Devyn slid down the door, hugging her knees tight against her chest. She sighed, letting her warm breath trail over her exposed skin. Her eyes were locked on the ground and she waited for her mind to drift away.
Devyn desperately tired to get her mind to drift, but when another bright green slip of card stock made its way under her door, it caught her attention and brought her back to her reality. It reminded her of Penelope’s card which Devyn had completely forgotten about. She let herself reach out for the slip of paper and pick it up. The faint smell of mahogany and coconut wafted to her nose as she flipped open the card. The handwriting didn’t match the card she stored in her desk. It was small, printed neatly like a typewriter.
We’re going Christmas shopping. Be ready at 5.
Not a request. A demand.
Her cheeks heated. She slipped the paper into the waist of her skirt, climbed off the floor and started toward the car. She needed some lunch.
9
Chad rapped his knuckles over the wooden door, but Devyn opened it before he could finish knocking. She was dressed in the most beautiful red dress he’d ever seen. It hugged her body, holding closely to her luscious curves.
Jesus Christ. How was he ever supposed to stay away from her if she won the bet? He wanted to pull the dress down and expose the tanned skin of her shoulders. Her lips matched the dress, stretching over the white row of teeth.
He fought the urge to wrap his arms around her body and shove her against a wall. He could think of a much better way for them to spend their evening and it didn’t involve what he already had planned.
“I was going to come find you, but then realized you didn't give a meeting place in your cryptic note.” She held the green card stock up at him.
A smile tugged at his lips. “You would have ran to avoid shopping with me.”
“Well.” She pulled the door of her office closed behind her. “You’re not wrong.”
Chad extended his arm, waiting for her to curl her arm through his. She followed his invitation, wrapping her fingers around the tight shirt covering his muscle. Devyn’s fingers tightened, and he froze in place.
She peered up at him through her eyelashes, a soft smile curling on her lips, “What’s wrong?”
She practically purred.
“I promised to behave myself, but I doubt I can do that with you feeling me up.”
Devyn swallowed. He heard the sound of her throat closing in on itself and the way it reacted to the movement. The phrase he meant to be lighthearted and funny came out stern. Chad couldn’t tell if the blush on her cheeks was from embarrassment or the cold.
“I—,” she stumbled, pulling her hand away from his arm. He wrapped his fingers around her small hand and pulled her back where she had been before.
“That came out wrong,” Chad corrected, pushing his shoulders back.
“How should it have came out?” Devyn’s bottom lip pouted.
Chad could see her itching to cross her arms over her chest. He flexed his arm, and chose his words carefully.
“It was supposed to be funny,” he said, looking back to her. “I was trying to make you laugh, but it came out.” Chad had to take a minute to come up with his next word, because he knew that his tone was too much. Nervously, he chewed on his bottom lip. “Territorial. It came out more territorial than intended.”
She looked at him, waiting a beat before replying.
“Well it sounded like you want in my pants.” She flipped a lock of hair over her shoulder. “And I never said I would mind.”
Nothing would stop him from throwing her over his shoulder and taking her back to her office if she kept it up. He gritted his teeth, pulling her close to him. He leaned down to her, cupping her chin in his opposite hand. He lingered there for a moment before swooping just to the side and grazing his lips against her ear.
“Let’s get out of here before I lose this bet.”
A smile danced on her lips. Devyn tightened her grip on his arm, allowing him to lead her.
Chad drove them to the small shopping center just a couple of blocks over from their office building. He didn’t believe Devyn would actually meet him at the mall because he knew she avoid shopping if given even the slightest opportunity. Devyn didn’t let him off easily though, giving him the third degree on the short trip over.
“So, how is shopping going to earn you a date?”
Devyn stared at him from across his truck. She crossed her legs and held her phone in her hand. He expected her to be playing on it, since she hadn’t let go of it since he found her in the building, but it just sat in her hand, like she would need it just in case.
Her brown eyes were hard to keep from looking at. They were huge and made him feel trapped.
Chad pulled his eyes away from hers, focusing his attention on the red light ahead of them.
“You told me yourself you hated the Secret Santa that happens every year,” he said, shifting in his leather seats. “So with me by your side we can knock it out together. Then you’ll be so eternally grateful you didn’t have to figure out what to get whoever your person is, you’ll throw yourself into my arms. Falling in love with Christmas because I made it so easy for you.” He smiled at her. “Plus, I’m an awesome gift-giver, so you’ll get brownie points.”
Devyn scoffed and rolled her eyes at him. “You’re ridiculous.”
“Am I? I’m about to make your life oh-so easy. All you have to do is hand me a credit card.”
“You understand being an
