Page 20 of Clause & Effect
“You have no idea what I’m capable of…” he whispers. “Now, imagine, signing that clause is doing exactly what you did just now, trusting me just enough but staying in control, a little naughty, a little nice, a lot of adventure and at the end of the day or evening,” he sighs. “Whether it’s me or my voice—I’ll be there and isn’t that what you’ve always wanted Charlie? Someone to be there. To see you foryou?”
My eyes suddenly burn with tears. “How did you—I don’t know what to say, I, um, I?—”
“—Some gifts, sadly, can’t be placed under a tree, Charlie. Let me give you one you’ve always wanted.”
“Sex?”
“To be seen.” He whispers. “Heard.”
He continues.
“Touched.” He keeps going. “Played with and in control, all at once.”
A tear slides down my cheek. “Let me guess, my safe word’s pineapple or something stupid like that?”
“Safe words you won’t need, but if it makes you feel festive you can just yell Santa.”
“Very funny.”
“Isn’t it though?”
I don’t know what to say.
“Sleep, Charlie. Think about it, I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Not if I see you first.”
“You’ll probably hear the bells…”
“Huh?”
“Sleighbells, bad Christmas joke, sleep tight, dream of sugar plums.”
“I hope they dance.”
“I’ll make sure they do.”
“Powerful, knowing a rich clause and signing one.” I joke.
He says nothing and then. “…Merry Christmas to all, and to all, a goodnight.”
“I always liked that ending.” I admit with a yawn.
“Why’s that?”
“Because it meant he was coming back… Santa.”
“Beautiful.” He whispers. “Sleep.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
When I’m drinking my coffee in the morning with Grace and Devon it’s hard to keep myself from telling Grace the truth about the weird clause, about the instant feelings—all of it.
I can’t stop thinking about our texts and then our phone conversation. It was magical, almost like it didn’t happen, everything about it felt right even if I am still apprehensive.
Devon’s on the phone regarding one of his investments and Grace keeps looking over at me and whispering about Stetson. She’s trying to play it cool, but I can see her husband clocking us every so often.
Devon takes another call and steps away from the table.
