Christmas with the Best Man Page 8

  Some time later Elijah lay back on the pillows with his arms spread wide. “At this rate you might kill me by the end of the week.”

  “Are you saying that I’m too much woman for the great Elijah Davenport?” She grinned at him from where she lay on her stomach beside him.

  He like it when her inhibitions were lowered and she was sassy. His hand traveled over the rise of her behind. “No, I’d say you’re just right.”

  “You’re such a silver-tongued devil.” Her hand brushed the outside of his thigh.

  “I just speak the truth.”

  “Thank you.” Helena moved to get up.

  She was so beautiful. Even now he could hardly wait to have her again. “Where’re you going?”

  “I need to go home.” She stood, taking the sheet to cover herself.

  “Why? Did you have something planned?”

  “Since I have the day off I thought I’d do a little Christmas sightseeing. Maybe some shopping. I have a couple of last-minute gifts to pick up.”

  “It just so happens I have the day off as well. Could I maybe come along?” What had made him ask that? He didn’t sightsee and he had no plans to buy gifts. He always worked on Christmas. It gave others in the department who wanted time with their family a chance to do that. It also gave him an excuse not to face his family. He’d already had enough of that lately, with Charles’s wedding. Shame sat on his shoulders like a huge stone every time he was around all his siblings. He’d done them wrong.

  Helena looked at him as if he might have lost his mind. She said, as if unsure, “I guess you could.”

  “That doesn’t sound like you really want me to.” He gave her his best pitiful look. Suddenly he was interested in doing something as ordinary as seeing Christmas decorations.

  Her eyes widened. “No, it’s just that I had no idea you’d be interested in doing something like that.”

  “What, you don’t think I can appreciate the season?” He was enjoying playing with her. Her facial expressions fascinated him. She couldn’t tell a lie if she tried. Everything she thought or felt was right there on her face or in her eyes. He found it refreshing.

  “I’m not saying that.” Helena took on a pleading look, as if she didn’t want to hurt his feelings.

  “I’m just teasing you, Helena. I’d like to come along but if you don’t want me to then I’ll understand.”

  Her face brightened. “I’d love to have your company. We’re going to have to stop by my place so I can change clothes.”

  Elijah swung his legs over the side of the bed. “Are you going to need help with that?”

  She stopped on her way to the bathroom and glared at him. “I think I can handle dressing myself.”

  “Just know I’m willing to help.”

  She gave him a bright smile. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

  He ran a hand through his hair as he caught a glimpse of her behind as she walked away. This had been a nice way to start a day off and he was looking forward to the rest of it.

  * * *

  Forty-five minutes later, Elijah was sitting in Helena’s second-floor apartment living room, waiting for her to dress. The place was half the size of his but somehow it was more of a home. There were pictures of people he guessed were her family members everywhere. The sofa had large, full pillows in bright orange and green on it. Even her tiny kitchen was homey with multicolored dishes stacked in open shelving.

  And she had all the Christmas decorations his place was missing. There was a tree that Helena had to have worked hard to get up the stairs. Garlands were strung everywhere, even on the bookshelves. The front door had a wreath he’d had to maneuver round to get in the apartment. She not only liked weddings, she was into holidays as well. The woman never ceased to amaze him.

  She hadn’t invited him back to her bedroom and he hadn’t asked, afraid he would tumble her into bed. For some reason he wanted to get to know her out of bed as well as in. He liked that she could give as good as she got when he was teasing her. His sisters were the only females who dared to call him on his actions. Helena had done it more than once. What you saw was what you got with her. That was refreshing in his world of it’s-all-about-me relationships.

  “I’m ready.” Helena came down the hall with coat, hat and gloves in her hand.

  “I’m hungry. How about an early lunch before we get too busy?”

  She pulled on her coat. “You’re always hungry.”

  “Someone has been keeping me busy burning calories.” He grabbed his coat.

  A full blush turned Helena’s cheeks pink. “I’m hungry too.”

  He marveled that there was still a woman who could blush. His life had become so jaded he rather like having someone in it who saw the world in a brighter light.

  An hour later they were having brunch at a restaurant near her place. He couldn’t help but grin at her hearty appetite. Their night had been physically demanding and he hoped there would be more to come this evening. He couldn’t seem to get enough of Helena. She was a paradox. Sweet spoken, easygoing, and modest by day but at night in his arms she was bold, crying out her pleasure, making her needs known and sharing her body openly. He appreciated both sides of her personality.

  He was determined to enjoy her while he could. They’d agreed on a week and he was going to make the most of it, day and night. He had a feeling the daytime Helena might be as exciting in her own way as the night-time one. That too was a surprise. He didn’t make a habit of having a relationship that had anything to do with activities outside the bedroom. Was he reaching a turning point in his life? Could he do it? Did he want to? Even if he broadened his horizons, that didn’t mean he would ever want something like marriage. Or children.

  “So what do you have planned for us?” Usually he was the one to make plans. That way he didn’t get involved any more than he wanted to.

