His Christmas Wish

As I step out onto the sidewalk Decker Holt is only a few feet away. Up close he’s even more beautiful than he was in the pictures I found. So fucking unfair, is all I can think as I fight to take a deep breath. I swear he could be a model straight from the pages of a magazine, except he doesn’t need to be airbrushed. He’s wide, and massive. I feel tiny near him.

Green eyes hit me in the chest with the force of a freight train out of control. I’m hot all over as my legs fight to keep me standing. My mouth is wet then dry and fuck I need air, only I can’t remember how to breathe. I don’t dare blink, afraid if I do he’ll disappear or I’ll wake up from this dream.

“Hi, Lydia! I’ve heard so much about you. Thank you for helping me.” Juliet Holt is in front of me.

I can barely focus on her—it’s painful tearing my eyes from Decker. Until I catch the smug half-smile playing on his lush lips. Does he know or is he so used to women responding to him that he takes it for granted? Fucker. I hate him. I make the decision instantly. I really fucking hate him. Fuck him.

Forcing a smile, I do my best to shut out Decker. “No, please, thank you for trusting me to shop with you.”

The door to the store opens; Sara is clutching a large cup of coffee. “Hey, thanks for coming in this morning. Juliet, this is Sara.” I introduce them. “She’s going to be helping us out today.”

“Hi.” Juliet offers her hand. “Thank you, I appreciate it.”

After we’re all through the door, Sara locks it behind us. “It’s no problem. Lydia always makes it worth it for me to get up early. BTDUBS, Lydia, my caffeine card is almost empty.”

I dig into my purse as we all enter the elevator and pull out a hundred-dollar gift card for her. “Going through these faster lately. I could have sworn every other month you swear off caffeine,” I remind her.

Snatching the card away from me, Sara flashes an exaggerated smile. “Haha, you’re so funny. We both know I’m never going to go caffeine free. I’ve gotten hooked on getting breakfast there too. With my sister staying with me on the couch I can’t cook in the morning, or I’ll wake her up and I’ll never stop hearing about it. As it is she still bitches about every little noise. While not using the earplugs I bought her.”

As we exit the elevator I hate the way I walk faster in an attempt to put space between me and Decker—he’s too damn close.

Taking a deep swig of coffee, Sara motions to Decker. “I have a chair for you, sir. Would you like something to drink? We have coffee, tea, bottled water and champagne. What about you, Juliet?”

Decker takes off his long black wool coat and hands it to Sara. I’m drooling at how he fills out every inch of the sleek black silk suit cut to perfection. His olive skin glows against the white shirt. I doubt it’s been more than a few hours since he shaved, but I would swear he has a five-o’clock shadow already.

Annoyed at him and myself, I turn away from him and take off my own coat. His phone clatters to the ground and a curse slips from him. A wave of heat washes over me so intense it sends a shiver through me. Without thought my eyes flick up and meet brilliant, dazzling green. The frown on his face should scare me, it doesn’t. Satisfaction fills me and I don’t bother hiding my smile as I give Sara my coat.

“Are you okay, Deck?” Juliet is concerned.

“I’m fine.” The words rumble out of him. His English accent is stiff.

Fighting back laughter, I keep my eyes on Juliet. “Can I get your coat?”

I take her coat and hand it to Sara.

Juliet asks for hot tea. Decker declines, his deep, smoky voice sending the hair on the back of my neck up. Ignore him, Lydia, I order myself even though I can feel his eyes on me and it takes every inch of self-control not to meet them.

Focusing on Juliet, I take in her jeans and shirt with an anime character on the front. The jeans are too tight and the shirt is too big. Her long black hair is in a ponytail, and her hazel eyes are more brown than green.

It’s clear she’s not quite comfortable in her own skin. I feel for her—she isn’t unlike many of my clients. Hell, she’s a lot like I was when I was a few years younger than her.

I open the way I always do with a new client. “Your brother told me you’ll need some dresses for events, so I have those pulled. I also have a few other things. Let’s start with you, though—tell me, what do you feel comfortable wearing?”

Juliet shrugs, as she looks down at herself. “I don’t know. I’m not really much for going out or anything. I’m lucky enough I don’t have a nine to five. I’m drawing my own manga and it’s doing well, so I don’t have to go out and…”

She trails off self-consciously as her eyes run over me. Crap, another reason why I dress conservatively is I never want a client comparing herself to me. I understand most who are a plus size are shy about their bodies because they are used to hearing how unappealing they are.

