
. Women were not supposed to play chess so expertly.

He'd been certain he could win, but now few pieces remained on the board. And with those few she'd kept his king in perpetual check.

"It's a draw," he said, giving in. "Let's see what we can find to eat."

Pushing back from the table to stand, she ranked a hell of a lot higher in his estimation than when the match began and looked as disappointed about not declaring a winner as he felt.

"We can play again later, if you like," he promised as he followed her into the kitchen.

"Same time next year?" she asked with an impish grin.

"Uh...sure." His momentary hesitation caused her eyes to darken.

Chin high, she walked over to the sink and washed her hands while Nick thoughtfully opened the refrigerator door and looked around. "There's a ham in here somewhere."

Eve's eyes lit. "And leftover yams. I saw raisins in the pantry. Would you like ham with raisin sauce?"

"Sure. What's this?" Nick removed a covered tray and opened it. "Hmm. Deviled eggs."

As she tied his apron around her waist Eve studied the eggs with a wary look. "How long have those been in there?"

"Not long. I forget. Christmas Eve?"

Nick set the mincemeat pie on the counter so it could begin to warm. "And there's always fruit. Why don't I just arrange all the leftovers on this counter after dinner? Then whenever we're ready for a snack, the food will be right here."

"Good idea. You're far too adept at working up my appetite. And yours."

She unwrapped the ham, selected a sharp knife from the drawer and began to carve thick pink slices while he set the dining room table.

His part accomplished, Nick walked up behind Eve and ran the tip of his tongue around her dainty ear, all too aware of how her bare butt set his genitals on fire. "Anything else you want warmed?"

"The yams," she said with a sexy laugh, and elbowed him out of the way.

He put the colorful dish in the microwave on low, then opened a bag of rolls. While he set out the butter and pickles, Eve melted brown sugar and butter, then stirred raisins into her sauce.

"Is there any more salad?"

"I think so. Want blue cheese dressing this time?"

Eve nodded, her attention focused on her great smelling sauce. He filled two small bowls with assorted greens and sliced tomatoes, sprinkled on sunflower seeds, then carried the salads and dressing to the table on a tray.

"Ready?" Eve asked. Without waiting for his reply, she poured the sauce over the platter filled with ham and scattered fresh parsley on top.

At the table, she removed her apron, hung it over the back of her chair and sat, he noticed from the kitchen, again giving no obvious thought to her lack of clothes, again delighting Croupier.

Lifting an appreciative brow in tribute, Nick grinned as he removed the heated rolls. He managed to toss each one into a basket without burning his fingers, then retrieved the yams from the microwave.

"How about a little champagne?" he asked once his hands were free. Croupier nodded his approval.

Eve's expression softened into a delighted smile. "Sure, I'll get the flutes while you open the bottle."

After filling their glasses, he sat opposite Eve and touched the rim of his glass to hers. "To us."

When she didn’t respond Nick asked, "Is something wrong?"

Nothing a stock market crash wouldn't fix
.

"No, I’m just moody." Which was certainly true.

"Well, I'll see if I can't do something about that." He regaled her with stories about cheerful drunks, big payoffs on slot machines, and some record throws of the dice until finally making her laugh.

Still smiling to himself, he walked over to a shelf and picked up his digital camera. "You mind?"

Eve frowned, every hint of her laughter gone.

"Don't worry. These are just for me. And I'll stick to head shots, if that's all you'll allow. To remind me of one of the best holidays I've ever had."

"Oh. Well, sure. Head shot are all right. But no uploading to the internet."

He snapped one of her cautious smile, then again took his seat opposite her, the camera strap draped around his neck.

Nick grinned ruefully. "When I was younger and working my way across the country, taking any job I could get, I thought about becoming a journalist."

"I'll bet you would have been good. Why didn't you?"

"First time I stuck a camera in somebody's face, the camera and my nose got smashed."

Eve laughed and Nick snapped her picture, an amused glint in her eyes.

"That's not fair," she said, reaching for his camera. "Now it's my turn."

She silently thumbed through the images he had made before aiming the lens at him.

"Now I know how you felt," he said, self-conscious as she studied his image on the tiny screen.