Christmas with the Best Man

“Isn’t that a little naive in this day and age?” He led her into the dance again.

She looked directly at him, missing a step. “I don’t think so. My parents have it. Grace and Charles have clearly found it. I know of others who have, too.”

Elijah winced. His parents had not.

“Why’s that so important to you?” He wasn’t convinced it existed.

There was no time for her to think before she said, “Because of it my parents were able to help me during the darkest time of my life. Because of their love, I felt loved.”

He used to feel that way. Now betrayal filled that space. “What happened?”

“Let’s just say that teenage love isn’t always what it’s cracked up to be.”

Helena’s words were flat. She didn’t act as if she wanted to share more. He certainly didn’t either but he couldn’t help saying, “Yet you still think love exists and it’s all wonder and smiles. Like this big show.” He waved his hand toward the tent.

“Just because I was hurt once, it doesn’t mean that it doesn’t exist. For me or for you. It just means that we should be open to it when it comes. Accept it, treasure it and share it.”

“You really are a believer in fairy tales.” There was more amazement than disgust in his voice, to his surprise. He liked this less world-weary view of life but it wasn’t reality.

She straightened. “I am.” There was a proud note in her voice.

He stopped dancing. “I am not. I have no interest in fairy tales or marriage. What I do know is there’s something between us. Something strong that has nothing to do with love. I know I feel it and I think you do to. If you didn’t feel it, you wouldn’t have gotten so mad. But let me be clear, all I’ll ever be interested in is a mutual good time. No attachments. Don’t look to me for the long haul. I’m not your knight on a white charger, or the one who’ll save you from the tower. You’ll need to look elsewhere for that guy.”

Sadness filled her eyes.

Elijah lifted her chin with a finger. “But I can promise you one of these as often as you want.”

His mouth found hers. A small sound of surprise escaped hers before his lips settled completely. Helena’s lips were cold, yet plump and inviting. She stood rigid for a moment before he pulled her against him and teased her mouth. As he did so, she relaxed and slid her hands beneath his lapels to hold the crest of his shoulders. Her fingers curled in as she moaned. The tip of his tongue brushed the line of her lips until she opened. She tasted sweet, like ripe frozen strawberry dipped in champagne. He cupped her cheek, directing her mouth more directly to his as he gathered a handful of her dress and pulled her close. White-hot desire roiled through him.

Helena came up on her toes, her arms reaching around his neck. Her tongue joined his in an erotic dance like none he’d ever experienced. Heaven help him, Helena was hotter than he’d imagined. They were standing in the snow and cold, and all he could think about was taking her clothes off. Her hands found the nape of his neck and fondled his hair before tugging his head closer. As far as he was concerned, their kiss could go on forever.

“Uh, excuse me, you two.” Grace’s voice came from the direction of the door.

How many times had she called?

Helena immediately let go and pushed away, straightening her dress. His hands went slack at his sides. Yet his fingers itched to touch her again.

Grace gave them a quizzical look.

“We need to get a couple of pictures if you two can spare a minute.” Charles’s low chuckle accompanied the statement as he peered at them from his bride’s side.

“We’ll be there in a sec,” Elijah growled.

CHAPTER THREE

WHAT HAD SHE been thinking? Doing? To let Elijah kiss her. To be kissing him. Out where anyone could see. If it had continued, by the rate they had been going they’d have been on the ground soon. She didn’t act like that. Where had her good sense gone? It had disappeared like snow in a fire the second Elijah’s lips had touched hers.

How was she supposed to face Grace when she entered the tent? There was no doubt that her face was pink but it had nothing to do with the cold and everything to do with being kissed as if the world were coming to an end. Elijah had skills. Skills that her body responded to. She had been out of control and on a ride like no other as his lips had held hers. It was a scary place but one she’d love to revisit.

Helena wasted no time returning inside. She didn’t give him a backward glance as she stalked toward the door. Thankfully Elijah made no pithy remark as he came in behind her. She wasn’t sure she could have taken his flippant attitude right then. Those moments before might be his usual way of operating but they were not hers. Her world, her beliefs had been tipped over.

