Mistletoe Read online

  She’s dressed in a running suit, and her headphones in so she hasn’t spotted me, she’s running in place. Wanting to talk to her again, and knowing she’s going to need her keys I step in front of her, causing her to almost fall back.

  “Jesus! Where did you come from?” She screeches, pulling her earplugs out.

  “Sorry, didn’t mean to startle you. Where are you headed?”

  “It’s fine you just caught me off guard, I’m going running. I do every morning to clear my head. But first I gotta go downstairs and see if the complex manager has a spare key. I have no clue where I put it last night. Which is not like me, I’m always very organized.”

  Giving her a sheepish smile, I pull the key out of the front pocket of my Grinch hoodie. “Sorry, I meant to return it this morning, I didn’t want to wake you up. I figured you wouldn’t want your door unlocked. Not that you have a lot to steal. We have to get you some Christmas stuff.”

  “Are you a stalker, Ms. Frost?”

  “Not usually, but with you, I just might be.” I bat my eyelashes at her and it has the effect I was hoping for. Her seriousness falls away, replaced by a breathtaking smile, that makes her already gorgeous face light up.

  “Well thank you for thinking of my safety. I better go, you got some goodies to deliver there and I like to get back early from my runs. See you around?”

  “I was just dropping these off at my friend’s place for him and his sister. If you give me five minutes, I’d love to join you. I’ve been meaning to start exercising lately, I tend to gain a few pounds during the holidays. Can’t have that.”

  “I think you look gorgeous; you’d be gorgeous even if you did. Sorry, I… I probably shouldn’t have said that.” She bites her lip nervously looking everywhere but at me. She’s so adorably shy, but at least it’s a step in the right direction. Getting on my tiptoes, I kiss her cheek.

  “Let me just drop this off, and you can keep telling me how gorgeous you think I am. I think you’re going to do wonders for my ego.”

  “I’m probably going to regret this but ok. Get ready I’ll grab another water, and meet you out here in five minutes.”

  I wait for her to enter her apartment, before smacking my head. Running really Grace… Your idea of exercise is watching the fools who run around the Amazing Race. The things I’m willing to do for this woman.

  Chapter Four

  Brandie

  Reaching for two cold waters and putting back the one that I had earlier that has condensation all over it. I place the new one on the back of my neck needing something to cool me off. How it's 80 degrees in the middle of winter is beyond logical, but I guess that’s Florida for you. Although the reason I’m heated up has nothing to do with the weather and everything to do with the Grace. She looked so cute in her little hoodie, which was also so out of place for this weather.

  I had woken up in the middle of the night to realize she must have left at some point. Disappointment filled me, and I took to pacing not being able to sleep. I was used to seeing magic happen in front of me, but all that felt lack luster when compared to the bewitching way she had seeped into my heart, in the matter of a night. Which, if I was honest , is fucking with my head. I am practical, I don’t have high emotions, or feel the flutter of butterflies. Well the bastards were fluttering, to the point I felt like I wouldn’t be able to function.

  Maybe the run would help clear my head, and I could chuck this all up to being cooped up in the North Pole for years. Making my way out of the apartment with renewed resolve, it comes crashing down. Nope you’re a fucking goner. And for the Christmas Princess, the irony of all this is palpable.

  “I’m ready!” She beams up at me, and I try my hardest not to laugh. She’s got Star Wars Christmas shorts on, with a matching T-shirt, and tube socks. I’m not sure she’s got the gist of what running gear is, but at least she’s got sneakers on.

  “You certainly are.” I say not wanting to burst her bubble.

  Speeding down the stairs, she matches me step for step, and my adrenaline kicks in. That old feeling of competitiveness takes over and I rush into high gear. Not being one to back down, I watch her put all her effort into keeping up with my pace. We are both in a laser focus to stay on top, and a different feeling takes over. Want, I fucking want her, no need her. Need to see how much we would match under the sheets. My imagination running wild, as I run. Watching her body in motion next to mine. Would she give it her all in the throes of passion? Trying to gain control of the situation, each of us fighting for dominance. Would her breasts rise and fall the way they were now? The million and one questions plaguing me, as I propelled forward. Very different from the usual thoughts of tasks I always had in my head when I usually ran.

