Page 6 of The Trouble With Christmas

“Did you give the old lady her Christmas present? You missed out on the trap we set. Uncle Scout has a camera in Mary’s face. We’re for sure going to catch them this time. We can watch Baby Jesus every minute with this app on his phone—”

Courtney calls from where she’s unwrapping a plate of chocolate chip cookies. “Oliver, let Spencer have his dinner before you talk him to death.”

“He’s fine.” Spencer pats Ollie’s shoulder, giving him a smile. “I see you’re excited.”

I remember when I told Spencer I could tell when Oliver was excited because he talked so much and so loudly. Spencer had quipped it was every little boy’s tell.

Even though we haven’t talked about it since that night in his study, I know Spencer will make a great dad, even if he thinks he won’t. He’s worried because his biological father was an abuser who is now in prison, and his adoptive dad was an old miser who never showed him any love.

But Spencer’s not like either of those men.

Well, except when we first met, and he was completely cold and distant to me… And then later when Courtney’s ex was menacing us, and Spencer went after him… I’m pretty sure he might’ve killed the man when he saw my black eye, but that was all understandable behavior.

Melody pushes between us, grabbing Oliver’s arm. “Come on, Ollie! Let Ironman eat. Daddy says we can watch his phone for any signs of prowlers!”

“Okay!” The little boy takes off, and Spencer watches him a moment before my mom slips a whiskey in his hand. “See what you think of that. Bushmill’s. Black Bush.”

“Thanks.” He takes the glass, looking down at it a moment before lifting his gaze to mine. “I think the old lady got in my head.”

“Ms. Nelly?” I trace my fingernails along his hairline. “How in the world did she do that?”

His eyes tighten, and he almost smiles but doesn’t. “We can talk about it later.”

“Either way, you were still very sweet to find that special vase and take it to her. Don’t think I’ve forgotten it.” Rising on my tiptoes, I kiss his lips before heading into the main room where everyone’s talking loudly and laughing.

The kids are huddled around Scout’s phone watching the nativity on night vision. Ms. Alice slips up and puts her hand in my arm, speaking close to my ear. “If all else fails, we can meet up tomorrow with the book.”

I know exactly what she means. “The Fireside Ladies’ book?”

“They have a spell for everything. Don’t think they don’t have one for this.”

I’d expect nothing less.

As my mother always said, we’re descended from a long line of witches, and by witches, she means women who aren’t afraid to get shit done.

Every time we’ve felt like we had nowhere to turn or we were backed into a corner, the Fireside Ladies always come through.

We’ve just steppedthrough the door of the bed and breakfast we’ve rented for the holiday weekend when I clutch the lapels of Spencer’s blazer, pushing his back to the wall.

His eyes darken. “What are you doing?”

Rising on my tiptoes, I speak in his ear, close enough that my lips brush the shell. “I’ve been thinking about this all day.”

I kiss him briefly, sliding my tongue along the seam of his lips before dropping to my knees and scratching my nails along the growing bulge in his pants.

“Joselyn…” He groans.

Kissing him has the essence of whiskey on my tongue, and I know something’s troubling him. I also know how to ease his mind.

“You’ve been so good today, my beast.” Reaching up, I unfasten his belt, quickly unbuttoning his pants and lowering the fly. “First to Ms. Nelly…” I kiss the lengthening rod through the fabric of his black boxer briefs. “Then to Oliver…”

“You’re so beautiful.” He slides his fingers along my cheek, sweeping my hair away as he watches me, mesmerized.

Hooking my fingers in the waistband of his briefs, I lower them, allowing his cock to bob out, pointing straight at me, so thick and hard and long. A bead is on the tip, and I grasp his shaft, sliding my tongue along the edges.

“Mm…” I hum before pulling the tip between my lips.

Salt is on my tongue, and he groans as I let it pop out, sucking a line under the head, feeling his body jerk in response. Scratching my fingernails up his thighs, I tease his balls, making him groan loudly and my pussy flutter.

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