Page 41 of Infatuated as They Come (Sinful Trilogy #2)

“I really hope this isn’t weird. Staying here, I mean. I meant it when I said that I don’t want you to feel uncomfortable.”

“I never feel uncomfortable at your place.”

Laughing softly, I rested my hands against his chest and stared up at him.

“I know celebrating Christmas and your birthday and stuff like that isn’t something you’re used to, but you’re allowed to have special days too.

You deserve to relax and sit under the tree and open presents and drink hot chocolate while watching The Muppet Christmas Carol . ”

He laughed, fingers gently brushing at my hair. “The what?”

“You’ve never seen it?”

“When I was a kid. It’s been a while.”

“It’s kind of tradition for me and my family to watch it. We do it every year. It’s silly, I guess. I don’t know. But it’d be so lovely if you were part of it.”

Leaning down, he gave me a kiss to the cheek. “You’re too sweet,” he murmured against my skin. “I wanna do all that stuff with you.”

“So, you’ll watch The Muppet Christmas Carol with me? It’s one of Mom’s favorite movies. She just really loves Gonzo. She likes the little outfit he wears. She’ll tell you all about that…”

“I can’t wait. Maybe it’ll be our new tradition too. Or maybe we can find a new one together?”

I nodded at him, a smile spreading across my face. “I’d really love that. ”

“Hot chocolate is ready!” Mom was suddenly in the room with a tray in hand.

Despite how fast she moved, she still managed to not spill a single drop as she set the tray down on the coffee table.

“Okay, let’s sit. You’ve had her all to yourself for the last few months, Sawyer, but now it’s time for me to steal her away from you. Come sit down. The both of you.”

Mom was her usually handsy self as she pushed Sawyer into his seat, carefully handing him his hot chocolate. Then she did the same with me, the rich smell hitting me instantly as I glanced down at the marshmallow stuffed drink.

“Mm, smells so good,” I said as she grabbed her own mug. “So, what have I missed while I’ve been gone?”

“Oh, nothing,” she said. “It’s so boring without you here. I have no one to coddle now.”

“You should get a dog.”

“You know your father hates dogs.”

“Where is he?” I peered over my shoulder, but he was nowhere to be seen.

“Off pouting somewhere probably. Don’t pay any attention to him,” she said, her eyes landing on Sawyer for a moment as he nursed his hot chocolate. I knew that statement was directed more at him than at me.

“Is he gonna avoid us the whole time we’re here?” I muttered. “If so, that’s silly.”

“Pay him no mind, okay? I’m just glad you two are here.” Mom lifted her mug to her lips, taking a short sip. “How has cheer been?”

“It’s been good. I love all of those girls,” I said. “And a couple of them are dance majors so I’m learning a whole lot.”

“Aw, so fun.” Mom put her mug down and eyed the watch on her wrist. “Are you two tired? There’s time to squeeze in a nap before dinner if you’d like.”

My tongue clicked. “Speaking of…”

“Your father’s putting Sawyer in the guest room,” Mom said bluntly.

My eyes rolled and I heard Sawyer snort from the side. “He knows we live together, right? Like, is he not aware of where I’ve been since I moved to New York? ”

She rested a hand on my thigh. “You know what he’s like. I hope you two don’t mind. He wanted to put Sawyer in the guest house at first. I’ve been trying to convince him that you’re all grown up since you left. It’s just easier this way.”

“Easier for who?” I muttered.

“It’s alright,” Sawyer said, mug still in hand. “I’m okay sleeping in the guest room.”

“It’s just so pointless,” I said.

“He does a lot of pointless things,” Mom said. “Why don’t you show Sawyer the room he’ll be staying in? You two should get some rest.”

“Well, which room has he been designated to?”

“The one furthest from your room.”

“Oh, of course.” I stood up, my eyes landing on my boyfriend. “Looks like I’ll be your bellhop today. Come on.” I pulled him off the couch, leading him towards the stairs.

“I’ll wake you both up when dinner’s ready!” Mom called out.

Our fingers still tangled together, I guided Sawyer up the stairs. The railing was covered in vibrant green garlands, contrasting against the red bows that were set a couple feet or so apart, all leading right up to the top.

“This is so silly,” I muttered. “He’s shipped you off to the back of the house. We put all our annoying relatives in that room.”

Sawyer chuckled behind me. “It can’t be that bad in there.”

“He’s being stupid.”

“You can’t go a few nights without sleeping next to me, princess?”

“No. I’m used to it now,” I said, but there had been a lot of lonely nights in the city. I missed resting my head on Sawyer’s chest while he kissed at my forehead, I missed his fingers tracing at my skin, I missed him . “I always sleep really good when you’re next to me.”

“Yeah, me too.”

“It’s this way.” I pointed down towards the right, my fingers still laced with his as we walked past my dad’s office and one of the bathrooms and the couple of other guest rooms, finally stopping when we got to the room right at the end of the hallway.

Turning around, I pressed my back to the door.

“You’re so far away from my room you may as well be staying in a different house. ”

“Yeah, I think that was the plan.”

Pushing the door open, I let Sawyer step inside.

Since the room was on a corner, it had some extra windows.

Big, floor to ceiling ones and white painted doors that would lead him to a balcony so he’d at least have a view of the courtyard.

Smooth, soft, white carpet underneath my feet contrasted against the heavy grey comforter on the king-sized bed, the leather bed frame a deep brown.

A similar toned bedside table sat right next to it, and when my eyes peered into the entrance of the walk in closet, I spied Sawyer’s bag.

My dad must have already placed it there. He hadn’t wasted any time.

“Bathroom’s on the left.” I pointed to the side before drawing open the white curtains to get some winter sun in.

“I get my own bathroom?” he asked. “Swanky indeed.”

“He’s already being a pain.” I spun around, watching as Sawyer kicked his shoes off and sat down at the edge of the bed. “I don’t know why he has to be this way.”

“Come here,” Sawyer said lowly, voice drenched with a sense of comfort I hadn’t felt in a long while, and I hated that fact.

I followed his instructions, loving the feeling of his hands settling on my hips as he brought me closer to him. “You deserve better than to have him ruin your Christmas.”

“Hey,” he said, a sudden serious tone in his voice as he stared up at me. “I’m here with you, so this so far is already the best Christmas I’ve ever had.”

“You deserve for this to be a good memory.”

“It’s already a really, really good one. I know you wanna get rid of the bad memories, and if I could click my fingers and have ‘em all go away, I would. But it’s okay that I can’t. I got you and that’s all I need, Holly. I love you.”

“I love you too,” I said softly .

“And you know what? This right here?” He squeezed at my hips.

“Just having you with me has already made this special.” He stood up slowly, two hands landing on either side of my face as he pressed his lips to mine, kissing me softly.

“As much as I love sleeping next to you and holding you in my arms all night, I guess I’m gonna have to go without that for the next few days. ”

“I suppose so.” It had been a while since we had done that: since we both fell asleep all tangled up. “Why don’t you get some sleep? You must be really tired. Then we can have dinner and Mom can talk all about how much she loves Gonzo’s little jacket.”

He kissed the top of my head. “I can’t wait.”