One Kiss:. Lisa Fox

could have been dire.”

      He used her distraction to pull his wallet out and pay the driver before she could. She scowled at him, but he only smiled sweetly in return. She despised it when he paid or opened doors for her or did anything like that and it was always a triumph when he got to treat her.

      He climbed out of the cab and an icy wind whipped down Perry Street. The forecast had been calling for snow for days and he thought maybe it was finally coming. Another breeze sliced through his heavy winter coat, and he put his arm around her shoulders to shield her from the cold. They walked up the steps huddled together, and he held her close, the warmth of her body cuddled up against his side. She had such a big personality, such a big presence, he often forgot how small she truly was, how neatly she fit in his arms.

      “All right, a kiss at midnight. I’m on it,” he said, and pressed the doorbell.

      She looked up at him from underneath his arm, her face serious, but her eyes dancing with mischief. “If it’s any consolation, I’ll call a priest for you if the worst should happen.”

      “Thank you,” he said, matching her mock-earnest tone. Did he imagine that her gaze flicked to his mouth, that for the briefest second, she licked her lower lip? Probably. But it was a damn fine delusion. “I knew I could count on you.”

      The door swung open, bathing them in a rush of heat and light. Laughter and music floated out, and the distinctive sound of a champagne cork popping made Dean smile. Maybe it was going to be a good night after all. Ron threw the door open wide, grinning broadly as he ushered them inside.

       Chapter Two

      “Kat!” Ron said, escorting them into his home. Warmth and bright lights greeted them as they entered the foyer. People dotted the Venetian-style living room in pairs and small groups, while tuxedoed waiters passed out glasses of champagne and hors d’oeuvres. Murmured conversations mixed with the snazzy ragtime music, accentuated by the occasional burst of laughter. She and Dean waved to Alan as he passed by with a tray full of festive red martinis.

      Ron kissed her on both cheeks, then pivoted on the heel of Gucci loafers to give Dean’s hand a hardy shake. “And Dean!” He smiled broadly. “I’m so glad you both came.” His gaze shifted between them. Kat caught the speculative twitch of his eyebrow as he took in Marine’s absence and Dean’s arm around her shoulders. She sighed inwardly. There was always speculation about her and Dean.

      Ron loved matchmaking. She suspected that he originally intended for her and Dean to hook up way back when she started with Sharpe Designs and became an official member of the family. On her first day, she should have been placed with another graphic artist, but Ron had sat her next to his golden-boy designer instead. In a way, Ron had achieved another one of his magic pairings. It wasn’t the love match she was certain he hoped for, but they did work well together, making some truly unique websites for the eclectic clientele of artists and authors and small businesses Sharpe Designs catered to. The firm was large enough now to have separate art and production departments, but they still sat next to one another, sharing a small alcove on the top floor of the SoHo office building the company currently occupied.