Free Engaged off Bourbon Street (Jade Calhoun Short Story, Book 3.5) by Deanna Chase Page B

everyone leaves.”
    Oh God . How fast could I get rid of everyone?
    Ting. Ting. Ting .
    “Damn it,” I whispered.
    Kane’s mouth covered mine, his tongue dancing over mine.
    Ting. Ting. Ting .
    I gently pushed him back, more than a little breathless. “They’re here.”
    “They can wait.” He dipped his head once more and clutched me close to his body as he made my head spin with one more toe-curling kiss. Everything pulsed.
    He pulled away with a satisfied smile. “We should have mistletoe year round.”
    I shook my head, laughing. “This one’s not even up yet.” I held out the bundle. “Will you hang it for me?”
    “Sure, but you’ll have to pay for it.” He winked and placed the whipped cream in the fridge.
    I moved closer, intending to settle my debt.
    Ting. Ting .
    Damn doorbell. “I’m coming,” I shouted and ran to the entryway. Right before I reached the door, it swung open all on its own.
    “Nice trick,” Pyper said, sweeping into the house. She wore a skintight red velvet minidress. Silver faux fur lined the hem and her wrists. For once, her hair was all black, any traces of shocking hot pink gone. I’d never seen her hair all one color before.
    “Wow. Sexy,” I said.
    “That was the plan.” She grinned and leaned in to give me a hug, but at the last minute, she planted her lips on mine and gave me more than I’d bargained for.
    “Whoa,” I sputtered, pulling away. Holy crap, she’d just slipped me the tongue.
    I nodded to Ian, her sort-of boyfriend. “Has she been dipping into the nog already?”
    He stared at us, his eyes bright with surprise. Then he gave us his easy smile. “Wow, that was some greeting.”
    Pyper laughed but turned away, and I swear her face turned the color of her velvet dress.
    “Pyper?” I stared after her as she strode across the ballroom.
    She cleared her throat. “I’m going to say hi to Kane.”
    I turned to Ian. “That was weird.”
    He grinned and moved toward me. Just as he leaned in, he pointed at the mistletoe above my head.
    I jumped out from under the dang thing, flashing him an apologetic smile. “I need to get something from the kitchen. Make yourself at home.” The very last thing I needed was Ian, the guy I almost dated before Kane, kissing me. Besides, I’d seen enough lips in the last five minutes. I scooted into the kitchen and leaned against the inner wall.
    “I don’t know why. It just happened,” Pyper said to Kane, distress ringing in her voice.
    “What happened?” I moved to stand next to Kane. “Did Ian do something?”
    “No...I...” Pyper turned pleading eyes on Kane.
    He snorted.
    “It’s not funny!” She smacked him on the arm.
    I placed a hand on my hip. “What’s going on?”
    Kane draped an arm over my shoulders and whispered, “She’s embarrassed about what just happened.”
    I frowned, not sure what to say.
    “The kiss,” Kane prompted.
    “Oh... well.” I bit my lip. “I was a little surprised, but it’s no big deal.”
    “You’re engaged!” Pyper blurted. “To him.” She waved at Kane, as if we weren’t aware. “And you’re not gay.”
    I laughed. “No. But I’m sure I’m not the first straight girl you’ve ever kissed.”
    “Definitely not,” Kane confirmed, his eyes crinkled in amusement.
    “You’re not mad?” she asked both of us. “I mean, things aren’t going to get weird, are they?”
    Kane and I glanced at each other. Then we both shook our heads.
    I shrugged. “It’s just mistletoe.”
    She glanced up at the bundle overhead and stepped forward. Then she seemed to consciously stop herself. She spun around, and without looking back, she strode back out into the ballroom.
    I took Kane’s hand in mine. “You’re really not upset?”
    He shook his head, his eyebrows pinched in confusion. “I might have been a little concerned if she hadn’t been so wigged about it. But she didn’t seem herself at all.”
    “So if she’d brushed it off as nothing, you would’ve