The Christmas Crusade (Silverton Sweethearts Book 2) Read online

  “Don’t let Red hear you call him a junk heap. This is a fine example of automotive craftsmanship.” Levi lovingly rubbed his hand along the dashboard.

  “Be that as it may, if you really wouldn’t mind taking me somewhere, I’m starving. Do you think we could swing by that burger place where they make everything from scratch?”

  Levi stared at Kat. “Are you kidding me?”

  She lifted a shapely eyebrow. “I do not kid about those burgers or fries. Go or no?”

  A deep chuckle rumbled out of Levi’s chest. The sound captivated Kat.

  He reached out and took her hand in his, lifting the back of it to his lips. “I could kiss you. Any woman who would willingly grab a burger after all that fancy schmancy food is tops in my book.”

  Flustered by his teasing, Kat tried to think of something witty to say, but couldn’t chase her thoughts together long enough to come up with anything.

  Her brain zeroed in on Levi saying he could kiss her. That’s exactly what she wanted. Dozens of his kisses and she didn’t really care how, when, or where he delivered them.

  Distraught by her intense yearning for him, she turned to look out the window as he pulled into the burger joint’s parking lot.

  “Drive-through or go inside?” he asked.

  Kat pointed to the big outdoor menu board shaped like a hamburger. “Drive-through. Don’t they close in about ten minutes?”

  “Yeah, they do.” Levi whipped into the drive-through lane and placed their orders then pulled up to the window to pay.

  The attendant stared at them for a long moment before blinking twice and accepting the cash Levi held out to her.

  “Here’s your change, sir,” she said, giving him a handful of coins. “It will only be a minute.” She grinned and pointed to his pickup. “We don’t see too many people in old trucks dressed like that come through here.”

  “I suppose you don’t.” Levi dropped the change into the pickup’s ashtray then drummed his fingers on the steering wheel while they waited.

  It took about five minutes for the girl to return with their order. “I double-bagged it so the grease wouldn’t leak through. Didn’t want you to get those outfits dirty.”

  “Thanks so much,” Levi said with a grin, then handed the teenager a tip. “Have a nice evening.”

  The girl’s face brightened. “You, too!”

  Levi set the food on the floorboard next to the gearshift then pulled out of the parking lot. “Want to stop somewhere and eat this or take it to your apartment?”

  “My place is fine.” Kat continued staring out the window, not trusting herself to look at Levi or stay out of the food. The aroma of the burgers blended with Levi’s scent that lingered in the cab of the truck, creating a combination that might prove fatal to her system.

  A few minutes later, Levi parked the truck in front of her apartment building and hurried around to offer his assistance. A stab of disappointment pricked at her when he merely took her hand and helped her out instead of sweeping her into his arms.

  He stretched across the cab and grabbed the bag of food while Kat hobbled toward the door.

  Levi pulled her to a halt. “Are you limping?”

  “It’s nothing. I know better than to wear such high heels to an event like this, but they matched my dress.”

  “Women! What is this crazy need you all seem to have to destroy your feet for fashion’s sake?” Levi grumbled. He bent over and placed his shoulder against Kat’s midsection, lifting her like a sack of potatoes.

  She shrieked and grabbed onto the first thing she could reach, which just happened to be his firm rear end. He jumped at the unexpected touch, but didn’t set her down, continuing to the front door of her building. A doorman he’d met before grinned so broadly, Levi thought he might drop his dentures.

  “Evening Dr. Clarke, Miss Kingsley. Nice to see you both.”

  “Oh!” Kat huffed, but Levi merely tipped his head to the friendly older gent and hurried to the elevator. He pushed the button and as soon as the door opened, he stepped inside.

  “Levi, if you don’t set me down this minute, I will scream like the devil himself is inside the elevator.” Kat tried to glare at him from her precarious perch over his shoulder.

  He chuckled and ignored her threat.

  “Settle down, Kat, and enjoy the ride. We’re almost there.” He turned his face and stared at her very attractive backside, covered by the long skirt of her dress. The thoughts washing over him made his temperature climb so high, he wondered if he might combust.

