Page 70 of Sexted By Santa
Holy hell. Is this what having a partner felt like? I nodded, feeling dazed. “A beer actually sounds great.”
Christian opened my refrigerator and retrieved a bottle of Sam Adams. He looked comfortable in my kitchen. Like he belonged there. As he handed over the bottle, our fingers brushing at the contact and lingering, it was easy to imagine him in my life.
I glanced at Tori and stepped back with a grateful smile instead of the kiss I wanted to press on him. Tori believed we were nothing more than friends who’d gone to a fun holiday party together. I’d have to tell her we were dating at some point, but I didn’t want to spring it on her. She should get to know Christian first, so that it wasn’t such a shock. And I should make sure he was truly happy being in a relationship with a family and not just a man.
As Christian turned back to Tori, patiently instructing her on how to measure the pancake mix, my heart lifted with hope.
* * *
Christian helped me load the dishwasher after dinner and a holiday movie with Tori. I’d finally sent her off to get ready for bed, so this was the first time we’d been alone.
“Thanks for tonight,” I murmured. “You really didn’t have to stay and watch the movie.”
“I want to know Tori better.” He turned toward me. “Unless you think I’m pushing too much? I can back off. I don’t want to intrude.”
I grabbed Christian’s collar and tugged him close enough to kiss. “You’re not intruding.”
“If you’re sure…”
I kissed him again, with tongue, until he made a soft noise of want against my lips. Then I turned back to the dishes. “I’m sure.”
“So, I guess I should leave when we’re done here?” he asked tentatively.
I reluctantly nodded. “I can’t leave Tori alone, and I don’t feel right asking you to stay when she doesn’t know we’re more than friends.”
Christian sighed. “Okay. I thought as much.”
I slid the last plate into the dishwasher and closed it. “But that doesn’t mean you need to leave right now.”
He raised an eyebrow. “No?”
I shook my head. “Let me get her settled. Then maybe we can put on another movie, relax together?”
Christian smiled. “Sounds good. Want another beer?”
“Sure. Grab something for yourself too. I’ll be back in a few.”
After checking on Tori, I returned to the living room to see Christian on the couch. He was sitting straight, a little stiff, much as he had the night we met at the tapas bar. A sign of nerves, perhaps.
I picked up the remote as I settled beside him. “What would you like to watch?”
“Doesn’t matter.”
I turned on the television and pulled up Netflix. In the top of my queue was The Great British Bake-Off.
“You watch cooking shows?” Christian sounded delighted.
“They’re relaxing,” I said, clicking to start the show since his reaction seemed to indicate he’d enjoy it. “It’s fun to see what happens, but it doesn’t take too much brain power after a long day.”
“Ah, yes. So you don’t watch them for cooking tips?”
I laughed. “I couldn’t bake the things they get up to on this show. I get by in the kitchen. I had to learn to prepare healthy meals for Tori, after all. I didn’t want her growing up on frozen pizzas and burritos.”
Christian shifted toward me. “That’s admirable. There are a lot of parents who take those shortcuts, I imagine. And being a single parent, no one would judge you too harshly.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Really, Professor? You sure about that?”
He flushed but held my gaze. “I wouldn’t. I’m certain of that.”