  “Since I’ve been so busy at the hospital I’ve not had time to see Rockefeller Plaza and the great Christmas tree. Maybe go see the Rockettes. I’ve heard the show is wonderful this year. Maybe walk along Fifth Avenue and do some window shopping. Afternoon tea at the Park Central Hotel. You know, Christmas in New York. Get in the spirit.”

  Elijah hadn’t had the spirit in years. He laughed and held up a hand. “Whoa, that’s an ambitious list for just an afternoon.”

  “You’ve lived here all your life. What’s your advice? What should I start with?”

  He hadn’t gone to any type of tourist spot in years. As a child his mother and father had taken the family but that had been before everything had changed and his father’s betrayal had become common knowledge. After that his family had been just a pretty facade he wanted to have nothing to do with.

  “I’ve not really been to any of those places in a long time. Since we must have tickets to the Rockettes, let me call and see if any are available. Then we can plan around that.” He pulled out his cellphone. “I have a friend who works at Radio City Music Hall. Maybe he can help.”

  “I’m not surprised.” She grinned at him and went back to eating her omelet.

  Minutes later Elijah hung up the phone. “All set. The tickets will be at Will Call.”

  Soon they were in a taxi on their way to the music hall. When they arrived Elijah paid the driver, and turned around, expecting to find Helena standing next to him. Instead, she had moved down the wide sidewalk and was now staring at the huge neon sign on the side of the building. Amazement covered her delicate features. Somehow her unassuming, unguarded excitement was scrubbing away at his skeptical view of life. It had been so long since he’d looked at anything with as much anticipation.

  “I love these types of signs. They say there’s something grand going on inside. Come in and see.”

  “There’s that wide-eyed view of the world I knew would show up again. Let’s go
in. I don’t want you to miss a minute of the show.”

  She laughed. “You know me so well.”

  He didn’t but he was enjoying getting to know her far more than he would have thought possible.

  They found their seats, which were lower level center. Helena gave him a sidelong look as they settled in. “Did you know where we would be sitting?”

  “I just asked for the best he could give us, that’s all.” Elijah was glad she was pleased.

  “Your friend must really like you to hand these seats out.”

  “I might have been working when he came into the ER a few years ago with his sick father. He made me promise if I ever needed anything I would call. Never have until today. He was glad to do it.”

  Elijah kept her hand in his during the show. Not since high school had he just held a woman’s hand for the sake of touching her. There was something comforting about the simple gesture. His reaction to Helena wasn’t something he’d counted on but he was sure it would quickly disappear when their physical attraction waned.

  She sat through the performance mesmerized, as if she had never seen anything like it. He’d been to see the Radio City Christmas show before but being with Helena made it somehow more amazing.

  During the part of the show where the live nativity scene took place, she whispered, “This is wonderful.”

  He liked the feeling that pleasing her gave him. Even if he couldn’t be that fairy-tale prince she was looking for, at least he could be for today.

  After the show she said, “I can’t believe those Rockettes. Isn’t it amazing how they can lift their legs up so high? It’s impressive.”

  “I thought watching you watch them was impressive.”

  She looked worried. “Was I that bad?”

  Elijah took her hand. “I just find it interesting that someone can find that much fascination in the world.”

  “Not everyone is as world-weary as you are.”

  He couldn’t argue with that. Yet most teens didn’t discover their father had been having a long-term affair and had fathered a child with his mistress. No teen should have to keep such a secret from his mother, and brothers and sister.

  As they filed out of the theater with the rest of the crowd he asked, “So what do you want to do next?”

  “Walk to Rockefeller Plaza to see the tree. It’ll be getting dark soon and we can really see the lights.”

  “You get into this Christmas stuff like you do weddings, don’t you?” His hand went to her waist to direct her toward an exit.

  “Christmas is my favorite time of the year. Since I’m not going to be able to be home for it, I want to soak up as much spirit as I can.” There was a sad note in her voice when she’d said she couldn’t go home.

  “Your family couldn’t come up here to see you?”

  “My brother and sister have small children. It’s more important that they be home with them. I plan to go down after the New Year and we’ll have Christmas again. Plus, I have to work on Christmas Day anyway. You know, low man on the totem pole has to work.”

  “I’ll be right along with you.” He directed her around a group standing on the sidewalk.

  “Why? I know you’ve been there long enough not to have to work on holidays.”

  He headed them toward Rockefeller Plaza. “Christmas isn’t that big a deal to me, so I let those with families off.”

  “Your family doesn’t get together?” She sounded appalled.

  “They do but I don’t usually go.”

  He was grateful they had reached the plaza and the conversation ended. He wasn’t interested in having her delve into his relationship with his family.

  “I’d think that with the size family you have that you would have a huge Christmas get-together. Lots of noise, paper and presents.” Her eyes were lively with the idea. She must have no idea of the harshness of life.

  “There is. I just don’t go.”

  She gave him a quizzical look. “Why wouldn’t you go? Your parents surely would plan around you working?”

  “I doubt it but I wouldn’t go then either.”

