After locking the door behind me, I shrug off my big coat and hang it on the bannister over the top of Joy’s. My heart swells in my chest at having her to come home to. I slip off my leather shoes and nestle them next to Joy’s green boots in the hall. I want to see this house filled with more of her stuff.
The aroma of baked goods travels from the kitchen, making the house even more inviting. Everything seems brighter, as if the house is enjoying her presence, too.
Leoni smiles at me from the photograph on the wall as if giving me her approval. A weight lifts. Even with the stress of the business, having Joy lightens my spirits. I’m blessed to have found two incredible women in one lifetime. Though, both very different. When my light went out after Leoni’s passing, Joy was a flicker of hope in the darkness, guiding me to a brighter future.
Seeing her with Teddy, watching them simply be together, it’s how Leoni would’ve wanted it. I know if she could’ve chosen anyone to be in Teddy’s life in this motherly role, it would be someone like Joy.
Lights flicker from the Christmas tree in the room and I step inside to find Joy curled up with a blanket. Her blonde hair hangs over the arm of the sofa. She looks completely comfortable in my home, as if she’s always been here. I wish she could stay. Move all her stuff in and live with us.
I rub the stabbing feeling in my chest. She’ll hate me soon enough when she learns I’ve sold out. My fingers brush a blonde curl from her face, and I commit the moment of her like this to memory.
“Joy.” I take the opportunity to press my lips to hers. The familiar scent of candy draws me closer to her, like a magnet drawn to the North Pole.
She stirs and hums. I stroke her forehead as she comes around, opening her beautiful blue eyes. “What time is it?”
“Just gone nine.” I lift her feet and sit next to her, desperate to have her in my arms again. “Everything all right? I’m sorry I didn’t get home sooner. I had to sort all the wages out or nobody would get paid at the end of the month. Is Teddy all right?”
“It’s no problem. Teddy and I had fun. He’s in bed now.” She lifts a hand to my face. Her fingers caress my cheek. “Have you eaten?”
“Not since lunch.” I quirk a grin. “But I’m going to eat you up, starting with these candy thighs.” I dive down and nibble above her knee, making her giggle. “First, we’ll watch a movie. All I've thought about all day is coming home to you and snuggling on this sofa.”
“There are cookies in the oven.” She stands and pulls me with her, then drags me into the kitchen. The sugary aroma of baked goods hangs in the air. She opens the oven and slides out a tray of chocolate chip cookies.
“Did you bake these all by yourelf?” I lift an odd shaped one and bring it to my lips. The cookie melts in my mouth, tasting almost as good as her.Almost.
“Me and Teddy. I mean Theo.”
“How long has he been asleep?”
“About half an hour. We had hot chocolate and then I read him a story in bed.”
“I’m impressed.” I unknot my tie. “You’re a natural. He never wants to go to sleep.” After popping the rest of the cookie in my mouth, I slip the tie through my collar.
Joy leans against the worktop. “He’s a really sweet kid.”
“You’re sweet. As sweet as the candy cane stockings you wear.” I wrap the tie around her neck like a lasso and pull her close for a kiss. “Give me some of that sugar.”
Her pouty lips melt against mine and open as I tease the seam of her mouth with my tongue. The sensation stirs my cock, but I have all night for that. First I want to spend some time with her and just be close, without work getting in the way.
I pull away from her lips. “So what movie do you want to watch?”
She slips her arms around my waist. “I don’t mind you pick.”
“You pick. I don’t care what it is as long as I’m with you.” I nibble on her ear. “I have a confession to make.”
“Oh?”
My hand dives into my trouser pocket to retrieve the pack of six condoms I bought. “I called at the supermarket.”
“Oh.” Her cheeks flush pink. She shuffles on her feet, tugging the sleeve of her costume over her hands.
Maybe I was a little presumptuous with a pack of six. “They’re just in case. No pressure. We can just go to bed and snuggle all night, if that’s what you want.” I shove them back in my pocket, then take her face in my palms.
“Are you sure you want me to stay all night?”
I kiss her plump lips. I want her to move in, but it’s too soon to tell her that. “Joy, I told you before. I want you naked in my bed, but if you’re not ready, we can go slow.”
She bites her lip. “I am ready.” Her palms glide up my chest, then her fingers unbutton my shirt. “I’m ready now. We can skip the movie.”
