Halle heard a knock on her door at precisely six thirty. He’s an on-time cowboy. She took another look at herself in the mirror. Hope I’m not over dressed – or under dressed. She touched the curls of her up-do. Maybe this was a mistake. She sat on the corner of her bed while the second knock, a bit louder than the first, reverberated around the room. What did I get myself into? I hate these things. She was out of that life now and didn’t want to go back.
She hadn’t given much thought to her arrangement with Blake. There was no need – a few dates, play cordial, act normal, secure a business loan. Easy peasy. There was nothing fishy about it; it was a trade.
I’m out of my league. He’s probably got a girlfriend. He’s too good looking to be single. Maybe his family doesn’t approve or, with the holidays, there’s too much pressure for him with everyone expecting him to propose.
Halle stood, happy with her reasoning of Blake’s motivation, and smoothed her hands down her red gown. She’d argued with Corrine about the strapless A-line chiffon, but in the end she’d lost. It did look good on her, and she had a necklace she’d made that matched it perfectly. She spritzed her favorite perfume, inhaled the vanilla and cinnamon scent, and headed toward the door.
Blake’s jaw fell slightly when Halle swung open her townhouse door and he didn’t know what to say. He’d expected to see the natural beauty he’d met at Just Dandy. Instead, he was face to face with a stunning woman in a red dress that hugged all the right curves. Her hair was pulled up but not like before. This time it had a purpose. He studied the smooth skin on her round face and worked his way down her sexy frame. Wow. Realizing his mouth was still open, he snapped it shut and cleared his throat.
“You look wonderful,” he hurried the compliment so maybe she wouldn’t notice his obvious gawking. My family will certainly wonder about her.
“Thanks, you too. I just need to grab my jacket.”
He walked in as she turned and disappeared down the hallway. Blake had hoped to get through tonight, and the others, unnoticed. That was clearly not an option any more. Damn, she’s a looker. He hadn’t planned for her to clean up so well. His family was going to have more questions then he originally planned. All the better. Halle would keep them busy until well after New Year’s.
He caught a glimpse of himself in a big mirror in her living room. He hadn’t thought much about the tux he’d thrown on before coming over to Halle’s – it was the one he always wore to these events. He lifted his hand to his cheek. Good thing I shaved. He’d almost decided against it. He was finding it hard to care lately. If his fate was already sealed at the bank, why should he try?
He glanced around Halle’s place. She had a tan couch with white tables. The colors were light and airy – blues, browns, and some sage, rather like her store. It wasn’t how most people in Wyoming decorated: no Western rustic charm to be found in the small living room. He liked it. Her place smelled of eucalyptus and citrus. He liked that, too.
“Ready?”
Her musical voice dragged him from thoughts of kicking up his feet on her couch and lying together while they watched television. Except Blake didn’t watch a lot of television. He didn’t have time. Nor did he ever think about snuggling with a girl on a couch or anywhere. He wasn’t that kind of guy. Blake shook his head, as if that would get rid of his thoughts. I need to get this night over with already.
“Yep.”
He stood behind her and helped her into an olive-colored trench coat as the scent of something spicy hit him. Holy hell. She smells like a cinnamon roll. He took a quiet, deep breath. Yep. Halle smelled delicious. This night couldn’t get any worse.
Blake put his hand on the small of Halle’s back and guided her to his black Ford F-350 King Ranch truck where he opened her door. She got into the high cab graciously and arranged herself before reaching for the seat belt. Blake noticed the gentle way she made sure her dress was tucked around her. It took him a moment to realize he was focusing on how her hands moved over the slippery fabric before he closed her door.
He slid into the driver’s side and turned his key halfway; he had to wait a minute for the diesel engine to warm up every time he started it. Blake decided to capitalize on the forced pause.
“You’re probably gonna get bombarded with questions.” He shifted in his seat so he could face her. “If not tonight then the next.”
“Bring it on.” She turned toward him.
He suppressed the urge to squirm at the undivided attention. Get over yourself Blake, this is a business deal. You do hundreds of these. He couldn’t, however, get over her eyes. They matched her trench coat and beckoned him closer. Blake wanted to lose himself in them. He resisted the temptation to reach out to her.
“So, what do I need to know?” she asked.
“For starters, if they ask if we’re dating, say no.” He’d been determined to stress this point, but now he wasn’t sure that it was what he wanted her to say. He wasn’t sure he ever wanted her to tell him no. “We’re just long-time friends from high school.” Blake forced the words. “That should keep them at bay.”
“Which high school did we go to?”
“Casper High.”
“Ah, so you’re an Antelope, huh?” Halle chuckled then swayed her head back and forth. “I wish I would’ve known that from the start. I’m a Bronco. That’s a deal breaker.” She shrugged and turned, reaching for the door handle.
