The Christmas Crusade Read online

“I look ridiculous!” Kat stepped into her office and pulled the T-shirt away from her chest.

  Chuckles erupted out of Molly despite her best effort to hold them back. “Yes, you do, but you either wear that or a blouse covered in hot chocolate. What’s it gonna be?” While she spoke, Molly held Kat’s jacket, watching as the woman slid her arms into the sleeves. “With your suit jacket covering it, you can hardly see the shirt at all. Too bad your scarf is all sticky. If I’d remembered to wear one today, you could have borrowed mine.”

  “Yes, too bad,” Kat observed dryly as she stuffed papers and a file into her bag then slipped on her trench coat. Molly already had her stained blouse and scarf in hand, along with the empty bag from the teen store.

  Kat pulled cash out of her wallet and handed it to her receptionist. “Make sure you replace this shirt. Which one of your sisters was going to get it?”

  “Emily. She’s goofy over Niall Horan.” Molly pointed to his face on the T-shirt.

  Kat glanced down. A smile worked free despite her current predicament. “At least she has good taste. He’s a cutie.”

  “That he is.”

  “Will you have time to pick up another shirt before you head home tonight?” Kat asked as Molly walked her to the elevator.

  “No, but that’s okay. I saw this and bought it for Christmas. I’ll pick up another one tomorrow on my lunch break.” Molly waved as Kat stepped into the elevator and punched the lobby button.

  “When you drop my blouse at the cleaners, take a few extra minutes to do a little shopping. In fact, take the rest of the afternoon off, Molly. You’ve earned it. Have a good evening.”

  “You, too, boss lady.” Molly beamed as the elevator doors closed.

  Kat seriously doubted good would describe the rest of her day. She tied the belt of her coat and opened her umbrella once she stepped outside. Carl hailed a cab for her and she hurried into the warmth of the car, giving the driver the address of Center for Hope, located in a low-income section of an area that struggled with gang activity and violent crimes.

  Before she’d broken up with Levi, she once accompanied him to the center when he dropped off some papers for the director. The poverty of the people in the area and the derelict condition of many buildings caught her off guard. It was a wonder that entire blocks of the neighborhood hadn’t been condemned and razed.

  The cab driver glanced back at her, concerned. “You sure that’s where you want to go, lady?”

  “I’m sure, but thank you for checking.” Kat pulled out her phone and tapped in a few notes she’d need in the morning for a meeting and answered a text from her grandfather. The old goat reminded her about her meeting with Levi.

  Although he claimed he had no interest in the sponsorship other than helping the center and generating good will for the company, she began to question what spurred his sudden interest in the city’s charities, in particular Center for Hope.

  Kat’s phone beeped. She opened a message from Brenna with a new photo of Alex. His sweet little face and dark hair softened her heart and made her pause for a minute to smile at the image. She sent Brenna a text message:

  Are you trying to kill me? He’s too adorable for words!

  Brenna replied with a smiley face and two pink hearts.

  Kat placed her phone in her bag then took a deep breath followed by another, determined to calm her jumbled nerves before meeting with Levi. An hour spent in his presence going over details would no doubt prove to be a trying experience.

  She closed her eyes and attempted to picture a field of flowers, blue sky, anything to divert her thoughts from how handsome Levi looked when she’d seen him two weeks ago.

  “Are you sure you want me to leave you here?” The cab driver frowned over his shoulder at her as he pulled up to the curb in a rough neighborhood. The building he parked in front of had been recently painted and looked out of place among the other structures in various stages of deterioration.

  “Yes, please, but thank you again.” Kat paid the driver and gave him a generous tip before leaving the warmth of the car. Anxious to be out of the damp weather, she opened her umbrella against the steady fall of bone-chilling rain. A fortifying breath and a hasty pep talk got her feet moving forward, up the steps and into the building.

  The entry foyer of the center looked as neat and tidy as the outside with a freshly applied coat of paint on the walls. Recently resurfaced floors gleamed brightly, garnering her admiration as she dripped water on a mat in front of the double doors.

