Undeniable Demands by Andrea Laurence

the charcoal-gray skirt and knee-high leather boots she wore with it. There was a sway to her hips when she walked that was deliciously outlined by the fit of the skirt, and the slit in the back offered him a momentary flash of thigh with each step. It made him wish the bathroom were farther away so he could continue to watch her walk.
    Brody stepped into the path of his view just as she pulled the door closed behind her. A frown lined his brother’s face as he thrust a mug of mulled cider into Wade’s hand. “Here. There’s no whiskey in it. I figured you were being dumb enough without alcohol.”
    Wade scowled at his brother but accepted the drink. “You worry too much. It’s all part of my plan,” he lied, hoping it sounded like forethought on his part. “I’m softening her up. Then, when you dig up some good information on her I can use, she’ll be putty in my hands.”
    Heath came past them to put his own coat into the closet. “Hey, Wade, I thought you were supposed to be buying Tori’s land, not checking her for tonsillitis.”
    “Both of you just cool it. I know what I’m doing.”
    Brody’s dark blue gaze narrowed at him. Wade often wondered if his brother’s personality would be different if he had been born into better circumstances. Would he be less serious? More open to life?
    “Try not to scowl at her, Brody. Make her feel welcome, more at ease. It will help. You said you wanted to do something. Here’s your chance.”
    Brody sighed. “I know. I just wasn’t prepared to see her walk in. I wish Mama had told me she was coming. She knows I don’t like those kinds of surprises.”
    Wade nodded. “Neither do I.” He knew his brother didn’t like to meet new people. It was a painful ritual he had to repeat every time someone came face-to-face with him for the first time. “How did she do?”
    “Better than most. She didn’t run screaming or anything. Although, I need to tell Julianne not to sit her across from me at the table. I’m sure it wouldn’t help her appetite to look at me the whole time.”
    Wade sighed and took a sip of his cider. “Stop it. No self-flagellation during the holidays. Would you rather she sits across from me?”
    “Hmm,” Brody said thoughtfully. “You two might end up playing footsie at this rate. Maybe across from Xander or Heath.”
    “Dinner is ready,” Molly announced from the entryway to the kitchen. “Is everyone ready?”
    The bathroom door opened and Tori came out much more composed than when she went in. Wade watched her paint a smile on her face and curl her hands into fists before she took a few steps toward the dining room. The kiss seemed to have thrown her for a loop. He was glad. Perhaps keeping her off balance was the best thing to do. Kill her with kindness. Use any information Brody came up with to charm her. Being nice might confuse her, make her like him and his family. Maybe then she could understand how important buying the land back was to him.
    “Wade, I’ve put you here,” Julianne said, indicating a chair on the far side of the table.
    He nodded and made his way over. His sister smiled wickedly at him as she seated Tori next to him and Brody to her left, his good side facing the guest. The rest of the family took their places.
    The table was laid with a red-and-gold tablecloth that was barely visible beneath the edge-to-edge casserole dishes, platters and bowls. In the center were thick red pillar candles, poinsettias and golden ribbons that sparkled in the light. As always, Molly had outdone herself.
    As tradition dictated, they stood at the table and held hands. Wade reached out and took Tori’s hand, trying hard to focus on his father’s words instead of how her touch affected him.
    “I’m thankful that all of us are back together again. It’s been a tough year for everyone,” Ken began. “But certainly not the worst we’ve ever had. We’re fighters. We have each been blessed with perseverance and drive and have been