Page 10 of Blame It On the Secret Santa

“Oh. Goodness. Yes. I remember a few years ago when she had her wisdom teeth pulled. Her mother said she had the hardest time with Cassidy. Apparently, she doesn’t react well to it.”

“So I’m noticing,” I teased, shifting my weight to better hold hers.

“Do you want some help getting that to your car?” my mom asked, nodding to the coffee cup in my hand.

I didn’t want to make her lose her place in line, nor did I want to confuse my dad by having her leave.

“Na, but would you mind holding it for a minute?”

She nodded and accepted the cup as I handed it to her. My dad watched and grinned as I carefully bent down and tossed Cassidy over my shoulder, making sure not to touch her ass or the tops of her thighs where she likely hurt the most.

“The world is upside down!” she cheered with a few giggles.

I turned slightly to get her situated as I took the cup from my mom.

“Hello, Mr. Wheeler,” Cassidy sang, waving to my dad.

“Hello, dear. It’s nice seeing you and Sean together again.”

My mom and I exchanged a look, both debating on whether to correct him. There was a good chance he would forget he had said it by the time they got their coffee. I lowered my head and waved at my parents as I carried Cassidy out of the store.

Seven

Cassidy

Iwoke up to somethingwet on my face and tried to move away as quickly as possible.

“Max, down,” a familiar voice commanded.

My eyes fluttered open as I looked around, not recognizing the room I was in as I spotted Sean in the kitchen. I pushed myself up on the couch, wincing as the pain shot through my butt and thighs as I did.

“Where am I?” I asked, my throat thick and dry.

“My house,” Sean replied as he came over and handed me a glass of water. A Doberman Pinscher stood beside him, watching my every move as I lifted the glass to my lips.

“He’s friendly,” Sean assured me as if somehow reading my mind. “He’s just fighting the urge to get up there and lick your face again.”

---