Slow Burn (Dynasties Seven Sins #7) - Janice Maynard Page 0,43

Christmas tree.”

“What Christmas tree?”

She looked at him and rolled her eyes. “The one in the closet. I like to put up the tree the day after Thanksgiving. But since I’ve asked off for the wedding this coming Saturday, the diner has me down to work Friday and Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend. With you here tonight, we could put up the tree together in no time, and Emma could hang a few ornaments before she goes to bed.”

“If you want, I could buy you a tree, fully decorated, and have it delivered tomorrow.” Which would free up time for the two grown-ups to fool around later.

Nikki touched his arm briefly, making his skin hum. “Trimming the tree is part of the magic of Christmas,” she said. “I appreciate the thought, but I love decorating. It makes me feel good.”

“I get it. But why artificial?”

“For one, Emma has allergies. Besides, a live tree can’t go up this early. They dry out. Surely, you’ve done this before.”

“As a kid,” he said, feeling defensive and trying not to show it.

Nikki stared at him, her beautiful eyes wide. “Are you telling me you haven’t put up a Christmas tree in fifteen years?”

“Why does that shock you, Nikki? I live alone. I’m always on the road. It’s a lot of hassle for one person.”

“But what about the holidays? What about Christmas Day? How did you celebrate?”

Her inquisition brought back memories that weren’t always exactly pleasant. “Well, for starters, sometimes I’m in a country that doesn’t observe the Christmas holiday.”

“Okay. I get that. But other years?”

“Occasionally a friend will invite me over. Or if I’m traveling, I’ll find a church and go to a service. It’s not a bad thing to skip the commercialism and the sappy sentiment. I haven’t missed much.”

Her eyes darkened with some emotion he couldn’t name. “Oh, but you have, Jake. You just don’t realize it.”

“Where’s this damn tree?” he growled. “Let’s get it over with.”

Nikki pointed him toward the closet, though she seemed troubled. Jake carried the long, rectangular box into the living room and opened it. Fortunately, the tree was one of those prelit deals. All he had to do was lock together the three sections and make sure the stand was attached tightly.

At Nikki’s direction, he positioned it in front of the window. Though he wouldn’t dare say so out loud, the poor fake evergreen was not the snappiest tree in the forest. Honestly, it looked a bit dilapidated. Even sad...

“I know it’s not great,” Nikki said, studying the tree with her nose wrinkled. “I got it on clearance the year I was pregnant with Emma. But the decorations cover up its imperfections. Emma,” she called. “We’re ready to put ornaments on the tree.”

Emma came running, holding her doll from Jake. “Can I do the first one?”

“Sure, baby.”

Jake had planned to sit back and watch while the womenfolk did their thing. He was sadly mistaken about his role. First Emma, and then Nikki, chided him.

Soon, he was selecting ornaments from a jumbled plastic container and placing them on the tree. When the ornament box was finally empty—hallelujah—the adults added shiny silver tinsel, starting at the top and winding it around the tree. Nikki got down on her stomach and spread out a red velvet tree skirt, twitching and pulling until it was straight enough to meet her exacting standards.

Jake would have offered to help, but he was afraid he would be tempted to do more than twitch if he was down on the floor with Nikki. She looked like a holiday treat in her fluffy turquoise sweater. It was the color of the Aegean Sea. Maybe he could convince her to take a trip with him to Greece. Sunshine. Warmth. Blue skies.

He cleared his throat and tried to think about icebergs and cold showers. “Are we done?” he asked.

Nikki stood, stretched her back and nodded. A piece of her hair had tangled with one of the lower branches. Jake smoothed the strand and rubbed his thumb over her cheek. “The tree looks great, Nik.”

It was true. Somehow, the collage of ornaments had transformed a shabby artificial tree into something beautiful.

Emma stared at it, her doll in her arms. “Turn the lights off, Mommy.”

In the dark, the tree was even better. Jake pressed a surreptitious kiss beneath Nikki’s ear and nipped her earlobe with his teeth. “I keep picturing you naked,” he confessed, his words too quiet for the child to hear. He slid a hand under the back of Nikki’s