Page 27 of A Crossroads Christmas

I shrugged. “Club business.”

Her brow arched. “No. I bet this has something to do with Rael, the mysterious presents he won’t stop talking about, andthe lesson everyone wants to teach his stubborn, annoying, but loveable ass.”

Damn. She called it exactly as she saw it. My woman was rarely, if ever, wrong. Of course, I pretended I didn’t know where she came up with it since it was my turn to prank our S.A.A. next. I had plans for him and couldn’t wait to get started.

Mavy chose that moment to rush into the kitchen, slamming into my legs. “Daddy!”

Saved by a three-year-old. Nice, my Reaper chuckled.

“Hey, my little Buddoo.”

Mavy loved to call me his buddy, but he said the word slightly differently. I loved his variation.

“I wanna sing Hippo.”

Ah. Maverick had grown obsessed with the song “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas.” He listened to it on repeat, giggling at his stuffed animals as he arranged them on his bed, acting like he was Santa pulling a sleigh.

Of course, I indulged him and found antlers for his bears. We had spent the last few weeks watching all the classic Christmas movies for kids, and he absolutely loved Rudolph. Funny enough, the abominable snowman never scared him. He just smiled at it, even when it gnashed its teeth on screen.

I had a feeling my Reaper had something to do with it. His pride and affection for my son made him fiercely protective. Whenever Mavy had a bad dream, he often woke me before I had a chance to rouse myself. I bet he found a way to explain the scary monster in Rudolph without scaring Maverick.

I didn’t mind.

“Let’s get you back in your room, and I’ll turn on Hippo for you.”

Mavy held my hand as I kissed Sasha and led him down the hall. Once I had him settled and his Hippo song playing, I secured his gate in the doorway. Mavy loved to play with all hisanimals; it was the safest space since Sasha was busy cooking. She’d check on him often and probably pause to play with him before his nap. It was their routine.

“Love you, Buddoo,” I announced, hugging him before I left.

“Bye, Daddy!”

I headed toward the front door but stopped in the hall when I noticed my beautiful wife leaning against the wall, arms folded across her perfect tits. “Babe. If you’re trying to get me to fuck you, just drop your panties, and I’ll slide right in.”

She pursed her lips. “Bodie Whitman.”

Shit. “Honey, I’ve got to get to church.” Well, I did have church later in the afternoon, but not yet. I had to fuck with Rael first, and there was plenty of time for that.

“What are you going to do?”

Damn. Why did she always have to call me on my shit? “My gorgeous, intelligent, sexy as fuck wife,” I began.

“Bodie,” she warned.

“Everything is good, Babe. Real good. I swear.” That was the truth. So what if it wasn’t theentiretruth? A little lie of omission wasn’t hurtin’ no one.

Just Rael, my Reaper, reminded me with a chuckle.

My lips almost twitched as I held back a laugh.

“I see that gleam in your eye, Bodie. It means trouble.”

I slapped a hand over my heart. “Never, Babe.”

She sighed. “Don’t be late for dinner.”

I grinned so damn wide my cheeks hurt. She just gave me the equivalent of a free pass. “You’re my fucking air, Sasha.”

Her pretty smile almost made me want to bend her over and make her come before I left. But shit, I had to go. “My air, too,” she breathed. “Always.”

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