“Oh, yeah,” he purrs. “There’s that too.”
“As good as your suggestion was, I have a better idea.”
“What’s that?”
“I’ll do a store order online before work and have it delivered here. You and Caleb can still take me to work and pick me up. But after dinner, we’ll go to my place and grab some more of my stuff along with my Christmas tree and decorations. Caleb needs one. If I’m going to be living here through the holiday?—”
“You’re living here, period.”
“We’ll discuss that later. For now, if I’m spending Christmas here, then my tree should be moved too. It’s a nice one. Plus, Buddy needs his Christmas outfits. The poor guy has been naked for days. It’s a bad look for him.”
“God forbid the dog goes naked,” he mutters.
“So, it’s a deal?”
“Yeah,” he says, smiling. “I promised Caleb a tree. Forgot all about that shit. Thank you for reminding me, honey.”
He kisses me warm and slow and, as usual with him, I get completely lost. When he pulls back, I grin. “How long do you think Buddy and Caleb will continue to nap?”
“Probably not long,” he says regretfully, “but we can make it quick.”
“Just what every woman wants,” I tease, “a man who’ll hurry and get her done quickly.”
His eyes darken. “Oh, now that sassy mouth just got you in trouble.”
“Does that mean I’m going to go on the naughty list right before Christmas?” I puff out as Wyatt starts kissing along my neck.
He laughs. “Yeah. But lucky for you, I’m willing to let you suck me off to get back into Santa’s good graces.”
“That’s very thoughtful of you,” I say with a groan, as I angle my neck to give him more room to continue.
“I’m a giver like that.”
“Wyatt,” I whisper, all but whimpering.
“Yeah, baby?”
“Shut up and make love to me.”
“Anything for my woman,” he growls—low and primal—before claiming my mouth.
For the first time in my life, I think I might be the luckiest woman in the world. Wyatt has given me everything I’ve ever wanted in life. I don’t care that it has happened so quickly. I just know that I want Wyatt, Caleb, and the way I feel right now to be my future. I’m going to hold on to them with everything I have, and I’m never letting go.
Never.
Naughty Marshmallows, And Incoming Sugar Bombs
HORSE
I’m standing in my living room, staring at an eight-foot flocked Christmas tree like it might be filled with squirrels that will attack at any minute. The thing is massive and covered in colored lights—because apparently, it’s not Christmas unless it looks like a damn disco exploded on the tree. Gwen told me that—although not quite in those words. Caleb backed her up so strongly that I didn’t fight it. I didn’t stand a chance anyway. My kid was in heaven the entire time we put this thing up. So intense was his reaction that his tongue poked out the corner of his mouth while he hung ornaments. He attacked each task that Gwen gave him like his life depended on it. I know it was because he didn’t want to let her down. He hasn’t realized yet that there’s no way he could do that. My boy isn’t used to that from a woman he cares about. I hate that fact, but it’s still true.
My gaze slides from the tree down to the paper snowmen and snowflakes hung all over the tree. Me, Gwen, and Caleb spent over an hour making those. Caleb thought it was the best thing ever, and damn if I didn’t enjoy it, too. Although there’s no way in hell that I’m admitting to my men that I helped make them. My reputation has taken a big enough hit just from having Buddy with me at the club.
Buddy is under the tree, his head close to my feet. He’s gnawing on a plush Abominable Snowman chew toy Caleb spotted at the store and had to buy. Buddy’s wearing a red-and-black checkered coat that Gwen insists isfestive—whatever in the hell that means. I’m going to have to get Buddy’s club cut made as soon as possible. If I don’t, this dog will lose all his dignity. Poor little guy. I mean, I love my woman, but she’s crazy when it comes to this shit. Lucky for her, it’s adorable.
“We’re having dinner with your family tomorrow night,” I say, mostly to Gwen but also because Caleb is hovering close enough to hear everything.
“Yeah, I know. I’m dreading it.”
