A Little Christmas Jingle by Michele Dunaway Page B

“Mary Had a Little Lamb”—anything to keep his lower half quiet. He was taking a lot of cold showers lately, both mentally and physically. She drove him mad.
    Kat wobbled once in her heels as they entered the ballroom, and he cupped her bare arm to steady her, drawing her to him. She fit perfectly, which should worry his sensibilities. Yet, he hadn’t one qualm or innate urge to flee. “We’re over there,” he said, bringing her over to a round table that sat ten. “Number thirteen.”
    â€œMy lucky number,” Kat murmured, as he pulled out the chair in front of the name placard reading “Dr. Katherine Saunders.”
    His fingers skimmed over the fine silver lace stole that covered her shoulder blades as he eased her chair in. His breath heated her ear as he leaned down and whispered, “It’s warm in here.”
    She gave an involuntary shiver, as if the chair was slightly cool against her back. “It’s fine,” she told him. Her fingers trembled as she reached for the iced tea and took a long sip. Her eyes had also darkened, proving she was as sexually affected as he was. He was playing with fire.
    â€œWhat do you want from the bar?” Jack asked, ready to retreat to safety.
    â€œRed wine is fine,” she answered.
    â€œBe right back,” Jack replied. Kat watched him leave, her gaze trailing over him.
    â€œHandsome, isn’t he? They don’t make them much better than that.” A woman dropped gracefully into the chair on Kat’s right and held out her hand. “I’m Sharon. You here as Jack’s date?”
    â€œI am,” Kat replied, keeping her tone even and the immediate, catlike hiss tamped down.
    â€œLucky you. Jack’s quite a catch. Women have been after him for years but he’s Mr. Elusive.”
    Kat took another sip of the iced tea, taking the moment to study the beautiful redhead whose black dress appeared painted on. She seemed pretty familiar with Jack. “How do you know him?”
    Sharon laughed, long burgundy fingernails reaching for her water goblet. “Oh, I’ve known Jack for years. I’m married to Matt.”
    Tension whooshed from Kat, only to be replaced with confusion. “Matt?”
    Sharon clearly found the whole situation amusing, as her perfect white smile spread ear to ear. “That would be so like Jack to not tell you a thing. Matt’s Jack’s older brother. Stepbrother, but it’s been like twenty years, so past time to drop that moniker. Have you been dating long?”
    â€œAbout a month,” Kat replied, sticking to the story she and Jack had created.
    Sharon suddenly snapped her fingers. “Oh, it’s you.” She pulled out her phone, turned it on. “I don’t believe it. What luck! You’re the wedding date.”
    â€œUh …” Kat began as Sharon unlocked her phone and hit an app.
    â€œAt our final fitting, Cecily was telling us that Jack had a date. I can’t believe I scored this coup. Here. Do you mind?”
    She leaned into Kat’s space, held up the phone, and took a quick picture. “Cecily doesn’t believe you’re real. This’ll show her.”
    Kat sat dumbfounded as Sharon typed a message and hit send. Then she turned to the man approaching. He stood about five eight and had dark brown hair, the complete opposite of Jack. “Matt. This is Kat. Kat, this is my husband Matt. She’s Jack’s date. You know. The wedding date.”
    â€œStop bothering my date,” Jack inserted, arriving on the scene much to Kat’s immediate relief. Jack handed her a glass of red wine and set down his longneck bottle of Bud. “Matt,” he said, reaching forward to shake his stepbrother’s outstretched hand. “Good to see you. Didn’t know you’d be here.”
    â€œMy firm is doing some of the pro bono work to assist the prosecuting attorney’s office with