Page 61 of Sleigh Bells and Snowstorms
He brushed a lock of hair from my face. “Are you sure you’re all right?”
“Sore and tired, but yes.”
“You’re not going to develop a life-threatening complication and die if I leave you alone, are you?”
I laughed a little. “No. I can be left alone, and I’m pretty sure I won’t die.”
“All right.” He slipped his hands around my waist and gently drew me against him. “Does this hurt?”
The new level of contact left me slightly breathless, and I draped my arms over his shoulders. “No. Doesn’t hurt.”
“Good.” He leaned down and kissed me, then pulled away and licked his lips. “I rather enjoy doing that.”
“Does that surprise you?”
“Not in the least.” He kissed me again. “You taste delicious.”
“Shh,” I said, trying not to laugh, and lowered my voice to a whisper. “I don’t want Annabel to hear things like that.”
He put his mouth next to my ear, and his deep voice sent pleasant tingles down my spine. “I’ll be quiet. But you do taste good.” He kissed my neck and grazed my earlobe with his teeth.
Suppressing a giggle, I scrunched my shoulders. It sent a stab of pain across my back, and my body stiffened. “Ow.”
“Sorry.” He pulled away, and concern crossed his features. “Did I hurt you?”
“No, I just moved wrong.”
“I’ll be more careful.” He pressed his lips to my forehead. “I should go. I have a date tonight.”
“Sounds exciting.”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
That made me smile. “Me too.”
“The rest of you better be in pajamas when I get back,” he said.
“Who’s wearing pajamas?” Annabel asked.
Startled by her voice, I stepped away from Jensen.
Without missing a beat, he turned around. “We are. For dinner. Your auntie Natalie invited me over for pizza in pajamas. Is that all right with you?”
Her eyes widened. “I get to come too?”
“Only if you’re dressed properly.”
“Can we wear Christmas pajamas?” she asked, the pitch of her voice rising with every word.
“Seems like the obvious choice,” he said.
Throwing her arms overhead, she jumped up and down. “Yay! Pizza and Christmas jammies!”
“I think you just made her week,” I said.
“I do love to make the women in my life happy.” He seemed to want to step in for a kiss, but Annabel was still dancing around the kitchen, so instead, he winked.
He crouched down, and Annabel stopped jumping.
