Snowdrop Kisses Part Twenty
A Christmas love story featuring a plucky florist and a tall dark and handsome entrepreneur
Previously… in Part 19 James escorts Wendy to the party and Wendy averts disaster in the ballroom.
Chapter 39
Wendy was high on life after the dance floor incident. She had escaped her sluggish partner, saved the vase and put Love's Bouquet’s name on everyone’s lips. Best of all, James hadn’t seen any of her klutzy behaviour. She grabbed an hors d’oeuvre from a passing waiter and approached Harry and Minna, whom she’d spotted chatting by the windows.
“Hello, you two!” Minna wore a black gown. Her hair was sprayed rigid and she sported a necklace so thick with diamonds it looked like it might be choking her. Harry was dashing in a tuxedo, his grey hair combed flat.
“Good evening, Wendy. I’m delighted to see that you were able to attend,” said Minna.
“You don’t look half bad.” Harry nodded at her.
“You’re very handsome yourself”
Harry glanced down, pleased. “Helen always said I cleaned up well. She’d drag me off to the opera and ballet every chance she got. The funny thing is, I miss all that culture now that she’s gone.”
“Maybe those are things you can take up again with Minna,” said Wendy slyly.
Harry grinned at Minna and said, “Maybe. Although, I really want to take her to a boxing match. I bet she’d be screaming and yelling like everyone else.”
“If you think I’d go to some shady sporting den, you’re sadly mistaken.”
Harry addressed Wendy. “Listen, I wanted to bend your ear about something. Do you think we could talk in the conservatory?”
Wendy frowned. “Is everything Okay?”
“It’s fine,” Harry said, casting a swift glance at Minna. “I just need your advice.”
Wendy grinned. Was Harry going to ask her for dating tips? James would be delighted that their plan had actually worked. “Sure thing.”
“Great. Let me just refresh my drink and I’ll meet you out there.”
Before she could say another word, Harry disappeared into the crowd. Minna murmured something about powdering her nose and also melted away.
Shrugging, Wendy made her way to the French doors. The conservatory was chilly after the heat of the ballroom, but the cool air felt good. The space was deserted, moonlight shone in from the glass ceiling. Someone had strung fairy lights around the walls, making the space twinkle like an enchanted garden. She breathed in the lovely, lush plant smell and sighed with pleasure.
“What are you doing out here?”
She whirled around. James was silhouetted against the light of the party.
“I’m waiting for Harry.”
“Oh. He told me to meet him. He didn’t say that you’d be here too.”
An alarm bell went off in Wendy’s head. Something was definitely going on. First Kim’s scheming to get her to come to the party, and now Harry’s luring of she and James to the conservatory. She was about to tell James of her suspicions when he moved toward her.
“I’m glad to have a few minutes away from people.”
Wendy shivered at the thought of being alone with James.
“Are you cold? I’ll go find Harry and we can find a quiet place to talk inside.”
“No, no, not yet” Wendy said. She wanted to savour this time. When he looked at her questioningly she added, “We might not find him. I think it’s better to wait.”
He came and stood beside her.
All Wendy wanted was to be in his arms again. Instead she said, “This conservatory is amazing, James.”
“My mother hated the winter, found it too cold and got depressed that all the plants were smothered in snow and ice. Dad had this built for her so she would always have a bit of summer, even in the depths of winter. She died when I was a kid, but my father maintained it. I’ve kept up the tradition -- I had the place re-insulated a few years ago and of course I have a gardener come to tend to all the plants.”
“You’re preserving her memory,” Wendy said.
“Well, I don’t know about that,” James blustered. “I mean she died over twenty years ago.” He paused and Wendy didn’t rush to fill the silence. His voice was thoughtful when he spoke again. “Maybe you’re right. I feel close to her when I come out here.” He paused again and then he turned to Wendy. “You’re a pretty perceptive person. Have you ever thought of abandoning flowers for psychoanalysis?”
“No,” Wendy said. “I like digging for roots, not repressed memories. Despite the dirty fingernails, I’m sure it’s less messy.”
“Something tells me there’s no dirt under those nails.” James picked up her hand, looking closely at her fingers.
Wendy’s breath caught in her throat. For an instant she thought he was going to kiss her hand. Instead, he took a step toward her. The world dimmed, until all Wendy could see was James. Faintly, she heard the sound of another waltz being struck in the ballroom. “Do you want to dance?” he asked.
She was startled, but nodded.
He pulled her into his arms, and she felt the hard muscles of his shoulders. Somehow, this dance was nothing like the awkward disaster of earlier. She whirled around the conservatory with the music from the ballroom seeping out into the night air and mingling with the lingering smell of oleander, which bloomed in a corner. Wendy felt incredible; like Maria from the Sound of Music, but without all the singing, or the Nazis.
She was safe and protected in his broad arms, and yet she also felt powerful and alive. This went beyond mere sexual attraction; it felt like everything in the world was absolutely right.
