Page 40 of Make You Mine This Christmas
“Again, Cole, I respect the important role you have in Austin’s life. He’s lucky to have a friend like you—I’ve never had that, and I can tell you how special it is to see. But right now, we’re taking it day by day. When I have a conversation about what’s next for the first time, it needs to be with him.”
He looks taken aback by my bluntness.
“Know I care about him a lot. I hate the hurt I caused us both ten years ago, and I’m being nothing but honest with him about my feelings now. I can’t promise it won’t end with us hurt again, but if we do, it won’t be because I didn’t care enough.”
Another sip of wine, and then he speaks. “I can’t say that’s not fair. Just... if Austin wants to go with you this time, hear him out. He’s not the same person he was ten years ago either.”
A knock on the entryway to the kitchen draws our attention. “We’ve got about thirty more minutes before the girls start fussing. Are we ready to eat?” Blaire searches between us, satisfied there are no external wounds, at least. “Is that for my soda water?” Her gaze lands on the empty glass.
“Uh, yeah. We got a bit distracted.” Cole grabs the other glass and fills it with ice and pours the drink. “I’ll get the lasagna out of the oven now.”
Blaire takes a sip of the water, offering me a wink, sitting at the table set with festive placemats and Christmas dishes.
We maintain a steady conversation during dinner and through Austin and Cole doing the dishes while Blaire and I sit with the twins. Eventually, it’s time for the twins to get their baths and go to sleep upstairs, for however many hours in a row they’ll give their parents. Blaire gives us both a hug and heads up the stairs, a twin in each arm.
We’re putting on our boots and coats when Cole comes to the door with a bag in his hand. “Here, take the leftover tiramisu with you. We’re drowning in Christmas cookies and other treats this time of year from locals grateful for the work on the festival. We won’t miss it.”
He extends his arm toward me and I take the offering. “Thanks, Cole. Everything was delicious, thanks for cooking and inviting me.” Our eyes lock, and I see him give me the smallest of nods. It may not be approval, but it looks a lot like acceptance, and I’ll take it.
Cole wraps Austin in a hug, and I wave goodbye as we head out the door.
“Hey, Brody,” Cole calls, and I turn from where I stand next to the Bronco. He’s standing on the porch, hands shoved in his pockets, probably shivering.
“Yeah?”
“Same time next week?”
I smile. Maybe it’s a bit of approval after all.
“Am I invited too?” Austin snarks from the driver’s side.
“We’ll be here,” I respond, before climbing in the car, ready for Austin to take us home.
Chapter 19
Austin
I’ve worked on some long, grueling jobs over the years. Being an elf in Santa’s Workshop six days a week brings with it a next level of exhaustion, along with a new type of satisfaction for the work we’re doing. A lot of that is thanks to Brody. The way his enthusiasm is infectious and how many people he’s allowing us to help.
But at the same time, the demands playing Santa and his elf isn’t super convenient when you have a limited time with the one who got away. I told Brody he never had to go back to the guest room if he didn’t want to—and so far, he hasn’t. Don’t get me wrong, falling into bed together and cuddling all night long is wonderful. So is waking up gradually with lazy handjobs that turn frenzied, or slow, wet blow jobs that rock my world. But I would like to spend time building him up, and then sending him spiraling into the best orgasm of his life.
Brody yawns behind the false wall during our quick evening break, the sounds ofElfplaying in the background to keep the kids entertained while they wait.
“None of that,” I say, and he rolls his eyes at me, a smile on his face. I take a step closer, getting into his space.
Brody swallows as he looks up into my eyes, his darkening as he reads what’s on my face. He waits for me to keep talking.
“I have plans for us tonight. And they don’t involve you being tired.” I whisper the last words in his ear, pretty much beyond caring if the rest of the staff find out Santa and his elf are sleeping together. Blaire knows, and it’s a temporary gig. Plus, Jimmy’s the one coordinating with Brody’s staff back in New York about money things, keeping things clear from any corruption claims.
“Care to tell me about these plans?” He pulls his head back so he can meet my gaze again. “Do you perhaps have a list? Can I check it twice?”
I shake my head. “Nah, I’d rather you use your imagination.” I step away to grab some water from the mini fridge, giving Brody some time to daydream, and then banish those thoughts far, far away for the next couple of hours.
Luckily, everyone’s anxious for their day off, so cleanup is quick and we’re back on the road to Winterberry Glen earlier than normal. I try to make our drive back follow the same theme, but as soon as we pull off school grounds, Brody starts a pattern of tracing his hand from my knee, up my leg before rubbing his thumb over the head of my dick in my jeans, and then taking the return trail back to my knee. With each pass, he spends more time caressing my crotch, and then slows his transition to my knee and back.
The light at the intersection to turn on my street is red, and I strain my hips to push into his hand when it makes contact with my cock again. I groan, restrained by my seat belt when I try to chase his hand as he removes it back to his lap.
“Tell me, is this part of your plan?” he asks, his face innocent, but his gaze wicked.
