Hot Christmas Nights (16 page)

Chapter 2

T
he Keates Agency was located in a centuries-old three-level gray stone that overlooked Gramercy Park, a quaint private oasis on the east side of Manhattan. Landis stood at the window of his office and peered out at the park, which resembled a life-size snow globe with snow covering the manicured evergreens and tree branches. Gazing at the pristine park usually had a calming effect on him, but not today. He was too wound up.

Landis and his team were working vigorously trying to land an important contract and were having a difficult time pinning down the potential client. The star’s manager had reservations about signing with Landis’s boutique agency. In order to prove that his company was up to par with the larger, seasoned agencies, Landis had made an unorthodox move—he’d gone out on a limb and pitched Brooklyn for an endorsement deal with a major cosmetics company, even though she wasn’t his client yet. Her manager had been so impressed by Landis’s business savvy that he was ready to sign on the dotted line.

There was one last hurdle to jump, and that was meeting with Brooklyn personally. Landis had seen her at a party once and had admired her from afar. She was beautiful in every sense of the word. Looking at her smooth skin, long, flowing hair and toned body had made Landis want more than just a business connection. He hadn’t been in a relationship in a while and found himself wondering what dating Brooklyn would be like. He had wondered if she was as sensuous as the soft romantic ballads she sang. His mind had drifted far away from business, and before he had a chance to introduce himself, she had left the event.

Landis had been told by Brooklyn’s manager that the final decision was hers. There had to be synergy between Brooklyn and her potential new marketing team. Landis knew that once he met with Brooklyn, he would win her over with his charming personality and business acumen. Landis had worked hard over the past couple of months and was anxious for a formal introduction, but the meeting with Brooklyn was on hold. Her manager informed Landis that Brooklyn had taken a personal holiday.

Landis moved away from the window and sat at his antique mahogany desk. He made a few calls, trying to get his mind off of the impending deal with Brooklyn, but his focus kept returning to the superstar. If his agency secured the contract with such a major talent, it would expand his business exponentially. He picked up the phone and dialed Brooklyn’s manager.

“Hey, Malcolm, it’s Landis Keates. How are you?”

“Good, Landis. What can I do for you?”

“I know Brooklyn is taking some time off, but I’d like to set up a conference call. I was hoping to put this deal to bed before the end of the year.”

“That’s not going to happen. Brooklyn was adamant about not being disturbed.”

Landis sighed. This wasn’t the news he wanted to hear, but he would just have to wait until after New Year.

“Okay. Thanks anyway.”

“No problem.”

As soon as Landis finished his conversation with Malcolm, his cell phone rang. He picked the phone off the desk and looked at the caller ID before answering.

“Hey, Mike. Man, what’s up?” Landis said, greeting his best friend.

“You didn’t forget about the party tonight, did you?”

Landis paused for a moment. “What party?”

“Oh, man, don’t tell me you’ve made other plans. Pepper is going to blow a gasket if you don’t show up! Didn’t you get the invitation?”

“I’ve been so busy lately that I haven’t checked my personal mail. What is your fiancée planning?”

“Pepper has put together a small gathering for the wedding party at the penthouse. Although Pepper and I are close to all of you, some of you guys haven’t seen each other since college.”

Landis wasn’t in the partying mood. His mind was on the impending deal with Brooklyn, but until she came back from her personal holiday, there was nothing he could do. “I’ll be there.”

The afternoon wound down to early evening. Darkness had settled over the city by the time Landis left his office. He flipped the collar to his coat up around his neck to ward off the winter chill. Snow muffled Landis’s footsteps as he walked the short distance to his condo. Along the way, he dashed into Dean & DeLuca to buy a hostess gift to take to the party. The gourmet retailer was decorated with gingerbread houses, candy-cane Christmas trees and fruit baskets. With his purchase in hand, he made his way home to change.

Landis wasn’t in the mood to socialize; his mind was still on business. However, he knew that over the course of the next few days, little to nothing would get done. The holidays were in full swing and people were immersed in the traditions of the season—traveling to be with family, gift shopping, holiday dinners and office parties. Landis showered and traded his blue pin-striped Brooks Brothers suit for a pair of black gabardine slacks, a black-on-black-plaid Burberry shirt and a gray cashmere overcoat.

In front of his building, he hailed a taxi and headed uptown for the gathering of his old college friends. Reminiscing with them would be the perfect distraction to get his mind off the impending deal with Brooklyn. On the taxi ride over to the party, Landis made a promise to himself to relax, have a good time and forget about business.

Chapter 3

B
rooklyn had taken Pepper up on her invitation and canceled her reservations at the W hotel in Union Square. After she had settled in at their penthouse, Brooklyn exchanged her jogging suit for a slinky, red Tom Ford cocktail dress, and matching red stilettos. Her long hair was swept up in a sexy French twist, and her ears were adorned with teardrop-shaped diamond earrings. She went into the living room, where Pepper was putting the finishing touches on the Christmas tree.