Eventually the music ended, and they stopped. For a moment they stood, and then James’ mouth touched hers. The kiss started out questioning and gentle but soon deepened, and Wendy forgot about everything but the pressure of his lips on hers, the sweetness of his tongue probing her mouth, and the feel of his hands on her bare arms. The kiss, like the dance, was perfect and Wendy gave herself up to it. At last it ended, and they stepped away from each other. Wendy was too dazed to say anything.
“There you are, James!” exclaimed a loud voice. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you.” Catriona hurried forward. “It’s time for speeches. Didn’t we discuss timelines? The best parties always have a timeline. Come along, inside now.” Without even glancing at Wendy, Catriona took James by his hand and tugged him away.
James, looking unusually befuddled, stopped at the entrance of the ballroom. “Wendy, I…”
“Oh no, the band’s starting another number. Come on, James.” Catriona pulled on his arm, yanking him out of the moonlight.
Wendy remained in the conservatory for a moment, trying to make sense of the past fifteen minutes. Was it possible to have the most romantic moment of your life in less time than it takes to buy groceries? She bit her lip.
Wendy pushed her way back through the party, spotting Harry and Minna in the far corner. They were talking to Kim. Wendy waved at all three of them, but was too confused to stop. She made her way toward the staircase. Just as she left the room, James took to the stage. He seemed to have snapped out of his daze.
Wendy wound her way upstairs and to the back of the house. She was brutally exhausted. It was all she could do to peel off Kim’s dress, scrub her face clean of makeup and climb into bed. She glanced at the clock, and realized that it was just turning midnight. “I got home in time, Fairy Godmother,” she murmured sleepily.
Chapter 40
Wendy sat up in bed, heart pounding. Where was she? Through the darkness she saw the outline of the twin bed, and remembered she was at Stonehaven. Kim’s soft snores drifted over to her. She’d been so deeply asleep she hadn’t heard the other woman come in.
A dim trace of moonlight filtered into the room, the same light under which she and James danced only… she squinted at the clock… four hours ago. What had awakened her? She couldn’t recall a noise. She really needed to pee.
Without proper pajamas, she’d been forced to wear Kim’s t-shirt to bed. Luckily it was long and covered her underwear. She tugged on the shirt and peered out in the hall. Someone had thoughtfully left the hall light on for late night prowlers such as herself. It was cool in the old house, the winter chill seeping in. Tiptoeing down the carpeted hall, she passed a number of closed doors. According to Kim’s floor plan, all the rooms were occupied by party guests.
Just before she reached the bathroom, the door on the right opened. Wendy yelped in surprise and jumped back, banging against the wall.
James took two steps forward, his hands finding her arms to steady her. “Shh. We don’t want to wake anyone.”
“Sorry,” she stammered. “You frightened me.” Her voice was shaking, not because she was startled, but from the feel of his hand on her bare arm. He was still dressed in his tux, although his tie was undone and his shirt rumpled.
James’ frown softened. “I’m sorry.” He looked tired, and she noticed deep creases around his eyes.
The late night hour, the dimness of the hallway and the magnetism of James’ gaze all conspired against Wendy’s better judgement. Without thinking, she reached up and smoothed the lines surrounding his eye. Her finger trembled a little as she traced the furrows. He drew in a sharp breath at her touch and his eyes closed for a moment before snapping open. He leaned toward her and kissed her urgently.
She stood on tiptoe and pressed herself against him, but as soon as she did, her bladder mashed against his body and she remembered why she had gotten out of bed in the first place. As James’ fingers caressed her earlobe her need to pee grew. He slid a hand down her back and she recalled every glass of champagne she swallowed that evening. As his tongue explored her mouth, she thought of rainy nights, running taps, gushing rivers and spurting hoses.
His hand reached down to stroke her bum and all she could think of was Niagara Falls –- the huge torrent of water pouring down in a great, explosive rush onto the rocks below.
James must have sensed her change of mood because he released her.
She took a step back, touching her lips with her fingers. Damn. How was she going to explain this? Hold that thought, I need to tinkle? But more urgent than explaining, was the need to get to the bathroom.
“I’m sorry. Give me a minute,” she blurted. She ran the two steps to the bathroom and closed the heavy door. She turned on the light and hurriedly peed. Sweet relief. She flushed, washed her hands and opened the bathroom door. The hall was deserted. The disappointment hit her like a lead weight. She walked back slowly, foolishly hoping that James would poke his head out his door and invite her in.
By the time she reached her room she was telling herself firmly that it was for the best. The last thing she wanted to do was get involved with a man like James. Careful not to awaken Kim, Wendy tumbled back into her bed, falling into an uneasy sleep.
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I’ve written a book you might get a kick out of! THE HONEYBEE EMERALDS is a lighthearted mystery set in Paris featuring four women uncovering the secrets of a beautiful diamond and emerald necklace. A finalist for the Indy Book Awards “Best First Novel,” it’s been called a “Gem of a debut.”
OMG. These two lovable, adorable doofuses are KILLING me. Also, Harry and Kim are geniuses; gold stars and extra champagne for those two.