The Mistletoe Affair

Her mother stood in a lovely floral dress, dabbing at the corners of her eyes. “I love old movies and old songs, don't you? They don't write them like they used to.” She looked up and grinned like the cat that swallowed the pet canary.

Turning to see what her mother looked so thrilled about, Katherine's gaze rested on a charcoal and blue-striped silk tie nestled against a light, blue shirt. Her gaze climbed up to a dimpled, clean-shaven chin and stopped at a full mouth, which wore an inviting smile that ignited warmth deep in her stomach. Her mouth went dry and her tongue licked her lips. Finally lifting her eyes the rest of the way, she met a smoldering blue gaze. Her voice failed her, and she exhaled a sigh of relief when her mother broke the heady spell.

“Jared, I'm so glad you could make it.'

His smile broadened, and that irresistible dimple in his right cheek deepened. “Ladies, you look beautiful.” He glanced down at Matt, who sported dress pants and a shirt. “You look real grown up tonight, pal.'

Matt giggled.

“I was beginning to think my daughter wouldn't have anyone but old folks to dance with tonight, Jared.'

Dance? She tried to think of some way to avoid Jared holding her in his arms. One thing she knew-her body didn't want to cooperate with her mind tonight. Her mind kept reminding her, ‘He's cut from the same cloth as Paul, and you know how that ended.’ Her body kept shouting, I don't care. And from the way his gaze inventoried the length of her body, he knew the attraction burning in the atmosphere around them. A burning his blue eyes said he wanted to ignite.

Relief flooded Katherine's mind when Mrs. Taylor approached them with her camera to capture her celebration on film. Everyone wished her a happy birthday. Mrs. Taylor took a picture of Katherine's mother and Matt. “Jared, stand next to Katherine, so I can get a picture of the two of you.'

Katherine's body stiffened. She rotated her shoulders to relieve the tension.

“I swear. Young folks today don't know how to have a good time. Pretend you like one another, and you're having fun at my birthday party.” She orchestrated the picture she wanted. “Jared, wrap your arm around Katherine's waist and lean in close. Katherine, don't look so sour, dear.'

She swallowed hard. Jared's hand touched her, felt its way around her waist, inched past her back and held her. He pulled her against his firm, warm body.

“Say cheese!'

She'd like to scream ‘Help’ instead and stop the emotions his touch aroused. Emotions she hadn't felt in years. Emotions she tried to fight. Looking straight at the lens, she forced a smile and inhaled slowly as the camera exploded before her eyes. As red dots floated in her horizon, Jared released her abruptly and she shuddered at the sudden chill. Mrs. Taylor smiled and moved on to some other unsuspecting scrapbook memory.

Grabbing Matt's hand, her mother strolled toward the tables. “I think I'll save us a spot and sit with Matt while you and Jared fix our plates.'

Katherine's mouth flew open. Her mother intended for Jared to join them at their table.

Turning to face her, his gaze held hers fast. His finger pressed underneath her chin and closed her mouth then moved back-and-forth leisurely across her bottom lip. “Grace is putting you in a bad spot again. I hate fix-ups, too. I won't share another meal with you and your family unless I'm welcome by everyone.” He removed his hand from her face and waited.

The tingling aftershocks of his touching her mouth made her blush. How could she explain to Matt that she refused to let Jared eat at their table because she didn't trust herself with him? Let alone how to tell Jared that he made her all jumpy? How could she punish either of them like that? Besides, what could possibly happen with Matt and her mother as chaperones? “Let's hit the buffet. You're welcome to eat with my family.'

“Hey, Jared.” A beautiful leggy blond tottered up behind him in the buffet line. She stood in navy heels, her sparkling V-neck dress drawing attention to her breasts. Bending slightly, she stuffed a piece of paper in his pants pocket. “My new number. I figured that's why you never called after that night we were together,” she said in a sultry whisper.

He turned and gave her the once over as her slender body slithered away. Jared glanced at Katherine, smiled and shrugged.

Katherine jerked her head around to the buffet table to avoid looking at his Don Juan-type grin. Adding a dinosaur sized turkey leg to one of the plates, she turned to Jared and shoved a napkin in his hand. “Matt has trouble with drool, too.'

She'd bet her life Jared didn't even remember Miss Busty's name. If she didn't write it along with her phone number, he'd have no idea the identity of the woman who had propositioned him with a second one-night stand.

His eyes lit with mischief. “I never claimed to be a saint, Katherine-just a red-blooded, one-hundred-percent careful male.'

Jerk, she wanted to add. Ignoring him, she concentrated on shoving dressing, candied sweet potatoes, cranberry salad mold and yeast rolls onto plates. His hand reached out and held hers still. Cranberries dripped over the sides of the over-stuffed plates onto the table. She blushed, grabbed paper napkins and cleaned up the excess.

Taking the soiled napkins from her, Jared retrieved the crumpled paper the ditzy-blond shoved in his pocket. He added it to the pile and threw the whole mess away. “Katherine, I didn't ask for her phone number. She approached me, remember?'

“What's her name?” she snapped, wanting to prove her point, later wishing she could reel the question back in. Why should she care if the rumors about him being a rutting tomcat were true? She wasn't in love with him, only physically attracted to him. Strongly physically attracted, her mind corrected.

He hesitated.

They each picked up two plates loaded with food and began weaving through the crowds to their table. “I'm not the type of man who sleeps with a woman and trashes her name. But the lady didn't seem particular about who watched her throw herself at me. My guess is she saw you with me, got jealous and thought she could hurt you. I think I need to prove something to you. Katherine, turn around and look at me. Please.'

She reluctantly turned toward him.

“Her name's Laura Brown. She works at an art gallery downtown.” His gaze searched her face. “And you look surprised as hell that I know anything at all about her.” He shook his head.

A lady almost bumped into Katherine as she turned back around. She moved to the side to avoid her and quickly continued forward. “Actually, I'm amazed you knew her name.'

Why should she feel jealous? She didn't know, but she did, and she didn't want him to know. Attempting to lighten the whole incident, Katherine whispered, “I don't care what you do. You're single, over twenty-one, and how you live your life is entirely up to you.” They both walked in silence.

Thomas Hughes moved away from their table as they arrived. He waved over his shoulder at them and headed back to his own friends.

“Mom, they're welcome to join us, if they'd like,” Katherine whispered, placing one plate of food in front of her mother and the other in front of Matt.

A sad faraway look clouded her mother's eyes. “He's with a lady he dates sometimes. He stopped by to say hello.'

Eyeing the plates Jared set down, she noticed he'd placed hers beside his. She refocused her attention on her mother. “If you get too tired, you let me know and we'll leave.'

Matt took his fork and lifted the large slice of turkey and peeked underneath. “Where's the chocolate cake?'

Everyone chuckled.

“I'll get us something to drink while you look after the bottomless-pit.” Jared smiled at Matt and headed toward the refreshment table.

“We have to light Mrs. Taylor's candles and sing happy birthday to her. After she blows the candles out, we'll get cake. But first, you have to eat your dinner.” Katherine sat in the chair beside Matt. “Save room for a big slice.” He relaxed, grinned and shoveled turkey and dressing into his mouth.

Jared returned with glasses of fruit punch. He shrugged out of his suit jacket and laid it on the back of his chair. As he dropped into the chair next to her, his muscular thigh pressed against hers. Her heart did a reluctant