“So, are you off tomorrow?” Desmond asked after licking a string of cheese from his finger.
I shook my head and swallowed the food in my mouth. “No. I have to work in the morning. It’s the last day of handing out food and toys. Then I’m off until the new year. What about you?”
“I could go in, but there’s nothing to do unless there’s some unforeseen problem. No one is on tour right now. Not until mid-January. And everything for them has been arranged. Plus, allthe holiday specials were pre-recorded. If I went in, I would likely be the only one.”
I nodded while finishing my sandwich, trying to find a way to lead into asking him about his plans for Christmas.
Desmond took our waste to the bins then returned to me and held out his hand. “Ready to walk some more?”
Smiling, I grabbed his hand. I didn’t see the patch of ice under my feet, and I started to fall.
Desmond pulled me into his chest and held me tight. “I’ve got you.”
My reindeer leapt with an excitement I hadn’t felt since my first shift. There was something about Desmond that had both of us thrilled to be in his presence. He loosened his hold on me and gazed into my eyes with an intensity that made my body simmer. I rose up onto the tips of my toes, hoping he understood what I wanted.
When his lips met mine, it was pure magic. All hesitation disappeared, and I felt his need as much as he fulfilled mine. If anyone watched us, I didn’t care. Desmond captivated me in a world all our own, one I never wanted to leave. When he slowly pulled away, I gasped at the return to reality and the need to breathe.
“You okay?” he asked, still holding me.
I chewed on my bottom lip and nodded. “Yeah, but I have a question for you. What are you doing for Christmas?”
Desire left his features as he furrowed his brows and tilted his head. “Um, nothing. I don’t really do Christmas.”
“Oh.” I took his hands in mine and gently squeezed them. “Janice told me you’d be alone for the holidays, and I didn’t want you to be, so I asked my parents if you could join me there for Christmas dinner. If you want to.”
He pursed his lips and wrinkled his nose but didn’t respond.
“If you want to. Don’t worry if it’s not your thing, or too soon. I know we only started dating. If we’re even dating. I’m not sure what to call us.”
Pulling me into his chest again, he kissed the top of my head. “I would love to.”
I thought I felt a sob wrack through his body as he sniffled. Reactions most alphas would never admit they experienced. I liked that Desmond felt comfortable enough to express his emotions around me, even if he wouldn’t let me look at him.
I rubbed his back. “Dinner is at six, but we open presents earlier for my niece and nephew.”
Relaxing, he held onto the backs of my arms. “You’re going to have to let me know who all is going to be there. I can’t come empty-handed.”
I pressed my palm to his chest. “You don’t need to bring anything. There will be plenty of food and I’m sure my family will love you.”
Love. An emotion I’d never experienced before for anyone other than family. I wondered if it was possible to love someone so soon after meeting them, because Desmond made my heart soar and my reindeer leap and prance.
Chapter Ten
Desmond
“I need something for the kids, first. Then Kane. They’re the most important.” That was my game plan with Janice by my side at the mall entrance to help me with some last-minute Christmas shopping. I hadn’t expected to do anything other than stream movies and television shows over the holidays. Not until Kane had invited me to his parents’ house for dinner. At that moment, I lost all my nerve. Meeting an omega’s parents was a huge step. I didn’t think we’d reached that stage yet. Wasn’t even sure if he was that into me. Yes, he’d already met my grandparents, but everyone seemed to know them, or, at least, of them. As much as I considered refusing the offer, my wolf wouldn’t let me say no. So, I agreed to spend the evening of Christmas with him and his family. When I’d asked Kane what to bring, he said only myself, that there would be more than enough food for everyone. But I thought it would be rude to go to his parents’ empty-handed.
In a panic, I’d messaged Janice the night before, asking her what appropriate gifts for people I didn’t know would be. Instead of texting me a list, she gave me a time to meet her at the mall. Now, we had to find gifts in a crowd of other last-minute shoppers.
“Diversions is near the south entrance.” Janice pointed down the hallway to the right. “It has all kinds of neat toys and books for kids. Stuff not usually found at a department store. Welcome Home is a couple of stores down from it. That would be a great place to shop for the rest of the family. And they have some great sales going on. As for Kane, what were you thinking?”
“I don’t know,” I whispered as my brain blanked of all ideas. “I thought about jewelry, but it might be too soon in ourrelationship for that. And I don’t think I could get anything personalized today.”
“Hmm, you might be able to.” Janice walked to the stand that showed a map of the mall. “There are some pop-up gift kiosks that could probably engrave their products. Did you have any other ideas?”
“I thought about clothes or cologne.” I rubbed my chin as I fretted. “But I don’t know his size or if there are any scents he hates. Why did I agree to this?”
Janice rubbed my back. “Because you like him. How about we start with everyone else, and we can look around to see if anything pops out at you. We have five hours before the mall closes. Plus, you’re buying me lunch for helping you out, so you’re going to be okay. I won’t leave you until you have something for everyone.”
