Page 26 of Holly, Jolly, and Oh So Naughty

James slowly lowers his hand. “What’s the problem?”

“I’m hot and I’m nervous and it’s making me frazzled, so my dress isn’t going on smoothly and I feel like I’m going to look like a frump and people will only donate because they feel sorry for me!”

James’s lips curve into an upside-down smile, and he approaches slowly.

“I don’t think that’s true at all. The hall looks amazing, and I saw the cupcake display. Is it meant to look like the Christmas display at the town square?”

I nod, ignoring the ticklish way my hair dances over my bare shoulders.

“It looks amazing. And there are so many people here already. Everyone is going to have an amazing time. So try and take a deep breath.”

I narrow my eyes. “How will that help, huh?”

“Trust me.”

Rolling my eyes, I force my shoulders to relax, but the closer James gets to me in this half-dressed state, the faster my heart races. He stops about a foot away and leans down to smooth out the material of the skirt so that it’s not as twisted up against my legs. Then he straightens up and lightly grasps my shoulders.

His touch is electric, searing into my bone, and I nearly flinch away from him. His face doesn’t change, though. Am I the only one who can feel the charge building between us? Maybe it’s one-sided.

Just my luck.

“Breathe,” James instructs softly. He turns me to face the wall and then he blows very lightly on the nape of my neck. The ghost of a touch sends a tingling shiver down my spine.

“James,” I murmur, but he hushes me quickly.

Then he blows once more. Cool air dances across my hot neck and over my heated shoulders until finally, a powerful shiver warps my spine. I shudder in his grasp and gooseflesh spreads across my arms and legs as if I’ve just caught a chill.

James releases my shoulders from his grip and two slightly callused fingers slide down my spine.

I bite my lip, immediately jolted back to the countless nights James and I would be in a similar situation, only he was taking my dress off rather than helping me put it on.

Is it weird for us to do this? Although, out of everyone attending this dance, maybe he’s the only one who can.

James locates the zipper and tugs it upward. With guidance from his other hand, the fabric of my dress slowly pulls together over my back as he zips me up. The dress closes around my waist, then my ribs, and finally, my bust as the zipper reaches the top. Then James’s broad hands press against my back, and he smooths the fabric all the way down to my ass.

“Better?” James asks.

It’s only then that I realize I was so caught up in his touch that I forgot all about being overheated and stressed. Pressing my lips together, I slowly turn to face him and his hands fall away from my body.

“Yes,” I say softly. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Lily, I might not have been in this town for long, but I know that this place is full of good people. If there’s a way for this clinic to happen, your cakes will definitely make it happen.”

I roll my eyes. “If you say so. Now get out. I need to fix my makeup.”

“Oh, is that more revealing than you half in a dress?”

“Out!” I shove him playfully. He laughs and dips out of the room.

In his absence, my heart races once again. What the hell am I doing, acting like some giddy teenager?

Shoving those thoughts aside, I touch up the last of my makeup, throw on a dark lip, and then meet James outside.

“I didn’t even notice your tux earlier,” I say as I loop my hand around his offered elbow. “I’m sorry. You look good.”

“Thanks.” James adjusts the collar with his free hand. “It’s been a while since I wore one of these.”

“Let me guess, you had to order one just for tonight.”

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