'Tis the Season: A Collection of Mimi's Christmas Books (59 page)

“You’re moving back to the other apartment? Why, Belle? Kim has Christmas all set up here and it’s only a few days away. Stay.”

Yaya did her imitation of a spoiled little girl by wailing. “I don’t wanna go home. I wanna stay with Jesse.” Even her lip got in to the act as it began to quiver all the while her eyes filled.

Belle slowly put down her cereal spoon, looked from Jesse to Layla and then glanced at her fingers as they rubbed at a milk-spill on the table.

“Layla, honey, this is not our home.” Stopping her fidgeting, she reached for her little girl’s hand and was shocked when it was pulled back. “We live two doors down the hall, baby. Now that… ahhh certain matters have been settled, there’s no reason for us to be away anymore.”

“Couldn’t you just stay one more day while Layla and I start to train Sam? Then I hoped we could go together to the mall. Figured while I looked after Layla, you could have time to do
your
shopping.”

Jesse sent a mental message to Belle with a wink to accompany it.
The baby doll!
She still had to buy Yaya what she asked Santa for or she’d think she wasn’t a good little girl. And that wasn’t at all the truth.

With Belle sick for so many months, her munchkin had been an angel, trying to help her as much as possible. She’d gone way past what a normal three-year-old could be expected to handle. Many days, she’d dressed herself and even got her own breakfast and lunch under Belle’s supervision.

“Mama, I’ll be so good. I pwomise I’ll stay with Jesse and hold his hand all the time.” Now she had Yaya’s pleading eyes to try and resist.

And Jesse’s voice wouldn’t stop tempting. “After, we could go to the doggy Christmas movie at the Cineplex that I know Layla would enjoy, and then—”

“Oh mommy, please! Can’t we
please
stay with Jesse?”

Belle hardened her heart to the pleading. “We have to get back to our own place, Layla. I still need to decorate our tree and the livingroom for the holiday.”

Jesse broke in, thinking fast. “Look, why don’t you and Layla stay here with Kim’s decorations all around? If I’m bothering you, I’ll hang out at your place or I can get a room at the hotel down the street. Kim wouldn’t mind. After all, as long as the herd gets fed and Sam has his walks, she’ll be happy.”

“Jesse, I couldn’t think of putting you out of your home.” Oh God! Did he realize how tempting his suggestions were? Or how much she longed to stay with him and never leave?”

Tension in the room built until a little girl couldn’t take the pressure anymore. Bursting into tears, Yaya settled the issue by flinging herself toward Jesse. He lifted her from her seat and cradled her against his chest. Over her head, his gentle eyes implored Belle to give in, change her mind and throw her heart into a paradise full of delicious torment.

“Fine. We’ll stay for one more day.”

“Yay!! Layla and Jesse yelling their satisfaction together broke into laughter and Jesse wiped away Layla’s tears.

Belle stood to get their attention. “Just so you both understand. Today, I’ll do my shopping and get what we need for Christmas, and tomorrow we move back home. Is that a deal, Yaya? You have to promise me there’ll be no more arguments or tears?” Belle raised her eyes and noticed the wary look in Jesse’s. “Both of you need to promise.”

Layla answered first. “Okay, Mommy.”

Jesse took his time and finally her pointed finger gained his reply. He wore a cheeky grin when he finally spoke.

“I pwomise!”

Chapter Twenty-three

When they finally returned to the apartment, Belle held Layla in her arms while Jesse carried the rest of the parcels.

She imagined anyone looking would think they were a happy family. And that’s exactly how they’d spent their wonderful day, just like many of the other contented parents with excited children.

Carrying a sleeping Layla to her bed, Belle knew the smile she’d worn all day was still plastered over her face and firmly lodged in her heart.

Jesse had gone out of his way to make their time together so wonderful that she knew the memory was forever firmly lodged. He’d handled Yaya with such finesse and tenderness that her baby absolutely glowed from all his attention. Most likely, she herself suffered the same pleasant ailment.

In the mall, she’d managed to sneak away and now had a beautifully wrapped present for Layla for Christmas morning that she slid under the ruffled bed skirt. Not only would her daughter get the baby doll, but Jesse had found a delightful doll set with bottles, diapers, fancy clothes and even a carriage.

Her little girl would be in heaven and the thought lifted Belle so high she felt as if she floated a foot off the floor. Pajamas left under the pillow were soon slipped on to a half-awake grumbler.

“Is she sleeping?” Jesse appeared in the doorway. He’d obviously combed his hair and changed into a clean greenish shirt that popped the grey in his eyes to appear like emeralds, enticing, appealing.

“The little monkey is still fighting, but she’s had it for today. I’ll just settle her down and be with you in a minute.”

Layla scuttled around her mom’s blocking body and held her hand out to Jesse. “I want a goodnight kiss, Jesse. Please?”

He moved closer and Belle got a whiff of his spicy cologne. The fresh scent had her drooling. He leaned over so Yaya’s reaching arms could encircle his neck. His first kiss landed on her cheek and another followed for her forehead.

“You smell good, Jesse.”

Belle had to admit her daughter had good taste.

“Thanks, Precious. Happy dreams.”

Belle watched Jesse walk from the room, his swaying hips a pure joy to watch. Bloody hell, the man moved like a model would if advertising sex. And by taking into consideration other women’s trailing stares from earlier in the day, Belle had been completely aware that many of the other discriminating females in the mall had felt equally shaken.

Before joining him, she decided that if he freshened up then she would also. Not to impress him—that was dead in the water after he’d called her by another woman’s name. But they could still be friends.

