Page 73 of Ho Ho Oh No

She doesn’t need to know it was weeks spent obsessively panicking over it while in a state of decision paralysis. A wise man once told me it’s not how you begin but how you end that counts. I’m happy with what Junior helped me pick out today. I bet she loves it.

She arches a brow. It’s taunting, challenging, and I can’t fucking take it another second. Ineedto remind her who she’s messing with.

Starting now.

Gradually, I lower my mouth toward her ear until her face leaves my view. I sacrifice the staring contest victory, taking theLandknowing a bigger prize is on the way.

I infuse a menacing rasp into my tone and whisper, “You need to be taught a lesson about teasing me, baby girl. We’re finding a closet or empty room immediately unless you use your fucking safe word. If we can’t find anything inside the hospital, we’ll hit the car for old time’s sake.”

After a quick lick on the shell of her ear, I shift back to study her expression. Instead of shock or even arousal, I’m met with a challenging glare.

She’s so feisty tonight. I fucking love it. Remind me to thank the Brat Pack.

“Shep, is that a candy cane in your pocket, or are you happy to see me?”

I scoff and send my eyes for a showy roll around my skull. “Real original. A candy cane?”

She straightens the collar of my robe. “Yeah. One of those tiny ones.” Positioning her hand between us, she stretches her thumb and forefinger about two inches apart.

She can dish it out all she wants. I can take it.

Keep telling yourself that, tinsel twat.

Fuck off, old English-style Ebenezer Scrooge.

I’m about to show my conscience exactly how much I can take when I claim Kri’s delicious pussy. Just like I’ve been craving ever since she first put on this fucking sexy little skirt.

She said it’s a dress, oh daft one.

Ever since she put on this sexy little dress. Better?

That’ll do, pig.

Fucking hell. Now, my conscience is doing impressions. Good thing I’m in a hospital because I might be losing it.

With a smirk creeping up her pink cheeks, Kri peers across the room to where our coworkers are chatting. “Hey, dick in a box one and two. We’re going to visit the nurses who took care of me in the ICU. We’ll be back soon.”

As if on cue, Aaron and Jonesy throw their hands up, resembling a field goal. It’s just like the damnDick in a Boxvideo.

Hysterical.

I’d love to stay and joke around with them, but I have a pussy to tame.

I flip my two fingers from my eyes to Val’s in theI’m watching yougesture. “Don’t run off or try anything stupid while we’re gone.”

“Rude.” She tuts at me, then switches on the charm, widening her doe eyes. “Can I come and say hi to the nurses?”

“No,” Kri and I answer simultaneously, probably a bit more emphatically than the situation requires.

Val scratches her eye, extending her middle finger at me.Kri’s gonna get a spanking because that’s totally her move. She’s influencing our teenager in the worst way.

After I stick my tongue out at our kid—always the mature parent—I tear off down the hall with Kri. I have no clue where we’ll end up, which is part of the fun.

Despite our carefree vibe, I keep my head on a swivel as we sneak around.Kri does the same.Highly unlikely Lenkov would try anything tonight. Especially since this was such an unexpected trip. However, I won’t be letting our guard down. He’s infiltrated the hospital before. Not gonna let anything happen to my girl ever again.

We peek in a few rooms, searching for the perfect spot. The rush of being naughty has us snickering, which results in throwing shushes back and forth. In fact, it’s similar to how we throw candy bars at each other.

Aaandnow I’m thinking about Snickers—the chocolate, not the juvenile laughter. I bet the vending machine on the fourth floor still has the jumbo ones. Only one way to find out.