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Jared's mouth dropped open. Matt can't mean what I think he means. There are baby dogs, cats, horses and baby dolls-an endless list of what a kid could mean. And they all frolicked playfully in his mind. He leaned closer. “What kind of baby?"
“I don't think Mom would be choosy, so a boy or a girl baby would be fine. Just born, you know. Not old, like me."
Jared swallowed hard, his heart moving into his throat. Okay, big mouth, you got yourself into this mess, you should never have said Santa helps grownups, too. How do you get yourself out of it, without letting Matt down and really disillusioning him about this whole Santa thing? “A real baby? Why would you think your mom wants a real baby? Did she tell you she wanted one?"
Matt shook his head again. “I'm smart. I figured out what Mom needs by myself. She cries sometimes, and I heard Grandma say last night that I'd be growing up and leaving so Mom wouldn't have anyone. Mom told Grandma that she dreams of babies. I want her to have a baby so she won't cry, or be alone."
Jared glanced at Katherine. So, her mother was pressuring her to marry again. All the more reason to stay away from Katherine. He was not in the market for a wife. Well, he knew that telling Matt it would be a long time before he grew up and left wouldn't solve this dilemma completely. He cleared his throat in as Santa-like way as possible. “But, Matt, in order for your mom to get a baby, she'd need to be married. How about your father?"
Matt frowned. “Can't we have a new dad? He's the one that made her cry, and I don't think he likes either of us very much."
Jared felt the heat in his face as his jaw muscle worked. He could understand Matt's dad not liking Katherine. Hell, they were divorced, and one of the ‘Ten Commandments of Divorce’ seemed to say: “Don't like your ex.” Or at least from all the bad-mouthing his client's did, that seemed true to him.
He knew kids of divorce often thought the divorce was due to them, and that the more-absent parent didn't like them. But why would Matt think his father didn't like him? “Why would you say your dad doesn't like you, Matt?"
“He calls and cancels our visits. Besides, I can tell. I feel it.” Matt pointed to his own heart.
Jared tightened his arm around Matt's shoulder. So, that's how it is. Damn. Okay, now you know. What are you going to do about it, Santa? He moved Matt to his other knee. Think, Jared. Think. “Matt, it takes nine months to have a baby."
“Are you sure? Jimmy's mom had one, and she went to the hospital and got it in a day."
Jared tried not to laugh, but smiled at him instead. “Jimmy's mom carried the baby inside her for nine months before they went to the hospital to have the baby. It really takes nine months. Santa wouldn't lie to you about something like that.” Jared watched as Matt stared over his padded Santa shoulder for a moment, scrunching his forehead-deep in thought. Oh, hell. You said the baby was inside. Please don't let Matt ask if Jimmy's mom swallowed the baby, or how it got inside to begin with. Jared felt sweat roll down his back, waiting for Matt's response.
“It does?"
Jared nodded, praying it would end there.
“How long does it take to start one?"
Wonderful. Jared stared through the wisps of cobwebby eyebrows glumly. It would have been better if the boy had stuck with “inside.” Now he had moved on to “start one." Jared chuckled. “Not long, but it takes two grownups to start a baby, Matt, a man and a woman, and both grownups need to be willing to have a baby.” At least that's how it's supposed to work, he thought, and felt the muscles tighten along his spine. He shifted again, trying to avoid the uneasy and unexpected tension. Which was the reason he'd never have a child, he supposed. Not even one as special as Matt. He never could imagine a woman he could make that kind of commitment with.
Matt grabbed his beard again and almost yanked it off. Jared held a death grip on the part still attached to his ears and face. “You're Santa. You gotta do something to talk her into it for her own good."
Jared groaned. You're digging your grave a little deeper. A vivid picture of Katherine shooting him when he tried to explain why they needed to sleep together flashed before his eyes. When Jared said, “We need to start a baby,” a bullet from her pistol lodged in his groin. Jared, you are a dead man if you breathe one word of this to Katherine.
He took a deep breath, held it, exhaled and slowly dislodged Matt's tight fingers from his Santa beard again. He glanced at Katherine and shook his head. Man-oh-man, he wanted to help Matt. But from the way Katherine acted around him, her husband must have really done a number on her. He could think of only one solution-talk Matt into something less drastic than Katherine starting a baby.
