The Christmas Pact Read online

“Looking for someone, Riley? Perhaps, Mr. Riley?” a deep, raspy voice said from over my shoulder.

  Startled, I whipped around fast, forgetting that I had a very full martini glass in my hand. I watched in horror as a wave of White Christmas martini splashed onto the front of the man’s dark shirt and tie.

  “Oh no! Shoot!” I grabbed a thick stack of napkins from the bar and immediately started to blot at the mess. “I’m so sorry. I hate these glasses to begin with, and I’m so jumpy tonight.”

  “Jumpy, huh? Nervous about meeting a certain someone?”

  I hadn’t looked up yet, but the way the man practically purred those last few words…I knew. I knew. Plus, my arms broke out in goosebumps, and the little hairs on the back of my neck stood up. I closed my eyes. My hands blotting at the man’s shirt stilled, and for the first time, I became aware of the warm chest underneath—the very hard, warm, and muscular chest. I squeezed my eyes closed even tighter and counted to myself.

  1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9… On 10, I took a deep breath and peeked one eye open.

  The jerk’s mouth curved into a wicked grin. “Still here. Would you like to try counting to twenty and see if that helps?”

  My other eye flashed open, then both went wide as I blinked once, then twice. Oh. My.

  Of course, he had to be even better looking in person. He couldn’t just photograph really well and be a disappointment in the flesh. Mr. Noseybody had a ridiculously chiseled, masculine jaw, flawless skin, and incredible eyes—a shade of blue so light that they were almost clear—and those were currently boring into me. Did I mention he was also tall? I stood a solid five foot five without heels, and tonight I was sporting an extra three inches, maybe four. Yet I still only came up to his shoulders—his very broad shoulders.

  The fact that he was just about perfect pissed me off even more. I blinked a few more times, then snapped myself out of it before clearing my throat. “Well, if it isn’t Mr. Noseybody. Shocker that you’d find me as soon as I walked in. You seem to love being in my business.”

  He grinned and pointed his eyes down to where my hands were still pressed against his shirt. “You seem to love being in mine at the moment, too. Riley, Riley, Riley. Can’t keep your hands off me already?”

  I ripped my hands away. “Hardly,” I scoffed. “I was trying to help dry you off.”

  His lip twitched, and he tilted the drink in his hand in my direction. “Maybe I should be as clumsy as you, just so I can return the favor and help you dry off.”

  I squinted at him.

  He squinted right back, although his eyes were twinkling the whole time. Once again, he was amused at my expense. Story of my life lately.

  The man was downright infuriating. I took a deep breath and pasted a fake smile on my face. “I apologize for spilling the drink on you. But you really shouldn’t sneak up on people like that.”

  “My apologies. Let’s start over. I’m Kennedy Riley. Pleasure to meet you. Um, what’s your name again?”

  Smartass.

  I glanced over his shoulder and pretended to wave at someone. “Oh gosh, I see someone I actually like over there who I need to speak to. I’d say it was lovely meeting you, but I’m a terrible liar. So instead, I’ll just say Merry Freaking Christmas.”

  I turned to Liliana, whose mouth was hanging wide open and grabbed her elbow. “Come on, I’ll get a new drink at the bar on the other side of the room—the one farthest away from him.”

  We’d been sneaking looks at each other all night. I’d get caught up in staring at him across the room, then turn away as soon as he noticed. At one point, he grinned and raised his glass in my direction.

  The jerk.

  As much as Kennedy bothered me, he was proving to be hard to ignore. I wondered if I’d manage to escape this party without another encounter.

  Liliana stepped outside for a smoke with some of our co-workers. Sipping my drink, I found myself alone for the first time since we’d arrived. The DJ had stopped playing Christmas music altogether, and had moved on to funkier dance music. “September” by Earth, Wind & Fire began to play. I’d always loved that song.

  I’d always loved that song—that is, until Kennedy Riley entered my line of sight, charging toward me as he snapped his raised fingers to the beat.