“Wow!” Brooklyn admired the decorations and marveled, “You sure outdid yourself.”

In front of the floor-to-ceiling window was a six-foot-tall blue spruce decorated with silver, red and green ornaments. White lights were draped around the massive Christmas tree, and there were beautifully wrapped presents of various sizes underneath. Rolls of evergreen garland with bright crimson bows adorned the fireplace, and sitting atop the mantel was a miniature village complete with a general store, railroad tracks, snow-covered trees and tiny people strolling through the town.

“Thanks. It took me an entire day to decorate. I’m glad you approve.”

Brooklyn walked closer to the tree. “You have everything on the tree except tinsel.”

“I have tinsel. It’s just not for the tree,” Pepper said with a sly grin.

Brooklyn turned around and saw the mischievous expression on her friend’s face. “Pepper, what are you up to?”

Pepper was always full of lighthearted pranks and games. Once in college, she painted their room in the school’s colors for homecoming and had painted it back to its original drab gray the next day without being caught by the dorm monitor.

“Remember that game I was telling you about?” Pepper asked.

“That game to break the ice between your guests?”

“Yep. That’s the one. It’s called Tied Up in Tinsel, and…”

Brooklyn wrinkled her nose. “Tied up in tinsel? What’s the premise?”

“Two people, say, for example, you and Landis, will have one index finger each tied together with a long string of tinsel. You have to go through the entire evening together without breaking the tinsel. Doesn’t that sound like fun?”

“It sounds like a game that I’m sure to lose. You know how clumsy I am. Remember back in college I was always bumping into the bed frame and would have huge bruises on my legs?”

“Of course I remember. You were the only person I knew that would fall
up
the stairs,” Pepper said, and then let out a hearty laugh. “Don’t tell me you’re still all thumbs.”

“I’m fine when I’m onstage performing. Now, I only trip over myself when I get nervous. And being around Landis after all these years is sure to have my nerves on edge. I’m sure I’ll break the tinsel within the first sixty seconds of the game.”

“No, you won’t. What you need is a glass of bubbly to calm your nerves.”

Pepper led Brooklyn to a cozy lounge adjacent to the living room. The room was painted a metallic gray with navy velvet drapes. A lacquered wood cabinet covered one wall, and an oversize charcoal-colored sofa filled the space. Pepper went over to the wall cabinet where a silver champagne bucket sat on the lowest shelf. She poured two flutes of champagne and handed one to Brooklyn.

“Here’s to the holidays!”

“Here’s to you and Michael and your wedding!”

The friends clinked glasses, took a sip and then sat on the sofa.

“I’m so glad we finally have a chance to sit down and catch up. So…how’s your love life?” Pepper asked.

“Nonexistent.”

“Why is that?”

“I spend half the year touring, and the other half in the studio. I just don’t have time to focus on dating.”

“Brooklyn, I know you love singing and performing, but there’s more to life than working. You need balance.”

“I agree, but I haven’t met the right guy yet.”

“I have a feeling that after tonight, you’ll be singing a different tune.”

“Why is tonight so special?”

“Two words…Landis Keates.”

Brooklyn took a sip of her champagne and exhaled. “I don’t want to get my hopes up. For all I know, he has a girlfriend.”

“No, he doesn’t. I already checked. He’s a free agent, and so are you. Landis and Michael have remained close over the years, and I’ve been around Landis long enough to know that he’s a good guy. You two are perfect for each other.”

Brooklyn was nervous about seeing Landis after all of these years and revealing her true identity. Although she had transformed into a beauty on the outside, sometimes she still felt like that unpopular, overweight teen.

“We shall see,” Brooklyn responded, sounding apprehensive.

“Yes, sooner rather than later. The guests should be arriving soon.” Pepper rose from the sofa. “Let me check on the caterers. I’ll be right back.”

When Pepper left the room, Brooklyn poured herself another glass of champagne. As she sipped her drink, she heard a pair of male voices. Brooklyn moved closer to the doorway.

“Here, I bought you guys a fruit basket.”

“Thanks, Landis.”

“Man, your fiancée sure knows how to decorate.”

A knot instantly formed in Brooklyn’s throat as she recognized Landis’s sexy baritone voice. He had a distinctive Barry White–type quality to his tone. In college, they’d had a statistics class together. Her ears would perk up whenever he spoke and she would listen intently to his smooth, sensuous voice. Years later, the effect was still the same. Brooklyn could feel herself becoming aroused as she stood in the doorway listening to him now.

“She sure does. She’s made our home into a winter wonderland. Pepper is so creative. That’s one of the reasons I love her so,” Michael replied.