“That is amazing, I’m jealous. I’m a reader but couldn’t imagine writing a paragraph, let alone an entire story. I don’t usually do manga but I would love to find out more about your stuff, it’s something I think about reading every few months. Then again, my to-be-read list is already long enough I’ll be ninety before I ever get through with it.” I’m honestly interested in finding out more. I could spend all day reading and would love to try writing but have no doubt I would fail miserably.

Juliet blushes. “It’s, umm…” Her eyes flick to Decker.

I can’t help chuckling. I’ve heard of those kinds of manga. For the longest time I thought that was the only kind. “I love steamy romance. The spicier the better.”

Her blush deepens at the same time a dimple appears in her left cheek. “In that case, I think you’ll like my stories.”

“Ooh, I cannot wait. Okay, let’s get to shopping. We’ll focus on stuff for you to lounge around the house in for your everyday. Do you prefer jeans or leggings?”

“Leggings?” It’s a question.

Decker’s hand on her shoulder is gentle. “Why don’t you try a few of both? That doesn’t mean you have to like them, but why not try them while we’re here?”

“Can I try both?”

Decker’s eyes are soft on her as her spine straightens ever so slightly. I have no idea where the weird twisting in my chest comes from at the sight of their obvious affection for each other.

Yesterday when he said he wanted the best for her, I took it as the typical attitude of a billionaire who always wanted the best of everything. Yet it’s clear he cares deeply for her, and it’s mutual.

Before I can pull my eyes from him, glittering emerald meets mine. Something flares within them. I’m not sure exactly what it is, but it scares the shit out of me.

With effort, I turn my attention to Juliet. “Of course. I’ve pulled several of each. Especially with jeans, they never fit the same. Why don’t you go into the dressing room and I’ll bring them in to you.”

I urge her toward the dressing room that’s the size of a studio apartment and is set up almost like one with a silk chaise lounge, a leather club chair, mirrors, and a half fridge with bottled water.

Once she’s inside, I intend to follow, only I’m drawn to turn around. Decker Holt is less than ten inches from me. He’s all I see. Stunning. My head goes back in order to take in all of him as air stutters in my lungs.

His eyes run over me, slowly, thoroughly, heavy as a touch, hot as flame. “Ms. Romano.” An eyebrow goes up. “I trust your selection of dresses for Juliet was done with my request of modesty in mind. While you might be comfortable with displaying your body for all to…admire, Juliet is naturally demure.”

I flinch from the condemnation filling every word. Even if I might deserve it, as I remember Juliet’s reaction to what I’m wearing, I’m confused. His cold, clipped tone doesn’t match the way he’s staring at me. That stupid British accent, so formal and tight, makes me want to slap his beautiful mouth. It pisses me off that my body is responding to him.

“The way I shop for myself has nothing to do with the way I shop for clients. While this dress might not be one she would pick for herself, deep down she wishes she had the nerve to wear it. Juliet is every woman who longs to wear clothes she feels beautiful in. That she hopes makes her as beautiful as she wants to believe she is,” I snap.

A dark frown flashes as he shakes his head.

Before he can argue, I continue. “You have your area of expertise. I have mine. This is what you hired me for. I know women. I know your sister—better than you when it comes to this. I’m also well aware your sister is not yet ready for something like what I’m wearing, or the way I’m wearing it. This is more than acceptable with a blouse and leggings or tights.”

“So, you chose the most provocative way to wear that dress.” It’s a silken taunt, confirmation of what he already was sure of. I hate that I blush. “Intent on provoking a response using your body…”

Does he move or is it me? I’m not sure, all I know is now he’s close enough to touch, for me to inhale the scent of him—a heady mix of leather, rain, and something utterly male. With every breath a hunger I cannot name, don’t understand, builds within me. I sway on unsteady legs.

“Such childish games, Ms. Romano. I do believe there is a saying as old as time—be careful what you wish for.” The words are a growl from low in his chest.

Hearing him growl shocks the fuck out of me. From far away I hear Sara call out for me. In a daze, desperate for space, to try and understand what the hell just happened, what is still happening. I back away from him.