Page 172 of Daddy's Naughty List

“Nope. You’re just going to have to watch and see.” Santa smiley but Santa serious? “They’re definitely queer-coded and in a relationship. Most of that had to be off screen of course, but there was romance.”

Hmm.

“Santa silly.” But Santa happy. “Snuggle Santa.”

“Aww, thank you.” More kisses. Big cuddles. “Here we go.”

Yep, Santa big smiley.

“You laughed and smiled. I saw you.” Santa giggled and hugged me big-big. “I knew you’d like it.”

Silly goose.

“Oh, no pretending. I saw you laughing.” Santa growled and tickled. “Ha. There’s your laughter.”

Santa…

Santa…

Santa cheated.

Big hugs. “Love you.”

Being tickled was hard work. Santa made me yawn too.

“I saw that too. Time for bed.” Santa looked like I was sneaky. “Arms around me. Bedtime for Santa and his helper.”

“Monkey.” Tight. Tight. “Santa’s monkey.”

Santa giggled. “I don’t know about that. I’ve got a helper. I don’t need a monkey. They’re messy.”

Messy monkey.

He was so funny.

Hug. Hugs.

Hold tight.

“Bedtime for the tired monkey.” Kisses. “He’s had a long day and now we’re going to cuddle.”

Santa needed cuddles.

Bedtime for Santa.

“Whatcha thinking?” Rhett’s soft voice sounded like he was only half-awake, but all the brains that were working were focused on me.

“That the world didn’t end.” Instead of telling me I was crazy, he simply nodded and wrapped himself around me, pulling my back tighter against his chest. He was always a really good big spoon, but he did it the best when he was only half-awake.

“I’m glad it didn’t.” Kissing my head, he let out a deep breath that tickled my neck and sounded like he could’ve easily gone back to sleep. “I was… I was worried it might, but I didn’t want to stop you from exploring.”

He’d trusted me.

“You were the best.” Closing my eyes, I tried not to sound stressed or worried, but I knew the slow exhale I made gave me away.

Being too relaxed was as much of a tell as being too tense.

Rhett kissed my head and made a thinking sound, letting me know he’d heard me and he knew what my careful breathing meant.

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