Mistletoe Hearts: A Christmas Romance Novella (Harts of Idaho Book 4) Read online

  His tongue darted out and brushed across her bottom lip. She opened her mouth, granting him access. Bourbon was on his tongue, which caused her to melt even more.

  Fireworks exploded between them.

  The world faded away as they devoured each other. Neither seemed to care about the freezing cold. Cherish certainly didn’t, not as she experienced the best kiss of her life.

  “Yo, Duke. What the—”

  Their kiss was rudely interrupted, to Cherish’s dismay. She hid her face in Duke’s chest.

  Duke rubbed her back. “Jameson, I’ll be inside in a sec.”

  “We’re on. Hurry it up.” The other man chuckled as he retreated into the armory.

  “I’m so embarrassed,” Cherish whispered.

  Duke lifted her chin with his finger, smiling. “Don’t be. That kiss was…”

  “Was what?” Awful? The worst of his life? Oh she would be mortified if he politely nodded and said, “Have a good life, ma’am.”

  “I want more.” He dropped another kiss on her lips. Her heart surged with excitement. “But I need to go. We’re on.”

  She fought a pout, wishing he didn’t need to leave. “On what?”

  He shook his head and laughed. It made her smile. What was so funny? “On the stage. I’m part of the band.”

  Her eyes widened in surprise. “You are?”

  “Yeah. Have you heard of us? The Zeke Medina Band.”

  Her face fell slack. “You’re… you’re Duke… Landon?” Could this night get weirder than a stranger wanting a kiss under the mistletoe? Better to not tempt fate. She’d thought she recognized the dark-haired man on stage but couldn’t place him from her vantage point. What on earth was The Zeke Medina Band doing playing at her cousin’s wedding? Stranger yet, why would Duke Landon think twice about her?

  “So you’ve heard of us?” He took her hand and led her inside.

  Holy crap! What is he doing?

  “Well, yeah.” She couldn’t believe it. She just kissed Duke Landon, lead guitarist for The Zeke Medina Band. Women all over the country would be dying to be in her shoes. Her stomach twisted. Women all over the country… millions of women. Suddenly, Duke wasn’t so appealing anymore.

  “Will you meet me after the dance?”

  She cocked her head. “What?” What did she look like? A crazed fan? A groupie?

  He cupped the side of her face. “Maybe get a drink. Talk.”

  She shoved his hand away. “I’m not a groupie, Duke.”

  “Didn’t think you were. What’s your name, beautiful?”

  Swoon. He called her beautiful.

  She squared her shoulders, regaining her good sense. “Cherish, Cherish Hart.”

  “Well, I know the Harts quite well. Are you a cousin?”

  “I am. From Nebraska.”

  “I’ll be damned.” He smiled, taking his coat and hat off. He brushed his fingers through his hair. He was mighty fine too. “So what do you say? Meet me after?”

  “Sure. But just for a drink and talking.” The words barreled out of her mouth before she could stop them. At least he wasn’t a serial killer. He knew her family. That had to count for something.

  He winked. “Anything you say, beautiful.” He pecked her lips and dashed off.

  What did I just agree to?

  Two

  THE LAST TIME Duke’s heart galloped like a racehorse in the Kentucky Derby was when the band played at their first paying gig in Phoenix… a decade ago. This time was more invigorating. Adrenaline liberally flowed through his veins, and desperation squeezed his chest.

  It may sound stupid to most. Hell, it sounded beyond ridiculous to Duke, but he couldn’t stop wondering if he’d just met his future wife, the woman he’d love until he was old as dirt.

  He slipped on his guitar strap, shaking his head at his absurd thoughts.

  “Who was the woman you were sucking face with?” Jameson whisper-shouted with a stupid smirk on his face. Of all the guys in the band to catch Duke in a liplock, it had to be Jameson. Obnoxious, relentless, Jameson Ortiz.

  I will never live this down.

  Zeke arched a brow, glancing over his shoulder at Duke, but said nothing. Mr. All Business. After the show, he’d ask what happened, but he wouldn’t grill Duke like Jameson.

  “Duke was kissing someone?” Ashton twirled his drumsticks with an equally ridiculous grin.

