Page 51 of Daddy's Naughty List

Taking their place in line, he slipped his arms around Taylor’s waist again, pulling her back against him. Not because he was worried she might slip away to find trouble—that was more his sister Noelle’s style—but simply because he enjoyed the feel of his woman in his arms. Given the warm spell they’d been experiencing, they’d both opted to just wear sweaters instead of coats, which meant he could feel every inch of her curvy body pressed tight against his.

Every. Single. Inch.

Dipping his head, he dropped his voice low for only her to hear. “What do you say we get our drinks and get out of here? Take a raincheck on our evening with Dom and Noelle?”

Taylor’s sweet giggle told him exactly what her answer was going to be before she shook her head. “No! We promised!”

“I’m sure they won’t mind.”

Tilting her head back, she grinned up at him, mischief sparkling in the bright blue of her eyes. “You’re right. I’m sure Dom would be perfectly happy to get his little elf home so he can peel that costume from her?—”

Maybe it made him a hypocrite since he was dating his little sister’s best friend, but the thought of anyone doingthose thingsto Noelle made him want to gag. Or punch the man doing them. And since his sister was just as likely to return the punch, he resisted the urge.

Mostly.

In an attempt to distract himself from what Dom and Noelle may or may not be doing after the parade, he tightened his hold on Taylor’s waist. “You’re going to pay for that later, little girl.”

As he’d hoped, her next inhale was a tiny bit sharper than before. “Oh?”

“Mmhmm. It’s very naughty to tease your Daddy.”

Before she could answer, the woman behind the counter called them forward. “Next!”

Ruby, according to the name on her tag, greeted them with a grin as they stepped up to the counter. “What can I get started for you folks?”

“Two medium hot chocolates, please,” he told her. “With marshmallows.”

“Whipped cream on mine!” Taylor bounced on her toes, excitement beaming from her face.

So that’s what his naughty girl had been plotting.

“Names?” Ruby asked, her marker poised over the cup.

“Ian and Taylor. And just marshmallows is fine for both, thanks.”

Raising her brows, Ruby jotted a name down on the first cup. “One hot chocolate with marshmallows for Ian.” She placed his cup in the line on the counter. “And one hot chocolate with marshmallows andextrawhipped cream for Ms. Taylor.”

“Yay!” More bouncing from his babygirl. “Thank you, Ruby!”

“No problem, sweetheart.” The smile she flashed was a little too bright, a little too sharp to be considered anything less than lethal. “Anything else I can get you folks? We have some chocolate and peppermint cookies, fresh from Rev and Roll.”

“Oh, that sounds amazing! Yes, please!”

Not even bothering to sigh, Ian handed over his credit card when Ruby rang them up. “Merry Christmas, Taylor!” she called after them as they moved down the counter to wait on their drinks.

“That was very naughty, Taylor Grace,” he murmured in Taylor’s ear while they waited for their order to be ready. “What did Daddy say when you asked if you could have marshmallows and whipped cream?”

Even from the side, he could see her cheeks turn pink. “Umm… I don’t remember.”

“Uh-huh. Well, I hope we can find a free table where you can sit and enjoy your treats because once we get home I can promise you won’t feel like sitting the rest of the night.”

Her head jerked up, and even though her mouth was hanging open in shock, he could see the excitement dancing in her eyes. “That’s not fair!”

“What’s not fair?”

As one, they turned to find Noelle and Dom watching them. Noelle, dressed like one of Santa’s elves, was scowling at them with her arms crossed while her Daddy stood to the side, his usual easy grin on his face. He’d lost the beard and Santa hat, thankfully, though he was still wearing the suit.

“None of our business, sugar plum,” Dom said, his tone as easy as his smile. But he laid a hand on the back of Noelle’s neck in subtle warning.

---