Page 20 of Big Nick Energy

“Be a good girl for me, Blanca, and don’t finish that sentence.”

“Why’s that?”

“Don’t you know Santa is always watching?” I winked. “You don’t want to end up on the naughty list, do you?” My voice dropped, and I loved the look she gave me before I watched her break out into laughter.

I loved the way she did that with me. How we could be serious one moment and laugh the next. Every second, minute, and hour I spent with her only confirmed what I hadn’t let myself feel this last year and a half.

“I like you here,” I shared quietly, needing her to understand how much I meant it. I more than liked her being with me, but there was no way I could scare her off.

“I like being here with you,” she whispered back. Her body leaned closer. In this position, we were at eye level. “So… did you ask me out so you could have free help getting your place Christmas ready?” she teased, pointing behind her. I chuckled.

“No. But I’m glad you were up for this,” I answered wholeheartedly. I didn’t think I could walk into the living room without thinking about the day we had shared or how we had worked together to get it decorated.

“Yeah?”

“Oh yeah.” I grinned, running my fingers through her pretty, dark hair. “This is our first Christmas after all, baby girl.”

“Our first Christmas, huh?” Her eyes sparkled with mischief, and I nodded. I wanted it all. Her naughty, her nice, and everything in between.

“First of many,” I vowed.

“That sounds kind of… serious for a first date,” she observed, and I nodded.

“Hmm… Is that too much for you?”

“No,” she answered with a confidence that surprised me. Then something flashed in her eyes. Something I couldn’t fully read

“What is it?” Blanca opened and shut her mouth. “What were you going to say, baby?” I pushed because it felt important. Detrimental.

“What are we doing here? I mean… look, I’m not asking for a ring or––“

“Would you want one?” I’d never been married. Not even close. Even with Noah’s mom when we tried to make it work, I knew she wouldn’t be wearing my ring. But the thought of Blanca wearing my ring was something so damn real in my head I wanted to stop at nothing to make it happen.

“What?! Are you crazy?” she squeaked, and when I repeated the question, her eyes looked like they were going to pop out of her skull. “No. Yes. I mean …” She shook head.

“Baby, let me be very clear here. I get it. Guys your age and dating them makes absolutely no sense.” Her lips twitched. “Talking stages, situationships, and being locked in? Do I have that right?”

“Kind of.”

“I’m not about that. Before you, before we met, I played the field. I won’t tell you I was some kind of boy scout when I wasn’t––”

“Nick––“

“But in my time, that shit was called hookups and friends with benefits.” That made her giggle. “Now, this is where I’m going to be dead honest with you and hopefully not freak you out.”

“Okay.” I could feel her body tense on top of mine.

“I like you. I’m not into playing games and shit. Life’s too fucking short for that.”

“I agree,” she steadily answered, and it felt like my damn heart was about to jump out of my throat.

“I like you. I like you a lot.”

“Ditto,” she whispered. There was a shit ton of extra shit I wanted to say, but I lost my train of thought when her hand came up and stroked my jaw. It was so soft I worried about the fact I hadn’t shaved.

“I like you scruffy like this,” she murmured sweetly, and the groan that sounded from me couldn’t be stopped.

Much like the kiss that came right after. Our mouths connected, and the world around us disappeared as we got lost in the moment.

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