Page 16 of Wintering with George

“And that would be okay if you wanted that too.”

“It would?”

“Sure,” I told him.

He reminded me of his mother, the way he simply dived in to the deep end. One moment he was sitting beside me, the next he was leaning against my shoulder. When I lifted my arm, he sagged into my chest with my arm around him. If his sigh was any indication, he was content. So the two of us just sat there together in silence. Moments later, Kurt appeared at the doorway to find me holding Dennis, who had fallen asleep.

“What’s happening?” he whispered.

“He wanted to talk.”

“You know,” he said, slipping into the room, “as a rule, this one is not a hugger, not a big toucher. I think he’s got some sensory issues that aren’t just socks with no seams⁠—”

“I don’t like socks with seams either,” I reminded him.

“Yes, and that’s why you buy the seamless kind, which is what Sin gets for him.”

“Okay…”

“What I’m trying to tell you is that normally, the sensory piece affects him in other ways too, like not wanting to be touched by others.”

I shrugged.

“But I guess when your guardian angel holds you, that’s okay.”

“Is there such a thing as a guardian demon?”

He scoffed. “You’re an angel, make no mistake.”

“Don’t make me barf on the kid, all right?”

His chuckle was soft and warm and ran right through me. My whine just popped out, and I realized how needy I was.

Bending, he slipped his hand around the side of my neck, his fingers featherlight on my skin as he kissed me. It was gentle, just his mouth on mine for a moment, but when he began to lift away, I clutched at his sweater to keep him close.

“Oh,” he breathed out, “he needs me.”

Part of me was horrified at the thought that anyone could be necessary, but of course it was all right if it was just for sex and closeness.

“George?” he teased me, smiling with his twinkling eyes.

“Hell,” I grumbled, because even as I thought it, I knew it was a lie. It wasn’t just screwing I craved, because if that were true, anyone would do, and really, the only person I wanted anything from was him. The idea of lying in bed, just having him wrapped around me, sounded heavenly.

His soft laughter, husky and low, made me groan.

“I will get rid of this kid, and we⁠—”

“Uncle Kurt?”

Turning, we saw Toby standing just outside the door to our bedroom.

“Hey, buddy,” Kurt greeted him. “Do you want to come in and meet George?”

He nodded, looking apprehensive, but I understood. Eleven wasn’t so big, after all.

“Hi,” I said, holding out my hand. “Nice to meet you.”

Rushing forward, he took hold of my hand and held tight. “Thank you for saving me and my family.”