“What’s the story about this house?” Rayna asked.
“It’s private,” Kris said.
“Looks like somebody is trying to get laid tonight,” Matt said.
Kris’s mother snapped her fingers at Matt. “Matthew Kringle, would you please mind your tongue.”
Matt wasn’t wrong becauseSantawas going to be handsomely rewarded later.
“I’m honestly lost. In my day women liked gold jewelry. Now you’re over there crying over a plastic toy. You do know Kris is rich, right?”
“Dad, hush. It’s clearly some sentimental moment we don’t understand,” Rayna chimed in.
Gerrit stood with a sigh. “Now that we’re done with gifts and Belen is wiping away the last of her tears, it’s time for the annual snowball fight.”
“What?” I tried without success to hide a frown.
“It’s tradition. We eat breakfast, open gifts, and then try to maim one another in a snowball battle,” Kris informed me.
“You know good old fashion family fun,” Rayna said, plopping next to us on the floor. She fondled my arm looking formuscle definition. “You can be on Kristoff’s team.” She patted my knee sympathetically.
“Well then Kris’s team will be the winning one. How could we lose with Hulk on our side?” I tugged at his beard and when he smiled at me, my insides congealed.
“Ahh, thanks baby.”
“Kristoff doesn’t have the fire in his belly to win. He’s a big teddy bear,” Rayna said.
Kris leaned in whispering, “Rayna’s right, my siblings are pretty hard core.”
“Backyard in fifteen minutes. Dress warm,” Gerrit’s booming voice commanded.
In our room, I pulled out thick socks and a heavy scarf preparing myself for the Annihilation in Ottawa.
“Hey, before we head out there, I wanted to give you one last gift.”
“Kris you’ve already done enough. You gifted me a spa day at the Regency Hotel a tennis bracelet, and a Brandon Blackwood bag. I don’t need anything else.”
“I know, but this gift is less about the present and more about the future.” Handing over an envelope, he urged me to open it.
My face shifted from confusion, to surprise. “It’s a plane ticket to Los Angeles.”
“Yep.”
“What’s in Los Angeles?”
Kris’s lips tensed into a straight line. “Have you ever been? The weather’s amazing all year round even though it can be a bit chilly. But February in LA still beats February in Minnesota.”
“You want to take a trip to Los Angeles? You don’t have to do stuff like this. I’d be just as happy curled up in your arms on the couch.”
“I know. But at the start of the year I’m going to be working again and I wanted to make sure we carved out time to betogether. So don’t think about why we shouldn’t go and just tell me you will.”
“Okay.” Walking into his arms, I planted a kiss on his lips. The type of kiss that begged for him to bend me over and destroy my walls from the intensity of his thrust. It was also the type of kiss that sent my brain matter scattering, making it difficult to form complete sentences.
“One more thing, I picked Los Angeles for a reason, not only the weather and great restaurants …” I was only half listening, more concerned with nibbling on his ear. “For the next few months or so I’ll be spending?—”
“Oh my God are you two going to be in here all day playing hide the sausage?” Rayna interrupted. “It’s time for snowball wars. Celeste is on my team by the way because she has strong arms.”
Reluctantly I pulled away, rushing to finish getting dressed. I planned to aim for Rayna’s head when I got outside.
