Miracle on 34th Floor Read online

  “Hmm. With ice, please.”

  “Come on back.”

  A small animal yelped at his feet. “Oh no. Who’s this?” He stepped back. “I’m sorry, I think I stepped on your dog.” Her dog licked the fingers he stretched out as an apology.

  “Oh, Jojo likes you. Sorry she’s underfoot.”

  He picked her up. “She’s a pretty little princess, isn’t she?”

  “Shih Tzu. And she believes she is, I’m sure.”

  Joylin poured them both some water. He put the dog on the floor, and they drank, staring at each other like they wanted to keep up what they’d started.

  He couldn’t take his eyes off her. “I don’t know what it is about you. Wow, you are something.”

  “I’m sorry about that. I think it’s been growing all night.”

  He laughed.

  “What?”

  “You’re just so honest. I’ve never been with a woman who I can imagine saying that.”

  “Is that…weird?”

  “No way. It’s totally hot.”

  “Oh, ha. Good.” She stepped closer, but he held up a hand.

  “No. Don’t look at me like that. It’s hot, but we have to stop.”

  She nodded then tilted her head. “I think it’s your pants.”

  He almost choked on his water. “What?”

  “You look great in those pants.” She tipped her head the other direction. “Or maybe just watching you talking to those guys today, pitching your marketing spiel.”

  “That was hot?”

  “Sure. You’re good at what you do. But maybe that wasn’t it. No. For sure, it was your Ho.” She closed in on him. “Ho.” She lifted her chin, and their mouths were close enough he could feel the puff of her breath on his lips. “Ho.”

  He kissed her again through a laugh, this time keeping himself in check and stopping after a brief goodnight. “Ho. Ho. Ho. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “What should I wear?”

  “Something that shows off those legs and doesn’t look like it belongs on the north pole.”

  “Oh, you like my elf outfit?”

  “Well, sure, but for tomorrow, maybe something that doesn’t look like it belongs at Gimbels.”

  “Got it.”

  She walked him to the door, and already he dreaded his long and cold evening alone. Before the door shut him out on the cold street, he called out, “Sleep tight.”

  She raised an eyebrow. “If I can.”

  “Dream well?”

  “More like stare at the wall, thinking of you.”

  “Then I’ll be doing the same.”

  “Eight o’clock?”

  “Eight o’clock.”

  She closed the door, and he took two breaths before he turned to hop in his car.

  “Let’s go home, Albert.”

  “Yes sir, Mr. Kringle.” He backed the car up and turned around in the street. “And might I say that she is one pretty lady.”

  “Yes, she is.”

  Once back up in his apartment, he stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows and imagined Joylin standing beside him. She would be pointing out her favorite sights. He scooted down to see his office building. They had stood on that roof. He watched the flickering lights of Gimbels. What a story they would have to tell if things kept being wonderful between them. No one would ever believe it.

  Work the next day dragged slower than work ever had. He secured another client for the marketing department, followed up with the guys from the bar, and basically just counted the minutes until his date with Joylin. Tonight would be special. He just wanted to hold her, but he suspected she’d be fun to dance with. She’d be fun to do anything with. She’d already made playing Santa bearable. He shook his head.

  Then Victoria walked by and sucked the fun from his thoughts. What was it about that woman? Besides the fact that she wanted to ruin his life.

  He pulled her up on Google. She had been the first in her class, president of all her clubs, and editor of her university’s review. The woman didn’t know how to not be in charge. He thought about her for a few moments and then stood before he could change his mind. The conversation he needed to have would take a lot of fortitude. He might grit his teeth, but he suspected it might improve things between them.

  He stood outside her door. She was on the phone. “I need those reports in an hour. I’d like to see what you can do.” Then she glanced up and ended the call. “Decker, I don’t think you’ve ever graced the doorway of my office. Come in.” Her pleased smile told him his hunch might be right.

  “Thank you. This is more a social visit than anything.”

  “Oh? Sit down. We both have a minute, I imagine.”

  “Things are going well for Synergy Systems.”

  “Yes, they are. Thanks to our marketing and sales departments. I’m pleased, for the most part.”

  He nodded, wanting to jump in before she started listing all the things that bothered her in his department. “I wondered if I could get your opinion about something.”

  Her eyes lit, and she leaned forward. “That’s what I’m here for. We’re a team.”

  Yep, he’d been right. She was hungry to be needed, to do her job, and to have her tentacles in every aspect of everything. But he could give her this without inflicting the whole animal on his department. “Those two men, at Pinoli’s last night, they’re with Nisco.”

  “Yes, I saw that.”

  Then he asked her some specific questions about what she thought the best manner of bringing them in would entail. He praised her thoughts and then set up a dinner with her and them for next week. By the time he left her office, she was smiling and laughing with him like they were old friends. In fact, as he stood to leave, her hand on his arm might have been more friendly than he was expecting. But he’d worry about that later. He walked down the hall with a small whistle on his lips.

