Page 14 of Christmas Wishes

“Get settled okay?”

I didn’t get why he looked so charmed when I was being barely hospitable, but I did my best to go into host mode. That wasn’t easy, given how caught off guard I was.

“Yup! Despite a kerfuffle with the spiral staircase.”

I hated that thing. Nico thought it brought character to the place. Good thing there was another staircase. Otherwise, I would’ve abandoned the entire upstairs. Spiral staircases weren’t built for big people.

“Anything I can get you before I turn in?” Because I wasn’t in the mood to keep talking. I needed to GTFO and figure out how I would get through the week with a guy like him under my roof. He reminded me of my ex, with his big personality and overt flirting. Two of the things that had originally drawn me to him.

“No, but it looks like you could use a hearty meal, a week of sleep, and some great sex. I can help with two of those.” His words were filthy, but he delivered them with an angelic, almost bratty smile. He clasped his hands innocently, but they dangled just above where he surely wanted my attention.

I opened my mouth, then closed it. My brain immediately gave up on trying to rummage around my vocabulary and assemble a somewhat sensical response.

He let out a bright laugh. “I get that reaction a lot. Don’t worry. You’ll get used to me or learn to ignore me. Everyone does.”

He delivered the words cheerfully, but they twisted something in my chest. Not interested in spending time dissecting why.

“But seriously, of all the Airbnbs in all the world, I land in yours. I’m a Gemini, a wannabe morning person, but I usually fail at that, can’t stand seafood, and tend to cry at emotional commercials.” He held out his hand.

I shook his out of habit, and my hand consumed his. I ignored the sparks racing up my arm at the connection. That was just my dick trying to convince the rest of me to party. My brain shut that shit down fast. Especially since my first thought was that the last person I’d gotten a spark like that from had been my ex-fiancé.And look how that turned out.Chemistry didn’t mean anything.

“I won’t be around much. Busy at work this time of year.”

Keaton dimmed for a moment, and I immediately regretted my words. I didn’t have the time or energy for regret. All I needed to do was provide a comfy bed. Aseparatecomfy bed for him.

“But you’ve got my number. That’s the easiest way to reach me. If you need anything, don’t hesitate. I’ll stay out of your hair. You’re welcome to use anything in the kitchen and the living room. There’s a paper with instructions on how to use the TV and sound system.”

“Got it. I’ll stay out of your way.” The twinkle in his eye said he’d do anything but. I had a feeling Keaton wasn’t knocked down easily.

“Right. Off to bed unless you need anything.”

He frowned. “Aren’t you going to eat dinner?”

I grabbed the half-eaten protein bar from the counter. The wrinkle in his forehead deepened. I had stuff on hand for the guests to make breakfast but failed at providing myself the same courtesy.

“Hope you sleep well,” he said.

“Same to you.” I left him behind in the kitchen. When I reached the living room, I turned back to glance at him against my better judgment and caught him taking a deep breath and shaking his hands. I hurried off before he caught me looking.

After getting ready for bed and collapsing on my mattress, expecting sleep to pull me under, I stared wide-eyed at the ceiling. The ceiling separating Keaton’s bed from mine.

Chapter8

Keaton

I settledback against the pile of soft pillows on my bed for the week. Mmm. Very nice pillows. I had one mediocre pillow at home since I never brought hookups back to our place. Having four pillows to choose from was downright decadent.

I tried to distract myself by scrolling TikTok, but product reviews from my favorite beauty influencers couldn’t even hold my attention.

Riggs was my Airbnb host. Somewhere on the floor below me. What were the odds I’d land in the home of the abrupt bear of a man I’d fantasized about all day?

I didn’t even know if he was queer or available, but that didn’t matter to my filthy thoughts. I should probably ease off the flirting until I got those questions answered though. Otherwise, it might be quite an uncomfortable week. At least it would be an entertaining one. Then it hit me. That’s what Lucy had been laughing at earlier. She had to guess I’d be staying at Riggs’s place. There couldn’t be that many Airbnbs in town.

I launched the app to check, and wow, slim pickings. I’d swiped through them all in a few minutes. Then my phone buzzed in my hand with a text from Arlo.

Arlo: Made it back to the B&B. Still hurts, but not as excruciating.

I reflexively cupped my dick. My poor, poor bestie. The first day of his solo trip, in an intimidating situation, he gets the nerve to eat by himself in a restaurant, then accidentally gets hot sauce on his dick when he goes to pee. I hoped like hell that wasn’t indicative of the rest of his week.

---