Page 33 of Here Comes Santa Paws

I nearly choked on the piece of turkey I’d been chewing while trying not to laugh.

As we filled our bellies and watched the football game, Elias asked a few questions about gameplay.

“I haven’t watched much football, but this is less boring than I expected,” he said.

I laughed, and Elias watched me with wonder in his eyes. Once again, instead of feeling self-conscious about laughing or smiling, he made me want to do it more.

That was the thing about Elias. There was goodness in his heart and soul. He wanted everyone around him to be happy, sometimes at his own expense. Elias needed someone to watch out for his well-being while he focused on others.

I relaxed deeper into the couch, talking football with Jim and explaining things to Elias. I had a good time. They were easy to be around. If I didn’t feel like talking for a while, Elias filled the space, or we all silently watched the game. It was the best Thanksgiving I’d had in years. They didn’t corner me into awkward small talk or ask me a litany of probing questions. I simply got to enjoy amazing food in the company of two greatmen. Jim even laid off the matchmaking comments when he joined me to check on Carol.

Eventually, Jim declared he’d digested enough to have room for pie. Elias popped up to put food away and get dessert ready. I joined him.

When I reached the kitchen, he was bent in front of a cabinet, rummaging for storage containers. It took all my self-control not to press against his pert ass, squeeze his hip, and make promises with my body. We’d kissed once. That didn’t give me the right to paw at him—especially not with his grandfather on the other side of the wall.

He straightened and placed a teetering stack of containers on the counter. My body moved toward him without my conscious direction. He turned and let out an “Oh” as I caged him against the counter.

“The meal was delicious. Thank you.”

Elias licked his lips. “You’re welcome. I’m glad you came over.”

“Me too.” He smelled like cranberries. Did he taste like them too? I bent my head to find out.

As soon as our lips touched, Elias wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me close. I invaded his mouth and expressed all my gratitude for him including me without expecting anything. Elias let me be me.

Jim cheered. “Touchdown Bears!”

I pulled back. Elias dropped his forehead against mine and laughed. “Woohoo!” he called to Jim as he grinned at me. He dropped a quick kiss on my lips before turning back to begin putting food away.

I stood there, dazed by that simple kiss, as Elias calculated the best containers for each item. I was used to kisses as a means to getting off, but that was pure affection.

“You weren’t exaggerating your cooking abilities. I definitely need to take you up on that dinner you promised.”

He aimed a flirty grin at me. “Your casserole was delicious, by the way.”

“You can keep some if you want.”

Elias’s eyes lit up. “Yeah? I’d like that. I’m sure Gramps would too.”

My chest swelled uncomfortably.

He scooped some out into containers and put one in the fridge and the other on a growing stack. Then he moved my casserole dish next to a separate stack. I moved toward those.

“Do these go in the fridge?” I gestured to them.

“Those are for you.”

I stared at the thoughtful assembly of leftovers. A little of everything and an extra big bag of turkey.

“That’s for Carol,” he said when I picked up the turkey bag.

“Thank you.”

He squeezed my arm. “You’re welcome. Help me dish up the pie?”

I nodded, grateful for a task. I cut three narrow slices of chocolate pie with a whipped cream topping and three narrow slices of pumpkin pie. Elias directed me to put a dollop of whipped cream from a bowl onto the pumpkin slice for Jim.

I carried plates to the living room for me and Jim with Elias behind me.

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