Page 308 of Screwged for Christmas

“Don’t cramp a man’s style—I’m trying to get my mojo back.” Kade shook his head and rubbed the back of his neck.

“It was one kiss on the cheek in third grade for the cutest Valentine’s Day cards. A thank you. That hardly constitutes as an old crush, no?”

“It was still a kiss. And to my younger self, it was a hot one at that.” When Kade clanked the metal ladle on the side of the saucepan, it brought her gaze up and she caught sight of the other men in the parking lot checking for what she assumed would-be run away dildos and Rudolph’s missing nose. Poor guys.

“Is there anything I can do to help?” She slipped her bag over the back of the chair. It was obviously clear she wouldn’t make it back for the trees. No use in rushing home now and she would just have to wing her schedule and return Mr. Langley’s call.

She glanced between the two brothers clearly trying to rile each other. Both stood over six feet tall, muscular bodies that their job required, and still tried to one-up each other even now.

“Don’t get him started. He’s nursing a breakup so he’s a little sensitive at the moment. Looking for a shoulder to cry on.”

Aspen sat back and ran a hand through his hair with a sigh as if he’d had this conversation countless times and wanted to move on.

“Damn Kade. Sorry to hear that. Really, I am. I kinda know how you feel.”

She wanted to offer more but didn’t want to wade into her own miserable luck with love or pry into Kade’s, for that matter. Plus, wouldn’t that be awkward with Aspen sitting right there?

From the middle of the table a pile of brochures lay stacked in the center with a large picture of evergreens spread across the bottom with a bold FOR SALE along the top.

“This looks interesting. Are you guys going into the Christmas tree business?”

“Aspen here fancies himself a Christmas tree farmer someday.”

Her interest piqued. “Really?”

“Maybe. I don’t know. It is something Jace and I talked about in the past. The owner was passing those out and I took them. You remember Joe, right?”

She nodded. “Joe is selling his farm? I thought he loved that place.”

“He does. But after his wife passed a few years back and his sons moved away, it’s become a bit too much for a man his age.”

She nodded again. “Makes sense.”

Kade slid a plate in front of her.

She slapped her hand over her stomach. “Thank you! This looks delicious and I’m starving.” Her stomach growled in appreciation if her words didn’t convey just how hungry she was.

“Don’t be too hasty. This is Kade’s first tour on kitchen duty; Mom’s recipe or not.”

“I see how this goes. I guess you’ll not want any of my freshly baked garlic bread then. Mom’s recipe too, by the way.”

Ivy nearly choked trying to throw in her two cents. “Me! Me...I want some. He’s the one who made fun of you. Not me.” She nudged the man playfully and smacked his hand away when he tried for one of her slices of bread.

“You’re on your own, buddy. It might have been eight years since I last had her bread, but that’s all you need. One taste and you’re a lifer. Addicted. Period. Say you’re sorry to Kade and maybe he’ll give you some.”

Kade smirk. “Yeah, what she said.”

Aspens eyes lit up with amusement as he said, “Why when I can kiss you and get two for one--a kiss and a bread.”

She turned to face Aspen, bread in hand. “So cock-sure, Huh? You’ll have to test that theory.” And then took a healthy bite.

He roared with laughter, head thrown back, his beautiful neck exposed and so damn kissable. She never thought she’d think that about a man’s neck, but she wished she had the balls to lean in and lick, kiss and nibble her way up his neck until they were kissing again.

Spending all this time with Aspen opened a portal to ideas, desires and memories she’d be better off slamming the door shut on.

But looking at him, seeing him beside, smelling him. Her body was having a hard time ignoring anything about Aspen.

Very hard time.

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