clutch in her belly took her by surprise. Glad as she was that her body was miraculously showing some signs of life, Chris was sorry it stemmed from an adolescent crush on a boy who was now a man—a man who was sure to be married or divorced and carrying around a lot of emotional baggage.
And you’re not? came a small, nagging voice. Shutting it out, she said brightly, “If your car had to break down I’m glad it was here. Where did you fly in from?”
“D.C. Got assigned to the Pentagon after traipsing the globe to wherever Uncle Sam needed me. Man, is it good to be back stateside. Never knew how much I took for granted until it was gone. Sure does make a body appreciate what they’ve got the next time around.”
“You can say that again.” Chris, amazed at how easy it was to talk to him after so many years, decided she wanted to talk some more. “You’re welcome to stay for eggnog,” she said hopefully. “And I’m sure Rick would love to hear about your pro-football days.”
“That should take all of two minutes since I didn’t make the final cut.” Greg’s smile was craggy, a little weary, but just as infectious as she remembered. He had a nice smile, with a touch of something else that wasn’t so nice. “I’d like to stay and visit, but it’s getting late and I’m eager to surprise the folks. If I could use your phone, I’ll give them a call to come get me.”
“And spoilyour banner entrance at their front door? Hang on while I get my coat. I’ll drive you.”
“You’re sure? I hate to take you away from—”
“Sure I’m sure, and Santa can simply eat her cookies and milk when she gets back. Besides, I’d rather hear more about you than pig out on some sweets I don’t need.”
She squeezed a waist that looked thinner to him now than it had when she was fifteen. He thought her face slightly drawn, too. But it didn’t detract from the wholesome prettiness that had matured into a frank beauty—a beauty he found all the more interesting for the character lines life had crafted.
Watching her as she strode away for her coat, Greg was caught by the way she carried herself. There was a stiffness to her spine he recognized as almost regimental, a bearing that was proud, as if trained not to show any hint of weakness. It could have been the same walk as the men he had once commanded, except for the fluid swish of her hips showcased in black leggings that seemed to have no end.
Chris the Dish was still a dish. Straight toothsome smile, high rosy cheeks, Ivory-soap complexion and a mouth to dream about. The dark hair was shorter—just to her shoulders and she wore it in soft waves.
Too bad she was married. One look at that ring on her finger and he knew there would be no making amends for past mistakes. It ate at him some. Chris had a distinct manner that told him she’d realized her potential admirably well.
“Ready?” Keysin hand, she paused in the entryway, beneath a sprig of mistletoe.
“Not quite.” Leaning down, he kissed her. Why the hell he did it, Greg didn’t know. But he did it just the same.
CHAPTER TWO
I T WAS ONLY HER CHEEK hekissed. But still, her husband might not appreciate the way he lingered. The hint of cinnamon on her breath and the scent of apples lifting from the hair he impulsively fingered, prompted a quick bite of envy inside him.
Judging from Chris’s high color she was either embarrassed or transported with him to another place and time: necking like crazy to make-out music on the car radio until he was ready to say he loved her, anything, if she’d give in. His “Please, let me. I won’t hurt you, I promise.” And then her grip on his wrist, leading his hand away from her panties.
He was there again and feeling the yank in his groin. It was crazy, insane. A man his age didn’t get a hard-on with the turn of a dime. Married. Shit, wouldn’t you know it.
“Let’s go,” she said suddenly. Once in the car, he started to give her directions.
And you’re not? came a small, nagging voice. Shutting it out, she said brightly, “If your car had to break down I’m glad it was here. Where did you fly in from?”
“D.C. Got assigned to the Pentagon after traipsing the globe to wherever Uncle Sam needed me. Man, is it good to be back stateside. Never knew how much I took for granted until it was gone. Sure does make a body appreciate what they’ve got the next time around.”
“You can say that again.” Chris, amazed at how easy it was to talk to him after so many years, decided she wanted to talk some more. “You’re welcome to stay for eggnog,” she said hopefully. “And I’m sure Rick would love to hear about your pro-football days.”
“That should take all of two minutes since I didn’t make the final cut.” Greg’s smile was craggy, a little weary, but just as infectious as she remembered. He had a nice smile, with a touch of something else that wasn’t so nice. “I’d like to stay and visit, but it’s getting late and I’m eager to surprise the folks. If I could use your phone, I’ll give them a call to come get me.”
“And spoilyour banner entrance at their front door? Hang on while I get my coat. I’ll drive you.”
“You’re sure? I hate to take you away from—”
“Sure I’m sure, and Santa can simply eat her cookies and milk when she gets back. Besides, I’d rather hear more about you than pig out on some sweets I don’t need.”
She squeezed a waist that looked thinner to him now than it had when she was fifteen. He thought her face slightly drawn, too. But it didn’t detract from the wholesome prettiness that had matured into a frank beauty—a beauty he found all the more interesting for the character lines life had crafted.
Watching her as she strode away for her coat, Greg was caught by the way she carried herself. There was a stiffness to her spine he recognized as almost regimental, a bearing that was proud, as if trained not to show any hint of weakness. It could have been the same walk as the men he had once commanded, except for the fluid swish of her hips showcased in black leggings that seemed to have no end.
Chris the Dish was still a dish. Straight toothsome smile, high rosy cheeks, Ivory-soap complexion and a mouth to dream about. The dark hair was shorter—just to her shoulders and she wore it in soft waves.
Too bad she was married. One look at that ring on her finger and he knew there would be no making amends for past mistakes. It ate at him some. Chris had a distinct manner that told him she’d realized her potential admirably well.
“Ready?” Keysin hand, she paused in the entryway, beneath a sprig of mistletoe.
“Not quite.” Leaning down, he kissed her. Why the hell he did it, Greg didn’t know. But he did it just the same.
CHAPTER TWO
I T WAS ONLY HER CHEEK hekissed. But still, her husband might not appreciate the way he lingered. The hint of cinnamon on her breath and the scent of apples lifting from the hair he impulsively fingered, prompted a quick bite of envy inside him.
Judging from Chris’s high color she was either embarrassed or transported with him to another place and time: necking like crazy to make-out music on the car radio until he was ready to say he loved her, anything, if she’d give in. His “Please, let me. I won’t hurt you, I promise.” And then her grip on his wrist, leading his hand away from her panties.
He was there again and feeling the yank in his groin. It was crazy, insane. A man his age didn’t get a hard-on with the turn of a dime. Married. Shit, wouldn’t you know it.
“Let’s go,” she said suddenly. Once in the car, he started to give her directions.
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