Page 51 of Only Temporary

I smile and look back at the hallway, seeing it’s empty, and then risk a quick kiss before standing up. “I need to go.”

“Any chance you’re free for Thanksgiving?” he asks as we walk toward the door. The question catches me off guard, and I nearly trip over my own feet. Kellan is quick though, bracing my shoulders with his hands. “Sorry.”

I chuckle, trying to laugh it off. “You want to spend Thanksgiving together?”

He looks nervous, reaching for the back of his neck the way he often does. “I want to give them normalcy. I want them to have what they never had before.”

I smile, losing another piece of my heart to the man. “Well, believe it or not, my mom wasn’t big on large Thanksgiving meals. We always volunteered at shelters, but I bet I can figure out how to make a turkey.”

His eyes light up so bright, it’s blinding. “Really?”

“You’re not alone in this, Kellan. We’ll give them a fantastic Thanksgiving.”

He surprises me by sweeping his hand to the back of my neck and turning me so I’m pressed up against the door. His lips press against mine, while I groan into the hungry kiss.

We should stop—someone could walk in—but I melt into the kiss, letting my body sag against his as he feasts on my lips before pulling back, his breathing ragged. “Thank you.”

I nod my head slowly, super slow, as if in a daze, because that’s what his kisses seem to do to me.

And I don’t stop thinking about that kiss all the way home, back to my lonely quiet apartment and away from the beautiful chaos I’m growing to love more and more every day.

* * *

We do manageto make Thanksgiving absolutely normal, as Kellan called it. Tatum brought a date—a nice woman he met at the gym, apparently. I didn’t burn the turkey or any of the sides, and really, there weren’t any snarky remarks from the kids.

It’s strange, but everything seems quite calm at the moment. Kellan sneaks away when he can, and I still go to the house to help out as much as I can. As far as I know, the kids don’t have a clue we’re dating, and that’s how we have to keep it.

It’s Friday after Thanksgiving, and I’m lying in Kellan’s arms, cum still on my stomach. He fucked me so good, I came without even needing to touch myself—the friction of his sculpted abs and him pounding my prostate providing more than enough stimulation.

I know he has to go soon, and I’m starting to hate that more and more. “Who the hell decided to put so many holidays in such a short about of time?”

I snort at that, letting my hand drag over his muscled stomach. “That’s what you’re thinking about right now? I’m going to have to up my game.”

He pinches my bare ass. “Nothing wrong with your game. I’ve never come so hard as I did watching you come without touching your cock.”

I shiver, swallowing hard as said cock twitches between my legs. “Good to know.”

He grins and kisses my temple. “I’m sorry. I guess my mind will always go back to my responsibilities.”

“There’s nothing wrong with that.” They’re his life. It’s good he thinks about them, though I do wish he could relax sometimes. For his own sake. “You’re worried about Christmas?”

“Yeah, just like Halloween and Thanksgiving. It’s not something we ever really had growing up. Mom didn’t do presents, and it’s not like I have a lot of money now... but I want to do something.”

“It’s not about the presents.” He gives me a look—as if sayingreally?—and I laugh slightly. “Okay, it’s not just about the presents. Anything you get them will make them happy. Do the younger ones believe in Santa?”

He shakes his head. “I highly doubt it. When Santa never comes to your house, you tend to lose hope.”

I frown at that, sad for all five of them. Not that everyone has to be raised with Santa Claus coming to their house—it all seems a little exhausting and dishonest, if you ask me—but the lack of joy around the holidays is what I mourn for them.

“How about we make Christmas just as normal as we made Halloween and Thanksgiving?” I suggest, leaning up to kiss him, stroking over his cheek with my hand.

He smiles against my lips. “I really do have the best boyfriend.”

I stiffen, and then he follows my lead and does the same, looking tense and terrified. We haven’t really talked about labels before. Hell, it took forever for me to agree to just a date—but it sure feels like that’s what we are. I decide not to overthink it and give him a great big smile. “I don’t know,myboyfriend is pretty damn great.”

He finally relaxes and pulls me into him, letting my head rest on his shoulder.

“Kellan, will you do something with me?”

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