“Matt, do you know what I think your mother really needs?"
“What?"
The trusting expression on Matt's face made Jared realize the awesome responsibility he had to get this right. “I think she cries because she's lonesome for someone her own age to have fun with-what grownups call dates. All she needs to do is date. If it works out, they'll get married, you'll have a new dad, and later on your mom can have those babies she wants."
Matt scratched his head. “You really think it'll work?"
Jared nodded. If Matt saw his mom dating a couple of times, and happy, even though he had no idea how he could pull that off with that jittery woman, Matt would think Santa had kept his promise. It was a win-win situation. Would it work? It had better. Because he sure as hell wouldn't get Katherine pregnant so Matt would still believe in Santa.
He looked at the domed-skylight above the mall atrium feeling trapped by his own big mouth. If I ever get so dumb as to play Santa again, shoot me dead, or zap me with a bolt of merciful lightning.
Reaching into the bag by his chair, he removed the mistletoe he'd bought to hang from the mirror in his truck. He needed all the help he could get with Katherine. “Shhh. This is our little secret, Matt. Give this mistletoe to your grandma and tell her you got it from Santa. She'll know what to do with it."
Matt hugged Jared, grabbed the mistletoe and stuffed it into his pocket. “It's a love potion,” Matt whispered. “I learned about love potions from TV.” He grinned, his eyes flickering once again with excitement. “I knew you wouldn't let me down, Santa."
Katherine spotted Mrs. Taylor, the ‘birthday-lady', as they entered the party. “Are you sure pants are appropriate for a dance at a church?” Katherine asked, stowing her and Matt's coats on a back table. She looked down at the pale, blue-beaded, mohair cardigan that hugged the knees of her satin drawstring pants. “I should have worn a dress.” Tightening the backs of her pearl earrings, she shifted her weight from one heel to the other.
Her mother smiled. “Stop fidgeting, dear. It's Saturday night, not Sunday morning. Pants are fine and you look lovely in them. Besides this birthday party is very casual.” She glanced at Katherine's outfit, moved closer, and whispered, “Your beads sparkle like starlight, so does your headband. You'll turn some heads tonight whether you're ready for a social life or not."
Katherine blushed and stared down at the winking beads that reflected the candlelight flickering from the centerpieces. She inhaled the heady scent of cranberry that filled the room. Great, I look like I'm wearing a flashing neon sign that says, “I'm available." Frowning, she straightened the clasp on the pearls her mother wore. One good thing-it couldn't be classified as a real date if Jared did show up at the dance and feign any interest in her.
“Did you see the size of Matt's eyes when you set your potato salad on the buffet table and he spotted that multi-tiered chocolate cake?” Her mother chuckled and waved to Mrs. Taylor, whose trusty camera sat poised in front of her at the head table.
The DJ announced nostalgic music had been requested for the program, rather than traditional Christmas music. Katherine smiled, recognizing her mother and father's favorite song. The heart rendering refrains of “Love Me Tender” flowed from the turntable of the stereo and voices of people dancing on the hardwood floor and milling around the room joined in to sing the beautiful words. She glanced at her mother, knowing the waterworks would start any minute. Reaching into her beaded bag, she retrieved a tissue, and pressed it into her mother's palm.
Her mother stood in a lovely floral dress, dabbing at the corners of her eyes. “I love old movies and old songs, don't you? They don't write them like they used to.” She looked up and grinned like the cat that swallowed the pet canary.
Turning to see what her mother looked so thrilled about, Katherine's gaze rested on a charcoal and blue-striped silk tie nestled against a light, blue shirt. Her gaze climbed up to a dimpled, clean-shaven chin and stopped at a full mouth, which wore an inviting smile that ignited warmth deep in her stomach. Her mouth went dry and her tongue licked her lips. Finally lifting her eyes the rest of the way, she met a smoldering blue gaze. Her voice failed her, and she exhaled a sigh of relief when her mother broke the heady spell.
“Jared, I'm so glad you could make it."
