Page 43 of Sexted By Santa
We’d already eaten the meal—a decent if not stellar plate of chicken cordon bleu, glazed carrots, and garlic mashed potatoes, as well as bread pudding for dessert—while listening to a series of speakers. Dean Rutledge spoke about the importance of the College of Arts and Sciences to the Hayworth family. Then Ella Banks, Christian’s department head, spoke about the exciting advancement of curriculum and the professors who were leading the next generation into a new era of marketing. Christian and Barry rolled their eyes simultaneously, making Teresa and me laugh.
Eventually, the evening’s spiel wrapped up, with Christmas music taking its place, and the evening’s events had moved on to closing out the silent auction that raised money for the school, door prizes, and gifts for the children. Meanwhile, the adults had made one last desperate run on the bar—which is how Martha had cornered us.
Christian smiled tightly, still tense despite my efforts. “Sorry, Martha. I didn’t intend to keep any secrets. I’m just private about my life. I really don’t enjoy being fodder for office gossip.”
She raised a hand to her chest. “Oh, Professor, I completely understand! Why, I told Professor Demming just the other day that we shouldn’t judge Professor Waters, even though shehasmissed ten classes this semester.Ten.Can you imagine?”
“Unfathomable,” Christian said dryly.
Martha went on about Professor Waters for several minutes while Christian’s eyes became more and more glazed. I had to pinch him when he zoned out and Martha asked him a question. He jumped a little, shooting me a chastising look.
“Sorry.” I grinned at Martha. “Just can’t keep my hands off him.”
She laughed, charmed. “You’re a lucky one, Professor Kringle,” she said as she finally moved on. “Hold on to this one.”
“Oh, I will,” he said, retaliating with a jab to my ribs.
I jolted. “Ow! I washelpingyou.”
“I’ll take less pinching and more admiring looks.”
“Oh, I admired plenty,” I purred.
Christian looked startled for a moment, then rolled his eyes. “No one is watching us right now.”
I put a hand on his waist, urging him closer. “Are you sure? You’ve been the center of attention tonight, Professor. You’re very popular with your colleagues.”
I was teasing, but it was true too. Christian was a well-known figure in his department. For every Martha, there was a respectful professor or alum who wanted to talk with him about his years teaching and advising students. In those moments, Christian transformed into an entirely different man—one lively and full of passion.
It made me wonder what it would be like to be intimate with him. Which man would I get: the more introverted, uptight man, or the spirited, experienced one who knew exactly what he was doing?
Christian glanced about nervously. “I suppose someone could be watching at any time.”
“Even if they aren’t…”
His gaze returned to me. He swiped his tongue over his lips, and the urge to lean in and kiss him was powerful. Sadly, there was no reason to do so in the middle of a work party. So far, no one had seemed to question the legitimacy of our relationship. That should be a good thing, but…I kind of wished for an excuse to be more demonstrative with him.
“Even if they aren’t?” he prompted.
I opened my mouth, flirty banter on the tip of my tongue, when Tori materialized beside us, a good reminder of why I couldn’t sweep Christian into my arms or drag him into a bathroom to make out like a teenager.
“Daddy, look!” Tori lifted a colorful box. “It’s a present! Santa gave it to me.” She cast a look at Christian. “The other Santa, I mean.”
“It’s a very pretty box,” Christian said, seeming at a loss.
“You should open it,” I said. “We can go back to the table if you want to show us what you got.”
“Oh, I can’t open it yet!”
“Of course, you can,” I said. “All the other kids—”
“I don’t want to,” she protested emphatically. “It’s so pretty. I want to take it home and put it under the tree and wait for Christmas morning.”
“Delayed gratification,” Christian said with a nod. “Some things are worth waiting for. I agree entirely.”
Tori beamed, thrusting the box at me. “Hold it for me until time to go!”
She was halfway across the room before I could respond. With a sigh, I tucked it under my arm and looked back at Christian in his perfectly tailored suit, sharply handsome and sophisticated.
