Meet Me Under The Mistletoe (O'Rourke Family 5) (10 page)

He cast a cautious glance in her direction.

She’d backed against the wall, her face stormy with frustration.

There was only one thing Alex could think of doing. He put an arm around her waist and used his free hand to cup her chin so she’d have to look at him. “If you think I give a hoot about what happens to those jeans when you can make my son smile, then you’re crazy.”

“I’m a real riot.”

“Treasure is more like it,” he retorted. “I can pay people to clean and cook. What you do for Jeremy is priceless.”

“You sound like a credit-card commercial,” Shannon grumbled, but he could see a smile overtaking her scowl.

“Not a chance.” Alex dropped a kiss on her nose. “Did you know that in some cultures the smell of bleach is an aphrodisiac?”

“You’re making that up.”

He wasn’t so sure. In the right circumstances bleach probably could excite a man.
Like now
. Like when a beautiful, sensual woman crowded everything else from his mind.

This time his kiss landed on her mouth and lingered for an endless moment.

Definitely an aphrodisiac.

“Um…mmphf… Alex?” Shannon said. “What about our agreement?”

“It’s just a friendly kiss.”

“Oh. Okay.”

He gave her another, deeper and friendlier than ever, his tongue thrusting into the warm recesses of her mouth. She had textures a man could spend forever exploring, from the top of her fiery head to the bottom of those determined feet.

Like her hips.

They were slim and curved in the right place. Blood gathered, hot and heavy at the top of his thighs, and he pressed his forehead to Shannon’s in a desperate attempt to regain control.

Yeah, friendly.

So friendly that in another minute he would have invited her to share his king-size bed for the night.

Their breaths intermingled and he swallowed. A month ago, he would have believed the need in him was because he missed Kim so much. But Shannon wasn’t a substitute for anyone; she’d created a whole new kind of needing.

“I better get that omelet going,” he said hoarsely.

Or you’ll be eating it for breakfast
.

The unspoken words hung in the air, and he knew Shannon had heard them in the silence. But he couldn’t be the man she deserved. He was too damaged, grieving his first love, unwilling to take a chance that his life wouldn’t turn into the turmoil he remembered from his parents’ marriage.

Yet he knew if he had met Shannon in a different space and time, he would have held on to her like a child grabbing the shiniest star in the sky.

“I’ll go now,” he whispered and she nodded.

Eggs had never been beaten with more vigor than the ones Alex broke into the bowl, or cheese more fiercely grated and peppers chopped. His preference would have been to lift weights or go running to release the energy twisting his nerves, but neither was an option.

“My salsa is the atomic-heat variety,” he said, plunking the plate in front of Shannon. “But you’re welcome to it.”

“I like spicy, remember?”

Alex pulled the jar from the fridge and put it next to her plate. He liked the way she wasn’t cautious, the way she spooned the salsa generously over her eggs and ate, sighing with pleasure at the simple fare.

He liked being around her, even enjoyed her unpredictability, and that was new for him, as well.

“I must have been hungry, after all,” Shannon said when she’d taken the last bite of omelet.

“Cold pizza isn’t very satisfying.”

“I know, but I’m not allowed to use the microwave in the employee break room.”

Alex managed to keep a straight face, but it was a struggle. He could well imagine what had led to her being
banned from using the microwave. And Shannon, being Shannon, wouldn’t ask someone else to do it for her. “That’s too bad. How about going into the living room and putting your feet up?” Changing the subject seemed prudent.

“I should go home. The cat will think he’s been abandoned.”

“Relax for a while. I’ll go get No-Name so you can reassure him.”

“No-Name?” she repeated.

“That’s right. I’m assuming he hasn’t ‘revealed’ his name to you yet. I have to call him something, so No-Name fits.”

“You’re a riot,” Shannon said, but she let herself be convinced. She wanted to stay. Her condo might be beautifully furnished and decorated, but she felt more comfortable in Alex’s home than in her own.

She was half asleep when Alex returned, dropping the kitten on her tummy. The feline let out a cry that sounded more annoyed than mournful, and cocked his head to one side.

Alex grinned. “He didn’t like you being gone.”

“He’s been getting friendlier. It’s hard learning to trust again,” she murmured idly, extending a finger to the cat.

The kitten was already gaining weight, the bony ridges on his back no longer so prominent. In a few months he’d be a magnificent long-haired tabby, filled with the arrogance of his species. She didn’t know why she hadn’t gotten a cat years ago. They were amazing creatures, filled with secrets and purring wiles.