  Great, now the whole band knew about his liplock activities. Oddly, he didn’t like how it made him feel exposed.

  Duke rolled his eyes, ignoring his annoying friends. He was more interested in scouting out Cherish in the banquet room. Cherish. It was quite a unique name. Cherish. The way he felt after one electrifying kiss, he just might like to cherish her for all of eternity.

  Down, boy. Down. Even he knew that thought was over the top.

  Ashton chuckled, tapping his sticks on his knee. “He’s ignoring us. Must be someone special.”

  “I think you’re right,” Jameson said in agreement. “From what I could see of the gal, which wasn’t much wrapped in Duke’s arms”—the jerk made a gagging face—“she was a hottie.”

  It burned Duke up hearing Jameson call Cherish a hottie. The jerk wasn’t wrong, but Duke didn’t like another man having thoughts about her being a hot anything.

  “Don’t be an ass,” he ground out, glaring at his friend. Where was this protectiveness coming from? He and Jameson, the single guys in the band, often bantered about hot women. This time felt different. If his buddy took it too far, spouting lewd comments about Cherish, it might come to blows.

  Jameson only laughed. He really was the world’s biggest jerk when he wanted to be, like now, but Duke wasn’t ignorant to his friend’s snide and crass side. Jameson was by far the most callous man in the group. The bad boy. A title he proudly wore.

  Duke didn’t take the bait and moved into his spot on the stage. He quickly found Cherish seated at a table with some women.

  For a long beat, he just watched her. She had flawless ivory skin and soft, rose-colored lips, delicious lips he couldn’t wait to sample again. Her purple dress hugged her gentle curves in all the right places. He rather liked the feel of the silky fabric in his hands too. He hoped to delight in her curves later. Maybe bury his hands in her light brown hair. Brush her soft wavy locks off her shoulders and nibble on her neck.

  Cherish Hart was simply stunning. Gorgeous. Enchanting.

  His heart hadn’t returned to a regular beating pattern yet. He’d keep his eyes on her for the rest of the evening. If he had any luck, another guy wouldn’t try to steal his girl.

  Wait, what?

  Was he seriously acting like she was his already?

  Damn straight he was. The kiss they shared was out of this world. He’d had his fair share of makeout sessions with women over the years. There were always women after him. It was part of life on the road and playing in a band; women ate that shit up. But Duke hadn’t been into it for several years—well, since Zeke fell in love with Zoey. And Ashton and Kelly tied the knot.

  He inhaled a deep breath, recalling how Cherish’s lips made him lose all sense of himself. That had never happened before.

  Duke hadn’t felt so much as a flicker of sparks for any woman in years, not since Erika Burns, now Mrs. Shane Patrick, up north in Faithful Falls. Erika was happily married with her second baby on the way, last Duke heard. He was happy for Erika. They weren’t meant to be.

  Maybe for a good reason.

  Miss Cherish Hart stirred something more than tingles below his belt buckle. It wasn’t like him to go around kissing women that he didn’t even know their name in Piper Ridge. On the road was different. A three-day stop in a town didn’t warrant more than physical activities. Duke had kept his interactions with women casual. Emotionless. Not even allowing himself to have meaningful conversations with groupies.

  But at his home base, where he knew the locals, he was different and his lips were under control.

  Until tonight wi
th Cherish.

  The draw to her had affected him the moment their eyes met. The occurrence was incomprehensible, too magnificent to deny.

  At thirty-three, Duke wanted more out of life than traipsing around the country with the band. Of course, he hadn’t revealed his feelings to his buddies. What would be the point when he had no idea what he wanted to do?

  He enjoyed performing with his best friends. They were his family. Since they were kids, they’d been inseparable, but he wouldn’t pretend he wasn’t jealous of Zeke’s and Ashton’s families. They were both married to a couple of wonderful ladies. Zeke had two adorable kids. Ashton’s wife was pregnant with their first. They had the more Duke felt was missing from his life.

  Not that Duke had ever expressed interest in having a family. He kept that notion locked away from his friends. But he had been warming to the idea of a wife and a baby the last few years. The right woman hadn’t come along for him to act on his desires.

