He kisses me hard and squeezes my ass in his firm grip. “I’d give anything to make love to you right now.”
I moan into his mouth. “So would I.”
“Lay back for me, Bree.”
There are only a few papers on my desk, so I swipe them to the side and lay back, still spread wide for him. He leans over me and trails his lips down my neck to the mounds of my breasts, sliding my bra to the side so he can taste me. Gasping, I close my eyes and fist my hands in his hair.
“Oh my God, Caleb.”
He groans deep in his chest and slides a hand down my stomach, slowly making his way between my legs. The second he pushes a finger inside of me, I arch off the desk, which only gives him more access to my breasts. He tortures me with his tongue and fingers, driving me over the edge. I can feel my orgasm build, and it doesn’t take long to explode within me.
Caleb stares down at me with a satisfied grin on his face. “How did that feel?”
I feel like I’m out of breath. “Amazing. I just hate I can’t return the favor.”
He winks. “We’ll have more time soon. Right now, you have to go.” My body is so relaxed I don’t even think I can move. Grinning, Caleb helps me to my feet. “Do I need to help you get dressed?”
Clutching my chest, I shake my head. I’m ten seconds away from ripping off his clothes. Then again, I don’t want our first time making love being on my desk. “I’m good,” I say, pushing him away playfully. “I suggest you get out of here before I do something crazy.”
He waggles his brows. “Maybe I should stay then.”
“Out,” I laugh. He walks out the door, and I can hear him laughing. I put on my costume and check myself in my bathroom mirror to make sure I look okay. My cheeks are a little red, but that’s because I just had an orgasmic experience for the first time in forever. Taking a deep breath, I walk out of my office, and Caleb is waiting by the door, his face lighting up when he sees me.
“You really are sexy in that costume.” He’s still hard by the looks of things. “I need to think of something else, and you’re not helping.”
I nod toward the door. “It’s freezing outside. That should help.”
We walk out, and I lock the gallery door behind us. Caleb sucks in a breath and hisses. “Yep. It helped. It’s cold as shit out here. I don’t know how you and Santa don’t freeze.”
We start on our way toward the town square. “It’s only for a couple of hours, and it’s our last night. Trust me. I’ll be ready for a warm blanket and some hot cocoa tonight.” It’s crazy how fast the month has flown by. In three days, it’ll be Christmas.
Caleb drapes his arm over my shoulders. “I promise I’ll have both waiting for you when you get to my house.”
“Sounds perfect to me.”
When we get to the town square, Jody is already sitting on the sleigh, dressed in my grandfather’s Santa suit. He waves at us, and we wave back. “Have fun tonight.”
I can feel the heat rise to my cheeks. “Oh, I already did. It was nice.”
Caleb leans in slow and gently presses his lips to mine. “Yes, it was. I just wanted you to know I’m ready for the next step.”
“So am I.” I’m ready for a whole lot more.
8
Caleb
“Daddy?” Alyssa says my name quietly as she sits on the countertop, swinging her legs back and forth, although her heels really have nowhere to go except to slap into the cupboard doors.
“Alyssa?” I’m standing next to her, tying and retying my tie. I can’t seem to get the knot right. I haven’t worn a tie in over a year, and I don’t miss it.
“Tonight is important, right?”
“Yes,” I say slowly, wondering what she has planned. “Why are you asking?”
“I’m just wondering since I’m wearing a really pretty dress.” She picks up the first couple of layers of ruffles. I never realized I was a dad who could pick up a dress for his daughter, but when I saw this one, along with the Christmas dress, I had to get them for her. Giving them to her and watching her face morph into surprise and elation gave me so much happiness. It proved I can do this single dad thing, even though I feel anything but. Bree and I have only started dating, but she’s slipped into a role as Alyssa’s caregiver. Last week when my daughter wasn’t feeling well, it was Bree she wanted to take care of her, and Bree did, without hesitation.
“And Bree is going to be there?”
I pause and glance at Alyssa. She’s not looking at me but everywhere around the bathroom. She’s a little schemer. “Yes, Bree will be there, but—”
“I don’t like your buts,” Alyssa says, laughing.
Setting my hand down on her knee, I squeeze it to get her attention. Alyssa finally looks at me, and for the first time since her mom passed away, I see a sparkle in her eye. Her brown eyes had dimmed so much when my wife died. “But,” I say as softly as possible. “Bree has to work. This is her job, and it’s how she pays her bills, so as much as you want to take up all her time, you have to let her work. You have to be respectful, polite, and the cutest little girl I know you to be.”
Alyssa nods slowly, which doesn’t send a wave of confidence my way.
“You know, I hear Santa might make an appearance at the show. You wouldn’t want him to see you acting poorly, would you?”
She shakes her head slowly.
“What happens if he does?”
“I get coal in my stocking.”
I nod, acting like I’ve had it happen before.
“But . . .” Alyssa holds her hand up so I don’t interrupt her. I can’t imagine where she’s learned this. “But if Bree wants to be with me or calls me over, I can go, right?”
“Yes, of course.”
“Okay, phew,” she says, wiping her forehead. “I’m not worried then.”
I can’t help but laugh. “What do you mean?”
Alyssa throws her hands up. “I’m irrestible.”
“Irrestible?” I question, and she nods. The smile I sport is so wide, my cheeks hurt. “You’re irresistible.” I make sure to enunciate the word so she can hear me say the word correctly.
“Yes, that’s the word. I’m irresistible!”
“That you are.” I tickle her. “But, and yes, I know you hate my buts, Bree is working tonight, and while I know she loves you and wants to spend time with you, I need you to show all those people tonight just how important Bree is to you and be on your best behavior. Okay?”
Alyssa smiles widely and nods. “She loves me?”
“Yeah, she does.” I don’t know if this is accurate or not, but every vibe I get from Bree says she does. I can’t imagine someone not falling in love with Alyssa, but on the other side, I can’t imagine what must go through Bree’s mind when she’s with her. Bree competes with my wife’s memory, someone Alyssa talks about often, and Bree embraces and runs with whatever Alyssa is saying. Not once have I heard Bree discount Alyssa’s feelings, only encourage them.