  Several heads in the cubicles turned and talked to one another as he walked by. What if he had a new marketing star amidst that group? He should spend some time looking at the profiles of the company’s employees. He needed to grow his team, but not with just anyone. He needed someone as ingenious as Joylin. He smiled. That woman was quickly becoming a part of all of his thoughts.

  Someone gasped to his left, but when he turned, he didn’t see anyone.

  The rest of the day went quickly. He left early to pick up flowers and take extra care with his suit and pants. He snorted. Had she been serious? She liked his pants? He turned in a half circle in front of the mirror. Then he shook his head. He looked like every other man in New York who took care of himself.

  His car pulled up in front of her house, and he hopped out just as her door opened. The legs that stepped out on her porch stretched for days. And as he took in all of her, their kiss from last night came back, and he wanted to turn her around and keep going where they’d left off. He shook his head. Get a grip. You’re not a teenager. “You, my dear Joylin, have just stolen all my thoughts.”

  She laughed. “Is that a good thing?” Her curls were piled up high on her head, with some hanging down to frame her face. One tickled her neck, and he wanted to place his lips in the dip right below her ear that shared space with that curl. He closed the distance between them. “You’re gorgeous. All night, I’m going to want you right here.” He wrapped his arms around her.

  “You look great too.” She giggled. And he liked the sound on her lips.

  “Even my pants?” He stepped back so she could take a look.

  “Especially your pants.”

  He shook his head. “Come on, you. Let’s get you out on a dance floor.”

  “Absolutely.”

  She climbed into the car, lifting her amazing legs in with her. He circled around to the other side.

  He sat as close as he could and pulled her hand into his own. “You know, this Santa gig has benefits.”

  “Does it?”

  “Sure. See, right now, my mind would normally be scheming about som
e way to see you again. And asking how soon was too soon and all that. But we’ve already got our next date set up.”

  “So true. North pole, here we come.”

  “Those kids make me laugh. Do you remember that one blond sweetheart? The one with the rosy cheeks? She had curls kind of like yours.”

  She frowned for a minute. “Maybe.”

  “Well, she was just darling. I don’t remember what she wants, but for the first time in my life, I wondered if I’d like to start having children.”

  “What! That’s so sweet. Did you really?”

  “I did. This job might be more dangerous than I thought.”

  “I think it’s great. Who wouldn’t want kids someday?”

  “Do you?”

  She paused and looked out the window. “I do. I’d love kids. But I want to do it right, you know? And so far, that hasn’t worked out.” She shrugged her bare shoulder, and he was reminded that he’d love to place his lips there. “I have plenty of time ahead.”

  He considered her. Not knowing her age, he assumed her to still be in her twenties. “Of course, you do, and people make all sorts of things work. Like, for example, if you were to kick off an amazing marketing career, there would still be space for children, right?”

  Her face flushed like it always did when they talked about her work. “Yeah, sure.” She waved her hand. “But why are we talking about kids? Oh right, ’cause of our gig at the north pole.” She leaned against him, and he wrapped his arm around her back.

  They walked up to the club. The man checked his list and let them in. The inside was decorated for the holidays, and Joylin’s small gasp made him smile. He’d gotten the impression that she’d never been here. He suspected that they walked in different crowds. And that pleased him. He wanted to do nice things for her, wanted the chance to show her things she’d never seen before.

  They moved through the first few rooms to find his favorite place. Where the music was perfect to dance to, not too loud, and they played plenty of slow songs. A love ballad was playing when they entered, so they hurried to the center of the floor and he pulled her into his arms. “This is nice.”

  His hands run down her slender, bare back and rested on her hips. She did a little wiggle, and his heart rate picked up. He laughed. “Whatcha doing there?”

  “Just messing around.” She wiggled her hips again and grinned. “Tell me, Decker, how often do you let loose and just mess around a little?”

  “Now and then.”

  She laughed. “When’s the last time?”

  “Tonight.” As he held her in his arms, the music began to pick up, and he let a new recklessness race through him. “Starting right now.”

  “That’s what I’m talking about!” She started to move to the music, and he joined her. He let his cares pound out with the beat of the music and watched the beautiful Joylin, her body’s lithe movement. Tonight was gonna be a good night.

  7

  Joylin danced for an hour with Decker before they took a break. As they moved to the bar, she looked around her for the first time. Everyone in the room was well dressed. They looked like Decker’s crowd, which was now her crowd maybe. A thrill raced through her. She was on a date with Decker Kringle. How had such a thing even happened? She pinched herself.

  As she caught her breath and fanned her face, she ordered a water. “This is awesome.”

  “You are one fun woman, Joylin, and I’ll say again just how happy I am we met.”

  She smiled. He was so charming, always saying the right things. And a gentleman. He excused himself for a minute, and as he walked away, she remembered his restraint from last night. She had all but jumped him. What had possessed her to kiss him like there was no tomorrow? She rested her head in her hand while she thought about their kiss. But he had responded. She had successfully convinced him to come in, and things would’ve gone somewhere fast if not for him catching his breath.

  He’d won some major points with her then. She’d wanted him for so long that having him in her arms at last had just rushed through her. The months of longing came to the surface and surprised her enough she’d not thought to tamp them down. And this dancing was doing more of the same.

