Page 15 of The Santa Surprise

An hour into the movie, plates are in the sink, and we’ve both got our feet up on her coffee table. Aspen quotes the movie, making me laugh. My phone pings and I pick it up—it’s a text from my dad.

I open it and smile, before turning it toward Aspen. Our daughter is sitting on my sister’s lap, Dad is on their right and Mom is on their left. They’re all bundled up, smiling widely at the camera.

She hands me the phone back as it pings again.

Dad: We stopped for hot cocoa and to watch the ice skaters. Have Aspen call your mom—she wants Dakota to spend the night.

Of course, she does.

Alex: Sure thing. Is she having a good time?

Dad: She’s perfect.

That makes me smile. I’m so happy they embraced their granddaughter, no questions asked.

“I’m glad Dakota is having fun,” Aspen says as she turns to face me. “She really does look like your sister.”

“Mom wants you to call her. They want Dakota to spend the night. I swear they’d take good care of her, but I understand if you’re not comfortable with that.” Mom probably already has a room for her, or she’s working on it.

Aspen shrugs. “I don’t have a problem with it.” She grabs her phone off the coffee table and presses a couple of buttons and holds it to her ear. “Hi Ripley . . .” She pauses. “I’m fine with that. She still wears sleep diapers just because she’s a heavy sleeper.” Aspen nods. “Okay, I’ll keep my phone by me in case you need something.” She pauses, and her whole demeaner changes. “Hi, baby. Are you going to stay with Papa and GiGi?” That’s what my parents decided they wanted to be known as. “Okay, baby, I love you to pieces too. Do you want to talk to Daddy?” She smiles and then hands her phone to me.

“Hi, baby girl.”

“Hi, Daddy, I stay wif Papa and GiGi.”

I look up at Aspen and smile. “That’s great. You be a very good girl. In the morning I’ll come have breakfast with you, okay?”

“Okay, Daddy. I wuv you.”

My heart beats wildly in my chest and warmth spreads through my body. “I love you, too, sweetheart. Bye.”

We disconnect and Aspen scoots closer to me. “She’s pretty sweet, right?” Her arms wrap around me.

My eyes burn, and I blink rapidly to stop any tears from falling. I am not an emotional guy and I don’t know where all of this is coming from. I wrap my arms around her, hugging her tight. “Thank you for letting me be a part of her life.”

“Of course, she’s your daughter.”

I pull back and Aspen reaches up to cup my cheek. “You are so beautiful,” I whisper. Are the sparks that were firing off between us four years ago still there? Or was just one special night that ended with the conception of our daughter all we had? I touch my lips to hers, slowly at first, just gauging her reaction. The moment I feel her tongue brush the seam of my lips I open to her.

Our kiss turns heated as her fingers spear my hair, gripping it on both sides. I pull back enough to nip at her lips. I attack her mouth again and brush my tongue against hers.

Aspen moans into my mouth and I grab her, moving us until I’m flat on my back and she is on top of me. Fuck, she tastes just like I remember . . . like cherries.

She grinds against my hard cock, causing me to groan. I thrust up against her and we begin dry fucking each other. I’m suddenly fifteen again, except it’s not Jenny Jones on top of me—it’s Aspen Winters.

Her moans and cries are music to my ears. I reach between us, sliding my hand inside her yoga pants. The moment my fingers slide through her wet pussy I groan. I rub her clit, swallowing her mews.

I push my finger inside her and she begins coming. Fuck, she’s tight and her body is trying to pull my finger deeper. Aspen pulls her lips away from mine, a guttural moan rips from her throat. I ease up on my ministrations bringing her back down.

Aspen pushes up, biting her lip. She looks unsure and that’s the last thing I want. I pull my fingers from her panties, licking her arousal off my fingers. Her eyes go hooded as she watches me.

“You taste so good,” I whisper hoarsely.

She lays down on my chest and I wrap my arms around her. Neither of us moves, and it feels good having her in my arms.

Chapter Twelve

Aspen

---