Page 69 of Sexted By Santa
I sighed, feeling beleaguered as I juggled bags in my arms. “Tori, you don’t even know that he wants to go.”
“I do,” Christian said as he stepped in close, relieving me of half of my shopping bags. “I’d love to go with you both.”
I sighed, sagging a little. It was sweet of him to offer, but my night of very little sleep and day walking the mall had caught up with me. “Let’s get this stuff inside. I need to sit down.”
Christian followed me to the kitchen, unloading grocery bags onto the counter beside the stove. “You look tired.”
I nodded. “Been a long day.”
“You’re not up for Winter Fest,” he guessed.
“Not really. Thanks for offering to go with us, though. I know Christmas isn’t your cup of tea.”
Christian smiled shyly at me. “Well, if it gets me more time with you…”
Tori appeared just then. “I hid my Christmas gift for you. No looking for it!”
“I wouldn’t dare,” I said as seriously as I could.
She looked between us. “Is Christian going to Winter Fest with us?”
I hesitated. Before I could think of a way to let her down gently, Christian spoke. “No. Your dad is worn out.”
“Oh, but—”
“Winter Fest continues tomorrow,” he said. “Maybe if you’re both up to it, we could all go then?”
Tori looked at me. “Can we?”
Relieved, I nodded. “Yeah, we can go earlier and spend more time, even. That’s a much better plan.” I flashed a smile at Christian. “Thank you.”
“No problem. You deserve a break. In fact…” He glanced at Tori. “How about we make dinner for your dad tonight?”
I paused in the act of unpacking groceries, a carton of eggs in my hands. “What?”
Tori clapped her hands. “That sounds fun!”
“I haven’t figured out what to make for dinner yet,” I said helplessly.
Christian plucked the carton of eggs from my hands. “How about breakfast for dinner?”
He gave me a searing look. One that said he wanted to make a morning-after meal, even if it was about twelve hours later. I swallowed, awash in memories of the night before. I could still feel the echo of Christian inside me.
“Breakfast,” I rasped. “That sounds good, huh, Tori?”
“Can we make pancakes?” she asked.
“Of course,” Christian answered.
“With chocolate chips?”
Christian glanced at me, seeking permission. I shrugged. “There’s some in the pantry.”
“Good, it’s settled then.” Christian grasped my shoulders, turning me toward the living room. “Go sit and relax. We’ve got this.”
“But the groceries…”
“We’ll put them away,” he assured me. “Do you want a beer?”
