Page 35 of One Night at Christmas

“You heard me.” He knew his demand wouldn’t hurt her.

“What’s brought this on? Because she fucked you? I told you to sleep with her and come home. Hell, keep her as a mistress. I can see how you would get clingy because she had sex with you, but don’t let it make you stupid, Bry.”

“You’ll be hearing from my lawyer.”

“Bry—”

He disconnected the call. She rang back right away, but he let it go to voicemail. The phone buzzed with a message and another call. He’d infuriated Gretchen, and he had no doubt that she would get vindictive. Their divorce would be messy. He ran a hand over his face and pushed fingers into his hair.

“What are you doing?”

Charon stood in the doorway, leaning against the jamb. Her luscious brown thighs peeked out from beneath her nightie. His dick hardened. Did he love her because she accepted his size? No, she was perfect in every way. As he gazed into her beautiful face, he realized he would stay with her even if she never let him touch her. The knowledge almost brought him to his knees.

“I love you,” he said simply.

She shook, pressing the back of her hand to her mouth. “Stop talking like that all of a sudden.”

“Is it so wrong?” He took a step closer to her and brushed fingers over her face. She turned her head away and then moved back, allowing him to cup her cheek. Dark lashes settled against her cheeks, covering those liquid chocolate eyes he loved so much. His chest constricted. She was killing him.

“You’re not avail—”

“I just got off the phone with her. I told her I want a divorce.”

She gasped. “Seriously?”

“You know me, Charon. I don’t mess around with what I want. I go after it. I want you. I want to be free of her. I was a fool to make the connection in the first place. She’s not going to make things easy for me. It may get ugly, but if you’re willing to ride it out w

ith me, that’s all that matters.”

A teardrop rolled down her face, and he caught it.

“I love you so much, Bryson. I’m with you. Here or in New York.”

He drew her into his arms and held her tight. Her arms snaked around his middle, and they stood that way for long minutes. A part of him wanted to take her nightie off and fuck her until she screamed right there in the bathroom doorway. Of course, they couldn’t do it, and she wasn’t ready. He waited four years. A little more time wouldn’t hurt.

“Mommy, I gotta pee.”

They sprang apart. Bryson hurried to the living room and phoned his lawyer. After a brief conversation where the man assured him he would start the paperwork for divorce after the holidays, Bryson looked for a restaurant where they could have breakfast.

Charon walked into the room fully dressed. He lamented the loss of her bare legs.

“I’m getting hungry,” she said. “What about you Naomi?”

Her daughter, walking behind her, threw her arms in the air and jumped up and down with endless energy. “Me too! I want pancakes and cupcakes and blueberries and bacon.”

Bryson chuckled.

Charon shook her head in amusement. “You can’t have pancakes and cupcakes.”

“It just so happens that I found a restaurant that serves pancakes,” Bryson announced, “and they’re not too far away. We’ll go after I get dressed.”

Charon looked like she would protest, but she changed her mind. There was no use fighting it. He would look after her from now on. Not that he had a problem with her working or supporting herself. He had the means, so why not let him spoil her? What else was he supposed to do with all the money in his bank account?

A short while later, they walked out to the parking lot. “Mind if I drive?” he asked.

She smirked. “Gotta be in control, huh?”

“I’m fine letting you drive.”

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