  “Oh my Gawd! I’m gonna die!” Grace screams as we hit the halfway point of my run. She has her hands on her thighs, trying to catch her breath heaving. I circle back to her still running in place.

  “Are you ok?” I ask with concern stopping my sprint, and handing over the water. I squat down to her level and immediately feel bad for having pushed as hard as I had.

  “No! I am dying, this body wasn’t meant for running. Unless it’s running to my bed. I’ve never once ran on purpose. That’s for people getting murdered in horror films.”

  “Then why did you ask to come running?”

  She looks up at me from her stance with a look that could kill. “Because I wanted to spend time with you. Wasn’t that obvious? No wonder you’re so fucking fit. I was giving it everything I had back there. I’m pretty sure my soul left me about 5 blocks south of here. That bitch took one look at me and abandoned ship.”

  “Oh.”

  “Yeah oh, I’m gonna walk back to the apartments. See if I can catch my feet, they seem to have fallen off also. You go…on without me...I’ll go get some energy back in me.”

  “If you want, I can walk back with you. I’ll go for a run tomorrow.” I offer not sure what the right protocol is here. I’m not the best at judging people, and if they want me to leave them alone.

  “No, it’s ok. Go for your run, I’m gonna go eat a cookie, or three. Extra sugar, maybe even some frosting.” She says waving goodbye, and I want to follow her, but she did ask for her space. Deciding I better let her have a moment. My phone starts ringing and I answer it via Bluetooth going back into my sprint.

  “Hello?”

  “Brandie, where the hell are you? Things are fucked up here!” I hear John Alexander’s voice on the other side.

  “Hi, how are you? How have you been? How am I you say?.” I say sarcastically. He hasn’t called me once, and I thought we were closer than that.

  “No don’t hi me. You don’t get to play the victim card here. The phone works both ways, and you’ve been on vacation while everything has turned into mayhem up here.” I roll my eyes at his obvious dramatic outburst. I’m sure everything is fine, and if not, well it's no longer my problem.

  “I’m sure my brother has it under control. He wanted to be in charge, and now he can be.”

  “Your parents sent your brother down to find you. They were so pissed that you left, and Joe got it bad. I almost felt bad for the guy. He really seemed upset that you left.”

  Turning back to head towards the apartments, I go in full sprint. “Listen let me call you back in a few minutes. I was going for a run, and I won’t have my head together for this conversation until I’m back home. Give me like twenty minutes.

  “Ok but don’t forget to call me. I feel neglected as your best friend!”

  “Promise.”

  The run back home is a lot faster, going at full speed and up the stairs. The duo from yesterday is now joined by Grace at the end of the hallway and I take the reprieve to sneak into my apartment. I want to go to her, but I know I need to deal with John Alexander first. Going inside, I dial up the number and he answers at the first ring.

  “Ok now tell me what’s happening.”

  He explains the whole situation to me as quickly as p
ossible. Apparently, my brother got kicked out of the North Pole with orders to not come back unless he and I are together. Yeah that wasn’t happening, even if I was worried about my parents. I needed to take a stand, and I had my pride. Unless the North Pole was burning, I wasn’t making peace with my brother. Feeling shitty because I have this duty to be there for them, but also not wanting to give in, I let the bad mood take over me.

  So when I hear my doorbell ring, I pull the door open, pissed off and half expecting my brother to have already found me.

  “What?!” I yell and I see all three pairs of eyes go wide.

  “This is the misunderstood, sweet woman you were talking about? This is the same grouch who slammed the door in our face.” The guy that I now know is named Kent, says glaring at me.