  Before he burst into flame, the elevator door dinged open and he hurried down the hall to Kat’s door. Not quite yet ready to set her down, he snatched the keys from her hand, unlocked the door, and carried her inside.

  When the door clicked shut behind him, she swatted his rear.

  “You are the most arrogant, obstinate, infuriating man!” Kat fumed as he bent over and set her on the couch. Her long skirt puffed around her and the perfectly coiffed hair on top of her head listed far off to one side.

  “Don’t forget it, doll.” Levi dropped the food on Kat’s coffee table then flipped her skirts up far enough to see her feet. He pulled off her shoes and began massaging her toes.

  She leaned back and moaned. “If that didn’t feel so good, I’d kick you where it counts.”

  Levi lifted an eyebrow and continued rubbing her feet. “You can’t kick the man that feeds you.”

  “True, except I’m still starving and those burgers smell so good.” Kat removed Levi’s tux jacket and draped it over the back of the couch then rose to her feet.

  Levi felt trapped in some sort of slow motion torture device as Kat removed the long black gloves she wore, one finger at a time. He clenched his jaw as she casually draped them over a chair. To make matters worse, she pulled the pins from her hair and shook out the heavy mass as she walked into the kitchen. Fear that he might give in to his longing to run his hands through the shining waves forced him to look away.

  She washed her hands at the kitchen sink and pulled out an apron Brenna had given her as a gag gift one year for her birthday. Everyone knew Kat could barely make toast without setting the kitchen on fire.

  When she turned around with two plates in hand, Levi stood at the table devoid of his shirt. The white undershirt he wore perfectly outlined his form and caused Kat’s fingers to tremble so violently she almost dropped the plates. Quickly setting them on the table, she turned back around and grabbed two glasses and a carton of milk from her fridge.

  “I don’t drink soda and I’m out of juice. I might be able to scrounge up a cup of tea or hot chocolate if you’d rather. I’d make some coffee, but it will keep me awake for hours if I do.” It wasn’t the caffeine, but the vision of Levi in that undershirt that would disrupt her sleep.

  “Milk’s fine.” Levi grinned and flexed the muscles of his biceps. “It does a body good, doesn’t it?”

  “Too much good,” Kat mumbled under her breath as she opened the bag of food and distributed the burgers and fries on their plates. Unable to look at Levi without her mouth watering, she focused on her food. “Is there some reason you’re half undressed?”

  “Half undressed?” Taken aback by her question, Levi held the burger in front of his mouth, ready to take a bite. “I took off my shirt so I wouldn’t drip burger juice on it.” He shot her a playful wink. “If you want to take off your dress, I won’t say a word. I’ll even volunteer to help.”

  “Humph!” The searing heat in her cheeks made her even more uncomfortable as she dipped a French fry in a puddle of ranch dressing and popped it in her mouth.

  They remained silent as they ate. Eventually, Levi leaned back and rubbed a hand over his flat stomach, noting the dribble of burger juice on his undershirt. He pointed it out to Kat as she took the last bite of her burger. “See? What did I tell you? I’ve yet to eat one of these burgers without making a mess.”

  “That’s what makes them so good. You can’t go wrong with
a burger that drips beefy juice down your arm.” She wiped her fingers on a napkin, rose to her feet, and carried their plates and glasses to her dishwasher. After setting them inside, she washed her hands and removed her apron.

  “I guess I better get out of here. Mike and I promised Brock and Brenna we’d go to church with them in Silverton tomorrow then help hang Christmas lights on their house. If we’re going to make it to the service on time, I’ll have to get up early.”

  Kat watched as Levi picked up his shirt and jacket, but didn’t bother to put either on. She walked with him to the door, wishing he would stay yet anxious for him to go.

  If he remained in her apartment any longer, she shouldn’t be held responsible for shoving him down on the couch and kissing him until her head spun.

  The raspy feel of his work-roughened fingers caressing her cheek drew her gaze to his. The smoldering fire in his eyes weakened her resolve to keep him at arm’s length.

  He needed to leave.

  Immediately.

  However, instead of opening the door and pushing him out into the hall, she took a step closer to him.

