Page 29 of A Very Naughty Christmas

“Sorry, Officer, I thought you were looking in the mirror.”

“I was—which is exactly why I could see you being so blatantly disrespectful.”

“Sorry, Daddy.”

“Mmm-hmm. And you were saying?”

“I was just thinking that it wouldn’t be bad to continue more of the traditions I’m used to. Yesterday, watching that movie… well, it was nice.”

“The village is a good half mile away from the house. You’re not telling me you and your mom walked a mile with shopping bags?”

“Of course not.” She grinned at him. “We had my dad drop us off, we did our window shopping, and then we’d drink apple cider before we walked back.”

“To warm you up in preparation for the freezing wind,” he guessed dryly.

“You got it.”

“I don’t know, baby-girl.” He studied his reflection thoughtfully in the mirror as he shaved. “I don’t really feel right about you walking that far.”

“I’ve done it every year.”

“Yes, but with your mom.”

“Oh, come on, Daddy. I promise to look both ways before I cross the street.”

“That’s not funny,” he said, giving her a warning look.

“It’s alittlefunny. But all I’m trying to say is that I’ll be okay.”

“I don’t know…”

“Andyou’rethe one who was encouraging me to relive our traditions…”

“If you think you can guilt me into changing my mind, think again.”

“Yes, Sir,” she agreed quickly as he rinsed out his razor and set it down on the sink.

“I’ll think about it.”

Sara took that to be a dismissal so she left the bathroom and let him get dressed in peace while she put her warm cardigan over her top and slipped on her boots—just in case. Once she’d stuffed one of Daddy’s scarves into her pocket, she sat on the bed and waited for him to get finished, determined to be well behaved no matter what his verdict was. After all, he was going to be working soon and she could always pout at home, where he couldn’t watch her do it.

“All ready to go?” Daddy Alex asked when he came out of the bathroom.

Sara’s eyes lit up. He was very, very handsome in his uniform. The dark blue brought out the shine in his gaze. It was funny, she hadn’t noticed just how dapper he looked in uniform, which was probably because she’d been so nervous the last time, when he’d pulled her over. But now that she wasn’t in trouble—at least for the moment—she couldn’t help but think about getting himoutof that uniform.

“I’m ready, but… do we really have to gorightnow? Are you sure you don’t have a few extra minutes?” She batted her eyelashes coyly.

“Oh, I wish I did, baby-girl. Raincheck for when I get off work?”

“You’ve got a date.”A very sexy, spanky kind of date—the good kind, she thought to herself, giggling.

“Well, let’s get going.” He gestured grandly for her to go first. When she stepped in front of him, however, he gave her a playful slap to the rear that had her squealing and scampering ahead.

Sara went from the room and down the hall, waiting patiently at the door for Daddy to catch up. He liked opening the door for her, as good daddies did. Then they were outside and making their way to the car. She cast another appreciative look at him. She’d never asked him to leave the uniform on while they made love, but maybe just this once…

She thought of asking if he was going to drop her off at the village, but Daddy also didn’t like nagging, so she decided to just wait and see. When he started the car and drove past her house, she allowed herself a smile. She’d suspected that he was granting her wish,considering he hadn’t just walked her next door, but now she was sure and she was bursting with excitement that had as much to do with getting her own way as it did with the window shopping. Maybe while she was out she would be able to find a Christmas gift for him. They’d been choosing to spend most of their time together indoors and while she didn’t regret that for a minute, it also had made it difficult to find time for Christmas shopping. She didn’t have a long list this year, but it was definitely an important one.

They were halfway to the shopping center when the radio in the car went off. “Attention, all units, robbery in progress, all units near Fifth and Vine, please respond.”

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