“Hey, we need you over here,” Grace called from where she stood facing the group already lined up in front of the fireplace. She waved them forward. “Go stand beside Charles.”

Helena continued past him with the intent of taking a position beside Grace.

She said, “No. Stand over there beside Elijah. I want this to be a fun picture, not too formal.”

Helena gave her a Really? look. Grace just grinned.

Reluctantly Helena did as she was asked and moved over in front of Elijah. He looked pleased. Great. He was certainly self-assured while she was still quaking inside. She put her back to him, hoping she could pull off a nonchalant attitude as well. But then his warm breath tickled her neck and she trembled.

He whispered right against her ear, “You thought you were going to get away, didn’t you?”

She had no time to respond before Grace said, “Helena, Elijah needs his tie adjusted. Could you do that? Then I think we’ll be ready.”

With a fortitude she hadn’t known she possessed, Helena faced Elijah. He quirked a corner of his mouth, giving her an innocent look. He was enjoying her discomfort too much. Reaching up, she took the ends of his bow-tie.

He said softly, “See what you did. You should’ve kept your hands to yourself.”

Helena narrowed her eyes and gave the tie ends a sharp tug.

Elijah jerked back. “Hey, are you trying to choke me?”

With a satisfied smirk, she turned away. The others around them snickered.

“Elijah,” Charles said. “You should remember that Helena’s one of those steel magnolias.”

A noncommittal grunt came from behind her just as the photographer took the first picture. Elijah’s palm came to rest lightly at her waist as if he were claiming her as his. Heat rushed through her. She had to stop reacting to his every touch. Even his slightest one set her body on fire. Worse than that was the fact Grace’s wedding pictures would forever make them look like they were a couple.

After a few flashes from the photographer’s camera the crowd dispersed. Helena returned to the table to pick up her muff and went to speak to Grace as the newlyweds prepared to leave.

“I love my snowy wedding but

I can hardly wait for the warmth of a beach in the Caribbean,” Grace said as Helena helped her adjust her cape around her shoulders.

“You won’t care what kind of weather you’re in with Charles there,” Helena cheerfully remarked.

Grace gave her a knowing grin. “Kind of like when you are kissing Elijah? I called three times before you heard me.”

Helena didn’t meet her look. “You shouldn’t have seen that.”

Grace’s face turned serious. “Don’t let that womanizer brother-in-law of mine hurt you.”

“That’s not going to happen,” Helena said with complete confidence.

Charles joined them. “Honey, it’s time to go.”

A few seconds later Elijah walked up with Charles’s twins in his arms. Both boys were giggling and pulling at his ears. He looked as if he was enjoying the attention as much as they were.

“Uncle Elijah said we could come stay with him when you get back, didn’t he, Cameron?” one of the boys said.

“Yes, he’s going to let us build a tent,” Max agreed.

Grace and Charles laughed.

“Your uncle Elijah could spoil you for a little bit,” Grace said.

Charles took Max out of Elijah’s arm and he lowered Cameron to the floor.

Grace and Charles each took the hand of a boy. Together they all walked toward the tent’s front door. Helena followed along with the rest of the crowd. Waiting outside was a set of white horses with a white carriage hitched to them. A green garland, along with large red bows interspersed with bells, decorated it. A man in a black top hat sat in the driver’s seat.

“Oh, Charles, this is too much,” Grace said in a breathy voice full of pleasure.

Looking pleased, Charles said, “I thought you might like it.”

Everyone gathered around as Charles lifted his sons into the seat just behind the driver, then helped Grace in, even taking the time to adjust her dress and cape before joining her. The carriage started moving and the boys squealed with delight, making Grace and Charles’s smiles brighter.

“You’re really taking all of this in, aren’t you?” Elijah said as he came to stand beside her. “I can see the stars in your eyes even in this light.”