  “Girl, you need to stop trying to find the good in the world. Let’s go.” Grace’s other companion says pulling at her arm.

  “Grace wait, I…”

  “You what?” Obviously hurt by the way I snapped from the hurt expression she is trying hard to mask. Maybe it’s for the best, I’m not really a good people person. “Nothing. I’m sorry for screaming at you. I gotta go.” I close the door and decide I’m going to veg out on my sofa.

  Chapter Five

  Grace

  They say love is a form of insanity, and I’m starting to believe it. Why else would I be walking over to Brandie’s door again. As much as I tried to stay mad at her for the way she acted towards me yesterday, I couldn’t. The other half of my soul was trying to hide from the world, and especially from me, and I just wasn’t going to have that. Even if it meant continuing to break that door, until it broke off permanently. Skipping the bell and going straight to pounding, I don’t get the chance because just as it goes to land on it, the door swings open.

  “Go out with me tonight at eight, nothing that includes Christmas carols, or Christmas anything.” She asks vulnerability pouring from her as she stands there in her pj’s and a messy bun. She’s so damn beautiful.

  “About time you came to your senses, yes I’ll go out with you. We’ll see about the Christmas stipulation.”

  “Fine, but I’m warning you, I’ll be a scrooge if you do.”

  “Nothing a little Mistletoe can’t fix.”

  “I don’t need mistletoe; I just need you.” She sighs, and pulls me by the hips. “Been wanting to do this since you pushed your way into my life.” Closing the distance between us her lips descend on mine. Her teasing tongue licks at my lips and I open letting her tongue slip in. Her grip on me becomes a bit tighter, as if I’ll escape if she doesn’t. Her hot mouth works mine like a fiddle, and I want to stay like this forever.

  Unfortunately, the need for air has us separating. Looking into her eyes, I can see the same heat I feel inside me. She’s gasoline, and I’m a match ready to burn us down in flames of passion. Every single part of me is tingling only confirming what I already knew. I want Brandie, and I’ll stop at nothing to get her to fall in love with me, because I was already there the moment my eyes landed on her.

  After a few seconds of staring at each other, I excuse myself knowing I need to go into the shop. She gives me one more quick kiss before I head out. Touching my lips I can still feel her taste, just the thought of it has me grinning, and I know I won’t be able to stop. In just a few hours I’ll be having my second date with my forever, but first I have to go put a few hours in at my shop. I'll have plenty of time to get ready knowing Kent will be by to relieve me later.

  My plans have gone south and rather quickly, at that. It’s close to 7:30 and the last of the few customers are still in line. I’m at the point of tears, knowing I’m going to have to text her to postpone. With no choice left, I send the message, explaining the situation. My heart feeling deflated and expecting her to message me with a cancellation, or worse not text back at all, I put my phone back in the pocket. When my phone beeps in my pocket, I almost drop it from trying to grab it in a hurry.

  Excusing myself for a second, Kent takes over and I step to the back. If I’m going to be sent to hell in a text, I’d rather it be in private. Taking a deep breath I look down at my phone and hope springs within me.

  Sexy Grump: Where are you? I’ll meet up with you.

  Jumping up and down with excitement I practically squeal. I send her my address, finally feeling like she’s coming around to my way of thinking. Going back to the front I finish helping the customers. As the last one leaves, she comes around the corner, looking confused at the building. I’m sure she’ll have a few choice words, since the outside is painted as a winter wonderland from end to end. She shakes her head and comes inside, and the full impact of her has me feeling light headed. I don’t think I’ll ever not feel that way when she enters the room. Especially when she’s wearing those ass-hugging jeans and a crop top that shows off her abs.

  The ache that takes over at the pit of my stomach pangs at me, and I want to take her out back, and have my way with her. I’m already addicted to her lips, and I’ve only shared one kiss with her. I can only imagine what will happen when I actually get her naked. Fuck, Brandie naked. Just the thought of her bare skin as I kiss every inch, has me shivering.

