Page 83 of Sexted By Santa
Christian looked amused. “I bet she’s cute in that costume.”
“The cutest,” I agreed.
“Do you think…” He hesitated. “Um, I know we haven’t told her about our relationship, but I’d like to be there. If you’re okay with it?”
“At her program, you mean?”
“Yes. I’d love to see it.”
“Even though it’s more holiday stuff?”
Christian huffed. “I’ve been a foolish old man, putting so much effort into being a grinch. There’s a lot to love about the season, starting with the joy that crosses that little girl’s face.”
“Fuck,” I said. “Now I really want to drag you inside and have my way with you.”
“What?” He laughed. “Because I’m changing my mind about the holidays?”
“No. Because you care about Tori’s joy.”
“Oh.” He looked a little embarrassed. “Well, I’ve never had a daughter. I don’t really know how to be a parent. But…” He swallowed hard. “I can’t imagine being any luckier than having a small part in her life and yours.”
Moved by his words, I couldn’t find any of my own. I kissed him until my phone timer went off, warning me I had to return to work. When I got out of the car, my skin was flushed, my cock half hard, and my insides a puddle of melty goo for the man I’d once thought so unkind. How wrong I’d been.
I ducked down to see him through the open car door. “Come to the winter program tonight. She’ll love having you there.”
“Okay, thanks.”
“And I’ll tell her about us soon. I promise.”
“There’s no rush. I want you to be comfortable. Both of you.”
My heart swelled. This was why I lo—No. Why Icouldlove this man. Someday. Not yet. It was far too soon. But the potential was there, pulsing between us, waiting to emerge when we were ready. Before that happened, Tori had to know the truth.
I knew I shouldn’t hold back, but there was a small part of me that felt this was all too good to be true. A part of me that feared that as soon as I told Tori, as soon as I made our relationship irrefutably official, it would all collapse like a house of cards.
But that wasn’t fair to Christian. Not when I’d been the one to convince him to try.
“Soon,” I promised. “I want us to start our lives openly and honestly. Really. I’m just…”
“Worried,” he said with an understanding smile. “It’s a big step for both of you. I understand.”
I sighed. “You’re too good to be true.”
“No, I’m just trying to be good enough for you.”
But as I walked away, I knew without a doubt, he was more than enough. And I owed it to him to bring him fully into my life. That meant telling Tori, and soon. I just hoped that when the moment came, I could find the right words.
21
CHRISTIAN
Tori twirled onstage, imitating a flurry coming down from the sky along with a handful of other girls and boys. None of the costumes matched—some homemade, some purchased, all slightly different in color and design—but the song was about embracing your uniqueness, so it worked.
Tori’s costume was the best, in my opinion. She wore a white dress, and affixed to it was a large cardboard cut-out of a snowflake that had been painted white and covered in silver glitter. She also wore a headband, with a series of small snowflakes that sparkled under the lights. On her face, blue lipstick and body glitter completed the design.
All the kids looked great, of course, but Jaxson and Tori had done an amazing job.
“She looks so good up there,” I whispered to him as we watched from the bleachers.
