Page 12 of 27 Kisses

I reach above the refrigerator and pull it down.

He stares at the present like it’s a bomb. It’s not even wrapped, for Christ’s sake. “What is it?”

“It’s an Advent calendar. For counting down the days to Christmas.”

“It’s a great present for someone who doesn’t like Christmas.”

“Stop being such a Grinch. I thought it was fun.”

He turns it over in his hands. “Chocolate kisses?”

“Yes. And you like chocolate.” I dare him to say otherwise.

He bites his lip as if he’s not sure if he likes it or not.

“Just say thank you, Garrett, and eat a piece of candy.”

He turns it over again. “So I have a chocolate kiss every day until Christmas?”

“That’s how it works.”

He nods and opens the flap, revealing the candy inside. He slowly unwraps the chocolate and pops it in his mouth. “It’s good. But I’d rather have the real thing.”

I laugh. At least he’s not throwing it down in disgust. “That’s fair, love.”

“I mean it. You want me to count down to Christmas? Give me something to look forward to. One kiss every day until Christmas.”

“A real kiss?” I study his face. Is he serious? “I’d love that, darlin’, but with our schedules?—”

“Giving up already?”

He knows how to motivate me, I’ll give him that. “Fine. One kiss every day until Christmas. But you have to do some of the work.”

“It’s my present.”

I cross my arms. No way am I backing down. “Take it or leave it.”

“I’ll take it.”

“Good. This is day one.” Slamming him against the refrigerator, I devour his mouth. If he wants something to look forward to, I’m up for the challenge.

When we come up for air, his chest is heaving. I did that. I put that look in his eyes. “I get to kiss you every day? I might actually enjoy Christmas.”

“As an added bonus, Lanie is spending Friday night with Zoey. If you’re a good Santa”—I grab the growing bulge in his pants, and he moans—“I know just the elf to take care of this.”

Three

GARRETT

Twenty Days until Christmas

Aidyn is torturing me.Is this payback for something? I meet with Zye on Tuesday for lunch, and Aidyn asks me to check a problem with his stove. How the hell would I know what’s wrong? But he pushes me into the pantry, gives me Advent kiss number two, and reminds me there are twenty-three days until Christmas.

On Wednesday, he shows up at four in the morning. He has a key, so he just slips into my room and wakes me with a kiss. Unfortunately, I’m unable to tempt him into my bed. “The bread needs time to rise, love.”

The fourth kiss of Advent happens in the storage room of Zye’s shop. “Twenty-one days until Christmas.”

But today is the day I’ve been waiting for. Lanie is at Zoey’s. The diner is open until nine, so Aidyn gave me strict instructions to be prepped and ready for him. “No cheating, love. Your cock is mine.”