  As if she could read my mind, she pulls me to her, her hand possessively running up my spine, holding me against her. She kisses me, and I feel my knees try to buckle making me grab hold of her hips for balance. Swiftly, she deepens the kiss, only making my need greater with her sinner's mouth. I know I’ve been ruined for anyone else, and thank God she’s my one, because I’d never be able to kiss another, and not be haunted by her lips.

  “Of all the places to work, you ended up in a year-round Christmas shop. Why does this not surprise me?”

  “She doesn’t just work here, she owns the place, “ Kent tells her. “Are you in a better mood, Ms. Crabby Ass?”

  “Yes, I’m sorry I was a Class A Bitch, and I’m sorry I took it out on you. Just have some family problems back home, not that it’s an excuse.”

  “Hmmm… There might be some hope for you still. You take good care of her, because I'll sic Crystal on you.”

  “Who’s Crystal?” She asks, and I see the bite to her question. Welcome to my world.

  “She’s our friend, and his roommate, the other girl you were an ass to.”

  “Shoot, looks like I’m going to apologize to her too. I’m just not making a good first impression these days.” She says looking truly apologetic.

  “Well why don’t you two come over to Sashay Queens, I’m the DJ tonight and Crystal is coming by. I’m only doing the show because it’s for charity, you know how much I hate all the loud noise and drunkenness. Although, I do love my drag queens, they make it worthwhile.”

  “I thought Crystal had a date with some guy she met a week ago.”

  “Yeah, or something like that. I think she’s giving him the slip, playing hard to get. But between you and me, I think this might be the one. You know she doesn’t ever give men a second glance, this one, though is persistent. She even has that dreamy look you have right now, when no one is watching.”

  “I don’t know, I’m not sure if Brandie would..”

  “I’d love to… As long as you’re with me, I’m game.” She smiles down at me, and I want to melt right into a puddle on the floor.

  “Then it’s settled. Let’s go love birds, I’m gonna be late.”

  “How about we meet you there. I want to go home and get changed real quick.” I tell him and he nods, before leaving us behind.

  Leading her out the door, I lock up the place. “You ok with that? I just rather get into something that I haven’t worn all day”

  “Of course, for you I’d wait forever.” She says lifting my hand and kissing the back of it. Her words and action leaving me breathless, and I’m hoping it wasn’t just a line to impress me. I don’t think I could survive Brandie breaking my heart, and she could easily do that.

  I intertwine our fingers as we head down the street, only to have her release
herself of my hold. Ok maybe PDA isn’t her thing even if she just fucking kissed you senseless in the store. Before my mind can go in a million directions, she slips arm around my waist reassuring me that this is mutual.

  “I wanted to get a little closer, that’s all, hope that’s ok?” She asks, and I’m ready to jump her.

  “That sounds fantastic.”

  We walk towards our apartments in comfortable silence, as if we’ve done this a million times, instead of going on our second date. When we get to my apartment, I open it, but I don’t head inside. Apprehension grounding me in my spot, knowing she’s so reluctant to all things Christmas, but it is a huge part of who I am.

  “I have to warn you. You might not like what you see in here.” My words causing her to furrow her brows. “I’m just giving you fair warning… my house might as well be the North Pole.”

  “I highly doubt that.” She mumbles, but I don’t quite understand the comment. When she refuses to offer any more information, I step out of the way.

  “Holy fuck, you weren’t kidding!”

  Embarrassment creeping up my cheeks, I’m sure the pink is clearly visible on my face. Those who know me, know my house is a Christmas wonderland and it’s decorated to reflect that. From the two, yes two, massive trees I have in the living room to the toy train that goes all around the house, each part placed strategically to create the optical illusion of what I consider my personal North Pole. To me it’s second nature, but not to everyone else. Which often leads to me forgetting everyone’s first impression of my home, that stays like this all year long, the same way my store does. “I’m sorry I know you hate Christmas, but it’s who I am. I…”