“Halle,” he blurted out and reached for her arm.
“Just kidding… geez.” A spark of amusement flashed in her green eyes when she twisted back around to meet his stare. “So we went to rival high schools. You, mister, need to lighten up.” Her index finger shook a couple of times at him.
Blake released his grip when he realized he actually held her upper arm. He felt his cheeks warm, but refused to acknowledge an actual blush. He knew he was grumpy, he tended to get like that before these events. The obligation of it all pissed him off. He was fine once he got there; he liked most of the people.
“What happened to that guy who sat and drank with me in the shop in the middle of the day? He seemed fun.” Her finger now pointed at him. “Frankly, you don’t.”
Blake blew out a loud sigh and turned the key all the way. He wanted to leave before she really did change her mind. He hadn’t realized that option was even on the table.
“It’s family. Lately, they’ve really been making me uptight.” He glanced sideways at her. “That’s why you’re coming. It’ll take the pressure off at these things, giving me a little more time to see straight to make a decision.”
Halle’s presence might initially bring questions, but in the long run would be worth it. December was a marathon of activities, not a sprint. No blind dates this season, no women unabashedly hitting on him, and he might even be able to deflect business decisions due to Halle. Blake felt a little bad using her, but she was getting something she apparently really wanted in return. They were even.
“Decision?”
“Yeah.” He drove on so they wouldn’t be late, side-stepping her question so he could return to his original point. “My mother will seem harmless – she’s not. My dad will seem drunk – he is. My sister will seem nice.” He paused. “She… can be.”
“Ah, big brother has a soft spot.”
“How’d you know I’m older?” he asked as he braked for the red light.
“I can tell.” She winked at him.
Tingles climbed his spine. Halle’s sexiness level increased dramatically when she winked at him. I might be in trouble.
“Alright, well, keep your assumptions in check tonight.”
“Please?” Halle’s voice was soft.
“What?” he snapped.
“Say please. You can be nice. This is a favor, remember?”
“Yeah, favor.” He sighed.
They were just two nice people helping each other out. She’s my fake date for the holidays. That’s it.
Halle was bored as the guests poured into the hotel conference room. She sat at the table designated for Blake’s immediate family and drank her wine, watching all the well-dressed women saunter about. Why is everyone in black? Halle knew black was a classy color, but geez, have some imagination, people. She stood out in her red dress, and not just by her standards. Good. I don’t want to be one of these stuffy people anyway.
She was used to talking with the people she hung out with, not politely nodding and saying inconsequential niceties like “I can’t believe you manage all of that” or “I love your charity for the color orange, it truly is underrated.” How many of these events do I have left? Ugh. Halle counted the days until Christmas Eve… twenty-four.
Good thing Corrine let me borrow dresses or this business deal would’ve cost me money. She drank more wine, enjoying its rich plum taste. It was an expensive treat she didn’t get much lately and would be probably the only perk of these stuffy parties. It’s all for the loan. If this is what I have to do to get it, then so be it. And, face it, Blake wasn’t getting anything for free, either.
So, if she was going to get through this night and the others, she would have to try to have a conversation with someone. Maybe she should pick a group of women as her first target. Glass in hand, she prepared to unleash her sassy side. It was the only way she’d survive.
She stood, and straightened her red strapless gown and her necklace. She surveyed the room, moving from group to group. Lackluster. Too old. She finally settled on a group of women her age. If she was stuck here, she may as well try to get some business out of it.
Halle held her head high and plastered a pleasant grin on her face like the others – and like the others, she didn’t mean it. She knew this type of crowd – the well dressed who usually judged on appearance alone. She’d had her fair share of run-ins over the years at these types of swanky events enough to know a group of stuck-up women when she saw one. As she drew closer to the group, acting as though she was going to walk past, one of them made eye contact with her.
“That is a beautiful dress,” Halle complimented the stick-framed woman standing in front of her in – of course – black.
“Thank you.” The woman acknowledged.
Halle feigned continuing to the bar when another woman spoke, welcoming her into the conversation.
“Didn’t you come here with Blake?” the redhead asked too sweetly and then narrowed her eyes.
“I did.” Halle maintained an even tone. Hands off. She had come here with Blake and that thought warmed her. Even if it was looking like this chick was a secret girlfriend. Halle took in a sharp breath. What in the world am I doing? We aren’t dating. He has a girlfriend.
“How do you two know each other?” the woman persisted.
Halle studied the woman’s inquisitive face. She was in her early thirties, maybe late twenties, and there was no ring on her finger. It appeared Halle wasn’t exaggerating when she thought every single woman who knew Blake was after him.
Halle shrugged as if her answer was no big deal. “Old friends.” She sipped her wine and tightened her lips. Did they not think she was good enough to be Blake’s date? Get a grip and just play their passive aggressive game.