“I admire you guys. You’re lucky to have each other. You have no idea how many horrific dates I’ve had over the years.”

“Aw, it can’t be that bad. You’re a single, successful man in a city full of beautiful women. What’s the problem?” Michael asked.

“The last woman I dated thought she was the man. Jesse was a trader on Wall Street.”

“Wow, she even had a man’s name,” Michael commented.

“Yeah, she sure did. Anyway, she barked orders at me as if I worked for her. Jesse was mean as a snake. The woman before her was pretty as a picture, but had no substance. All she talked about was her Pomeranian- poodle. She treated that dog like he was a kid. She even brought him with her on our dates, saying that he couldn’t be home alone.”

“Man, that’s rough, rough,” Michael said, barking like a dog.

Brooklyn put her hand to her mouth and chuckled.

“Ha, ha. Not so funny. What do you have to drink around here?”

“Let’s go to the lounge and have some champagne. Pepper and I put a few bottles on ice in the lounge earlier this afternoon,” Michael said.

Brooklyn’s skin tingled and her throat slowly began to dry just like it had done at the Grammy after-party. She had wanted to speak with Landis that night but her mouth felt like it was full of cotton balls. Even though she was no longer a shy college student, Landis Keates still made her nervous. She hadn’t even laid eyes on Landis and yet her mouth was getting drier by the second. Brooklyn took two huge gulps of champagne, hoping the cool liquid would dissolve the imaginary cotton in her mouth.

She heard their footsteps coming closer and quickly tiptoed back to the sofa, sat down and casually crossed her legs as if she had been sitting there the entire time. Her heart raced with the anticipation of coming face-to-face with Landis.

Within a few seconds, he was standing in the doorway. Landis was a vision in all black. Brooklyn’s gaze roamed the length of his six-foot-tall frame. His shirt hugged his broad shoulders, and his midsection had remained taut even after all these years. He had been a star football player in college and still resembled an athlete. Brooklyn exhaled and recrossed her legs. Landis was staring directly at her, and his gaze was sending an erotic warmth throughout her body.

Chapter 4

L
andis couldn’t believe his eyes. Sitting on the sofa in the dimly lit room was none other than Brooklyn, looking like a vision in red. Landis was captivated by her aura. She exuded sensuality in a mature dignified way. Her dress exposed just a hint of cleavage. Landis stood there and took in her lovely shape. Even though she was sitting, he could see that her breasts didn’t look fake like some celebrities. They had a natural shape to them, and Landis couldn’t help but envision her in the buff. Her beauty was captivating, rendering him momentarily speechless.

“Hey, man, you remember Brooke from college, don’t you?” Michael asked.

Landis locked eyes with Brooklyn as he quickly searched his memory trying to remember a classmate named Brooke. The only person he could recall was the chubby, quiet girl in his statistics class.

No, it can’t be the same person!

“Michael!” Pepper exclaimed entering the lounge. “You let the cat out of the bag!” Pepper gave her fiancé a shove on the shoulder.

“What?” Michael asked, looking dumbfounded.

“Brooklyn wanted to tell him herself,” Pepper replied.

“I don’t see what the big deal is,” Michael said, looking from Landis to Brooklyn. “We all went to school together.”

Oh shit! That is her!
Landis thought. He went over to Brooklyn and extended his hand. “Uhh, I didn’t know… uhh…” Landis’s words were all jumbled; he was caught totally off guard.

“Hey there. Long time no see.”

“Hello, Landis.” Brooklyn smiled and shook his hand.

Landis held her hand in his for a few seconds. Her hand was as soft and smooth as velvet. He couldn’t help but wonder if the rest of her skin felt the same way. He released her hand but kept his gaze locked on her.

“Let’s toast before everyone else gets here,” Pepper said, pouring champagne. Once everyone had a flute of bubbly, Pepper held her glass high and said, “Here’s to old friends.”

Landis peered over the rim of his glass at Brooklyn as he sipped the champagne. He couldn’t believe his luck. The star client that he was trying to woo was standing before him. Landis would have never guessed in a million years that the woman he had admired from afar at a Grammy after-party was the same person he had gone to college with. Brooke’s drastic transformation had him intrigued.

“Why don’t you two catch up while Michael and I tie up a few last-minute details,” Pepper said, tugging Michael out of the room by the arm.

Once they were alone, Landis stood there for a moment trying to decide what to say. He remembered her manager mentioning that Brooklyn didn’t want to discuss business while she was on holiday. Although Landis was anxious to land her as a client, he wasn’t going to broach the subject—at least not yet.

“So…you and Pepper have stayed in contact over the years,” Landis finally said.

“Yes, we’re close, like sisters.”

Landis wasn’t going to mention his agency vying for her business, but ignoring the fact that she was a megastar felt like trying to ignore a roaring tiger on the loose. “I must say that I’m a huge fan of your music.”

