Holding Holly (Love and Football Series) by Julie Brannagh Page A

Michael,” was all she said.
    Michael and his family were due here tonight as well. He couldn’t wait to meet them. They’d never know he’d worked behind the scenes with an employment agency to make sure Stephanie found a job. They now had more than enough food, the bills were paid, and it would be the happiest of holidays for them. There was no better feeling in life than knowing he’d done what he could to help a family when they needed it most.
    He had an additional surprise for Michael, which would happen later. He headed toward the community center’s kitchen. He couldn’t wait another minute to see Holly again.
    H OLLY TIED AN apron on over the white shirt and black pants she wore to serve at catering jobs, and picked up a pastry bag of chocolate mousse filling. The caterer was racing around the kitchen putting the last-minute touches on her holiday menu. Holly was helping out by piping the mousse into chocolate cookie cups. She was trying to concentrate, but all she could think of at the moment was Derrick. He was due to be there soon with his teammates, who would sign autographs, pose for photos, and help Santa hand out the swag bags. The mousse looked good, but she couldn’t have eaten a bite if her life depended on it right now. Her stomach was full of butterflies, her heart raced, and her palms were sweaty.
    She was either having a panic attack, or she was excited about seeing Derrick again.
    She’d almost finished piping one tray of the chocolate mousse tarts when two strong arms slid around her waist and she heard a deep voice in her ear.
    “There’s my girl,” he said.
    She dropped the pastry bag on the worktable in front of her, turned in his arms, and wrapped her arms around his neck. “It’s great to see you,” she said into his ear.
    He pulled back from her a little, glanced around the kitchen, and said, “We’re finally alone.”
    “Only until the caterer comes back.”
    He moved closer, and her heart pounded harder. He cupped her face in his palm. “Then I have time to do this.”
    Her eyelids slid closed as his mouth met hers. For a big, tough man, Derrick’s kisses were tender and sweet, and his touch was gentle. He slipped his tongue into her mouth when her lips parted. He pulled her closer as he explored and savored her. She forgot all about the chocolate mousse, all about the fact she was supposed to be working, all about anything else but the way he tasted and how it felt to be in his arms.
    Someone cleared her throat behind them.
    “Oh!” Holly said and moved away from Derrick slightly.
    The caterer was standing feet from them and grinning from ear to ear.
    “If you’ll hand me that tray, Holly, they’re going onto the display,” she said.
    “I’m so sorry,” Holly told her. “We got a little, uh, carried away.”
    “I’m not sorry,” Derrick muttered, and the caterer laughed.
    “I’ll bet you’re not,” she teased. She picked up another tray full of appetizers and went out the swinging door again.
    Holly could feel her face getting hot with embarrassment, but she smiled up at him. “She didn’t look too mad, did she?”
    He traced her nose with a gentle finger. “Naw.” He kissed the middle of her forehead before reluctantly releasing her. “There’s more where that came from, you know.”
    She shivered a little. “I hope so.”
    His booming laugh bounced around the kitchen. “Hopefully I didn’t get you fired. Is there anything I can do to help?”
    F ORTY-FIVE MINUTES LATER , Santa had taken his place, swag bags were organized and ready to go, Derrick and his teammates were in another room waiting for their cue, and children in their holiday best and their parents began to stream through the front doors of the community center. Holly was passing appetizers and guiding the younger children to the extra-special food made just for them, like the macaroni-and-cheese bar with assorted toppings, sliders, and chicken nuggets with sauces.
    She spotted