“Blake has a lot of old friends it would seem.” She giggled primly.
“I’m sure he does,” Halle spoke with her best innocent, agreeable voice, knowing the intended insult. “He’s so nice and friendly, and a great listener, too.”
Okay, so she was lying a little… well, a lot. But, it really seemed to irritate the woman and make the others in the group uncomfortable. So, she kept going. She’d probably regret it later, but right now, it was worth it.
“He gives the best advice, too.” Halle sweetly articulated and then sipped from her glass again. She wanted to make them jealous but not get caught in a lie. It was a fine line. The less she said, the better chance she had to get away with it.
Another woman, who could be the twin to Ms. Asky Pants, piped up, “I heard he’s been tapped to take his grandpa’s place at the bank.”
Work at the bank, huh? Halle pieced together the few conversations she’d had with Blake. Oh, so he doesn’t just have strings to pull. Maybe that’s why he’s so grumpy. He’s a banker.
Halle’s gaze pursued the crowd, landing on Blake. From her vantage point it looked like all eyes were on him, which wasn’t surprising. He was magnetic in a lone wolf kind of way. Halle tried not to stare, but it was hard not to. He looked dashing.
The women’s laughter brought her back to the conversation she was attempting – poorly – to fit into.
“What do you think?” The pointy nosed woman with all the questions asked in true form.
“About?”
“Blake in a suit and tie for the rest of his life?” The woman laughed as if that were a joke. “Can you even imagine him running a bank?”
“Yes. I can.” Halle felt her anger start at the tips of her fingers and move its way up to her cheeks. For some reason she didn’t like these women laughing him.
She was getting ready to launch another round at the pesky woman when a beautiful woman in a gray dress joined the group. She was all dolled up with rich, curly black hair that fell to her shoulders. Halle greeted her and then narrowed in on the irritating, Blake-bashing woman.
“The bank would be lucky to have him. And whether he’s in a suit or otherwise,” she winked coyly, “he can wear anything… trust me on that.” She twirled on her bright purple open-toed pumps and headed toward the bar, leaving the women now sporting open mouths. Suck on that.
She got her drink, another red wine, and decided to grace Blake with her presence… and another beer. She hadn’t spent much time with him since they’d arrived, and part of their deal was that she accompany him around as he schmoozed. Let’s see what your world is all about, Blake.
She sidled up to the group, her arm touching his sleeve. Without looking at him, she offered him the new beer. He turned and set down his finished one. In one fluid motion he brushed his fingertips over hers as he accepted the beer while his other hand smoothed on her lower back. All too quickly his fingertips and palm were gone, leaving only the flutters in his wake.
She scanned the group and recognized a face on the edge of the conversation. Ramona? Yes, that was Ramona Tillman. Society-party-throwing, volunteering to the max, charity-chairing extraordinaire. Crap. I should’ve figured I might know some of these people.
Well, there was nothing to do except be proactive; it hadn’t been that long since she’d seen Ramona. She waited for a break in the conversation and let Blake blanket her introduction to the group.
“Ramona, congratulations on the amount you raised for Military Moms. Amazing.” Halle knew she could sing praises and Ramona would eat it up, forgetting to ask Halle things she didn’t want to answer tonight or any night. She’d decided to give up the life of privilege because of the strings that came along with it. She was making a new way for herself now. There was no need to rehash her past… or for Blake to find out.
“Thank you, Halle. It was an event to remember. It’s a shame you weren’t there.”
“Here’s to next time.” Halle raised her glass and then took a sip. She hoped Blake would view Ramona’s statement as mere politeness. She’d been invited but had no interest in going – she understood Blake better than he knew. Halle just never had the foresight to strike up an agreement for a date to all the awful functions. He’s got better sense than I thought.
Halle titled her head up to get a good look at Blake. His expression was a serene neutral until he turned to her. A smile played at his eyes and he fixed them on her. How does he look so happy? I know he’s not. But she did know it was time to get out of this spot, even if she wasn’t sure how to phrase their exit. They were supposed to be friends, so she had to keep her comments on the up and up to give off the correct vibe. What’s a friend-type thing to say?
“I saw your sister over there.” She nodded her head to the left. “I know you wanted to talk with her…”
Blake picked up quickly on the out she offered. He acknowledged the group and led Halle away by gliding his hand down her back, pressing the satin fabric onto her skin under his fingers, finally resting them dangerously low. Heat emanated from her lower back and she caught her breath. For a split second she thought his hand was going to keep going down… not that she would’ve hated that.
“You aren’t dating her?”
Blake furrowed his brows at his sister, Candace. “No. I’m not. Why do you keep asking?”
He pulled out her chair at the round table with dark green tablecloths, red ribbon, and a pine cone centerpiece with silver candles.
“She stood up for you to Angela. You should’ve seen it. Angela still has something for you, you know.”