His smile broadened, and that irresistible dimple in his right cheek deepened. “Ladies, you look beautiful.” He glanced down at Matt, who sported dress pants and a shirt. “You look real grown up tonight, pal."
Matt giggled.
“I was beginning to think my daughter wouldn't have anyone but old folks to dance with tonight, Jared."
Dance? She tried to think of some way to avoid Jared holding her in his arms. One thing she knew-her body didn't want to cooperate with her mind tonight. Her mind kept reminding her, ‘He's cut from the same cloth as Paul, and you know how that ended.’ Her body kept shouting, I don't care. And from the way his gaze inventoried the length of her body, he knew the attraction burning in the atmosphere around them. A burning his blue eyes said he wanted to ignite.
Relief flooded Katherine's mind when Mrs. Taylor approached them with her camera to capture her celebration on film. Everyone wished her a happy birthday. Mrs. Taylor took a picture of Katherine's mother and Matt. “Jared, stand next to Katherine, so I can get a picture of the two of you."
Katherine's body stiffened. She rotated her shoulders to relieve the tension.
“I swear. Young folks today don't know how to have a good time. Pretend you like one another, and you're having fun at my birthday party.” She orchestrated the picture she wanted. “Jared, wrap your arm around Katherine's waist and lean in close. Katherine, don't look so sour, dear."
She swallowed hard. Jared's hand touched her, felt its way around her waist, inched past her back and held her. He pulled her against his firm, warm body.
“Say cheese!"
She'd like to scream ‘Help’ instead and stop the emotions his touch aroused. Emotions she hadn't felt in years. Emotions she tried to fight. Looking straight at the lens, she forced a smile and inhaled slowly as the camera exploded before her eyes. As red dots floated in her horizon, Jared released her abruptly and she shuddered at the sudden chill. Mrs. Taylor smiled and moved on to some other unsuspecting scrapbook memory.
Grabbing Matt's hand, her mother strolled toward the tables. “I think I'll save us a spot and sit with Matt while you and Jared fix our plates."
Katherine's mouth flew open. Her mother intended for Jared to join them at their table.
Turning to face her, his gaze held hers fast. His finger pressed underneath her chin and closed her mouth then moved back-and-forth leisurely across her bottom lip. “Grace is putting you in a bad spot again. I hate fix-ups, too. I won't share another meal with you and your family unless I'm welcome by everyone.” He removed his hand from her face and waited.
The tingling aftershocks of his touching her mouth made her blush. How could she explain to Matt that she refused to let Jared eat at their table because she didn't trust herself with him? Let alone how to tell Jared that he made her all jumpy? How could she punish either of them like that? Besides, what could possibly happen with Matt and her mother as chaperones? “Let's hit the buffet. You're welcome to eat with my family."
“Hey, Jared.” A beautiful leggy blond tottered up behind him in the buffet line. She stood in navy heels, her sparkling V-neck dress drawing attention to her breasts. Bending slightly, she stuffed a piece of paper in his pants pocket. “My new number. I figured that's why you never called after that night we were together,” she said in a sultry whisper.
He turned and gave her the once over as her slender body slithered away. Jared glanced at Katherine, smiled and shrugged.
Katherine jerked her head around to the buffet table to avoid looking at his Don Juan-type grin. Adding a dinosaur sized turkey leg to one of the plates, she turned to Jared and shoved a napkin in his hand. “Matt has trouble with drool, too."
She'd bet her life Jared didn't even remember Miss Busty's name. If she didn't write it along with her phone number, he'd have no idea the identity of the woman who had propositioned him with a second one-night stand.
His eyes lit with mischief. “I never claimed to be a saint, Katherine-just a red-blooded, one-hundred-percent careful male."
Jerk, she wanted to add. Ignoring him, she concentrated on shoving dressing, candied sweet potatoes, cranberry salad mold and yeast rolls onto plates. His hand reached out and held hers still. Cranberries dripped over the sides of the over-stuffed plates onto the table. She blushed, grabbed paper napkins and cleaned up the excess.
Taking the soiled napkins from her, Jared retrieved the crumpled paper the ditzy-blond shoved in his pocket. He added it to the pile and threw the whole mess away. “Katherine, I didn't ask for her phone number. She approached me, remember?"