“Thanks.”

Landis watched as she finished her champagne. As her ruby lips touched the glass, he envisioned them brushing softly against his cheek. He felt like a nervous schoolboy trying to strike up a conversation with the prom queen. Landis took a moment and also finished his drink. He then asked, “Would you like another glass of champagne?”

“Sure.”

He crossed the room, retrieved the bottle and returned to where Brooklyn was standing. “May I have your glass?” As he took her flute, his hand lightly touched hers, and this time when their skin touched, a spark of excitement rushed up his spine. There was no denying his strong attraction to Brooklyn.

“Here’s to Michael and Pepper and their impending nuptials.”

“I’ll drink to that,” Brooklyn said, clinking her glass to his.

As they stood there toasting, Pepper appeared in the doorway. “Hey, guys, come into the living room. The other guests have arrived.”

Landis and Brooklyn followed Pepper out of the lounge, into the festively decorated living room where Christmas carols were playing softly in the background and a uniformed server was carrying a silver tray of seared ahi tuna on toast points. Another server was passing around crystal flutes of champagne. Landis recognized a few faces from college, but the only face he was interested in was Brooklyn’s.

He watched Brooklyn glide across the room, greeting the other guests. The slinky red dress she wore hugged her body in a sensuous way, and the towering heels made her legs look a mile long. Landis quickly imagined those legs wrapped around his back while he and Brooklyn made mad, passionate love. His eyes were fixed on her. He decided right then and there that he wasn’t going to make the same mistake that he had made at the cocktail party a few years back and allow her to slip away without at least engaging in a conversation.

Landis waited for the right moment to approach her. After speaking to the other guest, Brooklyn made her way over to Pepper. The two women had their heads together, talking softly. He couldn’t hear what they were saying, but whatever it was had Brooklyn blushing.

After a few minutes, Brooklyn and Pepper had finished their conversation, and now Pepper was standing in the middle of the room with Michael by her side.

“Hello, everyone, and thanks for coming out on this cold, snowy night. Michael and I are elated to have you guys be a part of our wedding. Tonight is all about having fun before the big day arrives. To help kick off the night, I’ve created a game called Tied Up in Tinsel,” she said, holding up a handful of long silver tinsel.

“That sounds naughty,” Michael said, with a sly grin on his face. “What are the rules?”

“Well, for starters, the game is played in pairs,” Pepper said, looking around the room. Everyone was already coupled up, either married or in long-term relationships, except for Brooklyn and Landis.

After surveying the room, Landis made his way over to Brooklyn and whispered in her ear, “Looks like we’re the only two single people here.”

“It appears so,” she responded.

Pepper put the handful of tinsel on a nearby table, except for one elongated strand. She then took Michael by his right hand and tied the tinsel around both of their index fingers. “The object of the game is to go through the entire evening together without breaking the tinsel. The couple who remains tied together wins.”

“Sounds interesting,” Landis whispered. He was standing so close to her that he could smell her perfume. The fragrance was fresh and sexy. In her heels, Brooklyn was almost as tall as Landis. He moved a bit closer to her and took a deep breath, savoring the intoxicating scent.

Brooklyn smiled.

“Don’t be shy. Step up and get tied,” Pepper said with a laugh.

Landis didn’t want to seem too eager to play the game, so he held back and waited for Brooklyn’s lead. He watched as Pepper, with Michael’s help, joined the couples one by one until he and Brooklyn were the only ones left.

“What are you guys waiting for? Get over here,” Pepper said, waving them over with her free hand.

Landis gently took Brooklyn’s hand and made his way over to Pepper with Brooklyn following closely behind.

“Okay, Landis, let me have your right hand, and, Brooklyn, I’ll need your left hand,” Pepper said, taking hold of their hands. She then tied the tinsel around their index fingers. “Let the game begin.”

“How am I supposed to do anything? I’m right-handed,” Landis said, looking at the silver bow around his finger.

“You have a partner, remember? Brooklyn, are you left-handed?” Pepper asked.

“No.”

“Problem solved. Brooklyn will be your right hand. Now go enjoy yourselves,” Pepper instructed and flitted away with Michael by her side.

Landis’s arm was now touching Brooklyn’s, and the unexpected closeness was a welcome surprise. He glanced into her hazel eyes, and she stared back at him. As the seconds ticked by, it felt as if they were the only ones in the room. Landis cleared his throat.

“Do you want a drink?” he asked.

“Sure.”

They made their way over to the server, careful not to break the tinsel. Landis reached for a flute of champagne with his left hand and handed it to Brooklyn. He then took another glass for himself.

“Here’s to getting reacquainted,” he toasted, clinking his glass to hers. Landis eyed her over the rim of his glass like he had done earlier and could feel himself getting excited with each passing second.