Mistletoe Maneuvers by Margaret Allison Read Free Book Online Page A

point of rubbing in some lotion that was on his shoulder. “You missed a spot,” she said, smiling evilly at Lessa.
    Lessa couldn’t help but resent the blatantly flirtatious act. If Rick really were her boyfriend, she would be fuming right now.
    â€œThanks,” he said, then plunged into the water.
    â€œDon’t forget your ski,” Lessa said, tossing it in. He moved out of the way just in time to avoid being clobbered. “So sorry, darling,” she said.
    Rick slipped on the ski and gave them the thumbs-up sign. He easily got up on the first try, all of his muscles taut.
    Sabrina clapped her hands before focusing her attention back on Lessa. As Lessa watched Rick ski in and out of the wake, Sabrina said, “Rick and I met on a ski boat. It was very romantic. I took a bad tumble and had to be carried off the boat. Naturally Rick volunteered. All the other men, including my date, were sitting on the boat sipping their drinks. Well, that was that.”
    Lessa nodded. What was she supposed to do? She had the feeling that Sabrina was testing her, but what could she say? “Rick is a very gallant man.”
    â€œI take it you two met at work,” Sabrina stated.
    â€œI met Rick when he came to work for my father.” Lessa could still see Rick standing before her, with his hair slicked back and his deep blue eyes, resplendent in an expensive suit. She remembered the feeling that had surged through her, a primitive need and desire so great she felt as if she might wilt away if he didn’t love her in return. “I fell in love with Rick the first moment I saw him. Of course, he didn’t know that,” she said. And suddenly, she wasn’t acting anymore. It was a true story, and recalling it now, after all these years, she could still feel the dull ache of longing for her old crush. “I was only fifteen and I don’t think he even knew I existed. But I was so infatuated with him. I used to think of excuses to go to work with my dad just to see Rick. There was a drinking fountain right outside his office. I spent hours at that fountain.”
    â€œLove at first sight,” Sabrina said sarcastically. “How sweet. So there’s a significant age difference.”
    â€œNot really. About eleven years. Rick was pretty young when he started. It’s one of those age differences that grows smaller and smaller through the years.”
    They glanced back but Rick was no longer there. Oops. Lessa was so into recalling her past love that she had forgotten to keep an eye on him.
    â€œTurn it around,” Sabrina said to the driver, pointing to a dot on the horizon.
    They went back to Rick and he climbed back onto the boat. “You looked great out there,” Sabrina said.
    He nodded toward the towel, as if hinting at Lessa to get it. She jumped up and snatched it away just as Sabrina got up. “Thanks, babe,” he said casually.
    Babe. He called her babe. She had never liked that term of endearment. Macho slang for baby, it radiated sex.
    He eyed them both and said, “What have you girls been talking about?”
    â€œIt was so sweet. Alessandra was telling me how she loved you at first sight. How she used to spend hours at the drinking fountain outside your office, just hoping for a smile from you.” And with that, Sabrina touched his cheek. “It seems as if you were just too irresistible.” Sabrina took a life preserver and fastened it on.
    â€œIs that true?” he asked Lessa, looking at her quizzically.
    â€œIt was a long time ago,” she said. “I was a kid.”
    Neither said anything else as Sabrina jumped into the water and put on her ski. As the boat took off, Rick wrapped his arm around Lessa, holding her tightly against him. They were flesh to flesh. She felt the movement of his breathing, the dampness of his skin. This was a little too close for comfort. She scooted away as she pretended to get a better look at