  “Thank you for bringing me home and buying me dinner.” Her gaze locked onto his lips, onto how much she wanted them to tempt and tantalize hers.

  “Anytime, Kathleen. I can’t begin to thank you for everything you did for the center. The gala tonight was incredible.” Levi’s thumb stroked across her full bottom lip. Tingles started at her head and coursed down to her toes at the soft touch. “And in case I failed to mention it earlier, you are so beautiful you take my breath away.”

  “Levi…” her whisper held a plea, a promise.

  “Oh, what the…” Levi dropped his shirt and jacket and urgently pulled her against him. His mouth crushed against hers in a driven, demanding kiss that chased every thought from her mind. Every thought except how right it felt to be back in his arms. His hands slid down her back, and she pressed closer against him, surrendering to the feverish need to taste him, to hold him, to own him.

  The sound of her phone ringing brought her crashing back to reality. She jerked away from him, chest heaving as she panted for breath.

  “Levi! We can’t… I shouldn’t… you won’t…” Kat inhaled a deep breath. She picked up his shirt and jacket, handing them to him. Quickly opening the door, she stepped away from him, away from undeniable temptation. “That shouldn’t have happened and there won’t be a repeat performance. From now on, no more flirting or teasing. And definitely no more kissing. Understood?”

  Dejected and disappointed, Levi took her chin in his hand and forced her to look at him since she seemed intent on staring at her feet as she spoke. When her gaze met his, he saw the desire still burning in her eyes. “Deny it all you want, Kat, but you want more than to just be friends. You know it and I know it. When you’re ready to accept it, let me know. Until then, I’ll keep my hands and lips to myself.”

  Without another word, Levi turned and marched out the door.

  Quietly, Kat closed it behind him and sank down to the floor, burying her face in her hands. It had nearly killed her to push Levi away three years ago. She didn’t know if she had the strength to do it a second time.

  Chapter Six

  “I can’t believe how much food Levi collected,” Kat said as she and Brenna helped fill boxes lined end to end on tables and across the floor of the gymnasium at Center for Hope.

  Brock and Brenna had joined Mike, Levi, Kat, and a dozen other volunteers on the Saturday before Christmas to stuff cardboard boxes full of pantry staples.

  “Levi can be quite relentless.” Brenna grinned at her friend as they added bags of rice to boxes. “Especially when it’s something he really wants.”

  Kat glared at Brenna, ignoring the double meaning to her comment. Since the night of the charity gala, Levi remained professional when the need arose for the two of them to interact. Although she wouldn’t admit it, Kat missed his teasing comments and flirtatious manner. Despite his cool façade, she could still see the fire in his eyes when she caught him studying her.

  The reasons she couldn’t have a relationship with him hadn’t changed since she’d tearfully explained to him three years ago she wouldn’t let emotions derail her career plans. On top of her own ambition to succeed, her grandfather expected her to follow in his footsteps. She was doing her best to make it happen.

  Levi was a distraction to her work, one she could ill afford. When she was with him, she didn’t care about anything else.

  The only way to salvage all she’d worked for at Harchett Industries had been to walk away from Levi and not look back.

  Now that he’d reappeared in her life, Kat began to wonder if perhaps she should have followed her heart instead of her need to earn her grandfather’s approval.

  Regret weighed heavy on her mind as she added packages of pasta to the boxes. A hand on her back drew her gaze to Brenna’s concerned face.

  “Are you sure you’re okay, Kat? You don’t seem like yourself today. I haven’t heard a single sarcastic comment and you haven’t called me a dork once.” Brenna placed a hand on Kat’s forehead and grinned. “Are you running a fever?”

  Kat smiled and caught Brenna’s hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. “You’re hilarious. Come on. Let’s get back to work. We’ve got approximately a million boxes to fill before we can finish up this little project.”

  Brenna rolled her eyes. “I believe you’ve slightly exaggerated the number. I thought Levi said he had enough boxes for three hundred families.”

  Kat dismissively waved her hand at Brenna. “Whatever. After the first fifty, it might as well be a million. My back is killing me.”

