Page 67 of Wrapped in Red

“I have to get up, anyway. We have Christmas decorations to purchase. Then Noel’s bringing Leo over.”

I laughed as Ezra bounced out of the bed, naked and smiling. He turned to look at me over his shoulder, his cute little bubble butt giving me one of the best views. “Care to join me in the shower, Mr. Carey?”

“You go ahead. I’ll meet you in a minute,” I told him, only to hear his little giggle as he left the room and then I couldn’t get to him fast enough.

***

Istared at the messof bags and boxes that Ezra insisted we needed for my apartment. I mean, we weren’t even going to be here for Christmas. We were going to go to the party, then head home and spend the holidays with my parents. But I couldn’t say no to him.

“This is going to be so fun.” Ezra bounced on his feet as he started to open a bag full of garlands. “What? Why are you looking at me like that?”

I smiled. “I’m not looking at you like anything.”

“No, you’re looking at me like something, but I can’t figure it out. Is this too much, boo? It is, isn’t it? You could have said no.” He twisted his lips to the right. “I’m a lot to handle, I know, but you know how much I love Christmas.”

“I like to see you happy, Ez. So if this makes you happy? That’s all that matters.”

“You make me happy.”

I grabbed some of the garland and then listened to Ezra laugh when I wrapped it around his waist to pull him against me. “You make me happy, too.”

“I mean, I can tone it down if it’s too much.” He gave me those big doe eyes, and I shook my head. “I can.”

“Ez.” I dropped the garland so I could use my arms. “Don’t you ever try to be someone you’re not. Not for me or for anyone else. Haven’t I always loved you the way you are?”

He paused. “Yes, yes, you have.”

“Then why would I want you to change who you are?” I brushed my lips over his forehead just as the sound of his phone went off. “Okay, it’s really weird that my ex is going to come over. Is that not weird for you?”

Ezra shrugged. “I guess, I mean, he’s not coming over to be with you. He’s coming over because of Leo.”

I watched as he typed something on his phone and then winked at me. “What’s happening? Are you going to be friends with Noel, too?”

“Maybe.” Ezra moved to start opening bags of more decorations.

“This is like an episode of theTwilight Zone. You’re going to run off with him.” Ezra’s head popped up, and he stared at me with wide eyes. “You’ll fall in love, leave me for Noel, and I’ll be stuck with my hand.”

Ezra shook his head. “CC, no. That’s not what this is. I love you. Stop that shit.” He tossed a felt ornament at me that bounced off my chest and onto the floor, which had him giggling hysterically.

“Then what’s going on?” I worried my lip between my teeth.

He smiled at me. “I thought maybe he and Seth could, I don’t know, meet.”

“Seth?” My brows shot up.

“What’s wrong with Seth? He’s a nice guy. He might be able to bring Noel out of his shell a little.” Ezra put a hand on his hip. “You don’t like him because you thought we were athing.” He used quotes around the last part. “Which we weren’t, by the way. Like ever. I have a thing for hot blonds with dark eyes who drive fast cars.”

I snorted. “Don’t try to romance me, boo.”

“Is it working? We have time for a quickie.”

“My dick is going to fall off if you touch it again.”

Ezra giggled again, and the sound made my heart thump so loud I thought everyone in the complex could hear it. “You need to learn how to keep up with me, baby.”

“I think it’s next to impossible.” I rolled my eyes. “Back to this Seth and Noel thing.”

He shook his head. “No, no, wait. I have a big sexual appetite, CC. How am I going to get off if my boyfriend doesn’t want me?”