Alex sat at the end of the couch, pulled her feet into his lap and began massaging them.

Mmm
. She’d never had a foot rub before, and it made her tense muscles turn to warm honey. How had he known exactly what she needed, when she didn’t know herself?

“Alex?” she murmured.

“Yes?”

“Um…never mind.” She wanted to ask why he had kissed her, but didn’t want to spoil the moment. If she asked, he might stop rubbing her feet, and that would be a shame.

Yet the thought lingered, adding to the slide of heat in her veins.

Alex hadn’t wanted her to be upset or hurt, and instead of getting annoyed that she’d spilled bleach on his clothing, he’d kissed her. Men had romanced her with flowers and jewelry and expensive restaurants over the years, but none of them had come close to Alex McKenzie and his simple omelet.

The Christmas-tree lights winked and twinkled, Alex’s thumbs moved in slow, easy circles, and the kitten purred on her tummy.

She smiled and closed her eyes.

For the first time in forever, she was right where she wanted to be.

T
he phone on Alex’s bedside table rang. He opened bleary eyes and looked at the clock.

Six?

What maniac would call at six in the morning?

“Yeah,” he mumbled into the receiver.

“Where in hell is my sister, McKenzie? She isn’t answering her phone.”

Alex rubbed his face and yawned. The voice sounded like Kane O’Rourke’s, and his tone was a far cry from their cordial encounter of the previous day. So much for a consulting job with O’Rourke Enterprises.

“She’s here.”

A harsh breath came over the line, followed by a woman’s muffled voice, saying that Shannon was an adult, entitled to her own life. And would Kane please not interfere.

Good advice.

Alex yawned again. “Shannon fell asleep on the couch. She’d had a rough day and I didn’t feel like kicking her out.”

“I …see.”

“Is this just a social call or is it something important?”

A brief silence was followed by a laugh. “Not important. I just wanted to talk to my sister.” The woman whispered again in the background. “And my wife says to apologize for waking you up.”

“Would you apologize if I’d said Shannon was in bed with me?”

“Probably not.”

At least they understood each other.

“Okay. Wait while I see if she’s awake.” Leaving the phone on the table, Alex wandered downstairs. Shannon lay on the couch and he tried not to see how she made the room seem alive, though her eyes were closed.

He drifted back upstairs. “Sorry, O’Rourke. Out like a light,” he told Kane. “I’ll let her know you called.”

He crawled back into bed, but sleep proved elusive. While Kane O’Rourke had been out of line, his love and concern for his sister was undeniable. Alex wasn’t even sure he had Gail’s current phone number, and the last time he’d seen her was at Kim’s wake. They hadn’t really talked, but not talking was a McKenzie trademark.

Mentally calculating the time difference between Washington and Japan, Alex reached for his address book. But when the ringing began, second thoughts had him ready to disconnect.

The Japanese greeting on the other end of the line momentarily threw him, then he said, “Gail?”

“Yes, this is Gail McKenzie.”

Cripes, she didn’t even recognize his voice. “It’s Alex.”

Silence, likely from shock. “Alex? Hi.”

He swore to himself. This was even harder than he’d imagined. “How have you been, Gail?”

“Busy. You know how it is.”

Did he ever.

“Yeah, I’m busy, too.”

They exchanged painful small talk for five minutes before Gail excused herself. Alex was never more grateful to end a call, and he swiped beads of sweat from his forehead. Why had he bothered?

Shannon
, he thought. He’d bothered because of Shannon. Beneath her polished veneer was a woman with old-fashioned family values, who prodded his conscience without even trying.

Like a ghost creeping through the house, Jeremy walked past Alex’s bedroom door, dragging his blanket behind him. He spent a lot of time in front of the Christmas tree, probably dreaming of Shannon becoming his new mommy. Alex groaned, knowing his son would find the object of his dreams on the couch. Still, it wouldn’t help to rush down and explain things Jeremy wouldn’t believe anyway.

A delighted “Shannon” drifted up the stairs, his son’s voice filled with the breathless excitement most children reserved for Disneyland and Santa Claus.

“A man ought to be able to sleep in his own house,” Alex grumbled. But when the house was quiet again, he found sleep was the last thing on his mind. It was too full of visions of Shannon, the frustration in her eyes turning to laughter. Of her breathless anticipation before a kiss. Of Shannon holding his son, reading or just talking to him.

Why should
that
be so haunting? he wondered.

Over the past months he’d seen too many women trying
to mother his son, their gushy concern spilling over to him. He moved across the country to get away from it.

