Page 39 of Naughty Heart

There was a lot being said, and it was happening in a variety of ways.

The way we moved together so effortlessly.

The way we exchanged heated glances.

The way the corner of my mouth quirked up in a smile.

The way she bit down on her lip shyly.

The way my hand held hers against my chest and stroked along her skin.

The way she reached up to adjust my tie against the collar of my shirt.

Something was happening between us, and I was more than prepared to see where we wound up.

When the song ended, as much as I wanted us to continue dancing, the radio station began playing some ads, forcing Evelyn and me to separate from one another.

“So, what do you think?” she asked.

“About what?”

“Will we need any additional practice before the party, or should I take my radio out of here?”

She was teasing me, and I loved it.

Laughing, I replied, “Well, I can’t say I don’t want to do that again, but we’re golden already. It’s like we were made to be dance partners, if you ask me.”

Her eyes danced with delight. “Okay. So, I’ll take my radio back over to my office then.”

“Are you done here with the decorating?”

Evelyn shook her head. “No. I wanted to hang a few more ornaments.”

“Then I’m thinking we should do that together now, so I can make sure you don’t fall off the ladder again,” I reasoned.

“That was all your fault to begin with,” she noted.

“My fault? How?”

She sighed and shook her head in disbelief. “It’s amazing you don’t already know about your power to sweep a woman off her feet, Malcolm.”

That did it.

I threw my arm around her back, clamping my hand on her opposite shoulder, as I burst out laughing.

This woman was so unexpected. I wasn’t quite sure if I deserved her, but I was willing to do anything to wind up on Santa’s nice list. Because if there was only one thing I wanted for Christmas this year, it was her.

11

EVELYN

My eyes narrowedon the space, taking it in.

Something was missing. But what?

I uncrossed one of my arms, lifted my hand toward my chin, and tapped my finger against my face.

“You look like you’re deep in thought.”