  Decker was hot. He was the whole package, and truth be told, she felt lucky to be with him. But tonight, there would not be a repeat of the sex-crazed date routine. She really liked Decker and wanted to see where this could go in the long term. They needed to take things slow.

  When he came back, he rested a hand on her bare shoulder, and shots of fire raced through her. “You ready to go?”

  She nodded, and they took off.

  A car waited outside, this time a limo. “What’s this?”

  “I thought we could go for a drive.”

  “Oh, how fun. Yes!”

  “I know of some places with great Christmas lights, if you’re interested.”

  She liked this man more every second she spent with him, if that was possible. She climbed into the limo, and he closed the door after her. Everything about tonight had been perfect so far. She felt beautiful in her dress, and he looked amazing. Dancing with him had been exciting. They had the same style, and they both longed to be in each other’s arms. She smiled. Was this really happening to her?

  He stepped into the car, closed the divider between them and the driver, and stretched out against the door. The limo bench stretched out too far between them. So she scooted closer, his broad chest beckoning.

  As she slid over, his smile grew until she was close enough to touch. His eyes darkened. “I’ve never met anyone like you.”

  She shook her head and closed the remaining inches.

  “You’re impressive on so many levels. I love your creativity, your giving heart, your problem solving. But right now…” His eyes traveled over her. “Right now, I’m having a hard time thinking about anything other than how hot you look in that dress.”

  She smiled. Nothing could be more perfect than this night. But it was time to cool things off a little bit. “And there’s your pants.” She laughed.

  “Yes, my pants.” He reached out and ran a finger along her neckline. “I looked in the mirror, you know. I look like every other man in New York.”

  She shook her head. “No way. They hug you just right.” She wanted to swallow her tongue and stop herself from saying anything more.

  “Do they?” His eyes lit, looking absurdly pleased that she found him appealing.

  “Yes, you look incredible.” She wiggled up against him. “Where are we headed?”

  “I thought we’d look at the lights, then Rockefeller Center for something hot to drink, and then home. We have a long day tomorrow.”

  “It’s perfect. Thank you.” Things had calmed somewhat between them. He understood what she was doing and tamed his sexy looks. Soon their window was down, and she was leaning across him and pointing out lights as they drove slowly through some of the most elite and well-lit neighborhoods in New York.

  “We have a party at that house.” He pointed to one on the right that belonged in a catalogue of billionaires’ homes.

  “Is that one of the calendar dates you sent me?”

  “Yes. He’s a client. And he always wants to talk product when we’re together, so I’ll apologize right now for that, but otherwise it will be something fancy and fun to do.” He lifted their entwined hands and kissed the back of hers. “Thank you for coming with me.”

  “I’m excited to go, are you kidding me? I don’t lead the kind of lifestyle that would put me in homes like that one.” Several pings of worry started to grow. What if, when he realized she was one of the people in the cubicles at work, he changed his opinion of her? Would he be less impressed with her? She would have been unimpressed with herself, honestly. What had she done or even aspired to do? She hadn’t put her name in for a promotion or risked submitting proposals to be considered. She was not his equal in many ways.

  “Hey, what’s going on that’s got your mouth all puckered in conc
ern?” he asked.

  She laughed. “Is it?” She stuck her lips out.

  “And now you look more kissable.” He dipped his head and placed his mouth on hers, softening her pucker and melting her insides. But he kept it simple, careful. “Is something bothering you?”

  “I just looked at that house and realized we walk in different circles. I hope you won’t lose interest when you realize just how much.” Wow, that was too much, too soon. She looked away. Perfect way to scare off a good man.

  But he shook his head. “I don’t care about any of that. What I said earlier is true. If you aren’t heading your own department somewhere, you are seriously underutilized.”

  She started to shake her head.

  He toyed with her fingers. “I do this for a living. I’m a talent scout of sorts and know how to put together a team. If it wasn’t frowned upon, I’d put you on my team at work right now.”

  She sucked in a breath. That was the team she’d wanted to be on for so long. “Might be awkward if I reached under the table to squeeze your thigh during meetings.”

  He laughed. “Distracting, more like.”

  “And if things stop being cool between us, then you’d be stuck with me.” She glanced quickly up into his face then away.

  “Hey now, where is all this coming from?” He shook his head. “Neither of us know anything about where this is going. Except one thing.”

  “What?”

  “We’ve always got the north pole.”

  She laughed.

  “Let’s just relax and enjoy Christmas. We can talk about where this is going when it’s actually moving. Right now, I’m at the phase of wanting to see you every second I’m not with you. How about you?”

  “Yep. That about covers where I’m at.” And all the times at work when she saw him and couldn’t say anything. It was torture. Far worse torture than when he hadn’t known she existed.

  But something inside told her he wasn’t ready to learn the truth that she’d gone to find him as Santa, that she was just an employee in HR, and that she wasn’t nearly as awesome as he thought she was. So she just smiled. “I guess I just love where this is going.”