  “Maybe I can help with that.” A deep voice spoke from behind Kat, startling her. She spun around and stared at Levi as he stood nearby with his hands full of a case of peanut butter.

  Brenna cleared a spot for him to set down the case then began adding jars to boxes. Levi stepped behind Kat, placed his hands on her shoulders and massaged her tense muscles.

  It felt good to have Levi close, to feel the warmth of his hands sinking through her blouse and into her heart. Slowly, she relaxed and enjoyed his ministrations. Her head tipped forward and she shifted her ponytail out of the way, granting him better access to her neck.

  His hands stilled for a long moment. He sucked in a sharp breath before he resumed kneading her tight muscles.

  A moan of pleasure slipped out of Kat’s mouth. “That feels so good, Levi.”

  His hands tightened before he dropped them and stepped away.

  “It’s the least I can do since you’ve given up your Saturday to help and brought extra hands.” Levi pointed to where Molly and her sisters placed flour and sugar in boxes.

  “We’re glad to help. It really is exciting to think about how many people will enjoy a special Christmas because of all this.” Kat waved her hand around them. “You’re doing such a good thing here, Levi.”

  “Thanks.” He gave her a nod and smiled at Brenna before rushing off.

  “You know,” Brenna sidled up next to Kat and dropped her voice, “I could be completely wrong, but it wouldn’t take much effort on your part to wrap Levi around your finger.”

  Kat frowned and went back to work. “I don’t want him wrapped around my finger.” Or my heart, or monopolizing every thought in my head! She sighed. “I just want to be friends. That’s all.”

  “Mmm, hmm.” Brenna gave her a knowing look. “You just keep telling yourself that. Go right ahead and fib like that this close to Christmas. Santa’s watching, you know. You’re going to end up with a stocking full of coal, maybe not even that. You could wind up on the list of little girls so naughty Santa writes them off for life.”

  Kat laughed at Brenna’s dire predictions. “Now I’m really worried.”

  “You ought to be.” Brenna waggled an index finger in a scolding fashion. “Seriously, Levi is one of the nicest, sweetest guys on the planet. He’s handsome and fun and he’s…”

&n
bsp; The hand Kat placed over Brenna’s mouth to silence her made the woman giggle.

  “Can we focus on filling these boxes, Brenna? If you want to talk, let’s discuss your bistro or Alex, or anything other than my love life, or the lack thereof.”

  Brenna shrugged. “It’s only lacking because you refuse to open your eyes and see how much Levi cares about you. Why don’t you let yourself fall for him?”

  Kat tipped her head back and stared at the ceiling then looked at her friend. “Brenna, you know I can’t do a career and a family. I just can’t. That’s why I broke up with Levi in the first place. He made me want the whole package.”

  “Whole package?” Brenna asked. “What does that mean?”

  “The whole package is what you have with Brock. The house with the white picket fence, the kooky dog, the adorable baby. I want it all, Brenna. If I can’t have it all, I won’t take any of it.”

  Brenna reached over and wrapped her arms around Kat’s shoulders, giving her a warm hug. “Why can’t you have it all?”

  “How would I have time for a husband, let alone anything else? I spend all my time at work and when I’m not at the office, I’m at some office-sponsored event.” Kat sighed. “I hire a housekeeper, can’t cook, and possess no domestic skills whatsoever. I’m not exactly marriage material.”

  Much to Kat’s dismay, Brenna laughed. “Oh, poor little rich girl.” Brenna softened her words with a wink. “Since when did domestic skills become a requirement for falling in love?”

  “Isn’t that what all guys want? A little wife to stay at home, cook and clean, meet every need their cavedweller brains conceive?”

  “Not all guys are like that and you know it. Brock knows how hard I worked to start my bistro and I’m not ready to give it up. Sometimes our house is messy and we order pizza for dinner. We’re still getting the hang of this parenting stuff, but we’ll make it work because for me, for us, being together is more important than anything else.” Brenna looked across the room to where Levi joked with Mike and Brock. “If you really want to make it work, Kat, you’ll find a way. Besides, it seems to me you’ve been spending less time at the office and quite a lot with Levi the past few months.”