Harlequin Holiday Collection - Four Classic Seasonal Novellas

looked from her to the tree she’d broken her back heaving off the top of her car and hauling to his door.
    “Merry Christmas, Jacob.” She managed to suck in a lungful of air. “I wanted to repay you for giving me a ride home the other night—”
    “You made me dinner,” he countered. “This—” he gestured to the tree “—wasn’t necessary.”
    She shrugged, almost losing her nerve. But she was here, by God. She was going to do this. “It is necessary. We work together. We’re friends. It’s almost Christmas and I wanted to…to show how much I appreciate all the times you go out of your way to make me feel at home…at work.” The more she said the worse it sounded. He must think she was an idiot!
    He stared at the tree a moment before meeting her eyes again. “I suppose…” He stepped back, opened the door wider.
    As soon as she had crossed the threshold he took charge of the tree. “Whew,” she said. “That thing is heavier than it looks.”
    “I don’t have—”
    “Don’t worry.” She’d figured as much. “I have everything you’ll need. I’ll be right back.” She rushed out to her car, got the bags of decorations and the tree stand. She’d also picked up some hot cocoa for him and another tin for herself. Snow or not, she could sit by the tree with her cocoa and pretend.
    When she returned from the car, he was still standing right where she’d left him, looking completely dumbfounded. “Pick a spot,” she ordered.
    He settled the tree on the floor, closed the front door and looked around the room.
    Impatient, she suggested, “How about by the front window. It won’t be in the way there.” Not that he had that much furniture. He actually had several good spots for locating the tree, but the big window would allow his neighbors to enjoy the lights. She missed that in her apartment.
    “Sure,” he said.
    Olivia took the lead. She set up the stand and guided the trunk into it as he positioned the tree upright. Once they’d secured it and added water, she grabbed the packages of lights. Jacob’s movements were a little stilted and awkward at first, but by the time they got to the glass ornaments, he was moving along quite efficiently. She’d even coaxed him into conversation.
    “You have a large family, Olivia?”
    Olivia hid her smile. He’d just asked her a personal question. He never did that. “Yes. Two sisters, three brothers. We’re all either lawyers, doctors or law enforcement.”
    “Impressive.” He smiled—just a little but she noticed.
    “You?”
    “A brother and an aunt in Durango. He’s a university professor, she’s a retired nurse.”
    They were making progress. The last item she pulled from one of the shopping bags was instant hot cocoa mix. “Now we have to celebrate with hot cocoa.”
    She could tell he wanted to decline. But then he surprised her again and agreed.
    Ten minutes later they were sitting on his sofa enjoying the cocoa. If she had known chocolate would relax him like this she would have brought Godiva to the lab weeks ago.
    He regarded the decorated tree for a moment. “It looks pretty.”
    “More?” She reached for his cup.
    He held up a hand and shook his head.
    “I’ll take care of this.” She picked up his empty mug and stood.
    “That’s okay.”
    She just smiled and kept walking toward the kitchen. He joined her.
    “I have a dishwasher,” he reminded her as if the appliance tucked into the cabinet next to the sink wasn’t visible.
    “I can see that.” She rinsed the cups and spoons and stacked them into the dishwasher. He hovered nearby. This domestic scene made him nervous. She picked up on his tension immediately. She shouldn’t press her luck.
    She dried her hands. “I guess I should go. This was nice.”
    He stared at her mouth. Five seconds, then ten. She considered saying something else but she was afraid she would break the spell. He wanted to kiss her. She was sure of it.
    Afraid to give him too much time to think, she went up on tiptoe and kissed his jaw. “Good night, Jacob.”
    She didn’t give him an opportunity to analyze what had happened before she got out of there. By the time she pulled away from the curb, she’d managed to catch her breath again.
    She’d kissed him.
    Now she was scared to death what his reaction would be.
    Tomorrow she would find out.

Chapter Ten
    She’d kissed him! Actually stepped right up to the plate and done the deed. Second thoughts warred inside her. Was her