“What's her name?” she snapped, wanting to prove her point, later wishing she could reel the question back in. Why should she care if the rumors about him being a rutting tomcat were true? She wasn't in love with him, only physically attracted to him. Strongly physically attracted, her mind corrected.
He hesitated.
They each picked up two plates loaded with food and began weaving through the crowds to their table. “I'm not the type of man who sleeps with a woman and trashes her name. But the lady didn't seem particular about who watched her throw herself at me. My guess is she saw you with me, got jealous and thought she could hurt you. I think I need to prove something to you. Katherine, turn around and look at me. Please."
She reluctantly turned toward him.
“Her name's Laura Brown. She works at an art gallery downtown.” His gaze searched her face. “And you look surprised as hell that I know anything at all about her.” He shook his head.
A lady almost bumped into Katherine as she turned back around. She moved to the side to avoid her and quickly continued forward. “Actually, I'm amazed you knew her name."
Why should she feel jealous? She didn't know, but she did, and she didn't want him to know. Attempting to lighten the whole incident, Katherine whispered, “I don't care what you do. You're single, over twenty-one, and how you live your life is entirely up to you.” They both walked in silence.
Thomas Hughes moved away from their table as they arrived. He waved over his shoulder at them and headed back to his own friends.
“Mom, they're welcome to join us, if they'd like,” Katherine whispered, placing one plate of food in front of her mother and the other in front of Matt.
A sad faraway look clouded her mother's eyes. “He's with a lady he dates sometimes. He stopped by to say hello."
Eyeing the plates Jared set down, she noticed he'd placed hers beside his. She refocused her attention on her mother. “If you get too tired, you let me know and we'll leave."
Matt took his fork and lifted the large slice of turkey and peeked underneath. “Where's the chocolate cake?"
Everyone chuckled.
“I'll get us something to drink while you look after the bottomless-pit.” Jared smiled at Matt and headed toward the refreshment table.
“We have to light Mrs. Taylor's candles and sing happy birthday to her. After she blows the candles out, we'll get cake. But first, you have to eat your dinner.” Katherine sat in the chair beside Matt. “Save room for a big slice.” He relaxed, grinned and shoveled turkey and dressing into his mouth.
Jared returned with glasses of fruit punch. He shrugged out of his suit jacket and laid it on the back of his chair. As he dropped into the chair next to her, his muscular thigh pressed against hers. Her heart did a reluctant somersault, and she inhaled and exhaled slowly. The leg of the table blocked her on the right side. That left no room to move away from him. She chose to ignore the warmth of his thigh rather than reveal how much his touch bothered her.
“Your mother told me you brought the potato salad. It's delicious. I love pimentos and green olives.” He popped some into his mouth and turned to inspect her plate. “Did you get any of the crabmeat triangles?” He placed a bite on his fork. “Here, try it,” he said waving it temptingly beneath her nose.
The smell of cheese, garlic and crabmeat proved irresistible. His gaze captured hers as Katherine opened her mouth then closed it around the warm, succulent morsel. She saw desire flame in his eyes as he watched the provocative motion. Withdrawing his fork from her mouth, he brought it into his own, as if to lick off her essence, before he stabbed another piece of quiche. She blushed at the intimate act they'd shared without even a moment's hesitation. He smiled warmly, but quickly moved his attention to her son, leaving her wishing the sensual contact they experienced had continued.
“Matt, you still want to learn to ride a horse?” Jared asked. He turned and whispered into Katherine's ear, “He'll be riding a pony."
Puffs of air from his warm breath hit the inside of her ear causing chills to run along the base of her spine.
Matt's eyes lit with excitement. “Yes, sir."
She placed her hand on Jared's arm. “Even if it's a pony, I'll worry about him."
He smiled, his white teeth flashing in the candlelight. “I know, so you're invited, too.” He gazed toward Matt. “I'll call your mom, and we'll make a day of it."
Katherine's heart skipped a beat. It's all right. It's a day with Matt. What could possibly happen on a horse?
“Have you ever been horseback riding, Katherine?"
She swallowed hard. “No."
“In that case, you'll ride with me the first time."
