The silence on the other end of the phone was deafening.Did she say something wrong?It wouldn’t be out of character for her when it came to holidays, considering she hated them.Who could blame her?She didn’t have any family left, and with the constant moving, she’d never put down roots.But didn’t Stan have family to celebrate Christmas with?She couldn’t intrude, and he wouldn’t want her to stay so close to the holidays—right?
“I really hope that isn’t the case, Kalliopi.I’d hoped we could spend some time together while you’re here.”
“Oh.”Kalliopi let out a long breath while she grappled with what to say to him because, truth be told, her mind was racing with far too many sexy thoughts, which she shouldn’t even be entertaining.Lord knew she wanted nothing more than to grab some beers and burgers.Possibly his ass, too, but was that even possible?They’d be working together, and dating—especially so close to the holidays—would complicate things, no matter how casual they made it.Not to mention the fact that they lived 6,227.38 miles from each other.Yeah, she’d looked it up and decided to go with the miles conversion because they were 10022 kilometers away from each other, which seemed much farther than it did in miles.
Sure, she’d tried a long-distance relationship before, but the helicopter ride had only been an hour’s distance.How could she make a relationship across the globe work?And that was given they even decided to try.
Still, she couldn’t deny that it would be nice to cuddle up with more than a blanket this holiday season, not to mention getting a kiss under the mistletoe or after the countdown on New Year’s Eve.The possibilities swirled around in her head.
The man saved your life, Kallie!The least you can do is grab a burger with him without overanalyzing everything!
Who was she kidding?Even something as simple as going to a pub was a big deal to her.She hadn’t had a burger at a bar in ages!Not since before she dated the one-who-shall-remain-nameless.He was a steak and champagne sort of guy, not one to ever step foot in an establishment that offered peanuts at the bar, and Kallie should have realized from the beginning that even though opposites may attract, they don’t always manage to connect on a meaningful level for a lasting relationship.
“Look, before you say no, Kalliopi, will you hear me out?”
“What makes you think I was going to say no?”She sucked in a breath.FUCK!I shouldn’t have said that!Now he’ll think he has a chance with me.
Yeah, her brain might be trying to deny wanting a date, but Gerti—a name she’d given her lady bits after the man-who-shall-remain-nameless cheated on her—wanted nothing more than to say yes to a date with the sexy bear.What was wrong with Gerti?Why, after so long, had she decided she wanted a say in this?She never had before, so why now, of all times, when she should be focusing on a big important MILF project?
“I’m not sure what your island does for the holidays, but around here, it’s about as Christmasy as it gets.I’d be remiss if I didn’t show you a classic Canadian winter holiday.”
“Stan, I’d love for you to show me around British Columbia.”She surprised herself with the measured words that left her mouth.“However, I have to be honest… I’m not that into the holidays.”As soon as the words flew out of her lips, her mouth went bone-dry.She shouldn’t have mentioned it.Now he’s going to ask me to explain myself.Why would she do this to herself?She had hated the holidays ever since she had lost her sister, but she didn’t want to have to explain that to someone she hardly knew.
“That’s okay,” Stan said after a pause.“I’m sure we can find some place to eat that isn’t dripping with twinkle lights.”
She laughed at that, mostly in relief that he wasn’t prodding.“Okay, then it’s a date.”Her heart thudded wildly in her chest.Fuck me, I can’t believe this is happening.
Stan cleared his throat before responding.“So, it’s a date…is it?”
Crap!Did I misread all of this?Was he offering to show me around as a co-worker, and I made it awkward by assuming he was asking me out?
Kalliopi’s hand grew so clammy the phone began sliding from her grip.
“Yeah, two work colleagues getting together and possibly grabbing a bite… That’s the term we use here on the islands for something like that.”And there was the backpedalling.It was a little late, and not even a good excuse, but she should try to save face—right?Right?
“Perhaps once you get here, I’ll teach you what the term ‘it’s a date’ means here in BC, Kallie.”
His voice vibrated with a sexiness that was panty-incinerating.And the way he said her name dripped with full-on seduction.Clearly, this was his superpower.
“Well, I’m not big on the commercialism of Christmas, but with that sexy voice?I just might let you con me into some holiday fun.Goodbye, Stan.”
Who tells the person they are about to work with they have a sexy voice?She shook head and hung up before she embarrassed herself further.Her eyes darted to the window on her office door, where Treasure was peeking in.Had she listened to the whole conversation?
“Did you get your fill?”Kalliopi called out.
Treasure burst through the door.“That went well!So come on, let’s go shopping now.”
“I’m not done with work for at least four more hours, Treas.”
“I know, but I am your boss, and I say you are done for the day.”
“I’m not getting out of this, am I?”
“Nope!”
Kalliopi admitted defeat by sighing and pulling her purse from the bottom drawer of her desk before shrugging on her sweatshirt.
3