  “Really.” She stopped and looked at him. “I admire you for working on Christmas to help others but to do it just so you don’t have to spend Christmas with your family doesn’t sound right.”

  Elijah didn’t like her censuring tone. He sensed he had just dropped several points in her estimation. That idea didn’t sit well with him. “My family is complicated.”

  “Aren’t they all.”

  It was early evening and families filled the plaza.

  She volunteered, “I couldn’t have survived without mine. I know they’re there if I need someone to run to, no matter what.”

  If he really thought about it, he had that as well. But he’d never ask. In a strange way, his family was tight, had really been that way before his father’s betrayal. Even now, if he needed one of his siblings they would be there for him.

  They moved further into the area between the skyscrapers, nearer the tree next to the ice skating rink.

  “You know, for years I’ve watched the show where they light the tree. I’ve always thought I’d like to be there when it was done. I had to work on that night for the last two years. Next year I’m going to take the day off and come down here to see it.”

  Was there no ended to her childlike outlook? “In all that crowd?”

  She glanced at him. “Sure. That’s part of the fun.”

  As a lifelong New Yorker he’d never been a big fan of crowds.

  They stood at the rail of the ice rink and watched the people circling the ice.

  “I’ve never ice skated.” There was a wistful sound to her voice. “Don’t get much ice in Alabama. Except on the roads occasionally.”

  “Well, come on. What’re you waiting for?” Elijah looked around as if someone had said those words, knowing full well it had been him. Resigned, he took her hand and they walked to the entrance of the rink. Something strange was happening to him. He never did anything as spontaneous as going ice skating.

  “I don’t know about this.” Helena balked at the gate.

  “You never know how much you’ll enjoy it until you take a chance.” He wiggled his eyebrows, daring her. Was she thinking of their time together just as he was? “I’ll help you.”

  “You know how to skate?” She sounded surprised.

  “I do. I learned as a kid.” Suddenly he was glad his parents had seen to it that he had.

  “I still don’t know. That ice doesn’t look too soft.” She tried to pull her hand out of his.

  Elijah chuckled. “It’s not, but I won’t let you fall.”

  She gave the rink a long look. He could see the moment her decision was made. “Okay. Why not? I can at least say I tried.”

  From then on she was open to any suggestion or directions he offered. They rented their skates at the rink desk and Elijah helped her lace hers up. Half an hour later they were working their way slowly around the rink. On the second turn, she let go of the rail.

  He turned and skated backwards, facing her. “You’re doing great, Helena.”

  “I’m awful compared to you.” She slowly moved her feet back and forth, her hands out to her sides in her effort to maintain her balance.

  “Give me your hands.” He offered both of his.

  “No, I don’t want to make you fall.”

  “You aren’t going to make me fall. Trust me.” When had he ever asked a woman to trust him?

  Her eyes met his. She looked at him as if she was judging his trustworthiness. Her hands came forward and clasped his. He felt as if a new bond between them had been forged. For some reason having Helena’s trust mattered. They moved around the rink, hand in hand, for a couple of turns. “Now I’m going to move to your side. J
ust keep doing what you’re doing.”

  As he began to turn around Helena lurched forward. Unbalanced, she grabbed him. They corkscrewed and went down in a tangle of arms and legs. Elijah lay on his back with Helena across his chest. He felt her bubble of laughter before he heard it. Seconds later it was a full-bodied sound surrounding him and rippling through him. He joined her. For a full minute they lay there gasping for breath on the ice.

  “How’re we supposed to get up?” Helena asked between gulps.

  When was the last time he’d shared this type of fun with anyone? He used to laugh with his brothers and sister like this but it had been a long time ago. It felt good. Cleansing. “You slowly move off me. Then I’ll stand and help you up.”

  “I might pull you down again.” She was still giggling.

  “If you do, then I’ll get up and we’ll try it again. We’ll make it work. Together.”

  “Okay. Here goes.” Helena moved off, remaining on her hands and knees.

  Elijah quickly stood and put a hand out to her. She took it. He helped her stand, though she made a few unsure steps before getting her balance.

  “I think I’ve had enough for today. You’ve earned a hot chocolate by being my cushion. I’m buying.” Everything about Helena’s rosy cheeks, bright smile and glowing eyes said she was happy. He wished he could give her that all the time. But he wouldn’t be around forever. That wasn’t part of their deal.

  “I’m glad I could be there for you. Hot chocolate sounds great after lying on ice.” Come to think of it, he was happy too, something he didn’t often recognize in himself.

  They made it to the door to the rink without mishap. They soon had their skates off. Fifteen minutes later they were sitting at a table above the rink, sipping hot chocolate.

  “I don’t think I’ve laughed that hard in a long time.” Helena’s eyes twinkled with humor.

  “I know I haven’t.” Elijah couldn’t remember a woman looking more appealing. Fresh-faced, healthy and intelligent. Some of the women he had dated had one or two of those qualities but none had possessed the entire combination. Helena, he was fast discovering, was special. That he noticed made him nervous.