Page 112 of Sexted By Santa
He seemed to struggle to get the words out, so I helpfully chimed in, “Santa Daddy.”
Christian coughed. “Right. You don’t have to call me anything but Christian until you’re ready. I know your dad and I haven’t been dating that long.”
Tori’s forehead creased. “But you guys are going to stay together, right?”
My heart skipped at the worry on her face.
She continued, her voice growing more anxious. “I know you guys got mad at each other when I was in the hospital.” She bit her lip. “But you made up, right? You’re not mad anymore?”
Ah, this was so hard. This was why I’d avoided relationships for so long. Tori became as invested in them as I did. If Christian and I didn’t work out, it’d break her heart too. But instead of scaring me away, as that once had, it only made me more determined to hold on to him. Christian had become a part of our family in a very short time, but already, he’d moved into my heart, and the space he occupied there seemed to expand every day.
“Tori, you don’t need to worry,” I said. “We’re staying together. One argument won’t change that.”
“I’m not mad at your dad. I was nevermad,” Christian said. “I was more…worried and sad.”
I cleared my throat. “I was kind of mad.”
Christian huffed an amused breath. “I knew it.”
I shook my head, smiling at him. “I couldn’tstaymad, though.” I turned to Tori. “That’s the thing about love. You and I get mad at each other sometimes, right?”
Tori nodded.
“But we don’t stay mad because we love each other. And Christian is part of our family now too. So it’s the same with him.” I reached out to hold his hand, and he threaded his fingers through mine. “If we fight, I don’t want you to worry. It happens sometimes. We’ll always talk it out, okay?”
Tori looked relieved. “Okay, then I’ll call him Daddy too. Santa Daddy.”
“Uh…” Christian started.
“Can I go try out my jewelry-making kit now?” she asked. “I want to make you both bracelets. One for Daddy and one for Santa Daddy!”
I muffled a laugh behind my fist. Christian apparently decided to accept his fate.
“That sounds really nice. But don’t forget about Aunt Henry. I bet she’d love a bracelet.”
Tori’s eyes lit up. “Oh yeah! I’ll make hers first.”
As she rushed off, I chuckled. “Good idea,Santa Daddy.”
He glared at me. “I blame you for this.”
I laughed. “Me? No. It wasn’t my idea. Although Santa Daddy does have a certain ring to it…”
“Don’t even think about it,” he growled.
I laughed. “Wow, you’re kind of sexy when you’re all irate. Kiss me while the coast is clear.”
Christian gave another mock growl, then kissed me hard. I pulled him against me, opening my mouth, and coaxed him into a sweeter kiss. Our tongues flirted briefly and our lips clung. When we parted with a sigh, he said, “Seriously, though. I can’t be Santa Daddy for the rest of my life. What do I do?”
He sounded so genuinely worried that I almost laughed. But his matter-of-fact comment that this would last for the rest of his life moved me too much. I smiled fondly, sappily, instead. “It’s a phase. She’ll move on. If she doesn’t, we’ll tell her to save the Santa label for Christmastime only.” I shrugged. “Or ask her to call you Christian in public and keep Santa Daddy for at home.”
He frowned, looking worried. “I don’t want to hurt her feelings.”
“Ah, you precious, precious man.” I cupped his face and ran my thumbs over his beard, petting him gently. “She’s eight going on sixteen. You’ll hurt her feelings at some point. But it’s very sweet how much you care about her.”
“I do care.”
“I know.” I waggled my brows. “Maybe I should drag you back into my bed and show just how much I appreciate it.”