  I frantically looked around, hoping that Liliana would appear and save me from this.

  Before I knew it, his arm was wrapped around my waist and he was dragging me onto the dance floor.

  No, no, no.

  Kennedy moved us through the sea of people until we landed in our own small section of the dance floor. He held out his hands for me to join him, but I wouldn’t budge. Unfazed, he began to clap his hands and snap his fingers as he sang out the words to the song. When that didn’t accomplish anything, Kennedy moved in closer and gyrated his hips with great enthusiasm, as if he were a stripper from Magic Mike working a crowd of frenzied women.

  Despite this, I continued to stand there like a statue with a bad attitude. The only thing moving was my head as it turned to watch Kennedy while he circled around me. His eyes were on mine the entire time, while the eyes of several female employees were on him.

  The more I insisted on not moving, the more energy he put into his dance moves.

  I didn’t know if it was the way he bit his bottom lip at one point or what, but all of a sudden I totally lost it, bursting into hysterical laughter.

  He pointed. “There it is!”

  He’d finally broken through to me. And now he was laughing, too. This guy was seriously nuts. But his little plan had worked.

  “You took damn long enough,” he said as he continued to dance.

  “How could I not laugh? This is utterly ridiculous!” I wiped the corners of my eyes, but still refused to partake in any dancing.

  When the song ended, he reached his hand out to me. “I’d like to call a truce.”

  He flashed a humble, genuine smile. As much as I was hesitant, I relented and shook his hand. After that performance, how could I not? And that smile.

  “Okay, Kennedy. I’ll call a truce with you. But no more chiming in on my life decisions or the content of any emails that come your way if you get them.”

  “Done.”

  He was still holding my hand, the warmth of his skin sending shivers down my spine.

  He nudged his head toward the bar and held up one of the two drink tickets we were each allotted. “Let me get you a drink. It’s the least I can do.”

  I shrugged. “Sure. Why not?”

  He released my hand, only to rest his on the small of my back as he guided me through the crowd to the bar. We stopped at the counter.

  “What can I get you? White Christmas martini?”

  “Um, no. A vodka soda with lime, please.”

  “You got it.” He winked at me and gestured to the bartender.

  What kind of bizarre universe was I living in, one where I was having a drink with Kennedy Riley?

  Liliana spotted me standing with Kennedy at the bar and gave me two big thumbs up. I rolled my eyes and shook my head. She kept her distance, opting to leave me alone with him.

  Kennedy handed me my drink and took a sip of his beer. The music was so loud that he had to speak right into my ear. The heat of his breath, along with the recognition of his masculine scent, made my pulse race.

  “So, are you heading anywhere for the holidays?” he asked as his lips brushed against my ear.

  “Yeah. Tomorrow morning. I mistakenly booked the first flight out at 6AM, which I think I’m going to be regretting after drinking a few of these things. I’ll have to leave for LaGuardia by four AM.” I held up my cocktail. “How about you?”

  “Nope. Stopped going home for the holidays a few years ago. Where are you from?”

  “Albany.”

  He paused mid-sip. “Get out. Upstate? You’re kidding, right?”

  “No. Why?”

  “I’m from Rochester. We’re practically neighbors.”

  I smiled. Only an
other person from Upstate would say living eighty miles apart made us neighbors. Here in the city, people packed an overnight bag just to travel the twenty miles to Long Island.

  “How come you stopped going home?” I asked.

  He looked away and then chugged the rest of his beer. “Long story.”

  “Oh. Okay.”

  “How long are you staying for?” he asked.

  “Just until after the New Year. I’m not really looking forward to it, to be honest.”

  “Does this have anything to do with the Christmas letter your mother sends out?”

  Ugh. I almost asked how he knew about that, but then I remembered.

  “It might have a little to do with that,” I admitted. “Just my mother’s overall judgmental nature, yes.”

  “You know it’s all bullshit, right? Someone can be accomplished without having to play for a symphony or whatever shit she puts in those letters. You shouldn’t let it get to you.”

  “Well, I’m afraid that’s easier said than done.”