Blake squinted at his sister and sized up her black hair and thin frame wrapped in a shiny gray dress. He knew when something was off. “Spill, Candace.”
“She also kinda made it seem like you two were more than friends.”
“Did she now?” Blake smirked and drank his beer.
Candace’s enticing news aroused urges he’d been suppressing all night. Halle looked extremely alluring in the red dress tonight; very touchable. It took all he had to not sweep her up, kiss her, and spend the rest of the night… not at a Christmas party. It was getting harder and harder not to think about her. He was a confirmed bachelor. He wanted to be left alone.
Blake had some serious choices to make about the bank presidency and where that left the ranch. He had no idea what he was going to do. And, really, it wasn’t a choice. He needed to come to terms with his destiny. Ah, hell.
“I think you should date her. Mom already thinks you are.”
His mother thought he was dating every woman he was ever seen with. “She hasn’t even met her.”
“Yet. She will before the night is out.” Candace giggled and nudged him with her elbow. “Pretty ballsy, bro. You never bring anyone to these things and you expect everyone to think you are just friends.”
“I think you misunderstood what Halle was saying.”
“Yeah, sure, okay.” Candace rolled her eyes.
“Hi,” Halle’s voice came from his other side.
Blake swiveled his head to look up at her. “Hey.”
She sat down before he could stand to greet her properly and laid her silver clutch in her lap.
“Candace. Sister.” Candace nodded her head toward Blake but smiled wide at Halle.
“Oh.” Halle’s cheeks started to redden as she diverted her eyes for a moment.
Halle leaned forward, closer to him, and again he caught a whiff of cinnamon. By everything holy in this world, why does she have to wear that perfume? Blake was a man; he only had so much self-control. He clenched his jaw to squelch the heat rising in his body – he needed his blood to stay where it was.
Halle spoke softly to Candace, “I’m sorry about earlier. I didn’t like what they were saying. And, it seemed to really get under their skin that I came with this one.” She pointed her thumb to Blake. “So I saw an opportunity.” Halle sat back in her chair.
Candace laughed. “Well done. They were pretty catty after you left.”
Halle’s a little spitfire. He couldn’t help but like that about her.
Still, he made eye contact with her and gave her his best stern look. “I thought the plan was to lay low.”
“You’re welcome.” Halle glared back at him. “This is so unbelievably boring, Blake. It’s not my fault they made me triple bitchy.”
He couldn’t help but smile at that convoluted reasoning. She was who she was.
“Blake, you should dance with this beautiful woman,” Candace suggested.
Blake slowly turned his head toward his sister, eyebrows raised. What in the hell possessed her to say that? Candace giggled. Dancing. He’d look like an ass if he didn’t take Halle out on the dance floor. He was almost mad he hadn’t thought of it himself. It was a sly way to hold her in his arms. And, if she’d already given the impression they were dating, this would just further that rumor. No need to squelch it now… it actually worked to his advantage. He started to rethink his original plan.
“You mean to tell me that Blake Ellison two steps?” Halle’s question dripped with sarcasm.
“With that attitude you may never know.” Blake matched her tone and even winked, using her own tricks against her. Ha.
“This night just got a whole lot more interesting.” Halle stood.
Damn. She’s taking me up on this.
Blake took a healthy swig and set his beer down. Standing, he extended his hand to her. “Shall we?”
Halle’s delight lit up her face as she took his hand. Her touch electrified every inch of him and tightened his chest. Blake wasn’t expecting that. For a moment, he stopped breathing. A woman had never had this effect on him. After the holidays I really need to quit drinking.
They got to the dance floor just as Lynyrd Skynyrd’s version of “Christmas Time Again” started. Great. A slow song. Do we stand in one place? We could probably foxtrot to this. As Blake weighed his options, his question was answered: other couples were swaying to the beat. Dammit.
Blake put his hand around her waist. Fleeting thoughts of pleasure danced to a different beat in his mind. What am I doing?
Halle relaxed into Blake’s embrace. His hands were strong and he held her close. She loved this song and Christmas; the ultimate feeling of hope. The restlessness she first felt during the holidays gave way to the dream of what the New Year would bring, and this year was going to be her best yet.
The glittering decorations in the room twinkled in the background as she focused on Blake’s clean shaven face. She wasn’t sure where else to look. His brown eyes watched her, his hands held her, and the sporadic contact of their bodies teased her.
Halle was surprised at the mixed emotions that heightened her senses. She kept expecting normalcy with him and kept receiving anything but. She wanted to know him. She wanted to talk to him. But, most of all, she wanted him to kiss her, to hold her closer.
She looked away from him, not willing to let him see her longing. I’m in this for the money. No other reason. I don’t like him and I don’t need him. Pretending was easy… not believing it was going to be the hard part.