With that thought in mind, she showered, fixed her hair and changed her clothes right down to her underwear. “Whatever!” she whispered the word in the mirror before she joined him in the other room.

“I wanted to thank you again, Jesse, for being so good to Yaya today, in fact, to both of us. It turned into a day we’ll never forget.”

Jesse passed her a glass of white wine and sat on the sofa across from her. “Trust me, I enjoyed myself as well.”

Sam, happy to have his people home again, attacked Jesse’s hem on his jeans and began to pull and growl ferociously. Laughing, Jesse picked him up. “Come ‘ere you little pest.” He laid him on his knees and tickled the ecstatic puppy’s tummy all the while Sam tried chomping on his knuckles. Surprisingly, a chewy treat appeared from Jess’s pocket and Sam, now wreathed in doggy delight, gnawed happily.

He looked at her and smiled crookedly. “Did you hide Layla’s present?”

“I tucked it under the bed. She’ll never think to look there.”

“Maybe not, but if this little monster sees it, he’ll be attacking and tearing it to pieces.”

Belle laughed. “I never thought about Sam. I’ll hide it in the closet then. What made you think of Sam as a destroyer? Come on, I saw you glare at him just now.”

“I guess it was the expensive pair of earphones I used to own but are now all teeth marks and dried slobber.”

Belle was tickled. “He got you too?”

Jesse put his wine glass down and leaned toward her. “Spill. What did he wreck of yours?”

She couldn’t stop the redness that flooded her cheeks. Taking a sip gave her time to wonder if she should mention the panties she’d found on the floor that the little beggar had stolen from her backpack. From now on the zipper would be closed all the way.

“You’re blushing. The devil must have gotten into your personal things.”

“Yep! And that’s all I want to say on this subject. It’ll teach me to zip up my belongings.”

Laughing, Jesse stood and wandered over to the entertainment center and turned on some music. With only the Christmas lights on, the room had a sensuous glow. Add the soft music and Belle began to feel tension building inside.
What’s he up to?

Jesse picked up the bottle, topped his own glass and approached hers. “More?”

“Sure.” By now her body’s trembling made speaking difficult. Sipping more wine to try and lighten up, Belle watched him move. Not a good idea if she wanted to remain cool.

“Have you talked to Kim today?” A change of subject seemed appropriate for someone whose insides were flying around like seagulls en mass taking off in the airstreams.

“Yeah. She sent you and Layla her love.” Jesse stopped moving and stared at her pointedly as he continued. “And she hoped things were working out between us.”

“And? What did you tell her?”

“That I enjoyed having you girls live here and I’d be an idiot if I let you leave.” He strode toward her, his hand reaching. “Dance with me.” Husky, inviting, his voice lured her on.

Without any conscious intention, she replaced her wineglass on the table, stepped into his waiting arms and was lost.

Chapter Twenty-four

As they swayed, steps matching perfectly, the radio played songs from the past. Jesse happily surrendered himself to Belle’s warm embrace. The scent of her perfumed hair brought his body temperature up and his resistance low. She was the sweetest thing he’d held in a long, long… long time.

The arm she placed around his neck was close to his lips. Temptation such as he’d never known before attacked brutally. Not wanting to fight the feeling, he kissed her skin softly and waited for her to reject his advance. She didn’t.

Instead, she sighed and arched closer. Without any hesitation, Jesse let her hand go and wrapped both arms around her body which was now glued to his. Bending his height over her, he nuzzled her neck and she twisted, giving him better access. Then he trailed his hand up and down her back as the music carried them to heaven.

Never before had he… His eyes flew open. A song began to play, an old Elvis song he’d heard years ago at another dance—another time. Memories instantly flooded. He remembered feeling this same kind of aching love just before he’d had his heart ripped to shreds.

Mari’s name clanged in his head but he wouldn’t make that mistake twice of saying it aloud. Face it, the girl he’d held in his arms back then hadn’t been the same as this woman who held
him
enthralled now. As deeply as he’d loved his teenage sweetheart, she’d left and broken his heart. And as much as he’d mourned her, she’d never returned.

Even without Kim’s nagging, Jesse had accepted the need had come to move on. His brain had known it for some time. Guess he’d just waited for the right girl to make it worthwhile to cut those strong ties.

Suddenly, Belle shifted, started to pull away, and he realized he’d come to a full stop and hadn’t said anything. He scooped her close again, whispered her name and heard a distinct sobbing moan.

“Oh, Jesse.”

“Belle, I want to kiss you so bad, baby. Let me.”

She turned her head, her action the permission he’d longed for. He dove in to taste and lick while his hands wandered her back, her hips and the cutest butt he’d ever been fortunate enough to have at his mercy.

Whimpers of enjoyment let him know she liked his advances. Being encouraged, he again moved his attention to her neck where his lips played tribute to every inch of her incredibly soft skin.

“Jesse, I love how you make me feel.”

In a voice unlike his usual sound—husky almost rough, he asked. “How do I make you feel?”

“Like a woman.” She placed a tender kiss on his lips and gazed into his eyes so he could see her hunger and her truth. “You make me feel like a woman. And it’s been such a long time since… No. That’s a lie. I’ve never felt this way.”

Her words travelled deep inside to a place in Jesse’s soul. A warm, loving place where she now ruled.

Jesse growled his pleasure because words wouldn’t form. He picked her up, waited for her legs to circle his waist and carried her to his bedroom. On the way, her lips tackled his, letting him know she liked this direction, promising him a night of intense delight. Carefully, he maneuvered them to the bed and with their mouths glued in passion, he followed her down.