  As his eyes fell on the beautiful and decadent Cherish Hart, only one thing was on Duke’s mind… more kisses under the mistletoe. What came after would be a bonus.

  Zeke counted down “Damn Sure Do,” the happy couple’s wedding dance song.

  Duke had a perfect view of the brunette beauty smiling. If his eyes saw right, she was staring back at him. Strangely, Tim Mcgraw’s lyrics went straight to his heart. He’d played it dozens of times. Not once had it emotionally impacted him.

  Perhaps it was how Cherish’s soulful eyes locked on his. Maybe it was the blissed-out bride and groom dancing and kissing on the dance floor… the low lights… the romantic buzz in the room. Or it was plainly all due to the woman who had captured his attention and stole his heart not ten minutes ago.

  Either way, Duke experienced sensations he hadn’t ever felt, like the tingles in his chest making him want to jump off the stage, grab the girl, and run away with her. Wild thoughts pummeled his brain about marriage, children, and forever.

  He imagined summer afternoons spent on the front porch, laughing and daydreaming. Winter evenings snuggling by a robust fire. Magical mornings under the covers and naughty nights. His wildest fantasies were consumed with Cherish. Quite frankly, it shocked him to have such bold ideas about a woman he only just met.

  Duke had a million questions for Cherish. Questions about her childhood, teen years, and what she’d been doing this whole time they’d been apart. Two strangers living separate lives until fate had their paths crossed. It was crazy insane, but he knew he wanted to spend the rest of his life asking all the questions. He wanted to know every little detail about Cherish.

  What was so special about this beauty? Were the romantic lyrics messing with his heart?

  Or was he actually swayed by the love vibes floating in the air? He couldn’t be. It wasn’t the band’s first wedding reception.

  The next few hours would be torture as he tried to figure out why he had an intense sensation in his chest for this woman. Why each time their eyes met, a lump formed in his throat.

  Why was he calling her his after one magical kiss? It had to mean something, right?

  Duke might have sung hundreds of songs about love at first sight and soul mates, but he never believed such things existed in real life.

  Cherish’s pretty eyes didn’t leave him as a woman leaned into her. Whatever the woman said made Cherish’s smile broaden.

  Duke felt it in his bones. He was the topic. He made Cherish shine brighter than a star.

  Maybe love at first sight was real. Or perhaps the mistletoe ball had magical powers.

  I hope the next two hours fly by.

  Three

  CHERISH DROPPED INTO her chair, fanning her face. When the line dancing started, Sofie and Ella pulled her onto the dance floor. Cherish had fun, but she felt a bit uncomfortable—beyond nervous really, with Duke’s unwavering gaze on her. But she pulled her big girl panties up, feigning indifference. She could pretend she hardly noticed him. Of course, her faking didn’t prevent her from gyrating her hips more than usual for a particular sexy guitarist.

  It had been over an hour since her nerve-tingling kiss with Duke. She still felt his soft, warm lips on hers and his warm body wrapped around her like a favorite blanket. Heard his heart-fluttering, Bing Crosby, crooner voice whispering in her ear, Meet me after.

  Was she really going to have a drink with him? And more kissing?

  Each time their eyes met while she danced, butterflies swirled in her stomach. She liked it probably more than she should. The reality was Duke played in a band, traveling all over the country. A man like him didn’t have time to date, much less have anything permanent.

  Permanent? As in marriage? This was a first. She rolled her eyes at her silly musings.

  “How ya doing, honey?” Auntie Elise sat in the chair beside her. “I haven’t had a chance to talk to you.”

  Cherish smiled, reaching for her glass of water on the table. “I’m good. The wedding is beautiful. One down, three more to go, huh?”

  Auntie waved her off. “Oh no, Dylan can’t leave me yet. What would I do with all that free time?”

  Cherish set her glass down after drinking half of it. “Anything you want.”

  “So true.” She smiled at a couple behind Cherish’s table. Her aunt was the friendliest, kindest person she knew. Everybody loved and respected her, including Cherish. “How’ve you really been, darlin’?” Her warm, loving eyes pierced Cherish’s heart. Her aunt was the only woman, besides Grandma Peggy, Cherish ever opened up to.