  No one greeted her, so she shook off the rain droplets clinging to her coat and umbrella then walked across the foyer to a hall. A door with an “office” sign on the front caught her eye. She turned the knob, but it was locked.

  Certain she had the correct date for their meeting, the sound of cheers and youthful laughter caught her attention, drawing her down the hall. She stopped in the doorway to a gymnasium and watched a group of teen boys dribble a basketball down the court toward the basket. In the middle of the group, a taller, broader figure grabbed her interest. She watched as Levi passed the ball to a gangly youth who leaped into the air and sank it into the basket.

  “That’s what I’m talking about, man!” Levi high-fived the boy and playfully slapped the backs of several others. “Way to go, Jep.”

  Entranced by the sight of Levi wearing a tank top and shorts, she stood transfixed. His hair was a tousled mess and sweat glistened on his neck, running onto his shoulders.

  From the few times she’d been held close in his arms, she knew Levi had muscles to spare. The sight of him in the tank top, acting like an overgrown boy, made her knees quiver while a swarm of emotions swirled into a frenzied flight in her midsection.

  In no hurry to announce her presence, Kat leaned against the wall just inside the doors and watched while Levi cheered on the boys as they played. When a boy with bright blue hair sank the ball through the hoop, Levi knuckle-bumped him and turned around, noticing Kat waiting for him.

  He raised a hand in greeting, said something to the boys she couldn’t hear, then jogged across the floor.

  “Hey, Kat, I’m so sorry. The boys talked me into playing with them and I completely lost track of time. Have you been waiting long?”

  “No. Not long at all,” Kat said, surprised she could speak coherently when Levi tugged his shirt over his head and used it to wipe the sweat off his face and neck. His washboard abs and chiseled chest made moisture flood her mouth. She swallowed hard and followed him as he walked back down the hall to the office.

  He pulled a key ring from the pocket of his shorts, unlocked the door, and motioned for her to precede him.

  “The center employs a full-time office assistant and a handful of counselors, but due to one thing or another, they’re all gone right now,” Levi explained. He unlocked the door to his office and held out a chair for Kat.

  Unsettled by Levi’s half-naked form, she sank onto the edge of a chair. Oblivious to her unsettled state, he grabbed a clean T-shirt out of a cupboard and pulled it over his head before taking a seat behind the desk.

  “So, shall we get down to business?” Levi opened a file and smiled at Kat.

  Numbly, she nodded, still unable to speak although she did manage to scoot back in her chair and open her bag. After removing a file and her electronic tablet, she glanced across the desk at Levi.

  She wondered what would happen if she ran her fingers through his messy hair and placed a kiss to his inviting lips. Memories of the dark, decadent flavor of his mouth caused hers to water with wanting.

  Rather than surrender to her longing, she unwrapped a piece of gum and stuffed it in her mouth then flipped open the file.

  “I know Mr. Harchett committed to donating ten thousand dollars to the center, but would you be open to some ideas that could quadruple that amount?” Kat spent the next thirty minutes discussing details with Levi.

  As they went over plans, Kat’s temperature continued to climb until she thought she might suffocate
. It could have been the warmth of Levi’s cozy office, the fact his shirt outlined his muscled form, or the unique masculine scent of him that made her feverish. Overheated, she loosened the belt at her waist and unbuttoned her trench coat, setting it aside.

  Distracted by her attraction to Levi and the information they discussed, she forgot about the shirt she wore and removed her suit jacket, draping it over the back of the chair with her coat.

  Levi’s eyebrows nearly reached his hairline when she looked back at him. “Don’t tell me… you’ve got a thing for Harry.”

  “Harry? Harry who?” Kat scowled at him as she picked up her tablet from where she’d set it on his desk.

  “Harry Styles of One Direction.” Levi pointed to her chest. “I didn’t realize Harchett Industries had gone so casual as to allow graphic print tees as part of the dress code. Either you’re a rebel, or an exception to the rule.”

