Page 40 of 27 Kisses

He shampoos my hair and washes my body with gentle, nurturing hands, and I’m not sure I deserve such care.

Once I’m clean, he cradles my face. His heart is in his eyes. “I fucking love you so much.”

Emotion overwhelms me. I’m so gone for this man. “I love you too, Garrett. So much.” He kisses me again.

We dry off separately to keep from getting distracted.

That’s when I realize my problem. “My clothes are in my room.”

“Huh. Going naked is a bold choice.”

I smack his arm, and he laughs. “Arse. You distracted me.”

“I got you, sweetheart.” He hands me a robe from his closet.

I slip it on, still not happy roaming the hallway in Garrett’s robe with my daughter so close, but it’s damn sure better than the alternative.

Once Garrett is dressed, he steps out of the room and nods, giving me the all-clear. The bathroom door is open. Garrett goes downstairs as I rush to my room and quickly dress.

The hot chocolate is done when I reach the kitchen. “I see you found the marshmallows.”

Lanie has filled all our cups so they’re overflowing. As we sip our hot chocolate, Lanie and Garrett talk about yard decorations and what else we need to get.

“A giant snowman? Or a Santa?”

“How about a reindeer?” I suggest. “Like the one in your picture.”

“Only bigger,” Lanie says. “Much bigger.”

“Fine. Add it to the list.” This time, his grumbling is fake. I can tell by the happiness shining in his eyes.

Eleven

GARRETT

Nine Days until Christmas

Aidyn leaves earlythe next morning to help Ramon with the breakfast crowd. I know this because he sneaks into my room first to give me Advent kiss number sixteen.

“Only nine more days until Christmas, love,” he whispers as he kisses me. And then he’s gone.

He lets Lanie sleep in.

I was tempted to sneak intohisroom last night. Not even for sex. Or not just for sex. I miss sleeping next to him. Something that’s more difficult to explain when I live in Mule Creek instead of visiting.

Once Lanie is dressed, we leave my parents and go for breakfast. Jane is already there with her boyfriend. He seems nice enough, but he doesn’t stay long because he has to get to work.

Lanie abandons us and sits with some friends from school, leaving Jane and me at the table alone.

“How did things go last night after I left?” she asks, looking over the menu.

My answer is automatic. “Good.”

Every part of me focuses on Aidyn. He’s not currently in the dining room. But I’m listening for his footsteps. The spicy scent of cardamom from his shampoo. The flash of his red hair and the sound of his grumpy voice.

“Liar,” she says with a laugh. I glance up, and she’s shaking her head. I think back to her question. “I know what Mom and Dad are like.”

Do you? But I don’t say that. “It was fine.”