Her fork dropped and clanged against her glass.
Jared gave her a roguish smile, and from the look in his eyes he knew the effect he had on her. “Are you through eating?"
Looking at her plate, she knew she'd eaten very little but she couldn't get another bite past the butterfly wings flapping in her throat and chest. She nodded.
The DJ changed from romantic ballads to a 1920s Charleston, and Jared stood, lifting her hand. “Since you're done eating, let's work off some of this meal."
Katherine stared past Jared, watching the people on the dance floor energetically kick their heels. “I've seen the dance, but I don't actually know how to do the Charleston.” She put her hand palm up. “I'll pass."
“Oh, no.” He pulled her out of the chair. “Where's your sense of adventure? I don't know how to Charleston either, but we'll fake it.” He pointed to the couples. “It doesn't look that difficult."
Within five minutes, they looked like chickens taking flight. Their arms thrashed back and forth slicing through the air. Knees bent, heels kicking, they moved energetically to the syncopated jazz rhythm. They couldn't stop laughing. “Hey, I think we're pretty good together,” Jared yelled over the noise. He pointed to a white-haired couple in the corner of the dance floor. “Think we can try that fancy move?"
Katherine giggled, stuck her hip out in an exaggerated pose mimicking the couple, pranced around, and slapped her bottom while making a full circle. They stood side by side, knees bent and hands crossing their knees. He winked at her. “It's always scary when you try something new for the first time."
She breathed deeply and blushed at his implication.
Twenty minutes later, they staggered off the dance floor, both breathing heavily, just in time for the main event. People applauded as candles were lit on the enormous multi-tiered cake. The lights dimmed and everyone sang. An inferno of seventy-five candles flickered in the semi-darkness. Mrs. Taylor and her friends blew out candles amidst more applause. The lights were turned back up and everyone got served a generous helping of chocolate cake, making Matt ecstatic.
Jared went to the refreshment table for more punch and cups of coffee. He returned with a tray full and set it down. Reaching into his pockets, he pulled out large paper towels and tucked them in Matt's shirt collar. “Dig in, pal."
Her mother held a forkful of cake to her nose and sniffed. “Chocolate mint.” She devoured the first bite. “Light, fluffy and very good. Remind me to get Mildred's recipe. She took one of those leisure classes in cake decorating.” Her mother waved across the room at Mildred, who smiled and waved back. “It's delicious,” her mother yelled.
Although everyone devoured the cake with enthusiasm, Matt finished his huge chunk first. He looked like he'd been mud wrestling and lost. “Matt, how in the world did you manage to get it in your ears and hair?” Jared asked, laughing with Matt.
Katherine glanced at Matt and shook her head. “That's how five-year-olds eat."
Matt held up chocolate fingers. “I'll be six soon."
“Gracious, you look like you swam in it,” Katherine said.
“It's easy to get messy when you're having a good time. Isn't it, pal?"
Matt tugged on Jared's hand. “I need to go potty,” Matt said, lifting his arms up to him.
“Katherine is it all right if I take Matt to the bathroom? He can wash up, too."
She blushed when Matt whispered, “I don't want to potty in a girl's bathroom."
Katherine nodded, her head spinning with the fact that Jared had shown more affection to Matt in three minutes than Paul had in three years.
The DJ started a romantic waltz as Jared returned to the table. He placed Matt in the chair, turned and took Katherine's hand in his. “Don't tell me you don't know how to waltz either."
“At the price I paid for ballroom dance classes, she better,” her mother said.
“Well, let's prove your mom didn't waste her hard earned money."
Jared led Katherine to the dance floor and folded her in his arms. Every time she breathed, his woodsy scent filled her lungs, her thoughts and her head. She felt his strong hands touch the ends of her hair that flowed down her back. The smell, feel and touch of this man intoxicated her. She lifted her chin, mentally chiding herself, but he intoxicates a lot of women, none of them mean anything to him except sexual gratification. And what's wrong with sexual gratification? screamed her body as his leg moved closer to her thigh.
“You're too quiet,” Jared whispered.