“Damnation.” Alex kicked the blankets away. He preferred sleeping in the nude, but with Shannon spending the night on the couch, he’d opted for pajamas.
That
was why he couldn’t sleep. Those damned pj’s.

Yeah, right.

A grim smile twisted Alex’s lips as he got dressed. He was lousy at lying to himself.

Shannon read a story to Jeremy, her senses tuned to Alex’s movements on the second floor. She hadn’t slept so well in months, though it
had
been a surprise to wake up on her neighbor’s couch with Jeremy standing over her. She must have fallen asleep after Alex’s wonderful foot massage.

A smile curved her mouth.

Alex would probably never know how much his touch had stimulated other parts of her body. But it was his gentleness that had truly melted her.

Footfalls on the staircase had Shannon looking up. “Good morning.”

“Morning.” Alex yawned. “Your brother called. He’s prepared to beat me senseless for letting you spend the night.”

“He is not.”

“Yes, he is. He tried calling you at home, then decided you might be here. I don’t know why. Maybe he interrogated the chauffeur or something.”

Shannon wanted to crawl under the couch. “Honestly, I told him we were just friends.”

“Uh-huh.”

“He means well.”

“His wife told him you were an adult and not to interfere. She also told him to apologize.” Alex grinned. “Do you want to go out for breakfast? I have a meeting with some folks at the university, but not until ten.”

“I’d like that.” She breathed a sigh of relief. At least he thought Kane’s reaction was funny. “Do I have time to shower and change? It won’t take long.”

“Go ahead. I need to get Jeremy dressed, anyway.”

Shannon carried the kitten home and got ready in record time. The phone rang before she could leave, and she picked it up, knowing it would be her oldest brother.

“Hey, sis.”

She scowled. “Don’t hey me. How could you call Alex like that? It’s none of your business whether or not I’m sleeping with him. Besides, I told you we were just friends.”

“I overreacted.”

“As usual.” She looked at her watch. “But we’ll discuss it later. Do you have a reason for calling? I’m on vacation.”

Kane chuckled, kindly refraining from reminding her that he’d forced her to take that vacation. “Nothing that can’t keep. Talk to you later, sis.”

Shannon said good-bye and hurried outside. It was still raining, and Alex got out of the Jeep to help her into the front seat. He looked wider awake than she’d ever seen him look in the morning, and his smile was brighter than sunshine.

“Thank you,” he whispered.

“For getting ready so fast?”

“Better than that.” He went around to the driver’s seat and got in. “Jeremy, why don’t you tell Shannon what you’ve just told me.”

She twisted in her seat to look at the four year old. “Yes?”

“I’m not playing wolf an’more, ’cause Daddy has to work.” He sighed a very adult sigh. “An’ I guess I haf to go to day-care. After Christmas,” he added hastily.

Pleasure went through Shannon. She’d wondered if she was doing the right thing, talking to Jeremy about his pretending to be sick and needing to accept day-care. She’d also planned to tell Alex about those talks, but there had never seemed to be a right time.

“You’re a good boy. I’m so proud of you.”

Jeremy glowed.

And Alex…the warmth in his eyes was the best reward she’d ever received. But it didn’t mean anything had changed between them. He’d told her often enough he wasn’t interested in a permanent relationship.

They drove to a local café. As they walked inside, Alex put his hand on the small of her back, sending shivers in all directions. “That okay?” he asked, pointing to a booth by the window.

“It’s fine.” He could have suggested a bench in the middle of a rain puddle and it would have been fine. She had it bad, and there wasn’t a single reason to hope things were going to change. Yet a bubble of hope kept rising, demanding attention.

“I’ve been thinking,” Shannon said once the waitress had taken their orders. “If Kane didn’t annoy you too much, would you and Jeremy like to spend Christmas day with my family?”

A dark expression flickered in Alex’s eyes, his barriers popping up one by one. “I don’t know…”

“Oooh. Can we, Daddy?” Jeremy begged.

Alex hesitated, torn.

His first impulse was to refuse, but it
was
a chance for his son to see a real family celebration. On the other hand, Jeremy already had too many dreams about Shannon. It was Alex’s fault. There was something he hadn’t anticipated in his agreement to be just friends… Shannon was too irresistible.

To both of them.

“I’m sorry,” she said worriedly. “I should have asked when we were alone. I understand if you have other plans.”

He couldn’t handle her apologizing. Not when she’d done so much for both of them.

