Page 32 of The Greatest Gift

He catches the popcorn mid-air, his grin widening as he chews it dramatically. “Noted.”

As the movie progresses, the laughter comes easier. We trade jabs at the melodramatic twists, groaning at the cliché moments and adding our own commentary. Judd’s shoulders shake as he laughs at an especially absurd montage involving the handyman teaching the executive to ice skate.

Somewhere between the second act and the third, Judd shifts closer, curling into my side. My arm drapes over his shoulders, my fingers brushing against the fabric of his soft, worn sweater.

“This is perfect,” Judd murmurs.

“It is,” I agree, pressing a kiss to his temple.

His body relaxes further, and for a while, we sit in a comfortable silence, save for the occasional crunch of popcorn and the overly dramatic acting. My hand finds his, our fingers tangling together in a way that feels easy, natural.

“Nakul,” he says softly, twisting up to meet my gaze.

“Hmm?” I tilt his chin up gently, my thumb brushing against his cheek.

“I think I’m falling in love with you.” His voice is almost breathy, nearly silent but I hear those words loud and clear.

“I’m glad because I think I’m falling in love with you too, Judd Stathis,” I mumble against his lips just before I kiss him. I drag the popcorn bowl out of the way, fumbling with it until it hits the nightstand surface.

Judd moans as I roll him onto his back, the moment devolving into rabid desire as we pull at shirts and pants. It isn’t long before I’m thrusting my lube-coated fingers into his ass, Judd swallowing those beautiful sounds I love so much.

“Not in here, love. You don’t have to be quiet.” Judd didn’t hate it last time when I called him that and it just happens so easily that I continue using it. His back arches upward, his face twisted in pleasure as he finally lets out an unbidden moan that has me needing to be inside of him.

He widens his legs as I replace my fingers with my cock, adding extra lube to soften the slide. Judd is just as eager as I am as he pulls me into another kiss, our tongues tangling together. When I’m fully seated, our breaths mingling, I relish in this moment. A moment that should have never happened but did because fate brought us together.

Had I never been looking for a way out with Ava, I would have never found those court documents. I would have never reached out to Judd. I would have never found the most precious man in the universe.

Judd says that he’s falling in love with me.

I think I’ve already fallen.

“Move, Nakul. Fuck, I need you to move.” His hands tangle in my hair around the back of my shoulders as I pull out and thrust back in, taking up a pace that’s a little rougher and faster than last night. His cock rubs against our stomachs, Judd already losing himself to the sensation.

Neither one of us is going to last long but I don’t even care. His fingers dig into my back, one of his legs curling around my waist, his heel digging into my ass. My lips move from his to his neck, Judd grunting every time I hit that spot inside of him. It’s like music to my ears as he moves with me, the two of us moving like a well-oiled machine until we let go.

Everything about this moment is perfect. The only thing that would make it more perfect would be telling him that I already love him. But that comes with time, time I now have because Judd is mine.

Judd

Christmas Eve Morning

Stevie is quiet in my arms, her tiny hands clutching her favorite blanket, as I grab the last of the papers from my desk. The office is quiet for the most part, with most of the staff having already left for the holidays. I glance at the clock on the wall, thinking about how quickly I can get us home. Stevie’s been talkative all morning, and while I love it, I know she’ll crash hard soon. I also need a long ass nap from how long Nakul kept me up last night.

I thought I had stamina but it doesn't compare to his.

“Daddy, is Na-ool coming?” she asks, looking up at me with her bright eyes.

“We’ll see,” I say, smiling softly. I haven’t told her we’re meeting Nakul here, but she’s smart enough to guess. Apparently, we both had last minute things to finish before Christmas. The thought of seeing him makes my chest tighten in that warm, fluttery way it always does now. It’s been hours and yet it feels like an eternity.

As if on cue, the sound of familiar footsteps catches my attention and I turn to see Nakul walking down the hall toward us. He’s carrying a folder under one arm, his hair tied back, wearing his usual jeans and work jacket. He looks like a walking dream and before I even realize what I’m doing, I’m moving toward him.

I don’t think, I just act. Closing the space between us, I press my lips to his, Stevie squished slightly between us. Nakul makes a soft sound of surprise but immediately kisses me back, his free hand coming to rest on my waist.

When we pull back, Stevie giggles, squirming in my arms. “Hi Na-ool!” she squeals, reaching out toward him.

“Hey, Stevie,” he says warmly, his grin lighting up his whole face. He sets the folder down on the nearest desk and takes her from me, settling her on his hip like it’s the most natural thing in the world. “How’s my favorite girl?”

“I brought my blankie to see Daddy's work!” she exclaims, holding up her blanket. It’s worn in places but she refuses to let me get her a new one. At least she lets me wash it.

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