She lifted her head and gazed up at him, moving her body to a more traditional waltz pose, placing more distance between them. He twirled her away from him and brought her to him again, pulling her closer against his body. Her eyes closed, she relaxed, savoring his warmth and the feel of his hands moving over her back. She rested her head against his chest, lulled by his steady heartbeat and hearing her own echoing reply.
“I was thinking,” she said.
“What about?” he whispered against her hair. “I hope it's the same thing I'm thinking about.” His lips pressed into her hair. He moved her away from him, turned her and brought her into his warm arms again.
She knew exactly what lurked in Jared's mind, but to her the act of making love had to mean a whole lot more than a fleeting, sexual conquest. And from what she'd heard and seen of Jared, that's all it meant to him. All she would be to him. The thought made her reply tight and strained. “I doubt we're thinking about the same thing. We don't think alike on a lot of things.” She stiffened. Jared held her in his arms and they waltzed across the dance floor.
Jared felt Katherine's body tense again while they danced. He replayed tonight's events as he held her, wondering where he'd gone wrong. Once they'd gotten past Laura Brown's attempt to wreck their evening, he'd felt the sensual pull of their mutual desire all during the night.
When she'd first relaxed and leaned into him on the dance floor, he thought his worries were over. During the party, she'd responded to his jokes, his smiles and he suddenly knew he didn't want to date her for Matt alone. He felt relieved they wanted each other, because he'd started to feel like a heel for using Matt to get to Katherine.
He thought she wanted him too, when her cheek rested on his chest and he felt her warm breath through his shirt, but now she had stiffened her back and pulled away. He knew she felt the same desire, but she clamped down on her emotions. Why?
The music suddenly changed from a waltz to a slow romantic dance and Jared, expecting her retreat, tightened his arm around her waist. No way, she wasn't going anywhere until he got her where he wanted her-eating out of his hand. “I thought maybe we might go out on a date sometime."
She moved away slightly and looked up at him. “A date? Like Laura Brown's? Or the woman you had such a lusty conversation with the day before, after we'd been tree shopping?"
He grinned, his gaze blatantly sensual. “You were eavesdropping?"
“Hard not too when you're standing no more than ten feet away."
Without a word, he lifted his hand and touched her bottom lip with his finger again. “You know from the conversation that if I wanted her here, she'd be here. You're in my arms tonight, because that's where I want you."
“According to the town gossip and People magazine, you date a bevy of willing women who have sex with you.” Her eyes gave him a hard, cold stare and she whispered, “I'm afraid I don't qualify for a date with you. I don't have casual sex, and I won't share the man I do have sex with."
His jaw muscles tightened, and his stomach jumped like she'd sucker punched him. How had she managed that? The last time a woman had surprised him was when his fiancée ran out of the church. Since then, he'd spent a year indulging in meaningless relationships, creating earthshaking sensations in women without ever really touching them emotionally or being touched emotionally himself. Somehow though, Katherine Cahill had broken through, unsettled him, just a little, but it unnerved him and fascinated him.
Retreating into cynical humor, he smiled. “Wow, that's a first. I've never had anyone turn down sex with me before I even asked."
When her jaw dropped like he'd intended, he tugged her closer and bent by her ear, back in control. “For the record, I don't have a bevy of sex slaves.” He chuckled. “Although that thought's probably crossed every man's mind at least once in their lives. I define a date as dinner, dancing, or a movie, not a roll in the hay. You name it, we'll do it."
She leaned into him. Maybe she was wavering. He laughed. “Of course, if you're into whips, chains, kinky things, I'd have to tell you I don't really go in for that type of stuff. However, you're welcome to change my mind, just be gentle with me."
When she laughed at his joke, he pulled her closer. “I always respect a woman's right to say no. What are you so afraid of?"
Her eyes rounded. He studied her beautiful face and it looked like she might be seriously considering dating him, as if she actually questioned her hesitancy to accept his offer. Giving her a moment to think, Jared swung her away and back again, asking her once more, “Do you want to go on a date?"
Katherine raised her head, her eyes searching his, her mouth opening to reply when a man tugged her away and drew her into his embrace, flattening her against his chest. “It's my turn."
Her jaw dropped and all the color drained from her face. “Oh, my God, Paul!"