Page 24 of A Cowboy Home for Christmas
Both girls’ hands shoot up in the air.
“And who’s helping make them?”
A second round of enthusiasm rings from the girls.
Lauren points at the door. “To the kitchen. But be real quiet because everyone else is sleeping.”
“Uncle Barker, are you coming?” Clara pulls my hand.
“I wouldn’t miss it.” I collect the blankets and hand them to Lauren. Our hands brush. “But first I’m gonna put on a shirt. Maybe brush my teeth.”
In my room, I pull a T-shirt over my head. I stop at the foot of the bed. My body stirs. Her smell lingers. Whether in the air or in the ruffled sheets and duvet. I’ll smell her all goddam night. It’ll be a painful pleasantry. If only we’d had a minute to ourselves this morning. To refresh the feel of her body against mine.
I swing open the bathroom door and find Lauren brushing her teeth. “Morning,” she mumbles with a mouthful of toothpaste, and a grin that reaches her ears.
“Morning.” I stop at the double sink closest to me. My fingers dig through my leather toiletry bag for my toothbrush and toothpaste. We brush our teeth, watching one another in the reflection of the mirror. Desire dances between us. Lust plays a seductive tune. I suspect a conversation is waiting for me. I don’t think it’s one I’ll dislike. Not by the way she’s looking at me.
I rinse my mouth and when I stand up, she’s watching me. Hip leaning on the counter. Arms crossed under her bosom. The morning glow on her face.
“Should we talk about last night?” I ask.
She shrugs. “We could talk about it tonight. After the girls are in bed.”
Maybe this holiday was the right decision after all.
“Mommy!” Lark skids across the tile floor. “Clara had an accident!”
Chapter Seven
LAUREN
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ITRY NOT to laugh.
I really do.
