Page 57 of Flirting with the Scrooge

“Holy shit. That was… Holy shit.” His arm wraps around me and his hand slides up and down my arm. “Yeah. We definitely don’t need condoms.”

My shoulders shake as I laugh. I run my hand over his chest. “Thank you. That was the sweetest, most thoughtful thing anyone has ever done for me.”

“For the orgasms?”

I laugh again. “No, the decorations. You didn’t have to do that.”

“I know how much you love the holidays.” Goosebumps prickle my skin as he continues to run his hand up and down my arm.

“I’m sure I’m going to regret this later, but I want to enjoy this for however long we have left together. I would rather have that than nothing at all. When the time comes, I’ll deal with everything else.”

“Did you know you’re absolutely perfect?”

“You’re only saying that because you get sex.” Amusement fills my smile.

“Throw sex off the table and you’d still be perfect.”

I press my lips to his in a chaste kiss. “Dammit. Now I want sex just for you saying that.”

He wraps an arm around me and twists us around so he’s on top, slowly lowering me down to the mattress. “Just give me five more minutes. Then I’m all yours.” He kisses my neck, leaving a ripple of goosebumps in his wake.

“Wait.”

He freezes.

“There’s something I need to ask you.”

TWENTY-EIGHT

THE BAND OF CHRISTMAS MISFITS

Connor

I hold my breath as I wait for what she has to say. This could go a million different ways and I’m not sure I know what it could be. As each day passes, she embeds a little more of herself into my soul. I know our time together has an expiration date, but I want to give her all of me until then. She deserves that.

“The other day at your house, you mentioned you needed to get away. Why?”

The mattress dips as I push myself up and move to lean against the headboard. She rises and does the same, wrapping the edge of the blanket around her chest. Being vulnerable is not my thing. Right now, it’s like I’m standing naked in front of a crowded venue, instead of being naked in my bed. It’s easy to mask my emotions in my music, but it’s hard as fuck to face them head on.

I draw in a deep breath and glance at the ceiling. “I—I couldn’t deal with the people anymore. I needed time away. Fuck.” I drag my hands down my face. “There came a point when everyone only wanted something from me. A fan wanting an autograph. My agent wanting me to appear at an event. The label wanting a new album. I felt that’s all I was good for. I was bitter and numb. I was alive, but only going through the motions. If that makes sense.”

Her hand softly slides up and down my forearm in comfort. “I’m sorry Connor. I can’t imagine how that must have felt.”

“The realization that I needed to do something hit when I caught my then girlfriend sleeping with a member of another band we were touring with. Anyone’s normal reaction would be to get mad, or to punch the other guy, but I just didn’t care. I walked away. Grams needing help became the perfect excuse to leave. I told everyone I was tending to some family business and got the hell out of there.”

“Has it helped?”

“It’s been the best distraction. Orsomeonehas been the best distraction.” I wrap my arms around her shoulders and haul her to my chest. “I don’t know what the future holds, but the present is pretty perfect.” I press my lips to the top of her head.

“Like this exact moment, lying in your bed, naked,” she giggles. It’s soft and sweet.

“Naked is the best part.” I press my lips to her shoulder and then nuzzle her neck, a spot that I know drives her wild.

She tilts her head to give me better access. “What are your plans once the house sells?”

And there’s the elephant in the room just stomping his way through. The question is inevitable, but I was hoping I didn’t have to think about it right now. “I guess I’ll go back to LA. My record label wants to get started on a new album so we can do another tour.”

“Is that what you want to do?” She glances up at me.

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