  “They haven’t, I’m not an exception or a rebel, and I most definitely do not have a thing for Harry Styles.” The glower she turned on him soon broke into a teasing smile. “If I was going to pick one, I’d choose Niall.” She fisted her hands on her hips and struck a pose. “He’s the little cutie right there.” She pointed to his face on her shirt. “Besides, it’s unforgivably rude of you to comment on my inappropriate attire. This imbecilic shirt is the cherry on top of a horrible day.”

  The lopsided grin he shot in her direction made Kat squirm in her seat before she dropped her gaze and returned to typing notes.

  Levi struggled to hang onto his control by a thin, thin thread. It was hard enough sitting across the desk from Kat with her luscious fragrance surrounding him.

  The waterfall of dark hair that draped across her shoulders and down her back called out to him. His fingers ached to reach out and bury themselves in the silky tresses as he watched her long, graceful fingers tap out the details of their discussion on her tablet.

  However, when she removed her coat and suit jacket, he thought he might have to open the window and hang his head outside. The T-shirt she wore clung to her figure, emphasizing every curve of her beautiful form. As she’d pointed to the face of one of the band members emblazoned across her chest, Levi’s heart beat so fast, he thought it might explode.

  Only the biggest kind of fool would entertain any thoughts about Kathleen Kingsley. Regardless of how attracted they were to each other, she’d made it perfectly clear three years ago she had no interest in pursuing a relationship with him.

  Short of having a brain transplant, he’d done everything humanly possible to forget her and move on. Regardless, he’d experienced the familiar magnetic pull to Kat when he saw her two weeks ago and it pulsed even stronger now.

  Aware of the sizzle arcing between them, he was surprised some of the kids hadn’t popped into the office to see what caused the light show from the electric sparks flying around the room. She could deny it to her dying day, but there was something going on with them, something even she couldn’t overlook.

  While she focused on her notes, Levi noticed the slight tremor to her fingers, the way her breath puffed out in short gasps, drawing his attention back to the ridiculous T-shirt.

  Pleased he could still rattle her cage, Levi leaned back and forced himself to answer her questions.

  After an hour, they’d worked out basic details for a fundraiser sponsored by Harchett Industries that should bring a boost to the center’s income.

  “Mr. Harchett is quite pleased by this opportunity. He said it’s a great reminder of what the season is all about,” Kat said as she placed the tablet and file inside her bag.

  “I’m glad to hear that.” Levi hurried around the desk and held Kat’s jacket for her as she slid it on. He inhaled her scent, fighting the urge to spin her around and press his lips to hers.

  She draped her trench coat over her arm, picked up her bag, and smiled at him. “I think it’s wise to meet again in a few weeks to discuss ongoing plans. By then, I should have a committee of volunteers to help with the giving tree and gala.”

  “Great. How about next time I come to you?”

  Kat nodded, stepping through the office door back into the hallway. “That would be satisfactory. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I…”

  “Let me show you the center,” Levi interrupted. He wasn’t ready to say goodbye, didn’t want her to leave. To his astonishment, she agreed.

  “I’d like that. I think it would help to know exactly what takes place here.” Kat smiled at him.

  “Right this way.” Levi motioned for her to accompany him down the hall in the opposite direction of the gym. “This building was originally a school, about a hundred years ago. We’ve been able to put on a new roof, install new windows, and recently got a new furnace. The plumbing, wiring, and some of the cosmetic repairs are still in progress.” The further they went down the hall, the more obvious it became that renovations were an ongoing project.

  Levi stopped in front of a completely refurbished room, filled with computers on small tables and a long counter across the front of the room. “This is our employment center. We offer aptitude testing and have computers available for those searching for work to look up information on job listings.” Levi led her past several rooms set up like classrooms. “We also offer a few continuing education classes through one of the colleges. Mostly business classes.”

  He showed her the kitchen and cafeteria area where they served lunch to anyone who needed a filling meal. There was a daycare area as well as a large game room where teens gathered. In fact, several of the boys she’d seen playing basketball lingered around a few old arcade-style games.

