Page 90 of The Snuggle is Real
“Yep. I likeElfthe best.”
“That’s a good one,” I agreed.
Charlie peeked over my shoulder. “Hi, Mason. Are we going to work at your house again today?”
“Maybe later. I’m kind of in the mood to build a snowman…”
Charlie lit up and wiggled in my arms. “I want to go, Ford! Can we?”
I laughed and set her down. “That’s the plan. Maybe if you ask Dottie real nice, she’ll have a spare hat and scarf for Frosty. Maybe a carrot for a nose?”
“I just might,” Dottie said, shuffling toward the kitchen.
“You could come with us,” Mason called.
“And freeze my tits off?” Dottie grumbled. “No, thanks.”
I laughed. “She’s not a fan of the weather.”
“Itiscold out there today,” Mason said.
I tugged him into my arms and snuck a kiss while the girls were in the other room. “I’ll keep you warm.”
“Just looking at you makes me warm in all kinds of places,” he said, his eyes full of flirty promise.
We’d had sex three times in less than twelve hours—because of course I hadn’t been able to keep my hands off him in the shower—but damned if I didn’t want to throw the man down and have at him again. I hadn’t felt this needy since high school.
“You can show me later,” I murmured.
Mason stepped back just before Dottie and Charlie returned with a shopping bag containing a stocking cap, scarf, mittens, buttons, and a banana.
“No carrots,” Dottie said. “We made do the best we could.”
I smirked. “Well, it’ll make our guy stand out, that’s for sure.”
We left Dottie to her warm house and piled into the pickup, with Charlie taking a seat in the back, where her booster seat was. Mason placed the supplies between us, and the barrier nagged at me as I navigated the downtown streets and found a place to park. I wanted him close, wanted to touch him at all times.
But we hadn’t yet discussed what to tell Charlie. I didn’t know how she’d feel about me being with someone other than her mother, even though she was used to us being apart. Andwith her only staying here for a short time, I didn’t want her to worry she’d be pushed aside. Charlie would always come first.
LuAnne hadn’t called back yet to confirm when she’d be out of rehab, and Christmas was only days away. I didn’t know what to hope for. That Charlie would have her mom for Christmas, at the risk of LuAnne taking her away sooner? Or that Lu would let us have the holidays, at least, before she swooped in?
“You okay?” Mason asked, gaze on my hands.
I’d clenched the steering wheel so tightly my knuckles turned white. I exhaled and relaxed my grip as I swung into an open spot in front of Dancing Sugar Plums, a candy store across from the park.
“I’m good.” I smiled at him. “Glad to be here with both of you.”
His eyes were warm as he answered, “Me too.”
“Me three!” Charlie called.
The festival was nearly over—and the largest events had wrapped up—though there were a handful of people at the park. Mostly families with kids, taking advantage of the snowfall to build their snowmen for the festival contest.
There were already a few lumpy shapes taking form. Charlie hopped out of the truck and I held out my right hand for her to take. She clasped it in her mittened grip, then reached for Mason with her other hand.
He took hold with a bemused expression as Charlie linked us for the walk across the street.
Every three steps she jumped, forcing us to take her weight as she swung.
