her thirst. She was as bad as a teenager with a crush. But she had to forget about what happened in the Bahamas. She was not a kid anymore; she was the chairman of the board and Rick was her partner.
A partner whom she had barely seen since their return. In spite of his desire to cultivate the pretense of a romance, the most contact they had had was an occasional hello in the hallway. There were no meaningful glances, no secret rendezvous, no-
“Lessa?”
She turned around. Rick was behind her, looking every bit the dapper executive. He was wearing a black cashmere coat with a maroon scarf tucked inside. “Hi,” she managed to say.
“Here,” he said, opening his umbrella. “Stand under this.”
“No thanks. Contrary to rumors, I won’t melt.”
“I insist.” He smiled as he stepped closer, sheltering her from the rain. “Which way are you going?”
“Fifty-eighth and First,” thinking of the Christmas tree lot.
“My car is parked in a lot near here. I’ll drive you.” Her heart jumped into her throat at the thought of being alone with him. They walked to the next corner in silence.
As they waited for the light to change, she could feel him looking at her. Suddenly self-conscious, she smoothed her damp hair and dabbed at the mascara she was certain had smeared under her eye. “I must look like a drowned rat,” she said.
“You look beautiful,” he said softly.
Suddenly she was aware of him, very aware. His masculine presence seemed to fill the night. She felt a chill run down her spine and wrapped her arms around her damp trench coat. In her rush to get out of the house that morning, she had taken a coat that was better suited to a warm spring day than a blustery winter night.
“Hold this,” he said, handing her the umbrella. He shrugged off his overcoat and gave it to her. “Put this on.”
“No, that’s all right. I’m fine.”
“I insist.”
“But then you’ll be cold.”
“Put it on,” he said again. After she hesitated, he added, “I think you know that I’m every bit as stubborn as you.”
Once again she found herself obeying. She wrapped his coat around her, reveling in its musky scent.
“How have things been going for you at the office? Have you been having an easier time?” he asked as they walked down Fifth Avenue. Little gold lights sparkled on the barren trees, and store windows beckoned with spectacular holiday displays.
“No one’s poisoned my coffee but they’re not exactly standing in line to shake my hand either. I did overhear some women discussing me in the bathroom however. Seems that word of our overnight in the Bahamas is making the gossip circuit. Quite frankly, I think some of the women in the office are hoping that we
“What do you mean, pave the way?”
“Come on now,” she teased. “You’ve noticed how the women there flock around you.”
He shook his head and squinted his eyes. “What are you talking about?”
“Rick, you must know that many women who work with you harbor a secret, and sometimes not-so-secret, crush. They know you have a rule about avoiding office romances. They figure you getting involved with me can only be good. After all, if you broke your rule with me, then maybe you’ll break it with them as well.” There. She had spelled it out.
“So they’re assuming we’re going to break up?”
“I think it’s safe to say the answer is a big yes. After all, you’re not exactly a one-woman man.”
“I see,” he said with a twinkle in his eye. He was obviously enjoying this conversation. “I’ll tell you what. When it comes time to break up, I’ll let you do the honors.”
“That would be quite a claim to fame. I fire you
He laughed, a deep and hearty response. She couldn’t help but feel proud to have elicited such a reaction. His laughs were few and far between. He hesitated and the look in his eyes softened. “Well then, we’ll have to give them something to talk about tomorrow night.”
As she looked into his eyes, her heart jumped. Tomorrow night was the Christmas party, an event she had worked hard to produce. Up until now, she had viewed it with anxiety, yet another project for which she would be held accountable. But the thought of attending it with Rick, the thought of having to pretend once again that they were lovers, was enough to elicit a tingle of excitement. She cleared her throat, pretending not to be affected. “That’s right,” she said.
She glanced beside her, suddenly realizing that they were in front of Saks department store. Every Christmas, Saks decorated their windows with magnificent Christmas displays. This year’s were the most amazing yet. Each window contained a mannequin dressed in haute couture, posed in fabulous scenes meant to represent a fantasy.
The window directly in front of them contained a mannequin dressed like a woman from the eighteen-hundreds. She looked elegant and wealthy in her diamond tiara and jewelry. But she sat in a slump in an expensive chair, her beautiful gown flouncing around her gold slippers. In her hand was a letter from her lover stating that he would not be back for Christmas.
“I think she’s supposed to represent the woman who seems like she has everything, but she herself feels like she has nothing.”
“What does that have to do with Christmas?”
“Well, I think it speaks to the fact that for some people, Christmas can be a very lonely time of year. It’s hard to be single during a holiday that emphasizes family.”
“You sound like you’re speaking from experience,” he said.
She had not expected such a personal comment and it caught her off guard. “I guess so. There are times when I wish that I had a husband and kids like some of my friends. Times when I can’t shake the feeling that I’m missing out on something.”
“I think that’s human nature, though, isn’t it? To wonder if perhaps the grass isn’t greener?”
“You feel that way, too?”
“Sure. Sometimes even I wish that-”
“You had someone to kiss under the mistletoe?” she said before she could stop herself. She winced. “What am I saying? You’ve got plenty of women to kiss under the mistletoe.”
“I know what you mean,” he said, hurrying to her defense. “And the answer is yes. Sometimes even I wish that I had someone to kiss under the mistletoe. Someone that I loved.”
She appreciated Rick making such a personal admission. He may be a pirate, but it was becoming obvious that he still had a heart.
As they stood there, they were joined by a couple carrying a Christmas tree. Off to their right, a young boy sat on his father’s shoulders as he hugged a bag from FAO Schwarz.
“Are you done with your shopping?” she asked Rick as they turned to the corner.
“I haven’t started. But usually I just give gift certificates. What about you?”
“My aunt is always complaining about the cold, so I got her a cashmere sweater and scarf.”
Lessa stopped. The Rockefeller tree, sparkling with thousands of tiny multicolored lights, stood before them. “Do you mind if I take a closer look?” she asked, nodding toward Rockefeller Center. “I don’t usually walk this way.”
“I’m in no hurry,” he said.
“Are you too cold?” she asked. “I’d be happy to give you back your coat.”
“I’m just right,” he said, taking her arm as they crossed the street. It was the protective gesture of a gentleman, but suddenly there was an electrical current in the air. Something had shifted between them. By that subconscious response, they had gone from co-workers sharing a stroll to a man and woman sharing an evening out.
They walked to the edge of the street balcony and looked down on the skaters below. Despite the rain, it was a
