Page 45 of Sexted By Santa
Christian spoke at the same time. “Thanks again for—”
We both broke off and chuckled.
“The party was fun. Tori loved it. And it was really nice to see this side of you.”
“What do you mean?”
I shifted, hoping I wasn’t overstepping. “You’re very confident and comfortable talking about your work and your students. Barry and Teresa are close friends, aren’t they?”
“They are,” Christian said. “They also get a little too invested in my personal life, but with them, I know it comes from a good place. They worry about me.”
“Must be nice to have close friends like that…”
“Don’t you? You’re so likable. Even Grant took to you immediately.”
“I really don’t have time to nurture friendships,” I said ruefully. “I get along with my co-workers, but it doesn’t go much beyond workplace nicety. Tori’s my first priority.”
“Ah, sorry. I suppose having a child does eat into your social calendar.”
I smiled. “Yeah, but it’s worth it. And to be fair, I don’t think Grant wanted to befriends.”
“Yes, hedidseem to take to you like a shark to chum,” he said dryly.
“That bothered you.”
“No, I…He was just rude. He believed we were a real couple, and he blatantly implied I wouldn’t be able to keep you.”
Ah, so Christian’s pride was hurt. I felt a flicker of disappointment it hadn’t been more than that but shoved the feeling down. It wouldn’t do either of us any good. We’d agreed to fake dating, nothing more.
Still, I couldn’t resist reassuring him.
I unbuckled my seat belt, then leaned over and kissed his bristly cheek. “If we were a real couple, Grant wouldn’t stand a chance.”
I started to draw back, but Christian grabbed my shirt.
“What about now?” he asked. “Does he stand a chance with us being nothing more than fake dates?”
“No,” I said honestly. “I’ve got a craving he couldn’t possibly fulfill.”
We stared, silent, the tension between us thick and pulsing with temptation. It was so strong I couldfeelhis mouth under mine. So real I wasn’t sure why we weren’t already kissing.
I leaned closer. The inches between us shrank, until we were millimeters apart, breath mingling. All it would take was a tip of the head and our lips would touch. I waited for Christian to make that move.
And waited.
And waited…
I wanted it badly, even though a kiss with Christian would threaten my heart far more than any had in years. I didn’t feelcasualabout him, and if I were honest with myself, I hadn’t felt that way from almost our first message exchange on the Thrust app.
Only Christian’s hesitation held me back. I didn’t know what, if anything, he wanted from me.
“Daddy?”
Tori’s voice was like a bucket of cold water, washing away the desire that had risen between us. Christian let go of my shirt, and I scrambled out of the car to open Tori’s door. The knife-sharp winter air cooled my ardor, but I felt jittery with no good outlet for the adrenaline that had flooded me.
“We’re home.” I reached in to unbuckle Tori’s seat belt, then lifted her out of the car. “Time for bed.”
“M’kay.” She waved groggily at Christian. “Night.”