  “I’m sure you heard I’m unemployed.” Cherish rubbed the white linen tablecloth between her fingers. She shouldn’t fear judgment, but she couldn’t help it. At her age, she should have her life figured out.

  In her family, the boys were raised to be ranchers. Eventually, her brother, Chance, would take over. The girls were left to their own devices to figure out their career choices.

  “Yes, sweet girl, I heard.” She took Cherish’s hand and squeezed it. “You’ll find another. You’re a hard-working, responsible woman. I know there’s something better awaiting you.”

  Cherish sighed, forcing a smile. There was the kindness she admired. “I don’t have any direction in my life, Auntie. It’s like I’m always spinning my wheels and going nowhere.” Might as well be honest. She didn’t believe she was put on this earth for anything incredible. She mostly limped along in life, going from one mediocre job to the next.

  Her gaze drifted to Duke. She didn’t have a talented bone in her body, couldn’t carry a tune or play an instrument. Heck, she wasn’t even average at anything.

  “You’re moving, baby. Sometimes it’s difficult to see it when it’s not by leaps and bounds. Unemployment is just a change in direction. You might find you like the view better at your new job.”

  Cherish blinked, staring at her. “You sound just like Granddad Merle. He talks weird all the time.” Well, when he did talk. He was the strong, silent type, much like Uncle Conway.

  “Well, Merle and Peggy are the wisest people I know. I pay attention when they speak.”

  “You’re wise too, Auntie.” Her gaze darted to Duke, staring at her. “It’s not just about the job… I’m tired of the emptiness eating away at me, y’know?”

  Her aunt’s eyes glimmered with unshed tears. “Oh, baby. You’re not talking about the job at all, are you? You’re missing your momma.” She reeled Cherish in for a hug she hadn’t realized she needed.

  “This time of year is more emotional for me. Maybe I am heading in a different direction.” One where a handsome guitarist turned her warm and fuzzy inside. A man who made her heart flutter after only one unforgettable kiss.

  Aunt Elise pulled back, smiling. “Embrace whatever change is coming your way. It just might be what you didn’t know you always wanted.”

  “Granddad would say the say the same.”

  “He sure would.” After a long second, Auntie nodded her head toward the dance floor. “So what do you know about Brady and Ella?
”

  Cherish welcomed the subject change. She searched for her cousin. It hadn’t taken Brady long to get on Ella’s dance card. One thing could be said about every Hart man in her family: they always got their way.

  But Cherish knew Brady wasn’t looking for “the one.” He was just out having fun. Tomorrow he’d return to Montana, and Ella would be forgotten.

  Would it be the same for her with Duke? They’d have drinks tonight, maybe a little more kissing, then she’d return to Nebraska and be forgotten.

  She sighed, fighting the disappointment threatening to ruin her joy. “Nothing is going on. Just dancing.”

  Auntie Elise hummed in her special way when she didn’t believe someone. Cherish wasn’t lying though. As far as she knew, Ella was only Brady’s dance partner for the night.

  Again, her gaze went to Duke. He sure looked fine on the stage, strumming his guitar and belting out the lyrics to Luke Bryan’s “Country Girl.” She always did like cowboys. Hard-working ranchers like her granddad, daddy, and uncles.

  No guy had ever caught her eye back home though. She’d grown up with most of them. They were friends of her family, more like brothers. For years, Grandma Peggy told her to cast her net wider or fish in a new pond. Cherish never took her advice.

  Did Duke have any other intentions beyond having a drink and talking?

  Did she hope for more? Maybe.

  Before Cherish knew it, the reception was over. Her cousin Tori had joined her at the table after Aunt Elise left to mingle with the guests. Piper arrived not long after. It was nice to catch up with them, but she couldn’t seem to focus on anyone other than Duke Landon. Of course, she tried to be discreet. The last thing she needed was Tori and Piper poking around.

  The banquet room erupted in cheers and clapping at the end of the song.

  “Thank you for a great evening,” Zeke said. “Tanner and Bailey, the band and I wish you a lifetime of love and beautiful memories.”

  Duke stared at Cherish, and she stared back.

  She turned toward her cousin, unable to stop the question from leaving her lips. “What do you know about Duke?”