  His mouth curved into a mischievous smile. “You know what would be awesome?”

  “What?”

  “If you could give her exactly what she wants...on steroids.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Like, make some crazy shit up. Laugh about it on the inside.”

  “I’m not a good enough liar.”

  “I’d be happy to volunteer.”

  My eyes narrowed suspiciously. “What are you talking about? Explain.”

  “I could go home with you for a bit. You could make up a story, introduce me as some guy you’re dating. You said your mother’s always complaining because you’re not with anyone, right?”

  “So you’re offering to be my fake boyfriend. And what would you tell my mother, exactly?”

  He scratched his chin, drawing my eyes to the sexy five o’clock shadow that dotted his jaw. “Oh, I don’t know. I’d have to think about it. Or maybe make it up off the top of my head. More fun that way.”

  “It wouldn’t be fun. It’s not a game. This is my life!”

  He seemed bummed out that I wouldn’t consider his suggestion. “Okay. Forget I said anything. But the offer still stands if you change your mind.” He winked. “You’ve got my email, anyway.”

  At LaGuardia Airport the following morning, I was regretting the third drink I’d had last night. I sported oversized sunglasses to shield light from my eyes while I perused the magazines at Hudson News across from my gate.

  “I believe your guru’s column is printed in the newspaper, not that trashy magazine,” a deep, familiar voice said from just over my shoulder. Startled, I jumped and turned.

  My hand flew up to cover my heart as it started to race out of control. I blinked a few times and swallowed hard. “What the…what are you doing here?”

  Kennedy grinned. “I decided to go home for the holidays after all.”

  “And you just happen to be on flight 62?”

  “You mentioned you were on the first morning flight, so I figured this might be it.”

  I pushed my sunglasses down and looked over them at him. “You wanted to be on my flight?”

  “Figured it might give you a chance to reconsider my proposal. My offer is still open, by the way.”

  The truth was, last night as I tossed and turned, I had thought about his proposition. A lot. It didn’t sound like that bad of an idea. Maybe I wouldn’t want to take things to the outlandish level he had suggested, but showing up with a date would certainly shift the focus away from all the things I wasn’t accomplishing. Though I didn’t understand why he was anxious to come home with me.

  We took seats next to each other as we waited to board.

  “You seriously want to come home with me and have no problem lying through your teeth?” I asked.

  “Not if it’s for the greater good. But actually, my services wouldn’t exactly be free.”

  Disappointed in myself for even considering trusting him, I shook my head. “I should’ve known.”

  “Get your mind out of the gutter, Riley Kennedy. It’s not anything like that.”

  “What is it, then, Kennedy Riley?”

  “I need a date to my brother’s wedding back in Rochester. It’s on the Saturday before New Year’s Eve.”

  “But you said you weren’t planning on going back home for the holidays.”

  “I wasn’t. I reconsidered. You said you’d still be in town, right?”

  “Yeah. I’m flying back New Year’s Day.”

  “That’s perfect, then. And you wouldn’t even have to make up crazy stories or anything. Just be there with me so I don’t have to show up alone.”

  I thought about it for a moment. “I guess that’s harmless enough. But I’ll have to think about all of this on the flight.”

  It sounded harmless, but something deep in my gut told me that nothing about dealing with Kennedy Riley came without some risk.

  Kennedy

  I needed my head fucking examined.

  Once I buckled into my seat in the row behind Riley, the gravity of what I was considering doing started to hit me. I hadn’t been home to Rochester in years for a reason. I shook my head and looked across the aisle at Riley. She was clutching the armrest, and her knuckles were turning white. I leaned forward.

  “Nervous flier?”

  She looked over at me and blew a strand of blond hair off her forehead. I noticed a few beads of sweat forming on her brow. It wasn’t hot on the plane.

  “A little. But just for takeoff and landing. I’m okay with the middle part,” she said.

  I unbuckled and stood in the aisle at her row. “Excuse me, sir?”

