Page 92 of Special Agent Murphy

Chapter Fifty-five

Murphy needed to concentrate on his shopping list for tomorrow’s dinner. After bragging as much as he’d done, he’d better make sure they were fed a Christmas meal showing off his best efforts.

After all, it wasn’t just a drunk and his kid around the table this year. The next day, he’d be hosting his boss, his new foster son, as well as the woman he couldn’t wait to make his own.

Thinking of Kayti, remembering the naked little devil teasing him with her kisses, using her sexy body so he’d let her drive his car to go Christmas Eve shopping, it was all he could do to tell her – and mean it – “not a hope in hell.”

Her pout drew kisses that led to more kisses, until he put an end to that nonsense. “Stop taking advantage of me, woman. I have a lot to do today… that’s if you want to eat a turkey dinner tomorrow.”

She’d quit her provoking immediately and tried to keep a serious face. Then she’d shared her conversation with Mark, about how she might need glasses, which made him extremely happy. Relief bombarded him, which went to prove how much he’d worried about her behind the wheel.

Holding her down on the bed and teasingly brushing his morning beard against her cheek, he got serious for long enough to say, “Darling, go shopping. I’ll pay for as many Ubers as you need to use, just be safe and have fun. That’s all I ask.”

She’d reached up and gently sifted her fingers through his chest hairs before she’d arched upwards to blow at them teasingly. Letting her hand go in order to scratch was not a good move.

That’s when she’d flipped them over, coming on top and taking control. Her questions turned him to mush. “Are we always going to be this happy?”

“Always.”

“And stay together?”

“Together forever, doll. I’ll always do the best I can to make you as happy as you are right now.”

“Me too. Whatever it takes.”

“If you’re serious, how about looking into a less dangerous career? You’ll most likely save me from a heart attack due to stress overload.”

She wrapped her arms around him and hugged. “Oh, I was serious. As for this career, I’m not a tough-ass like you and that’s a job requirement. Being so easily manipulated isn’t the best way for an agent to behave. Edna says she’s got just the right place for me to switch to within the agency, so you won’t have to be a Mr. Doomsday about me anymore.”

Unable to express his delight with words and not turn into an emotional lover, he showed her once again how much she meant to him. Which left it later than he’d anticipated for getting his shopping started.

***

He picked up the crew at the hospital and left them in the mall to do their own present buying, slipping Mark a fifty so he wouldn’t be left out.

Seeing the joy in the kid’s face set his mood up to suffer amiably through his least favorite pastime… shopping. A jewelry store for Kayti, a sportswear shop for Mark and Talin, and the bookstore for Rob finished off the hard stuff.

Touring the supermarket was his secret passion. While enjoying the spree, his thoughts turned to the morning, and he had trouble wiping the silly grin off his face.

Hours later, when he’d returned from the shops loaded with parcels, he got the shock of his life. Kayti had created miracles in his house.

Not only had she given their poor Charlie Brown tree a makeover so it hung with pretty ornaments and glowed with extra lights, she’d arranged fresh flowers, chocolates, and an amazing number of presents under the tree all wrapped in fancy paper and bows.

The place had never looked so good.

Talin and Rob agreed when they all settled in for a night of pizza and movies. Mark just looked stunned and quietly followed Talin’s lead. The boys had hit it off, Talin making a concerted effort to be a pal.

Murphy appreciated the way him and Rob sought out Mark’s views, including him in everything going on. The kid veered to Kayti less and less as the evening wore on.

Once the pizza arrived and the smells of cheese, pepperoni and mushrooms filtered through the room, he watched everyone fill their plates and was glad he’d made the decision not to cook that night.

He had the big meal to prepare the next day. He wasn’t about to be imprisoned in the kitchen tonight. Not when all he wanted to do was sit in his chair with Kayti nestled in his lap.

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