Page 2 of Flown in for Christmas

My mouth goes dry.Mr. Davis.

I right my feet, clear my throat, and stand stiffly against the heat radiating between us. I look up, internally scolding myself for picking my higher black heels as Mr. Davis’ dark, sultry gaze meets mine. Dammit. “Sorry, I must have misstepped,” I push out, plastering on a grateful smile. “Thank you.”

Mr. Davis grunts, releasing my arm. His dark chestnut hair is styled tight in a slicked-back look and pairs nicely with his strong, ticking jaw covered in a dusting of a five o’clock shadow. He gazes down at me from his towering six-foot-three—and I feel a tense crick in my neck staring at him from this angle.

It’s been a while since I’ve beenthisclose to him. The last week he had been stuck in his office going over end-of-the-year reports.It’s not surprising a man like Mr. Davis hit that billion-dollar mark rather quickly when he took the reins. He’s a man who tolerates zero runaround from anyone and commands the space and people who surround him.

He was a tight end in college—or so I’ve heard.

Ha.Tight end.

“I need you to send Hanes those promotion sale reports you updated this morning,” he tells me. Molten chocolate eyes sear into me.

“Oh, yes, of course,” I say. “I can take care of that now.” Quickly turning to Lisa, I add, “I’ll see you…next year.” I laugh at my lame joke.

Lisa snort-chuckles, shaking her head. “Oh, god, Joy. Don’t, please.” She waves me off. “I’ll call you. Fly safe.”

I smile, scurrying toward the door when a weighted presence looms behind me. Glancing over my shoulder as I gather my coat from my seat and head for the door. Mr. Davis follows. “You don’t need—”

He huffs, cutting me off to reach ahead and open the door to exit the banquet hall. I walk to the elevators with Mr. Davis at my side. We’re alone as we step into the elevator. We rarely are. I mean, we’ve been working together formonthsbut never quite so…alone. I hit the button for the top floor.

The silence between us is loud, but not as uncomfortable as I would’ve expected it to be. I’d imagine everyone working retail,whether that’s in the company offices or in-store, is burnt out this year.

“Where are you flying?” he asks.

The question catches me so off guard it takes a moment to register he’s talkingtome. I don’t think he’s ever asked me a question that didn’t pertain to work.

“Oh, um, California,” I reply, shifting on my heels. “LA to be specific.”

He nods. Not bothering to ask me who’s in California or what my holiday plans are. I feel a little sad he doesn’t, though I shouldn’t. “Do you have any exciting plans for the holiday break?”

The elevator dings as we reach the top floor at the same time he replies, “Going to see family.”

I smile at that, walking beside him until we reach my desk outside his office. “That’s nice.”

He strides past me without another word.

It takes me a few minutes to boot up my desktop and send the requested reports to Mr. Hanes. Once I’m done, I shut down and tug on my coat before I peek into his office from the open doorway. “Do you need anything else before I head out, sir?”

He’s seated behind his desk, his chair turned toward the floor-to-ceiling windows to gaze out over busy downtown Dallas. He has his cell phone in hand, tapping it on his bristled chin, seeming lost in his thoughts. “No.”

I bite my lip. He looksso…sad?

Sad and handsome and I wish, just for a moment, that he’d open up and tell me what’s bothering him. He works so hard; he should be enjoying all he has accomplished.

“Well, if you need me, don’t hesitate to call,” I say, pausing for a beat. “Merry Christmas, Mr. Davis.”

He doesn’t reply. Nor spare me a second glance as I sigh to myself and walk away to enjoy my hard-earned, two-week—ten-business-day—vacation.

Sand in my toes, I think to myself.

That’swhat I need this Christmas.

Two.

Nick

I lean back inmy office chair, listening to the retreating tap of Miss Bell’s heels as she takes her leave. She’s been a good addition to the team. Smart and…pretty. She’s easy to be around. I prefer her company over most these last few months.

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