Page 22 of The Wish List
I kissed her again. “Merry Christmas, Rosie.”
AJ bounded into the kitchen, wearing the new pj’s Rosie had bought him. The Batman logo blazed on his chest, the little hoodie complete with the bat ears. He loved them, having vowed to never take them off. I had laughed, and Rosie had shaken her head. “He’s serious.”
“I know,” I replied. “I gave Bonnie someFrozenpj’s she was dying for, and she wore them constantly. Suzy had to strip her at night, wash them, and put them right back on, or the tantrums started.”
Rosie chuckled, laying her head on my shoulder. “Sounds about right.”
AJ was full of excitement over his day. “Momma, Christmas movies are on all night! Can I watch them?”
“May I,” she corrected.
He grinned. “Yes, you may. So that means I can too!”
Laughing, he raced out of the kitchen. I had to join his amusement. “He’s clever.”
“Too clever for me some days.” She smiled, but it was a sad one. “He’s growing up so fast. Next fall, he’ll be in school full time. I don’t know where the time has gone.”
I slipped an arm around her. “It goes fast,” I agreed. “Where is his school?”
“Oh, the public elementary down the road. Bradshaw.”
“Is he excited?”
“He’s used to a schedule. He goes to day care and kindergarten. He is very advanced.”
“What do you do in the summers?”
“Any free camps I can enroll him in, I do. I pay for a couple. Things he finds fun. Some day care. I take my holidays in August, so we have time together. My boss has always been very accommodating. I work extra in the winter and over tax time. And I work four days in the summer, so, financially, that helps. I take extra calls when I can.” She paused. “But I have a new boss starting after the holidays, so I’m hoping she’ll be as understanding.” She lifted a shoulder in resignation. “I’ll figure it all out.”
I marveled at her. She wasn’t complaining or whining. Simply stating the facts. Everything she did was for Asher. To make sure he was safe and happy. I pressed a kiss to her head, knowing that she had no idea how incredible she was.
From the living room, Asher shouted. “Momma! Asher! Grinch is on!”
“We mustn’t keep him waiting,” I chuckled. “Grinch is on.”
* * *
I lay beside Rosie, her head on my chest, the room dark except the lights of the Christmas tree. We’d made love again, this time on the lumpy mattress. I needed to source a new one for her—it really was uncomfortable. I knew exactly where to get one. I would have to arrange it to be switched out while she wasn’t at home so she couldn’t say no.
I stroked my hand through her thick hair, the tresses soft against my fingers.
“I love your hair.”
She hummed. “Really? It’s annoying. The color, the curls.”
“Those are two of the things I love most about it.”
I felt her smile against my chest. “You’re so sweet.”
I laughed. “I’m hardly sweet. I made you blush not long ago.” I lowered my voice. “And come a couple of times.”
“Three,” she responded.
“Oh.” I grinned, feeling the male pride of making my woman orgasm. “I missed one. I’ll have to pay better attention.”
“You were kind of busy moaning yourself.”
I hauled her up my chest, fisting her hair and kissing her. “When your mouth was around my cock, you mean? Baby, that was the hottest thing I’ve ever seen or felt.”
