Page 202 of Eight Years Gone

He rolled them back over, kissing her as he pushed himself into her, neither of them in any hurry to do anything but enjoy that they were finally together after too many days apart.

Fifty-Three

Christmas music played through the speakers as snow fell from the sky while Grace pulled a batch of peanut butter cookies from the oven. “These need the Kisses right away.”

Jagger popped another chocolate candy into his mouth as he nodded. “I’m ready to rock and roll. I’ve got most of them unwrapped.”

Grace set the cookie sheet on the trivet next to him, frowning when she noticed the bowl of Kisses had significantly diminished. “Those are for the cookies,” she reminded him with a poke of her finger to his belly.

He grinned. “Hey, you put me in charge of a project where I’m doomed to fail. You know I have no self-control when it comes to these things.”

She rolled her eyes and chuckled, standing on her tiptoes to kiss him as they wore bum-around-the-house clothes. She’d chosen black yoga pants and one of Jagger’s old sweatshirts. He’d grabbed his old gray joggers and a ratty T-shirt. “They taste just as good on the cookies.”

He hooked his arm around her waist. “There’s a chance I may have counted out how many we’ll need. If I’m right, twenty-four cookies still need to bake. I made sure to keep twenty-six Kisses. Just in case.”

She laughed as she hugged him, loving everything about their wonderfully simple day. Life felt good again—perfectly right. Or it did where she and Jagger were concerned.

They’d lain around for a lazy morning in bed, making love before a sexy shower, then worked together to prepare Jagger’s favorite French toast with cinnamon apples and a side of bacon and eggs.

Not long after, they’d snuggled by the fire, playing several rounds of Uno with Colton before he went to his room to finish his homework. Minutes later, she and Jagger returned to the kitchen to start the cookie-baking bonanza.

Bea’s famous iced sugar cookies had been baked and frosted. Peanut butter blossoms were well underway. Chocolate chip/M&M cookies were slated for next.

“But I am slowing down,” Jagger informed her as he slid his hands up and down her back. “I think I feel a sugar crash coming on.”

Grace shook her head as she grinned. “Hopefully, we can finish this before you fall asleep on the couch.”

“Consider it done.”

“And you need to save room for pot roast and mashed potatoes.”

He groaned as he settled his forehead against hers. “You spoil me with delicious food and amazing sex.”

She laughed as she eased away. “Let’s finish this, or dinner won’t be happening until super late.”

“We don’t want that,” Jagger said as he got to work, pushing chocolate candies into the center of each cookie.

Colton wandered down the hall, dressed in sweatpants and a white T-shirt. “It smells awesome in here.”

“That’s because your sister’s awesome in the kitchen.”

Colton eyed the various decorated sugar cookies still on the cooling racks, waiting to be put in the festive tins Grace had bought the other day. “Can I have one?”

“Of course,” Grace said as she scooped more peanut butter dough onto a fresh cookie sheet. “Have as many as you want.”

Jagger frowned. “Let’s not get carried away. These peanut butter blossoms are good, too.”

Grace laughed as she noted the possessive light in Jagger’s eyes. “Jagger’s feeling protective of his favorite cookie.”

“You’re damn straight. I was deprived for eight years.”

Colton grinned as he picked up one of the tree-shaped treats she’d iced a pretty green, biting in. “Wow,” he said over his mouthful as he nodded. “Wow.”

Jagger narrowed his eyes. “I see we’ll be fighting over those.”

“Heck, yeah, we will. These are great.”

Grace beamed, loving that Colton loved almost everything she made. “They’re Bea’s recipe.”

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