  “Hey, guys, time to pack it in and head home for the night. Get your gear and move on out.”

  Kat hid a smile as several of the boys protested but obeyed as they picked up backpacks and coats.

  Two boys wearing thin shirts and shoes with broken shoelaces picked up a grocery bag with their schoolbooks and started out the door with no coats. One of them was the basketball player named Jep.

  “Levi, did those boys forget their coats? It’s freezing out there,” Kat whispered as the boys filed out of the room and shuffled down the hall.

  “No, Kat. They don’t have coats.” Levi turned off the lights and shut the door then walked her back to the office. “I’m hopeful our coat drive will bring in coats for several of the children before the weather turns too chilly. Those two boys live a few blocks from here, so they should be fine tonight, but I do worry about them.”

  For the first time, Kat held an understanding of what Levi did, why he worked so hard in a job that offered little monetary reward. It had nothing to do with money and everything to do with his big heart. If he could afford it, Kat had no doubt Levi would purchase coats for every kid at the center and not give it another thought.

  Caught up in her musings, she didn’t notice him grab his jacket and lock his office until his hand settled on her arm.

  “Can you wait a minute, Kat? I’ll be right back.”

  Surprised by the warmth of his hand on her arm, she nodded her head and watched as Levi ran down the hall. He ducked inside several open doors, turning off lights and checking rooms before he returned to her side and flicked off the hall lights.

  “Come on, I’ll walk you out. Where did you park?” Levi locked the center doors then turned to look at her.

  “I took a cab. I’ll just call for one and wait here for it to arrive.” Kat’s eyes darted to a group of men loitering across the street. The way they sized her up caused the hair on the back of her neck to stand on end. She stepped closer to Levi, grateful for his presence.

  He shook his head and placed a hand on her elbow. “I don’t think so, Kat. That’s not a good idea. Not at all. I’ll take you home.”

  “No, Levi. I don’t want to bother you. I should have driven my car and just didn’t think about it. I’ll be fine.” Kat started to call a cab company, but he took the phone from her hand and pulled her along behind him.

  �
��It’s not that far out of my way and I’ll rest easier knowing you safely arrived home. For the record, I would not let you stand here and wait by yourself.” Levi opened the door to his old red and white pickup. Kat recalled it had been his pride and joy when she’d dated him. It looked like he gave it just as much care now as he had then.

  “But, Levi…”

  “To recap, you can either let me take you home or I’ll sit here and wait with you until the cab comes. We both know by the time you call and one arrives, I could have you at your apartment door.”

  “Fine. Take me home, please.” Kat lifted her hands in surrender then grinned impishly. “I can’t believe you’re still driving this old truck, even if you do keep it in perfect condition.”

  Levi smiled and gave her his hand as she climbed into the pickup in her narrow skirt and high heels. He took a moment to admire the view before jogging around to the driver’s side and sliding behind the wheel.

  “You still live at the same place?” he asked, starting the pickup and turning on the heater. It had stopped raining while he showed Kat around the center, but it was still nippy outside.

  “I do. Same apartment building, same place, same everything.” Kat settled her bag at her feet then fastened her seat belt.

  “Not same everything. I definitely would have remembered that T-shirt.” Levi smirked at her as he put the truck in gear and pulled out on the street. “So, what’s the deal with that choice of attire? Are you really a One Direction groupie? Aren’t you a little old for that kind of thing?” Levi knew his teasing words would either make her laugh or irritate her. Any form of distraction was welcome.

  Thankful the darkness hid the blush searing her cheeks with heat, Kat settled back into the seat. “Don’t be an idiot. If you must know the truth, I spilled hot chocolate all over my favorite blouse and my receptionist just happened to have the shirt at her desk. It was either wear this or go without.”

  Levi waggled an eyebrow at her. “I wouldn’t have minded without. Is that still an option?”

  Refusing to dignify his question with a response, she wracked her brain for a diversion from the attraction flaming between them. “So, how’s Mike?” she blurted out the question. “I haven’t seen him around for a while.”