  Riley’s row had three seats. There was an older woman sitting at the window, a pretty large guy stuffed in the middle, and her in the aisle. The big dude looked up at me.

  “Would you mind changing seats? I have an aisle seat one row back.” I looked down at Riley, then back at him. “My fiancée is a nervous flier. I would really appreciate it.”

  The guy looked thrilled. “Yeah, sure. No problem.”

  He got up and shimmied past Riley, and I buckled myself into the shitty middle seat. I felt Riley watching me, so I leaned my head back against the headrest and turned to face her.

  “What?”

  “Your fiancée?”

  I winked. “What can I say? You’re a damn lucky girl.”

  She chuckled. “You didn’t have to give up your aisle seat for me. I’m fine on my own.”

  “I’m sure you are. But I figured I could use the extra time sitting next to you to debunk all the reasons your brain is tossing out about why we shouldn’t have a little fun at your mother’s house.”

  She sighed. “I really don’t think it’s a good idea.”

  “You’re overthinking it, Riles. It’s a fantastic idea. You know how I know that?”

  “How?”

  “Because I came up with it.”

  She rolled her big blue eyes.

  I laughed. “Seriously, though, you dread going home for the holidays. Why not make it a little fun and get your mom off your back?”

  She shook her head. “I don’t know. Maybe because it doesn’t feel right lying to my entire family.”

  “Well, if it will make you feel any better, we can go into the bathroom and join the Mile High Club during the flight. Then you won’t be lying when you tell your mom I’m the best thing that’s ever happened to you.”

  She blushed. Fucking blushed.

  I felt a little twitch in my pants seeing it. Leaning in to her, I lowered my voice. “Exactly how long has it been, Riley? Your letter to that Dear Ida whack job said you hadn’t had a date in ten months, but you must’ve had a hookup or two since then.”

  “It’s none of your business how long it’s been.” The slight blush on her face deepened to a crimson red.

  Oh shit. It had been that long. The warning lights were flashing so bright, they should’ve blinded me. But all I could see w
as her pretty face. Not to mention, hearing that no man had planted his flag on planet Riley in a very long time made me a little crazy.

  “I’ll tell you what, Riley. What if I sweetened the pot a little?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I’ll go home with you for your party. I’ll even let you set the ground rules for what we’ll tell people at your mother’s. And then I’ll pay for the dress that you wear to the wedding that you’re going to with me.”

  “I can’t let you do that.”

  “It’s not such a big deal. My mom owns a bridal boutique in Rochester. She’s got a store filled with gowns. It won’t cost me much at her price anyway.”

  “Oh wow.” She nibbled on her lip like she was seriously considering it for the first time since last night. So I went big to seal the deal.

  “And shoes. She’s got all those red-soled shoes women love, too.”

  That got her attention. I could see the wheels in her head turning. Giving her a minute before I pushed again, I looked out the window. I was pretty shocked at what I saw.

  “Hey, Riles.”

  “Hmmm?”

  “Did you even notice we’re in the air?”

  Her brows drew together and then she leaned forward and looked out the window. She blinked a few times, and her eyes grew wide. “How is that possible?”

  “You were distracted and forgot you were supposed to stress. Your mom’s party can be just like that, if you agree.”

  Riley looked into my eyes. This woman wore her entire heart on her sleeve. She’d better not ever play poker. I read her fears, every reservation she had about lying, and if I wasn’t mistaken, there was even a little attraction thrown in there. It was a good thing I was a hell of a better poker player than she was. Because while she was deliberating over lying, I was wondering how the hell I was going to get through two nights of pretending to be her boyfriend without biting those pink pouty lips. And I wondered what those big baby blues might do if I did—would they go hard with disgust or soft with desire?

  I cleared my throat and shifted in my seat. “So what’s it going to be, Riley? You in, or are you too chicken to have a little fun?”

  She squinted at me. “Why are you doing all this? You could easily go to a wedding stag. I’m sure you could even turn on the charm and pick up some drunk, unsuspecting bridesmaid if you tried hard enough.”