A Christmas Kiss by Norfleet Celeste O

Author:Norfleet, Celeste O. [Norfleet, Celeste O.]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: Kensington
Published: 2015-08-02T23:00:00+00:00

“Do you need a hand?”

June looked up from her event preparation checklist at the sound of Benjamin’s voice later Friday afternoon. Her heart stopped, then galloped, as he walked toward her from the other end of the community room. His loose-limbed grace brought to mind a panther on the prowl. The jacket of his dark brown suit hung open over his cream shirt. June’s fingers twitched to loosen his black tie. Her palms itched to remove his jacket. June fisted her hands to restrain her impulse.

“Excuse me?” She gave herself a mental shake. What had Benjamin said?

She’d been having these mental lapses for the past two weeks, ever since he’d stood up for her to Nessa at Books & Bakery. He must think she was losing her hearing.

“I asked if you needed a hand with anything.” Benjamin stopped an arm’s length in front of her. The twinkle in his eye made her wonder if he knew the real reason for her hearing problem. “Everyone else is gone.”

Surprised, June checked her black Timex wristwatch. It was almost six-thirty. “I hadn’t realized it was so late. I should be done in a few minutes.”

“Do you really think we’ll fill this room on a Saturday afternoon?” Benjamin looked around.

June’s eyes were drawn to his strong neck. She took a step back to prevent herself from closing the gap between them, then followed his gaze. She’d rented one hundred seats. But with Dita, Krista, and Howard’s help, she had set up only ninety of them, three sections each with five rows of six seats.

“Actually, I’m concerned we may not have enough chairs.” June set her hands on her hips. “We have about one hundred registrants. But since the event is free, not everyone would have signed up. And not everyone who registered will show.”

Benjamin took the presentation program off a nearby chair. “I just hope we didn’t waste a lot of money on an event that won’t be well attended.”

June stripped the program from Benjamin’s hand and put it back on the chair. “You aren’t into the holiday season, are you?”

His quizzical expression was far too sexy. “What makes you say that?”

What is Benjamin doing to me with his voice, his eyes, his scent?

June put her hands on her hips. “You’re questioning the draw of the Kwanzaa presentation and you were irrationally opposed to the Christmas dinner dance.”

“I wasn’t irrationally opposed to it.” Benjamin closed the distance between them. “My reasons for not originally supporting it were very logical.”

“Give me some credit, Ben.” June crossed to the makeshift stage to mask the fact she was once again putting space between her and her attractive boss. “Why are you opposed to the holiday season?”

“Holidays are for families. I’ve lost mine.”

The pain in his voice cut at her heart. June turned to face him. He looked lost, vulnerable, confused.

She hurt for him. “May I ask—?”

“What happened to my marriage? It’s only fair, considering the personal questions I’ve asked you.” He dumped his gray winter coat on a chair and shoved his hands in his front pockets.

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