“Actually, we don’t have plans. We accept.”

“Does that mean yes, Daddy?”

He nodded and Jeremy wriggled with excited anticipation.

“Goody!”

“What should we bring?” Alex asked, already regretting the decision. He didn’t know how to act with big families. His own was a mess, and Kim’s only relatives had been distant cousins. Was there a particular protocol that was expected?

“Just bring yourselves. I have twin nieces who are close to Jeremy’s age. They’ll love playing with him.”

The nieces sounded good; Jeremy needed to learn how to play with children his age. The day-care center had said he stayed too much to himself. Of course, Kane O’Rourke would be more convinced than ever that his little sister was involved with someone he didn’t know anything about, but Alex took a perverse pleasure in the knowledge. If he ever
did
take Shannon to bed, he didn’t plan on answering to anyone about it.

What about Kim?

It wasn’t a new thought, and he knew it was something he’d have to deal with sooner or later. Strangely, he
wanted to talk with Shannon about feeling guilty. Would she understand?

“We still should bring something,” he said gruffly.

Shannon nodded. “You can bring me. I always have a mountain of stuff to take, and your Jeep would be perfect to pile it into.”

“Then it’s at your service.”

“Good. We’ll go Christmas morning and spend the day, if that’s okay with you. Someone could drive me home if you decide we’re too much for you.”

“Mmm,” he said noncommittally.

Their meal came and they talked about the weather and other safe subjects, and Shannon couldn’t help being discouraged again. Alex had places inside she couldn’t reach.

“You didn’t eat much,” Alex said when she pushed her plate away.

“I’m still full of omelet.”

His eyes asked silently if something was wrong and she bit her lip. She doubted he was aware of the way he posted barriers and stay-out messages.

“It’s after eight-thirty,” she said, gesturing to the clock on the café wall. “You don’t want to be late.”

He agreed and took care of the bill.

It was funny, Shannon thought as they walked out to the Jeep. The more they seemed like a family, the more it hurt to know they were just playing a game.

Later in the morning, Shannon summoned her courage and opened Alex’s washing machine. At home she managed basic care of underclothes and such, but the cleaning service took care of the big stuff. She knew what bleach
could do to clothing, though, and she held her breath as she pulled Alex’s jeans from the machine.

“Drat,” she muttered, looking at the faded blotches. The two well-worn pairs didn’t look so bad; they’d already lost a lot of color. But the newer ones were a mess.

The intimacy of doing a man’s laundry had never struck her before, but now she was acutely aware of how those jeans wrapped around Alex’s hips and muscled thighs. Maybe that was why some women liked doing laundry; it made them feel closer to their men.

She hastily shoved the jeans into the dryer and set it to low, the way the labels suggested.

“I am losing my mind,” she said, glaring at the machine that thumped and thudded as the heavy jeans tumbled around inside. “Positively bonkers. Laundry is just work, not a mission in life. And I’m terrible at it.”

Besides, it was too disturbing spending time in the utility room. All she could think about was Alex’s kisses, the mix of tenderness and laughter. He’d been so kind about her fumble with the bleach bottle, though it must have been annoying.

She went into the kitchen and picked up the phone. She didn’t have to be good at domestic skills if she knew who to call. The service who cleaned her condo could do an emergency job on Alex’s house, instead of her taking the chance of ruining something else.

He’d probably be relieved.

As Alex parked in the drive late in the afternoon, he saw a car pulling out of Shannon’s. Despite the rain he was able to make out two women inside, and they were waving at him.

“Can I help you?” he asked when the driver stopped and rolled down her window.

“No, we’re from the cleaning service,” the woman explained. “You must be Dr. McKenzie. Sorry about your jeans,” she added with a grin.

Alex realized they must have talked to Shannon. She would have hated admitting what had happened. “It was an accident.”

“Obviously. Gotta go.”

He frowned as he opened his front door and the scent of lemon and baking surrounded him. They were fragrances from the past, a time when he’d arrived to a house freshly cleaned and a cobbler cooling on the stove. After being raised as an unwanted foster child, Kim had been determined to do things right. Maybe that was why she’d kept Jeremy close at home and insisted he eat a certain way.

“What is going on, Shannon?” he asked the minute he saw her on the couch wrapping gifts.

“Nothing. Jeremy is taking a nap and I had the cleaning service come,” she said, looking up from the package she was taping. “They baked an apple cake, too. I figured you wouldn’t want me to destroy anything else.”

She’d assumed her polished veneer, the one that hid everything, and he sighed.